The square dates back to the late 18th Century and initially was called Piazza Vittorio to commemorate King Victor Amédée III of Sardinia. At that time, the main function of the square was to house the celebrations devoted to the arrival of Sardinian rulers coming from Turin. Some years later it was renamed Place Garibaldi, after Giuseppe Garibaldi – the leader of the Italian unification, who wanted Nice to become a part of Italy.

This spacious square was designed by Antoine Spinelli, who worked also on the designs of Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre – one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. You can catch a glimpse of the chapel from the square as it attracts the eye with its blue colour, signifying devotion to Virgin Mary. Nowadays it is owned by the Blue Mendicants, an order of lay brothers which provides shelter and support to orphans. The statue of Joseph Garibaldi stands right in the centre of the place; it was built in 1891 by Gustave and Etex Deloye in memory of the great hero. Beautiful fountains are placed at the foot of the statue and add to the nice atmosphere of the verdant area around. There are also some imposing buildings in Italian Baroque style, surrounding the square.

The Garibaldi Square was re-built to become more spacious and more easily accessible to pedestrians, since the tramway route was detoured. On the square you can visit the famous Grand Café de Turin and enjoy a drink or try the excellent seafood and other tempting dishes from the traditional cuisine. Place Garibaldi can be included in the tourist programme of the city and combined with a tour to the harbour of Vieux-Nice, the municipal theatre, the Modern Art Museum and the Colline du Château hill – all of them within a walking distance.

Only a short stroll away, you can reach Place Massena, which is undoubtedly the most famous and impressive square in Nice. The Massena gardens and majestic buildings create an unforgettable atmosphere. Another interesting place close to Place Garibaldi is Place Saint-Francois. It is not so grandiose as a architectural site, but still charming and attractive. You can enjoy the bell tower, Palais Communal, and the pretty Dolphin Fountain in the centre of the square. Of course, there are more “must-see” attractions, such as: Cours Saleya, Jardin d’Eden, Monument aux Morts and others. There are historic and modern hotels in the same area where you can stay while in Nice – Hotel la Perouse, Regence Hotel, Le Meridien Nice, Novotel Nice Centre and many more.