Nice is a commune in the south-east of France, prefecture of the
Alpes-Maritimes department and second city in the
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region behind Marseille. Located about
thirty kilometers from the Franco-Italian border, it is established
on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, along the Baie des Anges and
at the mouth of the Paillon.
According to the 2017 census,
with 340,017 inhabitants, it is the fifth largest municipality in
France in terms of population (after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and
Toulouse). It is located in the heart of the sixth largest
agglomeration in France with 942,886 inhabitants and the seventh
attraction area in France, with approximately 600,000 inhabitants.
The city is the center of a metropolis, Nice Côte d'Azur, which
brings together forty-nine municipalities and approximately 540,000
inhabitants.
Located between sea and mountains, economic and
cultural capital of the Côte d'Azur, Nice benefits from significant
natural assets. Tourism, commerce and administrations (public or
private) occupy an important place in the activity of the city. It
has the second largest hotel capacity in the country, which allows
it to welcome around 4 million tourists each year. It also has the
third airport in France (the first in the provinces) and two
convention centers devoted to business tourism.
The city has
a university, several business districts, many museums (it is even
the city that has the most in France, after Paris), a national
theater, an opera, a regional library, a regional conservatory and
concert halls.
Capital of the Viguerie of Nice, it was once
part of ancient Liguria between the Var and Magra rivers, of the
Roman Regio IX Liguria, of the Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)
between the ninth and the eleventh century , of the Ligurian League
and of the Republic of Genoa, before choosing in 1388 the protection
of the County of Savoy following the war of the Union of Aix
(dedition of Nice to Savoy). In 1526 it became the capital of the
County of Nice. In 1720, following the Peace of The Hague, Savoy
ceded Sicily (which it had acquired in 1713 by the Treaties of
Utrecht) and received Sardinia giving birth to the Kingdom of
Piedmont-Sardinia. This new group thus forms one of the pre-unitary
Italian states, the capital of which is set at Turin. Nice became
French in 1860, after a plebiscite.
Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais (often called “La
Prom”) is Nice’s most iconic landmark. This elegant 7 km (about 4.3
miles) waterfront boulevard curves along the Baie des Anges (Bay of
Angels) from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in the west to the Quai des
États-Unis near Old Town and Castle Hill in the east.
History:
English aristocrats funded its initial construction in the 1820s (as a
simple path) for seaside strolls during their winter escapes from
Britain’s cold climate. It expanded significantly in the 1930s with
wider sidewalks, palm trees, and grand architecture.
What to see and
experience:
Palm-lined path ideal for walking, jogging, cycling, or
rollerblading.
Pebble beaches with iconic blue chairs.
Landmarks
like the opulent Hôtel Negresco (a Belle Époque palace hotel, a national
historic monument with a lavish interior) and the Palais de la
Méditerranée (an Art Deco gem).
Views of the azure sea, with planes
landing dramatically overhead near the airport.
It serves as a social
hub for events like the Nice Carnival and daily people-watching. The
promenade embodies Nice’s glamorous, relaxed Riviera lifestyle.
Old Town (Vieux Nice or Vieille Ville)
Vieux Nice is a labyrinth of
narrow, winding pedestrian streets, pastel-colored buildings (often with
green shutters and ochre facades), baroque churches, and lively squares.
It lies between Place Masséna, the sea, and Castle Hill.
Highlights:
Cours Saleya: The bustling main square and market area.
It hosts a daily flower, produce, and food market (with socca,
pissaladière, and fresh Niçoise specialties) and an antiques/flea market
on Mondays. Cafés and restaurants spill onto the square.
Cathédrale
Sainte-Réparate (Nice Cathedral): A 17th-century Baroque masterpiece on
Place Rossetti, dedicated to Nice’s patron saint. Its colorful tiled
dome is visible from afar, and the interior features ornate altars and
relics. Place Rossetti itself is charming with fountains and gelaterias.
Palais Lascaris: A 17th-century Baroque palace on Rue Droite, now a free
museum showcasing lavish interiors, period furnishings, and a collection
of musical instruments.
Other gems: Narrow alleys like Rue Droite,
the Opera House, and hidden chapels.
The area feels distinctly
Italian-influenced (Nice was part of the Kingdom of
Savoy/Piedmont-Sardinia until 1860) and was added to UNESCO’s World
Heritage as part of “Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera” in 2021.
It’s best explored on foot, especially in the evening when it buzzes
with life.
