The 76 centimeters refractor. Larger version
The Nice Observatory (Observatoire de Nice) is an astronomical observatory located in Nice, France on the summit of Mount Gros (fr: Mont Gros).
The observatory was initiated in 1879 by the banker Raphaël Bischoffsheim[?]. The architect was Charles Garnier[?] and Gustave Eiffel designed the main cupola.
The 76 centimeters (30 inches) refractor telescope[?] that went operationnal in 1888 was at that time the world's largest telescope, it was outperformed one year later by the Lick 36-inches (91 centimeters) refractor.
As a scientific institution the Nice Observatory doesn't exists anymore, it was merged with the CERGA[?] in 1988 to form the Côte d'Azur Observatory.
