Archaeological Discovery In Nice

As a result of archaeological excavations along the route of the tramway, Nice has rediscovered part of its past as a citadel with walls comparable to those of Carcassonne!

Although it was known that they existed, what was not known was the extent of the remains that have stood up to the test of time and to the destruction carried out by Louis XIV’s soldiers. 800 years of history have gradually been revealed, just 6 metres below Place Garibaldi, before the eyes of archaeologists astounded by the state of conservation of these ancient stones. A major archaeological site has been uncovered: a crypt covering 2,000 m2 (the area covered by the Louvre). The discovery is one of the most important archaeological finds in the last 30 years in France!

 Visitors can now descend to the heart of Nice’s past, admire the walls and stroll beneath Rue Jean-Jaurès and Place Garibaldi among medieval bastions and towers.
 A museographic trail has been laid to make it easier for visitors to walk through this extraordinary, historic 2,000 m2 maze along a gangway built over the floor.

There is no doubt that the crypt will become one of the leading cultural and tourist attractions on the French Riviera. The archaeological crypt “Lu Bastioun” has just been listed as a historic monument.