While the French Riviera might conjure up images of celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival and cars zooming around the streets during the Monaco Grand Prix, the South of France is still a great destination for families. But what do you do with kids when you visit France’s Southern coast? I suggest making Nice your home base. You can easily visit much of the Cote d’Azur from Nice using public transport. Flights arrive from all over the world into the Nice Airport, so it makes sense that your first stop is Nice.
It’s always a good time to visit the South of France. Nice has 300 days of sunshine a year after all! My favorite times are the Spring and Fall, but you can find family-friendly activities all year round. Read on for a locals perspective on what to do in Nice, France with kids.
Since it is likely that most of my American friends don’t speak French, I’ve tried to only include activities that kids can participate in, despite that language barrier.
What to Do in Nice, France with Kids
Hit the Beach
One of the nicest things to do in Nice with kids is a trip to the beach. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the warmer months, you could plan an entire day around the shore. I know many older kids would be perfectly happy to lounge around by the sea all day listening to music, posting TikTok videos and texting with friends.
Younger kids can throw rocks in the water, collect sea glass or simply take a break and enjoy a snack by the sea. If it’s a sunny day, take a swim. It’s not uncommon for kids to strip down to their underwear and dive in, not that I recommend this over swimming trunks 🙂
You’ll find both public and private beaches in Nice. For a fee, you can take advantage of a lounge chair, umbrella and drink service. We find that the public beaches meet our needs, so that’s where we take our kids. During the summer, you’ll find lifeguard stations at various points to help provide an extra pair of eyes while you’re little ones enjoy the sea.
