Three Days in Nice: Your France Rugby World Cup Itinerary

Visiting Nice for the France Rugby World Cup 2023? This host city is not only home to the Stade Allianz Riviera, where four of the pool matches will be held; it’s also the capital of the French Riviera and one of France’s most dynamic coastal cities. Plan a few days before or after match day to experience Nice and follow our insider tips to take in all the highlights.

Your France Rugby World Cup Itinerary: Nice

Day 1: Nice’s Monuments and Museums

Morning is the best time to stroll the streets of Vieux Nice, and the city’s Old Town oozes character with its pastel-coloured buildings and palm-studded plazas. Lose yourself amid the colourful blooms of the century-old Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) along Cours Saleya—the daily (except Mondays) market is a local institution—and look out for landmarks including the Chapelle de la Miséricorde, Palais Lascaris, Gésu Church, and Nice Opera House.

Swing by Place Rossetti to admire the 17th-century Sainte Reparate Cathedral and cool off with an ice cream from another local icon, the Fenocchio ice cream parlour. Ice cream cone in hand, continue to Place Massena with its spectacular Apollo Fountain and escape the sun along the leafy trails of the Jardin Albert 1er.

In the afternoon, head up to explore the Cimiez neighbourhood, where you’ll find two of the city’s most important art museums. Marvel over masterpieces at the Matisse Museum and Marc Chagall Museum, then see traces of the city’s Roman past at Les Arènes de Cimiez.

Day 2: Match Day Views

The 300-step climb (there’s also a lift if you don’t feel up to it) to the top of Castle Hill (Colline de Château) will reward you with Nice’s most impressive view, a postcard-worthy panorama taking in the city, port, and Bay of Angels. Just don’t go looking for the castle—it was destroyed by Louis XIV at the turn of the 18th century.

More ocean views await along the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s famous seafront, which sweeps west of Castle hill, and is dotted with luxury resorts and golden beaches. Rent a bike or Segway to explore the 7km ‘Prom’, or tackle it the old-fashioned way—on foot—stopping to cool off with a swim along the way.

As the sun sets, you’ll find plenty of choices for bars and restaurants along the Prom, or head back into the city to sample Niçoise cuisine at an oceanfront eatery. Pissaladière (pizza-like flatbread), daube Niçoise (braised beef stew); and ratatouille are menu staples.

Day 3: Monaco, Eze, and Menton

You can’t visit Nice without exploring the French Riviera, and the star-studded beaches and boulevards of Cannes, St Tropez, and Antibes all lie within day-trip distance. If you only have time for one day tour, we suggest heading east to Monaco—the city-state is tiny enough that you can take in the highlights in just a few hours.

Start with a visit to the lavish Prince’s Palace, then head along the coastal Corniche to see the famous Monte Carlo Casino and admire views of the Rock of Monaco. Finally, take a lap around part of the legendary Monte Carlo Formula One Grand Prix circuit—with city traffic and speed limits in place, it’s not quite the full F1 experience, but the views are still a thrill.

Combine your trip to Monaco with a stop in the French hilltop village of Eze, known for its picturesque Old Town and Fragonard perfume factory, and Menton, on the Italian border, world-famous for its lemons—be sure to indulge in a slice of lemon tart or a Citronnier (lemon mousse pastry).