Cours Saleya Nice: Markets, Flowers & Local Life
Saleya Market
The Cours Saleya is the beating heart of Old Nice: one of France's finest flower markets in the morning, lively terraces in the evening and an antiques market every Monday. Here are the 2026 opening times and local tips.
Plan your visit
- Suggested time
- 30–60 min
- Cours Saleya
- Public space · free access
The short answer: the Cours Saleya is open from Tuesday to Sunday: flower and food market in the morning (from 6:00 am to 1:30 pm, until 5:30 pm for flowers), flea market on Monday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and summer night market from Tuesday to Sunday, 6:00 pm to 12:30 am. The best time to visit is still the morning, between 8:00 am and 10:00 am: the stalls are full and the crowd is still manageable.
Between the sea and Old Nice, the Cours Saleya is the most famous market in Nice and one of the most photographed on the French Riviera. Flowers, fruit, seafood, antiques and crafts line up along the same stretch: here are the exact opening hours, the days that matter and how to enjoy it without getting ripped off.
The Cours Saleya at a glance
| Day | Flower market | Food market | Flea market | Night market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Closed | 7:00 am (ndash) 6:00 pm | Closed |
| Tuesday to Saturday | 6:00 am (ndash) 5:30 pm | 6:00 am (ndash) 1:30 pm | (ndash) | 6:00 pm (ndash) 12:30 am (seasonal) |
| Sunday | 6:00 am (ndash) 2:30 pm | 6:00 am (ndash) 1:30 pm | (ndash) | 6:00 pm (ndash) 12:30 am (seasonal) |
| Public holiday | Depends on calendar | Depends on calendar | Closed on affected holiday Mondays | Depends on calendar |
The flower market has occupied the Cours Saleya since 1861 and has been listed since 2019 among the Tourism Office's "Marchés d'Exception" (exceptional markets). The square is cleared at the times listed above: arrive before, otherwise only the last stalls remain.
The flower market
Niçoise bouquets, Mediterranean plants and show compositions occupy the central part of the cours. Official 2026 opening hours are:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 6:00 am to 5:30 pm (square cleared at 6:00 pm);
- Sunday: 6:00 am to 2:30 pm (square cleared at 3:00 pm);
- Closed on Monday, flea market day.
Flowers often cost two to three times less than in a shop: don't hesitate to haggle late morning, when vendors would rather leave with fewer stems.
The fruit, vegetable and seafood market
Seasonal fruit and vegetables, olives, cheeses, charcuterie and seafood are set up every day except Monday, from 6:00 am to 1:30 pm. The seafood is delivered that very morning: it's the best time to take away shellfish or fish for lunch on a terrace.
To cook your finds, refer to our Niçoise cuisine guide: socca, pissaladière, salade niçoise and Swiss chard tart are all explained, with seasonal produce to support them.
Monday's flea market
Every Monday, the large flea market brings together around 180 antiques dealers and flea market vendors, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, on the Cours Saleya, place Pierre Gautier, place Charles Félix, place du Palais de Justice and the arcades of Cours Jacques Chirac. An extension is held on the 3rd Saturday of the month on place Garibaldi.
Holiday Mondays and the eves of public holidays are often closed (14 February, 30 April and 1st May, 31 October and 1st November, 24 and 25 December): check before you go if your stay falls on one of these dates.
The summer night market
From mid-May to mid-September, Tuesday to Sunday from 6:00 pm to 12:30 am, the cours turns into a night-time stroll: paintings, sculptures, jewellery and decorative items take over the same spots as the daytime stalls. It's the most pleasant time to wander in the cool after a day on the Promenade des Anglais.
What to eat around the market
The Cours Saleya is framed by streets full of tables: you can taste a socca standing up, a plate of grilled vegetables or a glass of Bellet rosé. The simplest addresses are found in the adjacent streets of Old Nice, a two-minute walk away, rather than on the cours itself, where prices follow tourist traffic.
For brunch or a late morning coffee after the market, our selection of brunch in Nice gives addresses open as soon as the stalls close.
Other markets in Nice
If you arrive on a Monday or are looking for a more neighbourhood-style market, Nice has about ten of them: Libération, Gare du Sud, Cimiez, Saint-François de Paul each have their day and their speciality. Our comparison ranks them by atmosphere, opening hours and produce.
How to get to the Cours Saleya
On foot: from place Masséna, allow about ten minutes via rue de Verdé; from the castle hill, head down through Old Nice in five minutes. The market can also be reached from the place du Palais de Justice, which borders the cours.
By tram: line 1, stop Opéra-Vieille Ville; line 2, stop Garibaldi. All the details on lines, fares and passes are in our Lignes d'Azur tram and bus guide, and our walking tips in getting around Nice on foot.
By car: an underground car park serves the Cours Saleya, but spaces fill up very quickly in the morning. The simplest option is to leave the car on the outskirts and finish by tram, see our parking in Nice guide.
Good habits at the market
The market is one of the busiest places in the city: keep your bag closed and worn in front of you, especially in the tight gaps between stalls. Pickpocketing follows the same pattern as in Old Nice and on the tram.
Our detailed advice is in safety for tourists in Nice and in outsmarting the small scams in Nice. In practice: pay cash or by card without ever putting your wallet down on a stall, and refuse "gifts" handed out in the crowd.
Practical tips to make the most of the market
- Arrive before 9:00 am: it's the best balance between full stalls and crowd size.
- Bring a fabric bag or a trolley: the aisles are narrow, and a stroller is a struggle on busy days.
- Carry some cash: some small stalls prefer cash, even though cards are widely accepted.
- Respect the aisles: movement is in single file, especially on Sunday mornings.
- Check public holidays: the flea market and markets follow the Niçoise public holiday calendar.
The market fits naturally into a day of sightseeing in the centre: continue with the must-see programme, or leave a full morning if your stay is short, see our weekend in Nice idea.
FAQ
What are the opening hours of the Cours Saleya flower market?
From Tuesday to Saturday, 6:00 am to 5:30 pm (square cleared at 6:00 pm), and on Sunday, 6:00 am to 2:30 pm (cleared at 3:00 pm). The flower market is closed on Monday, flea market day.
Is the market open on Sunday?
Yes. On Sunday, the flower market opens from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm and the food market from 6:00 am to 1:30 pm. It's one of the busiest days, so arrive early.
When does the Cours Saleya flea market take place?
Every Monday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, with around 180 exhibitors, plus an extension on the 3rd Saturday of the month on place Garibaldi. Some holiday Mondays and eves of public holidays are closed.
What are the opening hours of the summer night market?
From mid-May to mid-September, Tuesday to Sunday from 6:00 pm to 12:30 am, with craft and art stalls on the same spots as the daytime stalls.
What is the best day to visit the Cours Saleya?
Tuesday or Wednesday morning between 8:00 am and 10:00 am: the stalls are full and movement remains easy. If you want the flea market, choose Monday.
How do I get to the Cours Saleya by tram?
Line 1, stop Opéra-Vieille Ville; line 2, stop Garibaldi. From Nice-Ville station, allow about 15 minutes with one change. Full fare details are in our Lignes d'Azur guide.
Is there a car park at the Cours Saleya?
Yes, an underground car park serves the cours, but it is in high demand in the morning. The simplest solution is to park on the outskirts then come by tram: see our parking guide.
Where to eat after the market?
In the adjacent streets of Old Nice, where there are more tables and more reasonable prices than on the cours. Our Niçoise cuisine guide lists the dishes to try.
Is the Cours Saleya frequented by pickpockets?
It's one of the busiest places in the city: keep your bag closed and worn in front of you. Detailed precautions are in our safety guide for Nice.
Where to eat around the Cours Saleya
The district concentrates a good share of the old town's tables: browse our selection of restaurants in Old Nice, or the full list of restaurants in Nice by cuisine.
Nearby
Place Masséna
A landmark between the city centre, old town and Paillon.
15–30 min · 350 mRead the guide →
Colline du Château
Views and parkland: allow for the climb and check access.
45–90 min · 550 mRead the guide →