Port Lympia - A charming port on the French Riviera
Port Lympia (the Old Port of Nice) is a good example of a French Riviera fishing community that makes you want to stay longer than planned. These places offer the pleasant smell of fresh French food calling you by names you didn’t even know you had. They also have views of the Mediterranean Sea you wish you could take back home.
Just north of Promenade des Anglais, Port Lympia is relatively small compared to other French Riviera ports like Port Hercules in Monaco and Antibes’ Port Vauban. Still, the charm is as good as any other.
You won’t see a collection of mega yachts here, but that’s a plus. The area is more suitable for relaxing away from the crowds of tourists in other parts of the Nice. Its small fishing village look is obvious with the collection of fishing boats on the east side of the port. Also notable are the colorful mango yellow, pink, and light red buildings around the port.
Sandwiched between Parc De La Colline Du Chateau (Castle Hill Park) and the neighborhoods west of Mont Boron, the beautiful port has caught the attention of film makers. It was featured in movies such as Killers (2010), starring Katherine Heigl, and The Transporter Refueled (2015).
Port Lympia has been a part of Nice since the mid-18th century. The then Duke of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel III, started the project in 1750, and the port was opened in 1752. After France annexed Nice, the port was improved to what’s visible today. Now, Ferries destined for Corsica and Sardinia start their journey from Port Lympia, and you’ll often see cruise ships docked at the port.
If a ferry ride is part of your plan, you’ll be happy to note that the port has a 4-level underground parking facility. It has a capacity of 382 parking spaces for tourists (including ten spaces reserved for people with disabilities and 40 spaces for electric cars).
You won’t hear much about Jardin Place Guynemer, a small park on Rue de Foresta overlooking the port. It has a statue of Charles-Felix de Savoie (the last male-line member of the House of Savoy). It’s a wonderful, quiet spot where you can spend a few hours just enjoying the quietness of the port. The park is so tiny you could easily miss it while walking by, so you must look out for it.
Landmarks and Attractions
Beyond the views of the Bay of Angels, other interesting attractions around the port include Les Puces de Nice. It is a small antique market where you can browse through paintings, small furniture, and custom jewelry. You might find something interesting to take home as a souvenir.
Other places worth looking out for include the 19th-century church with massive Corinthian columns at the entrance, Église Notre-Dame du Port de Nice on Place Ile-de-Beauté. Just north of the port, it is flanked by two colorful neo-classical buildings, each of which houses local businesses.
Place Ile-de-Beauté is also a great place to relax as you watch the trams go by. A bit further north from here is Rue Bonaparte, where Napoleon resided in the late 18th century.
South of the port, you have a breakwater with the Phare de Nice lighthouse at the end of it. Forgive me, but I couldn’t stop staring at the bay and the lighthouse. It’s hard to describe how an old lighthouse can be so beautiful, but perhaps I’ve been drinking too much Mediterranean Kool-Aid.
Across the street from the port on the west side is the gigantic 32-meter war memorial Monument aux Morts de Rauba-Capeù, built to remember the citizens of Nice who lost their lives during World War I. It was strange that no one was at the memorial during our visit, but that may be because it was early spring.
Around the corner west of the monument, you’ll find the east end of Promenade des Anglais. However, before you leave the port area, visit Parc De La Colline Du Chateau at the top of the hill.
You don’t have to walk up the steep hill. There’s an elevator to take you to the top for some of the most incredible views in Nice. The best spot for this is Point de vue Colline du Chateau, just west of the lawn in the park.