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Castle Hill (92
meters / 300 feet high) rises dramatically above Old Town and the port,
offering panoramic views of the Baie des Anges, Promenade des Anglais,
and the city.
History: Greeks founded Nikaia here around the 3rd–4th
century BC due to its strategic position and freshwater spring. It
became a medieval citadel with a castle, cathedral, and fortifications.
Louis XIV’s troops destroyed it in 1706 after sieges. Today, it’s a
beautiful public park created in the 19th century.
What to
explore:
Ruins of the castle and Sainte-Marie cathedral.
A
dramatic artificial waterfall and shady gardens.
Children’s
playgrounds and lookout points (including the Bellanda Tower).
Cemeteries with historic graves.
Sweeping vistas—especially magical
at sunrise or sunset.
Access it via stairs from Old Town, an
elevator, or paths from the port. It’s a refreshing green space and a
must for views and history.
Place Masséna
This grand central
square links the Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, and modern Nice. It
features red ochre buildings with arcades (inspired by Turin), a
pedestrian zone, and the striking Fontaine du Soleil (Sun Fountain) with
a marble Apollo statue.
The square is lively day and night, with tram
lines, shops, and events. It’s a perfect orientation point and photo
spot.
Other Notable Landmarks
Russian Orthodox Cathedral
(Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas): One of Europe’s finest, built in the early
20th century for the Russian community, with colorful onion domes.
Promenade du Paillon: A modern park and water feature cutting through
the city, connecting Place Masséna to other areas.
Museums nearby:
Musée Matisse and Musée Chagall in Cimiez (hilltop Roman ruins area);
MAMAC for modern art.
Port Lympia: A charming harbor east of Old Town
with yachts and restaurants.
Avenue Jean Médecin: Main shopping
street with department stores and architecture.
Every year in February, on the occasion of the carnival, the flower parade with festively decorated floats and countless flower arrangements, which has also become well-known in the rest of Europe, takes place on Nice's prestigious street, the Promenade des Anglais.
By plane
Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (on the western edge of the
city) – Nice Airport is the 2nd French airport in terms of traffic. It
is composed of two terminals connected by a free shuttle.
The
low-cost airline Easyjet has recently become the leading operator in
terms of the number of French and European destinations. It is ahead of
Air France which mainly serves French destinations. A significant number
of other companies connect it to many destinations in France and Europe,
regular flights also exist to other countries (Maghreb, United States).
You can rent a car at the airport or use the shuttles to get to Nice
(every 16 minutes, ticket price: € 6) or in most other cities in the
department (preferably buy your ticket at the counter near the terminal
in front of the platforms before the arrival of the bus because the
driver could refuse in case of delay). An economical alternative is to
take the bus n ° 23 which stops on the main road passing 100 m in front
of Terminal 1 (Airport / Promenade bus stop). This bus will take you 500
m west of the central station (Thiers / Gambetta stop) for the price of
an ordinary ticket (€ 1.5). If you are arriving from Nice, go down the
stairs and go under the road to reach the airport.
By train
Nice-Ville railway station
Nice-Ville train station (Thiers station)
(in the city center. 250 m from the tram line– - The main train station
of Nice. It has two lines, the first and most important one runs along
the coast and welcomes regional and TGV trains. The trains are
particularly crowded there during peak hours. There are also two other
minor stations on this line: Nice Saint-Augustin Logo station indicating
a wikipedia link to the west and Nice-Riquier Logo station indicating a
wikipedia link to the east. The other line leads to Breil-sur-Roya in
the hinterland.
Access to the platforms is only possible by
validating your ticket at the entrance gates. Allow a few minutes of
margin because the validation of a QR code on the phone can be
capricious. A yellow call terminal to the right of the gates allows you
to contact the staff in case of problems.
TGV trains connect Nice to
Marseille (2:40 a.m.), Lyon (4:30 a.m.), Paris (5:30 a.m.), as well as
other European cities. They are managed by the national company SNCF,
which offers classic "inOui" services and low-cost "Ouigo" services.
To the east, we can go to Monaco and Menton. By changing in Ventimiglia
in Italy for a Trenitalia train, it is possible to travel to the Italian
cities of Genoa and Milan.
