Monuments & Churches

IN OLD-NICE

Whilst wandering through the old town, take a look at the "ogival arches" above some of the shops, dating back to medieval times. They have been carefully restored, especially in the Rue du Pont Vieux and Rue de la Préfecture. You can also see many examples of stone lintels on the facades of private houses.
(see also our guided visits of the old city)

• Le PALAIS de JUSTICE (Place du Palais)
Law courts built in neo-classical style at the end of the last century. The courthouse annex occupies Caserne Rusca, former barracks accross the square. A pleasant pedestrian area separates the two buildings.

• Le PALAIS de la PRÉFECTURE (Rue de la Préfecture)
Formerly the "Palais Royal", built at the begininng of the 17th century to accomodate the Governors and Princes of Savoy when they came to stay in Nice. After Nice was reunified with the rest of France in 1860, the building became the headquarters of the "Préfecture des Alpes-Maritimes". Since the inauguration of the new administrative centre to the west of Nice, it has been home to the President of the General Council and the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes. At n° 18 rue de la Préfecture, there is a very fine house dating back to the 16th century.

• L'OPÉRA (Rue Saint-François de Paule)
Today's Opera House was built on the site of the former municipal theatre, destroyed by fire in 1881. Inuagurated in 1885, it is a typical example of Second Empire architecture.

• Le COURS SALEYA
Every morning (except Mondays which are reserved for the antiques market) you will find the fruit and vegetable market and, throughout the day, the famous flower market. The numerous restaurants and boutiques add an extra touch of liveliness.

• HÔTEL de VILLE (5 Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville)
Built in 1730, this building was successively used as a diocesan seminary, hospital and barracks. Since 1860, it has played host to the City Hall.

• La MAIRIE ANNEXE (Rue de la Terrasse)
In this building, dating back to 1730, there is a very fine interior staircase decorated with elegant plasterstone. The city of Nice since acquired the building which is used by various municipal services.

• La CHAPELLE de la MISÉRICORDE (Cours Saleya)
The first stone was laid in 1740, and the chapel was given over to the brotherhood of Black Penitents. Magnificent architecture, both inside and out, in baroque style with a golden colour and a preference for curved lines.

• La MAISON d'ADAM et EVE
(Rue de la Poissonnerie - Angle Cours Saleya)
The only remaining example of painted houses that once brightened up the old town. Bas-reliefs executed in cameo tones in 1584 adorn the facade.

• L'ÉGLISE SAINT–GIAUME
(1 Rue de la Poissonnerie)
Widely known as the Church of Sainte Rita, patron saint of hopeless causes, it was rebuilt in the 17th century and dedicated to Saint-Jacques ("Saint Giaume" in niçois dialect).

• L'ANCIEN SÉNAT et la CHAPELLE des PÉNITENTS ROUGES (Rue Jules Gilly)
In 1614, the "Sénat" was the equivalent of today's Appeal Courts. Religious services took place in the adjoining Chapelle du Saint Suaire which belonged to the red penitents, and where the senators reserved galleries for their own private use.

• Les PONCHETTES
Situated between the Cours Saleya and the sea, this row of buildings features two vaulted 19th century rooms which have been converted into art galleries.

• ÉGLISE SAINT–MARTIN SAINT-AUGUSTIN (Place Saint-Augustin)
One of the first parish churches, containing a very moving "Pietà" attributed to Louis Bréa (15th century)

• La PLACE SAINT–FRANÇOIS
The north-eastern corner of this squre dates back to the 16th century. In the last century it was the terminus for "courrieras"

• L'ANCIEN HÔTEL de VILLE (Place Saint-François)
Formerly the city-hall, this communal palace was built in the 16th century and now accomodates the employment exchange.

• La PLACE GARIBALDI
Elegant 18th century square which was the first extension of the old town towards the new.

• La PLACE ROSSETTI
In front of the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, in the heart of old Nice, this square is one of the liveliest parts of town with its restaurant terraces and ice-cream parlours.

• La CATHÉDRALE SAINTE–RÉPARATE (Place Rossetti)
Built in the 17th century in honour of the young martyr Saint Réparate, patron saint of Nice. The bell-tower dates back to the 18th century. Note the elegance of the gateway and, inside, the high-altar and marble choir stall balustrade.

• L'ÉGLISE du GESÙ SAINT–JACQUES LE MAJEUR (rue Droite)
Built in the 17th century by the Fathers of the "Compagnie de Jésus", this church is a remarkable example of baroque decoration.

• La COLLINE du CHÂTEAU
Only a few sections of wall remain of the ancient castle: but from this flower-filled park up on the hill, there is a unique view of Nice and the surrounding area, an artificial waterfall, and the ruins of the former cathedral dating back to the 11th century.

• La TOUR BELLANDA (Parc du château, escalier Lesage)
Built in 1830 with its back to the castle hill, the Bellanda Tower is home to Nice's Naval Museum.

IN THE CITY CENTRE

• ANGLICAN CHURCH (11, rue de la Buffa)
The Anglican church has been a part of the history of Nice since 1820, when the cemetery first opened. The church itself was built in 1860, at the time Nice became French, in the 19th-century Neogothic style. The interior is particularly lovely (open all day, every day of the week).

• La PLACE MASSÉNA
The heart of the city ! On the northern side, elagant buildings in a rich red colour, to the East, a perspective towards Tuscany style hillsides.

