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...
The renowned Cours Saleya is located just behind the Quai des Etats-Unis and on the edge of Vieux Nice. The reason for Cours Saleya’s renown, the amazing flower and vegetable market, takes place daily on what used to thought of as just a fashionable promenade. Every type of flower and vegetable is available but sure to get here soon after 6am to secure the best!...
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...
The Oc language is the old language of southern France, Catalonia, Monaco, parts of Liguria and Piedmont in Italy. Called Occitan, it has several dialects including Provençal, Catalan and Nissart (or Niçard), influenced by Italian and sometimes called Nizzardo. Derived from Vulgar Latin, Oc is the southern French word for ‘yes’. Consequently the southern French Region took the name Languedoc. Interestingly, the...
Civilian Baroque There are plenty of Baroque churches in Nice but very few examples of civilian Baroque architecture. Moreover, the Palais Lascaris, designed and built in 1648, resembles the traditional palazzi of nearby Genoa in Italy. On the ground floor there you can look around a recreation of a pharmacy from Besançon found in 1738. After that, climb the monumental balustraded staircase decorated with 17th Century...
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...
Turn left at the eastern end of the Cours Saleya into the Rue de la Poissonerie leading from the Place de la Poissonerie. Poissonerie in French means fish market. The old street in the heart of the Vieux Ville looks much as it has done for hundreds of years. Look out for an unusual image attached to the wall of an upper storey as...
This Piedmont style Baroque edifice, with a bit of the neo-Classical thrown in, stands on rue St François de Paule which leads from the Jardin Albert I to the Cours Saleya. The Minimes constructed the church between 1736- 1775. At the time this street was the nicest and most important in Vieux Nice. A change of address The religious order known...
Unsophisticated cuisine? You may well believe that French cuisine is generally fairly sophisticated. While usually true, sample some Socca during your visit to Nice and let me know what you think. Try a little Rosé to accompany it of course! Origins of Socca This delicious thin unleavened pancake is made from chick pea flour, olive oil and salt. Originally eaten by the local Niçois workforce...