Nice, France

Travel photography from the Capital of the French Riviera

NICE, FRANCE — Strategic since the Greeks founded the ancient city, its name sparked, brilliant as the prehistoric flames of Terra Amata by warfare and conquest. "Nikaia," in honor of Nike, the goddess of victory, likely commemorates a triumph in battle.

Greek, a part of the Roman Empire, Italian, Sardinian and France shaped the small Mediterranean port into an enchanting city with a rich history and vibrant culture.

Café Scene in Old Town Nice — A sunlit cobblestone street in Nice, France, where people walk past a small café with outdoor seating. A cyclist and a pedestrian engage in conversation.

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Tourists Overlooking Nice — A group of people gathered under a tree, gazing at the scenic view of Nice, France, from an overlook. Shadows and silhouettes contrast against the bright coastal landscape as a model prepares for a photo session.

Aerial View of Nice, France – A panoramic view of Nice’s coastline, with the Mediterranean Sea curving along the city’s terracotta rooftops and the Promenade des Anglais stretching along the shore.

A European street scene with pedestrians walking through a dimly lit alleyway, framed by old buildings and shopfronts.

Solitary Swimmer in the Mediterranean – A peaceful beach scene in Nice, where a lone swimmer stands waist-deep in the clear blue water, framed by the pebbled shore.

Beachfront Seating in Nice – A row of people sitting on brightly painted chairs along Promenade des Anglais and the pebble beach in Nice, facing the calm, pastel-colored Mediterranean Sea.

Empty Café Tables in Morning Light – Rows of pink café chairs and tables sit empty outside a restaurant in Nice, bathed in the warm morning sun, awaiting the first customers of the day.

Vintage Toy Shop in Nice – A charming storefront with the sign “L’air des jouets,” featuring a colorful window display of toys. A small white dog stands on the sidewalk outside the shop.

Church Tower at Sunrise in Nice – A narrow European street in early morning light, leading toward a church tower bathed in golden sunlight, contrasting with the darkened buildings on either side.

Striped Beach Umbrellas on the Riviera – A picturesque view of Nice’s pebble beach, dotted with neatly arranged blue-and-white striped umbrellas, with sunbathers enjoying the summer weather.

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1. Terra Amata is an archaeological site near Nice, France, dating back to around 400,000 years ago during the Lower Paleolithic period. It was discovered in the 1960s and is significant because it provides evidence of early hominin habitation, possibly by Homo heidelbergensis or an early form of Homo sapiens.

Key Findings at Terra Amata:

• One of the earliest known human shelters: The site contains traces of huts or dwellings built with wooden posts and covered with vegetation or animal hides. This suggests early humans had a sense of home-building and organization.

• Fire usage: Ash and burnt bones found at the site indicate controlled use of fire, making it one of the earliest known instances of this skill.

• Hunting and tool-making: Stone tools, including hand axes and scrapers, were discovered, along with animal bones, suggesting early humans hunted or scavenged large animals such as elephants, deer, and wild boars.

• Seasonal occupation: The remains suggest that Terra Amata was likely a seasonal camp where groups returned annually, possibly to hunt or gather resources.

Why It’s Important:

Terra Amata provides insight into early human survival strategies, their ability to adapt to changing climates, and their developing skills in shelter-building and tool-making. It challenges earlier ideas that early humans were purely nomadic and suggests they had a more structured approach to habitation.