Nice has many special Sunday-only events, some weekly, some monthly…
Free Sunday Symphony Concert: Every Sunday at 3:30pm the city of Nice sponsors a free concert with the Orchestre d’Harmonie de Nice. During the winter, they’re usually at the church on the Port but sometimes at the Eglise Notre Dame, but come springtime they’re open-air across from the seaside, at the musical kiosk in the Jardin Albert I. UPDATE: As of July 8th, the Jardin Albert I is now closed to reemerge next year as the ‘Coulee Vert’, so in the meantime the open air summer concerts will be held in the Cimiez gardens. Click here for the program for this Sunday’s concert, and scroll down for more things you can do while up on Cimiez, and how to get there by bus.
Matinees Musicales at the Opera: One Sunday a month the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra offers a matinee concert for families at a bargain price. Children from 7-18 are free, little children from 4-7 are 5€, and adults are only 7€, so take advantage of this bargain opportunity to experience the Nice Philharmonic en famille, and in the magical setting of the Nice Opera House. The concert starts at 11am, but it’s open seating so you’ll want to get there early (10ish) to get a good spot or even stake out one of the private loges. The best idea is to drop by the day before to get your tickets so you won’t be stuck in the ticket line while the others are racing for the best seats.
Cours Saleya Market is at its best on Sundays, with the vendors out in full force, complimented by the weekend artists and street musicians. It’s the perfect day to experience the market, pick up a little something for lunch, and then picnic on the beach or at the top of the Chateau (with the newly free elevator) to picnic with stunning views.
During the summer sales, Galeries Lafayette will be open for Sunday shopping from July through August 5th.
photo: www.musee-chagall.fr
Free First Sundays at Chagall Museum: Nice has an abundance of great museums, and even better, they’re almost all free! The big exception is the Chagall Museum, which at 7.50€ a pop is a major hold-out. This gets remedied on the first Sunday of each month when even the Musee Chagall is free. The Chagall Museum is a little gem: intimate, inspirational, and the only art museum in Nice with audio guides. Even better: if you have an iPhone you can download the Audio Guide App (in English) for free!
While you’re up on Cimiez, why not make it a double header and check out the nearby Matisse Museum or tour the impressive Roman ruins at the Archeology Museum, built on the site of the Roman baths? Both museums are free and both open on Sundays. Other options include a picnic in the ancient olive grove, followed by the free summer orchestra concert at 3:30pm on Sundays, followed by a stroll through the Italian gardens of the Franciscan Monastery. Click here for directions on how to get to Cimiez by bus.
…And a quick word on Mondays: Don’t miss the Brocante at Cours Saleya, a giant open-air weekly antique market that goes on all day.
Where to Eat: Most restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays, making it difficult to find a good place to eat. Here’s a list of recommended spots where you can be assured of a good meal: Where to Eat on Sunday and Monday in Nice
Photo credits: Opera by Best of Nice Blog, Orchestra d’Harmonie courtesy Ville de Nice.
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