Nice Population and Area (Alpes-Maritimes)
Largest city in France 2026: up-to-date figures for Nice (Alpes-Maritimes)
Nice: Population and Area
With 360,710 inhabitants (INSEE total population in force on January 1, 2026), Nice is the 5th most populous town in France in 2026 and the most populous in the Alpes-Maritimes department, out of 163 communes. It covers 72 km² (503rd largest area in France, 14th largest in the department), with a population density of 5,015 inhabitants per km², or 46 times the national average (110 inhabitants/km²), which ranks it 140th in France for density.
Nice is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department (06), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, where it ranks 2nd by population out of 946 communes. It is the most populous town in the Alpes-Maritimes department, which is home to 1,142,503 people over 4,299 km².
See the full ranking of communes in the Alpes-Maritimes department and the regional ranking: largest city in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Towns of similar size in the Alpes-Maritimes department: Antibes (pop. 78,612), Cannes (pop. 75,105), Cagnes-sur-Mer (pop. 53,819).
Sources: INSEE, official population figures in force on January 1, 2026 (total population); areas: IGN / Observatoire des territoires; INSEE code 06088. Rankings are calculated across the 34,858 communes of metropolitan and overseas France in our database.
Nice, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, is a city known for its mild climate, its seafront and its historic buildings. With a population of over 340,000, Nice is the fifth-largest city in France.The city is famous for its Promenade des Anglais, a palm-lined avenue along the beach that stretches for more than seven kilometers. Tourists also love Vieux-Nice, the city's historic quarter, with its narrow streets, colorful buildings and many restaurants serving local cuisine.
Nice is also home to many museums, including the Musée Matisse, which holds a collection of works by the famous artist Henri Matisse, and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which shows works by 20th-century artists.
The city also has a rich architectural heritage, with landmarks such as the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral, the Palais Lascaris and the Château de Nice, which offer panoramic views of the city and the Baie des Anges.
Economically, Nice is an important center for tourism, with millions of visitors every year, but also for research, the pharmaceutical industry and new technologies. The city is also home to Université Côte d'Azur, one of the leading universities in the region.
All in all, Nice is a dynamic city with a rich historic and cultural heritage, a diversified economy and a lively nightlife. Whether you are a tourist or a resident, there is always something to discover in Nice.