Nice in the Top 10 of French cities for a cultural getaway

Latest News

According to a study conducted by SumUp, the azure capital ranks eighth in a list of the most attractive cities for a cultural stay. It stands out due to a large number of free activities available in the city center.

In 2024, the attendance of French national museums exceeded 33 million visitors, indicating a strong interest in cultural offerings. But museums are not the only places that draw visitors. Art galleries, monuments, and theaters also contribute to this dynamic.

To assess the attractiveness of cities in this area, the payment operator analyzed the 25 largest French municipalities. The ranking is based on several indicators: the number of free activities, the presence of museums, galleries, monuments, and theaters relative to the population. The data comes from TripAdvisor and is calculated per 100,000 inhabitants.

Nice climbs to the eighth place with a total of 106 free activities identified in the city center and 16 cultural activities per 100,000 inhabitants. This position highlights the importance of Nice’s cultural offerings, particularly with free access.

Cities with varied profiles

Marseille tops the ranking. The Phoenician city boasts 94 free activities and 43 cultural activities per 100,000 inhabitants. Strasbourg holds second place, followed by Lille, Toulon, and Tours. Rennes, Montpellier, and finally Nice complete the Top 8.

Each city has its own profile. Marseille is known for a balance between museums, monuments, and theaters. Strasbourg combines historical heritage with contemporary programming. Lille, a student city, focuses on an active artistic scene.

In Nice, the high proportion of free activities in the city center plays a central role. Heritage walks, temporary exhibitions with free access, open-air concerts, or visits to public sites offer numerous possibilities to residents and visitors alike.

A trend driven by local tourism

This study takes place in a context where “local getaways” are on the rise. In recent years, especially since the end of the Covid period, mentions of this term have increased by 80% on the most prominent social media platforms. This trend is particularly noticeable in the summer. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as “staycation,” reflects the growing choice of French people to spend their vacations in their region or nearby cities.

For territories, this trend supports the local economy. Local businesses, restaurants, independent accommodations, and leisure activities directly benefit from the increased attendance. Even in less typically touristy cities, it offers new opportunities.

In Nice, the significance of tourism remains important, but this dynamic can also encourage a better distribution of visitors throughout the city. Neighborhoods beyond the coastline could thus benefit more from cultural offerings.

An offer to enhance further

Even though the city ranks in the Top 8, the number of cultural activities relative to the population remains lower than that of other better-ranked municipalities. However, the study shows that free access is a strong asset for Nice. It allows a wide audience to access culture without financial constraints.

For cultural stakeholders, this type of ranking can serve as a leverage tool. It highlights the visibility of an existing offer and opens the way for actions to diversify and develop proposals. Balancing one-time events and permanent structures remains a challenge.

Finally, it can be concluded that the diversity of cultural forms, ease of access, and geographical distribution of sites are key factors in attracting a varied audience. Nice seems to have found an interesting position compared to other major cities in France, driven by its rich heritage and a significant volume of free activities.

spot_img
- Sponsorisรฉ -Rรฉcupรฉration de DonnรจeRรฉcupรฉration de DonnรจeRรฉcupรฉration de DonnรจeRรฉcupรฉration de Donnรจe

Must read

Reportages