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Hertz in Nice, France

As the vibrant capital of France’s southeast Riviera region, Nice is a city whose more laidback neighbors add a mellow touch to its bustling streets. As well as this historic city center, you'll also have the opportunity to explore nearby regions, such as the beautiful Mediterranean coastline and the Alps mountain range.

We have four branches in and around the town – including at Nice Airport and the city's Railway Station – so whether you’re planning a road trip or intending to remain within Nice for the duration of your stay, you’ll find collecting your vehicle to be simple.

And you’ll be in safe hands with us – our best price guarantee means that if you find a lower price elsewhere, we'll refund the difference. We won’t charge you if you decide to amend or cancel your hire car package, either*.

*When the booking is amended or canceled within seven days of being made.

Driving in and around Nice

Whether you're looking to head out in the wider French Rivierab or planning to explore inner-city Nice, you'll find the easy-to-navigate road network is perfect for getting you from A to B.

One of the area’s busiest roads is the A8 highway, connecting Nice to Marseille. The A8 is a toll road, and the fee can be paid with cash or credit card - you can find out more about the toll charges here. Certain stretches of the A8 run parallel to the seafront, offering you beautiful views out over the Ligurian Sea. Join the D6007 from here and you'll be able to explore the jazz town of Antibes, then take the option of heading further west for the iconic Cannes and Saint-Tropez. If you’re traveling east on the A8, you'll get to coastal communes such as Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

When heading into the city, there are a variety of routes you can take, depending on where you're heading from. Taking Promenade des Anglais is the easiest route into central Nice from the south, whereas if you're driving in from the north, Boulevard Gorbella is your easiest option. Boulevard de Cimiez and Boulevard de Cessole are the perfect roads to find your bearings in the heart of the city, as they can help you navigate from east to west.

There are some items which all drivers must carry in their cars in France – we supply breathalyzers as standard – and you should note it is vitally important to carry all necessary documents with you when in your rental car, as the local authorities may ask for these when you’re out on the road.

For full details on everything you'll need, and France's rules and regulations on driving, read here.

A quick guide to Nice

With its cultural attractions, golden beaches, and breath-taking landscapes, Nice's blend of things to do makes it the perfect place for a visit on the French Riviera.

Relax on the golden sands

Ranging from wide expanses of powdery sand to shingle and rock pool-filled bays, Nice has a host of stunning beaches lining the Mediterranean coastline. With a mix of both public and private beaches, you're bound to find the perfect stretch of sand, whatever your needs.

Two of the more popular public beaches are easily accessible from central Nice. Just off the M6098 opposite Avenue Gustave V is Plage du Centenaire, a great spot to enjoy an afternoon by the sea, or alternatively head a little further down the coastline to Plage du Carras. Voilier is popular with families – here there are pebbles, rather than sand, and a gentle slope down towards the water means you can quickly make a splash. Plage de Passable is ideal if you're looking for some seclusion whilst sunbathing. One of the best private beaches is Castel Plage, which has an excellent restaurant, waiter service and neat lines of sun loungers. Visit nearby Opéra Plage too - you’ll be able to store your valuables using their convenient rentable lockers.

Head to the south of France and you will find Paloma Beach on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. Paloma Beach is famous for its topaz water and celebrity following while Saint-Tropez’s Pampelonne Beach has fantastic beachside facilities.

Artistic influences

Thanks to its picturesque views and famous landmarks, Nice has become a metropolis of the art world. The likes of Matisse, Renoir, and Chagall all found inspiration in this photogenic region, and since then other artists have followed in their footsteps. It’s now home to some of France’s best galleries, including Musée d'art Moderne et d'art Contemporain, where you'll find an eclectic mix of both traditional and modernist pieces created by artists from around the world. The Galerie de la Marine, a hi-tech venue with a focus on modern art, is another popular museum in the city, housing permanent collections of work by Alexis Mossa and his son, Gustav.

The south's natural beauty

There are so many wonderful places to see beyond Nice that it’s worth taking the time to work out exactly which places you want to see most. Take the A8 westbound and you'll be able to take in the coastal town of Cannes. Explore the area's history with the silver screen with a trip to the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, or enjoy an afternoon’s basking on the shores of the Mediterranean. Visit the best of the Riviera's glitz and glamor by heading east out of Nice to the principality of Monaco; walking around its beautiful harbor you can see how the rich and famous really live.

There are gorgeous tracts of wilderness too, including Mercantour National Park, at the foot of the Alps, and the hilltop village of Eze – the views from here are some of the best in the region. The landscape is dotted with medieval towns and villages such as St-Paul-de-Vence, Grasse, and Mougins – take a few hours to explore their narrow streets and visit the quaint cafés for some light refreshment.

Saint-Tropez is also worth a visit; once a humble fishing village it’s now a town filled with fashion boutiques and award-winning restaurants.

Wherever you decide to go exploring, you’ll feel really rewarded by making the trip to Nice and taking in the surroundings of the luxurious French Riviera, which offer visitors something truly unique. Ready to book your trip? Click here.