History of Nice in Timeline

Nice is a French city situated on the French Riviera along the Mediterranean Sea, near the foot of the French Alps. It is the second-largest city on the French Mediterranean coast and the second-largest in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, after Marseille. Its urban area extends beyond the city limits and is home to nearly one million people. Located approximately 13 kilometers from Monaco and 30 kilometers from the Italian border, Nice serves as a key transportation hub for the region with its prominent airport.

1900: Tramway de Nice Electrification

In 1900, the Tramway de Nice electrified its horse-drawn streetcars and expanded its network throughout the département from Menton to Cagnes-sur-Mer.

1914: Pro-Italian irredentist movement persisted

The pro-Italian irredentist movement persisted throughout the period 1860–1914, despite the repression carried out since the annexation.

1928: Jean Médecin Becomes Mayor

In 1928, Jean Médecin became mayor of Nice.

1930: Tramway Network Reaches Peak Length

By 1930, the Tramway de Nice network reached a combined length of 144 km.

1931: Inauguration of Promenade des Anglais

In 1931, following its refurbishment, the Promenade des Anglais, Nice's main promenade, was inaugurated by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught. The promenade owes its name to English visitors to the resort.

September 1939: Nice becomes a city of refuge

As war broke out in September 1939, Nice became a city of refuge for many displaced foreigners, notably Jews fleeing the Nazi progression into Eastern Europe.

July 1940: Antisemitic aggressions accelerate the exodus

After July 1940 and the establishment of the Vichy Regime, antisemitic aggressions accelerated the exodus, starting in July 1941 and continuing through 1942.

September 1940: First Resistance Group

In September 1940, the first résistants to the new regime were a group of high school seniors of the Lycée de Nice, now Lycée Masséna, later arrested and executed in 1944 near Castellane.

July 1941: Antisemitic aggressions accelerate the exodus (cont.)

Starting in July 1941 antisemitic aggressions accelerated the exodus of jews, and continued through 1942.

July 1942: First Public Demonstrations

On 14 July 1942, the first public demonstrations occurred when several hundred protesters took to the streets along the Avenue de la Victoire and in the Place Masséna.

August 1942: Roundup of Jews in Nice

On 26 August 1942, 655 Jews of foreign origin were rounded up by the Laval government in Nice and interned in the Auvare barracks, later deported to Drancy internment camp on 31 August 1942.

November 1942: German and Italian Troops Move In

In November 1942, German troops moved into most of unoccupied France, while Italian troops moved into a smaller zone including Nice.

December 1943: Intensified Reprisals

Between December 1943 and July 1944, reprisals intensified, with many partisans tortured and executed by the local Gestapo.

1943: Jean Médecin's Mayoral Term Ends

Jean Médecin's first term as mayor of Nice ended in 1943.

July 1944: Intensified Reprisals

Between December 1943 and July 1944, reprisals intensified, with many partisans tortured and executed by the local Gestapo.

August 1944: Liberation of Nice

On 30 August 1944, American paratroopers entered the city and Nice was finally liberated.

1947: Jean Médecin Reinstated as Mayor

In 1947, Jean Médecin was reinstated as mayor of Nice.

1948: Replacement of Trams Begins

In 1948, the replacement of trams with trolleybuses began.

1953: Replacement of Trams Completed

In 1953, the replacement of trams with trolleybuses was completed.

1962: Arrival of Pieds-Noirs

After 1962, the arrival of the Pieds-Noirs, refugees from Algeria, gave the city a boost and somewhat changed the make-up of its population and traditional views.

1965: Jean Médecin's Mayoral Term Ends

In 1965, Jean Médecin's second term as mayor of Nice ended.

1966: Jacques Médecin Becomes Mayor

In 1966, Jacques Médecin became mayor of Nice.

1970: Establishment of Sophia Antipolis

The Sophia Antipolis technology park establishment started between 1970 and 1984.

October 1979: Tsunamis Hit Nice

On 16 October 1979, a landslide and an undersea slide caused two tsunamis that hit the western coast of Nice, resulting in fatalities.

1979: Demolition of Masséna Casino

With the demolition of the Masséna Casino in 1979, the Place Masséna became more spacious and less dense.

1984: Establishment of Sophia Antipolis

The Sophia Antipolis technology park establishment ended between 1970 and 1984.

1990: Jacques Médecin Flees France

In 1990, Jacques Médecin fled France due to accusations of political corruption.

1993: Jacques Médecin Arrested in Uruguay

In 1993, Jacques Médecin was arrested in Uruguay.

1994: Jacques Médecin Extradited and Convicted

In 1994, Jacques Médecin was extradited back to France, convicted of corruption and associated crimes, and sentenced to imprisonment.

February 2001: Treaty of Nice Signed

In February 2001, European leaders met in Nice to negotiate and sign what is now the Treaty of Nice, amending the institutions of the European Union.

2003: Judicial Corruption Allegations

In 2003, local Chief Prosecutor Éric de Montgolfier alleged that some judicial cases involving local personalities had been suspiciously derailed by the local judiciary, with suspicions of unhealthy contacts through Masonic lodges with the defendants.

2005: Dusting of snow

Nice received a dusting of snow in 2005.

August 2006: Highest Recorded Temperature

On 1 August 2006, Nice recorded its highest temperature at 37.7 °C (99.9 °F).

2007: New Tramway de Nice Opens

In 2007, the new Tramway de Nice linked the northern and eastern suburbs via the city centre.

2009: Dusting of snow

Nice received a dusting of snow in 2009.

2010: Dusting of snow

Nice received a dusting of snow in 2010.

July 2016: Nice Truck Attack

On 14 July 2016, a truck was deliberately driven into a crowd of people by Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, killing 87 people and injuring 434. The crowd was watching a fireworks display in celebration of Bastille Day. The perpetrator was shot dead by police.

2017: Christian Estrosi Becomes Mayor

Christian Estrosi became mayor of Nice in 2017.

February 2018: Most Recent Snowfall

The most recent snowfall in Nice was on 26 February 2018.

May 2018: Charles III Receives Honorary Citizenship

Charles III, then Prince of Wales, received honorary citizenship of Nice on 8 May 2018.

2018: Population Statistics

As of 2018, the urban area of Nice was home to 944,321 inhabitants, making it the seventh most populous in France.

October 2020: Stabbing Attack at Notre-Dame de Nice

On 29 October 2020, a stabbing attack killed three people at the local Notre-Dame de Nice. One of the victims was beheaded. Several additional victims were injured and the attacker was taken into custody. The Islamic state claimed responsibility for the attack.

2021: Nice Proclaimed World Heritage Site by UNESCO

In 2021, Nice was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as "Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera".

2021: UNESCO Proclaims Nice a World Heritage Site

In 2021, UNESCO proclaimed Nice a World Heritage Site because of its historical importance as a winter resort town for the European aristocracy and the resulting mix of cultures.

July 2024: Arson Attack

On 18 July 2024, seven people from the same family, including three young children, three adults and a teenager were killed in an arson attack. The fire also critically injured one other person and caused thirty other people to suffer from smoke inhalation.