La place Masséna in the heart of Nice received the Travellers’ Choice 2025 award from TripAdvisor. It’s a must, especially if you want to visit Nice in a day. Tour Azur, organizer of excursions and transfers on the Côte d’Azur, takes you on a discovery tour of the area.
In a nutshell:
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day.
- Access: tramway line 1, numerous bus routes, underground parking lots.
- Highlights: checkerboard floor, arcades, ochre facades, sun fountain, illuminated statues.
- Nearby: Promenade des Anglais, Vieux-Nice, Promenade du Paillon, Chateau Hill, Mediterranean Sea.
Where is Place Masséna in Nice?
Situation
Place Masséna is located in the south of Nice. It connects the
Old Nice and avenue Jean Médecin the city’s main shopping street.
It is also a stone’s throw from the Promenade des Anglais and the Mediterranean Sea.
How do I get there?
Streetcar and bus
Tramway :
- Line 1: Masséna stop.
Bus :
- Lines 8+, 12+: Masséna stop.
- Lines 5, 38, 57: Masséna / Guitry stop.
- Lines 8+, 12+, 98: stop Opéra – Vieille Ville.
On foot or by bike
From Vieux-Nice or the Promenade des Anglais, you can reach the square in just a few minutes’ walk. Nice also boasts self-service bike stations, managed by the Pony and Lime companies, in addition to private bike rental companies.
By car
Underground parking is available nearby.
Some are managed by Nice Azur Parking:
- Parking Corvesy (3 rue Alexandre Mari).
- Palais De Justice parking lot (19 rue Alexandre Mari).
Others are private:
- Parking Indigo Nice Masséna (16 avenue Félix Faure).
- Parking Interparking Sulzer (103 quai des Etats-unis).
- Parking Interparking Ruhl Méridien (1 promenade des Anglais).
- Parking Plaza services (12 avenue de Verdun).
History of Nice's Place Masséna
Originally, the square was made up of two separate squares linked by a bridge that crossed the Paillon, a river that separated Vieux-Nice from the rest of the city and regularly caused flooding.
In the second half of the 19th century, the Paillon was covered over. Since then, it has flowed beneath the city center, definitively linking the two parts of Nice and freeing up new building land.
- 1820s: Nice was under the domination of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which encouraged the city’s beautification and modernization.
- 1830s-1840s: the Consiglio d’Ornato (town-planning authority) endeavors to put this political will into practice, and adopts architect Joseph Vernier‘s project.
- 1860: completion of work to mark the visit of Emperor Napoleon III.
- 1867-1881: progressive covering of the Paillon. Place Charles-Albert, on the left bank, is absorbed. Place Masséna takes on its current shape: rectangular to the north, semicircular to the south.
The square is officially dedicated to Marshal André Masséna, a native of Nice who fought in the Army of Sardinia.
💡 Tip Tour Azur: visit the Musée Masséna, also known as “Villa Masséna”, which exhibits photographs and plans of the city when it was separated by the Paillon.
Architecture and works of art
The Sun Fountain
The Fountain of the Sun was designed by Alfred Janniot and inaugurated in 1956 in the center of the Place Masséna. It is composed of five bronze statues representing divinities from Greco-Roman mythology:
- Earth,
- Mars,
- Venus,
- Mercury,
- Saturn.
A monumental seven-metre-high marble statue stands at the center: Apollo.
💡 Tour Azur anecdote: in the 1970s, the statue of Apollo was removed, as its nudity was deemed outrageous. It was reinstalled in 2011.
Jaume Plensa's luminous statues
With the arrival of the tramway in 2007, the Place Masséna was enriched by a contemporary work of art, called “Conversation à Nice”.Conversation à Nice“.
The seven luminous statues, mounted on high masts, represent the seven continents. seven continents. At night, they light up and gradually change color. These variations symbolize dialogue and exchange between peoples.
💡 Tour Azur anecdote: although they look like Buddhas, the statues are actually inspired by the posture of ancient scribesby Jaume Plensa.
Regulated architectural harmony
The buildings lining Place Masséna feature red and ochre red and ochre facades with arcades elegance. This homogeneous ensemble illustrates the typical style of the Italian Riviera and recalls the influence of the House of Savoy.
This architectural unity is no accident: every detail, from proportions to colors, was strictly supervised by the Consiglio d’Ornato, the body that oversaw the city’s beautification at the time.
