93-598: The Villa Paradiso (or Paradisio) is a large villa in Nice , France built at the start of the 20th century by the architect Constantin Scala. During World War II (1939–45) it was used by the Académie française for its Prix de Rome scholars. The villa continues to be used for cultural purposes. The Villa Paradiso was built around 1900 by the architect Constantin Scala for the baroness Hélène van Zuylen , née de Rothschild. It
186-781: A large part of Piedmont and the County of Geneva in Switzerland, which was then lost to the Old Swiss Confederacy . The main Vulgar languages that were spoken within the Duchy of Savoy were Piedmontese and Arpitan . The Duchy of Savoy was the central and most prominent of the territories possessed by the House of Savoy, and hence this title was and still is used often to indicate the whole of their possessions. In reality,
279-515: A long siege (1629). Developments of arms and politics affected the economy and future history, exacerbating the already difficult situation after the death of Victor Amadeus I in 1637. He was succeeded for a short period of time by his eldest surviving son, the 5-year-old Francis Hyacinth . The post of regent for the next-oldest son, Charles Emmanuel II , also went to his mother Christine of France , whose followers became known as madamisti (supporters of Madama Reale ). Because of this, Savoy became
372-612: A magical aspect. Place Rossetti is in the centre of the old town, streets Jesus , Rossetti , Mascoïnat and the Pont-vieux (old bridge). Duchy of Savoy The Duchy of Savoy ( Italian : Ducato di Savoia ; French : Duché de Savoie ) was a territorial entity of the Savoyard state that existed from 1416 until 1847 and was a possession of the House of Savoy . It was created when Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor , raised
465-543: A masterpiece of Baroque architecture , and a copy recreated in Italy of the magnificence of the Palace of Versailles . It was a time of great urban expansion, and Charles Emmanuel II promoted the growth of Turin and its reconstruction in the baroque style. After his death in 1675, there followed the period of the regency (1675-1684) of his widow, the new Madama Reale , Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours . Charles Emmanuel II
558-974: A number of key Alpine passes on the Italian side. This severely threatened the independence of the duchy. During the Thirty Years' War , Savoy was one of the states of the Holy Roman Empire that largely sided with France and against both the Emperor and Spain. Savoyard troops participated on the side of the French in the Savoyard-Genoese War , the War of the Montferrat Succession , the Tornavento campaign and, in part, in
651-498: A satellite state of the regent's brother, King Louis XIII of France. The supporters of Cardinal Prince Maurice of Savoy and Thomas Francis, Prince of Carignano (both sons of Charles Emmanuel I), together with their followers, took the name of principisti (supporters of the Princes). Each warring faction soon besieged the city of Turin . The principisti made early gains, severely looting Turin on 27 July 1639. Only in 1642 did
744-686: A separate city until the time of the Lombard invasions. The ruins of Cemenelum are in Cimiez , now a district of Nice. In the 7th century, Nice joined the Genoese League formed by the towns of Liguria . In 729 the city repulsed the Saracens ; but in 859 and again in 880 the Saracens pillaged and burned it, and for most of the 10th century remained masters of the surrounding country. During
837-405: A stabbing attack killed three people at the local Notre-Dame de Nice . One of the victims, a woman, was beheaded by the attacker. Several additional victims were injured. The attacker, who was shot by the police, was taken into custody. The Islamic state claimed responsibility for both attacks. In 2021, the city was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as "Nice, Winter Resort Town of
930-494: A territorial reward for French assistance in the Second Italian War of Independence against Austria , which saw Lombardy united with Piedmont-Sardinia . King Victor-Emmanuel II, on 1 April 1860, solemnly asked the population to accept the change of sovereignty, in the name of Italian unity, and the cession was ratified by a regional referendum . Italophile manifestations and the acclamation of an "Italian Nice" by
1023-530: A truck was deliberately driven into a crowd of people by Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel on the Promenade des Anglais . The crowd was watching a fireworks display in celebration of Bastille Day . A total of 87 people were killed, including the perpetrator, who was shot dead by police. Another 434 were injured, with 52 in critical care and 25 in intensive care, according to the Paris prosecutor. On 29 October 2020,
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#17327836766781116-572: A well-defended city gate on the main road from Turin . In 1388, the commune placed itself under the protection of the Counts of Savoy . Nice participated – directly or indirectly – in the history of Savoy until 1860. The maritime strength of Nice now rapidly increased until it was able to cope with the Barbary pirates ; the fortifications were largely extended and the roads to the city improved. In 1561 Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy abolished
