The Uncontourable
2h · 6 steps
At the end of the 18th century, Nice is still a small town. The first foreigners, staying in Nice, come to spend the winter season. They belong to aristocracy or to large, wealthy families. The benefits of the climate and the beauty of the landscapes are vanished. Over time, the geographical origin of the wintering is widening, the destination is democratizing. At the beginning of the 20th century, a turning point took place, Nice also became a summer and seaside destination. In connection with heliotropism, the architecture evolves, developing the outdoor living areas: terrace, balcony filtering..., The result of the reception of tourists, a true city turned towards this activity.
Text: Christophe Prédal
Iconography : City of Nice, old postcard Archives Nice Côte d’Azur
Steps
Parc du Château
5mn
In 1706, following the siege of King Louis XIV, the citadel that occupied the hill was demolished. In 1783, a cemetery came to occupy the northern part. But in 1822, in the face of the number of resorts that have grown significantly since the middle of the 18th century, the city council saw the potential of this dominant city and sea site. The hill thus becomes a large landscape park, an essential element of this city, former military square, which now turns to tourism. Exotic plants are acclimatized, romantic paths with false ruins are created, archaeological excavations are undertaken and a large cascade with false rock cave is arranged, at the end of the nineteenth century. As for the current Bellanda Tower, it wants to recall the tower Saint-Elme of the citadel, but it is a construction of 1825 erected as an annex to the Clérissi pension (current Swiss Hotel) which seeks the best location and settles at the foot of the hill at the opening of the public park. The Castle Hill is experiencing new developments in the 1950s with the creation of calades and mosaic decorations with mythological themes.