💡 Tour Azur anecdote: the current black and white black and white checkerboard was completed in the early 2000s. This choice was inspired by the neoclassical style and the great squares of Italy, particularly Piedmont.
Major events
The Nice Carnival
The Place Masséna is one of the focal points of the Nice Carnival. It features :
- From stands for spectators.
- The passage of the Corso parade of decorated floats.
- La Battle of the Flowers a flagship event where thousands of flowers are thrown to the public.
💡 Tour Azur tip: don’t miss the Nice flower market !
Nice Jazz Festival
Every summer, Place Masséna plays host to part of the Nice Jazz Festival, one of the city’s major musical events:
- Next edition: July 23-26, 2026.
- Concerts at the Scène Masséna and Théâtre de Verdure.
- Free admission.
- No seats in front of the Scène Masséna.
💡 Tour Azur tip: book in advance!
Christmas market
Every December, Place Masséna plays host to the Nice Christmas Market. Numerous stalls offer food, drink and handicrafts.
A skating rink is set up at the junction between Place Masséna and the former Jacques-Médecin forum.
On the other side, between the square and the Jardin Albert-Ier, you’ll find a Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds and various ephemeral boutiques.
Filming
The Place Masséna has been the setting for several French and international films:
- 1955 : The Snare by Alfred Hitchcock, with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant.
- 2011 : series The Transporter directed by Luc Besson.
- 2025 : Burn the blood by Akaki Popkhadze, with Nicolas Duvauchelle and Florent Hill from Nice.
The transformations of recent years have not diminished the appeal of the square, which remains a sought-after location for film shoots.
Preparing your visit to Nice's Place Masséna
Shopping and going out
Place Masséna is also an ideal starting point for shopping and nightlife:
- Avenue Jean Médecin which runs from the square, is home to the main retailers and shopping centers.
- Nearby, Rue Paradis and Rue Masséna are home to luxury and ready-to-wear boutiques.
- For a more typical atmosphere, Old Nice is justa few minutes’ walk away.
Accessibility
The square is entirely pedestrianised and wheelchair wheelchair. It’s open every day, all year round.
What to see and do near Place Masséna
Place Masséna is an ideal starting point for exploring central Nice and the surrounding area.
To the left is the Albert-Ier garden one of the city’s oldest. It houses the Centenary Monument the Théâtre de Verdure and several fountains, including the Fountain of the Tritons. The garden is also home to contemporary works such as the 115°5 Arc by artist Vernet.
To the right stretches the Promenade du Paillon a large green corridor running through the town center. Highlights: the Water mirror a vast area of water jets, a playground children’s play area with a giant wooden whale, as well as lawns and benches for relaxing.
Nearby, you have easy access to the Promenade des Anglais for a view of the Baie des Anges, the Old Nice for its picturesque streets and the Promenade des Arts home to the MAMAC, a theater and a convention center.
A little further on, don’t miss the magnificent
castle hill
.
Tour Azur invites you to discover Nice and Place Masséna
Tour Azur offers a range of services to suit holidaymakers and business travelers alike.
Our transfer service allows you to reach your hotel or holiday destination stress-free, with drivers meeting you directly at the airport or station.
Our chauffeur-driven car service offers you great flexibility. Whether you’re planning a day of sightseeing, a business meeting or a special evening out, you’ll benefit from a tailor-made service, with a private chauffeur at your disposal.
Our private tours let you discover the Côte d’Azur at your own pace, in a prestige vehicle, accompanied by a driver-guide who knows the region like the back of his hand.
As for our shared tours, for a more convivial and economical option, these are excursions in small groups with a driver-guide.
What are the rates for the Masséna parking lot in Nice?
The Indigo Masséna parking lot, located just below the square, is the most convenient option for parking in the city center.
- 1 hour: €4.
- 2 hours: €8.
- 6 hours: €20.
- 12 hours: €24.80.
- 24 hours: €34.40.
A few minutes’ walk from the square, the Corvesy parking lot offers lower rates.
- 1 hour: free.
- 2 hours: €6.20.
- 6 hours: €13.60.
- 12 hours: €19.20.
- 24 hours: €25.
Why bleachers on Nice's Place Masséna?
The bleachers installed on Nice’s Place Masséna are not permanent: they appear mainly during major events organized on the square, such as the Nice Carnival or the Nice Jazz Festival.
When is the best time to visit Place Masséna?
The square is pleasant all year round, thanks to its constant hustle and bustle.
