10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Nice

Parc National du Mercantour is a vast national park with walking paths, recreational lakes and an abundance of flora and fauna. Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence about an hour from Nice, the park features small villages, historic churches and petroglyphs from the Neolithic and Bronze ages.

Outdoor adventurers can find obscure petroglyphs and historic monuments after difficult climbs, but you can also see artefacts at the Musée des Merveilles, a less-challenging destination. On hiking trails, you’ll come across Mediterranean trees and plants like martagon lilies, edelweiss and olive trees. Plenty of fauna lives in the park, including ibexes, ermines and marmots.

Monastère de Cimiez is an 11th-century monastery founded by Benedictine monks that’s now a Franciscan monastery and museum. Located in Cimiez about 10 minutes from the city centre, the monastery is home to a small community of Franciscan monks and offers tours of the building and museum.

When you visit, you’ll see ancient artwork, frescoes, historic documents, and a replica monk’s cell that give you an idea of the Franciscan way of life. The monastery also has a lush garden where you can take a quiet stroll and enjoy the views of the city.

Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild is a historic seaside villa from the early 20th century that displays antique furniture, paintings, and sculptures. Located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat about 20 minutes from the Nice city centre, Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild was the home of Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild and is now a living museum.

During a tour of the home, you can see spectacular Old Master paintings, objets d’art, sculptures, and period furnishings, as well as a vast collection of rare porcelain. The villa also has 9 themed gardens, including traditional Japanese and Florentine gardens and a rose garden.

The Train des Merveilles is an exciting sightseeing train that travels through medieval villages and archaeological ruin sites. The full trip runs from the Nice coast to Cuneo in Italy, but you can take shorter trips that take you to charming medieval villages in the countryside.

One of the unique features of the Train des Merveilles is that the railway carriages are painted like the rock carvings that have been discovered in the region’s archaeological sites. When you get to the villages, you’ll have opportunities to sightsee, hike, or bike in the area.

The Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur is a public earth and space sciences research centre and historic astronomical observatory. Located on Mont Gros to the east of the city centre, the astronomical site features one of the largest mobile domes in Europe.

When you visit, you can take a guided tour on foot to see the site and take in the beauty of the historic architecture. You’ll also have an opportunity to attend events at the observatory, such as immersive space travel experiences, educational lectures, and fun trivia events.

Château de Bellet is a beautiful historic estate that offers wine tastings and tours in the beautiful Nice countryside. Located about 20 minutes from the Nice city centre, Château de Bellet was an estate for the Barons of Bellet, who planted vines on the hills.

You’ll find a variety of landmarks on the estate, such as a chapel that hosts receptions, tasting rooms, and a wine store. You can also book vineyard walks, guided tours, and other experiences to take in the beauty of the estate.

The Musée des Arts Asiatiques de Nice is a fascinating museum that’s home to masterpieces of Asian art. Located in Parc Phoenix about 13 minutes from the city centre, the museum is surrounded by lush flowers and appears to be floating on water.

You’ll find a range of Asian cultures, court arts, religious art, and expressive art represented in the museum. The exhibits are divided into separate cultural areas, including China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. Some of the highlights include an erong water buffalo sarcophagus and a sandstone statue of Vishnu.

Parc Naturel Départemental de la Grande Corniche is a 712-hectare park with walking trails, Franco-Italian flora, rare wildlife and panoramic city and coastal views. Located about 27 minutes from the Nice city centre, Parc Naturel Départemental de la Grande Corniche spans the regions of Èze, La Turbie, La Trinité and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

You’ll have a lot to explore in the park, including trails through French snowflake flower fields and the Nice hillside. Several animals call the park home, including the Rhinolophus and cave salamander. If you hike on Mont Leuze and Mont Bataille, you can take in views all the way to Saint-Tropez and San Remo.

The Cimetière du Château is a historic landmark, cemetery, and prominent vista point located on a hilltop in the city. Located 12 minutes from the city centre, Cimetière du Château is found on the site of an 11th-century citadel and offers incredible views of the city.

Constructed in the 16th century, the cemetery site has some remnants of the ancient fortress that you can explore when you visit. It’s home to 2,800 graves, including the graves of Gaston Leroux, Freda Betti, and Alexander Herzen.

The Musée Renoir is a house museum that was once the residence of the namesake artist and holds his artwork and personal possessions. Located around 20 minutes from the city centre, the family home is a stunning neo-Provençal building that was Renoir’s home until 1919.

The house has been preserved as a museum and holds much of the family’s original furniture and decor. You’ll also see original paintings and sculptures, including 'Les Grandes Baigneuses'. After seeing the interior of the home, you can explore the vast estate with a rose garden and olive, orange, and lemon trees.