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Shows in Nice — 15 of Our Favourites

Discover and book the top Nice shows

The interior of the theatre with purple seats

1. Nice Acropolis

Location
Nice

Central venue for live music, dance, theatrical performances and much much more!

Designed architects Buzzi, Bernasconi, and Baptiste, the Nice Acropolis Convention Center opened its doors in 1984 and was inaugurated in May 1985 when the prestigious Apollo auditorium was completed. Its layout was carefully designed: gardens, fountains, and numerous works of art are on exhibit outside the building. In 2007, Nice Acropolis Convention and Exhibition Center was taken over by GL Events, which owns and operates 19 sites throughout the world.

Opera, Nice

2. Opera

Location
Nice

This opera house is home to Nice's Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ballet Nice Méditerranée, and Nice Opera's choir. They offer a continuous programme of operas, ballets & classical concerts.

The opera has its origins as a small wooden theatre created in 1776. In 1826 a new grand opera was built, but it was burned to the ground in a gas explosion in 1881. The theatre which stands today dates to 1885 and was the responsibility of architect François Aune, disciple of Eiffel.

The beautiful interior is Italianate in design with a ceiling painted by Emmanuel Costa. Its name changed to the Opéra de Nice in 1902 and its layout has since been changed to improve acoustics. It has been lovingly restored and remains one of Nice's most important cultural centres.

The theatre is open during performances, but there are also guided visits of the building, by appointment only, Monday to Thursday 08:30-17:00 and Fridays 08:30-15:45. The "Centre du Patrimoine de la Ville de Nice" also organises guided tours of the opera every Monday at 14:30.

Cave Wilson Restaurant, Nice Centre bar

3. Cave Wilson Restaurant, Nice Centre

Location
Nice

This is one of the oldest jazz bars on the Mediterranean - been around since 1904. The atmosphere in Cave Wilson is very pleasant, and Antoine, the owner, offers excellent wine with a plate of cheeses, bread and quality music.

They are open every day (except Tuesday) rom 18:00 to 00:30.

A building with a sign that says theatre on it

4. L'Inattendu Theatre

Location
Nice

This theatre is an artistic venue located which brings the unexpected or the least expected on stage to enchant, captivate and stimulate any artistic inspiration.

The theatre has a troupe of children, which is the basic element to each performance combining dramatic art, dance, music and ballet.

Children can join one of the many drama courses on offer.

An empty movie theater with red seats and a white screen

5. Cinema Rialto

Location
Nice

This cinema has an emphasis on original version films and as such can be considered quite 'arthouse' in it's selection of films.

Paired with the Cinema Varietes which show all it's films in French. Open all year round from 10:00 to 23:00.

A chair is sitting in front of a stage in a theater

6. Le Bar des Oiseaux Theatre

Location
Nice

In 1999, Noëlle Perna, aka Mado Niçoise, created "The Theatre of Birds." An auditorium adjacent to Bar des Oiseaux. A true "small Olympia" South devoted to comedy.

One man shows, one woman shows, comedy! Come breathe the atmosphere of this magical room.

Theatre des Oiseaux is also theater workshops for children, teens and adults.

A building with a sign that says ' theatre ' on it

7. Francis Gag Theatre

Location
Nice

Located in the historic district of Nice, this theatre is much more than a simple theatre.

It was named after a famous citizen of Nice, Francis Gag: an intellectual, historian, poet, writer and humanist. The establishment implies the cultural and hearty impulses of the soul of the city. Its first function is theatre, music, and artistic performances on stage, and today it is still Nice’s most beloved theatre.

Its special focus is to promote the partnership with scholar organizations, amateur and association groups.

A large building with a lot of windows and a bus parked in front of it

8. Lino Ventura Theatre

Inaugurated in 1992, this theatre is born of a politic will to create a multipurpose exhibition space accommodating the best national and international music artists, but also in dance and theatre.

Although it is the second largest Theatre in Nice, it does not enjoy a privileged location, being situated some 5 kilometres north east of the centre of the city.

