Nice, france - castle hill climb. Nice viewpoint Nice lift to the castle hill
Nice is one of the main resorts of the Côte d'Azur (Côte d "Azur). Cote d'azur also called the French Riviera. The sea here is really azure ... The population of Nice is about 340 thousand inhabitants, but the third largest airport in France is located here. Its peculiarity is that it is in the sea on an embankment. In this photo, he is visible in the very center in the distance.
The Promenade des Anglais of Nice. A famous dancer, the wife of Sergei Yesenin, Isadora Duncan, died here. She was strangled by a long gauze scarf entangled in the spokes of her car wheel as he drove along this embankment.
At the entrance to Nice we saw an exhibition of cars, one of them very much resembled a Zhiguli. But it turned out that this is Fiat, the prototype of the Zhiguli.
There were also many other old cars here.
Lots of Porsches ...
And this is the Ville de Nice train station in Nice. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, there was even such a train from St. Petersburg to Nice. And many of our famous compatriots came to this station. Nice was very popular among the Russian aristocracy.
Nice has old architecture and modern trams.
The city is very pleasant ...
There are many luxury yachts.
Monument to those killed in two world wars.
The Nice Embankment consists of two parts - the Promenade des Anglais and the US Embankment.
This is the US embankment.
Fountain in the Place Massina.
This square is notable for its street lighting - these "men on the pillars" are actually street lamps.
This building houses the Nice City Hall, a very unusual monument. By the way, in Defense, in Paris, there is a similar finger.
Old Mini Cooper ...
Nice Cathedral.
Climbing the Chateau hill, where the famous observation deck, there is also a cemetery where many of our famous compatriots are buried, for example, the grave of Alexander Herzen is located here.
Nice streets ...
There are also such - very narrow streets.
One of the main attractions of Mount Chateau is its waterfall.
And, of course, a wonderful view of Nice opens up from here.
Observation deck on Mount Chateau.
Waterfall.
Cote d'Azur, Cote d'Azur and Nice beaches. There are pebbly beaches in Nice. All beaches are free, however, they say that there are private paid beaches, where there are sun loungers, umbrellas and showers, but we have not seen such beaches. And yet - according to the law, 2 meters of the beach from the sea cannot belong to anyone, therefore, in principle, you can swim everywhere.
And here is Nice itself! The panorama is clickable.
Of course, I did not miss the opportunity to swim in the azure waters of the Mediterranean in Nice.
And here is the only park on the English Embankment ... In Nice, oddly enough, there are very few parks and squares.
Nude bathers in Nice. Just a statue ...
And finally, a little more of this paradise ...
From Nice we went to the Principality of Monaco, which is very close - only 10-12 km of the way, but it was the most beautiful road for the whole trip! We drove along the so-called Middle Cornice - the road from Nice to Monaco. Here are the pointers to Monaco ...
To our right was the blue sea, luxury villas, white yachts ...
And on the left there are rocks, mountains, hills, because it is here that the so-called Alpes-Maritimes begin.
Wonderful views open ...
After leaving Nice, we stopped at a small observation deck to take pictures.
And the last time on this trip to look at Nice.
All the way to Monaco, I could not tear myself away from the window. There really is something to admire and something to photograph.
Middle Cornice is a very peculiar road - mostly Ferraris, Porsches drive here, sometimes Lamborghinis are overtaken ...
So, the Principality of Monaco is ahead!
After I walked from the hotel to the embankment, looked around and decided that I needed to go towards the mountain, it beckoned and initially I did not even know that there was an observation deck. In this review I want to show Nice and the sea from above and some other shots. I'll tell you something about the Castle Hill.
1. I start the review from where I left off last time. Namely, at this building. The building itself can be skipped, there is another interesting detail... Have you noticed? 
