Nice - Estienne d’Orves / Parc Imperial / Pessicart

The Origins of the Estienne d'Orves District

Located north of the Voie Pierre Mathis, the Estienne d'Orves sector encompasses the neighborhoods of Le Piol, La Conque, and Saint-Philippe. The area revolves around the Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves Park, the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, and the Lycée du Parc Impérial. A hilly area to the west of the old town, it is home to a very old chapel built in 1612 by a wealthy Niçois, the Chapel of Saint-Philippe-Néri. The Estienne d'Orves area is also famous for having hosted notable figures during the 19th century, including the Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, widow of Nicholas I. The urban landscape of the neighborhoods is primarily composed of old Niçois houses, with a few apartment buildings constructed in the 1960s. Many Rometti buildings are also present, still highly prized since their construction in the 1970s and 80s. More recent residences, such as Nicea Vista and Blue Line, have also transformed the face of Estienne d'Orves.

The Highlights of the Saint-Philippe and Le Piol Districts

The Estienne d'Orves Saint-Philippe district is known for its large natural park, Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves, which covers 15 hectares. The park largely encompasses the former agricultural lands of the Saint-Philippe hill and is notable for its century-old trees, including olive trees, eucalyptus, and oaks, as well as its panoramic views of the entire city and the bay. On the heights of the park stands a thousand-year-old olive tree. To the east, the Le Piol district is home to the prestigious Nice Lawn Tennis Club and the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral. This Byzantine-style building was constructed between 1903 and 1912, near the Tsarevich Chapel built in the 19th century by Alexander II in honor of his son, who died during a stay in Nice. A large part of the district is also occupied by the grand Lycée du Parc Impérial, a former luxury hotel converted into a school between 1925 and 1930.

Living Around the Parc Estienne d'Orves

The eastern part of the sector, around the cathedral and the Lycée du Parc Impérial, is primarily residential, consisting of Niçois houses, bourgeois buildings, and upscale residences from the 1960s to 1980s. In this area, particularly in the Le Piol district, there is a private school, a municipal swimming pool, and the Belvédère Clinic. In the Saint-Philippe district, the housing is less dense, with more individual houses on the slopes of the valley, especially as you head towards La Conque. While there are fewer shops, they are of high quality. The area is well-served by the city's bus network. Shops, bars, and restaurants are concentrated around the major thoroughfares: Avenue Estienne d'Orves, Boulevard du Tsarévitch, Rue Robert-Schuman on the southern edge of the district, and Boulevard Gambetta on the eastern edge. The area is highly sought after for the quality of its architecture, the green oasis provided by the Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves Park, and its proximity to the historic heart of Nice.