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The creation of the square dates back to the 18th century, when the new French authorities developed a derelict site into a promenade. It is nowadays one of the biggest squares in Europe.

The Place Saint Nicolas is 280 metres long and 80 metres wide; it was named after a church and a medieval hospital. The structures were demolished in 1889. As far back as the 18th century, the French officials - newly arrived- design a waste ground into a promenade area. This esplanade along the sea was called “Place Narbonne”, in honour of the Earl of Narbonne, the French general sent by Louis XV to the island. During the Revolution, the square was named “Champ de Mars” because it was used as a military manoeuvring area. In 1816, it was named “Place de Rivière” in honour of the marquis Charles de Rivière, the governor of Corsica during the Restauration. During the Monarchy of July (1830-1848), the place was called “Place Louis-Philippe” in honour of the king. In the very late 19th century the square was enlarged when the inlet of the Fango was filled up by the material excavated from the railway tunnel. In 1894, the esplanade was lined with a balustrade and in 1898 plane trees were planted. In 1900 the earthwork and filling up were finished. In 1907, 50 phoenix canariensis palm- trees were planted; they had been bought in a nursery in Golfe-Juan. In 1907 a cast iron bandstand was ordered to the Guillot-Pelletier ironworks in Orléans. It was inaugurated in the centre of the esplanade the following year.

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