Archaeological Visits to Castle Hill

The Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) is Nice’s oldest site, dating back to 2100 BC. The ancient Greeks established a colony there before it fell under Roman domination. The earliest Christians established a church there between the 5th and 6th centuries and dedicated it to Saint Mary.

(See more about the history of and things to do on Castle Hill)

Although those early remains have been excavated, todays excavations focus on the medieval cemetery associated with the Cathedral of Saint Mary. Archaeologists are now trying to understand the organization of the site beginning in the 9th century and ending in the 18th century. The cemetery has also undergone several complete redevelopments of its funerary space, mainly linked to the restructuring and modifications of neighboring buildings (cathedral and quadrangular building).… Read the rest

Archaeology Days

The annual Journées de l’Archéologie (Archaeology Days) is a great way to do a deep dive into Nice’s history if your French is up to it. Even if it’s not, the archaeologists on site could probably give you some explanations in English.

Workshops and events without reservation
Duration between 20 mins and 45 mins – Young people, all audiences – PRM access

Saturday June 18 10 a.m. > 5 p.m.

Workshop “To your trowels! »

Burial Excavation Workshop
Excavation of a cremation workshop

Workshop “What the skeletons tell us”

Animal Skeletons Workshop
Workshop The human skeleton

Workshop “What the walls whisper”

Construction Archeology Workshop

Workshop “What revolves around pottery”

Workshop What did our ancestors eat?
Workshop I identify pottery
Workshop X-rayed pottery

Workshop “What plants tell us”

Workshop I identify plants grown in the past
Workshop I imagine the agricultural landscape of yesterday and today

Workshop “Discovering our ancestors”

Workshop To each his own tool

Workshop “You’re smarter with your hands”

Workshop Make your antique bowl

Workshop “In search of anecdotes”

Mini-conferences to exchange on the anecdotal underside of the archaeological discipline: “the adventures of the lost shard”, “the depths of the Prom'”, “the fuel for the manufacture of bells in the Middle Ages: the example of the Sainte -Marie de Nice”, “the adventures of an amphora”, “from the church to the theatre: the story of a place forgotten and rediscovered”…

“Seeds of archaeo” area 2 > 6 years old*

Reading tales, colouring, selection of books…

* Under the responsibility of the parents

Projection

Saturday at 5 p.m.

… Read the rest

Free Visits to Villa Les Palmiers

The Villa Les Palmiers (aka Palais de Marbre) is the jewel of West Nice. Ernest Gambart, an English art dealer, built a vast mansion on an 18th-century estate to house his extensive art collection. 27 boats sailed from Carrara, Italy laden with marble for the statues, columns, balustrades, walls and floors. It soon became the center of Nice’s social life when Gambart welcomed his famous friends. Argentinian meat-baron Edouard Soulas later renovated the interior in a neoclassical Louis XV style replete with chinoiserie, paneling, inlaid wood and gilt. He also laid out the English-style garden.

Readers of Nice Uncovered know that the vast garden is open to the public and well-worth a visit. The interior contains Nice’s Municipal Archives and is usually only open to researchers and on special occasions.… Read the rest

Heritage