1209-561: Is a bay of the Mediterranean in Nice. Before Nice was urbanised, the coastline at Nice was just bordered by a deserted stretch of shingle beach (covered with large pebbles). The first houses were located on higher ground well away from the sea, as wealthy tourists visiting Nice in the 18th century did not come for the beach, but for the gentle winter weather. The areas close to the water were home to Nice's dockworkers and fishermen. In
1302-725: Is a city in and the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes department in France. The Nice agglomeration extends far beyond the administrative city limits, with a population of nearly one million on an area of 744 km (287 sq mi). Located on the French Riviera , the southeastern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea , at the foot of the French Alps , Nice is the second-largest French city on
1395-519: Is an imposing building surrounded by a large garden. The property is in the north of the old city of Nice, almost 200 metres (660 ft) east of the Musée Marc Chagall . The grounds cover 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres). After World War II (1939–45) various public facilities were added including a children's playground and an outdoor amphitheater. In spring the park blooms with many flowers in different colors. The Académie de France en Rome left
1488-785: Is named after Giuseppe Garibaldi , hero of the Italian unification (born in Nice in 1807 when Nice was part of the Napoleonic Empire, before reverting to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia). The square was built at the end of the 18th century and served as the entry gate to the city and end of the road from Turin. It took several names between 1780 and 1870 (Plaça Pairoulièra, Place de la République, Place Napoléon, Place d'Armes, Place Saint-Augustin, Piazza Vittorio) and finally Place Garibaldi in September 1870. A statue of Garibaldi, who
1581-632: Is remembered as "Charles the Great", since he was a versatile and cultured man, a poet and a skillful reformer. He was able to manage the duchy at a time of severe crisis vis-a-vis the European powers and found support from the Habsburgs . The policy of Charles Emmanuel was in fact based more on actions of international warfare, such as the possessions of the Marquis of Saluzzo, and the wars of succession in
1674-504: Is the historical capital city of the County of Nice ( French : Comté de Nice , Niçard: Countèa de Nissa ). The first known hominid settlements in the Nice area date back about 400,000 years ( homo erectus ); the Terra Amata archeological site shows one of the earliest uses of fire, construction of houses, as well as flint findings dated to around 230,000 years ago. Nice was probably founded around 350 BC by colonists from
1767-602: The County of Savoy into a duchy for Amadeus VIII . The duchy was an Imperial fief, subject of the Holy Roman Empire , until 1792, with a vote in the Imperial Diet . From the 16th century, Savoy belonged to the Upper Rhenish Circle . Its territory included the current French departments of Savoie , Haute-Savoie , and the Alpes-Maritimes , the current Italian region of Aosta Valley ,
1860-605: The French Revolutionary Army in 1792 and annexed to France. Savoy was first incorporated as the department of Mont-Blanc ; then, in 1798, it was divided between the departments of Mont-Blanc and Léman . Savoy, Piedmont, and Nice were restored to the House of Savoy at the Congress of Vienna in 1814–1815. Under the 1847 Perfect Fusion the duchy was merged with the other parts of the Savoyard state into
1953-694: The French colonies , Morocco and North and South America. After July 1940 and the establishment of the Vichy Regime , antisemitic aggressions accelerated the exodus, starting in July 1941 and continuing through 1942. On 26 August 1942, 655 Jews of foreign origin were rounded up by the Laval government and interned in the Auvare barracks. Of these, 560 were deported to Drancy internment camp on 31 August 1942. Due to
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#17327836766782046-656: The Middle Ages , Nice participated in the wars and history of Italy . As an ally of Pisa it was the enemy of Genoa , and both the King of France and the Holy Roman Emperor endeavoured to subjugate it; but in spite of this it maintained its municipal liberties. During the 13th and 14th centuries the city fell more than once into the hands of the Counts of Provence , but it regained its independence even though related to Genoa. The medieval city walls surrounded
2139-540: The Nine Years' War . Savoy defeated the French in the siege of Cuneo , but was dramatically defeated in the battles of Staffarda and Marsaglia . Savoy became a French satellite, and Victor Amadeus II married Anne Marie d'Orléans , niece of King Louis XIV. Savoy remained a French ally during the first phase of the War of the Spanish Succession , but changed sides later. France invaded again, and Savoy
