Nice Food and Wine Tours

Nice Food and Wine Tours runs guided tasting walks through Vieux Nice, and it is one of the most enjoyable ways to understand the city's food culture in a single morning. The meeting point is on Rue Centrale in the old town, and the tour is listed by the Nice Côte d'Azur tourist office, which describes it as award-winning.

The walk takes in the market, artisan shops and wine cellars of the old town, mixing tastings with historical anecdotes and unusual stories about the city. Along the way you can expect to sample many of the specialities that define Niçois cooking: socca, the chickpea pancake; courgette flower fritters; petits farcis, the local stuffed vegetables; salade niçoise; cured meats and cheeses with fresh baguette; olives; artisan chocolates; and ice cream from a local maker. The tour ends with a restaurant meal served with selected wines from Provence.

It is a good introduction for anyone arriving in Nice with only a few days, because it shows you which dishes to look for and which kinds of shops are worth returning to later in your stay. Guides speak English, and the tour runs at a relaxed walking pace with frequent stops.

According to the tourism office, tours run in the morning, from about 09:45 until early afternoon, from Tuesday to Sunday between late March and the end of October. Booking in advance is recommended, as popular dates fill up in high season. Come hungry and skip a big breakfast, as there is a lot to taste. Let the company know about allergies or dietary requirements when you book, as many tastings include meat, cheese, gluten and alcohol. The tour is accessible for wheelchair users with assistance, though the old town has narrow lanes and uneven paving. Payment is accepted by card, including American Express, cash and PayPal.

The tour suits food lovers, couples, solo travellers and friends, and older children who are adventurous eaters. It is less suited to visitors with extensive dietary restrictions or those who do not drink alcohol, although it is worth asking the company about alternatives.

After the tour, you will be well placed to explore the rest of Vieux Nice on foot, climb Castle Hill to walk off lunch, or browse the shops you visited for edible souvenirs.