Nice itself goes back to pre historic times. The old town (beside the house) has been developed from Phoenician, Greek and Roman times. In the 1600’s it became a very important location for various Italian states and France. Bit by bit, it grew larger, and has grown to become the fifth largest city in France.

“In the 1740’s a row of low structures serving as shops had been built facing the sea, its flat unbroken roof serving as a terrace, or public walkway, that extended almost a quarter-mile. Handsome stairways brought you up above the street where cool winds blew and sea views unrivalled. All through the reminder of the century and on to the next, these terraces – they are still there – were extended. The terrace was linked to the new port by a road cut into the chateau hill and jutting out over the sea; wind gathered here, so the locals soon called it Quai Rauba Capeu, from the Nissard (local language) for “Hold on to your hat””

Kanigel, Robert. High Season in Nice. Viking (USA), Little Brown (GB), pp 39-40.

Yes it is all still there to day. And the first house is 2, rue des Ponchettes – the first private house on all the promenade of the Bay of Nice.

You can see what it looked like 125 years later in 1865 – see photograph (top right). The hall door is on the right, under the stairs.

But this street in unique it that it has a second address: 1, Quai des Etats-Unis, because some of the houses have their entrance facing the sea. Quai Etats-Unis was given its name in honour of the US participation in the 1914-1918 war.

The small garden beside the house is dedicated to the end of the Second World War - Place du 8 Mai 1945. (Note: In that war the German Army occupied Nice for only 11 months. They completely reinforced No 2 to accommodate a large anti-aircraft gun!)

The house has been remodelled a number of times in subsequent years and was used in a famous 1970 photograph to promote Nice (see second photograph). The little garden was then a car-park! We have also included some postcards from the early 1900’s.
 
In 2001 Jean-Marie Roig, a well known local painter completely remodelled the house and transformed it into the very modern villa it is today. However the steps and rooftop is no longer available to the public as a walkway – by order of the Nice City Council!