The true heart of the city, the Place Massena officially emerged in 1852, when the project of architect Joseph Vernier was finally completed. With its facades with porches and pillars, balconies and terraces the sqaure "Carree" is the starting point for the development of Nice to the right side of the paillon tunnel.
Place Massena has been completely redesigned and refurbished in 2008 to create a large pedestrian area. It is also a great place to live because many events are held throughout the year here as well as having the most important intersection in the city that is crossed by the new tram line. On the south side of the square is the fountain "Fontaine de Soleil" and five bronze statues sculpted by Alfred Janniot. Each represents a character from Greco-Roman mythology, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Earth and Venus. In the center of the fountain is a marble statue of seven meters high representing Apollo.
The square is also embellished with works by the Catalan artist Jaume Plensa. These represent the scribes at the top perched on their base, about ten meters above the ground in a squatting or sitting position. The scribes are 7 in number and each symbolize a continent. These statues were erected in translucent resin. Their varying colors represent the reciprocal exchanges between continents.
To the north is Jean Medecin Avenue, with its wide sidewalks, department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and FNAC and its eateries.
Place Massena and the Avenue Jean Medecin offer many residential possibilities whether its a two bedroom apartment ideal for a rental investment due to the close proximity to all public transport, or a great top floor apartment with large terrace, real estate offers are varied and synonymous with great real estate investment.
Bordered by Boulevard Carabacel on the east side, Avenue Felix Faure on the south side, Boulevard Dubouchage to the north and Avenue Jean Medecin on the west, is the second oldest district of Nice after the Old Town. The buildings with colorful facades mostly built between 1850 and 1900, and now typically Nicois style and today equipped with elevators, this shopping district is home to a local population that traditionally has in recent decades, largely been internationalized.
Its an ideal location, close to the Place Massena and the Old City, with the bus station, tram and main roads, making it an excellent choice as a main residence and/or secondary. It is also a very interesting area for rental investment, furnished or unfurnished. There is the a very good high school Lycee Massena, the MAMAC Modern Art Museum, the Museum of Photography, the National Theatre of Nice, the former Prefecture, auction houses, as well as many hotels, restaurants and shops, such as Galeries Lafayette or the Nice Etoile shopping center.
You will also enjoy the new green corridor overlooking the Place Wilson. This will be a simply beautiful promenade lined with green trees, grass, stones and the largest water mirror of France. Exhibitions of works of art, fun activities and major events will also be held here. The garden will spread over 12 hectares with a part of the green area to be surrounded by two banks planted with Mediterranean species.
Marked by the majestic Place Massena on the west side, Victor Hugo Boulevard on the north and Boulevard Gambetta to the east, the Carre d’Or is undoubtedly the most popular area of Nice. Crossed by the rue Masséna, known as the pedestrian zone, it boasts the finest fashion brands and major jewelers, as well as several casinos and hotels. Very commercial and resolutely international, praised by foreign customers as well as locals for the quality of life it provides, this neighborhood is heterogeneous in architecture and will delight those who wish to live in the heart of the city, with all amenities within walking distance.
From the point of view of residential or rental property, the Carre d’Or is a safe bet, with a guarantee of easy and profitable resale. There are of course Nicois buildings with elevators, Bourgeois and Art Deco buildings, and modern buildings as well usually equipped with terraces and parking. And since the average prices have managed to remain fair, there are many who have succumbed to the temptation to buy or invest in the Carré d'Or.
This area has the Anglican Church of Nice dedicated to the Holy Trinity but also the reformed temple of Nice. This area is very popular with foreign residents since it is located two minutes from the beach and close to the pedestrian area and restaurants. In this neighborhood, practicality is the name because everything can be done on foot.
Elegant, residential, this central district of Nice is named in honor of the many musicians that the streets were dedicated to. Many of them have visited the city and have even stayed. Throughout the streets Rossini, Verdi, Berlioz, Gounod, among other things, you will discover stunning stately buildings ("palaces") and Art Deco inspiration, as well as more recent work with terraces and underground parking. Here, the typical Nicois style buildings are less represented because of the expansion of the area from the late nineteenth century, and the colorful facades were replaced in stone. The area is also the emblem of the "Belle Epoque".
As in other areas of the center, shops abound, and vacationers will find many hotels 2 *, 3 * and 4 *, not to mention restaurants. From a practical point of view, the Musiciens district offers a variety of law firms, doctors, two clinics, a Tourist Office and Convention Bureau and the Central Post Office of Nice. If you are looking for a family apartment in a new residence or a charming pied-à-terre with balcony, the Musiciens district and its wide range of real estate options is for you.
You will find the comfort of a central and a quality environment. It is particularly popular with retirees and foreigners to acquire a second home. It is a quiet area, close to shops and the beach. Residents never tire of walking in the Garden Alsace Lorraine. Several monuments are erected: “la man a l’urne”, the monument to Paul Déroulède and "femme endormie". The Marshals monument in pink granite is also located in this garden. A pond of water in the center and many exotic species contribute to its charm. Cultural events for children are alo organized here.
