Nice Belle Époque: The Birth of the French Riviera

Highlights

• Discover the Belle Époque era on a guided walking tour of Nice
• Explore the city's architectural gems, including the Hôtel Negresco
• Learn about the birth of modern tourism and the Riviera's transformation
• Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and see the Palais Meyerbeer
• Hear about the social life of the Belle Époque and its lasting impact

Description

Explore Nice and learn about the Belle Époque, a short period of optimism, prosperity, and cultural flourishing in Europe. Begin your tour at Place Masséna, where Nice transformed into a modern French city. Learn about the urban transformation, including the creation of wide boulevards, elegant squares, public gardens, luxury shopping, palace hotels, and the railway station. Continue to Jardin Albert I, a place where Europe's elite came to socialize, display their wealth, and participate in what was known as la vie mondaine (high society). Learn about the social life of the Belle Époque, the art of 'promenading,' fashion as social language, music in the gardens, and why public gardens became so important. Visit the Casino Jetée-Promenade site, a symbol of the Riviera's new lifestyle: elegance, leisure, and spectacle. Learn about the birth of entertainment on the Riviera, why a casino was built over the sea, and the transformation of the Riviera. Discover on the Promenade des Anglais why wealthy British and European families started wintering on the Riviera and how the Riviera was created as a health destination. Learn about the first luxury industry, the Russians on the French Riviera, and the artists and writers who lived in Nice. Go in front of the Hôtel Westminster and Hôtel West End, which together tell the story of the birth of luxury tourism in Nice. Learn about the first palace hotels of the Riviera, the pioneer of luxury hotels, and the Westminster's hidden treasures. Discover the story of the Negresco, the immigrant who built Europe's most famous hotel. Learn about the building of the ultimate palace, the impact of the First World War, and the hotel's second life. See the Palais Meyerbeer, a Belle Époque palace for the wealthy. Learn about the building's prestigious apartments, Belle Époque architecture, and the affluent families who lived here. Conclude your tour at Boulevard Victor Hugo, where you can read Belle Époque architecture. Learn about the historical period during which architects combined several earlier styles while embracing modern engineering and new decorative ideas.

Includes

Visits of the local monuments Explanations by an awarded local guide Discover the local history Family-friendly visit Perfect English

Excludes

Transportation to the meeting point Tips

Important Information

• The tour lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes Wear comfortable shoes for walking The tour covers historical and cultural aspects of the Belle Époque era in Nice

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund