Initially, Nice gained fame as a winter resort. The aristocracy came here from Russia, England and other European countries, in which the winter months were not distinguished by mildness. Gradually, this cozy town turned into a fashionable and desirable place, a real pearl of the French Riviera.
Nice is the coveted Cote d'Azur, the center of fashionable hotels, expensive clubs and restaurants. Holidays in Nice are preferred by wealthy tourists or travelers who value comfort, excellent service and high standards.
The capital of the French Riviera boasts more than just beaches and entertainment. It is a beautiful city with many historical buildings, pretty streets, magnificent embankments. Lovers of architecture will definitely have something to see during their trip to Nice.
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What to see and where to go in Nice?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
English Embankment
The main city "promenade", the symbol of Nice and the focus of the local establishment. The embankment stretches for 6 km. along the bay with the poetic name "Bay of Angels". The name of the place dates back to the 18th century, when wealthy Englishmen began to come to Nice to survive the cold winter. The bridge embankment has seen many famous people from F. Nietzsche to members of the Romanov imperial family.
Hotel "Negresco"
Neoclassical luxury hotel located on the Promenade des Anglais. It is a symbol of the entire Cote d'Azur. The hotel opened in 1913, among its famous guests were Coco Chanel, M. Dietrich, E. Hemingway. The original ceiling of a medieval castle was used to decorate the Louis XIV salon (one of the hotel rooms). The design of the hotel's luxury apartments is unique, each room has its own name and interior.
Old city
Quays along the waterfront, with buildings from the 16th-17th centuries that make up the historic center of Nice. The area of the old city is small - only a couple of square kilometers. The place is a labyrinth of narrow stone streets, steeped in medieval romance and enveloped in the atmosphere of sophisticated French antiquity. Most of the sights are located on the territory of the historical center.
Port of Limpia
The city's sea gate, which adjoins the picturesque promenade and the lively marina. Despite the abundance of yachts and other vessels, the water in the harbor bay is so clean that you can often see fishermen here. The construction of the port began in the middle of the 18th century, and the construction lasted for over 100 years. Cruise ships often dock here, as Nice is included in most Mediterranean itineraries.
Place Massena
The square was built over the course of the 19th century. Now it is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Nice. The place was named in honor of A. Massena, a talented and successful French commander. Around the square there are many interesting architectural objects, in the southern part there is the "Sun" fountain with a 7-meter statue of Apollo, installed in the middle.
Garibaldi Square
At the end of the 18th century, on the site of Piazza Garibaldi, there was a large vacant lot, which began to be built up in 1780. Gradually, the wasteland turned into a lively area, in 1869 a picturesque small garden was laid out here. The place was named after the national hero of Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi. This was not done in vain, as the architecture of the square resembles a typical Italian piazza.
Marc Chagall Museum
The gallery was created with the direct participation of the artist himself, who lived in the vicinity of Nice in the 1960s. XX century. The building was erected on the ruins of an old estate by the architect A. Erman. Chagall worked on the garden design and on the stained-glass windows. The museum was opened in 1973. Visitors can admire the master's creations, inspired by the study of Bible texts.
Matisse Museum
The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the work of the famous painter A. Matisse. Here, not only the master's paintings are exhibited, but also his personal belongings. The collection is housed in a 17th century Genoese villa. The maestro lived in Nice for almost 40 years, many of his works are picturesque landscapes of the incomparable French Riviera, which are currently exhibited in the museum. Matisse himself is buried nearby on the territory of the monastery.
Modern Art Museum
The gallery was created in 1990 by the architects A. Vidal and I. Baillard. According to the standard concept, the museum of modern art exhibits works of art from the second half of the 20th century. Of particular interest are the works of contemporary artists from Nice, such as Armand, Cesar or Klein. The museum building itself is an interesting art object with a roof garden and glass corridors.
Museum of Fine Arts
The collection is housed in a historic 19th century mansion built in neoclassical style for the Russian Countess Maria Kochubey. The collection mainly features works by French artists of the second half of the 19th century, but also includes works from the Classicism and Renaissance periods. At the Museum of Fine Arts, you can admire paintings by Sisley, Degas, Moss, Dufy, Monet and Cherry.
Asian Art Museum
A small museum building was erected at the end of the 20th century by the Japanese architect K. Tange. The idea to create such a place came to mind of the mayor of Nice, J. Medsen, who successfully served in this post for five terms. The collection contains about 200 exhibits brought from Japan, China, India, Tibet. The museum building is located on the shore of a small artificial lake in one of the city parks.
Massena Museum
The collection is located on the territory of a neoclassical palace located on the Promenade des Anglais. The building was erected at the very beginning of the 20th century. The mansion was named after André Massena, a marshal of the Napoleonic era. In 1919, the heir to the military leader donated the palace to the state and wished that a free museum would start working on its territory. The authorities gladly accepted the gift, and since then the Massena Museum has opened its doors to the general public.
