Place Massena

Bearing the name of a military commander during the French Revolution, the enchanting Place Masséna is the lively center of Nice and attracts tourists and residents alike. Day and night, this square will delight you with its brightly colored clusters. It is an unusual place where you can see dark red classical buildings, arcades, black and white paving stones, a large fountain and tramway tracks.

Andrea Massena

Andrea Massena, duke of Rivoli, prince of Essling was born in Nice on May 6, 1758 and died in Paris on April 4, 1817. He was a French general and marquis of the Empire. Of modest social origin, Masséna has shown great military qualities during the Revolutionary Wars and has become one of the best public generals. After having been Napoleon Bonaparte's main general during the first Italian campaign, he won the Second Battle of Zurich, which was of great importance for the fate of the French in 1799. Endowed with high strategic and tactical abilities, able to exercise command with energy and prudence, Masséna had a solid and enthusiastic character.