Autumn in Nice & the Alpes-Maritimes: the activities I love doing

Hello, everyone!

After the stifling heat of summer, we’re now welcoming the autumn season in Nice and on the French Riviera. Although, in my opinion, this region isn’t the best place to enjoy this beautiful and magical season – as might be the case in cities such as Paris or London – I’ve still managed to find a few lovely things to do to make the most of autumn in Nice and the Nice hinterland.

Here are a few things to do to explore the region this autumn:

1. Mushroom picking in the hinterland

It’s not something I’ve done every autumn in Nice, but on the few occasions I have, I’ve really enjoyed going mushroom picking in the hinterland around Nice, Vence and Grasse. In any case, I have fond memories of it as it combines a walk in the countryside, a sociable time with friends and learning new things about these natural foods that are mushrooms. In any case,if you enjoy peaceful walks and unearthing a few edible treasures, here are three great spots I’d like to share with you:

• The Boréon Forest in the Saint-Martin-la-Vésubie area: this is a place with a microclimate that’s ideal for the growth of certain mushrooms such as ceps, boletes and chanterelles.
• The Caussols plateau and its surrounding forests, a natural area where you can find grey mushrooms and plenty of boletes under the pine trees.
• The Col de Turini in the Esterel and Mercantour mountains. This is the most popular spot for foraging for mushrooms such as ceps, chanterelles and blood mushrooms.

A word of advice: make sure you know which mushrooms are safe to pick – not all of them are edible. Just in case, I’d recommend taking your finds to a chemist’s; they’ll be able to advise you.

2. A pottery course in Nice

When autumn arrives in Nice and on the Côte d’Azur, bringing cooler temperatures, what could be better than indulging in some creative meditation? By that I mean a peaceful activity where you’re immersed in the creative process…Pottery and ceramics are particularly meditative and creative pursuits. And that’s just as well, as there are several ceramics workshops in Nice where you can spend two hours with your hands in the clay, shaping your own coffee mug or seasonal bowl.

Here are a few of my favourite places to try in the centre of Nice:

• KeramiNKa: A cosy studio offering pottery, modelling and ceramic painting workshops, with an approach focused on wellbeing, unwinding and self-expression
• Atelier Terre & Sens: A bright studio near the Libération, perfect for trying your hand at the potter’s wheel with passionate and supportive craftswomen.
• L’atelier Mä – Atelier Céramique: A friendly space where you can learn modelling with step-by-step guidance, ideal for taking home a unique creation.
• Palette et Tartelette in Nice Nord offers a fun, gourmet experience combining ceramic painting with a coffee and pastry break.

A quick tip: remember to book in advance, as places in small groups get snapped up quickly at this time of year!

As for me, here are the creations I made at KermiNka: Harry the dog and my little cat Nuage, who has gone to cat heaven

3. A cosy break with a lovely Pumpkin Spice latte

After a stroll around town, nothing beats the cosy atmosphere of a good coffee shop in Nice. And luckily, they’ve been springing up all over the city.

My go-to spots this season for a Pumpkin Spice Latte or a creamy hot chocolate:

• Brume Coffee Shop: One of my favourite spots in Old Nice, where both the latte and the homemade hot chocolate are to die for, as are the pastries!
• Selah Atelier: One of my favourites in the Libération neighbourhood, as much for the quality of the products and service as for the attention to detail in every little aspect. This coffee shop transports me to London’s coffee shops with its wonderfully cosy playlist. I’m in heaven!
• Câ phe Kem: One of my favourites this year, this Vietnamese coffee shop is the only one serving delicious pandan lattes!
• La Claque Café: A small coffee shop renowned for its high-quality coffee, tucked away in the heart of Old Nice – perfect for settling down for an hour or so before strolling through the narrow streets.

4. A cultural interlude at a museum

Autumn is also the ideal season to pop into museums without having to queue for hours. And that’s just as well, as there are several museums in Nice offering some very interesting exhibitions. Here are the main museums you can explore:

• The Museum of Asian Arts in West Nice
• The Matisse Museum in Cimiez
• The Museum of Photography in Old Nice
• The Chagall Museum, also in Cimiez

5. More ideas for enjoying autumn in Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes

To mix up your activities depending on the weather, here are some other must-see attractions in the region this season:

• Hiking in the Mercantour National Park: The Boréon lakes and the Gordolasque valley are spectacular in their autumn colours, with the peaks sometimes already dusted with the first snow.
• Stroll around the chestnut festival in Nice and several hilltop villages in the hinterland (such as Isola or Collobrières), which celebrate chestnuts in October and November. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample chestnuts roasted on the spot and stock up on local produce.
• Explore hilltop villages on the French Riviera, such as Saint-Paul-de-Vence or Gourdon, to discover the gentle, enchanting atmosphere of the season in these places steeped in history.
• Enjoy the deserted beaches: the Mediterranean remains warm right through to November. It’s the ideal time to go paddleboarding, read on the pebbles or even take a dip for the more adventurous, far from the summer crowds.

Autumn in the Alpes-Maritimes offers a gentler, more authenticpace of life, allowing you to reconnect with the simple things.

And you, what’s your favourite activity once the leaves start to fall? Share your thoughts with me in the comments!