Nice history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Nice is rooted in deep antiquity. The city was founded around 350 BC by Greek seafarers from Massalia (modern-day Marseille). They chose a strategically advantageous elevation, known today as Castle Hill (Colline du Château), to establish a fortified trading post. The new settlement received the resonant name Nikaia in honour of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. This name was intended to immortalise the military success of the Greeks in their confrontation with the local Ligurian tribes inhabiting the coast.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a modest fortification into an important ancient hub was driven by a fortunate combination of natural and economic circumstances:

• Geography and Defence. The steep hill provided natural protection against raids from land, whilst the adjacent bay (the current Port Lympia) became an ideal harbour for ancient vessels sailing across the Mediterranean.
• Salt Trade. The city became a key point on the ancient "Salt Road" (Route du Sel). It was from here that salt, precious in those times, was transported through the Alpine passes deep into the continent, bringing the settlement a stable income.
• Proximity to Rome. During the Roman era, Nikaia developed in the shadow of the neighbouring city of Cemenelum (modern-day Cimiez district), which was the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes province. This created a unique dualism: while Cemenelum was an administrative and military centre with Roman baths and arenas, the coastal city remained a bustling trading port.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early stages of its development, the city retained a distinct Greek character, even whilst within Rome's sphere of influence. Greek was spoken here and Hellenic traditions were honoured, distinguishing it from purely Roman settlements in the territory of present-day France. The economy was based not on agriculture, but on maritime commerce: the export of olive oil and local produce, as well as the import of artisanal goods. This orientation towards the sea and trade laid the foundation for the open and cosmopolitan character of the city that persists to this day.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Nice is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures, from antiquity to the present day. The city has changed allegiance multiple times, leaving a deep imprint on its architecture, traditions, and character.

• Around 350 BC — Greek seafarers establish the trading settlement of Nikaia in honour of the goddess of victory, Nike.
• 1st-4th Centuries AD — During the Roman period, the city of Cemenelum (modern-day Cimiez district) flourishes nearby, becoming the administrative centre of the Alpes-Maritimes province.
• 1388 — Nice comes under the protection of the Counts of Savoy, beginning a long period of Italian influence that defined its cultural identity.
• 1543 — The city withstands a siege by the Franco-Turkish fleet under the command of the famous admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, becoming one of the heroic episodes in its history.
• 1612 — Nice is granted the status of a porto franco (free port), which contributes to its economic growth and the strengthening of trade ties.
• 1792–1814 — During the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, Nice becomes part of France for the first time.
• Mid-18th Century — Wealthy English travellers begin to discover Nice as a winter resort, marking the beginning of the era of tourism.
• 1860 — Under the Treaty of Turin, Nice and its surroundings are definitively transferred to France, confirmed by a local referendum.
• 1864 — The first train arrives in the city, significantly simplifying travel and accelerating the development of tourism.
• Early 20th Century — The construction of iconic buildings, such as the Hotel Negresco (1912) and the Orthodox St Nicholas Cathedral (1912), cements Nice's status as an elite resort.
• 2021 — UNESCO includes Nice in the World Heritage List as the "Winter Resort Town of the Riviera", recognising its unique historical and cultural significance.

Stages of Urban and Economic Development

The development of Nice is a story of transformation from a strategic seaport into a world capital of elite leisure. The urban landscape was formed under the influence of changing sovereignty, economic reforms, and bold architectural projects.

• Free Port Status (1612). The Duke of Savoy granted the city the right to duty-free trade, which became a powerful driver for the economy. This decision turned the city into a thriving commercial hub of the Mediterranean, attracting merchants and capital, and laying the financial foundation for future development.
• Establishment of the Consiglio d’Ornato (1832). The creation of the "Council for Embellishment" was a revolutionary step in urban planning. This body approved a strict regulatory plan for the expansion of the city beyond the old walls, introducing a regular layout and a unified architectural style inspired by Turin. It is thanks to this decision that the city centre acquired its famous geometric harmony.
• Emergence as a Winter Resort (Mid-19th Century). A shift in economic focus from trade to hospitality occurred. The influx of European aristocracy stimulated the creation of new urban infrastructure: the first luxury hotels, promenades, and gardens appeared, focused on the comfort of wealthy foreigners.
• Annexation to France and Railway Launch (1860–1864). Political integration and transport accessibility caused an unprecedented construction boom. The city began to grow rapidly, filling with villas and palaces in the Belle Époque style, which definitively secured its status as the premier resort of Europe.
• Evolution of the Promenade des Anglais (19th–20th Centuries). The transformation of a modest coastal path into a monumental promenade had colossal urban planning significance. This turned the city to face the sea, making the embankment not just a road, but a symbol of the city and the centre of its public life.
• Construction of the Airport on Reclaimed Land (Mid-20th Century). The implementation of an ambitious engineering project to reclaim land from the sea allowed for the creation of the Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport. This ensured global transport accessibility and a transition from elite to mass and business tourism.
• Creation of the "Promenade du Paillon" (2013). A large-scale revitalisation project, during which the bed of the Paillon river was covered by a park zone (the "Green Corridor"). This decision allowed for an ecological connection between the historic centre and new districts, creating a vast public space in the heart of the city.

