Tramway & Discoveries
| Tramway & Discoveries |
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The tramway is back! Fifty years after the tramway was removed, it is now back again to improve links with various city districts, and to reduce traffic, congestion and pollution. The fifth largest city in France and the capital of the French Riviera, Nice has always been dogged with too much traffic and too little room for pedestrians. The re-introduction of the tramway, the limitation in car usage, and the extension of pedestrian and cycling lanes, particularly in the town centre and the old town, will go a long way towards restoring Nice's old charm.
Practical information
Treasure troveDuring the excavation work for the new tramway alongside Boulevard Jean Jaurès, two important archaeological sites were earmarked for further exploration north and south of Nice’s Bus terminal: 1) Pont Vieux or Pont Saint-Antoine - Vestiges of this old bridge were found during excavation work over an area of 230m². The aim was to verify and date the existence of the original bridge (possibly timber), mentioned as far back as 1250. It was also to assess whether the brick built arches relate to those rebuilt in 1545, after the siege by the French and the Turks. The excavation around the steps of Rue du Pont Vieux also aims to find a link between the bridge and the original walls surrounding Nice old town.
The excavation around the steps of Rue du Pont Vieux also aims to find a link between the bridge and the original walls surrounding Nice old town. 2) Porte Parolière, near Place Garibaldi, is the most important of the three gates which enter the fortified old town of Nice from Turin (Savoy). Louis Brea’s 1516 painting shows this gate flanked by a round tower and a draw-bridge. During prolonged excavation works, a surface of 1800m² was excavated, to produce a 6m deep chamber, which was then covered by a large slab of reinforced concrete to enable the tramway to run above it. Eventually all archaeological finds will be restored and exhibited.
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