Nice old town

South of France -

The Old Town of Nice (vielle ville) is one of the city’s main attractions is a must see thanks to its rustic narrow streets, colorful markets and vibrant atmosphere.

It is a mesh of alleys with local shops and restaurants darkened by tall ochre-painted apartment buildings with ice cream shops, creperies and cafes shops all flowing onto the square.

There is a strong Italian fell about the architecture and setting which is no coincidenca as Nice was not French until the Tready of Turin in 1860.

The old town is for pedestrians only which is really nice and so much more enjoyable to walk around without having to worry about cars zooming by.

We are now on rue du Jesus going toward the St. Reparata cathedral alson known as the cathedral of Nice.

Saint Reparata was a 15-year-old Palestinian girl, who was killed for her religious beliefs in the third century. She was supposed to be burnt alive but was apparently saved by rain. Instead she was beheaded, and legend has it that her soul immediately turned into a dove and flew away. Her body was put into a boat and blown by angels’ breath across the sea to arrive in the bay in Nice, in what is now the Baie des Anges (Angel Bay). The cathedral is named after her and has lots of her artifacts. She is the patron saint of Nice (and used to be in Florence, until the Middle Ages).

Nice Cathedral (French: Basilique-Cathédrale Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate de Nice) is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the heart of the old town of Nice.

The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Reparata. The cathedral has been classified as a national monument since August 1906.

There has been a cathedral on the site since the 11th century but, after Saint Reparata’s belongings arrived in Nice, additional buildings were added over the years to the original site. It was in the 17th century that the current cathedral was built (1650-1685) and it was consecrated as a holy site in 1699. But work continued on the site a bell tower was built in the 18th century (1731-1757), the facade was improved in the 19th century (1825-1830) and baroque touches were added.

In 1949, the cathedral achieved basilica status meaning that saint or saints were martyred on the site, or if the cathedral has their “relics” or parts of their bones or bodies.

Originally the church was in a rectangular shape and oriented towards the north but when it was rebuilt in the 17th century, it was built in a Latin style as a cross-shape, oriented towards the east. There are over 10 chapels inside, commemorating different saints.

The high altar is surmounted by a picture of the Glory of Saint Reparata, the virgin martyr to whom the cathedral is dedicated and whose relics have been enshrined here since 1690.

The cathedral contains three organs: one is on a tribune above the narthex, another is in the north arm of the transept, and the third is in the choir rehearsal room.

Place de la Rosetti is entirely enclosed and pedestrianized, this square is located in the heart of the old town. With typical buildings in red and yellow ochre surrounding the square, the cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and the fountain in the center.

By day, the place is invaded by the terraces of traditional restaurants and the finest ice-cream makers. By night, the environment changes radically, with tourists and youths flocking to the square, where music reverberates on the walls of the small square.

Very lovely to walk around, lots of restaurants with outdoor seating spilling into narrow streets.

The narrow, winding cobblestone streets are filled with little boutiques, gourmet food shops, cafés, and restaurants.