The architecture of Nice is a visual history of the city, reflecting its cultural duality formed under the influence of Italy and France. From the narrow streets of the medieval centre to the luxurious palaces of the "Belle Époque", every district and building tells its own unique story.

Medieval Charm and Italian Baroque

The heart of the city — Old Nice (Vieux Nice) — has preserved the layout of a medieval settlement with a labyrinth of narrow streets and houses featuring pastel and ochre facades. The long period within the Duchy of Savoy brought distinct Italian features to the architecture, especially the Baroque style, which flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. The brightest examples of this era are:

• Nice Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate) — a magnificent example of 17th-century Genoese Baroque with its lavish decor and a dome covered in glazed tiles.
• Palais Lascaris — an aristocratic residence of the 17th century, hiding luxurious interiors with frescoes and rich stucco moulding behind a modest facade, considered a masterpiece of civil Baroque architecture.
• Church of the Gesù (Église du Gesù) — one of the first Baroque churches in Nice, known for its opulent interior decoration with an abundance of gilding and decorative elements.

"Belle Époque" — The Birth of the Resort Riviera

The Golden Age of Nice arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After joining France and transforming into a fashionable winter resort for European aristocracy, the city experienced a construction boom. This period gave Nice its most recognisable look, combining Neoclassicism, Eclecticism, and Art Nouveau.

• The Promenade des Anglais became the showcase of the new era, along which luxurious hotels and villas rose. The jewel of the promenade and the entire city is the Hotel Negresco with its famous pink dome — an iconic example of Belle Époque architecture.
• The Musicians' Quarter (Quartier des Musiciens) and Cimiez Hill were built up with elegant apartment buildings and private villas, demonstrating a variety of styles — from classical palaces to fanciful castles.
• St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas), built in 1912, is the largest in Western Europe and represents a striking example of old Russian church architecture, standing out against the backdrop of Mediterranean architecture.

Art Deco and Modernity

In the 1920s and 1930s, the Art Deco style entered the architectural scene, leaving a noticeable mark. Its main representative is the Palais de la Méditerranée on the Promenade des Anglais with its monumental facade adorned with bas-reliefs. In the post-war period and today, the city continues to develop, adding modern accents to its appearance, such as the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) building, representing a bold construction of four towers connected by glass walkways.

Nice, with its unique light, azure sea, and rich history, has always been a magnet for outstanding individuals. The city has become a source of inspiration for artists, a home for writers, a birthplace of national heroes, and a stage for dramatic events in the lives of world celebrities. Many of them left an indelible mark not only on the history of Nice but also on world culture.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Nice

• Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) — one of the most iconic figures associated with the city. A national hero and ardent fighter for the unification of Italy, he was born in Nice. Despite the fact that the city eventually became part of France, Garibaldi retained a deep attachment to his homeland until the end of his life. One of the city's central squares bears his name.
• Henri Matisse (1869–1954) — a distinguished artist and one of the leaders of Fauvism, he moved to Nice in 1917 and spent most of his life here. He was captivated by the bright colours and light of the Côte d'Azur, which was reflected in his works of this period. Today, the Matisse Museum is located in the city, housing a rich collection of his works.
• Marc Chagall (1887–1985) — a world-renowned avant-garde artist who spent the last decades of his life in the vicinity of Nice. On his initiative, the National Museum "Biblical Message Marc Chagall" was created in the city, the core of which became a cycle of canvases on biblical themes gifted by the artist to France.
• Niccolò Paganini (1782–1840) — a genius Italian violin virtuoso and composer. He spent his final days and passed away in Nice. His death in the city was shrouded in rumours, which led to a long and sad story regarding the burial of his remains, which the church forbade for many years.
• Romain Gary (1914–1980) — a famous French writer, the only author to be awarded the Goncourt Prize twice. He moved to Nice with his mother in his youth, and this period of life is described in detail in his autobiographical novel "Promise at Dawn". The city became an important part of his personal development.
• Isadora Duncan (1877–1927) — a legendary American dancer and reformer of ballet. Her life was tragically cut short in Nice. During a car ride along the Promenade des Anglais, her long silk scarf became entangled in the wheel axle, leading to her instant death.