Liberation Market tour, cooking class & lunch

A first-hand introduction to Nice’s local culture and cuisine

Discover the Libération market with an expert guide
Sample seasonal produce and meet local producers
Visit butchers and fishmongers
Learn to cook classic Niçois dishes with specialist guidance

Learn to shop like a true niçois

Just north of the main Nice train station, on either side of the tram line and along boulevard Joseph Garnier, the city’s biggest food market takes place six days a week. Known affectionately to locals as “Libé”, this up-and-coming part of Nice is reminiscent of Paris with its 19th-century style buildings and broad boulevards that offer a view of the mountains beyond the city. Food-lovers from all over town come here for the vast selection of produce, much of it sold directly by the farmers. This is also where you will find the biggest variety of fish and seafood in Nice, along with several excellent butchers.

I moved to Libération in the spring of 2017 and have developed a strong attachment to the neighborhood and its market. Our tour will begin at 9am in front of the café Altra Casa, which is the meeting place for everyone who lives in the neighborhood. From here, we will visit the farmers’ stalls to find the freshest local produce and select meat or fish for our meal.

This program is limited to seven participants to facilitate the use of public transport from Libération to the Old Town and to allow for maximum spontaneity in our menu choices.

Choose the menu at the market

Depending on the produce that appeals to us at the market, we will decide on the dishes we will prepare that day, always with a focus on the local cuisine.

No matter what we decide to cook, we will take the time to explore the market, where I will explain the different cuts of meat and types of Mediterranean fish as well as the seasonal produce, herbs and olives. We may also see farmers who are selling their own goat’s or sheep’s milk cheeses, and add these to our menu.

Cook in a relaxed atmosphere

We will then make our way to Rosa’s cooking studio, where everyone will play a role in preparing the meal. Tucked away in rue St-Joseph, one of the most charming streets in the Old Town, this light-bathed studio has a large granite-topped island with built-in gas burners and a separate dining table that seats ten.

No need to worry if you are a beginning cook, the atmosphere is relaxed! A couple of hours later we will sit down to an authentic Niçois meal and toast our efforts with a glass of rosé (or, if you prefer, an intriguing local red or white wine).