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Nice - Belle Epoque (1860 - 1920)
Nice features the most important Belle Epoque architectural heritage in France after Paris. This period is traditionally defined by the wars of 1870 and 1914 and goes back to 1860 in Nice, the date of its final attatchment to France. During this period, Nice underwent an extraordinary urban development which coincided with an "aristocratic tourism in winter". |
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During the Belle Epoque, a constant stream of sovereigns and heads of state, gave Nice its title of "Winter Capital " of Europe. Nice became the "in" place for the elegant and idle high society, living off industrial or real estate income. In 1887, Stephen Liégeard's work " La Côte d’Azur " gave the region its picturesque and charming name which it lacked to confirm its success. The taste of luxury, social events, and opulence gave birth to the wildest and most audacious architectural programmes like the l’Excelsior Régina built in 15 months, the Château de Valrose, the Château du Mont-Boron known as " The Englishman's castle ", l'hôtel Négresco, l'hôtel Atlantic as well as a large number of villas on the surrounding hills and the Promenade des Anglais.
The " Belle-Epoque " style :
Trained at the "Ecole des Beaux-Arts" in Paris where the eclectical style was in fashion, the Belle-Epoque architects, S.M. Biasini, Charles Garnier, Charles Dalmas, Edouard Niermans… unleashed their talent, made play with all historic styles according to their fantasy, and mixed pastiche, creation and opulence.
Small "Arabian nights" palaces, medieval and neogothic chateaux, Ukranian isbahs, domes with yellow, black, green or pink snake scales, a universe of pottery and frescoes …, they donated an exceptional architectural heritage to the city. l
Despite the regrettable demolition of a certain number of establishments such as the Hôtel Ruhl by Charles Dalmas or the Casino de la Jetée, Nice has preserved a large part of its Belle Epoque architectural capital.
L'Hôtel Négresco
37 Promenade des Anglais
Fabulous palace built on the sea-front, the Négresco, built from 1910-1912, is an adaptation of the classical styles of the 18th century in France to the demands of the Belle Epoque hotel industry. At its official opening, guests were enraptured by the oval-shaped salon of 600 m2 covered by a glass roof and decorated by an immense rug which cost 320 000 Francs in gold. Today the Négresco still proudly holds high its dome on the Promenade des Anglais.
L'Hôtel Atlantic
12 Boulevard Victor Hugo is the address of the magnificent Hôtel Atlantic, built in 1914 by Charles Dalmas. Part of the interior decor has been preserved including the foyer with its glass roof and dining room.
L’Excelsior Régina :
71, boulevard Régina – Cimiez.
Work of the architect Sébastien-Marcel Biasini, this hotel was built by the financier Henri Germain for the Crédit Lyonnais. It faithfully reflects the taste for magnificence and ostentatious luxury of the Palaces in Nice during the Belle Epoque and appears as the prestigious culmination of the wide "boulevard de Cimiez" which seems to have been specially traced for this reason.
For three seasons, from 1897 to 1899, Queen Victoria stayed at the Régina with her suit of 50 guards, footmen, ladies in waiting and cooks which contributed to the renown of the establishment. The left wing which she occupied is topped by a crown. At the end of the thirties, it was converted into appartments. The artists, Henri Matisse was a resident. This work of art by S.M. Biasini, perfectly maintained and restored, is today one of the finest examples of Belle Epoque architecture.
Le château de Valrose :
At the end of boulevard Prince de Galles.
The castle can unfortunately not be visited but the park is open to the public.
The most spectaclular residence, bearing witness to the Russian presence in Nice and the excessive nature of the Belle Epoque,is without doubt this castle, built in 1867 for Paul Georgevitch Von Derwies, a Russian baron, important business man, humanist and musician.
Purchased by the city of Nice in 1957, the estate now houses the Presidence of the University of Nice and the Science Faculty.
Public buildings : la gare du Sud, l’hôtel des postes Wilson
Large neo-baroque appartment buildings : le palais Lamartine, Château des Ollières
Religious buildings : la basilique Notre-Dame, l’église américaine, l’église russe
The " Belle-Epoque " style :Trained at the "Ecole des Beaux-Arts" in Paris where the eclectical style was in fashion, the Belle-Epoque architects, S.M. Biasini, Charles Garnier, Charles Dalmas, Edouard Niermans… unleashed their talent, made play with all historic styles according to their fantasy, and mixed pastiche, creation and opulence.
Small "Arabian nights" palaces, medieval and neogothic chateaux, Ukranian isbahs, domes with yellow, black, green or pink snake scales, a universe of pottery and frescoes …, they donated an exceptional architectural heritage to the city. l
Despite the regrettable demolition of a certain number of establishments such as the Hôtel Ruhl by Charles Dalmas or the Casino de la Jetée, Nice has preserved a large part of its Belle Epoque architectural capital.
L'Hôtel Négresco
37 Promenade des Anglais
Fabulous palace built on the sea-front, the Négresco, built from 1910-1912, is an adaptation of the classical styles of the 18th century in France to the demands of the Belle Epoque hotel industry. At its official opening, guests were enraptured by the oval-shaped salon of 600 m2 covered by a glass roof and decorated by an immense rug which cost 320 000 Francs in gold. Today the Négresco still proudly holds high its dome on the Promenade des Anglais.
L'Hôtel Atlantic
12 Boulevard Victor Hugo is the address of the magnificent Hôtel Atlantic, built in 1914 by Charles Dalmas. Part of the interior decor has been preserved including the foyer with its glass roof and dining room.
L’Excelsior Régina :
71, boulevard Régina – Cimiez.
Work of the architect Sébastien-Marcel Biasini, this hotel was built by the financier Henri Germain for the Crédit Lyonnais. It faithfully reflects the taste for magnificence and ostentatious luxury of the Palaces in Nice during the Belle Epoque and appears as the prestigious culmination of the wide "boulevard de Cimiez" which seems to have been specially traced for this reason.
For three seasons, from 1897 to 1899, Queen Victoria stayed at the Régina with her suit of 50 guards, footmen, ladies in waiting and cooks which contributed to the renown of the establishment. The left wing which she occupied is topped by a crown. At the end of the thirties, it was converted into appartments. The artists, Henri Matisse was a resident. This work of art by S.M. Biasini, perfectly maintained and restored, is today one of the finest examples of Belle Epoque architecture.
Le château de Valrose :
At the end of boulevard Prince de Galles.
The castle can unfortunately not be visited but the park is open to the public.
The most spectaclular residence, bearing witness to the Russian presence in Nice and the excessive nature of the Belle Epoque,is without doubt this castle, built in 1867 for Paul Georgevitch Von Derwies, a Russian baron, important business man, humanist and musician.
Purchased by the city of Nice in 1957, the estate now houses the Presidence of the University of Nice and the Science Faculty.
Public buildings : la gare du Sud, l’hôtel des postes Wilson
Large neo-baroque appartment buildings : le palais Lamartine, Château des Ollières
Religious buildings : la basilique Notre-Dame, l’église américaine, l’église russe
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