Unusual guided tour of Old Nice by a 19th century executioner

About this tour

Walk through early-19th-century Nice alongside its former executioner, a gloriously awkward guide who leads you through winding Old Town alleys brimming with dark humour and local secrets. Before Nice became French, this Mediterranean port thrummed with its own traditions and intrigue—each corner holds a story. Your guide, dressed in period garb, reveals the heritage and scandals of an era when every doorway concealed drama. Ninety minutes of oddball history that'll reshape how you see this picturesque seaside town.

Highlights

• Period-costumed guide channels 19th-century Nice's official executioner
• Navigate narrow alleys loaded with overlooked local histories
• Discover tensions between Niçois traditions and French influence
• Hear dark anecdotes tied to specific streets and buildings
• Learn what life looked like before Nice joined France
• Suitable for ages 10 and up; prams and strollers welcome

What to expect

Expect a deliberately unconventional tour. Your guide plays the executioner with self-aware awkwardness—this isn't polished museum theatre, but rather a character who stumbles through revealing the grittier side of Old Nice. You'll wander steep alleyways, pause at faded doorways, and hear tales of crime, punishment, and everyday life in a town caught between independence and annexation. The humour is dark and irreverent; the history genuine. It's 90 minutes of rambling storytelling paired with actual architectural and cultural detail.

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