Nice is the only city in France that is famed for its street food, a reminder of the days when the county of Nice belonged to the Italian-ruled Kingdom of Savoy. Many of the snacks sold at the market and in the Old Town's street food stands are the types of things farmers would have eaten in the fields to calm mid-morning hunger pangs: a tradition known as la merenda.

On a fascinating three-hour tour, you will learn about the history of Nice and its food and taste such unexpected delicacies as pissaladière (caramelized onion tart), socca (chick pea pancake), fougasse (Provençal flatbread) and tourte de blettes (a sweet pie with a surprise ingredient). You will also sample a selection of Provençal olive oils, taste vinegars flavored with passion fruit or piment d'Espelette, discover the secrets of French cheese and visit an artisanal pork butcher.

Depending on the day and your wishes, the market tour may take place at the famous Cours Saleya market or at the Libération market just north of the train station, which is popular with locals for its many small farmers, its selection of Mediterranean fish and its covered market selling some of the best cheese and charcuterie in town. The Libération market is a short tram ride (three stops) from the Old Town, where the tour begins and ends.

Included in the tour are all tastings and the tram tickets if we visit the Libération market. Coffee and other drinks are not included.

For some mouthwatering pictures of this tour, visit this Flickr page by Leigh Wolf from Michigan, who joined A Taste of Nice on November 20th, 2008.

A taste of Nice
9.30am-12.30pm
Available every day except Monday, on request
Cost: 80 euros
Minimum number of participants: 2 (a private tour may be possible for a supplement of 20 euros)
Maximum number of participants: 6

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