2232-557: The Piedmontese Civil War , among other places. The strong French influence, plus various misfortunes, repeatedly hit Savoy following the death of Charles Emmanuel I (26 July 1630). First of all, the plague ran rampant in 1630 and contributed significantly to the already widespread poverty. The War of the Mantuan Succession (1628–1631) was very bloody in the countryside and subjected Casale Monferrato to
2325-678: The Piedmontese Easter ( Pasque Piedmont ). Reports from the massacres spread quickly throughout Protestant Europe, sparking outrage, especially in Britain. Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell threatened the Duchy of Savoy with intervention, somewhat shaping the military decisions made by the Duke. On 18 August 1655, the Pinerolo Declaration of Mercy was issued, which constituted a peace treaty between Charles Emmanuel II and
2418-632: The Promenade des Anglais followed by a hairpin turn at the Hotel Negresco to come back eastward and around the Jardin Albert I before heading again east along the beach on the Quai des Etats-Unis. As war broke out in September 1939, Nice became a city of refuge for many displaced foreigners, notably Jews fleeing the Nazi progression into Eastern Europe. From Nice many sought further shelter in
2511-511: The Swiss . When Philibert II died in 1504, he was succeeded by Charles III the Good , a weak ruler. Since 1515, Savoy had been occupied by foreign armies, and Francis I of France was just waiting for the opportunity to permanently annex Savoy and its possessions. In 1536, Francis I ordered the occupation of the duchy, which was invaded by a strong military contingent. Charles III realized too late
2604-560: The Tramway de Nice electrified its horse-drawn streetcars and spread its network to the entire département from Menton to Cagnes-sur-Mer . By the 1930s more bus connections were added in the area. In the 1930s, Nice hosted international car racing in the Formula Libre (predecessor to Formula One ) on the so-called Circuit Nice. The circuit started along the waterfront just south of the Jardin Albert I, then headed westward along
2697-699: The Villa Medici in 1940 during the war. The next year, at the instigation of Jérôme Carcopino , the Academy took up residence in Nice at the Villa Paradiso. Its public rooms and huge stables were hastily converted into studios for the artists. These were the architect Bernard Zehrfuss , who won the Grand Prix de Rome for architecture in 1939 and led the Oppède group, and Pierre-Robert Lucas, who won
2790-772: The commune . Conquered in 1792 by the armies of the First French Republic , the County of Nice continued to be part of France until 1814; but after that date it reverted to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia . After the Treaty of Turin was signed in 1860 between the Sardinian king and Napoleon III as a consequence of the Plombières Agreement , the county was again and definitively ceded to France as
2883-458: The Beautiful', which is also the title of the unofficial anthem of Nice, written by Menica Rondelly in 1912. The area of today's Nice contains Terra Amata , an archaeological site which displays evidence of a very early use of fire 380,000 years ago. Around 350 BC, Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia , after Nike , the goddess of victory. Through the ages,
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2976-492: The Duke of Savoy " ( Italian : "gli Stati del Duca di Savoia"). Today, historians use the term Savoyard state to indicate this entity, which is an example of composite monarchy where many different and distinct territories are united in a personal union by having the same ruler. The duchy was created in 1416 when Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor ( r. 1433–1437) awarded the title of " Duke " to Count Amadeus VIII . Being landlocked at its conception in 1388,
3069-531: The European aristocracy and the resulting mix of cultures found in the city, UNESCO proclaimed Nice a World Heritage Site in 2021. The city has the second largest hotel capacity in the country, and it is the second most visited metropolis in Metropolitan France , receiving four million tourists every year. It also has the third busiest airport in France, after the two main Parisian ones. It
3162-677: The Grand prix de Rome for painting in 1937. René Leleu , who won the Grand Prix de Rome for sculpture in 1939, worked at the Villa Paradiso and then in Fontainebleau. The villa and grounds became the property of the city of Nice after the war. The city let the sculptor Marcel Mayer use one of the studios, where he executed various public commissions for seven years. He had been imprisoned in Germany and then in Rava-Ruska , Ukraine during
3255-715: The Greek city of Phocaea in western Anatolia . It was given the name of Níkaia ( Νίκαια ) in honour of a victory over the neighbouring Ligurians (people from the northwest of Italy , probably the Vediantii kingdom); Nike ( Νίκη ) was the Greek goddess of victory. The city soon became one of the busiest trading ports on the Ligurian coast; but it had an important rival in the Roman town of Cemenelum , which continued to exist as