Railways of Provence
Provence
railway station (700 m north of Nice-Ville station) - This station is
the starting point of the line from Nice to Digne. The latter passes
through the Var plain and joins Digne-les-Bains in the
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
By boat
Port of Nice (Port Lympia)
Two companies serve Corsica from Nice. These two companies
operate fast ships allowing a crossing in about three hours :
The
SNCM
Corsica Ferries
By coach
Nice bus station 14 avenue
des diables bleus - There are regional connections to Gap,
Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Avignon and Toulon by the regional service
LER. Nice is also served by regular international lines (Intercar and
Eurolines companies in particular)
By car
The A8/E80 motorway
extends from the Italian border to Aix-en-Provence. It passes to the
north of the city and descends along the Var on its western part, before
leaving parallel to the coast. Take one of the exits between the numbers
51 and 55, depending on the district where you need to go.
By car
It is sometimes very difficult to move around Nice,
especially during peak hours and parking is often paid and expensive.
Note that following the implementation of the tramway, traffic has been
modified in many streets.
For information, there are automatic
speed cameras on the Promenade des Anglais (at the airport), on the
national road 202 (at Nikaia) and in the Las Planas motorway tunnel (A8,
direction France-Italy). Mobile speed camera checks are also daily:
respect for speed limits is essential.
By bus
Most of the
lines have a high frequency, there is a dedicated corridor that crosses
the city from East to West and vice versa. The "Lignes d'Azur" network
covers Nice and 23 surrounding municipalities. The single ticket costs €
1.5, the day ticket € 5. The ticket for the airport lines (98 and 99)
costs € 6 and allows a one-way ticket on the airport lines and free
movement for 24 hours on the other lines of the network. It should be
noted that the timetables displayed at the stops are in the majority of
cases the departure times from the terminus. To find out what time your
bus will pass, refer to the travel times between stops listed on the
time sheet.
A tram line was put into operation on November 24, 2007.
This line is in correspondence with the rest of the network. On the
occasion of the opening of this line, "relay car parks" have been set
up: their use is free for public transport users.
For night owls,
know that there are 5 night bus lines called "Noctambus". These lines
operate between 21:30 and 1:10 and serve the main districts of the city,
their departure is located at the J.C. Bermond station, next to the bus
station. The tickets and prices are the same as those for the day.
Information: Lignes d'Azur website or by phone 0800 06 01 06 (from
France, cost of a local call).
In addition, please note that
correspondence is possible between the Ligne d'Azur network and the TAM
departmental network :
For a connection between Lignes d'Azur and
TAM, you must buy an "Azur Ticket" at a Ligne d'Azur commercial agency:
validate your "Azur Ticket" on the Lignes d'Azur bus and then give this
ticket to the TAM bus driver who will give you a countermark.
For a
TAM → Lignes d'Azur connection, you must indicate it to the driver of
the TAM bus, who will give you, in addition to your TAM ticket, a
magnetic ticket "Ticket Azur" which you will have to validate on the
Lignes d'Azur bus.
In any case, the connecting ticket costs € 1 (€
1.5 from May 3, 2013) and it must not take more than 2 hours 30 minutes
between the time you board the first bus and the time you board the
second.
On foot
Many of the interesting sites are located
along Avenue Jean-Médecin (shops), around Old Nice and the port, and
therefore are within walking distance. For the others, it will be better
to organize by neighborhood and take public transport or bike.
By
bike
Since the introduction of Blue Bicycles in 2009, cycling has
become much safer vis-à-vis motorists and bike lanes and lanes have
multiplied, especially in the city center. A long two-way cycle path
runs along the seaside from the port to Antibes.
If you have your
own bike, it will often not be long before you find a place to attach
it. On the other hand, plan a solid padlock like a "U", and not a simple
cable, to protect it.
Blue Bike classic bicycles: € 1.5 for a
day, € 5 for the week, € 10 for the month, € 25 for the year, including
30 minutes, € 1 for the next 30 minutes, then € 2 / h. Electric
bicycles: € 3 for the day or € 40 per year free for students,
apprentices, -25 years and + 65 years, including 30 minutes then € 1.5
for 30 minutes. - A self-service bike service of classic and electric
bicycles. The first ones must be picked up and brought back to one of
the stations (in April 2022, 158 stations for about 1000 bicycles). If
the rental is charged beyond 30 minutes, it is possible to make longer
trips for free to bring the bike back just before this time and borrow
one immediately (you can take the same one back if it works well). A
prior registration on the Internet (or perhaps in an agency) is
required. To pick up a classic bike at the station, you must ring a free
phone number displayed on the terminal, unless you have obtained a
contactless card for free at the branch (faster and more convenient).
