A palace born in 1913
Le Negresco opened in 1913 on the Promenade des Anglais. Its founder, Henri Negresco, was a Romanian-born maître d'hôtel who had worked his way up through the grand hotels of the Riviera. He hired the architect Édouard-Jean Niermans, already known for several Belle Époque buildings, to design the façade.
His goal was to offer Nice's wealthy winter visitors a level of comfort that was still rare, with private bathrooms in the rooms. The First World War broke out a year later and the hotel was turned into a hospital, a blow its founder never recovered from.
The Jeanne Augier years
In 1957 the hotel was bought by Jeanne Augier's family. Jeanne Augier ran it for more than sixty years, until her death in 2019. She gave it its present character: a house filled with artworks and furniture chosen one by one, where every room has its own décor.
She left her fortune to an endowment fund that now owns the hotel. Le Negresco therefore remains one of the few independent palace hotels in France, with no hotel chain behind it.
What to look at
- The pink dome, visible from far along the Promenade. The best photo angle is from the seafront pavement.
- The Salon Royal, a large oval room under a glass roof, lit by a Baccarat crystal chandelier.
- The art collection, spread through corridors and lounges, covering several centuries, from the age of Louis XIV to contemporary art.
- The listed façade, protected as a historic monument since 2003.
How to see it without staying
The easiest way is to book a table. Le Negresco has two restaurants, including Le Chantecler, which holds one Michelin star. A drink in one of the two historic bars is a more affordable way to see the interior.
Our tip: come in the late afternoon, when low sunlight hits the façade, then walk on to Old Nice (about 25 minutes on foot).
Where to stay near Le Negresco
If you want the same view without necessarily the same budget, the Promenade has several historic hotels within a few minutes' walk.
Le Negresco
The palace itself. Every room is decorated differently; ask for a sea view, it is the whole point.
Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée
Behind a 1929 Art Deco façade, a few minutes' walk from Le Negresco. More contemporary inside.
Hôtel West End
A historic address on the Promenade, a step below Le Negresco in price, with the same view of the bay.
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Le Negresco in context
Le Negresco is part of a bigger story: in 2021 UNESCO added Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera to its World Heritage List. The palace hotels of the Promenade des Anglais are among its best witnesses.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Le Negresco without staying there?
There is no regular public guided tour. The simplest way to see the inside is to book a table in one of its restaurants or have a drink in one of its historic bars. Smart dress is expected.
Why is Le Negresco's dome pink?
The pink and verdigris dome has been the hotel's visual signature since it opened in 1913. It has made it one of the most photographed landmarks on the Promenade des Anglais.
Who owns Le Negresco today?
After the death of Jeanne Augier, who ran the hotel for more than sixty years, Le Negresco belongs to the Mesnage-Augier-Negresco endowment fund, to which she left her fortune. It is one of the few independent palace hotels in France.
How much does a night at Le Negresco cost?
Prices vary widely with the season, room type and view. The most reliable way is to compare your dates on a booking site, since summer and big events (the Nice Carnival, the Monaco Grand Prix) push prices up.