3348-402: The Ligurian towns of Ventimiglia , Bordighera and Ospedaletti , giving rise to a local branch of the movement of the Italian irredentists which considered the re-acquisition of Nice to be one of their nationalist goals. Giuseppe Garibaldi , born in Nice, strongly opposed the cession to France, arguing that the ballot was rigged by the French. Furthermore, for the niçard general his hometown
3441-404: The Mediterranean coast and second-largest city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region after Marseille . Nice is approximately 13 kilometres (8 mi) from the principality of Monaco and 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the French–Italian border . Nice's airport serves as a gateway to the region. The city is nicknamed Nice la Belle ( Nissa La Bella in Niçard), meaning 'Nice
3534-406: The Mercedes car company, film director Louis Feuillade , poet Agathe-Sophie Sasserno , dancer Carolina Otero , Asterix comics creator René Goscinny , The Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux , French prime minister Léon Gambetta , and the first president of the International Court of Justice José Gustavo Guerrero . Because of its historical importance as a winter resort town for
3627-442: The Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families began spending their winters there. In 1931, following its refurbishment, the city's main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais ("Walkway of the English"), was inaugurated by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught ; it owes its name to visitors to
3720-421: The Old Town. The landward side was protected by the River Paillon , which was later covered over and is now the tram route towards the Acropolis. The east side of the town was protected by fortifications on Castle Hill . Another river flowed into the port on the east side of Castle Hill. Engravings suggest that the port area was also defended by walls. Under Monoprix in Place de Garibaldi are excavated remains of
3813-464: The Opera, was immediately abolished and replaced by French. Discontent over annexation to France led to the emigration of a large part of the Italophile population, also accelerated by Italian unification after 1861. A quarter of the population of Nice, around 11,000 people from Nice, decided to voluntarily exile to Italy. The emigration of a quarter of the Niçard Italians to Italy took the name of Niçard exodus . Many Italians from Nizza then moved to
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3906-407: The Riviera". On 18 July 2024, seven people from the same family, including three young children, three adults and a teenager were killed in an arson attack . The fire also critically injured one other person and caused thirty other people to suffer from smoke inhalation . The Promenade des Anglais ("Walkway of the English") is a promenade along the Baie des Anges ("Bay of the Angels"), which
3999-406: The Savoys ruled not a unitary state, but a complex array of different entities and titles with different institutional, cultural, and legal backgrounds. These included for example the Duchy of Aosta , Principality of Piedmont , and County of Nice , which were distinct and not juridically part of the Duchy of Savoy. The Savoys themselves referred to their possessions as a whole as " the States of
4092-432: The Waldensians. The government of Charles Emmanuel II was the first step towards major reforms carried out by his successor Victor Amadeus II in the next century. Of particular importance were the founding of militias in Savoy and the establishment of the first public school-system in 1661. A cultured man, but also a great statesman, Charles Emmanuel imitated King Louis XIV of France at the sumptuous Palace of Venaria ,
4185-488: The activity of the Jewish banker Angelo Donati and of the Capuchin friar Père Marie-Benoît the local authorities hindered the application of anti-Jewish Vichy laws. The first résistants to the new regime were a group of high school seniors of the Lycée de Nice, now Lycée Masséna [ fr ] , in September 1940, later arrested and executed in 1944 near Castellane . The first public demonstrations occurred on 14 July 1942 when several hundred protesters took to
4278-420: The city back to the Duke of Savoy, who was on that same occasion recognised as King of Sicily. In the peaceful years which followed, the "new town" was built. From 1744 until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) the French and Spaniards were again in possession. In 1775 the king, who in 1718 had swapped his sovereignty of Sicily for the Kingdom of Sardinia, destroyed all that remained of the ancient liberties of
4371-472: The city include: The Place Masséna is the main square of the city. Before the Paillon River was covered over, the Pont-Neuf was the only practicable way between the old town and the modern one. The square was thus divided into two parts (North and South) in 1824. With the demolition of the Masséna Casino in 1979, the Place Masséna became more spacious and less dense and is now bordered by red ochre buildings of Italian architecture . The recent rebuilding of