The mooring chain of classic bicycles also serves as a padlock whose
code is displayed most of the time on the terminal when booking. Given
the weight of the bikes, do not plan to climb the Nice hills, including
those of Cimiez or Mont Boron, unless you are a great sportsman and do
not worry about sweating!
By Tram
Line 1: 22 stops from Henri
Sappia to the Pasteur Hospital. The line passes along Avenue Jean
Médecin, from the train station to Place Masséna, the Acropolis
conference center and Old Nice. The tram passes every 15 to 4 minutes
from 4:25 to 01:35.
Line 2: runs on solar energy! The line goes from
the Port of Lympia to the airport and the administrative center CADAM.
The tram runs every 10 minutes from 4:45 to 00:35.
Line 3: connects
terminal 2 of the airport to St Isidore, with a stop at the Allianz
Riviera, the football stadium of Nice.La line runs from about 4:30 am to
midnight.
You cannot buy a ticket on the tram. There is a vending
machine at each tram stop that sells tickets either solo (€1.5), as a
10-trip card (€10), for a day (€5) or 7 days (€15). Tickets are valid
for the tram or bus. You can switch from bus to tram (and vice versa)
for a duration of 74 minutes but only in one direction. Payment is made
in euros or by credit card. Another option is to create an account on
lignesdazur.com where you can buy your tickets and subscription cards
online and have them delivered to your French address. An application
called "Nice Ticket" is also available on the AppStore and the
PlayStore. All trams are wheelchair accessible.
Location and Setting
Nice sits on the Mediterranean Sea at the
foot of the French Alps (specifically the southern and western extents
of the Ligurian Alps/Maritime Alps). Its coordinates are approximately
43.7034°N 7.2663°E. It lies about 20 miles (32 km) from the Italian
border, 13 km from Monaco, and roughly 425 miles (684 km) southeast of
Paris.
The city is nestled in the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels), a
gently curving bay that forms a sweeping arc along the coast. The bay
stretches from areas near Antibes in the west toward Nice and includes
the enclosed bay at nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer. Nice's position between
the sea and mountains creates a dramatic natural amphitheater-like
setting.
Topography and Terrain
Nice's terrain transitions
sharply from sea level to hilly and mountainous areas, reflecting its
position at the edge of the Alps:
Coastal zone: Flat pebble beaches
(shingle) along the Baie des Anges, backed by the famous Promenade des
Anglais. The city rises from these low-lying areas into gentle hills.
Hills: The old town sits at the base of Le Château (Castle Hill), a
granite outcrop. Other hills include Mont Boron to the east.
Inland:
Surrounding mountains bound the city, with elevations increasing rapidly
northward. The broader Nice area has an average elevation of around 107
m, with a minimum near sea level (-2 m) and maximums reaching 598 m
within the commune (higher peaks in the surrounding Maritime Alps exceed
1,000–1,300+ m).
The Paillon River (now largely covered over in
the city center and used for tram routes) historically divided parts of
the city and flowed into the sea near the old port. It originates in the
Alps and can be prone to flash flooding. Another smaller river once
flowed into the port area.
The landscape features a mix of coastal
plains (limited), rising hills, and steep mountainous backdrops. This
creates a compact urban area that quickly gives way to rugged terrain,
with deep valleys and dramatic elevation gradients extending offshore
into the Ligurian Sea (where depths can exceed 4,000 m not far from
shore).
Climate
Nice has a classic hot-summer Mediterranean
climate (Köppen: Csa), one of the mildest and sunniest in Europe for its
latitude, thanks to the protective barrier of the Alps to the north and
the moderating influence of the Mediterranean Sea.
Summers: Warm
to hot (average highs ~27°C/81°F in July/August), dry, and very sunny.
Rainfall is minimal (often just 1–2 days with measurable rain in July).
Temperatures rarely exceed 32–35°C.
Winters: Mild (daytime highs
11–17°C, nights 4–9°C), with moderate rainfall. Frost and snow are rare
in the city proper (recent snowfalls were light and infrequent, e.g.,
2018). The Alps block cold northern winds, though the Mistral can
occasionally affect the region.
Overall: High sunshine hours, low
humidity extremes, and pleasant shoulder seasons. Annual average
temperature is around 14–16°C. This microclimate made Nice a historic
winter resort for European aristocracy.
Precipitation is concentrated
in autumn and winter, often as heavy but short downpours. The city is
sheltered from extreme weather by its topography.
