A Walk Around Place Massena, Nice, France
The Place Masséna is a historic square in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France. It was named for André Masséna. Its layout was designed by Joseph Vernier in 1843-1844.
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 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, 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.
PLACE MASSENA - Nice in 4K
Place Massena is a historical and main square in Nice, France. Named for Andre Massena and designed by Joseph Vernier 1843-44. Only 2 minutes walk from Promenade des Anglais and Old Town.
Nice - La Place Massena
La Place Masséna est l'un des centres névralgiques de la ville. Depuis sa construction en 1830, elle n'a eu de cesse de s'embellir et d'être modifiée. En juin 2007, après deux ans de travaux pour l'aménagement de la ligne 1 du tramway, la nouvelle place est inaugurée.
Un véritable « joyau » de la ville de Nice. C'est en ces termes que s'exprime le bâtonnier Edouard Scoffier dans son oeuvre, réalisée avec Felix Blanchi, sur le Consiglio d'Ornato1. Depuis sa construction progressive entamée dès les années 1820-1830, la place Masséna s'est profondément inscrite dans le patrimoine niçois.
Tout en accompagnant la cité azuréenne dans son entrée dans la modernité, elle est aujourd'hui un espace central de la ville de Nice. Marquée par ses singularités autant architecturales que géométriques, la place Masséna a fort bien traversé ses presque deux siècles de vie niçoise. En effet, plusieurs fois sujette à des plans d'aménagement, elle s'est imposée petit à petit comme un centre névralgique la cité idéalement placé entre le Vieux-Nice et la grande avenue Jean-Médecin et à proximité de la très célèbre Promenade des Anglais. De par son importance dans les transports de la cité, sa position géographique ainsi que par l'accueil de manifestations de toutes sortes, culturelles, sociales, politiques voire artistiques elle est devenue un haut lieu du patrimoine niçois. Derrière ce terme de patrimoine culturel il faut évidemment y voir, non pas un élément du passé, mais bien une entité participant au foisonnement et à l'effervescence de la culture niçoise.
La place Masséna est aussi un lieu éminemment important pour la diffusion de cette identité niçoise tant elle permet la rencontre de l'autochtone avec le touriste tout autant que la découverte de la culture niçoise, à travers notamment le carnaval, aux personnes étrangères à la ville. Les origines de ce symbolisme sont peut-être à trouver dans son nom même, celui du maréchal André Masséna, patriote français fermement attaché à ses origines niçoises qui symbolise peut-être une certaine dimension nationale dont la place dispose. Toutes ces spécificités font de cet espace un lieu unique que les Niçois n'hésitent pas à défendre et préserver, tant ils sont conscients de l'importance qu'il représente dans leur patrimoine.
Pensée, à la base, dans un plan général pour l'embellissement de la ville de Nice, elle peut légitimement être considérée comme une des plus belles réussites du Consiglio d'Ornato. Ses presque deux siècles de vie ont pu donner à la place, au fil du temps, un importance éminente pour la cité azuréenne et toute sa singularité.
Nice, France. Place Massena and Promenade du Paillon with Huge Water Jets
Promenade du Paillon it' s an urban park of 12 hectares with over 1000 trees and 50,000 plants ; right in the heart of the city, it separes Old Nice from the more modern part of town, just a few minutes walk from Promenade des Anglais. Demolished in 2011, after a 3 year project it became an oasis of green open space, safe play areas and impressive water features that we enjoy today.
The Promenade begins in Place Massena with the Miroir d’Eau (mirror of water), a 3000m² paved section dotted with water jets; sometimes they puff out a gentle cooling mist that is pure relief on a hot day, sometimes they shoot fountains of water high into the air . They are a huge hit with children who love running in and out of the jets.
Further the Promenade is a children’s play area with fantastical weird wooden creatures that they can climb and swing on. The ground is covered with fake grass, while a gated fence prevents them from straying into the road.
The last section of the Promenade is a long stretch of lawn lined with olive trees; this section is the most peaceful and where you’re most likely to find office workers enjoying a packed lunch or elderly locals reading the newspaper. There are also a few shaded areas with wooden armchairs near to the public toilets and tourist information desk.
Entry to the Promenade du Paillon is completely free and opening hours are from 07:00-23:00 in summer and 07:00-21:00 in winter.
Travel Nice, France - Visit Place Massena in Nice
Take a tour of Place Massena in Nice, France -- part of the World's Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats.
Situated on the sunny Mediterranean, Nice is one of France's most popular vacation spots.
Among the most famous and most popular squares in the whole city is the Place Massena.
It's a very striking spot, featuring black and white tiles and bordered by arcades.
Surrounding the Place are a number of pinkish-red buildings of Italian architectural design.
Place Massena is centrally located in Nice and attracts tourists and the people of the city alike due to its
beautiful ambiance and lovely architecture.
It is a common public space for concerts, festivals and celebrations throughout the year.
Christmas Street Food Market in Place Massena, Nice, France
Place Massena, Nice, France
Place Massena , Nice, France , the good life .
Place Massena, Nice, France
Place Massena, Nice, France
France - Côte d'Azur - Nice (Place Massena)
Place Massena Nice France
A Walk Down Rue Massena, Nice, France
A street brimming over the top with Restauarants and Tourist looking for a good meal and a place to people watch.
Place Massena in Nice France
The most famous and beautiful square in Nice. It is near the beach.
Nice, France - Place Massena
One peaceful morning at the Place Massena in Nice, France
Places to see in ( Nice - France ) Place Massena
Places to see in ( Nice - France ) Place Massena
Place Massena is the largest square in Vieux Nice, but, on top of that, most visitors of Nice agree that is also the most spectacular and the most representative of all in the historical district of the city.
The history of Place Massena goes back to the first half of the 19th century, when the local authorities were facing the urge to embellish and to extend the architectural landscape of Vieux Nice. However, it was not until recently that the square acquired its steady current look and layout, since from its construction until 2007 it underwent long periods of restoration and refurbishment.
Thus, the square is famed for having sheltered, on the top of its Fontaine du Soleil, a monumental statue of Apollo subsequently removed by reason of aesthetic and moral disruption (the statue being at present located at the entrance of the Charles Ehrmann Stadium). In fact, the fountain itself was repeatedly dismantled, displaced and even removed entirely from the square, until 2007 when it was again reinstalled. Fontaine du Soleil and the five bronzes dotting its edges are the only original ornamental elements which were preserved in time, displayed at present while overlooked by a high water jet.
The square also used to be the site where the former municipal casino was located. It too was built and then pulled down by reason of architectural and aesthetical incongruence with the rest of the square.
However, at present Place Massena is a must-see for all visitors of Nice, since it is one of the sites which concentrate the most stunning Neoclassical structures in the city, being bordered by buildings with impressive red facades. Furthermore, the square is just a short walking distance from attractions like Jardin Albert I, Opera de Nice and, a little further away, the Cathedral of Sainte Reparate. As a plus, visitors can simply hand around and relax while exploring the shopping opportunities or the restaurants in Place Massena.
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Nice, France - Place Massena HD (2015)
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 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, 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.
10 Top Tourist Attractions in Nice
10 Top Tourist Attractions in Nice: Cimiez Monastery, Colline du Chateau Castle Hill, Cours Saleya, Musee Marc Chagall, Musee Matisse, Place Massena, Promenade des Anglais, Promenade du Paillon, Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Vieux Nice
Place Massena Nice French Riviera A Quick Visit
Place Masséna is a historic square in Nice on the French Riviera France. It is located at the bottom of Avenue Jean Médecin beside the older town of Nice and a few minutes walk to the sea. It is now a pedestrian only area since the installation of the tram system and offers some beautiful examples of French real estate. Discover our French real estate buyers guide
Ferris wheel, Place Massena, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe
A real jewel of the city of Nice. It is in these terms that expresses the barrister Edward Scoffier in his work, carried out with Felix whitewashed, the Consiglio of Ornato1. Since its progressive construction initiated in the 1820-1830 years, the Massena is deeply inscribed in the Nice heritage. While accompanying the Riviera city in its entry into modernity, it is now a central area of the city of Nice. Marked by its singularities as architectural and geometrical, the Massena has well passed its almost two centuries of life Nice. In fact, many times subject to management plans, it has emerged gradually as a nerve center of the city, ideally located between Old Nice and Jean-Doctor and close to the famous Promenade Avenue the English. Because of its importance in transportation of the city, its location and by hosting events of all kinds, cultural, social, artistic or political, it became a center of Nice heritage. Behind the term cultural heritage must obviously see, not an element of the past, but an entity participating in the proliferation and the excitement of the Nice culture. Place Massena is also an extremely important place for the dissemination of this identity Nice as it allows the encounter with the native tourists as well as the discovery of the Nice culture, especially through the carnival, the people outside the city . The origins of this symbolism may be found in its very name, the name of Marshal Andre Massena French patriot firmly attached to his origins Nice symbolizing perhaps some national dimension whose place has. All these features make this area a unique place that Nice will not hesitate to defend and preserve, as they are aware of the importance it represents in their heritage. Thought, at the base, in a general plan for the beautification of the city of Nice, it can legitimately be considered one of the greatest successes of the Consiglio Ornato. Its almost two centuries of life have given instead, over time, a prominent importance for the Riviera city and its uniqueness. The various forms of demonstrations or performances, whether cultural, social or political, enabled, and it is still the case now, to emphasize the growing importance of the Place Massena in the life of the city of Nice. Thought initially as a simple beautification project, recovery of Spangle then the different arrangements made on the Place Massena made her a real nerve center of the life of the Riviera city as well as an indispensable element the Nice heritage. Some can only say that this ambitious project launched by the Consiglio of Ornato was not a complete success for the city of Nice. Especially since the recent developments with work for the green corridor but especially the return of the streetcar while demonstrating the commitment of local authorities and citizens in the development and preservation of that place, allows the even anchor a little more in the Nice cultural heritage. Place Massena is also an agora or forum, the ancient sense of the terms. It is a space where political protests, and sometimes fighting, can express themselves. There are different types of political demonstrations. Firstly, those which are organized by the powers that be or are the result of politicians wanting to address the crowd. This type of event has existed on the Massena in time. Indeed, since 1941, the Vichy regime which then controls the free part of France, decided to organize the great festival of the celebration of Joan of Arc on the Place Massena. The maneuver is obviously a source of propaganda but it is also a time when some of Nice clearly state their support for the regime. This is highly symbolic to evoke the speech of General de Gaulle of 9 April 1945 issued from the balcony of City casino. Indeed, almost a year after the release of Nice (28 May 1944), the leader of the Free French forces in the city just to go to Nice and offers something of a counterweight to the historical events organized by the Vichy regime. These two events are obviously symbolic because characteristics of rallies it was possible to carry on the Place Massena. The space was, with the disappearance of the Municipal Casino, more airy and more conducive to hosting events of magnitude as modest in size, with a political objective.
Place Massena, Nice, France
night time walk round Place Massena in Nice, Cote d'Azur