Top 25 Attractions in Nice

Nice initially 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 softness. 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 focus of luxury 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 not only beaches and entertainment. This is a beautiful city with many historical buildings, pretty streets, magnificent embankments. Architecture lovers will definitely have something to see during their trip to Nice.

What to see and where to go in Nice?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Promenade des Anglais

The main city "promenade", the symbol of Nice and the center 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 English people 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.

Negresco Hotel

A neoclassical luxury hotel located on the Promenade des Anglais. It is a symbol of the entire Côte d'Azur. The hotel opened in 1913, among its famous guests were Coco Chanel, M. Dietrich, E. Hemingway. The interior of Louis XIV (one of the hotel rooms) was decorated with the original ceiling of a medieval castle. The design of the luxury apartments of the hotel is unique, each room has an individual name and interior.

Old city

The waterfront quarters with buildings from the 16th and 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, covered with medieval romance and shrouded in an atmosphere of refined French antiquity. Most of the attractions are located in the historic center.

Port of Lympia

The sea gates of the city, which are adjacent to the picturesque embankment and the lively marina. Despite the abundance of yachts and other vessels, the water in the port bay is so clear that you can often see fishermen here. The port began to be built in the middle of the 18th century, construction continued for more than 100 years. Cruise ships often moor here, as Nice is included in most Mediterranean itineraries.

Place Massena

The square was built during the 19th century. Now it is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Nice. The place was named after A. Massena, a talented and successful French commander. Around the square there are many interesting architectural objects, in the southern part there is a fountain "Sun" with a 7-meter statue of Apollo, installed in the middle.

Garibaldi Square

At the end of the 18th century, a large wasteland was located on the site of Piazza Garibaldi, 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 Italian national hero 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 according to the project of the architect A. Erman. Chagall worked on garden design and stained glass windows. The museum was opened in 1973. Visitors can admire the creations of the master, created under the influence of the study of Biblical texts.

Matisse Museum

The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the work of the famous painter A. Matisse. Not only the master's paintings are exhibited here, but also his personal belongings. The collection is housed in a 17th century Genoese villa. The maestro has 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 architects A. Vidal and I. Bayar. 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 - residents of 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 contains works by French artists of the second half of the 19th century, but also includes works from the period of classicism and the Renaissance. At the Museum of Fine Arts, you can admire the paintings of Sisley, Degas, Mauss, Dufy, Monet and Cheret.

Museum of Asian Art

A small museum building was erected at the end of the 20th century according to the design of the Japanese architect K. Tange. The idea to create such a place came to the mind of the mayor of Nice, J. Madsen, who successfully served five terms in this post. 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.

Muséna 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 Andre Massena, a marshal of the Napoleonic era. In 1919, the heir to the military leader presented 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

A monumental classical 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 are placed 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 regarded as one of the finest provincial opera stages in France. Unlike the capital's Opera Garnier, tickets here are sold at more affordable prices. Very talented actors play in the local troupe. The repertoire mainly consists of classical productions of musical works by famous 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 journey, 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 the construction of a full-fledged church.

Cathedral of Saint Reparata

Nice Cathedral, which was built and lit in 1699. Until 1903, the building continued to acquire additional extensions. The temple is named after Saint Reparata, a young Christian martyr who was killed by the Romans for her faith. It is believed that the body of the saint was placed in a boat and set free to travel around the Mediterranean. As a result, the ship landed on the shores of Nice.

Notre Dame Basilica

The church building is one of the main attractions in Nice. The basilica was built in an elegant neo-Gothic style in the middle of the 19th century according to the project of Ch. Lenormand. The bright facade is finished with gilding, which gives the temple an elegant and festive look. Notre Dame de Nice was built right after the city was annexed by France. From the side, 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 the construction 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. Febvre 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 XVI century, surrounded by a magnificent medieval park (the oldest on the Côte d'Azur). The interior of the monastery cathedral is decorated with a carved wooden altar, which is covered with gold leaf. The church also houses a stone cross from the 15th century. On the territory of the monastery there is a small cemetery with the grave of A. Matisse. For tourists, there is a museum of Franciscan monks.

Observatory of Nice

The building of the observatory is located on the hill of Mont Grosse. It was built according to the design 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 neglected for a long time, and only in 1988 there was some revival. In addition to being a scientific institution, the observatory will serve 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 to prevent the enemy from attacking from the sea. The architectural complex is a reference example of French military architecture. Some buildings are quite 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

Monument of 1928 dedicated to the victims of the First World War. The monument is perfectly visible both from the sea 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. On the stone slabs of the monument are carved the names of the inhabitants of Nice who fell during the battles.

Cours Saleya Market

Cours Saleya is the street on which the city's food and flower markets are located, as well as an antique market once a week, which gathers lovers of antiquity from all around. In addition to a huge variety of flowers, they sell cheese, vegetables, wine, spices and other food. During the daytime, the market is quite crowded, so it is better to come between 6.00-8.00 in the morning.

Phoenix Park

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 bright 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

Back in the 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 admire the surroundings of Nice, the view of the azure marina and the beauty of the well-groomed city embankments.