Flora and
Natural Environment
Vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean biome:
evergreen shrubs (maquis), holm oak, stone pine, and arbutus. Introduced
species like palms, eucalyptus, citrus, and olives give a subtropical
feel in parks and gardens. Higher elevations feature more temperate and
Alpine species. The area supports cicadas and other Mediterranean
wildlife.
Urban Geography and Layout
Nice's urban area sprawls
across ~72–744 km² depending on whether you count the core commune or
the broader agglomeration (population ~340,000 in the city proper,
nearing 1 million in the metro area). It features:
Old Town (Vieux
Nice): Narrow, winding streets at the base of Le Château, east of the
Paillon.
Modern city: Westward along the Promenade des Anglais, with
19th–20th-century architecture.
Port (Lympia): To the east, in a
natural inlet.
Airport: Nice Côte d'Azur, built on reclaimed land
jutting into the sea at the western end of the bay.
Neighborhoods:
Extend into hills (e.g., Cimiez) and along the coast.
The city is
divided into cantons and benefits from its position as a gateway to the
Riviera, with easy access to hiking in the Alps, beaches, and
neighboring towns.
The area of today's Nice was settled by Homo erectus 400,000 years
ago. Excavation work in 1965 uncovered numerous artefacts that are now
on display in the Terra Amata Museum. Neanderthals lived here between
190,000 and 130,000 years ago, and their remains were excavated in the
Grotte du Lazaret.
Probably around 350 BC. BC the Phocaeans from
the area around Marseille defeated the Ligurians and founded Νίκαια
Níkaia (“the victorious”, after Nike, the goddess of victory). In 154 BC
The Romans established themselves in the area after the Greek
settlements of Nicaia and Antipolis, now Antibes, were attacked by
Ligurians from the Biot and Cannes area. To secure the region, the
Romans built a second settlement next to Nikaia, Cemenelum, on the
mountains of today's Cimiez. The preserved ruins indicate a population
of 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants for Cemenelum (today's district of
Cimiez). The place was thus a regional administrative center and
experienced an upswing in particular through the construction of the Via
Julia Augusta (7 BC), so that around this time the base grew into a
city.
In the fifth century Cemenelum was abandoned in favor of
Nicaea. Provence fell to the Ostrogoths in 508 and to the Franks in 536.
In 813, 859 and 880 Nice was sacked by Saracen raiders coming from the
sea. Also in the period that followed (e.g. in the year 943) the city
was at the mercy of the attacks of the Muslims. These had established
themselves in nearby Fraxinetum from 888 to around 975 before Count
Wilhelm von der Provence could drive them out.
In 1144 a city
council ("Consulat") is mentioned, in 1176 a first city constitution.
However, Nice remained under the county of Provence, so the city was
Aragonese in the twelfth century and belonged to the House of Anjou from
1246. In the 13th century, competition with Genoa became increasingly
noticeable, and around 1215 Genoa even briefly gained sovereignty over
the city. In response, the Count of Provence had a fleet stationed in
Nice around 1250. In 1295 the city of Villefranche (free city) was
founded near Nice with a base to fight piracy. In 1385, after the death
of the sovereign Johanna I, confusion arose when Charles of Anjou and
his cousin Charles of Durazzo claimed the county of Provence for
themselves. In this situation, Nice turned against the Angevins at the
instigation of Jean Grimaldi, whereupon in 1388 Count Amadeus VII of
Savoy incorporated the eastern part of Provence into his county as Terre
Neuve de Provence and thus gained access to the sea. Later, this part of
Savoy was raised to the County of Nice (Comté de Nice). Due to its
strategic location, the city was heavily fortified and subsequently
fought over and over again.
In 1524, Francis I of
Valois-Angoulême crossed the county of Nice to fight French claims in
Lombardy against the Habsburgs. In the Battle of Pavia, however, he was
taken prisoner by Charles V, who had him shipped to Spain from
Villefranche in 1525. In 1536, the Duke of Savoy retreated to the County
of Nice before the King of France. Two years later in Nice mediated by
Pope Paul III. a truce negotiated between Francis I and Charles V. In
1543 Nice was besieged and sacked by French troops and the fleet of
Khair ad-Din Barbarossa; the citadel could be held. According to local
tradition, it was a laundress, Catherine Ségourane, who is said to have
forced the departure of Ottoman troops as a "Joan of Arc of Nice".
In 1600 Henry IV had the city besieged. On the occasion of the Peace
of Lyons of 1601, Nice remained with the Duchy of Savoy, which
established one of the country's three courts here in 1614. In 1631 Nice
was hit by a plague epidemic. In 1642 the Spaniards were expelled from
Nice. In 1691, Louis XIV took Nice and the region, at the same time
assuming the title of Count of Nice. In 1693, the military architect
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban visited the Nice region to organize the
restoration of the fortifications. Two years later, the Duke of Savoy
regained the county of Nice through the marriage of his daughter to a
grandson of Louis XIV. In the War of the Spanish Succession, fighting
broke out again in the region, as Savoy sided with the Habsburgs against
France. However, a French attack under General Catinat led to the
extensive destruction of the fortress.
In 1744, as part of the
War of the Austrian Succession, Franco-Spanish troops conquered the
county, which, however, was again given to Savoy in the Peace of Aachen
in 1748. In 1749 the Bassin Lympia, today's port, was created. After a
referendum in 1793, the county was annexed to France and raised to the
85th department called Alpes-Maritimes.
From here Napoleon
Bonaparte began his Italian campaign in 1796, which led to the
occupation of Piedmont. In 1800, the region was briefly occupied by
Austrian troops, but after Napoleon's victory in the Battle of Marengo
it was again placed under French rule. In 1804, Nice recognized the
Empire by a vote of 3,488 to 2. In 1814, in the First Peace of Paris,
the County of Nice reverted to Piedmont, which had meanwhile become part
of the Kingdom of Sardinia. The borders of 1760 were thus restored. In
1859, France supported the national unification of Italy, which had been
won against the Habsburgs, under the rule of the king of
Sardinia-Piedmont, Napoleon III. had to concede the final annexation of
Savoy and Nice to France in the Treaty of Turin. This was approved by
the people of Nice in a plebiscite in 1860, 6810 of the 7912 eligible
voters supported the project. The railway (PLM – Chemins de fer de Paris
à Lyon et à la Méditerranée) reached the city in 1864. Since the station
was built far outside the city in an open field, construction activity
shifted to the area across the Paillon River. As a result, the old town
was well preserved. In 1882, French architect Charles Garnier built the
Nice Observatory.
By now the city was so well established as a
summer resort for the British that Alexandre Dumas declared in 1851 that
Nice was essentially an English city where one could occasionally meet a
local. The European aristocracy, such as the Russian Tsar and Victoria
of Great Britain, also increasingly lodged here. Around 1890, around
22,000 guests spent the winter here, by 1910 there were already 150,000,
with 140,000 inhabitants by 1911.
The boom as a tourist
destination was accompanied by a corresponding industrialization, which
increasingly attracted Italian guest workers in the 20th century, who
settled mainly in the Riquier and Madeleine districts. During the Second
World War the city, which was first Italian and later German occupied,
remained largely undamaged; Resistance centers of the Résistance were
located in the mountains above the city. An American air raid on May 27,
1944 killed 316 people. While the proportion of Britons in the city
gradually declined, that of Italian immigrants, wealthy pensioners from
other parts of France and 'repatriated' Algerian French (Pied-noir) and
Harki families from the former French colonies increased, particularly
after World War II and the end of the Algerian War.
In 1974,
Mayor Jacques Médecin, who had close ties to the extreme right,
initiated a town twinning with Cape Town in South Africa, which was then
internationally proscribed because of apartheid. In 1979, the site was
hit by two tsunamis.
In 2000, the Treaty of Nice was passed in
the city. Nice has above-average unemployment and poverty in a national
comparison, with above-average social housing (Habitation à loyer
modéré, HLM) and has an above-average number of voters from the extreme
right (FN, Les Identitaires/Nissa Rebela). Around 1700 surveillance
cameras have been installed for security reasons. The city, which is
considered a center of petty crime, employed around 400 police officers
in 2017. The situation is particularly difficult for residents in the
outskirts of L'Ariane, in the far north-east of the city, which was once
a landfill site and has been classified as a zone de sécurité
prioritaire (ZSP) by the Ministry of the Interior. The district has an
80% Muslim population.
On the evening of July 14, 2016, during
the celebrations for the national day, a truck drove about two
kilometers into a crowd on the Promenade des Anglais. The attack in Nice
killed 86 people and injured more than 200 people, some seriously. The
driver, a 31-year-old Nice resident with Tunisian citizenship, was
killed in a shootout by police.
