Battles & Campaigns · 1860
Treaty of Turin (1860)
Turin, Piedmont, Italy
What happened
Count Camillo Cavour for the Kingdom of Sardinia and French envoys for Napoleon III signed the treaty. France had helped Sardinia fight Austria during the unification of Italy. As a reward, Sardinia agreed to hand the Duchy of Savoy and the County of Nice to France. Votes were then held in both places, and large majorities were reported in favour.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It moved Nice and Savoy from Savoyard rule, which had lasted for centuries, to France. In return Napoleon III accepted Piedmont's gains in central Italy.
What came next
France took over the two regions on 12 June 1860. Many people from Nice who wanted to stay Italian moved to Italy.
Did you know?
Of 119 sailors from Nice who voted freely, 114 chose to stay with Italy.
Timeline
- 28 September 1388Nice joins the lands of the House of Savoy.
- 24 March 1860The Treaty of Turin is signed.
- 15–16 April 1860The vote in Nice.
- 12 June 1860France takes possession.