Nice - Carabacel / Hotel des Postes

The Origins of the Carabacel District

Located above the old town, to the east of the Thiers and Jean-Médecin districts, the Carabacel district is separated from Old Nice by the Promenade du Paillon, which covers the course of the Paillon River between Boulevard Jean-Jaurès and Avenue Félix-Faure. Between these main roads and the Voie Mathis, the district stretches from the streets of Gubernatis and Lamartine in the west to Boulevards Carabacel and Cimiez in the northeast. The district takes its name from Boulevard Carabacel, whose layout was decided by the Consiglio d’Ornato during the city's urban planning in 1850. The plans envisioned a boulevard free of shops and lined with trees, a characteristic that remains today, with the exception of the prestigious Maison Charles Véran, established in 1925. On the other side of the boulevard lies the Carabacel hill, which rises up to the lower Cimiez area. A central neighborhood in Nice, built alongside the Carré d’Or, Les Fleurs, and the Musiciens districts, Carabacel boasts the grand architecture of the Belle Époque.

The Highlights of the Carabacel District

The Carabacel district is home to many palatial buildings with remarkable architecture, such as the Palais Eldorado on Rue Alberti, Palais des Arènes on Avenue de Cimiez, Palais Desambrois on Rue Assalit, Palais Royal and Hôtel Impérial on Boulevard Carabacel, Palais Stella on Avenue Desambrois, Palais de la Paix and Villa Rambourg (Heritage Library) on Boulevard Dubouchage, Palais Langham on Avenue Emile-Bieckert, Palais Gallieni on the avenue of the same name, Palais Lamartine and Reine d’Azur on Rue de Lamartine, Palais Pauline on Rue de Lépante, and Palais Florenti on Avenue Maréchal Foch. These palaces are complemented by typical Niçois houses, particularly on Rue Pauliani. Carabacel is firmly an arts district, home to the prestigious Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) located along the Paillon between Avenue Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Boulevard Risso. The MAMAC focuses on art from the 1950s to the present, featuring rich collections of works by Niki de Saint Phalle, Yves Klein, and many international pop artists. Nearby is the Tête Carrée, a habitable sculpture that houses the regional library.

Living in the Carabacel District

With its ideal location, just steps from Old Nice and along the green corridor of the Paillon, the Carabacel district is a highly sought-after area. The architecture is of high quality, with many historic buildings housing upscale apartments. The presence of the Museum of Modern Art has led to the establishment of quality shops and businesses related to culture: fine arts supplies, bookstores, music shops, model-making stores, watchmakers, decoration stores, and stationery shops, alongside other local businesses. The district is ideal for enjoying an active cultural life in a residential area with a balanced level of activity, offering a peaceful living environment. The neighborhood is well-served by several bus lines and by Tram Line 2, which runs along Rue Pastorelli, and is appreciated for its proximity to the beaches, the port, and the SNCF train station. Real estate prices are high, especially in the lower part of the district, but tend to be more affordable in the northern part of Carabacel.