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Nice
[Presentation]
[History]
[Surrounding area]
[Visit]
[Virtual Tour]
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Presentation |
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While Nice and its
famous Promenade des Anglais bordering the Bay of Angels is well-known to
visitors from all the world, the capital of the Côte offers many other
attractions, often less familiar, yet full of warmth and charm.
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The picturesque Old Town with its lively streets and Provençal market is set
between the Port on one side and the "Baie des Anges" (Bay of Angels) on the
other. Brimming with color, the Old Town has a very Italian atmosphere ; here
one easily recalls that Nice belonged to Italy for many long centuries.
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The seafront, dotted with proud façades and palatial hotels, stretches out for
almost 8 km along the Promenade des Anglais and its vast beach of rounded
pebbles.
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As soon as you leave the seafront to climb one of Nice's hills (the "Jardin du
Château" or Castle Gardens above the Port, Mont-Boron surveying the Cap de Nice,
or the neighbourhood known as Cimiez), you come across beautiful views in which
the light changes frequently depending on the time of day. Lastly, Place Massena
and the neighbouring streets comprise the main shopping area in Nice.
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History |
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The prize at the heart of an eternal struggle between France and Italy, Nice
only became part of France in 1860. Its history, however, goes back to the dawn
of time. The excavations of Terra Amata prove that the region was inhabited in
prehistoric times, though it was the Greeks who really laid the foundations of
the town they called "Nikaoa".
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A little later on, as everywhere else in the Mediterranean, the Romans took
over, preferring to develop the neighbourhood of Cemenelum (today known as
Cimiez) rather than the seafront which proved too hard to defend.
The fall of the Roman Empire was followed by several centuries of invasions by
the Barbarians, Saracens and pirates, which made Nice terribly afraid of anyone
and anything that arrived from the sea.
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In the 11th century, Nice was attached to the County of Provence, itself annexed
in the 14th century to the Kingdom of Savoy. This meant that Nice remained
Italian for a full five centuries, until the Treaty of Turin was signed by
Napoleon III and Victor Emmanuel II.
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Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, and all of Europe's aristocrats at the
time, came for regular stays in the region. It was then that Nice took off,
already basing its development on tourism and the brand new railway that
connected it to the rest of France as early as 1862.
Today, Nice is the fifth biggest town in France.
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The surrounding area |
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Villefranche-sur-Mer : The Bay of Villefranche stretches from Cap Ferrat
to Mount Boron... one of the most beautiful bays in the world... Founded at the
start of the 14th century, Villefranche was entrusted with many trade contracts.
Villefranche citadel, built at the end of the 16th century, was occupied by the
army from then until 1965. The town council became the new owner of the citadel
and restored it in 1981. It now houses the town hall and the conference centre.
The Old Town of Villefranche is the perfect place to relax and it has succeeded
in preserving its antique charm: colourful houses, narrow streets and steep
staircases leading down to the harbour. Picturesque footpaths lead up to Mount
Boron with fantastic views along the way.
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Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat : it was not until the 19th century that Saint Jean
Cap Ferrat became a holiday resort. It used to be a small fishing harbour until
two rich bankers decided to build their luxurious homes there. Admire the
magnificent vegetation covering the Cap.
The zoo at Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is a wonderful place to take children and it is
home to nearly 400 animal species.
Art lovers will be delighted to explore the surprising Ephrussi de Rothschild
villa, set in the heart of extraordinary gardens (formal French gardens,
Spanish, Italian, Stone, Japanese and Tropical gardens...). The Italian style
villa was built in 1934 and overlooks the sea. The house has an unusually
diverse collection of art: Medieval, Renaissance, Flemish tapestries, many 17th
century items, porcelain from Vincennes and Saxony, Chinese works of art...
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Beaulieu : nestling in the depths of a small creek and sheltered by a range
of hills, Beaulieu sur Mer has the advantage of a very gentle and enjoyable
climate. In fact, one of the town's districts has even been christened "Little
Africa". From 1862, when the Nice road was extended as far as Beaulieu, this
small tourist resort began its growth.
