Is Cannabis (Weed) Legal in Nice, France for Tourists?

is weed legal in Nice france for tourists

Can tourists legally obtain cannabis (weed) in Nice, France? No — weed (marijuana) containing THC is not legal in Nice, France for tourists (or anyone else) in 2026. France’s national drug laws apply everywhere in the country, and being a visitor doesn’t change that. 

Recreational Cannabis & Tourists

  • Recreational cannabis (THC weed) is illegal in France, including in Nice. Possession, use, sale, transport, or cultivation of THC cannabis are all prohibited under the French Public Health Code and Penal Code. 

  • Tourist status does not give you any legal exception — foreign visitors face the same penalties as French citizens. 

Penalties You Could Face

  • Small amounts: Police can issue a fixed on-the-spot fine (around €200, possibly reduced to €150 if paid quickly). This is typically used for minor possession of small amounts. 

  • Larger quantities or repeat offenses can lead to standard criminal procedures with fines up to €3,750 or even up to 1 year in prison. (LegalClarity)

  • Selling, trafficking, or distribution carries much harsher penalties (potentially up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines). (All About Lawyer)

Practical Enforcement in Nice

  • Police in Nice (such as along Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, beaches, and transport hubs) may issue fines or confiscate cannabis if found. 

  • There are no legal dispensaries, cannabis cafes, social clubs, or delivery services where you can buy THC cannabis like in some other European countries. 

Legal Alternatives for Visitors

  • CBD products with very low THC (≤ 0.3%) are legal throughout France and can be bought as oils, edibles, cosmetics, etc. These do not produce a psychoactive high. 

    • Be cautious: even legally sold CBD flowers can sometimes be treated as illegal by police if they look like regular cannabis, especially if there’s no clear labeling. 

Bottom Line

CategoryLegal in Nice for Tourists?
Recreational THC cannabis Illegal
Buying/using THC weedIllegal
CBD products (≤ 0.3% THC)✔ Legal with restrictions
Medical cannabis⚠ Very limited — not generally available to tourists

Summary: Recreational marijuana (weed) is illegal in Nice and throughout France, and tourists are fully subject to these laws — you cannot legally buy or use THC cannabis there in 2026. Possessing it can lead to fines or legal trouble. 

Can tourists legally obtain cannabis (weed) in Nice, France

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