Research Status: Comprehensive
Last Updated: 2025-07-09
Diary Coverage: Up to April 8, 1875
Location
The famous waterfront promenade in Nice, France, created in the 1820s by the English colony there. It became the social center of Nice's international community during the 19th century.
Marie's Context
Marie frequently references the Promenade as a key location in her Nice life. On January 10, 1875, she spotted Sir Frederic Johnstone walking "vers la Promenade" from the Quai Masséna area.
Social Significance
The Promenade was where fashionable society gathered for their daily constitutional walks, carriage rides, and to see and be seen. It was the heart of Nice's British and international social scene.
Historical Context
Built initially by the English community as a seafront walkway, it became the symbol of Nice's transformation from a small fishing town to a glamorous resort destination.
Marie's Observations
Marie's diary shows her intimate familiarity with the Promenade's social geography. She understands its rhythms and uses it as a backdrop for her romantic observations and fantasies.
Connection to Marie's World
The Promenade represents the sophisticated international milieu that Marie inhabits and aspires to excel in. It's where she encounters the aristocratic figures who populate her romantic imagination.