The city works with numerous
cultural and social projects to improve social cohesion and the quality
of life.
Historical and Linguistic Identity
Nice's history dates back to
around 350 BC when Greek colonists from Phocaea founded Nikaia (named
after Nike, goddess of victory). It later came under Roman, Ligurian,
Genoese, Savoyard (from 1388), and Sardinian/Piedmontese rule before
being annexed by France in 1860.
This legacy creates a unique hybrid:
Italian influences remain strong in architecture, food, and mentality,
alongside Provençal and French elements. The city has seen waves of
Italian immigration and retains pro-Italian sentiments in its history
(e.g., the Niçard Vespers of 1871).
The local language is Niçard
(Nissart or Niçois), a variety of Occitan (Provençal subgroup) with
Italian/Ligurian influences. It was historically the everyday vernacular
but declined after French annexation and Francization policies. Today,
it's endangered but preserved through cultural efforts, bilingual signs,
festivals, literature, and pride in local identity. Phrases include
Bonjorn (good day), Coma va? (how are you?), and Adieu (goodbye).
Old Town (Vieux Nice) and Daily Life
The heart of Niçois culture
is the Old Town: narrow, winding medieval streets with colorful
buildings, Baroque churches (like Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate), markets,
and lively piazzas. It's a sensory feast of street performers, artists,
markets selling local produce, and small shops.
Locals and visitors
stroll the iconic Promenade des Anglais (named for 18th-19th century
English tourists), a palm-lined seaside walkway perfect for
people-watching, cycling, or relaxing. The lifestyle emphasizes the "art
of living": taking time for long meals, enjoying the outdoors (nearly
300 sunny days a year), and balancing sea and mountain proximity.
Nice is cosmopolitan, with a large expat community (Italian, North
African, British, American, etc.), students from the University of Nice,
and retirees drawn to the mild climate and quality of life. It's lively
yet relaxed, with a mix of beach culture, urban energy, and village-like
neighborhoods.
Cuisine Niçoise: Fresh, Simple, Mediterranean
Cuisine Nissarde is a point of pride and certified tradition, blending
Provençal freshness with Italian peasant roots. It relies on olive oil,
herbs (basil, thyme), vegetables, seafood, and chickpeas rather than
butter or heavy creams.
Key dishes include:
Socca: Crispy
chickpea flour flatbread, baked in wood-fired ovens — a street food
staple with Italian (farinata) origins.
Pissaladière: Onion, anchovy,
and olive tart.
Ratatouille: Provençal vegetable stew.
Pan bagnat:
Niçoise salad sandwich (tuna, eggs, olives, vegetables, olive oil).
Petits farcis: Stuffed vegetables.
Salade Niçoise, daube (stew), and
fresh seafood.
Restaurants displaying the "Cuisine Nissarde"
label emphasize authenticity and local ingredients. Markets like Cours
Saleya burst with produce, flowers, and olives. Wine culture leans
toward Provençal rosés and local varieties.
Arts, Museums, and
Creative Heritage
The light and landscapes have attracted artists for
centuries: Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Yves
Klein, and others. Key museums include:
Musée Matisse (in a Genoese
villa).
Musée National Marc Chagall.
Musée des Beaux-Arts and
others.
Nice's modern art scene, architecture (Baroque to Belle
Époque), and street art reflect its creative spirit. The city has a
strong performing arts presence with theaters, opera, and events.
Festivals and Traditions
The standout event is the Nice Carnival
(one of the world's biggest, alongside Rio and Venice), dating back to
at least 1294. Held in February, it features massive parades with giant
floats, flower battles (bataille de fleurs), confetti, music, and a
"King of Carnival" theme. It's a UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage
element blending tradition and modernity.
Other events include summer
festivals, Bastille Day celebrations on the Promenade, music and dance
fetes, and village festivals in surrounding areas.
Modern
Lifestyle and Demographics
Nice has about 350,000 residents in the
city proper, with a larger metropolitan area. It's diverse, with Italian
roots, North African communities, and international visitors (second
most visited city in France after Paris). Tourism, services, and
tech/innovation (Sophia Antipolis nearby) drive the economy.
The pace
is Mediterranean: emphasis on family, food, outdoor living, and social
connections. It's family-friendly, retiree-popular, and appealing to
young professionals seeking balance. Challenges include tourism crowds
and high living costs in prime areas, but overall quality of life ranks
high.