Visit the Nice Opera (Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur) and it’s hard not to feel like you are traveling back in time. First built in 1826, then rebuilt in 1881 after a fire, its every element is suffused with an appreciation for beauty and art. The Italianate exterior is a contrast to other Parisian models that were in vogue at the time. See the gilded boxes inside. Purchase tickets for an opera, ballet or symphony performance and be whisked back to an earlier time, when you might expect a moustachioed gentleman with a pocket watch just around the corner.
Especially in the evening, linger outside to appreciate the way the architectural details of the building come alive at dusk. Sit at the beach across the street to watch people strolling toward the building in anticipation of an evening of wonder. Inside, marvel at the spectacular decoration of the lobby, with intriguing swirls and curlicues.
Head into the concert hall itself, whose boxes and stalls are decorated with just as much care in striking red and gold designs. Relax into the plush seats and let the opera, ballet or classical music take hold. At intermission, wander back out to the lobby for a flute of champagne and a nibble of a madeleine, looking out the windows onto the sea in the distance. Reenter for the second act. Afterward head back onto the narrow streets of Nice’s Old Town, replaying the wonderful music in your mind.
The Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur is located in the heart of the Old Town, across the street from the Mediterranean Sea. Walk from the main ferry drop-off in about 25 minutes. Walk from the train station in 20 minutes or drive in 14 minutes. Limited parking is available in metered structures nearby, but these can get full on show nights.
Show schedules and tickets are available online. The building is generally not open to visitors outside of show times, but tours are sometimes offered on Mondays. Check online for availability. Evening dress is suggested.
