Thing to do
Cours Saleya Flower Market
The long market square of Vieux Nice, where flower, fruit and vegetable stalls trade from Tuesday to Sunday and an antiques market takes over on Mondays.
Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur
Nice's 1885 opera house at the edge of the old town, home to the city's philharmonic orchestra, ballet and chorus, with an Italian-style auditorium of over 1,000 seats.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house and performances
- Area
- Vieux Nice, Nice, France
- Official site
- opera-nice.org
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Bar
- Family shows
- Parking offer
Why we recommend it
An evening at the Opéra Nice Côte d'Azur is one of the most elegant things to do in the city. The opera house stands at the entrance to Vieux Nice, with its entrance on Rue Saint-François de Paule and its south facade facing the sea along the Quai des Etats-Unis, and it has staged performances since 1885.
It replaced the earlier Théâtre Royal, which opened in 1827 and was destroyed by fire during a performance of Lucia di Lammermoor. The city decided to rebuild in 1882, and the plans by the architect François Aune were approved by Charles Garnier, the designer of the Paris Opera. The new house opened with Verdi's Aida. Inside is an Italian-style, horseshoe-shaped auditorium with three tiers of boxes and around 1,080 seats, under a ceiling fresco by Emmanuel Costa showing Phaethon driving the chariot of the sun. The building has been a listed historic monument since 1992.
The opera is home to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice, the ballet company and the chorus, and its season mixes opera, symphonic concerts and dance with international guest artists. It holds the Famille Plus label, with shows for young audiences, concerts for babies from six months, on-stage snack sessions and arts-themed childcare during some performances, so parents can enjoy a show while children take part in an activity.
Book tickets on the official website, especially for popular opera productions. The bar opens an hour before performances and during intervals. The building is accessible for wheelchair users and buggies, and visitors with reduced mobility are asked to contact the box office in advance so that places can be arranged. There is no strict dress code, but many people dress up for evening performances.
Theatregoers can use a car park on Rue Alexandre Mari at a reduced rate by showing their ticket on arrival. Otherwise, the opera is a few minutes on foot from Place Masséna and the Cours Saleya, and there are plenty of restaurants in the old town for dinner before or after the show. If you cannot attend a performance, the building is still worth seeing from outside: walk along the Quai des Etats-Unis to see the sea-facing facade, then round to the entrance on Rue Saint-François de Paule.
Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur FAQs
When was the Opéra de Nice built?
The current building opened in 1885, replacing an earlier theatre destroyed by fire.
Who designed it?
The architect François Aune, whose plans were approved by Charles Garnier.
How many seats are there?
The auditorium has more than 1,000 seats, around 1,080 in total.
What kind of performances are staged?
Opera, symphonic concerts and ballet, by the house orchestra, ballet and chorus and visiting artists.
Are there shows for children?
Yes, including concerts for babies from six months and shows for young audiences.
Is it accessible?
Yes, it is accessible for wheelchair users and buggies; contact the opera in advance to arrange places.
Is there parking?
Ticket holders can use a car park on Rue Alexandre Mari at a reduced rate.
Is there a bar?
Yes, it opens an hour before the performance and during intervals.