The Mont Boron hill has a very long history that leads as much as 400,000 years back in time when it was a hunting territory for our ancestors of Terra Amata (an archeological site near Nice, where it is believed some of the most ancient occupations of our Lower Paleolithic ancestors might have been). Much later, during the Middle Ages many battles took place there as it was a proper defense site. At that time Mount Boron was occupied by the Moors who, according to the legend, were chased away by a monk named Bobon. Just after the assault of the Moors did Nice citizens come to the idea of building a monitor tower on top of the hill so that arriving enemy ships would be more easily noticed. In 970, after the chasing out of the Saracens (Moors), the Boron Mount was deforested for strategic reasons. In 1396, the town of Nice acquires the Mount, which was then out of the city, and decides on its reafforestation in 1862. This operation of restoration is entrusted to Mr. Demontzey, a forestry expert, and is completed in 1866.

The forest of Mount Boron has a great plant diversity characteristic of the Mediterranean region but here one can find also exotic naturalized vegetation that was introduced long ago and is already well-adapted with even some species invade a huge part of the wood. Some exotic species that can be spotted on the park’s premises are the glabrous cypress, the Australian bottle-tree, the Mediterranean cypress, the umbrella pine and many others. There are four distinct sections of the park as far as vegetation is concerned: an olive grove, dry lawns, moored areas and rocky vegetation. The presence of some aromatic, medicinal and industrial plants is worth noting. Many of the plants are protected on local, national and even European level. In order to preserve the nature of this valuable site a discovery path was inaugurated aiming both to educate people on the botanical variety present (through inscriptions on tables) and to promote sensitivity towards nature. Because as Jacques Peyrat, vice-mayor of Nice says “Mount Boron forms a part of our natural heritage and, for this reason, must be preserved to be passed to the future generations.” Along with the natural and botanical importance of Mount Boron it is also scientifically proven that it has a great historical role for Nice. Not only the people from the prehistoric era had their abodes there but it served a great part to the defense of the city. Built between 1556 and 1560 by the engineer Domenico Ponsello, the Fort du Mont-Alban, situated on top of the Mont Boron on the north of its woods, constituted one of the four main defensive constructions of Nice. This fortress is not only an amazing example of 16th Century military architecture but also offers some of the best views on the whole Nice area. Another attraction that can be found at the foot of the hill, facing the sea and perched on the steep rocks is the Palais de l’Anglais (Palace of the Englishman) that is a wonderful building of architectural value. What is but the most treasured feature of Mont Boron are the eleven kilometers of path ways that wind under the shades of the various trees.