Lascaris Palace

You are now in what used to be Nice’s main street during the 17th century. It linked the harbor to Garibaldi Square. Its name “Rue Droite” comes from the mistranslation of “Nissart Drecha”, which means “Direct street”, contrary to its current name which means “straight street”. Both “droite” and “direct” come from the same root, hence the mistake. You will encounter a luxuriously decorated facade at n°15 : that is Lascaris Palace, nicknamed “little Versailles” due to its opulence. A true, very well preserved, baroque gem, built by a noble family of Nice, the Lascaris from Ventimiglia. Today labelled as museum of France, there is an entrance fee, but it’s well worth it! You will discover a monumental staircase, framed with arcade galleries adorned with statues, and leading to sumptuous ceremonial apartments. It possessed a collection of over 500 music instruments, all transferred to the Massena Museum in 2011.