Idées de reportages thématiques Nice

Nice was first of all part of a small state crushed between France and its enemies, including the German Empire, which avoided extinction by taking care of its defences and by waging a difficult diplomatic game. When Savoy declared hostilities on the conquering France, Nce was invaded on several occasions. In 1543, Nice was besieged by the French troops of King François 1er in alliance this time with the Turkish fleet of Barberousse against Charles Quint. The city was taken but not the castle whose heroic resistance is symbolised by the legendary Catherine Ségurane.

In the 16th century at the instigation of the Duke Emmanuel-Philibert, Savoy recovered all its lost territories upon the victory of Saint Quentin over the French soldiers of Henri II (1557). As a precaution the Duke transferred his capital to close-by Turin. Under his reign the Cathedral and the communal palace of Nice (the religious and civil authorities) left the "high" for the "low" city and the castle was transformed into a Citadel. The first reference to the "Count of Nice" was in May 1392: Bonne de Bourbon, tuteur of the young Amédée VIII. It was only in 1554 that the title was officially used again. The expression "Comté de Nice" recurred 7 times officially within the lapse of two centuries.

Niçois Art during the Renaissance :
The only artists whose names survived throughout the centuries are the painters of religious fescoes and altar-pieces which were often the only wealth of the small cities.
A Ligurian craftsman, Bréa, emigrated to Nice around 1400.
His 3 sons - mainly Ludovic - illuminated various churches of the region with their altar-pieces. Their fame was such that the name Bréa has become a synonym of religious painting.

Catherine Ségurane : Across from Saint-Martin / Saint-Augustin church (Old City), there is a commemorative plaque in honour of Catherine Ségurane. According to the legende, she was a washerwoman who displayed great courage on August 15, 1543, during the siege of Nice by Turks. It is said that the heat of the battle, she clubbed a Turkish standard-bearer with a paddle, the tool of her trade, and took his flag. She is also reputed to have turned her back to the assaillants and lifted her skirts in a characteristic gesture of scorn. More effective than if the defenders has sallied forth, she is credited with having routed the enemy and heartened the besieged.

Myth or historic reality ? The controversy persists ... but the legend has remained intact in the minds of the people. For the inabitants of Nice, Catherine Segurane has become a symbl of heroism, the feminine mystique and defence of freedom ...

Bréa : Through religious themes, these works provide important information on the lifestyle and costumes of the period.

Bréa works can be seen in Nice at :
• The Franciscain Church and Monastery in Cimiez,
open from 8.30 am to 12.30 and from 2.30 to 6.30 pm
To be seen " La piéta ", " La Cruxifiction " and " Déposition "
• The Eglise Saint-Martin Saint-Augustin, place Saint-Augustin (Old City) which has beautiful paintings and an altar-piece representing a "piéta" attributed to Ludovic Bréa around 1504.
• The Musée des Beaux-Arts, 33 avenue des Baumettes,Tel : 33 (0)492 15 28 28, (Free entrance)
• The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, 65, rue de France et 35, promenade des Anglais,
Tel : 33 (0)493 88 11 34 (Free entrance).