Nice Old Town : 400 000 Years of a Carnival of History

5.0 (5 reviews) 2 hours – 2 h 15 min Free cancellation

out of 5

5 reviews

5.0

Nice Old Town : 400 000 Years of a Carnival of History — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Nice Old Town : 400 000 Years of a Carnival of History, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

We are convinced that God created Nice last, after bringing countless divine wonders into the world, yet still remaining divinely Unsatisfied.

Today, it is no easy task to see Nice and the French Riviera as anything other than the idyllic postcard image dreamed of by the whole world. For the city of Nice—just as alpine as it is maritime—cannot be reduced merely to the yellow of the caressing sun or the azure blue of the whispering sea, much like a famous habit that does not make the monk. Such a perspective calls for a curious and receptive spirit.

Beware: there is a high risk of alpine avalanches of laughter and Mediterranean waves of warmth (human warmth, of course).

Remember, God created Nice last for a good reason. Let us discover it together.

Everyone is welcome to join in this divine co-adventure in Nice.

Private and Luxury Historical Tours Walking Tours Culture Small Group Carnival New Product Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours – 2 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: Russian, English, French
Operated by: Aleksandra Savigny - Specimina Nicea

Ages: Children (5–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–120 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission fees: Admission fee

Itinerary

Garibaldi Square

15 min Admission included

The starting point of your tour.

Your guide will welcome you in this warm spot to immerse you in the waters of the sea and of Mother History — of this place embraced by God.

Get ready to meet hunter-gatherers, Greek sailors, and the Dukes of Savoy.

Watch your step! Once upon a time, this very place was submerged by the Mediterranean Sea.

Benvengut!

Yes indeed, you'll hear Nissart during this tour — the place itself demands it.
Stop 2

5 min

Would you like to learn more about the Lascaris Palace, the Niçois heroine Catherine Ségurane, and the White Penitents, but are keen to avoid the beaten path? Nothing could be simpler: follow us.
Centre du Patrimoine - Le Senat

3 min

A beautiful 17th-century building, which once housed the workplace of the strongest men in the Niçois world, and later offered a refuge to those in need. But in between, death sentences were pronounced here. What a story!
Stop 4

Passing by

The main street of medieval Old Nice. We’ll cross through it, because otherwise you might not hear your guide… and you’d completely block the way. What a disaster!
Stop 5

5 min

How fortunate we are to be able to walk freely through this street, unlike members of the Jewish community in medieval times. This street was once their ghetto. Let’s learn more about their lives, in tribute to all those who have been persecuted, then and now.
Stop 6

3 min

Do people always eat well in Nice? No surprise there! But it hasn’t always been the case… So whatever you do, don’t come on an empty stomach!
Stop 7

10 min

Would you like to learn more about the third most beautiful square in Nice (or the first, according to us), but still prefer to hear your guide without being jostled by lovers of the best ice cream in town? Let’s cross Place Rossetti together and position ourselves behind the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral. A moment of coolness and delightfully crisp anecdotes is guaranteed. Promise.
Stop 8

5 min

All this time, your guide has sensed your burning desire to immerse yourself in the ordinary — and thus authentic — Niçois life. Here we are! Discover the history of Nice’s religious life and its baroque treasures, all while staying hidden from prying eyes. The church of Gèsu speaks to you, even if you’re not yet able to listen. That’s just how it is. That’s Nice.
Stop 9

5 min

We certainly don’t mean to frighten you, but still, prepare yourself to meet the Black Death, the executioner of Nice… and don’t forget to bring your dirty laundry to dip it into the city’s last washhouse.
Stop 10

8 min

When you discover exactly which medieval building became the final refuge of the great Niccolò Paganini, you’ll be scandalized by the splendor of the Palace of the Kings of Sardinia, just a stone’s throw away. But surely that strikes a chord with you.
Esplanade Pompidou

10 min

It’s already been two hours since you last saw the sea. Since you’ve missed our beautiful sea so much… here we are! But be careful: you have now definitively left the medieval perimeter of Nice, and you find yourself on the edge of the New Town. By setting foot on the Promenade des Anglais, you’re stepping into the most recent chapter in the history of Old Nice. Be brave! May God watch over you in this bold exploration of all things new…
Opera de Nice

5 min

How beautiful our Opera House is… It’s a pity it doesn’t face the sea. But look, right across from it — just there. The marvelous late Baroque church: Saint-François-de-Paule. She faces the sea. Or perhaps she’s gazing at the Opera. It’s up to you to decide!
Les Ponchettes

15 min

It's been two whole hours since you last saw the sea. And since you've been missing our beautiful Mediterranean so badly — here we are. But beware! The moment you set foot on the Promenade des Anglais, you step into the most recent chapter of Old Nice's history. Take heart! And Godspeed as you venture into all this novelty...

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We invite you to meet under the arcades overlooking the intersection of Place Charles-Félix and Rue des Ponchettes.

Your guide will be carrying a black bag with a sunny logo.

Get ready: here we go!

End point

Here you are, out safe and sound — and above all… full of curiousity!

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour is not recommended for travelers with mobility difficulties. Please reach out to us so we can explore alternative routes together.
We kindly ask you to wear comfortable shoes, preferably with non-slip soles, as the tiles and cobblestones covering Old Nice can be slippery.
Please also remember to bring a bottle of water.

Options

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