Were you aware that Nice changed hands many times throughout its history? Its strategic location significantly contributed to its maritime strength. We are standing at the former location of Nice-XII. It was a French canton in the Alpes-Maritimes department. This region is in Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. Nice-XII encompassed parts of the city of Nice.
Nice is a city with a fascinating history. It was founded around 350 BC by Greeks from Marseille. They named it Nikaia after Nike. Nike was the goddess of victory. From 1388 Nice was under the dominion of Savoy. It then became part of the French First Republic between 1792 and 1815. After that, it went back to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Finally, Nice was annexed by France in 1860.
The city is nicknamed Nice la Belle meaning Nice the Beautiful. This name reflects its appeal. The natural environment and mild Mediterranean climate attracted the English upper classes in the 18th century. They began spending their winters here. The Promenade des Anglais owes its name to these visitors.
Nice has drawn many artists. Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse found inspiration here. Their work is displayed in the city’s museums. International writers were also inspired by Nice. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote Thus Spoke Zarathustra here.
The city’s appeal extended to the Russian upper classes too. Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich died in Nice. He was a patron of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery.
Nice is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 2021. It is a testament to its historical importance. It was a winter resort town for the European aristocracy. The city has the second-largest hotel capacity in France. Every year, four million tourists visit the city. Nice is the historical capital of the County of Nice.
Nice-XII was made up of several Nice neighborhoods. These included Saint-Roch Mont Boron and Bon-Voyage. In 2012 the population of Nice-XII was about 21507. In 2015, the canton was disbanded.
Nice continues to be a city of culture tourism and historical significance. Its story is one of transformation artistic inspiration and enduring beauty. As we continue our tour remember the layers of history beneath our feet. They have shaped Nice into the vibrant city we see today.