NCE:
When the Romans Had the Right Idea – Summer Nights at Cimiez Arena
Destinations
The cicadas are in full crescendo as 5,000 flickering phone lights replace the ancient olive oil lamps that once illuminated this hillside. A hush falls over the crowd as the first chords of "Knights of Cydonia" echo off 2,000-year-old stone - Muse's Matt Bellamy is about to become the latest in a long line of provocateurs to play Nice's Cimiez Arena, where the Roman Empire's entertainment complex still hosts the hottest tickets on the Riviera.
A Stage That's Seen It All
This isn't just another summer festival. The Nicæa amphitheater has been delivering crowd-pleasers since 1st century AD - first with gladiator bouts, now with rock gods. The backstage area? Literally underground Roman vaults where performers like Ben Harper and Sting warm up surrounded by ancient graffiti.
2024's lineup plays with history:
• July 4th: The Nice Philharmonic performs Bernstein's West Side Story with fireworks timed to the Mambo
• July 12th: -M- reinvents French chanson classics with a 12-piece orchestra
• July 19th: A screening of Gladiator with live score by local conservatory students
The Real Roman Experience
Skip the folding chairs - locals know to:
- Arrive early to picnic among the 5th century ruins behind the stage
- Join the post-show "Nuits Romaines" afterparties in the Franciscan monastery next door
- Hunt for the arena's secret acoustic spot where whispers carry 50 feet (hint: near the broken column)
Why This Beats Any Stadium Show
"There's a moment during every concert here," says sound engineer Claude Fournier, "when the artist realizes they're standing where emperors sat. The nerves disappear - suddenly they're jamming with history."
PrestigeFly's Patrician Package
Live like Caesar with:
✈ Business class on La Compagnie's all-business-class flights from NYC
🏟 VIP passes including access to the underground Roman vaults
🍷 A post-concert moonlit dinner in the arena with the night's performers
"We don't book seats - we secure your place in the imperial box."
Packages from €3,900 - Only 6 remaining for the Muse weekend.
