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Streets and Squares in Nice
The most famous boulevard in Nice, Promenade des Anglais, lined with shops and cafes on one side and overlooking the scenic Baie des Anges on the other, has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the city. Another site that can aspire to this status is the central Place Masséna, always crowded with tourists soaking in the Mediterranean atmosphere or watching a parade, show or other events which often take place in the square. Between the picturesque Old Town or Vieux Nice and the town centre, there's another landmark, Place Garibaldi, a square famous for its monumental Baroque architecture. From there, it's only a stone's throw away to the Port of Lympia, so you'll make your way back to the sea, which is what in fact makes for the unique ambience of this city.
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Cours Saleya
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Address: Cours Selaya
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Cours Saleya is one of the most famous market areas and main attractions in the city of Nice. Situated between the Place Massena and the Old Town, this bustling place serves products of excellent quality every day, except Mondays. Besides the small producers’ stalls with practically everything a customer might need and vendors under tents, there are several cafes, shops and boutiques along the sides.
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Old Town Market
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Address: Old Town Market
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The Old Town Market takes part on the Old Town and represent the nicest attractions in Nice. You should wake up early in the morning to see the market at the peak of its ativity. The area of the Old Town Square will be crammed with carts and stalls with various fresh products. Flowers of all kinds and colours can be found there, so take a bunch and enjoy! In various rows you can choose among the great selection of fruits – tropical or sweet but all of them tasty and juicy. Vegetables are also provided on the carts, as well as other kinds of great food like fresh sea fish or excellent olives to garnish your meal. Various kinds of spices and many other products are being sold by the vendors who are friendly and helpful to explain everything about their goods to you. The market will leave an unforgettable impression and let you buy excellent things for cooking, so do not miss a visit to this bustling spot.
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Marché de la Libération
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Address: Marché de la Libération
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The stalls are placed all along the Avenue Malausséna and the rows reach to the Boulevard Joseph Garnier, occupying all the free space available. The vendors will be happy to offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, flowers and much more. Visitors are attracted by the rows of well-arranged products of local organic origin. You can buy honey of excellent quality, juicy figs, kakis or various types of cheese (Tome is a typical kind). Tourists and local residents visit the market not only as a local attraction but also with the idea to buy something fresh for the table and enjoy a colourful mixture of people and objects that form a charming bustle.
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Place Masséna
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Address: Place Masséna
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Place Masséna is the main square in Nice and one of the most visited tourist sites. One can reach it easily walking from Promenade des Anglais and some of the other places of interest, such as the Old Town, Albert I Garden and the town centre. It appears to be a cross-point between some of the main streets in the city: boulevard Jean Jaurès, avenue de Verdun, avenue Jean Médecin, avenue Felix Faure and rue Gioffredo. The square is within a close distance to Pont Neuf, which was the only connection between the old and the modern part of the city before the Paillon River was covered in the beginning of the 19th Century. At that time the bridge practically separated the square into two parts - northern and southern. Before the destruction of the Masséna Casino, Place Masséna was more densely build-up but afterwards became more spacious. There are many nice buildings in red ochre, built in typical Italian style that add to the cheerful atmosphere of the square. After the re-building of the tram line, pedestrians can take a walk along the palm trees and stone pines, which make for the Mediterranean feel of the place. Place Masséna has always been a stage for open-air events – concerts, summer festivals, carnival parades (the Corse carnavalesque in February) and other public gatherings. It is also a spot of the military parade on July 14th (Bastille Day), as well as banquets and public celebrations.
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Place Garibaldi
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Address: Place Garibaldi
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Place Garibaldi is a pretty monumental example of Baroque architecture, spreading across the area between the Old Town and the town centre. It lies within close vicinity of the eastern area of Nice, Port Lympia and the TNL commercial centre. Some of the main streets cross this square, include Avenue de la République, Boulevard Jean Jaurès, Rue Catherine Ségurane and the rue Cassini.
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Place Rossetti
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Address: Place Rossetti
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Place Rosetti is a beautiful “must-see” landmark, located in the centre of the Old Town in Nice. The area is enclosed by the streets Mascoïnat, Jesus and Rossetti, as well as the Pont Vieux (the Old Bridge). The square is a pedestrian zone and a kind of a bright oasis amongst the shady streets and old buildings around. Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate which stands there is an interesting tourist attraction, moreover a seat of the Bishop of Nice. Built in grey stone, the Baroque cathedral has a small fountain of white stone that adds cheerful character to the building. During the day, Place Rosetti is usually crowded with tourists and locals who sit at the restaurants talking and watching passers-by, while having a drink on the terrace. Walking across the square, do not miss tasting the city’s best ice cream, made at Fenocchio’s. At night, the atmosphere changes – young people and tourists, go to the square to chat to the sounds of music, the acoustics there is excellent. The square in illuminated to give it a fairy-tale feel. After visiting the square, you can take a steep climb up Rue Rosetti and go directly to the beautiful Parc du Château.
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Place St Augustin
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Address: Place St Augustin
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Place St Augustin is situated in the end of Rue Sincaire and forms a calm square with the impressive Church of St Martin and St Augustine. The church was built in 1689 and it preserved its architecture over the years. It is not so frequently visited but is worth seeing for its Baroque style and the imposing chancel, designed and decorated by the talented painter Bréa. There is also a monastery in the complex, converted to military barracks after the brothers left the building in the wake of the rebellions of the French Revolution. The church initially had two bell-towers, one of which was pulled down after an earthquake in 1887, which damaged it severely. It was rebuilt in the late 17th Century and except for little changes implemented during the 19th Century, it remains today almost the same as it was. Not only connoisseurs but also ordinary visitors will be impressed by the Pietà and the decorated panelling in the chancel. Take a look at the exquisite polychrome marble work – it is really gorgeous.
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Place Saint-Francois
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Address: Place Saint-Francois
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Place Saint-Francois is a lovely site, located approximately 50 metres away from Place Garibaldi. It cannot be compared to Garibaldi Square, since it is smaller in size and not so impressive, but you can still admire its architecture. There is a beautiful bell tower, built in the 18th Century and named after St Francois, the patron saint of the Franciscan monks. On the opposite site you can see the sublime Palais Communal, which was built in the 16th Century and renovated during the next two centuries. Another interesting landmark is the pretty fountain, situated in the middle of the square, called the Dolphin Fountain. Each morning, except for Mondays, you can indulge into the lively ambience of the fish market held on the square and choose among the various types of fresh seafood.
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