Did you think that the French Riviera was only enjoyed in summer? Think again! A destination of choice between sea and mountains, the Riviera seduced the European aristocracy as early as the 18th century thanks to its mild and sunny climate. Nice also testifies to this heritage by being registered since 2001 on the UNESCO World Heritage List as “Riviera Winter Resort City”. Discover our ideas to make the most of winter on the French Riviera!
1. Lounging on a beach in the sun
There is no need to go to the other side of the world to fill up on vitamin D. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, the French Riviera enjoys generous amounts of sunshine throughout the winter. Every year, at Christmas, locals in Nice even enjoy an invigorating sea bath in water that is around 13°C! This practice, repeated throughout the winter, offers a real rejuvenation cure by stimulating blood circulation and strengthening the immune system.
Relax on one of the beaches of La Croisette in Cannes with a view of the Lérins Islands, explore the coves of the Pointe de l'Aiguille Natural Park in Théoule-sur-Mer, let yourself be charmed by the Cavalière beach in Le Lavandou, or even, enjoy the crystal clear waters of Pampelonne beach in Ramatuelle. For a magical moment, go to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, where sunsets are legendary.
2. Explore coastal trails
Nearly 200 km of trails surround the capes of the French Riviera. Formerly used by customs officials, they reveal breathtaking landscapes and lead to exceptional sites.
Stroll along the Le Corbusier Promenade, which follows the contours of Cap Martin, and admire the camping units designed by the famous architect, as well as the iconic villas Zamir, Cypris, Cyrnos, and E-1027 by Eileen Gray. Take the Nietzsche Trail from Èze-sur-Mer up to the medieval village for breathtaking views. Walk the Cap Ferrat coastal path to catch a glimpse of Villa Nellcote—where the Rolling Stones recorded Exile on Main St. in 1971—and the famous swimming pool of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, while enjoying the stunning panorama from the peninsula's lighthouse. Don’t miss the Tire-Poil trail in Cap d’Antibes, which winds through the scenic parks of the Châteaux de la Garoupe and La Croë, leading you to Villa Eilenroc and its magnificent rose garden. Along the way, stop by the Garoupe lighthouse and church, adorned with nearly 300 ex-votos, offering a unique historical and spiritual touch to your walk.
3. Take advantage of the region's ski resorts
Only an hour and a half from the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, the Mercantour National Park invites you to discover its numerous winter sports resorts. From the snowy Isola 2000, with its 120 km of slopes, to the family Auron and its 135 km of skiing, via Valberg and Saint Dalmas le Selvage, the highest village in the Alpes-Maritimes, the possibilities are endless. Lovers of thrills or snowshoeing, everyone will find happiness in the Southern Alps.
Also discover the resorts of Beuil les Launes, Roubion - Les-Buisses, Gréolière les Buisses, Gréolière les Neiges, Valdeblore - La Colmiane, Estenc - Entraunes, Peïra-Cava, Turini - Camp d'Argent, Le Boréon, Val Pelens, Caille and Casterino, gateway to the Valley of Wonders. Some of them offer the possibility of crossing vast areas of Nordic trails, through breathtaking landscapes.
Finally, one hour from Cannes, don't miss the stations of L'Audibergue and La Moulière where the entire French Riviera is revealed from its peaks.
Discover the Nice Côte d'Azur resorts.
4. Go on a safari in La Réserve des Monts d'Azur
Located just 30 km from Grasse and 60 km from Nice, Monts d'Azur Biological Reserve is home to more than 500 animal areas in freedom. In a mosaic of surprising environments (rocky cliffs, wetlands, natural meadows, remarkable woodlands, etc.), you will be able to observe European bison, deer, wild boar, Przewalski's horse, deer, chamois, golden eagles and even griffon vultures.
If you wish to stay on site, ecolodges and a bioclimatic villa are offered. Take advantage of the proximity to the resort of Gréolières les Neiges to ski in the morning and participate in a guided safari on foot or in a horse-drawn carriage in the afternoon. A unique experience of communion with nature!
5. Take part in the biggest carnival in France
For two weeks in February, Nice beats to the frenzied pace of carnival. This unmissable event, among the biggest in the world alongside Rio and Venice, attracts huge crowds who come to admire the sumptuous floats, the extravagant costumes and the wild dances.
On the occasion of its 152edition, the Nice carnival celebrates the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in Nice in June 2025 by crowning its king “King of the Seas and Oceans”. Let yourself be carried away by the wave of festivities on Place Masséna and around the Albert 1st Garden. Don't forget to reserve your seat in the grandstand, and if you are dressed up from head to toe, access to the pedestrian areas will be free!
From February 15 to March 2, 2025.