4464-479: The city is referred to as the "Zone Piétonne", or "Pedestrian Zone". Cars are not allowed (with exception to delivery trucks), making this avenue a popular walkway. Old Nice is also home to the Opéra de Nice . It was constructed at the end of the 19th century under the design of François Aune, to replace King Charles Félix's Maccarani Theater. Today, it is open to the public and provides a regular program of performances. Other sights include: Religious buildings in
4557-453: The city. Frank Harris wrote several books including his autobiography My Life and Loves in Nice. Friedrich Nietzsche spent six consecutive winters in Nice, and wrote Thus Spoke Zarathustra there. Additionally, Russian writer Anton Chekhov completed his play Three Sisters while living in Nice. Nice's appeal extended to the Russian upper classes. Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich , heir apparent to Imperial Russia , died in Nice and
4650-403: The conventions of the time, when the Negresco first opened in 1913 its front opened on the side opposite the Mediterranean. Another place worth mentioning is the small street parallel to the Promenade des Anglais, leading from Nice's downtown, beginning at Place Masséna and running parallel to the promenade in the direction of the airport for a short distance of about four blocks. This section of
4743-449: The crowd are reported on this occasion. A plebiscite was voted on 15 and 16 April 1860. The opponents of annexation called for abstention, hence the very high abstention rate. The "yes" vote won 83% of registered voters throughout the county of Nice and 86% in Nice, partly thanks to pressure from the authorities. This is the result of a masterful operation of information control by the French and Piedmontese governments, in order to influence
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#17327836766784836-432: The duchies of Mantua and Montferrat. Generally, Savoy sided with Spain, but on occasion allied with France (as, for example, the Treaty of Susa required). During the seventeenth century, the influence of the court of Versailles put pressure on Savoy. Due to the proximity of the Spanish controlled Duchy of Milan and Savoyard defeats in the previous century, French troops were garrisoned in forts (such as Pinerolo ) in
4929-498: The duchy, with his marriage to Margaret of France . Emmanuel Philibert realized that Savoy could no longer trust France. He therefore moved the capital from Chambéry to Turin in 1562, which he protected with a complex system of fortifications known as the Cittadella (remnants of the Cittadella can still be seen, although it was largely destroyed by the subsequent expansion of the city). From his military experience in Flanders , Emmanuel Philibert learned how to run an army, having won
5022-467: The famous Battle of St. Quentin (1557) . He was the first duke of Savoy to establish a stable military apparatus that was not composed of mercenaries but rather by specially trained Savoyard soldiers. His son, Charles Emmanuel I , extended the duchy to the detriment of the lordships of Montferrat and the territory of Saluzzo, previously ceded to France, in 1601 under the Treaty of Lyon . The wars of Charles Emmanuel ended mostly in defeats. Nevertheless, he
5115-679: The former Italian zone. Reprisals intensified between December 1943 and July 1944, when many partisans were tortured and executed by the local Gestapo . American paratroopers entered the city on 30 August 1944 and Nice was finally liberated. The consequences of the war were heavy: the population decreased by 15% and economic life was totally disrupted. In the second half of the 20th century, Nice enjoyed an economic boom primarily driven by tourism and construction. Two men dominated this period: Jean Médecin , mayor for 33 years from 1928 to 1943 and from 1947 to 1965, and his son Jacques , mayor for 24 years from 1966 to 1990. Under their leadership, there
5208-468: The history of the nation. His long reign was highlighted by wars (the country expanded its territory by defeating the Duchy of Montferrat and Marquisate of Saluzzo ), as well as reforms and edicts, and also some controversial actions. The first was in 1434, when he chose to withdraw to the Château de Ripaille, where, living the life of a hermit , he founded the Order of St. Maurice . In 1439, he received an appointment as antipope , which he accepted (under
5301-426: The institutions of the European Union. In 2003, local Chief Prosecutor Éric de Montgolfier alleged that some judicial cases involving local personalities had been suspiciously derailed by the local judiciary, which he suspected of having unhealthy contacts through Masonic lodges with the defendants. A controversial official report stated later that Montgolfier had made unwarranted accusations. On 14 July 2016,
5394-504: The military procession of 14 July (Bastille Day) or other traditional celebrations and banquets. The Place Masséna is a two-minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais , old town, town centre, and Albert I Garden ( Jardin Albert Ier ). It is also a large crossroads between several of the main streets of the city: avenue Jean Médecin , avenue Félix Faure , boulevard Jean Jaurès , avenue de Verdun and rue Gioffredo . The Place Garibaldi also stands out for its architecture and history. It
5487-403: The name of Felix V), although he subsequently resigned a decade later out of a fear of undermining the religious unity of Christians. The second important action of the Government of Amadeus VIII was the creation of the Principality of Piedmont in August 1424, the management of which was entrusted to the firstborn of the family as a title of honor. The duke left the territory largely formed from
5580-413: The old Savoy domain. As a cultured and refined man, Duke Amadeus gave great importance to art. Among others, he worked with the famous Giacomo Jaquerio in literature and architecture, encouraging the cultivation of the arts in the Italian Piedmont. However, his first son Amedeo died prematurely in 1431 and was succeeded by his second son Louis . Louis was in turn succeeded by the weak Amadeus IX , who
5673-451: The outcome of the vote in relation to the decisions already taken. The irregularities in the plebiscite voting operations were evident. The case of Levens is emblematic: the same official sources recorded, faced with only 407 voters, 481 votes cast, naturally almost all in favor of joining France. The Italian language that was the official language of the County, used by the Church, at the town hall, taught in schools, used in theaters and at
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#17327836766785766-412: The peacetime year of 1660, then 26,178 in 1672, and 35,000 in 1705 (with 10,000 militia called up to bolster them and more uncalled). The militia was relatively well-armed and consisted of 24,000 men in 1566, of whom about a third could be used outside of their immediate district. The flag of Savoy was a white cross on a red field. It is based on a crusader flag, and as such is identical in origin to
5859-427: The period 1860–1914, despite the repression carried out since the annexation. The French government implemented a policy of Francization of society, language and culture. The toponyms of the communes of the ancient County have been francized, with the obligation to use French in Nice, as well as certain surnames (for example the Italian surname "Bianchi" was francized into "Leblanc", and the Italian surname "Del Ponte"
5952-405: The poor administration by Violante. The future of the nation was entrusted to the hands of a boy, Philibert I , who died at the early age of seventeen, after reigning for ten years. He was succeeded by Charles I , who died aged 21, and Charles II , who died aged 6. As a consequence of its participation in the Burgundian Wars , Savoy lost all its possessions north and south-east of Lake Geneva to
6045-524: The resort. These included Queen Victoria along with her son Edward VII who spent winters there, as well as Henry Cavendish , born in Nice, who discovered hydrogen. The clear air and soft light have particularly appealed to notable painters, such as Marc Chagall , Henri Matisse , Niki de Saint Phalle and Arman . Their work is commemorated in many of the city's museums, including Musée Marc Chagall , Musée Matisse and Musée des Beaux-Arts . International writers have also been attracted and inspired by
6138-419: The second half of the 18th century, many wealthy English people took to spending the winter in Nice, enjoying the panorama along the coast. This early aristocratic English colony conceived the building of a promenade with the leadership and financial support of Rev. Lewis Way . With the initial promenade completed, the city of Nice, intrigued by the prospect, greatly increased the scope of the work. The Promenade
6231-401: The size of the army quickly rose. In 1625, the duchy had an army of 26,600 regulars (25,381 infantry and 1,213 cavalry), plus about 8,000 militia. The regulars consisted of 5 to 7 regiments of Piedmontese, with mercenaries comprising the rest, including 9 regiments of French and 2 regiments of Italians. In 1635 the regular army was down to 12,250, then 15,710 in 1637, 18,000 in 1649, then 5,500 in
6324-427: The square, the cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and the fountain in the centre, place Rossetti is a must-see spot in the old town. By day, the place is invaded by the terraces of traditional restaurants and the finest ice-cream makers. By night, the environment changes radically, with tourists and youths flocking to the square, where music reverberates on the walls of the small square. The square's lighting at night gives it
6417-417: The streets along the Avenue de la Victoire and in the Place Masséna. In November 1942 German troops moved into most of unoccupied France, but Italian troops moved into a smaller zone including Nice. A certain ambivalence remained among the population, many of whom were recent immigrants of Italian ancestry. However, the resistance gained momentum after the Italian surrender in 1943 when the German army occupied
6510-416: The then- County of Savoy acquired a few kilometres of coastline around Nice . Other than this expansion, the 14th century was generally a time of stagnation. Pressure from neighboring powers, particularly France , prevented development, which characterized the rest of the Renaissance era for Savoy. The reign of Amadeus VIII was a turning point for the economy and the policy of the state, which deeply marked
