The best places in Nice. Delightful Nice and its sights. Flower market "Cours Saleya"

We start our walk around Nice from the main street - the Promenade des Anglais. It is here that tourists spend most of their time: beaches, bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels and, of course, famous sights. There is nothing more pleasant than to start your morning in Nice with a cup of espresso and a fresh croissant, sitting in one of the coffee houses on the Promenade des Anglais and enjoying the view of the azure sea.

Negresco Hotel

Crazy installations, hard-to-understand art objects, sculptures and paintings by contemporary artists, all for free. The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most amazing places in Nice.

Pastry Plaisirs Restaurant

After visiting the museum, you can refresh yourself in a nearby French restaurant, especially since it opens for lunch at the most correct time for a Russian person. Be sure to try the author's desserts and hot chocolate.

Marc Chagall Museum

Moving along Carabacel Boulevard, you can go to the Marc Chagall Museum. The works of the artist in this museum are united by a biblical theme, this is worth seeing at least once.

Archaeological Museum

Next, it is best to travel along Cimier Boulevard by bus. The archaeological museum consists of two parts and this part is the most interesting. Here you can see the ruins of a pre-Christian amphitheater, baths, arenas and much more. The tour will not take much time, but it will help you tune in to visit other attractions on the hill.

Matisse Museum

The expositions in the Henri Matisse Museum are devoted mostly to the French Riviera. These works will help to understand why creative people loved this region so much. After visiting the museum, you can go to the cemetery of the Cimiez monastery, where Matisse is buried.

Cimiez monastery

The Cimiez Monastery includes the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Franciscan Museum, where you can follow the development of the life and life of the Franciscans since the 13th century. The most interesting thing here is a magnificent garden with an observation deck, which offers absolutely stunning views of the city.

Cathedral of Saint Nicholas

Next, it is best to take a bus to Nice train station and from there walk to the wonderful Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas. It is considered the largest Orthodox church in all of Western Europe.

Nice is an ancient city whose history began in 350 BC. The city was founded by the Greeks in honor of the goddess of victory Nike. For a long history, Nice has been subjected to numerous raids and robberies, fought with Italy. Only at the end of the 19th century the city joined France.

Nowadays, Nice attracts many tourists with its unique architecture, special atmosphere and rich history. The old center still retains a medieval spirit that allows tourists to fall in love with Nice and celebrate an interesting combination of beauty, elegance and waywardness.

The Promenade des Anglais is a 5 km long street in Nice that runs along the entire coast. A beautiful embankment was created nearby with the money of the English colony, which led to the appearance of the corresponding name. On the embankment there are old buildings that emphasize the uniqueness of the ensemble of Nice.

Nicholas Cathedral

Nicholas Cathedral in Nice is one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals outside of Russia. The architectural design is reminiscent of St. Basil's Cathedral.

Nicholas Cathedral was laid on the site where the Russian heir Alexander II died. This is due to the large Russian community in Nice, which contributed to the active expansion of the church and its unique decoration. The icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker, which belonged to Alexander II, is kept in the cathedral.

Until 2008, the Orthodox Association of Nice was the owner of the cathedral, since 2011 Russia has become the owner.

Location: Avenue Nicolas - II.

The Negresco Hotel on the coast of Nice is considered one of the best in the world. It first received its visitors in 1913. The customer was Henry Negresco, who owned the city's casino. Thus, the hotel is named after its customer. Thanks to the implementation of a worthy project, many celebrities have stayed in Negresco:

• The Beatles group.
• Artist Salvador Dali.
• Singer Elton John.

An ideal reputation is due to the impeccable architecture and unique interior. The hotel is located in a 6-storey building, made according to the best principles of the Renaissance. One of the main differences is the large pink dome that stands out from the rest of the buildings.

Residents can book one room out of 145, each decorated in a different style. The interior can convey a certain era, ranging from the time of Louis XIII to modernity with art deco. The comfort and level of service is beyond praise.

Location: Prom. des Anglais - 37.

The monument is located right at the foot of the Castle Hill. This place was chosen for a reason. From the mountain there is an excellent view of the sea. In addition, there is an ancient cemetery, the ruins of an old castle. In addition, the mountain is located far from the main transport routes. All this allows people to relax and think about the meaning of life.