Palace of Justice
Monumental classical style building located in the historic center of Nice. It was erected at the end of the 19th century on the site of an old Dominican monastery (the monastery was destroyed during the French Revolution). The building is very popular with local youth, in the evenings dozens of people sit on the stone steps with drinks and food. Sometimes street musicians perform on the square in front of the Palace.
Opera House of Nice
The stage building is located on the territory of the old city. Since its founding in 1826, the theater has been considered one of the finest provincial opera houses in France. Unlike the capital's Opera Garnier, tickets are sold here at more affordable prices. The local troupe has very talented actors. The repertoire mainly consists of classical performances of musical works by renowned authors.
Nicholas cathedral
One of the largest Orthodox churches in Western Europe. The cathedral was erected on the site of the mansion where the heir to the Russian throne Nikolai Alexandrovich (son of Alexander II) died. During his travels, the Tsarevich fell ill and died in Nice. By the will of his father, a chapel was erected in memory of the young man.At the beginning of the 19th century, the Orthodox community, in need of a large church, began building a full-fledged church.
Cathedral of Saint Reparata
Nice Cathedral, which was built and illuminated in 1699. Until 1903, the building continued to grow overgrown with additional annexes. The temple is named after Saint Reparata, a young Christian martyr who was destroyed by the Romans for her faith. It is believed that the body of the saint was placed in a boat and set off on a free journey across the Mediterranean. As a result, the ship landed on the shores of Nice.
Basilica of Notre Dame
The church building is one of the main attractions in Nice. The basilica was erected in an elegant neo-Gothic style in the middle of the 19th century according to the project of S. Lenormand. The light facade is decorated with gilding, which gives the temple an elegant and festive look. Notre Dame de Nice was built immediately after the city was annexed by France. From the outside, the temple resembles the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.
Church of Notre Dame du Port
The church was erected very close to the port, so after it was built in the middle of the 19th century, it became known as the "port parish". Previously, the temple was surrounded by modest houses of fishermen, now in their place is a calm and respectable urban area. J. Febvrom worked on the church facade. The interior is decorated with works by E. Costa. The temple has a second name - the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Cimiez monastery
Franciscan monastery of the 16th century, surrounded by a magnificent medieval park (the oldest on the Cote d'Azur). The interior of the monastery cathedral is decorated with a carved wooden altar covered with gold leaf. The church also houses a 15th century stone cross. On the territory of the monastery there is a small cemetery with the grave of A. For tourists there is a museum of Franciscan monks.
Nice Observatory
The observatory building is located on the Mont Gross hill. It was built according to the project of G. Eiffel and C. Garnier. The structure is crowned with a rotating dome 24 meters in diameter. Initially, the observatory belonged to the Sorbonne University, but after the First World War, the building was in disrepair for a long time, and only in 1988 there was some revival. In addition to a scientific institution, the observatory will function as a popular attraction.
Fort Alban
The fort is located in the east of Nice in a hilly area in the Mont Baron Park. The fortress was built in 1560 for defensive purposes in order to prevent the enemy from attacking from the sea. The architectural complex is a reference example of French military architecture. Some of the buildings are pretty well preserved. From the height of the hill on which Alban stands, a fabulous view of the Bay of Angels opens up.
Monument to the Fallen
A 1928 monument dedicated to the victims of the First World War. The monument is perfectly visible both from the sea side and from the embankment. Surprisingly, this war memorial, located in calm and peaceful Nice, is one of the most imposing in all of France. It reaches a height of 32 meters. The names of the inhabitants of Nice who died during the fighting are carved on the stone slabs of the monument.
Chur Saleya Market
Kur Saleya is a street where the city's food and flower markets are located, and once a week there is an antique bazaar that gathers antiquity lovers from all over the area. In addition to a huge variety of flowers, cheese, vegetables, wine, spices and other foods are sold here. During the daytime, the market is quite crowded, so it is better to come between 6.00-8.00 in the morning.
Phoenix Park
A fragrant flower park located in the western part of Nice. On its territory, you can enjoy the view of the lush Mediterranean flora, stroll among the colorful flower beds and relax your soul. There are many picturesque parks in Nice, but Phoenix occupies a special place among them. It is preferred by both locals and tourists. The park is spread over an area of 7 hectares, its space is divided into 12 thematic zones.
Castle hill
In the distant 12th century, there was a fortress on the top of the hill, hence the name Castle Hill. Climbing can be done using the stairs leading from the Suisse Hotel or using the winding hiking trail. At the top there are several viewing platforms, from where tourists can admire the surroundings of Nice, the view of the azure marina and the beauty of the well-groomed city embankments.