6603-551: The three days of demonstration took the name of " Niçard Vespers ". The revolt was suppressed by French troops. On 13 February, Garibaldi was not allowed to speak at the French parliament meeting in Bordeaux to ask for the reunification of Nice to the newborn Italian unitary state , and he resigned from his post as deputy. The failure of Vespers led to the expulsion of the last pro-Italian intellectuals from Nice, such as Luciano Mereu or Giuseppe Bres, who were expelled or deported. The pro-Italian irredentist movement persisted throughout
6696-513: The town centre. Place Garibaldi is close to the eastern districts of Nice, Port Lympia (Lympia Harbour), and the TNL commercial centre. This square is also a junction of several important streets: the boulevard Jean-Jaurès , the avenue de la République , the rue Cassini and the rue Catherine-Ségurane . Entirely enclosed and pedestrianised, this square is located in the heart of the old town. With typical buildings in red and yellow ochres surrounding
6789-481: The town has changed hands many times. Its strategic location and port significantly contributed to its maritime strength. From 1388 it was a dominion of Savoy , then became part of the French First Republic between 1792 and 1815, when it was returned to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia , the legal predecessor of the Kingdom of Italy, until its annexation by France in 1860. The natural environment of
6882-625: The tramline gave the square back to the pedestrians, restoring its status as a real Mediterranean square. It is lined with palm trees and stone pines, instead of being the rectangular roundabout of sorts it had become over the years. Since its construction, the Place Masséna has always been the spot for great public events. It is used for concerts, and particularly during the summer festivals, the Corso carnavalesque (carnival parade) in February,
6975-519: The two factions reach an agreement; by now, the widow of Victor Amadeus I had placed Victor's son Charles Emmanuel II on the throne and ruled as regent in his place, even past his age of majority. A resurgence of religious wars took place during the regency. Subsequently, in 1655, Savoyard troops massacred large numbers of the Protestant population of the Waldensian valleys, an event known as
7068-561: The two monarchs concluded a ten years' truce . In 1543, Nice was attacked by the united Franco-Ottoman forces of Francis I and Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha , in the Siege of Nice ; though the inhabitants repulsed the assault which followed the terrible bombardment, they were ultimately compelled to surrender, and Barbarossa was allowed to pillage the city and to carry off 2,500 captives. Pestilence appeared again in 1550 and 1580. In 1600, Nice
7161-479: The unitary Kingdom of Sardinia. Savoy itself would be given to France under the terms of the Treaty of Turin (1860) . The duchy was a notable regional military power, often getting involved in wars between the French and Habsburgs. In the 17th century, peacetime strength tended to hover around 4,800 professional soldiers (3,600 infantry and 1,200 cavalry), with a large peasant militia. In times of war, militiamen were trained and impressed and mercenaries were hired, and
7254-429: The use of Latin as an administrative language and established the Italian language as the official language of government affairs in Nice. During the struggle between Francis I and Charles V great damage was caused by the passage of the armies invading Provence ; pestilence and famine raged in the city for several years. In 1538, in the nearby town of Villeneuve-Loubet , through the mediation of Pope Paul III ,
7347-480: The votes in the legislative elections (26,534 votes out of 29,428 votes cast), and Garibaldi was elected deputy at the National Assembly . Pro-Italians took to the streets cheering "Viva Nizza! Viva Garibaldi!". The French government sent 10,000 soldiers to Nice, closed the Italian newspaper Il Diritto di Nizza and imprisoned several demonstrators. The population of Nice rose up from 8 to 10 February and
7440-589: The war. In the late 1940s the Nice Conservatory was installed at the Villa Paradiso. From 1957–2006 the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice (Nice International Summer Academy) was held at the Villa Paradiso in the premises of the conservatory. As of 2015 the city's Direction centrale de l'education was housed in the building. Nice Nice ( / n iː s / NEESS ; French pronunciation: [nis] )
7533-479: The weakness of the state, and tried to defend the city of Turin . However, the city was lost on 3 April of the same year. Charles III retreated to Vercelli , trying to continue the fight, but never saw the state free from occupation. Emmanuel Philibert was the duke who more than any other influenced the future policy of Savoy, managing to put an end to the more than twenty-year long occupation. The Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis , signed in 1559, restored full autonomy to
