Top winter musts on the Côte d’Azur

Historically, the Côte d’Azur was one of the favourite destinations of the British aristocracy who would spend the winter months there for its mild climate and comforting light. Today, winter on the Côte d’Azur is also a period filled with festive and traditional events. Here are a few to discover!

Sports events

During the winter, some people hibernate, but others are, on the contrary, ready to give all they’ve got! From November to March, several sport events liven up the Côte d’Azur and gather the fittest of the winter’s athletes.

Let’s begin with the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes, early in November, and which is without a doubt one of the most beautiful race itineraries in the world: from Nice, the runners go along the seafront to Cannes for practically the whole race.

At the end of the winter, in March, keen runners are once again gathered for the Mougins Urban Trail. It’s actually more trail than urban as the itinerary leaves from the middle of the village and takes the runners along the surrounding paths for a race in the countryside.

At the same time, Nice also makes a date with cycling fans to see the road cycling names on the Promenade des Anglais, for the famous Paris-Nice race.

On another note, winter on the Côte d’Azur also means the Meeting d’Hiver for horse racing fans. From December to March, the Cagnes-sur-Mer race course brings together trotting and galloping aces, with applause from the tribunes in a sporting and festive atmosphere!

Lastly, head for Saint-Paul-de-Vence to get up high for the Festival de la Montagne, held in November. On the menu: film evenings, meeting climbers, family challenges, demonstrations, workshops… for a weekend full of activities on the theme of mountains!

Carnivals and festive events

Among the joyful and most emblematic events on the Côte d’Azur are the Carnaval de Nice and the Fête du Citron de Menton, both in February. The carnival is the biggest in France and one of the most famous in the world and it brings together hundreds of thousands of visitors who take part in the Carnival parades and flower fights, and also admire the floats and the burlesque shows.

Since 2015, the Carnaval de Nice programme has also integrated the Queernaval, organised by the Nice LGBTQIA+ community, and is now the first gay carnival in France.

Meanwile, the Fête du Citron is in full swing in Menton. It’s a great opportunity to see fruity parades with impressive floats bearing sculptures made entirely of lemons!

In Villefranche-sur-Mer, there’s another tradition with an invitation in February: the Combat Naval Fleuri. On their “pointus” (little boats) decorated with mimosa and carnations, the traditionally-dressed fishermen have a spectacular, colourful flower fight, and even include the public in this floral folly.

Less floral, but highly festive, the Fête de la Saint-Patrick in Mougins is also an emblematic event of this winter period. On the programme: games, local breweries help you discover their beers, concerts and food trucks so you can eat before you go dancing.

Art and music festivals

At the end of the autumn and the beginning of winter, the Festival Coul’Heures d’Automne invites you to discover urban art along the streets of Antibes-Juan-les-Pins. During the 15 days of the event, you can attend impressive mural performances, take part in creative workshops, meet artists and rediscover the public space from another point of view.

In Nice, in November, video is in the limelight with the Festival OVNi. A festival devoted to contemporary video creation and which has strongly influenced the emergence of budding artists in the Sud region. Taking place in many cultural venues in Nice, the Festival OVNi stands out with its itinerary of exhibitions in the town’s hotels. The public is then invited to visit the historic hotel rooms where the works are disseminated. An unusual total immersion!

Avis music lovers: November in Nice is also festival time. C’est pas Classique proposes free concerts and an eclectic programme to make classical music accessible to all.

Christmas festivities

Of course, winter is the time for Christmas markets. And on the Côte d’Azur, there are lots of them! From the beginning of December to the beginning of January, enjoy the magic of Christmas in the towns of Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Villeneuve-Loubet, Grasse and Mougins. A month of festivities with shows, crafts markets, events for children, parades, santon markets, oyster bars… and many others! In Mougins, they also celebrate Saint-Nicolas which marks the start of this month of festivities. For children, it’s an opportunity to leave their letter for Father Christmas! À Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the end of the year festivities is also the period for the Marché de la Truffe (truffle market), which takes place at the end of December and invites gourmets and foodies to tastings and regional products.