The monument was erected in honor of the four thousand inhabitants of Nice who died in the First World War. Initially, construction activities began in 1918, but subsequently they were postponed to 1924 due to lack of funds. As a result, the project was implemented at a decent level. Both sides of the monument are decorated with unique bas-reliefs representing warriors, engineers, aviators and sailors. The monument is also engraved with the names of the fallen residents of Nice, and those who died in World War II and during military conflicts in Algeria and Indochina were subsequently added to them.

The war memorial is considered one of the most original in all of France.

Location: Quai Rauba Capeu.

Notre Dame de Nice is the largest Roman Catholic basilica in Nice. The architectural design of the attraction immediately resembles the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris in Paris.

The construction of the basilica took place in 1868. Despite the Gothic style, the temple surprises with elegant performance. You can note the light gray and golden hue, emphasizing the amazing magnificence. In addition, the height of the religious landmark reaches 65 meters above the ground, so the basilica can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Divine services, concerts of classical and church music are regularly held in the basilica.

Location: 2 Rue d'Italie.

The luminous statues on Place Masséna amaze with their splendor at night. This attraction is a direct reflection of modern design art.

Luminous sculptures of people are located on high floors. Seven statues are a symbol of the seven continents of the world, as a result of which the attraction has a special meaning.

The main functional purpose is the illumination of the area. Thus, you can appreciate the original lights.

Location: Place Massena - 13.

The solar fountain, created in 1956, is located in the central part of Nice.

The most important decoration of the fountain are bronze statues symbolizing the planets of the solar system:

• Saturn.
• Mars.
• Venus.
• Mercury.
• Earth.

Until 1970, in the central part of the ensemble there was a statue of Apollo, whose height exceeded six meters. However, later the statue had to be removed, since the nakedness of the god Apollo offended the feelings of people. Despite the previous conflicts over the sculptural composition, after the restoration of the Apollo fountain was returned to its place.
Rossetti Square

Rossetti Square is the geographical center of Nice, located in the old town. The area on each side is surrounded by houses of 5 - 6 floors, cafes. If you wish, you can try pizza or ice cream, which Nice is famous for.

The main attraction of Rossetti Square is the Saint-Reparat Cathedral, built in the 17th century. However, the most interesting attributes of the cathedral complex, the bell tower and the tiled vault, appeared only in the 18th century.

Location: Place Masséna.

The Tête Carré is the head building and the most original building in Nice. The attraction appeared thanks to the talented sculpture of Sasha Sosno. The building is an art object: a person’s neck, chin and lower lip are clearly visible, but at the same time a cube is put on his head. Such architectural execution symbolizes the clamped thinking, which needs to be got rid of.

It houses the Central Library of Nice and the Museum of Modern Art.

Location: 2 place Yves Klein.

The Marc Chagall National Museum has existed only since 1966. The museum center appeared due to the fact that the artist Marc Chagall presented the city with a cycle consisting of 17 paintings. Such a cycle is a unique interpretation of the Old Testament.

Marc Chagall actively participated in the creation of the museum and decorated the interiors of the museum. For example, blue stained-glass windows, which are installed in one hall of the museum center, were created by the artist.

The museum also has a concert hall, which regularly hosts concerts of classical and contemporary music.

Location: Avenue Dr Ménard - 36.

The Mattis Museum, located on one of the hills in Nice, is dedicated to the legacy of a talented artist. The exposition is located in a villa built in the 17th century on the site of ancient ruins.

The Mattis Museum consists of 18 halls, where you can see the artist's work and his favorite things. You need to be prepared for the fact that the paintings are arranged without taking into account the chronology of their creation. However, visitors can independently think about the meaning of unique paintings and try to understand the author. Moreover, one of the halls is completely devoted to paper figurines, which Matisse liked to create.

Location: Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez - 164.

The Clock Tower, built in the 18th century, is located in the eastern part of Nice.

