Top 10 Interesting Facts about Cimiez Monastery, Nice

Lovely residential buildings in Nice, France. Photo by Victor He -Unsplash

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Cimiez Monastery, Nice

This Franciscan monastery (sometimes incorrectly translated as Cimiez Convent) is home to a small community of Franciscan friars and is located in the quiet district of Cimiez. Cimiez Monastery can be visited as part of a half-day guided tour or as part of a full-day hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour that includes stops at some of Nice’s most popular attractions, including the Promenade des Anglais, Mont Boron, the Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse), and the Chagall Museum (Musée National Marc Chagall).

The Monastery of Our Lady belongs to a four-sided pair of buildings. Small windows are distributed on each floor. Some good plants can be seen in the monastery. It is also a relatively conservative building and it is difficult to get involved inside.

1.Brief preview of the beautiful structure and the importance it has…

The monks of the Abbey of St. Pontius built this edifice in the 9th century, and it will delight any architecture enthusiast visiting Nice. It has been transformed many times over the centuries, beginning as a residence for the Franciscans – whose story is told in the monastery’s museum – before being converted into a hospital during the Revolution.

It was then converted back to its original purpose as a parish church run by the monastic community. Its Neo-Gothic façade, which was reworked in the nineteenth century, can now be admired.

The architectural ensemble consists of a cloister with a sculpted balcony on top and sumptuous stained glass windows, forming a magnificent frontage.

You will notice the finely carved stone details all around you, clad in ochre and pale yellow, reflecting all the cheerfulness of the Provençal heritage. Inside, there are some striking works, including three major works by painter Ludovico Brea: the Pietà, Crucifixion, and Descent from the Cross.

You will also notice the magnificent Baroque altarpiece in carved wood by the same artist. The unusual, multicoloured alchemy-themed frescoes with vegetal decorations depicting mythical animals can also be seen.

Don’t forget to stop by the monastery’s brightly coloured gardens before you leave. They are among the oldest gardens in Nice, having been established in 1546, and have a remarkable variety of flowers: there are about a hundred plants and a rose garden with about thirty different species. A lovely scenic stroll!

2.Here is how one get to the lovely attraction as a first time traveller

The Cimiez Monastery is located at Place du Monastère in Nice’s northern Cimiez district. Catch bus No. 15, 17, 20, 22, or 25 from the central bus station just outside the old town and travel up the hill to the Arènes stop just in front of the monastery.

3.This a lovely place to gain tranquillity and peace of mind…

Hotel by Nice, France streets. Photo by Bradley Prentice -Unsplash

Lately visitors suggested stopping by the Garden of the Cimiez Monastery to refuel, calling the serene park a great way to get away from Nice’s thriving beaches and squares.

The Garden of the Cimiez Monastery is open all year and is free to visit. The monastery is located in northern Nice and is best reached by bus No. 15. It is adjacent to the Musée Matisse, so it is easily incorporated into most daytrips to the area.

4.Here are a few things you should be aware of before heading to the amazing Cimiez Monastery, Nice

• Cimiez Monastery is appropriate for solo travelers, couples, and families.
• The Franciscan monastery is free to enter.
• If you take the hop-on, hop-off bus, audio commentary and headsets are provided.
• Wheelchair users can access both the monastery and the bus.

5.The best seasons of the year to take a visit to the gorgeous Cimiez Monastery are…

The old streets of France during the day. Photo by Reuben Mcfeeters -Unsplash

The museum is open year-round in the mornings and late afternoons, with a midday break. The church is open every day. Nice, with its mild Mediterranean climate, is a year-round destination. Come in the spring and autumn to avoid crowds, expensive hotel rooms, and the summer heat.

6.The Monastery’s treasures and why it is a well known tourist site

Among the more than 300 documents and artworks dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries are several works of great value, including Pietà, Crucifixion, and Deposition by Italian medieval artist Ludovico Bréa.

Look for the tombstones of celebrated French painters Henri Matisse (festooned with flowers and letters from aspiring artists) and Raoul Dufy, as well as Roger Martin du Gard, winner of the 1937 Nobel Prize in Literature, in the monastery’s cemetery.

7.Some of the paintings are quite old….

Three major paintings by the primitive Niçois painter Louis Bréa can be found in this 15th century church: a Pietà, the Crucifixion, and the Deposition. The imposing carved wood baroque altarpiece is also worth seeing. The museum depicts Franciscan life in Nice beginning in the 13th century and contains fascinating frescoes and works of art.

The Monastery’s garden, with its rose garden and Mediterranean plants, is lovely, with a view that encompasses a large portion of the city all the way to the sea. In the nearby cemetery, Henri Matisse, Roger Martin du Gard, and Raoul Dufy are buried.

The Monastery is without a doubt Cimiez’s most iconic structure.

8.Here are some of the nearest attractions to the amazing Cimiez Monastery (Monastere de Cimiez)

Lovely residential buildings in Nice, France. Photo by Victor He -Unsplash

Attractions near Cimiez Monastery (Monastere de Cimiez):

• Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse)
• Marc Chagall National Museum (Musée National Marc Chagall)
• Cote d’Azur Observatory (Observatoire de la Cote d’Azur)

9.Below are other incredible attractions you should visit in Nice

As well as visiting the Cimiez Monastery (Monastere de Cimiez), check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit:

• French Riviera Day Trips from Nice
• How to Spend 1 Day in Nice
• St-Tropez Day Trips from Nice

10.The ambience of the lovely tourist attraction always attracts more tourists…

The gardens of Notre Dame Abbey are delightful, with views of Nice or a seat to enjoy the tranquillity, a large number of olive trees grown, annual jazz festivals, a visit to the Roman ruins foundation, and a hot chocolate or coffee in an open air cafe.