History of Nice: From Greek Nikaia to Today's Riviera
Nice is a city more than two thousand years old, long turned towards Savoy and Italy before becoming French in 1860. Here are the key landmarks for understanding its identity.
Antiquity: Nikaia and Cemenelum
Nice was founded by Greek sailors from Marseille (Massalia), who named it Nikaia, "victory". Higher up on the Cimiez hill, the Romans established the city of Cemenelum, whose amphitheatre and baths are still visible.
The County of Nice and Savoy
In 1388, Nice placed itself under the protection of the Count of Savoy: this is the "dedition of Nice". The city remained attached to the States of Savoy, then to the Kingdom of Sardinia, for several centuries, with brief French periods.
In 1543, Nice was besieged by Franco-Ottoman forces, an episode at the heart of the legend of Catherine Ségurane. In 1706, the fortress on Castle Hill was dismantled on Louis XIV's orders.
1860: annexation by France
By the Treaty of Turin and a plebiscite in April 1860, the County of Nice was annexed to France. Giuseppe Garibaldi, born in Nice, contested this annexation all his life.
The Belle Époque and the Riviera
From the 19th century, the European aristocracy came to spend the winter in Nice. The Promenade des Anglais, the grand hotels and the villas on the hills, including the Mont-Boron district, made the Riviera famous.
Mont-Boron, home to the Le Vert Boron apartment, overlooks the Old Port about ten minutes from Old Nice: an ideal starting point for exploring these historic places.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
When did Nice become French?
Nice was annexed to France in 1860, following the Treaty of Turin and a plebiscite held in April 1860.
Who founded Nice?
Nice was founded by Greeks from Marseille (Massalia), who named it Nikaia, "victory".
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