Côte d'Azur Observatory, Astronomical research center on Mount Gros, Nice, France.
The Côte d'Azur Observatory comprises 13 buildings spread across Mount Gros, surrounded by 250 olive trees and connected by botanical paths.
Banker Raphaël Bischoffsheim founded the observatory in 1879, commissioning architect Charles Garnier and engineer Gustave Eiffel to design its structures and dome.
The observatory maintains strong connections with international research institutions, contributing to astronomical discoveries and planetary atmosphere studies through advanced technologies.
Visitors can join guided tours in French from Tuesday to Saturday between 9 AM to 12 PM and 1:30 PM to 5 PM, with adult tickets priced at 12 euros.
The facility houses an 18-meter-long telescope with a 76-centimeter diameter lens, which held the record as the largest refracting telescope upon its 1888 installation.
Location: Nice
Website: https://oca.eu/en
GPS coordinates: 43.72333,7.30167
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:44
The French Riviera contains numerous sites beyond the main tourist routes. From medieval hilltop villages to seaside forts, from art museums to natural parks - the region maintains many authentic locations. Walking trails lead through limestone cliffs and coastal paths with Mediterranean Sea views. Historic villas and castles display architecture from different periods, while museums protect the region's cultural heritage.
Nice reveals much more than its beaches and the famous Promenade des Anglais. This collection invites you to discover the treasures that Niçois cherish daily: the Castle Hill Park overlooking ancient ruins, the Matisse and Marc Chagall museums housing exceptional collections, and the Cimiez Monastery surrounded by gardens. These sites narrate the story of a city shaped by diverse influences, from the Orthodox Saint Nicholas Cathedral to the alleys of the Old Town. From the flower market at Cours Saleya, where local accents can be heard, to Fort Mont Alban perched on the heights, each location offers a different experience of Nice. Some places, like the Louis Nucéra Library with its modern architecture, showcase the city's contemporary face. Others, more subtle, allow you to grasp the essence of a Mediterranean city where history and daily life blend effortlessly.
Musée Matisse
2.1 km
Nice Observatory
503 m
Monastère de Cimiez
1.9 km
Arènes de Cimiez
2.2 km
Abbey of St Pons
1.5 km
Thermes de Cimiez
2.1 km
Musée archéologique de Nice-Cimiez
2.1 km
Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Nice
2.1 km
Saint-Roch Church
1.4 km
Ancien groupe épiscopal de Cimiez
2.1 km
Parc du Vinaigrier
721 m
Villa Schmitz
404 m
Vieux mur ligure
2 km
Croix séraphique de Cimiez
1.9 km
Chapelle Saint-Aubert de Nice
582 m
Église Saint-Pierre de l'Ariane
1.7 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Cimiez
1.9 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-France du Col de Villefranche
2 km
Chapelle Bon-Voyage de Nice
1.6 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.2 km
Torre Vecchia
2.1 km
Tronçons de la Turbie et du vallon de Laghet de la Via Julia Augusta
2.2 km
Le Bastionnet
2.1 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.1 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.1 km
Pont René-Coty
1.1 km
Pont Michel
828 m
Chemin du Col de Caire
1.9 kmReviews
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