Places to be in Nice
The student neighbourhoods, the libraries to study in, where to go out in the evening, and how to live well on a budget.
Updated 2026-06-20
Knowing where to go makes a new city yours. Here are the student neighbourhoods of Nice, the best places to study for free, where people go out, and how to eat without breaking the budget.
Student neighbourhoods
Where students tend to live and hang out in Nice:
- Vieux-Nice - Ambiance provençale, bars et restos, proche de la fac de droit Trotabas
- Libération - Ultra-central, marché, commerces, fac de Valrose à deux stations de tram
- Riquier - Quartier central près du port, loyers accessibles, bien desservi
Free places to study
Libraries and study spaces open to students in Nice:
- Bibliothèques Université Côte d'Azur - BU Carlone, Valrose, Saint-Jean d'Angély, salles de travail
Going out in the evening
The areas students head to after dark:
- Les Distilleries Idéales - Bar emblématique du Vieux-Nice, point de rencontre international
Eating well on a budget
CROUS university restaurants serve full meals at a subsidised student price (around 3.30 EUR, about 1 EUR for scholarship holders). Find every site and the menus on the official CROUS map.
Common questions
Where should an international student live in Nice?
Look first at CROUS residences (cheapest, apply early) and the student neighbourhoods listed above. Use Visale (a free state-backed guarantor) if a landlord asks for a guarantor and your family is abroad. See our guide on living in France for the full housing route.
Where can I study for free in Nice?
University libraries (BU) and the municipal libraries listed above are free and have long opening hours, especially in exam season. They are also a good place to meet other students.
Sources
- Agenda Explore Nice Côte d'Azur · 2026-06-20
- ESN Niceofficial · 2026-06-20
- Carnaval de Nice · 2026-06-20
- Les Distilleries Idéales · 2026-06-20
- Bibliothèques Université Côte d'Azurofficial · 2026-06-20
- International Apéro Nice · 2026-06-20
- New To Nice · 2026-06-20
- Lignes d'Azur · 2026-06-20
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