The Majestic, a Belle Époque palace in the heart of Nice

From the 18th century onwards, Nice became a winter retreat for aristocratic families and high society, particularly the British, drawn by the mild climate and its location on the Riviera. The number of winter visitors continued to grow, especially after 1860, when the city, ceded to France, was connected to the European rail network.

From the 18th century onwards, Nice became a winter retreat for aristocratic families and high society, particularly the British, drawn by the mild climate and its location on the Riviera. The number of winter visitors continued to grow, especially after 1860, when the city, ceded to France, was connected to the European rail network.

Built between 1906 and 1908 at the request of Swiss hoteliers Henry and Lucien Emery, Le Majestic embodies the architectural spirit of the period. It was the largest hotel in the city, measuring 175 meters long, 44 meters high, and spanning 9 floors, with up to 500 rooms and luxurious amenities for the time (lounges, restaurants, elevators).

The building features a monumental, elongated form that curves to the west, with two smaller volumes attached. From the sloping roof rise two tower-like structures, resembling bell towers. These various projections, combined with a highly dynamic main façade, prevent any monolithic effect.

The façade is highly ordered, marked by a play of projections and concave bays. The moldings and ornamentation are particularly rich and eclectic : sculpted cornices forming geometric or vegetal shapes, wrought ironwork, engaged columns, and medallions. For the lower levels, the architect abandoned smooth stone in favor of flat rustication, giving the building a firmer, more solid appearance. These numerous decorative elements are found only on the south façade; the north façade is completely devoid of them.

During World War I, the hotel was converted into a military hospital, then taken over in 1924 by hotelier Joseph Aletti. Architect Charles Dalmas, assisted by his son Marcel and Marcel Guilgot, modernized the complex, integrating luxury shops into the park, transformed into small one-story houses. World War II marked a period of closure for the hotel, which did not reopen after the conflict. Developer Victor Saglia acquired the property and converted it into a co-ownership of 220 units, with Louis Milon de Peillon overseeing the project.

These successive functions profoundly altered the interior layout of Le Majestic. In the 1930s, the reception rooms were stripped of their décor, with some elements reworked in an Art Deco style. This simplification intensified during the building’s conversion into a co-ownership.

Nevertheless, the common areas and the imposing elevator, as well as details such as woodwork, stone staircases, columns, and geometric stained glass, recall the building’s sumptuous past. The architects responsible for the modifications always ensured the quality of the spaces, preserving the wide corridors and majestic halls.

Jules Febvre (1859-1934), a Nice-born architect trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, left his mark on the architectural landscape of Nice upon his return to the region. Versatile and prolific, he designed public buildings, housing, and religious structures, actively contributing to the urban transformation of his time. Among his works, Le Majestic remains one of his most ambitious projects.

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