Riviera city has 10 times less visitors than Paris and is walkable | Travel News | Travel

France is one of the most popular holiday destinations for UK tourists, offering a wide variety of climates and activities whilst being just a couple of hours away.

Tourists looking for some warm weather on the Riviera can head to Nice, a large city within the Alpes-Maritimes department near Italy.

The city is one of the most popular parts of the French Riviera, it is still substantially quieter than other destinations inland.

However, whilst around 44 million tourists pay Paris a visit each year, only about five million take a trip to Nice, with many parts of the city being particularly quiet.

To get the most enjoyment from a trip to the city, the travel site France Bucket List recommended a number of fun activities the area has to offer that do not cost a penny.

First, the company suggested visitors to Nice looking for some tranquility take a visit to La Colline du Chateau, located towards the east of the city.

Whilst it means ‘Castle Hill’ in English, featuring the ruins of the traditional chateau, the site is actually a park which is accessible via a number of footpaths through forests.

The journey up may be a little on the steep side, however, at its peak, La Colline du Chateau offers a play area for children, a stunning waterfall and panoramic views of the city, including the beach.

Located in Old Nice, France Bucket List noted that tourists planning to visit the city should look around the Old Port.

As the name would suggest, there are plenty of beautiful sailing boats docked along the area’s ten quays, however Nice’s Old Port is also home to 18th century architecture painted in vibrant colours.

Visitors looking to bag a bargain can also buy local produce from the multiple markets located nearby the docks in the Old Town, however should always check the opening dates before travelling.

Finally, the organisation suggested that visitors looking for fresh air and some great views take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais.

A name first coined in the 19th century to reflect the growing number of wealthy tourists visiting the area for their holidays, Promenade des Anglais is a 7km (4.3 mile) walk along the beaches that is often used to host events, such as the Carnival of Nice.

The walk allows visitors to get some great photos of the seafront of the city, and if tourists begin to feel tired, they are only ever a few steps away from being able to rest on one of the beaches’ many blue loungers.