Cours Saleya, Nice

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Cours Saleya has by far been the most interesting place I've been in Nice and also the most memorable one. First of, I come to this area 3 times a day. To vist the morning market, to buy lunch and lastly for our dinner. The area transforms itself throughout the day. A must visit while in Nice.

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This large pedestrianised street is where you'll find a flower and fruit & veg market from Tuesday to Sunday. Try to visit early on a morning to experience the smells & colours of the various stalls. On a Monday there is flea market & antique stalls. Also from Tuesday to Sunday between 1st June & 30th September you'll find Art & Crafts stalls.

In the evening the flowers and fruit & veg stalls are replaced by an undercover seated food area, an ideal place to sit under the stars & have a meal on a warm summer evening. There are plenty of restaurants around the market area that are open all day long too.

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From early in the morning the market is open to business, for the best impressions go there first thing in the morning, at 7am, you will see the all fresh food (except the fish, the fish market is separate, deeper in town). Cours Saleya is 50 meters from the main road which goes along the Promenade des Anglais. In the afternoon all market vanishes and the place turns to tables packed with people in the evening.

Traditional staple food over a century, traditional Nicois Socca is something you have to try, if only once. Made from chickpea flour, eat piping hot , designed to refuel the working man's lunchbreak. Theresa is a Nice local character and her stall in the Cours Saleya has been serving Socca for decades. She is an amazing looking woman, who must get up at dawn to put on full make-up, but she always looks the part, and tourists queue for the authentic experience.

Some Nicois specialties are an aquired taste, like Tarte des Blettes - spinach tart dusted with icing sugar - or Salade Nicios - with tuna and anchovy, or a Pain Bagnat - tuna salad roll - and you need to be open-minded and give it a go. Who knows - you might like it. Those who want to delve deeper into "Specialities Nicois" need stronger nerves. Offal and extremities are staple fare - crusted pigs trotters or head, tripes, lambs testicles, need I go on - what next: Mickey Mouse's ears? I am sure they are quite delicious - served blindfolded.

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Make sure you take a morning walk through the market area and mix with the locals there to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices and many other items. Coloerful and lively, it really gives you the feeling of being a Nicoise.

Besides the market, this is also one of the main neighborhoods for dining, with many cafes lining the outdoor market and surrounding streets of the old town.

The market is open seven days a week, with an antique and flea market on Mondays.

The Le Cours Saleya should be visited early. Every morning (except on Mondays which is kept for the antiques market) you can find the vegetable and fruit market. The market is open throughout the day but it is probably more well known for the flower side of the market. Surrounding the market are many restaurants, café’s and boutiques.

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An antique market holds the Cours Saleya hostage every Monday. From one end of the square to the other the area is covered with a sea of antique vendors. Its a very diverse selection of junk and discards some peole find valuable.If nothing else it's intresting to watch. If you miss it on Monday you can catch some of the same vendors selling their wares at a Flea Market (or Marche' Brocante)in Cannes by the Harbor on Saturday.

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From the old town and parrallel with the Promenade des Anges, one market after the other can be visited. This is Cours Selaya, a place that has been used as market throughout many centuries. Especially famous is the flowermarket near the Opera house, where many colours in various bouquets are offered. Prices are however relatively high, but tha's maybe because I am used to Dutch prices for flowers. Also nice on a warm sunny day is, of course, fruit. This can be sold as well on the weekly market on these squares.