The University of Nice was officially established by decree dated 23rd October 1965. However, its historic roots go back to the XVII century, with the famous Collegium jurisconsultorum niciensium created in 1639 by the Princes of Savoy; it was composed of an important body of jurisconsults and its fame lasted until Nice was incorporated to France, in 1860. In the XVII century, courses, appreciated throughout Europe, were given at a school of Medicine.
Nice's university vocation asserted itself at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the combined efforts of certain great university members, such as the Dean Louis Trotabas or Maurice Mignon. With the help of local communities and in particular, the town of Nice, they created in 1933, the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen whose first Administrator was Paul Valéry. Then, consecutively, were opened, the Institut d'Etudes Juridiques in 1938, the Institut d'Etudes Littéraires in 1941 and the Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques in 1945. The decree of 2nd August 1962 gave birth to the Faculté de Droit et des Sciences Economiques, connected to the Université d'Aix-Marseille.
The decree promulgated in 1965 sees the start of a multidisciplinary university, articulated around the Faculté de Lettres, de Sciences, de Droits et Sciences Economiques, on the three campuses just as they were situated in 1968. It is in 1989 that the Université de Nice adds Sophia-Antipolis to its name, taking into consideration the boost that is given to the park of activity dedicated to new technologies.
The headquarters of the Université de Nice is situated since 1965 in an exceptional environment: the Château and park of Valrose, which covers around 10 hectares and integrates the buildings of the Faculté des Sciences.