After Vichy, the Italian army arrived in Nice. It was November 11, 1942, and the Niçois were preparing for a celebration of Armistice day at Place Massena. The Italians around noon began to rain down from the air pamphlets and by the end of the day, the first Italian troops had arrived. Trucks sometimes painted with the Arms of Savoy, …
Pharmacie Mercier in Jewish history of Nice
This is the pharmacie Mercier on ave. Jean Médecin and rue Pastorelli. You probably have walked by it many times without ever thinking about its place in history. This pharmacy belonged to the grandfather of Michèle Mercier, the famous actress. René Mercier was the inventor of Mercier ointment and other renowned cosmetics made in Nice.When the Gestapo arrived suddenly in …
Gestapo in Nice
This is a photo of the buildings of 38 and 40 rue Victor Hugo in Nice. On 9 February, 1944, the Gestapo showed up at the apartment of Ludwig Baum and his 34-year-old daughter Greta. Ludwig indicated to Greta that she should try to escape, so she ran up the spiral staircase in their 5th floor apartment to the roof …
Partnership with Knight Frank
Via Nissa is the historic research partner of Knight Frank on the Côte d’Azur. Their latest publication has just been released. Our work is featured on pages 8-9.
History of the Properties
Via Nissa adds the history to the properties which allow realtors to market their products to journalists, creating a buzz, publicity and higher property values. In this case, we worked with the exclusive property agent Knight Frank Riviera, a wonderful group to work with and who understands the importance that the true history can bring to the value of a …
Winetasting and lunch in Bellet
When one thinks of visiting Bellet, the wine region in Nice, one might be thinking of wine tastings – but even the enjoyment of the scenary and the taste of wine doesn’t really count as a Via Nissa Experience. In order to make your visit to Bellet unforgettable, we believe it must be far more than just tasting wine (which …
The Knights of Rhodes
Have you ever noticed this plaque, 7 rue Mascoïnat? Do you know the history that links the Knights of the Order of the Hospitallers and Old Nice? The tragic expulsion of the Jews from Rhodes? Robert Levitt goes back in time… to the 16th century. In the year 1522, a bloody siege took place of the Island of Rhodes. The …
The Visit of the Cathedrals of Nice
Via Nissa recently visited the Cathedrals of Nice. This special visit was conducted in coordination with the Diocese of Nice and our group was given special access into churches presently closed to the public as well as areas of the churches and cathedrals which are not open to the public. Photo Credit: Robert Flores, Mary Lynn Dwyer
Our first post lockdown visit
Today Via Nissa was back on the streets of Vieux Nice (the Old City) for the first visit experience in the city post-lockdown. The experience was unique in several ways. First, we had to follow the social distancing protocols, keeping a certain distance apart, wearing masks, keeping the number of participants under 10, requiring each participant to prove that they …
We want to take the tourism industry to another level.
At Via Nissa, Robert Levitt wants to take tourism to another level. The former global hedge fund manager who used to travel the world looking for insight on how the world was adjusting to globalization and investing in it, has planted his roots in the South of France. Levitt was never a surface traveler, seeking the pleasures of only luxury hotels …