On the other side of the boulevard Gambetta, between the sea and the Pierre Mathis expressway that runs east-west through Nice, is a neighborhood with 2 distinct identities. Between Boulevard Gambetta and Boulevard Grosso , the Fleurs quarter offers a mixture of inspirational Bourgeois buildings and new buildings, with some wonders like the Palace of Madrid.
Commercial and quiet, just a few minutes from the Promenade des Anglais, its palaces and casinos, this is an ideal area for a primary or secondary residence, or for rental investment, because the University of Law and Letters are nearby. It is especially popular for its lush greenery and stunning views of the sea.
After the Boulevard Grosso, taking Baumettes Avenue, one enters the Baumettes district, rich in beautiful and stately buildings of impressive architecture such as the Château de la Tour, an amazing mix of Baroque, Renaissance and medieval influence. The name Baumettes comes from Bauma which means cave. Baumettes therefore means ‘Small Caves’ in reference to those who were to remain under the hill. To the west side one can enjoy beautiful views of the hills of Saint-Pierre-de Féric.
This strictly residential area also houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret, where you can admire numerous works of the thirteenth to the twentieth century and especially beautiful Raoul Dufy and Gustave Adolphe Mossa collections. Gloria Mansions, an Art Deco building listed as a historical monument is well worth a visit. Both concrete guarding raptors are emblematic of this building.
A traditionally Nicois neighborhood that is popular and lively and located right in the center of the city, the Liberation quarter has recently benefited from an extensive modernization plan with the introduction of the tram, which now connects to the beaches and the Place Massena in minutes.
A sign of the times, the old south train station will house the future multi-purpose complex, the future point of urban attraction and shops. The beauty of this station is also recognized because it is classified as a historical monument. It will now contain 3500 square meters of shops, a theater, a multiplex cinema, a sports center, restaurants, a covered market and underground parking with 700 spaces.
The old town, or "old town", is the oldest part of the city. It is bordered by the Garibaldi Square and the hill of the Chateau to the north-east, the Cours Saleya and the sea to the south, west Paillon tunnel. Built from the fourteenth century to the nineteenth century, it has a very varied architectural fabric and beautiful facades of ocher, red and yellow tones. The old town is home to many palaces and churches, as Palais Lascaris, Sardinian Palace, the Church of Jesus, the Holy Reparata cathedral, the church of the Penitent ... On the typical narrow streets has many places for sitting down for coffee and heads towards the flower markets, antique market, fish market.
It is a lively and mostly pedestrian area, with endless shops and stalls, bars and restaurants, some of which are national institutions - Acchiardo or Cafe Turin, for example -. There are many souvenir shops, traditional and modern, as well as art galleries. At night, this is where the Nicois love to meet. The ‘Mairie’ city hall, the courthouse and the Opera are within it. In summer, Place Rossetti and their glaciers (ice cream stalls) are particularly attractive, especially the renowned master Fenocchio Glacier and its 94 flavors, and its classic originals. It is also recommended to stop in one of the traditional biscuit factories or to a local small restaurant to taste the specialties of Nice.
Once exclusively inhabited by the old Nicois families, this area is now widely acclaimed by an international clientele, where they will find the charm, tranquility and liveliness of this southern French city. In terms of real estate investment, the Old Town is an excellent choice for both furnished seasonal and yearly rentals due to its constant stream of tourists. In addition, you will appreciate to enjoy the cool freshness of the narrow streets in the summer.
Did you know that it was not until the early nineteenth century that the Promenade des Anglais was born? Indeed, it was in the 1820s that the English community of Nice, under the leadership of British Reverend Lewis Lay, financed the work of a boardwalk along the coast of Nice. First "Camin deï Angles" Chemin des Anglais, it would be called Promenade in 1854. In 1930, after various phases of work, the boardwalk takes its present aspect, mixed palaces such as the Palace of the Mediterranean, Negresco, aristocratic villas such as the Massena Palace, now the seat of the Massena Museum and the Palace of Agriculture that was recently restored and residential luxury buildings, most built between the 1950s and the 1990s.
The triumphal boardwalk Promenade des Anglais was successively extended to reach the airport. With a length of 7 km, it is lined with public and private beaches that offer the opportunity to relax while enjoying a dreamy panorama. The color of the seawater is also particularly beautiful and luminous. The Promenade des Anglais offers a world-class bike ride along the Baie des Anges. Bike paths and walkways dotted with gazebos, pergolas and palm trees contribute to its legendary charm. Many joggers, rollerbladers and skate-boarders travel up and down day and night.
As the Quai des Etats Unis that follows after the Promenade towards the point Rauba Capeu at the entrance of the port of Nice and at the foot of the castle hill, owes its name to the entry into the war by the United States in 1917 alongside the allied countries, the municipality wanted to give a proper welcome. A few hundred meters after, you will find the rue Saint Francios de Paule and the Cours Saleya, present with stunning Nicois style buildings, not to mention the majestic Opera of Nice, built by the architect François Aune from 1882 to 1885 under the supervision of Charles Garnier.
