“How about a climb for a view?” I ask. We are standing at the foot of the Tour Saint-François. This tower offers more than just a pretty face. It’s a journey through Nice’s history.
The Tour Saint-François started as a bell tower. It belonged to a Franciscan convent back in the 13th century. Saint François d’Assises himself founded the order here in 1223. The convent and church relied on charity. A rich man from Nice donated land for them. Today, the Franciscan convent is Nice’s National Theatre.
Over the centuries, the Tour Saint-François has seen many changes. The Franciscans were expelled during the Revolution. The town bought the tower. For a while, it was almost forgotten. But then Nice became Sardinian. A clock was added to the tower. After the Revolution, it became a communal clock tower.
The bell tower was erected around 1793. In the 1830s, Joseph Vernier enhanced it with a clock. The clock’s four dials came from the Jura region. The bell came from Genoa because Nice’s foundry lacked materials. The bell was too big upon arrival. Workers had to demolish part of the entrance, erect the bell, and rebuild the gateway.
Standing 50 meters high, the Tour Saint-François dominates the city. It offers a 360-degree panorama from the sea to Nice’s hinterland. You must climb 288 steps to reach the top. A metal spiral staircase winds its way up. Some landings connect with the original stairs.
The clocks have been digitized. This ensures better precision and automatic time setting. The bell’s hammer has been replaced. A lighter alloy prevents damage to the bell.
The Saint Francis Tower has been a Historic Monument since 1993. However, it wasn’t open to visitors until 2017. The DRAC granted authorization in 2019. The Italian-influenced architecture is stunning. Details reveal the Baroque style of post-Renaissance Italy. Friezes and ornamentation remind us of monuments in Rome or Turin.
Inside, small windows offer glimpses of the view. At the top, the bell weighs over 1500 kg. It bears the Latin inscription “Pour sonner au loin les heures”. The panoramic views are exquisite. You can see Cap d’Antibes. The tower is a reminder of Nice’s medieval past. It stands as a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The Tour Saint-François is more than a belfry. It’s a window into Nice’s enduring beauty and significance.