Founded in 5BC by the Greeks, Nicea, or Nice (as it’s now known) has been a hotspot for tourism for generations. The Greeks, Italians, French, and English have all vacationed in the city at one point and have influenced everything from art to architecture and food. The year-round sunshine and the stunning Mediterranean waters are the biggest reasons people worldwide travel down to rent a boat Nice.
Dubbed by many as the unofficial capital of the French Rivera, Nice offers some of the best seaside resorts, foods, restaurants, architecture, and Marinas in France. The city has a little bit of everything for all sorts of travelers.
History and architecture buffs will delight in Castle hill, the various contemporary museums, and historical buildings. Casual vacationers will enjoy the warm rocky beaches of the Mediterranean sea, the foods, and the many tours that show the most exciting sports in the city. Sailors will fall in love with the many ports and Marinas where you’ll find a French Riviera yacht charter that’ll suit you perfectly.
Exploring the French Riviera from Nice
There’s no shortage of Ports and Marinas where you can rent a boat Nice France. Despite having no sandy beaches, the pleasure boating scene in Nice is in full swing.
Port of Nice is the biggest Port in the city and is home to Mega Yachts, Sailboats, and every vessel in between. It should be your first destination if you want to rent a yacht in Nice, France.
Port Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Marina is a great second choice. St-Jean Cap Ferrat is an exclusive commune belonging to some of the wealthiest men and women in Riviera. And their Marina provides the best amenities and services for sailors and vessel owners. You’ll struggle to find a better yacht charter in France.
Port de Beaulieu Marina, Beaulieu-Sur-Mer is some ways from Nice, but if you’re patient enough to make the trip or are in the area, you’ll find no better location to rent a boat Nice France. The town of Beaulieu-Sur-Mer boasts of two of the largest Marinas on the Riviera, and yacht hire Nice, and Sailboat charters in Nice, France, are plentiful.
Port la Darse Marina, Villefranche-Sur-Mer is off the beaten path, eastward of Nice. It’s a small-capacity Marinas that accept Yachts 34 m tall, Super Yachts, and even sailboats. It’s another stellar place to rent a boat Nice.
Marina Baie Des Anges, Port des Fourmis, and Port Saint Laurent du Var Marina are excellent alternatives located in Nice or the villages around it. You can rent a boat and sail up and down the Riviera.
City Attractions to Visit When Sailing Nice, France
Nice is the fifth-largest city in France, and there are no shortages of exciting activities to do. For sailors, most of the excitement you’ll find in the city will be by the private yacht clubs, French Riviera yacht charters, and guided tours.
For sight-seers and food lovers, Nice is magical. Old Town is the heart of the city and has some of the cheapest accommodations, the best restaurants and pastries, flower markets, and plenty of the most fascinating monuments in the city.
Hike Castle Hill to get the best view in the city and walk the Promenade des Anglais for a lovely view of the Mediterranean every morning Art lovers will delight in the Chegal Museum, the contemporary art museum, and other private and public Museums located in the city.
If you’re Nice for the architecture and history, you should visit Palais Lascaris, Garden of the Cimiiez Monastery, and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral. They cost next to nothing to visit and tell the true story of the city.
Weather in Nice, France
Like most cities in France, the weather in Nice changes a lot over the course of the year. During the winter months, temperatures can reach as slow as 43 degrees in December and January, and by the height of August, they can reach as high as 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
You’ll find similar weather among most cities along the Riviera, meaning finding yacht charters in Antibes or a Cannes yacht charter will just be as complicated as sailing Nice France. If you can, avoid the city entirely in August. Most of France vacations during that month, and the price of accommodation, food, and just about everything skyrockets as the french make a mass exodus to the Riviera.
However, Nice never sees snow or lots of rain, and that means, despite the huge temperature difference, you can visit the city year-round with very few issues.
Preparing for the Nice Sailing Trip
Despite being on the Riviera, Nice is actually more accessible by air. Ferry rides and train rides take forever and are almost as expensive as booking a local plane ride, and if you’re traveling down from North America, you’ll be coming by plane already.
Nice, France is a charming place, but like visiting any foreign country, it can be a nightmare if you don’t prepare ahead for it. Book your Airbnb, sailboat charters in Nice, France, or yacht charters Nice ahead of time to have the smoothest experience.
You can also look up specific locations you’d like to visit and plan out an Itinerary. Most people that visit Nice don’t stop at the city, but also visit the surrounding towns, villages, and the other cities on the Riviera for an authentic and more complete experience.
