Port Lympia (the Old Port of Nice) is an alluring slice of the French Riviera. A charming port that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Set between Mont Boron and Castle Hill Park, the port area has an aura of calmness. Beyond the boats and yachts, the view of the Bay of Angels south of the port pulls your gaze and holds it. It is a part of the city that doesn't get the credit it deserves.
Just east of Promenade des Anglais, the port is small compared to other better-known French Riviera ports. Still, the charm is as good as any other. The below-ground tram in Nice surfaces at the station just north of the port. It is the last stop on the Lignes d'Azur 3 tram line, and it adds a certain allure to the port. If you like trains or trams, this is the best way to get to the port.
Films/TV references
You won't see a lot of mega yachts here, but that's a plus. There are fewer crowds in this part of Nice, so it's a great spot to stop and relax as you explore the city. The set of small boats on the east side of the port completes the fishing village look. Also notable are the bright mango yellow, pink, and light red houses around the port.
Port Lympia has been a part of Nice since the mid-18th century. The then Duke of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel III, started the project in 1750, and the port opened in 1752. The port saw some upgrades after France annexed Nice. Now, Ferries destined for Corsica start their journey from the port.
If a ferry ride is part of your plan, you'll be happy to know that the port has a 4-level parking lot. It has 382 parking spaces for tourists (ten spaces reserved for disabled people and 40 for electric cars).
The port occupies a nice spot between Castle Hill Park and the houses west of Mont Boron. That has caught the eye of filmmakers. Movies with scenes at the port include Killers (2010) and The Transporter Refueled (2015).
You won't hear much about Jardin Place Guynemer, a small park on Rue de Foresta next to the port. It has a statue of Charles-Felix de Savoie (the last male-line member of the House of Savoy). It's a quiet spot where you can spend a few hours enjoying the peace of the port. The park is so small that you could miss it while you walk by, so be sure to look out for it.
Things to See
Beyond the views of the Bay of Angels, other places of interest around the port include Les Puces de Nice. It has antique shops filled with art, small furniture, and custom jewelry. It is a good place to shop for souvenirs, and you should find a thing or two to take home with you.
Other places worth looking out for include Église Notre-Dame du Port de Nice on Place Ile-de-Beauté. It is a 19th-century church with large Corinthian columns in front. Just north of the port after the tram station, it is flanked by two neo-classical buildings you can't miss.
Place Ile-de-Beauté is also a great place to relax as you watch the trams go by. Walking north from here, you'll find Rue Bonaparte, where Napoleon lived in the late 18th century.
South of the port, you have a breakwater with the Phare de Nice lighthouse at the end of it. Forgive me, but I couldn't stop staring at the bay and the lighthouse. It's hard to describe how beautiful it is, but perhaps I'm just drunk with Côte d'Azur love.
If you're seeking some of the best places to eat in Nice, you'll find a couple of these just east of the port. Here you'll find Le Reserve de Nice and Le Plongeoir. The latter is one of the most unique places to dine as it is perched on a rocky outcrop above the bay. It has no windows, so you can enjoy clear views of the bay. Trust me when I say the views here are so good you'll want to take them home with you.
The imposing 32-meter Monument aux Morts de Rauba-Capeù stands across the street on the west side of the port. It was built to remember the citizens of Nice who lost their lives in World War I. I found it odd that no one was at the memorial while we were there. There's a good chance that's because it was early spring.
Around the corner west of the monument, you'll find the east end of Promenade des Anglais. Before you leave the port area, visit Castle Hill Park at the top of the hill.
You don't have to walk up the steep hill. There's an elevator to take you to the top for some of the best views Promenade des Anglais to the west and the port on the east. The best spot for this is Point de vue Colline du Chateau, just west of the lawn in the park.