National Theatre, Nice

9. National Theatre

Location
Nice

Located in the heart of Nice close to the Contemporary Art Museum, this theatre is the biggest of the city. It can accommodate more than 1000 spectators.

The main role of the theatre is dedicated to, the promotion of contemporary art in its many forms as well as dance performances, recitals and concerts. Altogether, the venue welcomes an average of 30 shows per year.

Its vast popularity comes with a relatively short history – it was founded in 1989.

Palais Nikaia, Nice

10. Palais Nikaia

Since opening in April 2001, this huge theatre complex has offered hundreds of thousands of audience members the chance to enjoy some of the top talents in music, dance and theatre.

The main large theatre auditorium can fit up to 9,000 spectators if need be. If this is coupled with the external arena, Stade Charles Ehrmann, which sits adjacent to it then the capacity becomes an astounding 56,000. One of the main live concert venues in the French Riviera it sees acts such as Lenny Kravitz and Pink.

The building was created by architects Gresy and Chevalier, with oval lines that resemble a marine bird. It contains a large theatre room, a smaller theatre and reception room, an external area, a light and ample hall and a front outdoors area.

Opera Garnier (Salle Garnier), Monte-Carlo

11. Opera Garnier (Salle Garnier)

Location
Monaco

The Monaco opera house was constructed in 1878 at the demand at the hands of Charles Garnier, who was also responsible for Paris opera house.

It was extensively renovated at the turn of the 21st century and has hosted some of the top names in the opera world. Jewel of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Salle Garnier continues to embody the excess and boldness that characterised the building of the Casino de Monte-Carlo.

The hall was inaugurated on 25 January 1879 with a performance by Sarah Bernhardt dressed as a nymph. The first opera performed there was Robert Planquette's Le Chevalier Gaston on 8 February 1879, followed by three additional operas in the first season.

This lavish theatre is home to the Opéra Monte-Carlo. A truly special night out.

An empty movie theater with red seats and a white screen

12. Cinema des Varietes

Location
Nice

Beautiful old style cinema building that has kept its original charm.

Showing predominantly French version films in their original form. this is the sister cinema to the Cinema Rialto.

An empty movie theater with red seats and a white screen

13. Cinema Mercury, Nice Centre

Location
Nice

The original cinema owner was a massive Queen fan! No joke! That's why it is named 'Cinema Mercury', after the infamous Freddy Mercury.

Now owned by the Alpes-Maritimes Council, it is somewhat of an 'arthouse' cinema. It has an emphasis on original version films. Open all year round from 13:30 to 21:45.

  • Adults: 7.50€
  • Students & Seniors: 5€
  • Children under 14: 4€
An empty movie theater with red seats and a white screen

14. Cinemas Gaumont Pathe, Nice Area

Location
Nice

There are in fact three separate cinemas run by Gaumont Pathe in the city of Nice.

Here you will find all the major blockbusters and up to date latest releases. Each cinema has a slightly varied schedule so you are sure to find a screening of the right film at the right time!

  • Pahté Lingostière: 604 Route de Grenoble / +33(0)8 92 69 66 96
  • Pathé Masséna: 31 Avenue Jean Médecin / +33(0)8 92 69 66 96
  • Pathé Paris: 54 Avenue Jean Médecin / +33(0)8 92 69 66 96
An empty movie theater with red seats and a white screen

15. Cinematheque de Nice

Location
Nice

Since July 2005, this cinema has been an Associate Member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF). This federation, founded in 1938, brings together organizations that are dedicated to the preservation of films considered works of art and facilitate the international exchange of films and documents about the history and art film.

This cinema offers mainly French production and foreign classics movies (VO = version orignial). In addition to its movie screening program, it also features debates, concerts, conferences & more. The Cinémathèque is open all year round from 13:40 to 20:30. You must be amember to attend but membership is only €1!

  • Adults: 2€
  • Students: 1.5€
  • 10 sessions: 18€