Place Massena is the main city square in Nice where locals and tourists alike gather to dine and shop, spend a relaxing afternoon, or attend one of the various concerts and events that take place in the square, like the annual Carnival festival that is held every February.
Place Massena is well known for its fountains and statues, beautiful gardens that outline the square, selection of shops and cafes, and close proximity to other important attractions throughout Nice.
It is conveniently located at the southern end of Avenue Jean Medecin, one of the major roadways that leads into Vieille Ville (Old Town), and is one of the major crossroads for several other major roadways.
A Brief History
Place Massena was originally created in the mid-19th century to cover the Peillon River that still flows underneath it, as part of the city’s attempt to improve the appearance and accessibility of Nice.
Construction lasted from 1832 until 1850.
Since then, Place Massena stayed relatively untouched until 1990 when the statues at Fontaine du Soleil were removed only to be put back in 2007 as part of the revitalization project for Place Massena.
In addition to the statues being put back, vehicles were banned, benches were added, and new sculptures by artist Jaume Plensa were installed.
Main Attractions at Place Massena
Place Massena has many different things to see and do, and you can easily get caught up in the atmosphere itself. However, there are two main attractions that draw people to Place Massena every day: the Galeries Lafayette and Fontain du Soleil.
The Galeries Lafayette is one of the most famous French shopping centers currently operating. And there is no shortage of unique items to find within its over 600 stores and restaurants. The building itself is impressive, spanning six levels high. The fourth level contains the food court and a terrace with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and Place Massena. And on the first level is a gourmet food supermarket with an outstanding selection of interesting cuisines. While Galeries Lafayette might emphasize higher end items, the experience of walking through the different levels and seeing all of the sites is worth the trip alone.
Fontaine du Soleil is the magnificent collection of statues sculpted by Alfred Janniot that sit at the center of Place Massena. The fountain is comprised of six total statues, all based on Greek mythology – five statues depicting the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Saturn and a seven-meter high statue of Apollo in the center, representing the sun.
Other Attractions
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Conversation in Nice is a collection of seven statues by Jaume Plensa that represent the seven continents and are beautifully illuminated at night.
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Jardin Alber 1er is a garden located along the outskirts of Place Massena that is filled with a gorgeous display of various floral and arboreal plants and additional fountains. It is also the location of Theatre de Verdure – a small theater where concerts are held all year long.
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In addition to the statues and gardens, you will also find street entertainers performing unique feats and musical acts all across the square. And for the kids there shooting fountains that they can run and play under.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Visit
Before your visit to Place Massena, make sure you look at the schedule of events so you can strategically plan the times and dates of your visit.
Try to plan a visit to the square during the day and during the night as Place Massena, including Conversation in Nice, is lit up beautifully at night.
The local tramway connects Place Massena to Nice’s Central Train Station for easy access to and from the square.
