The Lympia Cultural Space, former bagn of Nice, is the oldest building in the port of Nice.

A high place in the history of Nice
Expanded on several occasions and then amputed its southern wing, its history is closely linked to that of the Lympia port that the Sardinian monarchy realizes from 1749. The building is first a defensive môle fermant le port on the east side, built in 1750, also serving as shops and workshops for the work of the port, thanks to its large vaulted rooms.

Undoubtedly under the Consulate, during the French occupation of Nice, the building is transformed into a prison for desert or refractory soldiers.

Under the sardine monarchy, an annex to the bagne de Villefranche is installed.

The forçats are then used to enlarge and maintain the port.

Significant work is being done to improve the living conditions of the forçats and guards employed in their monitoring.

In 1826, the flag of the clock was built, an elegant building with a clock bell. Every penitentiary function that ceased from 1887, the buildings served as premises for various administrative services.

In 2017, the old bagn and the clock pavilion were refurbished and built to become a single ensemble that forms today the departmental cultural space Lympia. Its purpose is to present high-quality temporary exhibitions accessible to all audiences.

1 - Salle de l'ancien bagne
Allowing the organization of exhibitions according to very diverse themes and formats, the room has a surface of approximately 250 m2, it is equipped to meet the existing standards of accessibility, protection of works, control of exposure conditions, and safety of people.

2 - A pavilion
Attached is the “house of the clock”, it includes a reception room of 39m2 and a room of 29m2. At the second level there are two rooms of 50 and 46 m2. On the top floor, a mediation room allows the organization of workshops.

3 - A terrace
This one covers the entire gallery. Its dominant position on the port is exceptional. Directly connected to the pavilion’s first exhibition hall, it can receive monumental works to complement cultural programming as well as to host specific events such as varnishing.

Programme · Cultural space Lympia

Lilette and Gilbert Valentin – When the earth becomes light