A Proposal on Castle Hill, Nice

One of the French Riviera's most popular spots to get engaged

A sunset proposal on Castle Hill, Nice, on the French Riviera.

Castle Hill, or Colline du Chateau, is one of the most picturesque and romantic locations for a proposal on the French Riviera; albeit with some caveats.

The location is a a 20-minute walk from Nice old town, in fact you’re still in the heart of Nice when you’re there - albeit 200 or so meters above the city. There is a lift, accessible from near the Promenade, but is notoriously unreliable. If you take the stairs in the summer, take your time, you’re going to get hot, but the views on the way up are beautiful. Fortunately there are cafés up there and decent public toilets (which cost 50 cents) a visit.

Castle Hill is very close to Nice’s touristy old town and there are viewing platforms looking over the Promenade des Anglais, and Nice’s Port Lympa. Some of these photos were taken at the very top viewing platform (with the stone-pillar wall, not the black fence), while some are of a re-created proposal a few minutes later on the more popular viewing platform with the black iron railings. Both platforms look out in the same direction, but the one at the very top is more panoramic.

Download my free PDF guide to other Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

Proposing on Castle Hill

This place is so close to the heart of Nice and so beautiful that it’s no wonder it’s crowded. Avoid proposing here if you’re concerned about privacy. This video was also taken on Castle Hill and shows an alternative set-up to a proposal.

I’d also avoid proposing here late afternoon to evening as the sun’s position will mean the sea and sky will lose their blue hue. Morning, lunch, and sunset would be better - although sunset could be crowded and you’d have to time it right, knowing the time of sunset for the day you’re visiting and getting there 30 minutes before it happens.

If you're not headed there for sunset, the best time would be 8-9AM if you want fewer people. One final thing to know is you should avoid arriving too late as the authorities shut the entrance at sundown; so arrive in good time before this happens. The only motorised way up is on Nice’s little white tourist train (which is a road train, not a real, rail-way train), or else a taxi.

Download my free PDF guide to other Proposal Locations on the French Riviera

An engagement ring with the Promenade des Anglais in the background

A romantic photoshoot during golden hour on Castle Hill, Nice

An engagement photoshoot during golden hour on Castle Hill, Nice

A couple photoshoot during golden hour on Castle Hill, Nice

More French Riviera Proposal Inspo:

A professionally photographed proposal in Menton on the French Riviera

A couple embrace after their sunset proposal in Nice, France.

A Proposal on the French Riviera with a view

The Florantine Terrace at Villa Ephrussi on the French Riviera

A beautiful French Riviera couple photoshoot on Cap Ferrat at Sunset

A proposal on the balcony of Chateau Eza, Eze village, French Riviera

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Sunset French Riviera Proposal - with a Rainbow

21 March 2025

I just had to share these photos of a surprise proposal on Cap Ferrat on a day when, literally until the last minute, it was raining heavily. As the couple made their way down the winding path with their umbrella up, my camera bag sealed shut inside a waterproof bag, it was a bizarre situation to find myself in; photographing a proposal in such awful conditions. The couple had travelled half way around this world to be here, I'd been in communication with the client for months, and it was all leading up to this moment: it was their last night here and rain or shine it was now or never to pop the question. Then something amazing happened; both rain and shine at once. The sun was so low in the sky it suddenly shot through underneath the clouds and hit the grey landscape - lighting it perfectly. Despite being dragged out in such awful conditions, the proposal itself was a complete surprise and led to some amazing imagery. And then yes, during a photoshoot about 10 minutes later a rainbow appeared and the complete reversal of fortunes was complete. I was so excited for them and full of admiration on his insistence that it WAS going to happen, come what May - and what a reward; I'll probably never see anything like it again.

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