A colorful twist on the classic French market, the Cours Saleya Flower Market (Marche aux Fleurs Cours Saleya) is in many ways the heart of everyday life in Nice. The market is split between its famous flower market selling bucketfuls of blooms on the western side and a food market brimming with spices, produce, pastries, and more on the eastern side.
Take it all in on a leisurely stroll, stopping to people-watch from one of the cafes and restaurants lining the edges, or join a Nice sightseeing tour or food tour for the benefit of the information provided by a local guide.
Dress for the weather, with plenty of sun protection in summer.
Bring cash, as most vendors do not accept credit cards.
Expect large crowds during summer.
Right in the heart of Nice's Old Town (Vieux Nice) and only one street back from the Quai des Etats-Unis on the Promenade des Anglais, the Cours Saleya is impossible to miss during any stroll through the historic district. Though the area is mostly closed off to cars—making for a pleasant pedestrian experience—it can be accessed on the T1 line of the tram, with the closest stop at Opéra Vieille Ville.
Visit between 6am and 5:30pm to see the market at its finest. Early morning visits let travelers see the vendors setting up before the crowds arrive, while visitors in the evening will find the market plaza transformed into an outdoor dining area where farm-to-table food is the standard. The market is replaced by an antiques market on Mondays and is closed Sunday afternoons and public holidays.
Though outdoor markets take place in just about every town on the French Riviera, France's National Council for the Culinary Arts ranks the Cours Saleya Market as one of the best in the country—this says a lot in a destination so famous for its food!