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Avenue Jean Médecin in Nice is a North-South axis known for shopping. But, not only. It was part of the urban planning of the city of Nice, which was developing towards the North and West, after the construction of a bridge over the Paillon river and the construction of the Massena square. See our history of Nice.
Avenue Jean Médecin runs in a South-North direction, starting from Place Masséna in the South and ending in front of the railroad (almost at the central train station) and Mathis Expressway.
It is an important axis where car traffic is very regulated. It is mainly crossed by the L1 tramway line. There are many stores of all kinds, but rather chic in the South and more popular in the North. The Galeries Lafayette, on the Massena square in the South, complete the lively shopping center of Nice-Etoile, towards the middle of the avenue. Big French banks have elected their local headquarters there: Crédit Lyonnais, BNP Paribas and Société Générale. Filmmakers like to go to the 7 cinemas of the Pathé Masséna.
It is an extremely busy road, at least during the day, thanks to its stores, bars and restaurants. In the evening, when the commercial activity is reduced, the avenue becomes quieter. One can note the quality of its lighting during the night. This would be a district with a strong commercial connotation, if there were not the Notre-Dame basilica.
This neo-Gothic style church of Notre Dame de l'Assomption is inspired by the Paris Cathedral, particularly by its three-porch façade and large central rose window. Also, this air of Notre-Dame de Paris comes from its two square towers. It became a minor basilica in 1978. It is still a place of worship.
The name Jean Médecin comes from a former mayor of Nice, Jean Médecin (1890-1965), who directed and organized the city for more than 30 years, from 1928 to 1943 and from 1947 to 1965.