Confessions of an Executioner: Secrets and Justice in Old Nice, 1804

What you can expect:

• Visit iconic and also hidden parts of Nice's Old Town.
• Discover the workings of justice in early 19th-century Nice through captivating anecdotes.
• Debunk myths and mysteries surrounding the profession of executioner in Nice and France in the early 19th century.
• Join a certified tour guide who playfully embodies Joseph-François Desmorest, Nice's famous executioner, dressed in a historic outfit.

Program

Nice, a Mediterranean city with a myriad of stories. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was not yet part of France. However, the two did share connections in certain areas. This was the case with justice. Although Nice had its own legal system, France assigned a chief executioner, a bòia, to the city. No great enthusiast for the city and its system, he was nevertheless valued for his healing powers, which were considered magical at the time. Perhaps a little too talkative, but approachable nonetheless, he knows more anecdotes than you might think about the city, whose stones and gates still hold a few secrets. Join him on a journey into the heart of the historic district of the French Riviera's capital. You'll hear stories about unexpected places, told by this bumbling executioner who, despite his profession, has a friendly demeanor.

Get to Know Your Guide/Character:

Joseph François Desmorest is an executioner. And not just any executioner! His nickname echoes the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror: Sanson. This pseudonym comes from his master: Charles Henri Sanson, the guillotine expert who cut off nearly 3,000 heads, including some of the most “famous” ones. Enough to send shivers down anyone's spine... After these experiences, Joseph François also wanted to become chief executioner. He was transferred to Nice in 1798. Not particularly fond of the local climate, he repeatedly requested a transfer... to no avail. His affable nature earned him many stories about the area. Something of a chatterbox, this self-proclaimed expert went to prison in 1804 for spreading gossip or exaggerated truths. Join him after his release, and you will see that he is not scary at all. Just listen to him, and you'll discover that these tales aren't so far from the truth.