Begin the day at Place Masséna, Nice's principal square, where elegant arcaded buildings and public art reflect the city's blend of French and Italian influences. Continue to Cours Saleya, one of the city's most vibrant markets, known for its flowers, local specialties, and lively atmosphere.

Wander through Vieux Nice (Old Town), a maze of narrow medieval streets lined with colorful façades, hidden squares, and Baroque landmarks. Visit Palais Lascaris, a beautifully preserved aristocratic residence showcasing ornate interiors and historical musical instruments, and Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice, the city's Baroque cathedral.

Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches, synagogues, and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Spend time browsing artisan shops throughout Vieux Nice, where you can discover Provençal textiles, handcrafted ceramics, olive-wood products, local olive oils, and perfumes inspired by the French Riviera.

Optional add-on: Participate in a perfume-making workshop at Molinard Nice to learn about the region's fragrance traditions and create a personalized scent.

Stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais, where you can admire the elegant Belle Époque architecture that lines the promenade while enjoying views of the Mediterranean. Continue to Musée Masséna, a refined Belle Époque villa surrounded by gardens and home to collections related to the history of Nice and the Riviera.

Conclude the afternoon at Hôtel Negresco to see its lavish interiors, historic architecture, and impressive art collection, with the full art collection accessible via private guided tours.

View the exterior of the Opéra de Nice, taking note of its ornate, Belle Époque façade. Enjoy dinner in Vieux Nice, where historic surroundings and lively squares provide an atmospheric setting.

Optional add-on: Attend a ballet, opera, symphony, or other performance at the Opéra de Nice if an event aligns with your schedule.

Begin at Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedralss in Western Europe. Its colorful domes, decorative details, and distinctive architecture provide a striking contrast to the city's Mediterranean character.

Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches, synagogues, and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Optional add-on: Explore the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice, which features works by French and European artists from the seventeenth through twentieth centuries.

Continue to the Musée National Marc Chagall, home to the largest public collection of works by Marc Chagall, which includes monumental paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and stained glass.

Visit Musée Matisse to learn about the artistic evolution of Henri Matisse through paintings, drawings, sculptures, and personal objects spanning his career, including his years in Nice.

Spend the remainder of the day at Monastère de Cimiez and its tranquil gardens. The monastery grounds offer panoramic views over Nice and provide a peaceful setting associated with generations of artists who found inspiration in the city. Matisse is buried in the nearby cemetery.

Return to central Nice for dinner near Place Masséna. At night, its Conversation à Nice art installation features cyclical illumination of its sculptures representing the world's continents.

Optional add-on: Head to Vence to explore La Chapelle Matisse, or the Chapelle du Rosaire, designed and decorated by Henri Matisse and widely regarded as one of his most important artistic achievements. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches, synagogues, and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Travel to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a beautifully preserved hilltop village long associated with artists, writers, and creative communities. Begin at Fondation Maeght, where the collection includes works by major twentieth-century artists, such as Miró, Giacometti, Bonnard, Braque, Calder, Chagall, Hepworth, and Léger.

Spend the remainder of the day exploring Saint-Paul-de-Vence itself. Wander through medieval stone streets, admire historic gates and ramparts, and browse artist studios, independent galleries, and artisan workshops that continue the village's long creative tradition. Look for locally crafted goods including soaps, ceramics, perfumes, and Provençal decorative arts.

Enjoy an early dinner with views of the surrounding countryside and distant Mediterranean coastline before returning to Nice for the evening.