Discover Nice Step by Step: Guided Tours in January 2026

January is the perfect time to rediscover Nice at a relaxed pace, away from the busy summer season. For January 2026, the city offers a wide range of guided tours accessible to all, designed to introduce both residents and visitors to its historical, artistic, and scenic heritage. The program combines classic routes, thematic itineraries, and new proposals compared to previous years.

The city’s must-see classics

Among the unmissable tours are the “incontournables”, starting with the Old Town (Vieux-Nice), the authentic heart of the city and custodian of its traditions. This tour, which winds through streets, squares, and historical landmarks, is offered every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and every Friday at 9:30 a.m., starting from the Centre du Patrimoine – Le Sénat, on rue Jules-Gilly.

Also departing from the Heritage Center is the tour “Quand Nice invente la Riviera”, which explores the city’s origins as a vacation destination and its urban development tied to tourism. This visit is scheduled every Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Thematic and offbeat itineraries

January also features more original routes, grouped under Les Vagabondes.
The tour “From the Fortifications to Place Royale” takes participants through the city’s old defenses and central monuments, with two dates: Tuesday, 13 and 27 January at 2:30 p.m., meeting at the Crypte archéologique, place Jacques-Toja.

Another highlight is “Nice and Matisse”, a walk through the places loved by the painter that inspired his work. This visit takes place Thursday, 8 January at 2:00 p.m., departing from Hôtel Beau Rivage.

Historic sites and iconic landmarks

The Crypte archéologique in place Jacques-Toja is open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, with guided tours at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m., bookable at the Heritage Center or online.

The Bellandarium, or Bellanda Tower, is another must-see, offering one of the best views of the Bay of Angels and recounting the millennia-long history of Castle Hill. The site is open Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday, with morning and afternoon hours; starting 13 January, it is also open Friday mornings.

Another emblematic site is the Nice Opera House, rebuilt after the 1881 fire and still a central hub for opera. Tours are held every Monday at 2:30 p.m.; tickets are not available on-site, but can be purchased at the Heritage Center or online.

One site, one hour

For those short on time, the “Un site, une heure” program offers one-hour visits. Highlights include “Les Décors du Lac restored” at Parc Valrose (Monday, 12 January at 10:00 a.m.) and tours of two historic hotels: Hôtel Windsor (9, 16, and 30 January) and Hôtel Westminster (19 and 26 January).

Cultural walks: art and landscape

The balades patrimoniales complete the program, guided walks combining culture and territory. Among these, the Promenade du Paillon – Season 2 is a two-voice tour dedicated to the historical, architectural, natural, and scientific heritage of the area (Thursday, 15 January at 10:00 a.m., meeting at Esplanade de la Bourgada).

Art lovers will also enjoy “Nice vue par les peintres”, exploring the relationship between the city’s light and the painters it has inspired (Thursday, 8 January at 10:00 a.m., meeting at Promenade des Anglais).

Practical information

Guided tours are organized by the Service Ville d’Art et d’Histoire – Centre du Patrimoine – Le Sénat, rue Jules-Gilly 14, in the Old Town (Vieux-Nice).
Standard price: 6 euros, reduced price: 2.50 euros for students, seniors, unemployed persons, and people with disabilities.
Information and bookings are available at the Heritage Center or on the official website vah.nice.fr.