2. There is a small version of the Statue of Liberty. So small that it can even be overlooked. 
3. Not often in the city, but you can find an electric car. A strange dream, but I want the same 
4. On the Promenade des Anglais, they constantly ride rollerblades and bicycles. They spend their time very actively. The embankment is large and allows you to ride in pleasure 
5. So they look after the embankment, roll the pebbles. 
6. Bicycle rental. Didn't see how much it costs. But the worst thing about them is the deposit on the card. On debit it is inconvenient. 
7. For some reason, the bulldozer attracted not only my attention, it was photographed by everyone next to me :) 
8. Arch, and behind it another arch, where another arch, triaroche 
9. Basically, everyone just sits on the shore. December, the sea is cold. But this is not for everyone ... One, for example, takes a shower after the sea. 
10. These are possible too. And I'm walking like this in an autumn jacket and sweating ... 
11. The weather is just fire. Nice in good weather gorgeous. 
12. In the meantime, I went up to the stairs leading to the Castle Hill. The name speaks for itself. There used to be a castle, but now there is a park area in this place. The place for the castle, I want to say it was gorgeous. 
13. Beautiful views of the city open even from the lowest levels of the mountain. I didn't have the patience and started to shoot. 
14. From a height, all the houses seem very beautiful. Dense and interesting development. At the same time, from a height, everything seems so empty. Although there are actually a lot of people in the city. 
15. And outside the city you can see the Alps.
16. On the mountain there is a picture where many tourists are swimming and eating. Solid Russians :) 
17. The sea is beautiful and bright. I spent 10 minutes on the lookout just like that. I sat and watched. A really fun place. 
18. The center, the embankment and this observation deck was enough for me to fall in love with the city. This does not happen often and from Nice I did not expect it to be so. 
19. Someone's love on the lookout. 
20. On the very observation deck is the Belanda Tower. Interesting fact... You will need to climb 330 steps to reach this lookout :) 
21. And so they get up and look. Everything is relaxed and there are no crowds of tourists and Chinese people. 
22. But this is not the very top of the mountain. To go further into the park, you need to climb more stairs. 
23. If you are in Nice, I definitely recommend this mountain to visit. 
24. And I am rising higher and higher. 
25. There are a lot of tall old trees in the park on Zamkovaya Gora. 
26. Scheme of the park. The signs show you where there are several viewing platforms, a toilet and a snack area. 
27. These binoculars are very uncomfortable. How can you even look at them. 
28. How great is it here. I will even write another review about this mountain another time, with the park itself. 
29. There was also such a building with a closed gate. There was no way to go, but there is an interesting chair and the direction of movement is indicated. Whats up? 
30. And also impressed by the oranges in December. And that's all for today. There will also be an overview with the park and views of another part of the city behind the mountain with a marina. 
Do you want to visit Nice? buy tickets from reliable partners at the lowest prices.
This is a narrow square on the sides of which there are numerous restaurants and every morning a market comes with fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, berries, pastries, then the market turns into a flower market and flowers are already traded all day. On Mondays, it is in this square that the famous antique market is located. We will definitely visit it.
Place Charles Felix is located next to the hill of Chateau (Le Chateau), which separates the city from the port and on which is laid out a park that appears in maps called Parc de la Colline du Chateau.
In the 4th century BC. the Greeks, who arrived here by sea, settled in on the Chateau hill, intending to turn Nicaea (now Nice) into a strategic and shopping center Mediterranean Sea. Today, only a few parts of the park are reminiscent of ancient settlements. We will see it now.
A steep climb leads to the hill and if you are not by car, then the climb is long and tiring (despite the viewing platforms at each level of the ascent). But you can also climb this hill by elevator!
Access to the elevator is from Rue de Ponchettes. This is very close to the square which was mentioned above. The lift is in a small tunnel, but if you ask the employee, he will tell you. The lift and the entrance to the park are free. When the elevator that lifted you to the very top opens the doors, you will be breathless with the breathtaking view of the sea and the city. The elevator opens directly to the observation deck. As you move from the elevator, the views will change. And all in better side! The rooftops of old Nice will be seen more and more.
