Cemelenum Amphitheatre represents the remains of the antique period of the city’s formation. It has just fragments of the amphitheater now but remains a very important historical place. Located nearby are other important buildings such as Cimez Monastery, Matisse Museum and others.
 

The monastery itself is located in the hills that surround the city of Nice. It was built by the Franciscan Order, and includes several parts. The Notre Dame Church is attached to this, as well as the museum owned by the brotherhood. The exhibitions inside show a history of the Order from the 1200s until the present day. There are some wonderful sacred works of art on display here, some of which are paintings by none other than Louis Brea. You can also find some important historical documents about the Fransiscans on display also. You may also want to check out the flower garden that surrounds the complex, as it presents a beautiful view of the surrounding area. The ancient cemetery of Cimiez is also attached to the gardens. There are many famous people buried there, such as Matisse and Dufy. This old monastery and museum is a great place to visit, especially to get away from the classic beaches and beach life of the French Riviera. The Order has been here for hundreds of years, and provides a unique perspective to the history of Nice. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and holidays.

This is a wonderfully eclectic little museum that sits atop the hill of Cimiez. It is devoted to the life and work of Henri Matisse. The building is a grand old 17th Century villa that sports a beautiful red paint job, as is adorned with trompe-l’oeil. It used to be the home of the old museum of archeology. It is surrounded by a lovely park that is a wonderful place to take a walk. The olive and pine trees are quite beautiful. The ground floor of this building is completely dedicated to the early works of the grand painter. This covers his creative period from 1890 to 1905. Among the works on the first floor is his first painting, the Nature Mortem aux Livers. As you move through the building, you will find more and more of the later works of the master. Besides the permanent collection of Matisse, the new modern wing that was added on houses many wonderful temporary collections that change periodically. The museum is open every day but Tuesday each week, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The location is closed on major holidays and all bank related holidays. One nice perk here is that children 18 years of age and under get in for free.

The Notre Dame Church of Nice is the largest of the churches that are located in the city. It is also one of the main attractions located in Old Town. It also represents the first of the churches built in the area in a more modern architectural style. You can find the building on Avenue Jean Medecin, in the very heart of that part of Nice. By far, most of the religious buildings in Nice have been designed in an Italian Baroque manner. So, in 1848, when the Eglise Notre-Dame was built, it represented something totally new in design by being built in a very Gothic style of architecture. The design was created by the famous C. Lenormand. The style lends an old and majestic kind of look to this house of worship that transcends the actual age of the building. The Avenue Jean Medecin is a very busy street in old Nice. So, it should not be too hard for anyone to find plenty of things to do along the whole length of the Avenue, making a stop at the famous church a must do for the days travel.

This site is the central train station for the city of Nice. The architecture is wonderful, and you will find it to be one of the most beautifully decorated facilities of its kind in Europe You can see some amazing masonry work and vast open spaces that the location is known for. There is also a lot of ornate moulding used to trim the brick structure. The whole facility is quite impressive, and the sheer size of the facility can take your breath away. You can get there by going to the intersection of Jean Medecin and Avenue Thiers.

It was designed by an architect named Bouchot. The construction took place in 1865. It took a couple of years to complete the construction. It is very representative of the type of architectural styling that was expected of train stations during the 19th Century. (It was built during a time when travelers expected their railways to be very highly decorated and stunning to the eye.) It is definitely worth the visit. This is especially so if you have a traveler along that enjoys the nostalgia of old trains and railways stations.

The Massena Palace Museum has been undergoing a lot of renovation lately, but is still one of the best places for visitors in the city of Nice. It is nicknamed the Massena Villa also, because it is located inside the old home of Victor Massena. It is notable for art and history exhibits. You can find this place along the Promenade des Anglais. There are some beautiful garden spots located around the place also. They were the work of Edouard Andre, who is quite famous as a landscape designer. He was also the person behind the beautiful gardens at the Monte Carlo Casino. The location was built over a period from 1898 until 1901. It was designed for Massena by Hans Tersling. The museum of art and history moved into this location in 1921. Much of the current renovation going on is general repair to the building for preservation. Inside you will find twenty exhibition rooms filled with the history and art of old Nice. Each room tries to depict an era in the history of the city, which includes its art, design, furniture, fashion, and the like. One of the more interesting artifacts on display here is the death mask of Napoleon. They also exhibit his coronation robe. In total, there are over fifteen thousand items featured here. The museum is open to the public Wednesday through Monday, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They are closed on Tuesday and several of the major French holidays.

The Cathedrale Sainte Reparate is one of the most interesting and beautiful cathedrals in Nice. It is built on the site of a small church that dates back circa 1200. Built in the middle 17th century, and dedicated in 1699, the building is magnificent. It contains 10 chapels, that were maintained by private families, and three organs. The name comes from a young Palestinian boy who was martyred for his Christian faith. Saint Reparate was 15 when he was beheaded and his body set adrift in a small vessel. According to legend the boat floated up to the shores of Nice and he is now buried at the cathedral. There have been additions over the years; the Baroque façade was added in the early 1800s. This hides the original cupola which is still there, but a bit hard to see. However, the cupola is covered in colored tiles and is beautiful standing guard over the transept. The inside also carries on the Baroque theme with plentiful use of marble and gold. The barrel ceilings only add to the huge splendor of the cathedral which is built in the style of the Latin cross. This is definitely a must see when in Nice.

Palais Lascaris was built in the 1600s for the Lascaris-Vintimille family. It is one of the best representations of how the truly wealthy lived during that time period. The palace was restored during the 1940s and then was open to the public as a museum. The spectacular Baroque building is well worth the visit for anyone, but an absolute must see for those who love musical instruments. Le Groupe AXA loaned an extensive collection of period instruments to the museum. In addition, there are also paintings that depict musical instruments, and it is not unusual to be able to hear some of the instruments being played. The palace also hosts several musical events throughout the year, so be sure to check the schedule. Be sure to see the étage noble, the noble story, where much of the original grandeur has been restored. This was used as a gathering place and is very fitting for a rich, noble family. The palace has the obligatory Baroque staircase as well as beautiful murals and tapestries. There is also an apothecary on the ground floor that houses many original pieces from the 18th century and some beautiful delft pieces. Hours for the place are 10am-6pm except for Tuesdays when it is closed. Admission is free.

The Monument aux Morts is a very striking memorial to the people who passed away during World War I. It was erected in 1919, and was the brain child of the Mayor of Nice at that time. That was Goiran Francis. In terms of pure size, it is one of the largest tributes to the fallen to be found anywhere in the country.

The location of the memorial is set so that it faces out to the ocean. It is built into the beautiful Castle Hill in town. During the daytime, the light plays off the white stone that was used to build the structure, making the whole thing look a bit surrealistic. It is dome shaped, and has an urn in the middle. If you take time to go up to the display, you will be able to read the names of the three thousand six hundred and fifty five lost souls that are honored here. It is a great spot to stop for a moment of contemplation.

The design was done by Roger Seasal. Some of the additional work, namely the bas.-reliefs was added closer to 1928 by Alfred Janniot.