Until the 18th century, the Ryuska tower was located here, which was repeatedly destroyed and restored. As a result, in 1718, the Ruska tower was reconstructed, after which it was installed on the small Saint-Domenique square in the southern part of Nice. In its place, the Clock Tower was built, which pleases tourists and local residents even in the 21st century.

At the top of the tower there is a clock showing the exact time.

Location: Place du Palais.

Notre Dame de Cimiez is a monastery that is one of the most attractive sights in the French city of Nice. The monastery complex is located on a high hill and is surrounded by Simiye Park, which complements the sacred building.

Notre Dame de Cimiez was built by the Franciscans in the 14th century when they were renovating an old chapel belonging to the Benedictine monks. The last additions, which made it possible to create a complete form of a religious building, appeared only in the 19th century.

The monastery is decorated with rich frescoes, valuable paintings, an old crucifix created by the French artist Louis Brea. Next to the sacred building is a sculpture in the form of a rooster and a stricken falcon, reminiscent of the victims who died in the First World War.

Location: Place du monastère de cimiez.

The Palace of Justice is made according to the best principles of neoclassicism. The construction of the building took a couple of years, after which, in 1885, the offices of lawyers and judges were located.

Before the French Revolution of the 18th century, the Palace of Justice was adjacent to a Dominican monastery. After the hostilities, the monastery premises were used as barracks, but in 1882 they were nevertheless destroyed.

The Palace of Justice still adorns beautiful Nice with its strict architecture.

Location: Place du Palais, 06300 Nice.

The Church of Saints Martin and Augustine is the oldest religious site in Nice. The construction of the attraction took place in the 6th century, but it still welcomes parishioners.

The church is located on St. Augustine's Square. At the same time, the religious object pleasantly surprises with its worthy embodiment:

• Implementation of the best principles of the Baroque style.
• A unique architecture that promotes the penetration of pure light.
• Sculptures of angels.
• Image of the Sorrowful Mother of God.
• Bell tower.
• Choir.

The church is distinguished by the absence of colored stained-glass windows, but still surprises with its impeccability.

Location: Place Saint-Augustin.

The Museum-Theater of Photography is located in the building where the Art Theater used to function. The building features painted ceilings and carved wood trim.

The museum includes six halls where you can carefully get acquainted with the history of photography. Here are the first photographs and digital images, books, documents and thematic DVDs. If you wish, you can use the Internet to view sites related to the topic of photography.

The museum is dedicated to photojournalism, portrait and art photography.

Visitors can see the permanent exhibition, as well as temporary exhibitions of famous and emerging photographers.

Laskari Palace is the most luxurious building built in the Baroque style. The palace complex began its history in 1648 due to the fact that Marshal of the Dukes of Savoy Jean-Baptiste Laskari Ventimius bought four buildings and created a unique residence. Construction work was completed in 1665, after which the Laskari family moved into the palace.

The building has four floors connected by a marble staircase. The apartments of the 16th-17th centuries, furnished in accordance with the fashion of the previous era, have been preserved here. Here you can see carpets, baroque frescoes, Flemish tapestries.

Location: Rue Droite - 15.

Nice is an amazing city that surprises with impeccable architecture and unique atmosphere.

And, paradoxically, there are not so few of them here, so as not to be surprised by something new during the tenth visit to Nice - the main city and unspoken capital of the French Riviera, located in the Bay of Angels. You can see everything during leisurely walks at your leisure, for this you just need to know how to combine routes.

For your convenience, I have divided the sights of Nice into groups, and a walk through the Old Town can smoothly flow into a walk along the port, and from there to the Museum of Modern Art, to Place Massena and then back to the embankment, and so on.

In fact, this article isguide to the main interesting places in Nice:

Old town, Chateau hill and port of Lympia -

Old town of Nice, Chateau hill, port of Lympia

Nice Old Town (Vieille Ville)- this is perhaps the most important place in Nice, where you should go, even if you have only two hours left. If you have much more time to get to know him, you will often come here, because this is a favorite place for many locals and tourists, where many bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs are concentrated, a huge number of bakeries, pastry shops and private wine shops, souvenir and antique shops.

In the large pedestrian area of ​​the Old Town - Cours Saleya The fruit and flower market is open 7 days a week in the morning. After lunch, vendors roll up their merchandise and make room for tables in restaurants and cafes. Every Monday at Cours Saleya in Nice, the Antique Market is open until noon, where you can buy anything - from cheap old postcards with posters and used jewelry to rare expensive items, the price of which reaches tens of thousands of euros. A kind of symbiosis of a "flea market" and an antique dealer's shop. People who put up old things for sale have been “spinning” in this business for a long time, and if you need to get something very old and rare, if they don’t provide it to you, then they will definitely find someone who has it.

The old town of Nice is in some places a rather confusing maze of streets and alleys, with a chaotic medieval building, but at the same time with several spacious squares. There are many architectural monuments of different periods, most of which were created in the Italian Baroque style in the 17th-18th centuries.

The main Catholic churches of old Nice, which you should pay attention to and definitely look inside - Cathedral of Saint Reparata(Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate), very graceful Mercy Chapel(Chapelle de la Misericorde) on the Cours Saleya, as well as hiding between tall buildings Church of St. James-le-Major "Jesus"(Eglise Saint-Jaques-le-Majeurdite de Jesus (Gesu).

Saint Reparata Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Nice. In the 16th century, this church was built in the shape of a Latin cross on the site of a Benedictine abbey. The magnificent dome of the Cathedral of St. Reparata, towering over the Old Town of Nice, and its interior decoration resemble the most important Catholic church in the world - St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.

Cathedral of Saint Reparata

Church of St. James

Mercy Chapel

Palace of Justice, Prefecture Palace, Laskari Palace, Nice Opera House, labor exchange building- this is not a complete list of buildings included in the number of protected architectural monuments of the Old Town. Along the "edge" of the Old Town in the area of ​​Cours Saleya and the embankment is Gallery de Ponchette(Les Ponchettes) - smooth rows of bright picturesque buildings converted by the city into galleries.

From the Old Town through one of the arches of the Galleries de Ponchette you will get to the famous Nice English Promenade(Promenade des Anglais) - a wide promenade that stretches along the sea and the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges) for seven kilometers. Although, to be precise, in this place the Promenade already has a different name - the United States Embankment, but this does not change the essence.

To your left you will see Hill Chateau(Сolline du Chateau), or Castle Hill. Even at the time of the Greek presence in Nicaea (Nice), on this high hill, from which an excellent overview of the surroundings opened, there was a sentry garrison. By the way, at exactly noon, a cannon shot is heard from the side of the hill. Don't be afraid - this is a tribute to an old tradition. According to legend, a certain Scottish citizen in the middle of the 19th century bought a cannon at his own expense and installed it on Chateau Hill. Either he was a big fan of army rituals ("noon shot from a cannon"), or just an eccentric, but they say that this was how he let his wife know that it was time to cook dinner for him. Since 1875, the authorities of Nice have officially established that at 12 noon it is imperative to shoot from a cannon.

Unfortunately, there are practically no ancient and medieval ruins here (except perhaps a little, in the center of the hill), but today it is one of the main attractions - a picturesque park area with breathtaking views of Nice, the port, the promenade and the sea. You can climb Chateau Hill both on foot (tiring way) and free of charge by elevator (of course, the elevator does not work around the clock, on holidays, etc. it may be closed).

Beland Watchtower, in which the composer Hector Berlioz once lived, a beautiful artificial waterfall, an ancient cemetery on a hill and mosaic compositions depicting scenes from ancient Greek life - what you need to see on Chateau Hill.

Going down the Chateau hill and rounding it, you get to Port of Nice Lympia(Lympia) and the prestigious port quarter, built up with majestic buildings of the XVIII century in the Genoese style. The main harbor of Nice is capable of receiving the largest cruise ships and mega-yachts, huge ferries depart regularly from here to the island of Corsica. As you turn off the waterfront towards the port, on your left you will see the imposing Monument aux morts, commemorating the people of Nice who were killed during the First World War.

There are good restaurants in the port area, popular both with tourists (in the part located directly under the Chateau Hill), and with sailors and port workers - for this you need to bypass the port and go deeper into the part that is located in the distance.

The port area is also home to another so-called "flea market" of Nice and several stylish art galleries where you can buy contemporary works by artists and sculptors.