The park itself is very pleasant to walk. The scent of fir, shady corners with benches, everything is very pleasant and peaceful. There is a playground in the center of the park, where little children run and scream merrily, but this will not interfere with rest. Viewpoints are dotted on all sides of the park, so you can admire both the Bay of Angels and the city from the port side.
On the hill there are the ruins of a 11-12th century church. Next to the excavations, a computerized reconstruction of the church is shown. These remnants Greek culture and civilizations can be scrutinized endlessly. These ruins keep some kind of wisdom and peace.
A little bit of the history of the hill:
"Since the 10th century, measured city life has flowed on the Chateau hill (or the Castle hill).
A castle, a cathedral and many residential buildings towered here. It was safer to live on the mountain
after all, an excellent view opened up from it in all directions, enemies could be noticed in advance.
However, over time, people began to descend the hill and build houses on the coast.
In the period from the 16th to the 18th century, the inhabitants of Nice practically left the hill, and the castle was destroyed in 1706. "
Every day at 12:00 noon, a cannon shot is fired on the hill. The first time I heard him, I was very surprised, but the landlord explained that it was just lunch time. Well, already more detailed history"cannon shot" I read in the guide:
"In 1861, a Scottish tourist who was in Nice winter vacation, in order to observe the military tradition of the "midday cannon shot", he decided to install a cannon on the Castle Hill at his own expense. According to legend, this is how he invited his wife home .... to cook dinner. And on November 19, 1875, the Nice government decided to make this hour official. "
I walked down the hill.
"The former residential quarter in the lower part of the hill in the second half of the 18th century was decided to be turned into a cemetery. Over time, it turned into a necropolis where celebrities, noble residents of the city, representatives of Russian, English and French aristocratic families were buried. For example, the graves of a journalist are located here. , the writer, author of "The Phantom of the Opera" Gaston Leroux, as well as the founder of the Mercedes car brand Emil Jellinek and his daughter. The grave of the Russian publicist and philosopher Alexander Herzen stands out among others. " No, I did not go to the necropolis, so there are only quiet churches in the photos.
Going down the hill, you find yourself from the very depths of old Nice
And on the embankment at that time there were yacht races
Further in the program - a trip to Monaco.
The stop from which buses 100 (Monaco, Menton) and 81 (Cap Ferrat) depart is called "STATION J.C. BERMOND", it is located on the isthmus of Bd. Jean Jaures and Av. Felix Faure. The drive to Monaco is much faster than to Cannes, about half an hour. The bus makes several stops in Monaco. We get off at the stop: Office du Tourisme, and after walking a little we find ourselves right in front of the Monte Carlo casino
Tourists crowd around the casino, taking pictures of the building and employees. But the latter apparently got used to not paying any attention to the cameras at all.
Immediately behind the casino is the splendid Opera Monte Carlo building.
Its author, architect Charles Garnier, had recently completed the construction of the Grand Opera in Paris. Opera theatre Monte Carlo stands on the shore Mediterranean Sea, it is connected to the casino lobby in red marble. The construction of the building took only six months. 400 Italian craftsmen worked on its construction. The result is an extremely whimsical Second Empire style façade with unusually richly decorated towers and sculptures by Gustave Dore and Sarah Bernhardt. "
I could not take my eyes off the facade of the theater. All his sculptures, all his arches and female heads, capitals, marble flowers ... in all this there is a special cheerfulness, the pleasure of being.
The singing of an opera singer was heard from the ajar windows of the theater. And on the first floor of the theater, employees in tuxedos rehearsed.
A chic park is laid out next to the theater.
After walking through the Old Town of Nice, we decided to climb the Chateau hill and look at the narrow alleys and the azure sea from above. Our path lay along a street with colored medieval houses, which rested against a rock.
In order to go upstairs, you can use the free elevator. But we decided to climb the hill along the path and enjoy the views of the city on the way. It is known that it is on this high cliff Greeks in the 4th century BC founded the city of Nicaea. In the XI century, Nice was part of the County of Savoy, and on the hill was built beautiful castle... People began to settle around it, since, living on a hill, it was possible with great success to repel the attacks of pirates and other enemies.
