Nice isn't just for the summer.
Honestly, if you've only ever visited when the Promenade des Anglais is melting under a July sun, you’re missing the real story. Right now, in January 2026, the city is buzzing with a weird, energetic mix of high-stakes politics, major infrastructure shifts, and the kind of local drama you only find when the tourists thin out.
It’s chilly. The average temperature is hovering around 7°C (45°F). But while northern France is currently getting slammed by Storm Goretti—which has left hundreds of thousands without power in Normandy—Nice is mostly just dealing with some stiff breezes and surprisingly dry skies.
The Reality of News in Nice France This Week
The big talk at the coffee shops in Vieux Nice isn't the weather, though. It's the travel chaos.
If you were planning to fly out of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport today, January 13, you’re probably staring at a departure board full of red text. Massive strikes and operational issues have hit Air France, easyJet, and Lufthansa hard. We’re talking about 56 cancellations and nearly 500 delays across the country’s major hubs, and Nice is right in the crosshairs.
It’s a mess.
Then there’s the Marine Le Pen situation. Her appeal trial for the embezzlement of EU funds kicked off today. Why does this matter for Nice? Because the Alpes-Maritimes is a massive stronghold for her party, the National Rally (RN). The verdict, which we won't see until summer, basically decides if she can run for President in 2027 or if Jordan Bardella—who is currently polling way higher anyway—takes the reins.
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The political tension here is palpable. You see it in the local papers and hear it in the bars. People are choosing sides for the March municipal elections, and the debate over security and transport is getting heated.
Why 2026 is a Turning Point for the City
Nice is currently obsessed with "greening."
Mayor Christian Estrosi has been pushing this "3-30-300" rule—basically a plan to make sure every resident can see three trees, live in a neighborhood with 30% canopy cover, and be within 300 meters of a park. It sounds like eco-jargon, but the city was recently ranked the #1 green city in France for populations over 200,000.
The Ocean and the Future
You might have heard about the UN Ocean Conference. That was the "big one" in 2025, but the ripples are still being felt. The city just launched a brand new website for the OcéaNice Convention Centre, and they are doubling down on "sustainable boating."
They’re actually launching a show called "Nice Boating Tomorrow." It’s focusing on:
- Hydrogen-powered engines.
- Bio-sourced materials for hulls.
- Electric and hybrid propulsion.
Basically, they want to prove you can have a luxury yacht without killing the Mediterranean.
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What’s Actually Happening on the Ground?
If you're here right now, or coming soon, the vibe is surprisingly busy for the "off-season."
The winter sales (les soldes d'hiver) started on January 7 and run through February 3. It’s the one time of year you’ll see locals actually sprinting down Avenue Jean Médecin.
But it's not all shopping. There’s a weirdly specific amount of events happening:
- January 16: The Riviera Bar Crawl is doing its nightly thing starting at Villa Saint Exupery Beach.
- January 24: A guided beer tasting with "Hop Wise Beer" in the Old Town.
- January 27: An English-speaking "Apéro" for women at Le Brassitorium.
And then there's the sports. OGC Nice is deep in the Coupe de France race. If you want to see a match at the Allianz Riviera, tickets for upcoming games like the one against Le Havre are already moving, even for dates way out in April.
The "Queen" is Coming to the Carnival
We can't talk about news in Nice France without mentioning the Carnival.
The 2026 theme was just confirmed: "Long Live the Queen." For the first time ever, the festivities (running February 11 to March 1) are ditching the traditional King-centric narrative to honor femininity and great heroines.
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Expect the usual flower battles and illuminated parades on Place Masséna, but with a significantly different aesthetic. It’s a big deal for the city's identity.
Is it Worth Visiting Now?
Honestly, yeah.
The crowds are gone. The light over the Baie des Anges is that weird, crisp winter blue that painters have been obsessed with for centuries. Sure, you might deal with a flight delay or a farmer's protest blocking a road (the Mercosur trade deal protests are still a major headache across France), but the city feels authentic right now.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Nice This Month:
- Check your flight status 24 hours in advance. The current airline disruptions are not "fixed" yet. Use the official Nice Airport app; it’s more reliable than third-party trackers.
- Dress in layers. It’s 15°C in the sun and 5°C the second you step into the shade of a narrow Old Town alley.
- Book the Opera early. The Nice Opera is doing La Clémence de Titus at the end of the month, and those tickets are a hot commodity for the local crowd.
- Watch the local news for "Grèves" (Strikes). In France, a strike can pop up with just a few days' notice. If the trams stop, the city becomes a parking lot.
Nice is clearly in a transition phase. Between the upcoming 2030 Winter Olympics (where Nice will host the indoor ice events) and the push for "Smart City" status, the sleepy Riviera town of the past is long gone.
Keep an eye on the municipal election news in the coming weeks. The decisions made this spring regarding the tramway extensions and the new "Health Center of Excellence" will dictate what this city looks like for the next decade.