Place Masséna and Fountain of the Sun
Why is it significant?
Take in the grand architectural symmetry and theatrical elegance of Place Masséna, the iconic open-air salon of Nice and the vibrant civic heartbeat of the French Riviera.
Key Facts
| Place | Place Masséna and Fountain of the Sun |
|---|---|
| Address | Place Masséna, 06000 Nice, France |
| Geo Coordinates | 43.69720, 7.27040 |
| Part of Walk | Old Town, Cours Saleya and Castle Hill: Baroque Splendour and Ancient Heights |
| Generated | Generated |
Take in the grand architectural symmetry and theatrical elegance of Place Masséna, the iconic open-air salon of Nice and the vibrant civic heartbeat of the French Riviera. Planned starting in 1832 by the municipal Consiglio d'Ornato under the authority of the House of Savoy, this sweeping public plaza was directly inspired by the grand royal squares of Turin, featuring harmonious neoclassical facades painted in rich Venetian red lime wash and resting upon stately semicircular porticoes. Underfoot, the striking black-and-white checkerboard granite pavement created by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa stretches beneath seven translucent resin figures perched atop tall steel poles, illuminating the square in gentle cycling hues after twilight. At the southern end rises the monumental Fountain of the Sun unveiled in 1956, crowned by a colossal seven-metre white marble statue of Apollo sculpted by Alfred Janniot. Surrounding the sun god, five bronze figures represent the planets Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn in a captivating mythological assembly. This bustling civic crossroads where sleek modern trams glide across pedestrian stone pulses with festive energy throughout every season of the year, proudly hosting the legendary winter Carnival of Nice, celebrated since the Middle Ages for its colossal floats and dazzling battles of flowers.
Look closely at Apollo's crown: a dynamic chariot team of four bronze horses gallops through his stone hair, symbolising the daily solar voyage across Mediterranean skies.
The colossal Apollo statue was temporarily removed from the fountain in 1970 following prudish complaints about its athletic nudity, only to be triumphantly restored in 2011.
Plensa's seven illuminated statues represent the seven continents of the world engaging in a silent nocturnal dialogue above the bustling crowds of Nice.
Walk south along Rue Saint-François-de-Paule to reach the neoclassical facade of the prestigious Nice Opera House.