Are you looking for a place to stay in Nice that is more than just a hotel room? The Negresco is a 5-star hotel in Nice that transforms your stay into a true cultural experience. Located on the Promenade des Anglais since 1913, this iconic establishment welcomes you into a setting where royal portraits, period furniture, and contemporary creations come together.
You don't just come for a night, but to experience a moment where every corridor tells a story, where every suite celebrates a piece of French art.
A story that began in 1913
Henri Negrescu was maître d'hôtel for Europe's wealthiest families. He served the Rockefellers and knew their tastes by heart. One day, he decided to create his own establishment on the Promenade des Anglais.
He called on the architect Édouard-Jean Niermans, who had already designed the Moulin Rouge and the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz. Together, they imagined a white building topped with a pink dome that would become the emblem of Nice.
The inauguration took place on January 4, 1913. Seven crowned heads were present. The guests discovered an elliptical Louis XVI-style lobby, a monumental chandelier, and rooms equipped with private bathrooms—a real revolution for the time.
The hotel was already fully booked when war broke out in 1914. It was requisitioned and converted into a military hospital. Henri Negresco never really recovered from this.
The renaissance under Jeanne Augier
In 1957, Jean-Baptiste Mesnage bought the establishment for his wife, who was in a wheelchair after an operation. At the time, the Negresco was the only hotel in Nice equipped with a suitable elevator.
He entrusted its management to his daughter Jeanne and her husband Paul Augier. Jeanne revolutionized the luxury hotel industry with a radical vision: to transform the hotel into a living museum.
She traveled throughout France for decades, scouring auction houses and antique dealers. She bought castle fireplaces, antique woodwork, and portraits of monarchs. Her goal: to create a “Versailles of the French Riviera.”
In total, she collected nearly 6,000 works of art and objets d'art. Every room and every hallway became a gallery. You walk on Yvaral carpets and come across paintings by Vasarely.
Jeanne Augier's approach was unique. Where other luxury hotels opted for dark, muted decor, she dared to use color and mix eras. Empire furniture sits alongside designer armchairs from the 1970s.
An exceptional artistic heritage
As soon as you walk through the door, you enter the Salon Royal. This large elliptical hall is topped by a spectacular glass roof, classified as a historical monument.
In the center, a 4.60-meter Baccarat chandelier catches the eye. Its 16,800 crystals sparkle in the natural light. This chandelier was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II for the Kremlin. The Russian Revolution prevented it from being delivered.
The Salon Royal also features Niki de Saint Phalle's Nana Jaune. This colorful sculpture adds a pop of color and joy amid the gilding. The artist used it to express her commitment to fighting racism.
On the terrace, another work by Niki de Saint Phalle depicts Louis Armstrong. The brightly colored jazz musician has become one of the hotel's visual landmarks. It serves as a reminder that Louis Armstrong discovered “C'est si bon” here during the first Nice Jazz Festival in 1948.
The Versailles bar houses one of three official portraits of Louis XIV in his coronation costume. Hyacinthe Rigaud painted it in 1701. The other two versions are in the Louvre and Versailles. You can admire the Sun King in his blue coat with fleurs-de-lis, holding his scepter and sword.
The corridors hold other surprises. Here, a portrait of a 17th-century monarch. There, gouaches by Vasarely that bring the walls to life. Further on, the largest private collection of posters by René Gruau.
Rooms and suites that tell the story of France
Each room at the Negresco has its own character. The diversity of the decor is striking: some are draped in silk, others feature contemporary fabrics.
The Signature Suites have evocative names. La Parisienne celebrates the elegance of the capital. La Marie-Antoinette pays homage to the queen with period furniture and precious silks.
La Montserrat Caballé is named after the famous opera singer who loved to stay here. La Pompadour evokes the refinement of the 18th century with its wood paneling and Regency furniture.
The Empire Junior Suite, at number 415, was one of Jeanne Augier's favorites. She decorated it with eagles, griffins, and a swan-neck bed. The swan was the emblem of Empress Josephine.
Some suites boldly blend the old and the new. You can sleep in a four-poster bed beneath a work of street art. That's the Negresco's personality in a nutshell.
Gastronomy that honors the Mediterranean
The Michelin-starred restaurant Le Chantecler embodies haute Mediterranean cuisine. Under the direction of chef Virginie Basselot, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, regional products are expressed with creativity.
The private rooms at Le Chantecler also have their own history. You dine surrounded by 17th-century wood paneling from the Château de Chaintré. The monumental fireplace comes from the Château de Hautefort in the Dordogne.
La Rotonde offers a different, more relaxed atmosphere. This contemporary brasserie celebrates the spirit of the Riviera. It appeals to our desire for sharing and conviviality, facing the Baie des Anges.
From May to September, N La Plage opens its doors on the other side of the Promenade des Anglais. Here you can enjoy sunny cuisine where seafood and treasures from the Nice region are shared with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.
Le 1913 and Le Versailles complete the gastronomic offering. Each space has its own identity, rhythm, and atmosphere. You can choose according to your mood.
The sensory experience of N Le Spa
N Le Spa offers a concept where every detail counts. The experience is conveyed through the sensations evoked by the art that surrounds you.
The treatments and rituals are designed as sensory journeys. The practitioners' movements follow a precise rhythm. Essential oils diffuse fragrances inspired by the French Riviera.
The setting itself is part of the treatment. You move through spaces where light, materials, and artistic creations interact. Well-being arises from this harmony.
Salons steeped in history
The Salon Royal can host your receptions and events. Under its glass roof, classified as a historical monument, time seems to stand still. Portraits of Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, and Napoleon III watch over your celebrations.
The Salon Massena offers a more intimate setting. These spaces have seen royalty and personalities from around the world pass through. Salvador Dali used to stroll here with his cheetah.
Paul McCartney sketched the lyrics to “Fool on the Hill” in a room at the Negresco in 1965.
Michael Jackson had the parquet flooring in his suite redone so he could rehearse his dance routines. Elton John shot part of his music video “I'm Still Standing” there.
A place rooted in Nice culture
The hotel has faced the Mediterranean for over a century. Its white façade and pink dome have become an integral part of the Promenade des Anglais landscape.
In 2003, the facades and roofs were listed as historic monuments. The Salon Royal with its glass roof was given the same classification. This is recognition of the heritage value of the establishment.
The Negresco remains one of the last completely independent 5-star hotels in France. It does not belong to any international group. This independence allows it to retain its soul and its freedom of expression.
Jeanne Augier bequeathed the hotel to the Mesnage-Augier-Negresco endowment fund before her death in 2019.
Its mission is to preserve the establishment and its collection, while supporting the causes that were close to her heart.Why choose Le Negresco for your stay in NiceStaying at Le Negresco means living history rather than looking at it through a window. The rooms have welcomed many artists and personalities. You can enjoy breakfast surrounded by authentic works of art.The hotel is in dialogue with Nice and the Mediterranean. From the façade on the Promenade des Anglais, you can contemplate the Baie des Anges. You are just a few steps away from Old Nice, the flower market, and the beaches.The staff perpetuates the spirit desired by Jeanne Augier. Some employees are recognizable by their feathered hats and royal blue breeches—a whimsy she had introduced.
Each visit reveals new details. A piece of furniture you hadn't noticed before. A painting that catches your eye in a different way. An anecdote shared by a member of staff.The Negresco is neither a reconstruction nor a staged setting. It is a living place where art, culture, and hospitality have come together naturally since 1913.