From the port to Garibaldi squares- one of the most beautiful and cozy squares in Nice. In the center of it stands a monument to the famous native of Nice - Giuseppe Garibaldi, and carefully restored buildings in the Sardinian style are especially reminiscent of the "Italian trace" in the history of this French city.

The French province of Nice is located on the Mediterranean coast. Together with Antibes, Cannes and Monaco, this town is included in the list of leading resorts on the Cote d'Azur. Hundreds of thousands of beach lovers from all over the world come to Nice every year to relax on the gentle sands of its beaches and swim in the warm, like fresh milk, sea.

World stars and famous creative personalities rested here at different times. Local nature and sights served as an inexhaustible source for them to create their new immortal masterpieces. Nice was founded by the Greeks a few decades before our era. Then the settlement was called Nicaea, in honor of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. And this already suggests that this city has something to see and that it is truly inimitable.

Brief description of the locality

A symbol of the attractiveness of the province of Nice is the promenade, which is decorated with evergreen palm trees with branches swaying in unison with the cool breeze that blows from the sea. Bars, restaurants, entertainment facilities and hotels line the waterfront in a continuous line. The width of the coast allows you to walk along it, ride a bike, go jogging and just enjoy the sunset.

The beaches of Nice are covered with pebbles and equipped to the highest standard, everything on them predisposes you to a wonderful and the best vacation. Local museums make the city popular, among which attention should be paid to the Matisse Museum, the Marc Chagall Museum, the Museum of Art and History and others.

Another important advantage of the resort is its mild Mediterranean climate. Here, even in winter, the temperature never drops below 12 degrees. Well, in the summer here the thermometer is at around 30 degrees and more. The beach season in Nice lasts from May to October. An unsurpassed romantic view, convenient location, developed infrastructure, an abundance of comfortable luxury hotels in tandem with stunning landscapes and gentle rays of the Mediterranean sun make the rest in this city heavenly and truly unforgettable.

A little more about the city

The description of the province of Nice is difficult to fit into a few sentences. But to get a minimal idea of ​​the city, you need to know that it is the unofficial capital and one of the main gems of the French Riviera. This region is generously endowed with nature and is extremely loved by tourists.

Despite the fact that modernization has reached this corner, Nice has managed to preserve its legacy from the Middle Ages. All of them are located in the Old City.

Symbol of the Cote d'Azur

The symbol of the entire Côte d'Azur and the province of Nice in particular is the Hotel Negresco. If you can't afford to stay in it, then you need to visit it at least as an attraction. Opened in 1913, the hotel was built in neoclassical style. The name of the object was given by its owner, Henri Negresco.

The hotel belongs to the luxury category. The construction of the Negresco cost three million gold francs. The luxury of the hotel was appreciated by Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Michael Jackson, Salvador Dali, Catherine Deneuve and many other world-famous persons.

The highlight of this institution is the Royal Salon, which is covered by a pink metal-framed dome. The frame was forged by Gustav Eiffel himself. Under the dome hangs a stunning chandelier, which was made at the notorious Baccarat glass factory. Two such copies were created here - one was ordered by Henri Negresco for his institution, and the second - by Nicholas II for the Kremlin Palace.

Each floor of the "Negresco" is made in an individual style. The decor of each room is also not the same. The hotel receptionists wear a uniform traditional for the 19th century.

Green Stadium

Ten kilometers from the center of the province of Nice is the stadium of Nice. It is also called the Allianz Riviera. The attraction is a multifunctional stadium where they play not only football, but also rugby, and also arrange all kinds of concerts.

This stadium is used as the home ground of the Nice football team. The size of the object is 105 x 68 meters. Allianz Riviera can accommodate over 35,500 spectators. Despite such dimensions, the stadium was the smallest of those that participated in Euro 2016.

The Nice stadium was built during 2011-2013. The decision to build a new arena was decided in 2006 after renovation work on the old stadium, the Stade du Rey, failed miserably. Authorities and sponsors spent 245 million euros on the construction of the future attraction.

