The history of Nice dates back to prehistoric times, but only bits and pieces of her ancient past can be seen today. Almost a half a million years ago, man settled the lands which today are encompassed by the city of Nice. These primitive settlers and original inhabitants of Nice, organized their colony at the base of Mont-Boron, in a cave known as the Grotte du Lazaret. It is here that they lived in the company of animals, including oxen and elephants, and carved weaponry and tools from limestone. The Terra Amata museum stands to recognize and illustrate the lives of these ancient inhabitants today.
It would be the 4th century B.C. when Nice would gain her name. Following Massaliotes, Greeks hailing from Marseilles, victory over the Barbarians they named the coastal colony ''Nicaea'', which translates to ''giver of victory''. It''s geographical location made the city an integral commercial trading port. This new city was established on the slope of the Château hill, unlike the prehistoric settlers who inhabited the base of Mont-Boron. At this time the few hundred residents of Nice were primarily merchants and traders who were mandated by the magistrates designated by Marseilles.
Signs of Roman influence can be traced to the beginning of the Roman Empire, around 14 B.C.. It was during this time that the Romans constructed a second town they would call Cemenelum, on the northeast side of the port on Cimiez hill. It would quickly become integral to the Roman Empire''s expansion efforts and Cemenelum would be named the county seat for the Alpes-Maritimes military government. ''Nicaea'' whose area included the the port and the Château hillside literally and figuratively lived in the shadow of Cimiez for hundreds of years.
It was the 6th century before ''Nicaea'' gained the advantage over ''Cemenelum''. The city on Cimiez hillside would all by disappear completely with the fall of the Roman Empire. ''Nicaea'' would become part of the French Empire and her maritime trade routes and commercial center would make her invaluable to France. In Nice today there is very little trace of the Massaliotes, however, the Roman influence can be found throughout the area including the roads, the Turbie and of course the well-preserved Roman baths and amphitheatres which can be visited at the Cimiez Archeological Museum on Cimiez hill.
Throughout the Middle Ages the city of Nice would attract invasions and constantly cope with a barrage of wars and conflict. During the 7th century the city joined the formation of Liguria towns called the Genoese league. The town would then be sacked by the Saracens, beginning in 813, as they continued on to conquer all of current day Provence. Then in 972 Guillaume, the Compte de Provence, managed to rout them and under such protection commercial activity intensified and continued to prosper through 1176 when the original town charter was enacted.
Civil war errupted on the heels of the death of Queen Jeanne de Provence in 1382. Nice being the third largest town after Arles and Marseilles. The people of Nice elected to place themselves under the defense of the Compte de Savoie, Amédée VII, in the Inedict of 1388. Nice became a fundamental colony for the Savoy Counts, and the town was able to return the favor by assisting the Counts defense against the French.
In 1543 the Turks attempted to conquer the city. Local lavandiere Catherine Ségurane is credited with the vanquishing of the Turkish intruders. She would become a symbolic figure and legend has it that she used a particularly unusual form of defense and she lashed out by showing the enemy her ample behind! A statue was erected in her honor, and can be visited today.
After numerous attacks by Francis I and Barbossa during the 16th century the Duke of Guise gained control of the important seaport in 1600 who declared full freedom of trade which stimulated the economy and brought a great influx of baroque art and architecture through the city. A great example of this impressive architecture can still be seen to day at the Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate. Towards the end of the 17th century the Savoy would again gain leadership of the district, but the French would besiege the city in 1691 and again in 1705, when her citadel and ramparts were demolished. In 1713 the city again would turn to the Duke of Savoy, who had also become the King of Sardinia, for protection and following the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, would rule again over the coastal city.
The department of the Alpes-Maritimes was created in 1793 and would eventually be annexed to France with the approval of the people of Nice. But after the fall of Napoleon, Nice would again be acquired by Sardinia. The city''s language and culture separated her from Italy and on March 24, 1860, an agreement was made between Napoleon III and Victor-Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia; Nice would be returned to France. This decision was met with widespread approval from the people of Nice and in the wake of the declaration the city would benefit from an astonishing economic boom. This led to a period of expansion and roads and railway ties were constructed as the population surged.
After hundreds and hundreds of years of commercial activity, invasion and political discord, Nice would gradually begin to take shape as we recognize her today. Beginning in the 18th century the British aristocracy began to travel to Nice as a winter vacation destination. By the 19th century people travelled from all over Europe to enjoy the mild climate and through the First World War numerous ''belle époque'' residences were constructed and enjoyed in all their luxury. In recent history Nice has been a veritable playground to the rich and famous. The beautiful coastal city of Nice is now THE summer-holiday destination for sun-worshipers from around the world who come to enjoy the azure beaches. Today tourism is a crucial and essential part of the local economy.
