Named for one of Italy’s great national heroes and crowned by his statue, the Place Garibaldi may seem incongruous in the middle of a French city. Until the late 19th century Nice was firmly Italian. It is here that the Counts of Savoy were welcomed on their trips through their lands. Built from 1773, it covered some ancient parts of the city whose vestiges, including a crypt, can still be seen in places. Visit Place Garibaldi for lunch, dinner or a drink and browse in the surrounding shops while suffused with the energy of the city.
Even on the hottest days, keep cool with a walk under the elegant arcades, designed to keep visitors out of the sun. Watch the breeze rustle the fragile leaves of the albizia trees, which arch gracefully over visitors and keep everything cool. Admire the uniform façades lining the sides of the square. See Garibaldi’s head, which peeks over the passing trams and cars, appearing to watch the square’s inhabitants.
Find a seat at one of the cafés and listen to the international conversations happening all around, reinforcing the cosmopolitan nature of this bicultural city. Sip a drink or have a whole meal while watching people stroll by. Stay until the evening to join in the revelry or slip out into the city proper, well rested and ready for more exploration.
Place Garibaldi is one of Nice’s main intersections, easy to access from almost anywhere in the city. Travel here from the train station in 25 minutes on foot, 20 minutes by tram or 10 minutes by car. Reach the port in less than 10 minutes on foot or by car. Parking in the area can be difficult, but there are a few metered structures nearby. A taxi stand is fairly close.
A flea market takes place here every third Saturday of the month. Be sure to visit MAMAC, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, just west of the square.
