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In a context of political, scientific and citizen interest in localized food systems, this work focuses on the various forms adopted by short and proximity circuits (CCP) around the city of Nice case study. The combination of quantitative methodologies (database built from a field survey, statistical analyses and clustering method) leads to the characterization of the different forms of CCP. Based on aspatial variables — functional (number of intermediaries along the circuit) and relational proximities (level of customer information on the product’s quality and origin), the clustering method identifies three types of CCPs, analyzed based on their spatial influence (geographical distance between places of production and sale), typologies of products exchanged, and the types of outlets marketing them. The result is a requalification of the terms “short” and “proximity.” This work concludes that “CCP” qualifies the food circuits displaying a number of intermediaries less than or equal to 1 between producer and consumer; associated with a good quality of information provided to the consumer on the product; and including all the steps (agricultural production, food processing and sale) in a reduced geographical perimeter, regional in the case of Nice.