Nice - Madeleine / Bornala

The Origins of the Madeleine Neighborhood

The Madeleine neighborhood, a border area between downtown Nice and the western sectors of the city, is organized around the long boulevard of the same name. Once an industrial suburb housing furniture factories, laundries, and basket workshops, the Madeleine neighborhood was cosmopolitan from early on. Italian immigrants from the neighboring Piedmont region settled here, as well as an Armenian community responsible for the still-present Armenian quarter in the northern part of the neighborhood. Long before its urbanization, the Madeleine area was predominantly agricultural, benefiting from natural irrigation provided by the Magnan stream. The neighborhood developed along the valley carved by this watercourse, between the hills of Saint-Pierre-de-Féric and the Fabron district. To the west, it is bordered by the long Canta Galet road leading up to the A8, and to the east by the Sabatiers valley, which separates it from the Corniche des Oliviers. Discover all available properties in the neighborhood through our agency specializing in real estate in Nice Madeleine.

Key Highlights of the Madeleine Neighborhood

The Madeleine neighborhood stretches from Pont Magnan near the coast to Madeleine supérieure, where the stream can still be seen open-air. Between the two, along Boulevard de la Madeleine, the stream is covered by buildings. Lower Madeleine begins above Baumettes, across from the Mathis road. The area extends west to the L’Archet neighborhood and its hospital, and northwest to the Ventabrun neighborhood, parallel to Boulevard de la Madeleine. This area includes some of Nice's must-see sites, such as the Faculty of Letters, Arts, and Humanities of the University Nice Sophia Antipolis, the Armenian Apostolic Church of Saint Mary, and the large L’Archet hospital. The lower part of the neighborhood is particularly close to the Museum of Fine Arts located in the neighboring Baumettes district, and the Promenade des Anglais that lines the waterfront. It is also bordered to the east by the beautiful Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves Park. In the heart of the neighborhood, the 16th-century Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is very close to the charming Jean Gabin Garden.

Living in the Madeleine Neighborhood

Most of the neighborhood’s shops are located on Boulevard de la Madeleine, as well as collective buildings. Villas are built on the slopes of the valleys. Real estate prices remain affordable in the neighborhood, especially in the lower Madeleine sector and along the boulevard. With an average price per square meter 25% lower than the Nice average, the area attracts young first-time buyers and rental investors. The housing is very diverse, attracting a wide range of residents. Buildings with Italian-inspired architecture coexist with recent constructions featuring balconies. The higher up in the sector you go, the lower the buildings, with a predominance of individual homes. The area is well-served by educational institutions, from preschool to university, with both public and private structures at every level. In the heart of the valleys, Boulevard de la Madeleine offers a vibrant neighborhood life with many shops: restaurants, garages, food stores, banks, cafes, and convenience stores.