Located on the Baie des Fourmis between Nice and Monaco and protected from the Mistral wind, this peaceful and fashionable resort benefits from a climate said to be the warmest on the Riviera. Gordon Bennett was here Beaulieu boasts an association with the US property tycoon Gordon Bennett. During the late 19th century Bennett wanted to help the then impoverished local community financially. He...
Located in the lively place Rossetti, in the heart of Vieux Nice, from which you can really appreciate the beautiful Baroque structure of Ste-Réparate Cathedral. Dating in fact from the mid 17th century the Cathedral is named for Ste-Réparate. Martyred in what we now call Turkey, her remains reputedly lie interred here beneath the alter. Quintessential Baroque Ste-Réparate, the largest church in Vieux Nice, was built...
Baroque Splendour As you walk through the Cours Salaya you will notice this splendid Baroque church, which is arguably one of the best in Nice. Moreover, the Miséricorde Chapel occupies a prime position in the Old Town. In addition, it stands close to the Opera de Nice and the Cathédrale Ste-Réparate. Built between 1747 and 1770 by Bernardo Vittone to the...
The Romans built their town high above modern Nice in the now fashionable suburb of Cimiez. Cemenelenum, as the Romans called it, was the capital of the Alpes Maritimae. About 20,000 citizens lived here in the late 2nd century AD and it was wealthy enough to have an amphitheatre. It was near the route of the Via Julia Augusta, later to...
The Jesuit Church of Old Nice This impressive Baroque church in the heart of Vieux Nice was constructed for the Jesuits during the early 17th century. Modelled on the Gesù church in Rome, the locals adopted the same name. Just off the rue Droite you will notice the unmistakable Corinthian façade of the church. Its 42m/137ft brick bell tower and coloured tiles are...
A perched village Located on a small hilltop high above the Vésubie Valley, on the route of the Monte Carlo Rally and leading up to the Col de Turini and Authion Massif, la Bollène-Vésubie is a pleasant village of 600 or inhabitants known locally as ‘les Bollénois’. Great views Dating back to the 12th century, Bollène was a Lordship in...
This pretty mountain village did not join France with the rest of Nice County in 1860. Like nearby Tende, it remained part of Italy up till 1947. A small detour La Brigue, located north of Saorge in the valley of the River Levense a tributary of the Roya and just off the Roya Valley road. Surrounded by high rocky cliffs....
A Trophy for an Emporer La Turbie would be an unexceptional hilltop village with an 18th century Baroque church on the Grande Corniche were it not for the fact that it is located on the Via Julia Augusta and has, at its centre, the amazing and truly monumental Trophy of the Alpes. Following the victories of the legions sent by...
A Belle Époque Landmark The splendid Belle Époque Hotel Negresco on the fabulous Promenade des Anglais was opened in 1913. Designed by the director of the Municipal Casino, Henri Negrescu, it soon began to attract the crowned heads of Europe. Walking along the Promenade you can’t miss its pink dome and it’s well worth seeing even if you’re staying elsewhere! About...
France has many pretty villages throughout its regions and there are many of these scattered around the Nice & Beyond region. There are some which have something special, however, and deserve the term ‘beautiful’. For this reason in 1981 Charles Ceyrac, the then mayor of Collonges-la-Rouge in the Corrèze, came up with an idea to promote this concept and together...
Liguria is the small crescent shaped Province of Italy adjoining the French Riviera and reaching round to Tuscany. It is often known as the Italian Riviera. Nice’s Close Connection What, I hear my readers asking, is Liguria doing here on a page about about Nice and the Arrière Pays Niçois? Good question! Up till about 1860 the County of Nice...
An architectural gem on the Promenade des Anglais, the Musée Masséna stands back from the road amidst beautifully laid out gardens. Fit for the grandson of a hero Built at the turn of the 20th century in the Italianate style to the design of Hans-Georg Tersling and the local architect Messian for Victor Masséna, the grandson of the Marshall for...
Founded in the 9th century as a Benedictine monastery, both the building and garden were taken over by the Franciscans during the 16th century and the abbey church was enlarged by them. Formal Garden On the south side of the Monastery buildings is a delightful formal garden. Resplendent with terraces, lovingly tended flower beds, a rosarium and citrus trees it...
A Genoese Folly The Matisse Museum is housed in a bright red Genoese folly with trompe l’oeil features dating from 1670. The artist himself lived here for a while but the building later fell into a state of disrepair. Fortunately, the City Fathers rescued the building and in 1963 they installed the Musée Matisse on the second floor. The Authorities later renovated and...
Fabulous Nice, capital of the French Riviera, occupies a prime position on the beautiful Baie des Anges at the foot of the Alps. Moreover, its Italianate charm, resulting from a long association with its next door neighbour (see the County of Nice), its Baroque buildings and near perfect climate all contribute to its appeal. I have distinguished between the modern...
St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is the home of the rich and famous. One such celebrity to live here was the Movie actor David Niven (1910-1983). Niven was famous for his urbane and witty personality which he used to great effect in a series of Hollywood films. Charlie Chaplin’s House He purchased the beautiful seaside villa, ‘Lo Scoglietto‘, as it used to be known...
The route to Turin This pleasant Baroque square was designed by Antoine Spinelli and created during the late 18th century. Constructed when Nice belonged to the House of Savoy it linked Vieux Nice with the new town. Originally named the Piazza Vittorio to commemorate King Victor Amédée III of Sardinia, it marked the beginning of the route to Turin. An Italian in Nice Later renamed Place...
Place for a hero The most well known Square in Nice, the Italianate Place Masséna dates from 1815. Named after the local hero of the Napoleonic Wars, Maréchal André Masséna, every visitor should admire this iconic landmark. A vast square surrounded by arcaded red ochre buildings and a garden, Massena constitutes the real hub of the city. The Ligne d’Azur Tramway passes through the...
Situated right in the heart of Vieux Nice and 200 metres from the Cours Saleya you will find one the most attractive squares in town. Cathédrale Ste-Réparate Place Rossetti with its red and yellow ochre coloured buildings on three sides of the square is unmissable. The Cathédrale Ste-Réparate stands impressively on the fourth side. Built between 1747 and 1770 by Bernardo Vittone to the...
The Fish Market On the edge of Vieux Nice, just off the Boulevard Jean Jaurès, lies the place St-François. Here the modern day fish market can be found. This market takes place every morning, except Monday, but be there early to beat the Niçois to the best fish! The former Franciscan convent stood here originally – look carefully and you can still see...