Parc Phoenix, Nice, Cote d'Azur

Rising from the city jumble:

Parc Phoenix, Nice, Cote d'Azur, France

Had you asked me earlier if there's any reason to visit the western side of Nice, I would have said:

"No. Go there to reach and leave the Nice airport and leave. The western tip of town is industrial and ugly."

Last weekend, I visited Parc Phoenix, at the western edge of Nice's Promenade des Anglais, just before the city drops into a confusing jumble of highway on and off ramps.

It's seventeen acres of park-setting, a huge glass-house (the "Diamant Vert", 7000 square meters and 25 meters high) with an assortment of tropical plants stretching their tentacles inside the greenhouse's warm and moist atmosphere. In the glasshouse, you'll walk among a forest of ferns, by water turtles, by iguanas, around rare orchids planted by a wooden gazebo.

Outside, in the park, you'll stroll by bird cages filled with exotic birds, while speakers set low to the ground pump animal sounds from tropical lands. 

A great experience to take you away on your next visit. Especially recommended for kids.

Next door, you'll find the The Museum of Asiatic Arts in a building designed by Kenzo Tange...

Brought to you by the publishers of the 26 Gorgeous Hikes series. Click below to see our latest hiking guide: 26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Côte d'Azur.

      
                         

What:         Parc Phoenix, 06200 Nice,                        Cote d'Azur, France      Where:       405 Promenade des Anglais, Nice                             Details:       Phone: +33 4 92 29 77 00                         Email: parcphoenix@ville-nice.fr                         Open: Apr-Sep: 9:30a-7:30p Mon-Sun,                                   Oct-Mar: 9:30a-6:30p Mon-Sun                        http://www.nice.fr/mairie_nice_919.html