On the occasion of the 42nd edition of the European Heritage Days, this weekend of September 20th and 21st, 2025, Nice offers a vast catalog of free and accessible activities. It’s the perfect moment to discover unknown places and participate in workshops for all ages. Some sites are exceptionally open to the public. Here’s a selection of six activities for Saturday and six for Sunday, all still accessible, to experience Nice’s heritage differently.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
1. The Game of the Goose… Archivist Edition
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the NCA Archives (7-9 avenue de Fabron). Free. A giant game for children aged 7 to 11 that allows them to reenact the missions of an archive service. Discover how documents are classified, preserved, and showcased. Fun, educational, and perfect for introducing young ones to the behind-the-scenes world of documentary heritage.
2. Game space on the “La Riana” exhibition
Same place, same schedule. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Aimed at children aged 5 to 7, it includes games, coloring, and memory activities around the “La Riana” exhibition. A gentle and creative moment for the little ones, in a setting designed for easy discovery.
3. Create your mosaic at the Marc Chagall Museum
10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., avenue du Docteur Ménard. Free. Children and adults can draw inspiration from Chagall’s mosaics to create their own art: stickers, recycled paper, felt, etc. Everything is available to experiment with the mosaic technique.
4. Visit of the permanent collections at the Archaeology Museum of Nice – Cimiez
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Free. This guided tour allows you to trace time back from Prehistory to the early Middle Ages by viewing objects found on the Cimiez hill. A great choice to understand the foundations of the Nice region and admire relics rarely visible elsewhere.
5. Heritage Walk – Art Deco
10 a.m., starting in front of City Hall (5 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville). Free. As part of the centenary of the 1925 International Exposition of Decorative Arts, this guided tour will help you discover the facades, patterns, balconies, and decorations typical of Art Deco in Nice. A pleasant walk on foot, offering a fresh perspective on streets you think you know.
6. Free visit to the Prehistory Laboratory of the Côte d’Azur
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Exceptionally open, this laboratory offers a scientific dive into excavations, research, and prehistoric objects. A rare opportunity to see the “behind-the-scenes” of archaeological discoveries, better understand the protocols, methods, and rarely exhibited pieces.
Sunday, September 21, 2025
1. Romain Gary Library: 100 Years of History and Heritage
Guided tour of this library celebrating its centenary. Free, with possible prior registration. Learn more about Villa Rambourg, its origins, evolutions, the building’s architecture, and its role in Nice’s cultural life.
2. Visit to the Book Workshops – Bookbinding
Several slots on Sunday, by reservation. Highlighting the art craft. The workshop unveils the stages of creating a traditional leather binding. Perfect for those who love artisanal work or a calm yet captivating moment.
3. Guided tour of the permanent collections (Archaeology Museum of Nice – Cimiez)
Free. Sunday offers another chance, another moment to appreciate ancient objects in a remarkable venue, with more tranquility.
4. Line 24 – Heritage (Lignes d’Azur)
Exceptionally available on Saturday and Sunday, board the heritage line and tour the city of Nice for an hour and a half through various cultural and historical sites. Accessible for the price of a standard Lignes d’Azur ticket, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with runs every 20 minutes. Departure: Port Lympia.
5. Victorine Studios – Film Screening
Sunday at 7 p.m., screening of the film Children of Paradise in a historic filming location. On registration. A beautiful way to combine cinema and heritage.
6. Terraces of Ponchettes – Speed Art Dating / Artistic Encounters
Several sessions: 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Free, by reservation. On the heights of the Ponchettes terraces, with views of the sea, you are invited to share five minutes with local artists or cultural figures. Meet eight personalities in intimate settings facing the horizon and discover what they have to share with you.
