18 Stunning Shots Of Architecture In Nice France

Nice is well known for its stunning, scenic coastline but it has as many architectural delights as it does natural wonders. From Roman remains to its famous Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s built environment is every bit a match for its natural one. From the distinctive Mediterranean orange roofs to the grand villas of “La Belle Époque”, these pictures show Nice at its best.

The rooftops of Nice

For many people, one of the first images of Nice that comes to mind is of the distinctive pinky-red Mediterranean rooftops that have seemingly encroached on each other as the town built up over the centuries.

A view across the roofs of Nice’s Old Town

It’s probably one of the most well known seafronts in the world, stretching from the Promenade des Anglais to Villefranche-sur-mer, the next town along to the east. On the way, at La Reserve beach, this old diving platform (now supposedly out of bounds) is still used by the braver locals to cool off after a hot summer’s day.

The diving board at La Reserve beach, Nice

Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, one of the most famous seafronts in the world

Le Vieux Port (The Old Port)

The view over Nice’s Old Port is a one of the most photographed, showing the distinctive buildings gathered around the harbour.

The Old Port is one of the most iconic images of Nice

Old Town, Nice

Just like the pinky rooftops above, the orange, red and pink coloured streets are synonymous with Nice.

Public buildings

Nice is one of those cities where every public building seems to have been made for a picture postcard, whether it’s the Palais de Justice or Place Garibaldi.

The sublime Palais de Justice in Nice, by night

The beautiful detail of one of the buildings in Place Garibaldi

Many of today’s museums were old villas that have now been given over to public use, like the Musée Masséna on the Promenade des Anglais.

The Musée Masséna and its gardens on the Promenade des Anglais

Belle Époque architecture

“La Belle Époque” describes the period of great political and social progress in French society before World War I and it is characterised by a distinctive style of architecture, mostly found in the hills above Old Town. Tree-lined avenues are home to grand villas and old hotels built at the end of the 19th century.

The grand villas of Nice built during “La Belle Époque”

Grand villas were home to many artists all year round as well as families who came to Nice for winter

A stroll through the Belle Époque architecture

Cimiez

A quick tour around Nice’s architecture would not be complete without mentioning the district of Cimiez, high in the hills above the Promenade des Anglais. It’s the site of the Roman town Cemenelum, built in the first century.

The remains of Cemenelum’s arena, amphitheatre and Roman baths are all within walking distance of the Cimiez cemetery, where painter Matisse and Raoul Dufy are both buried among the giant mausoleums of local distinguished families.

Cimiez cemetery is full of giant mausoleums among which Matisse and Dufy are buried

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