6. Take part in flower battles
Did you know that? The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is the leading producer of cut flowers in France. To celebrate this know-how of local producers, the Nice Carnival has enchanted spectators since 1876 with its famous flower battles. Fifteen spectacular floats, decorated with thousands of fresh flowers, parade before the amazed eyes of the audience, from which 18 costumed actresses - including a queen - launch thousands of flower stems (gladioli, gerberas, daisies, etc.) creating a shower of colors and scents. In all, more than 20 tons of mimosas will be distributed! An event not to be missed!
Create your indoor mimosas wreath with Favelita House on Sunday February 2 at the Full Bloom Café in Nice (by reservation).
Flower battles on February 19, 22, 26 and 1st March 2025 at 2.30 p.m.
7. Travel the Yellow Gold Route
From January to March, the French Riviera is adorned with its most beautiful colors with the flowering of mimosa. Introduced to the region by the British aristocracy in the 19th century, this Australian shrub with golden inflorescences and a captivating fragrance quickly established itself as the floral emblem of the Riviera. The Mimosa Route thus offers visitors the opportunity to discover eight towns lulled by its delicate scents.
The itinerary starts in Bormes-les-Mimosas, a medieval village dating from the 12th century. Then let yourself be seduced by the charm of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer and Sainte-Maxime, before reaching Mandelieu-La-Napoule, the capital of mimosa, which has been organizing the Mimosa Festival since 1931. Stroll among the flowery floats, enjoy local specialties and let yourself be carried away by the festive atmosphere. Then continue your journey through the hills of Tanneron, in Pays de Fayence, where the mimosa displays its thousands of yellow buttons as far as the eye can see. Then take a break in Pégomas to dance at the Mimosa Ball, before heading to Grasse, the world city of perfume, to visit its international perfume museum.
Hikes in the heart of Mimosa with Maddy Polomeni from January 28 to March 9, 2025.
Mandelieu-La-Napoule Mimosa Festival from February 12 to 16, 2025.
Getaway “On the Mimosa Road” in a 2CV with Mademoiselle Riviera.
8. Celebrating the Lemon Festival in Menton
True to the carnival tradition preceding Lent, the city of Menton, the largest lemon producer in France, organizes its Lemon Festival every year. Its 91 edition, under the theme of “Travels to the Stars”, promises a grandiose show. Monumental floats, sculpted from 140 tons of citrus fruits, will parade alongside groups of artists in multi-colored costumes. Don't miss the Golden Fruit Corsos, the illuminated nocturnal Corsos and the free exhibition of citrus motifs in the Biovès gardens. For an even richer experience, visit the Craft Fair and let yourself be enchanted by the delicate scents of the Orchid Festival.
From February 15 to March 2, 2025.
9. Enjoy the delights of Nice
Between New Year's Day and Easter, the people of Nice enjoy two iconic pastries: ganses and chard pie. They are particularly popular during the Carnival festivities and on Mardi Gras before the start of the Lenten fasting period.
Ganses (not to be confused with Bugnes Lyonnaises) are doughnuts with a light and crunchy texture, delicately flavored with orange blossom. Traditionally made with flour, eggs, sugar, butter, milk, and baking powder, they are fried until golden brown and then gleefully sprinkled with icing sugar.
As for chard pie (“torta de blea” in the Nice dialect), it is a green vegetable cake that is eaten cold. Its filling is composed of finely chopped chard leaves, pine nuts, raisins, parmesan, rice and parsley, all topped with icing sugar.
To savor these delights in Nice, go Chez Thérésa, Chez Pipo, La Merenda et La Boul’Ange in Drap, or any other address benefiting from the “Cuisine Nissarde” label.
10. Diving into the blue by Yves Klein at the Matisse Museum
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of the city of Nice is moving to the Matisse Museum for the winter and is exhibiting eight works by the fabulous master of blue IKB Yves Klein, a member of the École de Nice, thus offering a new counterpoint in the journey of the MAMAC collections, with everyone's works responding in a fascinating way.
Known for his monochrome proposals and his areas of pictorial sensitivities, Yves Klein shares artistic and philosophical affinities with Matisse, whom he was a friend, and whose work goes beyond the concept of easel paintings. For the latter, color invests space in limitless works, the edges blur as pure gouache invades the surface. With cut-out gouache papers, he expresses an artistic radicality that escapes all pre-existing patterns at a time marked by the progress of aviation and a new understanding of the sky, the expanse, and space. This appropriation of space and the feeling of flight induced by his gouache cut-out papers is not foreign to Yves Klein. As early as 1946, he signed his name on the other side of the sky, appropriating blue and infinite space as one of his canvases. In 1956, he created the IKB, International Klein Blue, in tribute to the sky of Nice, which for him is the most perfect expression of blue, and devoted himself to the world of monochrome, in the tradition of abstraction.
Exhibition “The Stunning Power of Color” at Matisse Museum in Nice until April 14, 2025.
Photo cover: Auron © Nice Côte d'Azur Metropole
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