Place of the Nice Courthouse 4 / 5
Courthouse
The Place du Palais de Justice, at the entrance to Old Nice, sets two emblematic buildings face to face: the neoclassical courthouse of 1892 and the Palais Rusca, a former military barracks turned courthouse annex. It also hosts three Saturday markets.
The Place du Palais de Justice stands at the entrance to Old Nice, a few steps from the Cours Saleya. A pedestrian square with a triangular layout, it links the historic heart, the port and the seafront: you almost inevitably pass through it, and you will happily stay for a terrace break, in an atmosphere that is neither overcrowded nor off the beaten track.
The Palais de Justice in Nice
The courthouse is an imposing neoclassical building inaugurated on 17 October 1892, the work of departmental architect Auguste-Vincent Dieudé-Defly. It was built on the site of the former Dominican convent, founded here as early as 1243 then demolished to free the space.
The building was fully renovated and modernised between 1996 and 1999. Today it houses the Nice judicial court, the bar association and several court services. As it is an active court building, it cannot be visited: admire it from the square, especially its monumental facade dominating the whole west side.
The Palais Rusca, the former barracks
Facing the courthouse, the Palais Rusca is a former military barracks built between 1775 and 1776 by engineer Filippo Nicolis di Robilant, one of the designers of the Lympia port. The square then served as a parade ground and the building housed the garrison until the early 1990s.
It has been listed as a historic monument since 1976 and has housed the district court and several court services since 1993. Its facade, leaning against the Clock Tower, is a fine example of Savoyard military architecture: admire it from the centre of the square, with the tower as a backdrop.
A pretty fountain links the two buildings and gives the square its peaceful, mineral feel.
The Saturday markets
The square hosts three markets scheduled on Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
- 1st and 3rd Saturdays: the Nice Painters and Artists market, with original works by local artists.
- 2nd Saturday: the old books market, a meeting point for second-hand booksellers and the curious.
- 4th Saturday: the vintage postcards market, for collectors.
The Painters market is worth a visit even if you are not an art lover: it is a lovely chance to stroll and meet the artists, in a setting far less crowded than the Cours Saleya.
In the neighbourhood
The square is the ideal starting point for a walk through Old Nice: Place Rossetti and its cathedral are two minutes away, the Palais Lascaris three minutes and the pleasure port a five-minute walk.
After sightseeing, a terrace break on the square is perfect to recharge before heading to the Promenade des Anglais or Castle Hill.
FAQ
Can you visit the Palais de Justice in Nice?
No, it is an active court building and cannot be visited. It can be admired from the square, where its monumental neoclassical facade is fully visible.
What is the Palais Rusca?
It is a former military barracks built in 1775-1776, listed as a historic monument since 1976 and turned into the Nice court annex. It cannot be visited either.
When does the Painters market take place on the square?
On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 2nd Saturday is for old books, the 4th for vintage postcards.
Are there restaurants on the Place du Palais de Justice?
Yes, several brasseries with terraces are set up there. It is a good place to rest: less crowded than the Cours Saleya, a few steps from Old Nice.
Where is the Place du Palais de Justice located?
At the southern entrance to Old Nice, between the Cours Saleya and the port, two minutes from Place Rossetti and the Sainte-Réparate cathedral.
What is the history of the Palais de Justice in Nice?
Inaugurated in 1892, it was built by architect Dieudé-Defly on the site of the former Dominican convent (1243), and fully renovated between 1996 and 1999.
