Maison Auer, one of the oldest confiseries (confectionary shops) in Nice, France, is known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century interior as well as its exquisite candied fruits and handcrafted chocolates.

Today, Maison Auer’s elegant interior and confections are an evocative reminder of the Belle Epoque era (1870–1914) during which Nice transformed from a quiet Mediterranean port into a fashionable winter destination for Europe’s elite.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its legacy as the “Winter Resort Town of the Riviera,” 19th-century Nice attracted royalty, aristocrats and wealthy travelers during the winter months with its mild climate and seaside beauty. With the arrival of the railway in 1864, Nice became easily accessible to major European cities, attracting affluent visitors and resulting in the development of elegant shops, cafes, theatres, hotels and seaside promenades.

Founded in 1820 by a Swiss confectioner, Maison Auer is believed to have established its shop opposite the opera house around 1850, making it ideally positioned to serve the same clientele who attended evening performances, enjoyed leisurely promenades and socialized in nearby grand villas and luxury hotels. It is reputed to have been a favorite of Queen Victoria, who regularly wintered in Nice in the late 19th century.

The interior is a jewel box of gilded cabinetry, marble counters, stained glass and glittering chandeliers, a backdrop for Maison Auer’s handcrafted confections and an enduring legacy of Belle Epoque elegance.

Run by five successive generations of the Auer family, the shop originally specialized in candied Mediterranean fruits (a popular souvenir of winter in the Cote dAzur), later expanding to chocolates, glazed chestnuts and fruit pastes. Although the company was purchased by another family in 2024, it continues to make its sweets in-house according to original recipes without additives or preservatives and maintains its tradition of refined presentation.

We take travelers on our private France tours to stop in favorite heritage shops in the Old Town, including Maison Auer, as well as notable palaces, gardens and interiors from the Belle Epoque era on the Cote d’Azur, such as Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to plan a private France tour.