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Monuments in Nice
In the south of France the choice between spending some relaxing moments on the beach and actual sightseeing is not an easy one. Especially in Nice, which offers both beautiful beaches and numerous interesting monuments. If however, you feel that you had enough rest swimming and sunbathing, you can visit the picturesque Château de Bellet vineyard, or the imposing Fort Alban – a military complex dating back to the 16th Century, where a magnificent view of the city awaits you. Even the building of the central railway station in Nice (Gare Centrale Thiers) will impress you with its elaborate brickwork and iron mouldings. And if you'd like to make an educational trip, go to the outskirts of Nice where on the summit of Mont Gros you'll find the Observatory the dome of which was designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel.
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Cimetière Monastère de Cimiez
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Address: Place du Monastère
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Overlooking Nice from the Cimiez hilltop and bathed in the warm afternoon light, the Cimetière Monastère de Cimiez hardly matches the stereotypical image of a gloomy necropolis. The majority of the tombs within the cemetery date at least a century back, and many are genuine works of art – miniature white marble chapels, some decorated with impressive sculptures. However, the principal reason for which crowds continue to be drawn to Cimetière Monastère de Cimiez are the tombs of two prominent artists who found their final resting place on the hill, Raoul Dufy and Henri Matisse. Both rather small and discreet, they’re not easy to find.
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Monument aux Morts
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Address: Place Guynemer
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Facing the azure Mediterranean, the impressive Monument aux Morts commemorates the more than 4,000 residents of Nice who gave their life struggling in the World War I. The massive monument inspires contemplation and is one of the largest objects of this kind in France. Constructed entirely of white stone, the monument is adorned by high-reliefs crafted by Alfred Janniot. The central urn holds a reliquary with registration numbers of the fallen soldiers.
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Stade du Ray
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Address: Avenue du Ray, 35
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Stade Municipal du Ray is the principal sports venue in the city of Nice. It’s primarily used as a football field. The home ground of OGC Nice, it has a capacity of just under 17,500. It’s conveniently located in the very centre of the city, although its limited capacity and old facilities prevent it from holding major events.
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Train des Pignes
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Address: 4 bis, rue Alred Binet
Phone: +33 4 97 03 80 80
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Website: http://www.trainprovence.com
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One of the most exciting ways to admire the beauty of Nice and its surroundings is taking a trip on the little Pignes train. A most delightful and original means of transportation, its one carriage runs a route through a number of traditional Provençal villages, connecting Nice and Digne. The trip takes around three hours, but the much reduced speed is actually an advantage, allowing the passenger to take in the sheer beauty of the landscape. More or less halfway of the route lies the picturesque Annot at the foot of the Lower Alps.
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Arc de Venet
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Address: Jardin Albert 1er
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The imposing arch of Bernard Venet sits in the wonderful surroundings of Jardin Albert 1er, beside the famous Place Massena. The arch offers passers-by a unique chance to experience modern art outdoors. Rising tall many metres over ground, it seems to be also scraping the sky. Despite the massive proportions, the installation has an incredible aura of lightness about it. Since its establishment in the park, it’s been one of the favourite meeting points of the locals.
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Château de Bellet
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Address: Quartier Saint-Roman-de-Bellet
Phone: +33 4 9337 8157
e-mail: chateaudebellet@aol.com
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The area of sunny Nice boasts a large number of excellent vineyards, where prime-quality grapes are harvested and used to produce the legendary vin de Bellet, an appellation contrôlee wine of the area. The little vineyards, often family businesses, are scattered all around the Saint-Romain district, offering open days during the harvest season as well as wine-tasting sessions by appointment. One of them is Château de Bellet, surrounded by a vast stretch of cultivable land, on which a nice variety of vin de Bellet with a rich, yet subtle aroma.
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Fort Mont Alban
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Address: Route du Fort du Mont Alban
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The imposing Fort Alban constitutes a great example of military architecture from the 16th Century. It was constructed on a hilltop over 220 metres above the sea level. Those willing to take the effort of climbing the hill and the fort’s tower will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the surroundings. To the one side spreads the lovely city of Nice with an azure bay opening out onto the sea, with the snowy silhouettes of the Lower Alps in the background. To the other side, there are the charming little coastal villages, such as Villefranche and Cap Ferrat. The natural landscape viewed from the top of Font Alban abounds in typical Mediterranean pine and oak trees and green scrubland.
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Gare Centrale Thiers
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Address: Avenue Thiers
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For those who arrive in Nice by train, this will be the first important architectural landmark that catches their eye; others will undoubtedly notice it during a relaxed afternoon stroll. The beautiful building of Nice’s central railway station, Gare Central, is a true gem. It was designed by Bouchot and constructed under his supervision in 1865. Located on the corner of Avenue Jean Medecin and Avenue Thiers, the magnificent building blends in harmoniously with other 19th-century structures of the area. The noteworthy decoration features elaborate brickwork and iron moldings.
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