The city of Nice plays host to the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, pastel-hued Old Town and bustling markets full of flowers and fresh produce.
Combine this with the dramatic mountain backdrops and lush landscapes of the region, it’s the perfect blend of Riviera glamour and laid-back French charm. What better place to practice slow travel – a chance to wander, savour, and truely connect with your surroundings.
Head for the hills
If you’re craving a break from city buzz and a deeper connection to nature, you’re in the right place: 80% of the Nice Côte d’Azur region is mountainous, offering peaceful escapes.
Hike through unfiltered beauty in places such as the Mercantour National Park, where trails lead to alpine lakes and waterfalls. Whether you’re after a gentle amble or a more challenging hike, there’s a route to suit every pace. And why rush?
Stay overnight in a mountain cabin or yurt, or unwind in eco-friendly hotels like Hotel Les Chamois. Sink into the thermal waters of Berthemont-les-Bains, meet friendly donkeys in La Tour-sur-Tinée, or cross paths with cowherds in the alpine meadows of Authion and Isola. Here in the mountains, time stretches out, and nature takes the lead.
Explore the coast
Prefer to stay by the seaside? The 42km GR Lou Camin Nissart trail winds through hills and down to the Promenade des Anglais, an ideal way to explore the mountains and city on foot.
You could also take the train along the coastline, from Cap d’Ail to Cagnes-sur-Mer, where the scenery unfolds like a film, or cycle the 15 kilometre coastal bike path, with plenty of cafés and sunny spots to pause in.
The beautiful beaches offer the perfect setting to unwind and embrace the spirit of slow tourism. Many, like Carras and Centenaire, are accessible and smoke-free – ideal for those slow, mindful days looking out at the dazzling blue ocean.
Soak up the culture
The region is a gallery without walls, where art meets landscape at every turn. Sculptures like Bernar Venet’s Nine Oblique Lines and Jaume Plensa’s Conversation in Nice dot the streets. Even the tramway lines become moving art, featuring visual and sound pieces by renowned contemporary artists like Plensa, Ben, Ottoniel, and Kim Sooka.
The region’s beauty also lives in its architecture, from Belle Époque façades to Art Deco elegance at Palais de la Méditerranée, and the vivid domes of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
And take time to linger over a long lunch, as you enjoy local wines and savour every delicious bite at the many incredible eateries in this culturally rich, sun-soaked region.
Practising slow tourism means not just seeing, but noticing, and in the Côte d’Azur, there’s beauty in every detail.