7626-626: Was a patron of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Nice where Princess Catherine Dolgorukova , morganatic wife of the Tsar Alexander II of Russia , is buried. Also buried there are General Dmitry Shcherbachev and General Nikolai Yudenich , leaders of the anti-Communist White Movement . Those interred at the Cimetière du Château include celebrated jeweler Alfred Van Cleef , Emil Jellinek-Mercedes , founder of
7719-553: Was briefly taken by the Duke of Guise . By opening the ports of the county to all nations, and proclaiming full freedom of trade (1626), the commerce of the city was given great stimulus, the noble families taking part in its mercantile enterprises. Captured by Nicolas Catinat in 1691, Nice was restored to Savoy in 1696; but it was again besieged by the French in 1705 , and in the following year its citadel and ramparts were demolished. The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) once more gave
7812-657: Was extensive urban renewal, including many new constructions. These included the convention centre, theatres, new thoroughfares and expressways. The arrival of the Pieds-Noirs , refugees from Algeria after 1962 independence, also gave the city a boost and somewhat changed the make-up of its population and traditional views. By the late 1980s, rumors of political corruption in the city government surfaced; and eventually formal accusations against Jacques Médecin forced him to flee France in 1990. Later arrested in Uruguay in 1993, he
7905-410: Was extradited back to France in 1994, convicted of several counts of corruption and associated crimes and sentenced to imprisonment. On 16 October 1979, a landslide and an undersea slide caused two tsunamis that hit the western coast of Nice; these events killed between 8 and 23 people. In February 2001, European leaders met in Nice to negotiate and sign what is now the Treaty of Nice , amending
7998-438: Was extremely religious (he was eventually declared blessed), but of little practical power, to the point that he allowed his wife, Yolande (Violante) of Valois , sister of Louis XI , to make very important decisions. During this period, France was more or less free to control the affairs of Savoy, which bound Savoy to the crown in Paris. The Duchy's economy suffered during these years, not only because of war, but also because of
8091-515: Was fiercely in favour of the union of Nice with Italy, stands in the centre of the square. The recent rebuilding of the area to accommodate the new tramway line gave mostly the entire square to pedestrians. The architecture is in line with the Turin model, which was the norm of urban renewal throughout the entire realm of the House of Savoy. It is a crossroads between the Vieux Nice (old town) and
8184-624: Was first called the Camin dei Anglès (the English Way) by the Niçois in their native dialect Nissart . In 1823, the promenade was named La Promenade des Anglais by the French, a name that would stick after the annexation of Nice by France in 1860. The Hotel Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais was named after Henri Negresco who had the palatial hotel constructed in 1912. In keeping with
8277-547: Was francized into "Dupont"). Italian-language newspapers in Nice were banned. In 1861, La Voce di Nizza was closed (temporarily reopened during the Niçard Vespers), followed by Il Diritto di Nizza , closed in 1871. In 1895 it was the turn of Il Pensiero di Nizza , accused of irredentism. Many journalists and writers from Nice wrote in these newspapers in Italian. Among these are Enrico Sappia, Giuseppe André, Giuseppe Bres, Eugenio Cais di Pierlas and others. In 1900,
8370-443: Was saved by Austrian troops led by the duke's cousin, Prince Eugene of Savoy at the siege of Turin . At the end of the war in 1713, Victor Amadeus II received the Kingdom of Sicily . By the Treaty of London , Victor Amadeus II reluctantly exchanged Sicily for Sardinia in 1720. The various dominions held in personal union by Victor Amadeus II included Sardinia, Savoy, Piedmont , Aosta Valley, Nice , and Oneglia . The collection
8463-408: Was succeeded by his 11-year-old son, Victor Amadeus II ; his mother, the French born Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours was regent. Marie Jeanne sought to marry her son to the daughter and heir presumptive of King Peter II of Portugal . This could have led to the House of Savoy becoming rulers of Portugal. After Victor Amadeus II assumed power, Savoy became hostile to France, which invaded in
8556-423: Was unquestionably Italian. Politically, the liberals of Nice and the partisans of Garibaldi also appreciated very little Napoleonic authoritarianism. Elements on the right (aristocrats) as on the left (Garibaldians) therefore wanted Nice to return to Italy. Savoy was also transferred to the French crown by similar means. In 1871, during the first free elections in the County, the pro-Italian lists obtained almost all
8649-595: Was usually referred to as "Sardinia", meaning the kingdom. Charles Emmanuel III , son and successor of Victor Amadeus II, joined the War of the Austrian Succession and concluded it with a resounding victory against the French in the Battle of Assietta . Gaining parts of western Lombardy like Angera and Vigevano in the subsequent treaty. After the French Revolution , Savoy was invaded by
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