Christmas in Nice: the giant nativity scene is set up in Place Rossetti

The traditional XXL Christmas nativity scene makes its appearance at Rossetti Square, in the heart of Vieux-Nice, this Friday, December 15th.

It has become a tradition, every year, the city of Nice is committed to installing a giant nativity scene in the old town. This event is an integral part of the Christmas festivities organized by the municipality, along with its Christmas village and its illuminations.

With its 17 automated figures, this staging recreates at human scale the Nativity scene that corresponds to the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian religion. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the donkey, the ox, the sheep, the shepherd and his dog, the camels, and the wise men come to life through life-sized automatons.

“Lou Presèpi” will be inaugurated this Friday at 5 PM, with music. Fifes and drums from the valleys will be present for the launch of the festivities. The afternoon will continue with an organ concert scheduled at 5:30 PM at Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, on the theme of Christmas.

“A tradition that belongs to the heritage of people from Nice”

“This tradition, like so many others, is immemorial and belongs to the heritage of people from Nice but more broadly to the French heritage. It dates back to the 13th century and is said to have originated with Saint Francis of Assisi, who would have been the first to stage a live nativity scene,” shares the city of Nice in a statement.

During a City Council session, last November 7th, Christian Estrosi, during a heated debate with the opposition on the respect of secularism in Nice, reaffirmed his commitment to this tradition. “Do not ask me one day, on December 1st, when the button is pressed to launch the festivities, to say end-of-year celebration illuminations, for me they will remain Christmas illuminations. And the nativity scene on Rossetti Square, it will remain in this place every year,” he insisted.

The people of Nice and visitors will be able to observe this human-sized nativity scene from December 15th to 26th, from 10 AM to 11 PM, at Rossetti Square.