Palais Nikaïa is a performance hall in Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes, located near the Grenoble road in the Var plain. Its maximum capacity makes it, together with La Halle de Martigues, one of the largest halls in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The name Nikaïa comes from a nymph in Greek mythology and is generally francized as “Nicée”.
The hall was built after the city’s only large covered concert venue, the théâtre de verdure, which had been constructed in 1946 on the Promenade des Anglais, became too old and too small in the late 1990s. The municipality led by Jacques Peyrat decided to build a new, larger concert hall. Palais Nikaïa was built in 2000 and 2001 and designed by André Grésy, Serge Grésy, and Louis Chevalier. The Grésy architects had previously worked on the plans for the Zénith de Toulouse.
Architecturally, Palais Nikaïa is described as a large volume built from six reinforced concrete towers, with a white exterior metal roof formed of mega beams and a steel tray. Its entrance is arranged over three levels, with two central and two lateral staircases providing access. The seating capacity can be adjusted depending on the audience, and the outdoor configuration opens onto the neighboring Charles-Ehrmann stadium.
Nearby Objects
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Russian Cemetery in Nice 1400 m away -
Parc Phœnix 1800 m away -
Asian Arts Museum 1800 m away
Location and Capacity
Palais Nikaia is a performance hall located in Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes. It is situated near the Grenoble road in the Var plain. The hall is notable for its maximum capacity, which makes it one of the largest halls in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, together with La Halle de Martigues.
Origins and naming of Palais Nikaia
The name Nikaia comes from a nymph in Greek mythology, and it is generally francized as Niccee. In Nice, the only large covered concert hall had long been the theatre de verdure, built in 1946 on the Promenade des Anglais. By the late 1990s, this venue had become too old and too small for the city's needs. The municipality led by Jacques Peyrat therefore decided to build a new, larger concert hall.
The Palais Nikaia was built in 2000 and 2001. It was designed by the architects Andre Gresy, Serge Gresy, and Louis Chevalier. The Gresy architects had previously worked on the plans for the Zenith de Toulouse. The building was inaugurated in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Elton John, and Elton John gave the first concert there.
The venue later became part of a public discussion about naming. After the death of Johnny Hallyday, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, proposed renaming it Palais Nikaia-Johnny Hallyday. The municipal council finally decided that only the square in front of the concert hall would be renamed after Johnny Hallyday.
Architecture and Use of Palais Nikaia
Palais Nikaia is described as a large volume built from six reinforced concrete towers. Its roof is a white exterior metal frame made of mega beams installed over eighteen meters, which supports a steel tray. The hall entrance is arranged on three levels, and access to the floors is provided by two central and two lateral staircases.
The seating layout is adjustable according to the number of spectators in the normal configuration. Seating is arranged on tiers, and the venue can hold a combined audience of seated and standing spectators. In its outdoor configuration, the building opens onto the neighboring Charles-Ehrmann stadium. This setting, called Nikaia Estival, is used for large concert organization and can accommodate both seated and standing spectators.
Beyond concerts, Palais Nikaia can also host congresses, seminars, exhibitions, and gala dinners.
Nikaia Live
Nikaia Live was formerly named salle 700 and is smaller than the main hall. Its area is not specified in the available facts. Since 2006, the council of Alpes-Maritimes has organized an annual concert night there called 06 en Live. The event is intended for young people, giving the venue a recurring role in youth-oriented cultural programming.
Management Structure
Le Palais Nikaia is managed by Gestion under a public service delegation agreement lasting eight years. Gestion operates through the structure named Societe d'exploitation du Palais Nikaia and is associated with the Vega group and the French subsidiary of Live Nation. The company is owned 70 percent by Vega.
Location and Access
Palais Nikaia is located in the Var plain at 163 route de Grenoble, opposite the Nice-Matin headquarters. It stands beside RD 6202, formerly known as RN 202, placing it on a major road corridor in the area. The venue is accessible by A8 motorway exit 51, Nice - Saint-Augustin, and is also served by tram line B at the CADAM - Centre administratif stop. Bus line 95 connects Nice city center with the location before and after shows. The site is additionally near Nice-Cote d'Azur airport and Nice-Saint-Augustin train station, which contributes to its accessibility within the wider Nice area.
Performances at Palais Nikaia
Palais Nikaia has hosted a wide range of performances by French and international artists, as well as major stage productions and touring shows. Among the French acts listed are Vanessa Paradis, Pascal Obispo, Charles Aznavour, Lorie, Jenifer, Zazie, Garou, Patrick Bruel, Michel Sardou, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Alizee, Laurent Gerra, Indochine, Kyo, Joey Starr, Sinclair, Chimene Badi, and Christophe Mae. It has also presented groups and productions such as Birdy Nam Nam and the musicals Les Dix commandements, Romeo et Juliette, and Le Roi Soleil.
The venue has also been used for major special events and tours. Mylene Farmer opened the first two concerts of Tour 2009 there on 2 and 3 May, and later closed the Timeless 2013 tour at Palais Nikaia on 15 December. Les Enfoires performed their annual concerts at the venue from 21 to 25 January 2010, and eight semi-finalists of The Voice appeared there for The Voice Tour 2012 on 13 May.
International performers have included Elton John, Daddy Yankee, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, Garbage, Muse, Snoop Dogg, Junior Kelly, Akon, Tokio Hotel, Night of the Proms, Mika, Ben Harper, Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries, 50 Cent, Pink, The Bloody Beetroots, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Beyonce Knowles, Jamiroquai, and Ghost. Other events mentioned at the venue include Cirque du Soleil's Alegria show, Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball concerts on 3 and 4 December 2012, and Depeche Mode's launch date for the Delta Machine Tour on 4 May 2013.
Wrestling Events at Palais Nikaia
Palais Nikaia has also hosted wrestling events, including several WWE shows. On 2 February 2008, the venue presented a show featuring SmackDown and ECW. A similar WWE event with SmackDown and ECW followed on 21 January 2009. Later that year, on 10 September 2009, Palais Nikaia hosted a Raw show. These appearances show the venue's use for large-scale live entertainment beyond concerts and other performances.
Major Events and Performances
Palais Nikaia has hosted a series of high-profile concerts and public events that have contributed to its visibility in the cultural life of Nice. The venue opened with Johnny Hallyday in 2003, and later welcomed U2 in 2005 and again in 2009. Other major performances included the Rolling Stones in 2006, Celine Dion in 2007, and Madonna, who gave her first French concert there during the Sticky and Sweet Tour in 2008 before returning for the MDNA Tour on 6 July 2012.
The site also received AC/DC on 28 June 2009 for the Black Ice Tour, followed by concerts by Pink on 25 August 2010 and Prince on 18 July 2011, both presented in a special configuration. Beyond individual performances, Palais Nikaia has also been used for large public and televised events, including the Miss France 2010 election held on 5 December 2009.
In later years, the venue hosted the Violetta Live international tour on 9 and 10 January 2015, and on 21 November 2015 it served as the location for the 13th Junior Eurovision Song Contest. These events show the range of programming associated with the venue, from major international music tours to national and television-linked competitions.