Best places for shopping in Nice, France - 2025
The top shopping spots in Nice and around
Visitors to the Côte d’Azur often face a delightful dilemma : so many shopping spots, so little time. Between the lively city center, the colourful alleys of the Vieux Nice, and sprawling malls like Cap 3000, it’s hard to know where to start.
This 2025 selection highlights the best places for shopping in Nice, France, from traditional markets to designer districts, and modern shopping malls in Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Expect a shopping session filled with Riviera elegance, French craftsmanship, and the thrill of enjoying generous tax-free savings.
Check out the complete Zapptax tax-free shopping guide to make the most of every purchase.
Key points
- Top shopping areas include avenue Jean Médecin in the city center, artisan-filled Vieux Nice, the luxury Carré d’Or, and malls like Cap 3000 and Polygone Riviera.
- Avenue Jean Médecin offers Galeries Lafayette and Nice Étoile, while Vieux Nice delivers authentic markets like Cours Saleya, and the Carré d’Or boasts designer brands.
- Cap 3000 and Polygone Riviera combine extensive retail options with leisure and dining experiences.
- Zapptax app lets non-EU visitors shop tax-free in Nice, offering higher refund rates and 100% digital processing for VAT refunds.
The 5 best shops in Nice, France
1. Avenue Jean Médecin – in the city center
In the heart of Nice city center, avenue Jean Médecin offers a mix of big-name brands, stylish cafés, and department stores.
The Galeries Lafayette is a highlight, with fashion, beauty, and gourmet goods all in one place.
A few steps away, the Nice Étoile Centre Commercial gathers over a hundred shops, perfect for all-day browsing.
📍 Avenue Jean Médecin, 06000 Nice, France
2. Vieux Nice – authentic charm
A stroll through the “Vieux Nice” reveals another side of shopping on the Nice Côte d’Azur. Small artisan boutiques, Provençal products, and colourful markets bring the city’s heritage to life.
The Cours Saleya market is a feast for the senses, with fresh flowers, spices, and local delicacies.
📍 Vieux Nice, 06300 Nice, France
3. Carré d’Or – luxury and elegance
The Carré d’Or district is synonymous with prestige. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, these boutiques sit just minutes from the Promenade des Anglais.
Shopping here is as much about the atmosphere as the purchases.
📍 Carré d’Or, 06000 Nice, France
4. Cap 3000 – Saint-Laurent-du-Var’s giant mall
On the seafront in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cap 3000 is one of Europe’s leading shopping malls. With nearly 300 stores, a gourmet food hall, and the high-end “Corso” area, it is a destination where fashion meets Mediterranean views.
📍 Avenue Eugène Donadeï, 06700 Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France
5. Polygone Riviera – open-air shopping
In Cagnes-sur-Mer, Polygone Riviera offers an open-air concept blending retail, dining, cinema, and art. The relaxed, village-style layout makes it ideal for sunny days and family outings.
📍 119 Avenue des Alpes, 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
How to shop tax-free with Zapptax ?
If you live outside the European Union, your shopping in Nice can be even more rewarding with Zapptax.
The app lets you claim back the VAT (Value Added Tax) on your purchases in France, across the Côte d’Azur, without the usual paperwork hassle.
Note that your purchases must be exported outside the European Union before being opened or consumed.
Here’s how it works in 4 simple steps :
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Download Zapptax before your trip
Get the free app on your smartphone and create your account. -
Shop in any store
Simply ask the shop for an invoice with VAT made out to Zapptax (details provided in the app). -
Upload your invoices
Take a photo of your invoices and upload them in the app. You can combine invoices from different shops to reach the 100€ minimum refund amount. -
Validate & get your refund
At the airport or border, scan your tax-free form at the PABLO kiosks. Once validated, Zapptax processes your VAT refund within weeks, securely.
Why use Zapptax instead of traditional paper forms ?
- Higher refund rates.
- Combine purchases from multiple shops, even online.
- No need to complete paper forms.
- 100% managed from your phone.
Conclusion
From the bustling avenue Jean Médecin to the artisan treasures of Vieux Nice, the luxury of the Carré d’Or, and the sheer variety at Cap 3000 or Polygone Riviera, shopping in Nice, France offers shopping for every taste and budget.
And with Zapptax, your purchases become even more rewarding, turning a great shopping trip into an even smarter travel experience.
FAQ
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What is the main shopping street in Nice?
Avenue Jean Médecin is considered the main shopping street in Nice. It runs through the city center and is lined with international brands, local boutiques, and department stores like Galeries Lafayette.
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What is the largest shopping mall near Nice?
Cap 3000 in Saint-Laurent-du-Var is the largest shopping mall in the area, with nearly 300 shops, a luxury “Corso” section, and restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean.
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Is tax-free shopping available in all stores in Nice?
Most large stores and many smaller boutiques offer VAT refunds for non-EU residents. With Zapptax, you can claim your refund even from shops that don’t traditionally offer tax-free forms.
