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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur
  4. Alpes-Maritimes
  5. 06300 Nice

  6. Castle of the English in Nice

 Castle of the English in Nice dans les Alpes-Maritimes

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château de style éclectique et baroque

Castle of the English in Nice

    176 Boulevard Carnot
    06300 Nice
Private property
Museums of France
All the castles of France Eclectic and Baroque style castle
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Château de lAnglais à Nice
Crédit photo : CHRIS BONTEMPS - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1856-1858
Construction of the castle
1861
Review by Émile Négrin
1875
Sale to the Gurowsky family
1949
Lottery and condominium
20 juin 2000
Historical Monument
2023
Purchase and catering
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Facades and roofing of the main building (English castle proper); facades and roof of the garage building, on the edge of the avenue Jean-Lorrain; the whole parcel KH 162 constituting the courtyard and gardens of the castle; building of the rotunda in full, with its decor, including the underground staircase going up towards the castle; inside the castle: painted ceiling and decoration of the walls of the apartment of the ground floor of the central tower (former vestibule - lot 68), set of the four main rooms enfilade of the apartment of the first floor of the south wing with their decor (lot 53) , all other ceilings with painted decoration, namely: two ceilings in the apartment of the ground floor of the south wing (lot 51) , a ceiling divided by partitions in the apartment of the first floor of the central tower (lot 56) , two ceilings one divided by a partition in the apartment of the first floor of the north wing (lot 60) , a ceiling in the apartment of the second floor of the south wing (lot 54) , three ceilings in the apartment of the second floor of the central tower (lot 57) , a ceiling in the apartment of the second floor of the north wing (lot 61) (cad. KH 160, 162): inscription by order of 20 June 2000

Key figures

Robert Smith (1787-1873) - British Engineer Colonel Sponsor and builder of the castle.
Émile Négrin - Architectural criticism Author of a negative comment in 1861.
Famille Gurowsky de Wezele - Polish owners (from 1875) Acquirers after Smith's death.
Joe Aoun - Architect restorer Head of work since 2023.

Origin and history

The English castle, built between 1856 and 1858 in Nice by British colonel Robert Smith, embodies the 19th century passion for exotic architecture. Inspired by the Red Fort of Delhi, which he had restored in India, Smith erected this castle with neo-moghol hake on an estate of 22,000 m2 descending to the sea. The building, surrounded by factories (tours, gazebos, kiosks) in a fanciful style, arouses contrasting reactions: mocked as a "classical architect nightmare" by Émile Négrin (1861), it is also celebrated for his "exquisite art" bringing together "extraordinary" (Mayargue, 1877).

Acquired in 1875 by the Polish Gurowsky family of Wezele, the estate was later fragmented by real estate companies after the Second World War, becoming a condominium in 1949. Only the castle remains, classified as a historical monument in 2000 with its neo-classical rotunda (former music hall), and protected botanical gardens. The rotunda, separated from the main building in 1949, is distinguished by its openwork dome and its interior decoration contrasting with the eclectic character of the castle. Its underground staircase, connecting the two structures, is also preserved.

In 2023, the site was purchased by private individuals who launched a restoration led by architect Joe Aoun. The project plans the demolition of a 1950s villa, built by encroaching on the rotunda and cliff, to restore its visibility to the building. The rotunda, entirely classified (decor, dome, staircase), is part of a landscape set labeled Gardens of Major Interest, highlighting its heritage role. The painted ceilings and interior decorations of the castle (vestibulum, apartments) are also protected, illustrating the dialogue between romantic exoticism and classical rigour.

The English castle symbolizes the golden age of the Nice resort, where European aristocracy and industrial fortunes built architectural follies. Its hybrid style, combining Indian references and neo-classical elements, reflects the eclectic tastes of the era. Today, despite the alterations related to the subdivisions, there remains a significant testimony of this heritage, between British colonial memory and Mediterranean adaptation.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum