Castle of Nice
The Castle of Nice, also known as Castle Hill, was a military fortress built on a hill above the bay of Nice. It stood from the 11th century to the 18th century.
It was besieged several times, especially in 1543 and 1691. French troops captured it in 1705 and destroyed it in 1706 on orders from Louis XIV.
Today, Castle Hill is a park and the most famous public garden in Nice. It’s a must-see for visitors, offering many viewpoints with beautiful views from sunrise to sunset—from the harbor at sunrise to the Promenade des Anglais at sundown. This is why it’s called the cradle of the sun.
Locals often think of the hill as the place linked to Catherine Ségurane or to a pleasant walk, rather than just a heavily fortified fortress.
Castle Hill is a large limestone rock that rises about 93 meters high.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 13:51 (CET).