Gradually, the city expanded, and residents appeared in the coastal area. In 1691 Nice was first conquered by the French, led by the king Louis XIV... He ordered the destruction of the fortress on the Chateau hill, and it was blown up. Now from medieval town there are only ruins and ruins of an ancient cathedral, dating back to approximately the XI-XII century.
For a long time, the Castle Hill remained abandoned, until at the beginning of the 19th century, the authorities and townspeople began to equip the hill. It was decided to organize a beautiful and well-groomed park area here for the rest of the townspeople. So a quiet and cozy green corner gradually began to form, helping the inhabitants of Nice to take a break from the city bustle and the scorching sun.
Here the most beautiful alleys were laid out and exotic plants were planted. At the same time, Nice is becoming a major tourist destination, so the emergence of such a recreation area has become especially relevant. One of the families who lived in Nice bought the land with ruins ancient fortress left over from the times medieval castle, and built the Bellanada Tower in its place. In this building they opened a hotel where the famous composer Hector Berlioz stayed during his stay in Nice. Currently, the unusual tower has been restored and turned into the Maritime Museum.
In addition, there is an ancient cemetery on the Chateau hill, where many representatives of the Russian and European aristocracy are buried. The writer Alexander Herzen was buried in this cemetery. Despite the fact that he died in Paris, the Russian philosopher bequeathed to bury himself next to his deceased wife in Nice. In addition, in this cemetery are buried the writer Gaston Leroux, who wrote The Phantom of the Opera, the founder of the Mercedes car company Emil Ellinek and many other honorary citizens and members of aristocratic families. Some crypts are decorated with exquisite sculptures, so the Chateau cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful in France. At the beginning of our journey, we heard the sound of a waterfall, and after a few meters we managed to see it.
During the development of the park, waterfalls were created here artificially, and now they cool the air in hot weather... At night, the largest waterfall is beautifully illuminated.
We go up and in front of us is one of the best viewing platforms in the city.
From it you can see the red tiled roofs of the Old City, and the azure sea of the Bay of Angels, the Promenade des Anglais, and even planes taking off from Nice airport.
On the other side of the observation deck, a breathtaking view of the Old Port of Nice, moored yachts and cruise ships... If you look closely, you can see a small church with columns right on the embankment - this is Notre-dame-du-Port. It was built in 1840-1953. They say that such a long construction is due to the fact that in 1845 the building collapsed and had to be rebuilt.
If you go down the Chateau hill towards the port, you can see a monument made of snow-white stone, dedicated to the inhabitants of Nice who died in the First and Second World Wars.
We sat for a while at the top of the Castle Hill and admired the surroundings. During our vacation, a group of Russian tourists just approached, who were quickly shown Nice from above and given a couple of minutes in the photo.
Here we got into a conversation with a middle-aged couple, who told us that they were traveling with bus tour... Yesterday they were still in Vienna, now they will quickly run through Nice and go to Monaco. I was once again surprised how you can inspect such beautiful cities in just an hour and a half.
But from their guide we heard interesting story about the cannon located on the Chateau hill. It was installed here in 1861 by a Scottish tourist who was a retired military man. At exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon, he fired a shot signaling to his wife that it was time to prepare dinner. Within a few years, the cannon shot at noon became an official tradition in Nice.
We walked at a calm pace through the park on the Chateau hill, breathing in the aroma of flowers and needles, admiring beautiful views and ancient ruins.
On the Castle Hill there is an equipped playground, a cafe, benches and toilets. Everything you need for a good holiday.
There are always quite a lot of people here, but the large territory and lush vegetation allows everyone to disperse so that in some places you can be completely alone.
Pandemonium mainly occurs on the observation deck, and then only at a time when large tourist groups climb it. The Chateau Hill is one of the most beautiful and stunning sites in Nice and should definitely be included in your city tour.
Map of Cote d'Azur hotels
