Chic Shopping in Nice: From Local Markets to Luxury Boutiques

As a chef, I believe you haven't truly experienced Nice until you've wandered through Cours Saleya with an empty basket and a full wallet. This legendary market transforms the Old Town into a fragrant playground six days a week (Mondays bring antiques instead of produce—a different kind of treasure hunt).

I make it a ritual to arrive by 8 AM, armed with my trusty market tote and comfortable walking shoes. The morning light here is magical—it casts a golden glow over pyramids of sunset-hued tomatoes, bundles of lavender, and wheels of cheese that would make any food lover weak at the knees.

While tourists flock to the souvenir sections, I head straight to the socca vendors. This chickpea pancake, crispy at the edges and soft in the center, is Nice's quintessential street food and the perfect shopping fuel. Chez Thérésa has been my go-to for years—watch them slide the massive copper pans into wood-fired ovens and serve the piping hot results with a generous crack of black pepper.

Beyond produce, Cours Saleya offers exquisite local olive oils, jars of honey infused with Provençal herbs, and handmade soaps that make perfect gifts. My kitchen back home in Houston is filled with ceramic olive oil pourers and hand-painted bowls from artisans here—souvenirs that bring the essence of Nice into my daily cooking rituals.

When I'm craving a more contemporary shopping experience, I head to Avenue Jean Médecin, Nice's main commercial artery that stretches from Place Masséna to the train station. This broad, pedestrian-friendly boulevard houses everything from French department stores to international brands.

Nice Étoile, the avenue's gleaming shopping center, is my air-conditioned refuge during those scorching summer afternoons. While it features familiar global brands, the French approach to merchandising elevates even chain stores to something special. The Galeries Lafayette department store deserves special mention—its beauty hall is a perfume lover's paradise, showcasing local fragrances from Grasse, the world's perfume capital just a short drive away.

For those seeking French pharmacy treasures, Pharmacie du Soleil stocks those cult-favorite beauty products that beauty editors rave about. I always stock up on French skincare that somehow works magic on my skin that American formulations never quite match.

When shopping fatigue inevitably hits, I retreat to one of the avenue's many cafés. My favorite ritual involves people-watching from the terrace of Café Malongo with an espresso and a slice of tarte tropézienne—a cream-filled brioche that's worth every calorie.

When I'm feeling particularly indulgent (or after a successful cookbook deal), I make a pilgrimage to Rue Paradis and the surrounding streets that make up Nice's 'Carré d'Or' or Golden Square. True to its name, this compact district glitters with luxury boutiques that rival those of Paris or Milan, yet with a distinctly relaxed Riviera vibe.

Rue Paradis itself is a narrow, elegant street lined with the usual luxury suspects—Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès—their windows displaying goods that seem designed specifically for yacht-hopping along the coast. What makes shopping here different from other luxury districts is the intimate scale and the way these global brands incorporate Mediterranean touches into their merchandising.

My favorite discovery was Maison Bremond 1830, an authentic Niçoise institution specializing in olive oils, gourmet condiments, and beautiful kitchen accessories. Their hand-carved olive wood salad servers have become my signature hostess gift, always accompanied by a story about this charming shop.

For a truly special souvenir, I recommend Angela Donava on nearby Rue de la Liberté. This local designer creates stunning silk scarves and accessories with patterns inspired by the colors of the Mediterranean. I've built quite a collection over the years—each piece instantly elevates my chef's whites when I'm doing demonstrations back home.

The beauty of luxury shopping in Nice is that even if your budget allows only window shopping, the experience itself—with the Mediterranean glistening just blocks away—feels indulgent.

The labyrinthine streets of Vieux Nice (Old Town) hold my favorite kind of shopping experience—one where each purchase comes with a story. Away from the more commercial districts, these narrow, medieval alleys house artisan workshops, specialty food stores, and quirky boutiques that have often been in the same family for generations.

Rue de la Préfecture and Rue du Marché are particularly rich hunting grounds. Here, I discovered Maison Auer, a confectionery dating back to 1820 that creates crystallized fruits and chocolates in a shop that looks unchanged for centuries. Their gift boxes tied with satin ribbon make exquisite presents, though they rarely survive the flight home without being opened!

For home goods with authentic Provençal flair, I always visit Alziari on Rue St-François-de-Paule. Beyond their famous olive oils, they stock traditional Provençal tablecloths in vibrant patterns that brighten my dinner parties back in Houston. The classic blue and yellow motifs instantly transport dinner guests to the Mediterranean, even in the heart of Texas.

Perhaps my most treasured discovery is a tiny perfumery called Parfumerie Molinard, where the owner creates custom scents based on your personality and preferences. My signature fragrance—with notes of fig, jasmine, and sea salt—has become my olfactory souvenir of Nice, instantly transporting me back with each spray.

Between purchases, I recommend ducking into one of the many small churches scattered throughout the Old Town. Not only are they architectural treasures, but they offer moments of cool, quiet reflection—something precious when you're laden with shopping bags on a hot summer day.

For those days when the Mistral winds make outdoor shopping less appealing, I head to Cap 3000, the recently renovated shopping center in nearby Saint-Laurent-du-Var. Just a short Uber ride from central Nice, this sprawling complex has been transformed into one of Europe's most impressive retail destinations—with the Mediterranean Sea as its backdrop.

What makes Cap 3000 special isn't just its 300+ stores but its thoughtful design that brings the outside in through massive windows framing sea views. The upper-level restaurants feature terraces where you can dine while watching planes take off from Nice's coastal airport—surprisingly mesmerizing with a glass of rosé in hand.

The center houses an impressive mix of French department stores like Printemps alongside international luxury brands and more accessible options. The beauty hall at Printemps is where I stock up on French pharmacy favorites and luxury sunscreen that's perfect for Nice's intense summer sun.

My strategy for Cap 3000 involves starting at the sea-facing restaurants for a fortifying lunch (Le Bistrot de la Marine is my favorite for impeccably fresh seafood), then working my way systematically through the stores. I always end at Fragonard, the legendary perfumery from nearby Grasse, to select scented candles that will evoke memories of the Côte d'Azur long after I've returned home.

While not as charming as wandering the old town, Cap 3000 offers climate-controlled convenience and extended hours that can be a blessing during the height of summer or on Sundays when many city center shops are closed.