niçoise

Niçoise is the feminine form of the French demonym Niçois, used to describe things related to Nice, a city on the French Riviera. As a noun, une Niçoise refers to a woman from Nice. The masculine form Niçois and the feminine Niçoise agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Niçoise can also describe regional culture and cuisine, as in phrases such as cuisine niçoise or style niçois, and it may appear in descriptions of local traditions and products.

The Salade Niçoise is a traditional dish associated with Nice. It typically includes tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, Niçoise olives, and anchovies, with tuna often added; green beans and potatoes are common in many versions, while other ingredients such as peppers or artichokes may appear. It is usually dressed with olive oil. Because of regional and personal variations, lists of ingredients for Salade Niçoise can differ, and some versions omit certain items or substitute others, leading to ongoing debates about what constitutes an authentic niçoise salad.

Beyond cuisine, niçoise serves as a general descriptor for things from Nice and for people from the city. The region’s historic language is Niçard (also called Nissart), a variant of Occitan, and the term niçoise may appear in discussions of local culture, language, or gastronomy. Nice’s cultural influence extends to its culinary reputation, varied dialectal heritage, and the use of the term niçoise in describing feminine associations with the city.