Always a book about fire. Jean and Paule Trouillot are very busy retirees. They have already written several books about Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes and now they have just released a new one, entitled Nice yesterday and today.
“We got the idea after giving a conference on the subject during which we presented old photos put into perspective with current views, says Jean Trouillot. To find all the information we needed, we turned to the municipal archives and library, which helped us.”
The book highlights important places in the city. “For photography, it was Jean-Philippe Chevreau who officiatedunderlines Paule Trouillot. He tried to take the same points of view in order to facilitate the before/after comparison. His work was very valuable to us.”
The authors then presented each building with its history and, where applicable, some anecdotes.
The port church originally had no columns
Among the surprising images: those of the Paillon before its cover (which took place between 1867 and 1974) or those of the Riquier district which was, at the beginning of the 20the century, “the vegetable garden and the orchard of the old town”.
The different stations have gone through the ages, retaining more or less their original appearance with subsequent renovations. “We have devoted several pages to the city’s large hotels as well as to the various places of worship, informs Jean Trouillot. As such, the port church has changed a lot. When it was almost complete, it collapsed and had to be completely rebuilt. Its majestic neoclassical facade is mainly characterized by its four columns. However – few people know this – they were added in 1893 by the architect Jules Febvre. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1991.”
Other stories appear in the book, released in November and available in bookstores or on Fnac.com.
Also note that the couple plans to update and reissue their book dedicated to the city’s street names.
“Nice, yesterday and today”, 20 euros.
