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Parks and Gardens in Nice
It hard to imagine wanting to take a break from the thriving city life of Nice, but some moments, not necessarily outside the city but in the inner parks and gardens might help a tired tourist recharge their batteries. Some of the most popular parks in Nice are Parc Phoenix, sometimes referred to as a botanist's paradise because of the diversity of plants exhibited there, Jardin Botanique presenting a whole range of Mediterranean flora and Parc du Chateau with ruins of a castle, a waterfall and scenic view of Nice from the top of its hill. While in Nice, don't forget to visit its green parks and colourful gardens as well!
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La Place Massena
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Phone: +33 04 97 25 48 99
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_914.html
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Espace Massena, or, as it's also called, Esplanade du Paillon constitutes the very heart of Nice, the geographic centre around which the city evolved. In 1852, the old square received the name of André Masséna, duc de Rivoli, Imperial Marshall of Napoleon, and one of the city’s most reputed sons. Considerable changes were made in the surroundings of the square: the old Municipal Casino was demolished and the tiny Paillon River was remodelled. Those readjustments allowed extra space, and so an extensive garden was created around the square. It opened for the public in March 1983. The greenness of the Massena Gardens creates a picturesque contrast with the massive red brick buildings surrounding the square. The gardens and the square are really one architectonic al project, stunning in its variety of detail and form.
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Le Jardin Albert Premier
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Phone: +33 04 97 25 48 99
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_918.html
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The Garden of Albert 1st is one of the oldest gardens in the city of Nice. Admirably well located, it faces the sea from across the legendary avenue Promenade des Anglais. Thus, it sits in the very heart of the city. Together with the Esplanade du Paillon, Leclerc Square and Promenade du Paillon, this garden comprises an almost two-kilometre long path of greenery, leading from the seaside towards the bordering hills of the city. The Garden of Albert 1st covers an area of 32 000 square metres, and features an enormous lawn and a lovely spacious garden with water basins and fountains. The central lawn is adorned with a gigantic sculpture by Bernard Venet. Measuring a total of 19 metres, the Arch was installed in 1988. The park was created on the basis of an earlier royal botanical garden. In 1914, the new public park was inaugurated by the Belgian king Albert 1st, who became patron of the garden.
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Le Parc Phoenix
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Phone: +33 04 92 29 77 00
e-mail: parcphoenix@ville-nice.fr
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_919.html
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Being one of the pearls of Cote d’Azure Nice does have something to offer to the nature-lovers and one of the most renowned places to visit is the Parc Floral Phoenix (Phoenix Flora Park) on the western end of Nice. Situated a few steps far from the very Mediterranean coastline this park is the third most visited green facility of its type along the French Riviera with half a million people for 2007. What most of the people find attractive at the park is that it promotes the close ties between Nature and man through a wide variety of plant’s and even some fauna species. On the area of about seven hectares the park’s personnel has gathered over 2,500 types of plants some of which rare, some exotic to the Mediterranean background and some are protected in order to preserve the local genetic material. Besides the wonderful plant gardens on the Parc Phoenix’s premises one also has the opportunity to have a look at the clear water basins that play the role of aquariums, and see some birds and other animals, mostly insects.
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Le Jardin Botanique
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Phone: +33 04 92 29 41 80
e-mail: jardin.botanique@ville-nice.fr
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_921.html#ligne46066
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It’s not surprising that a city like the French Nice has a botanical garden within the urban area. There is a lot to be exhibited as a natural background of the Mediterranean flora so that it is both preserved as genetic material and people are aware of the richness of the local nature. These are some of the purposes that Le Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden) bears in mind to promote and it follows them. Other so called 'missions' of the institution include enriching the genetic diversity, preserving the plants, etiquetting, exchange of seeds with other botanic institutions and scientific research. The organization also aims at educating people through guided tours, the access to the library and the consultations that are run. Besides the flora species, that count to more than 3,500 and even more with their varieties, on the surface of 3,5 hectares that the Botanic Garden occupies there are also some examples of the wildlife fauna. The garden is situated on a relatively higher place so it doe not lack picturesque views.
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Le Parc du Chateau
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Phone: +33 08 92 70 74 07
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_922.html
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Central Nice is indeed a beautiful location because wherever in town one can feel the soft maritime influence of the Mediterranean Sea. Being a part of Cote’s Azure the Hill of the Castle (Colline du Chateau) with the parkland on its summit is one of the most renowned and preferred place for a simple walk among both locals and tourists. The hill was once the most important part of the city- the castle that guarded it, but only vestiges of it and of the cathedral Notre-Dame du Chateau have remained till the present day. Along with the ruins of the castle and some other historic constructions the hill also offers its visitors the shade of the spontaneously emerged leafy trees, as well as well-kept alleys that lure to stroll. Young visitors of the Park of the Castle will find a lot of fun in the playing areas specially designed for them. Those, who are moved by beautiful views, have a reason to visit the park as well because it presents some of the best points of view over the Bay of the Angels and Old Town.
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Le Parc des Arenes de Cimiez
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Phone: +33 04 93 13 20 00
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_923.html
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The Arenas Park of Cimiez is located in the quarter of Cimiez, in northern Nice. The park is a part of the garden complex called Jardins de Cimiez and extends over nearly 35 000 square metres. The name of the park comes from an ancient Roman area that once occupied the site. The main attraction of the area are the ruins of an ancient Roman city Cemenelum, endowing the park with a truly romantic atmosphere. The best preserved piece from the heyday of the city is a magnificent amphitheatre, the annual hosting venue of the Nice Jazz Festival. The park is also the location of two of Nice’s most renowned museums, the Archaeological Museum and the Matisse Museum. There’s also an olive grove, a peaceful place for a relaxed walk under tree shades. Guided tours explain the process of olive oil production as well as give details of the history of the 17th -century villa located in the middle of the grove.
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Les Jardins Suspendus du Paillon
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Les Jardins Suspendus du Paillon, literally 'the hanging gardens of Paillon', form a part of the Massena Garden complex created over the covered Paillon River. Located in the very heart of Nice, they thrive in the sea breeze, as the Mediterranean is no further that just a few metres away. The idea of hanging gardens derives from the myth of the ancient Babylon. The concept was successfully reproduced in Nice, resulting in an impressive garden stretching over 12,000 square metres. The upper level of the gardens features a number of sunshade pine trees and Phoenix palm, suspended over sections of the lower level devoted to Mexican, tropical and the Asian vegetation. Camellias, Azaleas and rhododendrons adorn the paths. A dense wall of leafy trees isolates the garden from the outside world and creates an enjoyable atmosphere of cosiness and tranquillity.
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Parc Forestier du Mont-Boron
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Phone: +33 08 92 70 74 07
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Website: http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_4259.html
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The forest park Mont Boron (Mount Boron) is one of the most preferred places for an extended walk in the weekend because of its profuse greenery, the sites and the views from there and the long pathways that it offers. Mount Boron is a 190 meters-high, 57 hectares large hill on the east of Nice that plays the role of a separating wall between the Cape of Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer (a small town on the east of Nice). Mont Boron’s peninsular position and its altitude make it a perfect viewpoint both on the Southern Alps, the Mediterranean Sea and on the two cities al well. The name of the hill and consequently of the park is of disputable origin but it is supposed to come from a deformation or a combination of the words bobon - the name of a monk - and Mauron which means "wooded, of deep colour" and which commemorates the occupation of the Moors in the Middle Ages.
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