The newly created stadium has become one of the most environmentally friendly in the state. For its construction, metal structures and wood were used. Photovoltaic panels are used on its roof and on the roofs of nearby parking lots. The area of ​​operated solar batteries exceeds 15 thousand square kilometers. Thanks to this, the stadium produces electricity three times more than it needs. The rainfall collection system is also of interest - the collected water is used for watering the lawn.

England in France

In the French province of Nice, there is one wonderful place that everyone who manages to get to this city dreams of visiting. This is the Promenade des Anglais. It is also called the English Promenade and the English Walk. The popular promenade is located along the Mediterranean Sea in Nice.

During the urbanization of Nice, its coast was limited by a desert coastal strip. At a distance far from the sea, on an elevated foundation, the first houses were built.

From the second half of the 18th century, the British began to regularly relax on the azure coasts of the resort. When a particularly frosty winter took place in England, beggars began to continuously make their way to Nice from the north. During this period, the wealthy English put forward a proposal to build a passage through the sea.

Every year, the Promenade des Anglais hosts a carnival and a flower show. There are unique cottages and one-of-a-kind blue benches on the parapet.

Alley in the old town

In Nice, a province of France, there is one wonderful attraction. It is located in the Old Town and is called Cours Saleya alley. This is the main pedestrian street of this part of the metropolis. Here, for six days of the week, a flower market is open, where in spring you can buy a rare variety of mimosa with balls, the size of which reaches the size of hazelnuts. In addition to flowers, they sell sweets, spices, fruits and candied chestnuts, which are a local delicacy.

Every Monday antique dealers come to the market. Their product range includes vases made from Limoges porcelain, Provencal furniture, black and white photographs, scales for weighing bull meat and many other rare and outlandish items.

Running through museums

Most of the sights of the province of Nice are museums. There are more of them here than in any other city in France, except for its capital. Among all the museums that exist in the city, you should definitely visit such institutions as:

• Matisse Museum. It is located in a Genoese mansion. The institution exhibits a huge number of sculptures and paintings of the French genius.
• Museum of Fine Arts. It has an exhibition of paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Fragonard and other artists.
• Massena Museum. Almost one and a half thousand of its exhibits belong to the daily culture and art of the XI-XIX centuries.
• National Marc Chagall Museum. The center of the entire exhibition can be considered 17 paintings by Chagall, which he painted under the influence of impressions from the Jewish stories of the Old Testament.

There are also municipal galleries in Nice. And for those who are interested in the exact sciences, it is recommended to visit the Observatory, the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of Natural History.

Palace of a noble family

Photos of the province of Nice clearly indicate that this is a rich city with luxurious buildings. This theory can also be proved by the example of the Laskari Palace, built back in the 17th century for one of the most respected dynasties of the city. Among other medieval buildings, this mansion is distinguished by its facade in the Genoese Baroque style. The exterior decoration of the attraction is distinguished by restraint. As befits a house of aristocrats, she is full of dignity.

The ornamental façade includes elements such as sculptural masks under balconies with white marble balustrades and a relief ornament of garlands and scrollwork above the main portal. All the main decor is located at the level of the third, "noble" floor. It was there that the apartments of the most respected members of the Ventimille-Lascari family were located.

One of the most luxurious castles

Which sea in the province of Nice, we have already mentioned, is the Mediterranean Sea, but we have not yet talked about which of the resort's attractions is one of the most luxurious. This is Valrose Castle. The aristocratic building of the resort is also one of the most curious. The Neo-Gothic castle is built on Simez hill. It was erected for Baron Pavel von Derviz, who wrote the music for the romance "Evening Bells".

One million gold francs was spent on the construction of the castle. For this amount, a huge palace was created, which amazes the attention with its extravagance. At one time, the decoration of the castle was characterized by special luxury. It featured crystal chandeliers, expensive pieces of art and interior design, and frescoes. The castle used to have a concert hall that could accommodate four hundred people. It regularly hosted opera performances and other performances.

Finally a few words

Tourists always leave only the most friendly reviews about the province of Nice. They say that this is one of the most luxurious and stunning resorts in the world. And it is felt even in the air of the city. Travelers say that Nice is always beautiful. At any time of the year, you can wonderfully relax here and get fabulous impressions.