Resting high east of the city of Niceon the hill, Mont Boron is probably the most residential neighborhoods in Nice, with its splendid mansions or Belle Epoque villas, ancient palaces such as the Palace of Mont Boron, its impressive architectures such as the Chateau d’Anglais or the Villa Beausite and finally its modern luxury buildings, all with terraces and parking.
Quiet, sunny, Mont Boron’s panoramic views are breathtaking and encompass the Port of Nice and the Baie des Anges, sometimes, depending on exposure, overlooking the bay of Villefranche. The slopes of Mont Boron are the green lung of Nice with its forest of 57 hectares and is a popular park for the richness and variety of its vegetation. There are also protected species as well as some herbs for medicinal use. Picnic areas as well as areas for sports related activities are also present. At its base, the cave is a must see Paleolithic Lazaretto historical site which is also a historical monument.
Over time, the popularity of this area has continued to assert itself, which is why it is very popular with international and local clients, who appreciate its dominant position and easy access to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Monaco. To the north lies the beautiful Vinaigrier county park and more to the west, the hill of Mont Alban, which gives you easy access to the Col de Villefranche. Several tours are available and offer a breathtaking view of the mountains and sometimes snowy Alps or even Corsica. Many sports such as hang gliding, horseback riding, climbing, paragliding, fishing, caving, ULM and mountain biking are offered in partnership with the Youth Hostel "Mont Boron."
Nestled between Mont Boron, the Port and the sea, this small residential area is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious in the capital on the French Riviera. There are absolutely magical views of the beautiful blue and the Baie des Anges with the exception of just a couple of streets... Stroll along the Avenue Jean Lorrain, near Coco Beach and the famous restaurant La Reserve and discover the latest waterfront homes that Nice has to offer, some with private access to the sea and sandy beach!
Here, one can just hang out in the sun and enjoy the wonderful views, sunbathe on the rocks where the waves break, listening to the echoes of the sea, and since you are beneath the main road, you are guaranteed peace and well-being. One can also climb the trail that extends from the coastal port of Nice to Cap de Nice. Several sitting benches are placed along the trail where you can discover the beauty of the surrounding seabed.
Finally, stop for a few moments at the monument Maurice Maeterlinck and discover a simply unforgettable perspective.
The construction of the port of Nice began in the mid-eighteenth century under the leadership of Charles Emmanuel III, and the works were spread over more than a century. Inaugurated in 1857, it has continued to evolve and is now the subject of a beautiful redevelopment decided by Mayor Christian Estrosi, to make a new place to live that allows more space for pedestrian and bicycle paths. Place Guynemer, docks and Lunel Papacino and Place de l’Ile de Beaute have established a new face in 2011.
A traditional living and shopping district, the port is framed by the Old Town, the hill of the Chateau and Mont Boron - Cap de Nice. It then continues by the highly sought out Franck Pilatte sector, the Parc Louisa and the Parc Vigier. The Port area has a diverse range architecture, where buildings alternate with Nicois style and recently built luxury buildings with terraces and parking. A vacation spot of the Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians, among others, rich in properties and many investment opportunities. Positioned in a loop, the area is protected from the winds. Its port is a real pier of embarkation for Corsica where you can get to Corisca in 5 hours. It is also the place of mooring yachts that are a source of admiration for many passersby.
Whether facing the sea or in the small streets around the Port, you will find this area with an authenticity and a quality ambiance. Place Garibaldi is the soul of this district and the tram passing through is one of its major assets, since you can reach the Place Massena in just 5 minutes. The antique district unquestionably participates in the historic charm of Nice with its many artisans of art, antique dealers, gallery owners and designers. The flea market, the Place du Pin and Place d’Arson and numerous petanque courts are key venues. And finally, a detour to thePlace d’Ile de Beaute where you can admire two historical monuments since 1999: Notre Dame and the portico of the port.
Cimiez, located minutes from downtown on the hill of the same name, is exclusively residential. A seat of the Roman city of Cemenelum, whose ruins are still visible today on the Cimiez Arena site - which held for many years the Nice Jazz Festival- the area was home, for almost a whole century, to the European elite in its magnificent palaces as the architect Regina Donohoe, the Winter Palace, the Majestic, the Riviera Palace, the Grand and Petit Palais ... All are now highly sought after residential buildings.
From a cultural point of view, the hill of Cimiez houses the Cimiez Monastery and cemetery where Matisse is buried, the Chagall Museumand the Matisse Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Nice Cimiez where you have arenas, an early Christian basilica and baths. Many squares, parks and groves are also fun to browse. The gardens of the Monastery of Cimiez are highly appreciated for their rose garden and unique views of the sea and the city of Nice. Meanwhile, the Festival du Cloitre features the finest performances by international soloists in the gardens that surround the cloister works located at the head of the Franciscan church.
One lives in Cimiez for its large apartments and modern Bourgeois luxury residences with terraces and garages, some with magnificent sea views, or in exceptional mansions, most of which are Belle Epoque inspiration and largely restored. The area also houses the National Conservatory, which offers a center for dance, classical music and dramatic arts, as well as the park and castle Valrose, where the University of Sciences of Nice Sophia-Antipolis. The school of Cimiez, meanwhile, offers a profound dissemination of culture in order to perpetuate the rich artistic heritage.