More than ever eager to make the general public aware of the richness of its history, the diversity of its heritage which it preserves and protects, Nice participates each year in the National Archaeology Days.
For the 5th edition of this event taking place from June 6 to 8, the theme chosen is the presence and importance of water in Nice, from Prehistory to the Contemporary Era, retracing time with visits to archaeological sites, exhibitions, workshops for young audiences, conferences given by professionals…
Guided Tours
“Water in Cemenelum” will discover the site of the ancient city of Cemenelum and demonstrate the importance of water supply on a hill urbanized during Antiquity.
Meet: Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 3 pm at the Nice Archaeology Museum – Cimiez Site
“The prehistoric man and the sea”: discover the relationship that prehistoric men had with the sea.
Meet: Saturday and Sunday at 11 am at the Nice Archaeology Museum – Terra Amata Site
“The Pairolière Crypt”: the history of the remains of the medieval city’s fortifications and discover the role of the Pont Vieux, the Paillon, and the presence of the modern aqueduct under the current Place Garibaldi.
Meet: Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8
“Along the water in Old Nice”: A walking tour in the heart of Old Nice on the trail of waterworks and rediscovering the modern aqueduct (16th-17th century) that meandered through the old town.
Meet: Friday, June 6 at 10 am and 2 pm, Saturday, June 7 at 10 am and Sunday, June 8 at 10 am
at Place Jacques Toja
●●● EXHIBITION
“Archaeological Research in the Alpes-Maritimes”
Exhibition organized in partnership with the “Cultures and Environments, Prehistory, Antiquity, Middle Ages” center and discover the permanent collections of the Nice Archaeology Museum.
Meet: Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8 from 10 am to 6 pm
Nice Archaeology Museum – Cimiez Site
160, avenue des Arènes de Cimiez – Nice
●●● CONFERENCES – DEBATES
Meet: Saturday, June 7
Nice Archaeology Museum – Terra Amata Site
25, boulevard Carnot – Nice
2:10 pm – Introductory Conference: Water in Archaeological Research in Nice.
By Jean-Marc Giaume, Municipal Councillor, Delegate for Cinema, History, Archaeology, and Memory Transmission.
2:30 pm – The evolution of the shores and the role of water during recent Prehistory and Protohistory.
By Romuald Mercurin, archaeologist (SAVN).
3:00 pm – The function of the Cimiez aqueducts, the ancient baths.
By Alain Grandieux, archaeologist ceramologist (SAVN).
3:30 pm – The Saint-Lambert Pier and the Casino of the pier Promenade: underwater archaeology.
By Stéphane Morabito, underwater archaeologist (SAVN).
4:00 pm – The role of the Paillon in the Middle Ages and the Modern Era.
By Marc Bouiron, director (SAVN).
4:30 pm – Water supply in Nice during the Modern Era (16th – 18th centuries). Economic, domestic, and decorative exploitation.
By Fanny Lelandais, historian archivist (SAVN).
5:00 pm – The hydraulic developments of a Niçoise countryside in the 18th century on Mount Vinaigrier.
By Henri Geist, president of the history and archaeology circle of the Alpes-Maritimes.
●●● YOUNG AUDIENCE MEDIATION
Interactive archaeological workshops for children accompanied by their parents aged 6 to 12 years.
“Once upon a time, ceramics”
How to study clay vessels? How does an archaeologist date his discoveries? Observation of a shard.
Meet: Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 from 2 pm to 6 pm
Nice Archaeology Museum – Cimiez Site
160, avenue des Arènes de Cimiez – Nice
Duration: ongoing animation.
“Once upon a time, prehistory”
Discovery and practice of prehistoric techniques: fire lighting, stone knapping, cave art.
Meet: Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm and Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm
Nice Archaeology Museum – Terra Amata Site
25, boulevard Carnot – Nice
Duration: 30 minutes.
