The Palais Alphonse XIII: a vast late Belle Époque building
Located at 48-52 rue de France, on the corner of rue de Rivoli, the Palais Alphonse XIII is a large late Belle Époque building, built in the 1920s in the heart of central Nice. With its imposing volumes and architecture characteristic of the interwar period, it ranks among the great historic residences of the Carré d'Or.
Living at Carré d'Or
The Palais Alphonse XIII sits in the Carré d'Or, the most iconic district of central Nice, bounded by boulevard Victor Hugo, the Promenade des Anglais, boulevard Gambetta and avenue Jean Médecin. This pedestrian, residential area concentrates the finest Belle Époque and Art Deco buildings in the city, alongside landmark addresses such as the Hôtel Negresco and the Palais de la Méditerranée. The Palais Alphonse XIII faces the Musée Masséna, housed in a former villa on the Promenade des Anglais, and benefits from the immediate proximity of the luxury shops, restaurants and main thoroughfares that give the Carré d'Or its reputation.
The Palais Alphonse XIII residence
The building application for the Palais Alphonse XIII was filed in January 1926 by José Torrès, the developer, for a large plot on the corner of rue de France and rue de Rivoli. The architectural design of the ensemble is the work of architect Albert Galli. The original project comprised a large apartment building organised around four separate entrances serving an interior courtyard, an ambitious design for its time, which also included a cinema hall intended to open onto rue de Rivoli.
The building was constructed in reinforced concrete using the Hennebique method, a modern construction technique for its era, reflecting the care taken in its execution.
Between 1957 and 1958, a major transformation took place: six bays facing rue de Rivoli, along with the cinema hall, were demolished and rebuilt in a modern style, to plans by the same architect, Albert Galli. This new construction housed the Rialto cinema, which has since become an entirely separate property from the Palais Alphonse XIII. Despite this change, the building retains its residential character and original Belle Époque identity today.
What is the value of an apartment at the Palais Alphonse XIII?
On rue de France, in the heart of the Carré d'Or, the average price for an apartment is €6,538/m², ranging from €3,605 to €9,814/m² depending on the address and the condition of the property (MeilleursAgents data, September 2026). Its corner position at rue de France / rue de Rivoli and its Belle Époque architecture make it a sought-after address in the area.
Our agency's view on the Palais Alphonse XIII
The Palais Alphonse XIII is one of the character buildings we follow closely in the Carré d'Or. Its architectural history and reinforced-concrete construction, an avant-garde technique for the 1920s, set it apart. The building's generous volumes and Belle Époque character often justify a valuation premium over more recent constructions in the same area, an asset worth considering as part of a Côte d'Azur property investment strategy, a point we're always happy to explain to our buyers and sellers alike.
FAQ about the Palais Alphonse XIII
Which district is the Palais Alphonse XIII in?
The Palais Alphonse XIII is in the Carré d'Or, on the corner of rue de France and rue de Rivoli, facing the Musée Masséna.
Who built the Palais Alphonse XIII, and when?
The building application was filed in January 1926 by José Torrès, to plans by architect Albert Galli.
Is the Palais Alphonse XIII linked to the Rialto cinema?
Yes. The original cinema hall, planned for the interior courtyard, was rebuilt between 1957 and 1958 and became the Rialto cinema, now an entirely separate property from the Palais Alphonse XIII.
What construction technique was used for the Palais Alphonse XIII?
The building was constructed in reinforced concrete using the Hennebique method, a modern technique for the 1920s.
What is the average price per m² for an apartment at the Palais Alphonse XIII?
The average price on rue de France is around €6,538/m², ranging from €3,605 to €9,814/m² depending on the address and the condition of the property (MeilleursAgents data, September 2026).
Looking for an apartment at the Palais Alphonse XIII?
Our advisors follow the Carré d'Or market closely and know which properties are available or coming up at the Palais Alphonse XIII. Let's talk about your search so you can be informed first about opportunities in this distinctive residence.
Selling a property at the Palais Alphonse XIII or in the Carré d'Or
If you own a property within the Palais Alphonse XIII or in the Carré d'Or, Agence Riviera Boulevard can support your sale project, with an accurate, realistic valuation in line with current market trends.
