The Cours Saleya Nice, France Markets are a must for anyone visiting the French Riviera. Especially if you’re interested in the local Niçoise cuisine! Flanked by pastel historic buildings, with a view of the Castle Hill waterfall, the wide pedestrian-only Marché Cours Saleya in Old Town Nice is one of the most picturesque markets in France.

Located in the heart of Vieux Nice (Old Nice), the Cours Saleya market offers a gorgeous setting for all of the following: Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Fruit and Vegetable Market, the Nice Antique Market, and the Artisanal Night Market. Which of these markets in Nice should you visit? Read on!

Cours Saleya Flower Market in Nice, France

On my last trip to Nice, I spent a huge portion of my month at the Cours Saleya markets. The chef in me couldn’t get enough. Neither could the photographer or tourist. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Nice for all 3 of me. Here are some tips to help you make Cours Saleya one of your Nice highlights too!

Cours Saleya Flower Market (& Fruit and Vegetable Market)

The Cours Saleya Flower Market, or Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya, actually includes the Fruit and Vegetable Market also. The “Flower” part of the name harkens back to 1897, when Nice started the world’s first wholesale flower market and shipped carnations all over Europe.

Flower stall at Cours Saleya Marché aux Fleurs

And, indeed, flowers do comprise a good portion of the Cours Saleya Flower Market. Even during the winter in Nice, you can count on a colorful display. The selection includes everything from plants like orchids, ferns, and cacti to bouquets of sunflowers, lilies, and roses.

Nowadays, however, locals come to the Marché aux Fleurs Nice not only to pick up their flowers but to purchase their daily produce too. Under brightly striped awnings, vendors display seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, olives, dried fruits, and Mediterranean spices. All of these colors make it the most instagrammable market Nice has to offer!

Even if you think you don’t need to purchase anything, bring a bag with you to the Nice farmer’s market. I always keep a grocery tote bag folded up into my travel purse for such an occasion—and it usually gets used!

Dried fruit stall at Cours Saleya Marché aux Fruits et Legumes

Cours Saleya Flower Market Hours

The confusing thing about these two Nice markets that seem like one market is that they have separate hours. Marché aux Fleurs Nice has longer hours than the Nice food market:

Marché aux Fleurs, Cours Saleya Flower Market: Tuesday–Saturday 9:00–17:30 and Sunday 9:00–13:30. Closed Mondays.

Marché aux Fruits et Legumes, Cours Saleya Fruit and Vegetable Market: Tuesday–Sunday 6.00–13.30. Closed Mondays.

Fruit vendors at Cours Saleya Farmers Market

Best Time to Visit Cours Saleya Flower Market

Some say come early when the Cours Saleya market opens at 6:00 am for the best selection. However, I think a better tip is to come later for the best deals.

At noon, you’ll hear the loud boom of a cannon firing. Shortly after, vendors start singing out their specials. Look for the stall that offers a randomly mixed plate of produce for the bargain price of 2 Euros: It’s one of the best bargains on the Côte d’Azur.

Vegetables fresh from the farm at Cours Saleya Market

What to eat at Le Marché aux Fleurs Nice

Coming to the Cours Saleya Flower Market to eat is an excellent idea. In fact, this is where you’ll find the the best street food in Nice! Item #1 on the must-eat list: Socca from Chez Theresa. Basically a giant chickpea pancake on a copper skillet, cut into pieces, and served hot in a paper cone. Eat Socca in Nice because you won’t find it on Paris streets.

A local’s favorite since 1925, Chez Theresa also sells Nissarde cuisine specialties like Pan Bagnat, Pissaladière, and Tourte de Blettes.

In addition to fresh produce, you’ll find cheeses, nuts, French breakfast pastries, and lots of local fare at vendor stalls.

If you rather lunch at a Cours Saleya restaurant, recommendations are below.

Check Out the Best Food Tours in Nice

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Check Out the Best Food Tours in Nice *

Souvenirs from the Nice Flower Market

Food souvenirs from France are my favorite, and this Nice market has plenty of goodies! They offer some of the best souvenirs from the French Riviera: jars of Provençal specialties like tapenade and anchoïade (anchovy spread), flavored salts, lavender, soaps, olive oil, and local honey.

Colorful, flavored salts for sale at the Nice market

Nice Antique Market, aka Nice Flea Market

Every Monday from 7:00 to 18:00, the Nice Antique Market or Marché à la Brocante Saleya takes over the Cours Saleya. Treasure hunters scour the old books, antique china, linens, and collectibles of every sort that cover the tables lining this famous square in Nice.

Do not go hungry! During the Antique Market, there is not a food stall to be found, not even Chez Theresa! However, one of the nearby Vieux Nice restaurants will be happy to have you.

Nice Artisanal Night Market

From mid-May through mid-June, the Nice Artisanal Night Market, or Marché Artisanal Nocturne, turns the Cours Saleya into a lively arts and crafts market from 18:00 to 00:30.

Spend an evening strolling through the stalls admiring the pottery, paintings, and jewelry and talking to local artisans. The Nice Night Market is another great place for unique souvenirs and gifts from France.

A view of the Nice coast with the historic buildings of Cours Saleya

Cours Saleya Restaurants

A few gems stand out from among the many Cours Saleya restaurants in Nice. It’s not the haute cuisine of Paris, but a delightful place to enjoy the local dishes. On a sunny day, sit outside. Watching this bustling Nice market can be as much fun as shopping it.

Niçoise Restaurant Cours Saleya

Le Safari: I encourage you to try as many of the authentic Niçoise specialties as you can when visiting Nice! And the best Cours Saleya restaurant for that is Le Safari. Every table receives complimentary Pissaladière and Niçoise olives to start. We loved their Daube Niçoise: a huge portion of tender stewed beef over ravioli. Get there early; by 12:30 the outside tables will be full.

Italian Restaurant Cours Saleya

Casa Leya: On the opposite side of the market, you’ll find Casa Leya serving Italian-style pizzas and fresh seafood pastas. Additionally, they do offer some very typical French foods. Their Beef Tartare is popular with the locals, as are their Moules Frites when available. Some tables in front of the restaurant have a view of the Mediterranean Sea that rivals those of the Cours Saleya Marché.

Moules Frites at the Cours Saleya restaurant Casa Leya

Cour Saleya Café or Bar

Mamma Mia Saleya: It’s easy to spot the bright red awning, chairs, and tables of this Cours Saleya Café. Mama Mia Saleya actually bills itself as a restaurant brasserie, but I have never eaten there, and you can just sit and have a drink (that’s where the “brasserie” comes in). We found ourselves lounging on their chairs in the afternoon enjoying a coffee or beer.

Blast: If a cold beer or Aperol Spritz sounds good, sit on the outdoor couches in front of Blast and cool down with your drink of choice. They also serve food, but the atmosphere is much more conducive to indulging in adult beverages.