LASCARIS PALACE

In the Old Nice, the name of the palaces was given to the special hotels in which the Nice bourgeoisie and bourgeoisie resided. Residence of the counts Lascaris-Ventimiglia (Guillaume-Pierre de Ventimiglia married in 1261 Eudoxie, daughter of Theodore II Lascaris, Earl of Nice), this palace was built at the end of the th century by Jean-Paul Lascaris, grand master of the order of the Knights of Malta and his nephew Jean-Baptiste. Lascaris Palace remains the property of this family until the Revolution. Then sold as a national property, it passes into the hands of several successive owners who allow it to deteriorate. After the First World War, the palace left behind is divided into apartments. Acquired by the city of Nice in 1942, it is classified as a historic monument. It is completely restored from 1962. This palace, in Genoese style, develops around two inner courtyards. The monumental staircase gives access to the noble floor.

The vault of the entrance hall displays the arms of the Lascaris (a two-legged eagle with a cross of Malta reminiscent of the membership of several members of that family in this order). The original paintings date back to the th century, and baroque elements were added to the th century. The apparat are decorated with frescos with frescos. A mural is decorated with caryatids and atlanteans with all beauty. The ceilings are decorated with frescoes with mythological subjects, including a superb Fall of Phaéton. th and th century furniture, Flemish tapestries.

On the ground floor is a pharmacie-style pharmacy. Here you can admire a complete collection of vases, flasks and prawns. On the third floor, regional art collections and popular traditions: pottery, breeding, weaving… The Lascaris Palace will soon become the Music Museum of Nice. A collection of ancient instruments will take place on the floors of the museum.