• Le JARDIN ALBERT 1ER
Built over two seperate periods towards the end of the last century when the riveir Paillon was covered over, these public gardens now extend beyond Place Masséna. A vast area for lesiurely walks and relaxation, with a bandstand and concert arena. On the central lawn an immense and audacious sculpture cannot go unnoticed : "l’Arc" by Bernar Venet.

• La PROMENADE des ANGLAIS
To which Nice owes its fame and glory ! This superb sea-front boulevard, always decked with flowers, follows the curve of the "Baie des Anges" and was originally a path just two metres wide ! It was an Englishman, the Reverend Lewis Way, who had it built at his own expense in 1820. The locals immediately named it the "Chemin des Anglais". In its final form, two lanes of traffic separated by flower-beds and palm-trees, the "Prom" was inaugurated in 1931 by the Duke of Connaught (son of Queen Victoria)

• La CROIX de MARBRE (Rue de France)
Erected in 1568 to celebrate the meeting between Pope Paul III, Charles V and François I. Opposite the Cross, the "Return from Egypt" column commemorates visits by Pope Pie VII.

• BASILIQUE NOTRE–DAME (Avenue J. Médecin)
1864-68. The largest church in Nice is the oldest of the modern religious structures erected in the heart of the new town after the Comté de Nice became part of France (architecture : C. Lenormand). The side aisles extend along the nave to form a deambulatory with radical chapels. Late 19th century stained-glass windows by C. Champigneulle.

AROUND THE PORT

• La PLACE ÎLE de BEAUTÉ
Opening on to the port, this square features a row of neo-classical houses on either side of the harbour church.

• NOTRE–DAME DU PORT
(known as the Immaculate Conception church)
A place of veneration for sea-farers who leave Nice with the blessing of Notre-Dame du Port : a statue of the Virgin Mary stands obver the porch.

• Le MONUMENT aux MORTS (Place Guynemer)
A colossal edifice commemorating the 4000 inhabitants of Nice who died during the Great War. On the flank of the castle hill it is adorned by Alfred Janniot's high-reliefs.

NOT FAR FROM THE CITY CENTRE

• L'ÉGLISE RUSSE (Boulevard du Tzarevitch)
Inaugurated in 1912, the cathédrale Saint Nicolas presents a superb harmony of pink bricks, light grey marble and brightly coloured ceramic. Crowned by six "onion-shaped" domes, it contains superb treasures : icons, woodwork and frescoes.

• L'ÉGLISE et le MONASTÈRE FRANCISCAIN de CIMIEZ
Both the church and the monastery have been used by the Franciscan monks since the 16th century. Inside, three masterpieces by Louis Bréa, a primitive painter born in Nice, and a monumental altar-piece in carved wood decorated with gold leaf. In the 16th century cloister, a display of 17th century engravings.
Open from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 2.30 to 6.30 pm.

• La PLACE du MONASTÈRE de CIMIEZ
The cross is a copy of the original, which dates back to 1477 and is kept in the church. It stands 5.8 m high, carved with fine figures including the seraph seen by Saint Francis of Assisi in a vision.

• Le CIMETIÈRE du MONASTÈRE de CIMIEZ
Raoul Dufy, Roger Martin du Gard and Henri Matisse are buried here : the different tombstones are also a source of fascination for many a visitor.

• Le PALAIS des EXPOSITIONS (Place Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny)
Built in 1953 on the bed of the river Paillon, Nice's exhibition centre is notable for its glass and concrete vault and Volti's sculptures on the esplanade. With the new congress centre Acropolis, it comprises a unique complex for conferences and large scale events attracting thousands of participants.

• Le FORT du MONT ALBAN
Built on a hill 222 m high, this massive 16th century fortress boasts bastions, watchtowers and exceptional panoramic views stretching from Italy (Bordighera headland), Cap d’Ail, St-Jean Cap Ferrat, and the Baie des Anges, to the Garoupe Beach on the Cap d'Antibes… Some even say that on a fine day you can see as far as Corsica !

• L'ÉGLISE SAINTE–JEANNE d'ARC (11 rue Grammont)
Remarkable modern construction of white-painted concrete designed by the architect Jacques Droz. A 65 m bell tower comprised of twisting flames, plus three raised domes and a ellipsoid porch form a fine ensemble that is well worth the detour. This part of town plays host each morning (except Mondays) to the picturesque market "Marché de la Libération" (top of avenue Malausséna and boulevard Joseph Garnier).

OTHER CHURCHES WELL WORTH A VISIT

Église St. François de Paule or "des Dominicains"
Rue St. François de Paule

Chapelle Ste Croix (Pénitents Blancs)
Rue de la Loge (et St. Joseph)

Chapelle du St. Sépulcre (Pénitents Bleus)
Place Garibaldi

Eglise St. Barthélémy
Montée Claire Virenque

Eglise du Voeu
Place du Voeu et avenue St Jean Baptiste

Eglise Orthodoxe Grecque St. Spyridon
2, avenue Désambrois.
The only church entiirely decorated according to the Greek Byzantine iconographic tradition : icons, wooden sculptures, mosaic, frescoes.

Eglise de Gairaut - Rimiez

Eglise St. Roch - Place St. Roch

Eglise Luthérienne - 4, rue Melchior de Vogüé.