10 Best Markets in Nice

The Flower Market (Le Marché aux fleurs) is a great place to enjoy the bright colours and subtle scents of freshly cut flowers. Located in the lively Cours Saleya square in the Old Town, the market started in 1897 as a meeting point between local producers and wholesale traders who distributed flowers by train across Europe.

Sheltered by striped awnings, a large variety of fresh flowers and beautiful potted plants will please your eyes. You’ll find iconic deep-violet lavender and bright yellow mimosa, as well as colourful roses, geraniums, fuchsias, dahlias, exotic flowers, and many floral arrangements. Don’t hesitate to ask the florists to create a unique bouquet or give you precious advice on how to keep your plants healthy and beautiful.

The Food Market in the scenic Cours Saleya square brings together more than 100 local producers, who come here every day to sell their fresh vegetables and fruits. Artistically displayed under the striped awnings, bright red tomatoes, huge lemons, sweet melons, and strawberries of any shape and size will awake your senses. Don’t hesitate to taste samples the sellers offer to passersby!

Most of the products available are organic seasonal produce, but you’ll also find high-quality olive oils, a large variety of spices, honey, bread, and jams. This is a great place to chat with locals and try Provençal specialities such as pistou (a sauce made of olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil), socca (chickpea pancake), and pissaladières (a kind of pizza).

The picturesque Cours Saleya hosts the Antique and Flea Market (Marché à la Brocante) on Mondays. Surrounded by colourful yellow and orange houses, just a few steps from the sea, the square is filled with stalls offering all kind of curiosities. You can consider it as an open-air museum displaying old treasures from French attics.

You’ll find a great assortment of old furniture, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, books, posters, jewellery, silverware, ceramics, paintings, model cars, wooden items, and so on. Whether you are an antique hunter or not, take your time to browse the items under the colourful awnings. If you like something, don’t hesitate to bargain – it’s common practice at the flea market.

The Evening Artisanal Market (Marché Artisanal Nocturne) brings Cours Saleya square to life again in summer, after the famous day markets. Talented local craftsmen sell many kinds of creations, such as pottery, paintings, jewellery, clothes, and accessories. You can find a unique souvenir here – something different from the typical tourist trinkets in the nearby shops.

Since Cours Saleya is close to popular nightlife spots, stroll through the square to explore the nocturnal market before or after going out with friends to a nearby restaurant or bar. You’ll appreciate a lovely summer night buzz created by visitors and locals enjoying the unique atmosphere of Cours Saleya.

The Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons) in the restored Saint-François square in the Old Town is a busy place where local fishermen sell their fresh catches. Grouped around a fountain in the middle of the square, the stalls will attract your eyes with a variety of Mediterranean fish and seafood.

You’ll find sea bass, sardines, red mullets, and other riches of the sea. The sellers are always happy to explain how to prepare a good Mediterranean dish. If you don’t have the equipment to cook at your accommodation, don’t hesitate to come here simply to observe the authentic atmosphere. It's where local vendors do more than selling fish – they share their passion for the sea and cooking, too.

Liberation Market (Marché de la Liberation) is a huge open-air food market located around the Place Charles de Gaulle, outside the city centre. You can easily reach this place by taking the Line 1 tram directly to the Liberation stop. This is the place locals choose to fill their baskets because the market offers a large variety of items at reasonable prices.

You’ll find everything you need for cooking here. Locally grown fruits, vegetables, olives, smelly cheeses, spices, sweet honey, tasty bread and much more. There are also stalls with freshly caught fish and the covered Docks de la Riviera selling fresh and cured meats and other delicatessens. As locals do, you can come here to drink and eat Nice’s specialities.

The Flea Market in the Port (Puces de Nice) is a lovely place to hunt for small gemstones. Set in a great location, it’s an open-air space grouping together several charming antique stores. You’ll find all sorts of items – old and contemporary, chic and funny. Discover household objects, metalworks, bronzes, paintings, furniture, vintage clothes, and other things.

If you’re an antique lover, take this opportunity to talk to friendly traders in fishermen’s hats. They’ll welcome your questions and share curious stories about traditional and authentic objects. Once you’ve bought your dream items, take a break in one of the many cosy restaurants around.

The stunning Garibaldi Square welcomes 2 different markets. The Artisanal Market (Les Artisanales de Garibaldi) takes place every first Sunday of the month. A relatively recent addition to the list of markets in Nice, it brings together great artisans from across the region. Take your time to explore the talents and skills of craftsmen. You’ll find original examples of ceramics, leather goods, textiles, jewellery, decorative objects, and accessories.

On the third Saturday of each month, the square hosts the Antique and Flea Market (Marché à la Brocante), when antique sellers bring their bric-a-brac, vintage items, old paintings, and other interesting curiosities. Even if you’re not interested in the wares on offer, this beautiful square is an excellent spot for enjoying coffee and watching people hunting for a bargain.

Benefiting from a central location in the Old Town, Place du Palais de Justice hosts several markets. Every first and third Saturday of each month, you’ll find a second-hand Book Market selling everything from vintage and used books to rare editions, recent novels and French bandes dessinées (comics). If you are interested in antique postcards, then come here on the fourth Saturday of the month.

Every second Saturday, the Arts and Crafts Market takes place. Just in front of the impressive neoclassical Palace of Justice, painters and craftsmen come to sell their creations. It’s a great opportunity to find a genuine hand-made gift and also watch artists painting live in the street.

One of the less-known markets in Nice takes place on the first Sunday of every month on the quay of the port. Surrounded by beautiful buildings, this colourful, U-shaped port is a lovely place to stroll along the sea, looking for a nice antique or vintage item.

Whether you’re looking for a good bargain or simply exploring the place, you’ll enjoy the scenery of boats, yachts, and cruise ships coming from other parts of the Mediterranean. You can continue your visit towards a scenic Place de l'Ile-de-Beauté to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.