Take a walk round the "Baie des Fourmis" which separates Beaulieu sur Mer from
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and take the opportunity to visit the Villa Kerylos, which
is the fruit of two major influences:
- Belle Epoque: modernity and comfort
- Ancient Greece: inspired by the Delos houses dating from the 1st century B.C.
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Visit |
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On the hillsides:
Aspremont :
this village is built to a concentric pattern between Mount Chauve
and Mount Cima where you can admire wonderful views. Visit the Gothic
church at the foot of the village - it was built to keep away the plague
- then climb up behind the church to reach the terraces of the former
castle which stand above the village and the whole coastline.
Castagnier : Set in the heart of an olive grove (oil-mill still
in production) on the western slopes of Mount Cima, Castagniers
overlooks the Var valley. The landscape is enhanced by the beautiful
gardens in the "Monastère de la Paix", built in 1932.
Laguet : numerous miracles were attributed to the Laghet Chapel
and its Madonna. In 1652, the artist Pierre Moïse donated a wooden
statue of the Madonna which is still worshipped to this day. In 1656,
the Bishop of Nice had the chapel extended. Laghet Monastery is still an
important place of pilgrimage, even today. The corridors throughout the
monastery are hung with thousands of commemorative plaques and
inscriptions asking favours.
Levens : This village is located in the upper reaches of the
Paillon valley and it boasts modern facilities such as a swimming pool
and crazy golf course which mean it is an ideal place to spend holidays.
Discover the Massena family seat in the old quarter, dating back to the
early 18th century. Admire the view over the confluence of the Var and
the Vésubie from the municipal gardens.
Ten kilometres or so from here, visit the tiny village of Duranus,
hidden away among the vines and fruit trees.
Contes : this village, dating back to Roman times, is situated in
amongst the fields and mimosa trees. The village freed itself of all
duties in 1471, got rid of its lords in 1500 and took over their castle.
The remains of the castle are in the house named "Lou Castel". Saint
Marie Madeleine's church boasts an altarpiece by the Nice school: the
Rosary Altarpiece, by the Br‚a school, dating from the 16th century.
At the foot of the village, the oil mill and the forge have been
converted into a museum.
Chateauneuf - Vieilleville : called Chateauneuf de Contes until
quite recently : a former Roman stronghold. In the Middle Ages, the
villagers from Villevieille climbed up to the new castle (chateau neuf)
for protection and to defend themselves against the enemy. At the end of
the 18th century, the higher village district was abandoned and the
villagers moved back down to Villevieille.
Climb the hill and visit the ruins o f Chateauneuf at 749 m above sea
level (fortifications, tower...) and enjoy the clear view over the
Alpine peaks.
Lucéram : at the foot of the Pe‹ra Cava hills, this fortified
village defended the Paillon valley (a length of the original wall and
an imposing tower still bear witness to this).
Sainte Marguerite's church, built in the 15th century, houses invaluable
treasures: 5 altarpieces, some of which are attributed to Br‚a and
Canavesi; a silver reliquary to Sainte Marguerite dating from the 16th
century.
L'Escarène : a compulsory halt on the "Salt Route": Salt was
needed for preserving foodstuffs and it came from the Var department,
further West. It was delivered to the harbour in Nice and then carried
up through the hinterland as far as Italy.
Visit the church of Saint Pierre aux Liens, dated 1656, designed by the
Niçois architect who also designed Nice cathedral. Two Chapels - of the
White Penitents and the Black Penitents, complete this church.
Turini Forest and Pass : Thirty or so kilometres from the coast,
between the Vésubie and the Bévéra valleys, revel in the coolness of
your surroundings: chestnut, maple, pine and spruce trees... the Turini
Pass is 1600 m above sea level and offers spectacular views over the
surrounding forest; this is the most prestigious stage of the Monte
Carlo Rally and it is also the starting point for a number of
excursions.
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Strolls
2-hour tour -
1-day tour - 2-day tour
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