For over a hundred years local growers have been bringing their fresh cut flowers and plants from the surrounding hills to the Marché aux Fleurs in the Cours Saleya. Flowers were a thriving industry for this region, and so this center of town {now called the old section or Vieux Ville/ Vieux Nice } was officially named back in 1987. Back in the day the early hours were limited to wholesale clients, who would make their purchases then load them onto trains to go all over Europe.

Today, all of the alluring flowers beneath the striped awnings are open to the public 6 days a week. The wholesale market is located near the Nice airport.

You can wander and shop these colorful, fragrant aisles Tuesday – Saturday from 6am to 5:30pm and on Sundays from 6 – 1:30pm.

The selection goes far beyond cut stems, everything for the garden and terrace is here too, including palms and orange trees.

Baby olive trees in pots that would look fabulous on the table in the garden.

As well as larger trees to plant and produce fresh olives and olive oil.

Cactus thrive in this region so a broad selection can always be found at the Marché.

A broad selection of bouquets are yours for the choosing.

Many florists will also make up custom bouquets on the spot.

You can choose any flowers you like {I like those delphiniums!}

I also love the peppery scent of freesia in a bouquet.

They will expertly arrange your selection, adding greens {like these lovely olive branches} to create a bouquet to your liking.

Succulents are abundantly offered because they also thrive in this climate.

In addition to the floriculture, fresh local produce and crafts are artfully on display. Also, a wide array of spices.

One of my favorite local specialties are these courgette blossoms sautéed in olive oil as is or dipped in a batter. Click on Fried zucchini blossoms for a great Beignets de fleurs de Courgette recipe. Also, they are amazing stuffed with ricotta cheese and herbs before before frying, this recipe for Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms from Chef Dennis looks amazing!

The hills of Villefranche just east of Nice are saturated with Mediterranean sunshine all day, making for plump, flavorful tomatoes.

The stalls are surrounded with restaurants and cafés perfect for a snack, coffee or lunch. One of my favorite places is Le Safari where they offer le spécialités Niçoise or Cuisine Nissarde authentique.

I especially love this place because it is always filled with lively locals

and they will find a seat for your flowers.

The other day I devoured a lovely grilled Dorade Royal stuffed with tomatoes and thyme and and expertly filleted tableside…. click on the videos in my instagram account right over there to see the master at work -> -> -> ->

Their “feu de bois” is front and center in the kitchen area.

From it come some of the most incredible thin crusted pizzas on the earth, with just the right amount of char.

Le Reine {Le Queen: cheese, mushrooms, ham}, on the right below is my all time favorite, I had it for the first time on the beaches of Nice in the summer of 1979 and have loved it ever since.

Also delicious is this cheese and tomato pizza topped with mixed greens and a big buttery ball of burrata.

Of course, Niçoise olives are available in abundance.

I hope you enjoyed this splendid day in Nice!