The Promenade des Anglais

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The Promenade des Anglais or Prom' is an avenue along the seaside for 8 km facing the Baie des Anges, in Nice. It is surely one of the places which has contributed the most to the tourist influence of the city and which gives Nice its cosmopolitan and aesthetic identity between the sea and palm trees. We present to you the history of the Promenade des Anglais, one of the essential visits of Nice, as well as its evolution over the years.

The history of the Promenade des Anglais

The origin of the Promenade des Anglais dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. Indeed, at that time, many European aristocrats began to choose Nice as a privileged vacation spot during the winter period. This arrival of aristocrats greatly contributed to the economic development and improvement of the reputation of the city of Nice. Among them, many English people had settled on the coast of Nice and, moreover, it is to one of them, the Reverend Lewis Way, that we owe the creation of the famous Promenade des Anglais. In 1821, he carried out, with the help of his relatives, a fundraiser from his English compatriots in order to finance the famous seaside road but also to offer work to many beggars and workers from Nice who were suffering, that time, of a bad economic situation. In 1824, when the work was completed, the coast of Nice was now equipped with a path conducive to walks. Initially, it was a small earthy and stony path, 2 meters wide and named "Chemin des Anglais".

The Chemin des Anglais was then renamed the Promenade des Anglais and it was in 1930 that it took on its current appearance: two roads, a central reservation, a wide sidewalk on the sea side and lampposts. Many hotels and villas are also built around the edges of the Promenade. Car traffic also developed there and, on seven occasions, between 1932 and 1947, the promenade was integrated into the circuit of the Grand Prix automobile de Nice.

The evolution of the Promenade des Anglais

Since its creation, the Promenade des Anglais has continued to evolve and transform. It is today a place of conviviality par excellence.

A stroll through the heart of the Belle Époque

All around the Promenade des Anglais, there are luxury hotels and palaces with remarkable architecture. Many of them, like the Negresco and the Méridien, had their heyday during the Belle Époque. Built in 1912, the Hotel Negresco retraces the history of the city of Nice and evokes in itself the splendor and refinement of Nice during the Belle Époque.

You can also admire the Palais de la Méditerranée, a former casino of which only the neoclassical facade remains, but also the Villa Furtado Aim or the Royal, Westminster, West End hotels and the magnificent Villa Masséna, which has become a museum.

The famous blue chairs of the Promenade des Anglais

Many wooden chairs created by Charles Tordo, employed in a train maintenance company, were placed all along the Promenade, and this in 1950. From then on, walkers were able to sit down and easily admire the Bay of Angels and sunsets.
These blue chairs have become a real symbol of the city and have brought an additional charm to the Nice seaside.

The Promenade des Anglais, conducive to leisure

The most famous promenade in the world is a tourist spot but also a place of exchange and leisure dear to the people of Nice. In addition to simple walking, the Promenade des Anglais lends itself to bike rides, rollerblades thanks to the trails set up for this purpose. It also gives pride of place to joggers.
Every year, the Prom' hosts many festive events like the famous Nice Carnival, but also concerts.

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