What if a chair could tell a story? Here, before us, stands La Chaise de SAB, a giant blue chair sculpted by Sabine Géraudie. This isn’t just any chair. It’s a love letter to Nice, a tribute to the iconic blue chairs that dot the Promenade des Anglais. La Chaise de SAB, installed in 2014 on Quai des États-Unis, near the Albert 1er gardens, is hard to miss. Its vibrant blue hue and larger-than-life scale make it a beacon on the waterfront. Sabine Géraudie, the artist behind La Chaise de SAB, dreamed of being an artist since childhood. She dabbled in drawing, explored oil painting, and even worked with pebbles. After settling in Nice in 1986, she began offering “art on demand.” The idea for La Chaise de SAB was sparked by a client’s request. They desired a piece representing happiness and the struggle to attain it, with a distinctly Nice flavor. Géraudie researched and created two staggered chairs with a figure reaching for the sun. Inspired by both the old blue chairs by Toldo and the newer designs by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, she continued to refine her blue chair concept. La Chaise de SAB became a hit. Géraudie registered the design, and it quickly transcended its initial sculptural form. It’s been miniaturized into jewelry, recreated in chocolate at Patisserie LAC, and even featured on collectible king cake beans. Géraudie’s generosity is as striking as her art. She frequently donates works to support various causes, from children’s charities to cancer research. In February 2023, she contributed a piece to “The Auction for the Sea,” raising funds to protect Nice’s seabed. La Chaise de SAB embodies not just artistic expression, but also community spirit. It’s a symbol of Nice, a place where art and everyday life intertwine, inviting us to pause and appreciate the simple joys. Its vibrant blue reminds us of the sea, the sky, and the endless possibilities that life offers.
Monument à la reine Victoria Statue
A wave of floral scents. A gentle breeze rustles through nearby trees. We stand before the Monument à la reine