Nice’s Parc Floral du Phoenix welcomed 260 000 visitors last year, making it the third most popular attraction in the Alpes-Maritimes region, according to the Observatoire du Tourisme.
The Park opened in 1990 and is operated and maintained by the city of Nice, which is deservedly proud of its jewel of nature. The entire Park is a kaleidoscope of nature, blending its beauty, strength, and richness for all to see.
Within the seven hectares of the Parc Floral du Phoenix stands the world’s largest glass-house, the priceless Diamant Vert, or green diamond. Its walls contain seven tropical climates, allowing the growth of the rarest plant species under one clear, glass roof. Another treasure in the Park is the Musée Départemental des Artes Asiatiques which comprises a collection of ethnographic artifacts, including silk goods and pottery, as well as traditional and contemporary art.
The Diamant Vert glass-house is 25 meters high and encompasses a grand total of 7000 square meters. Tropical climates are created and preserved thanks to state-of-the-art technology, allowing for a forest of tree ferns, a sprawling collection of rare orchids, a Butterfly Jungle, the Louisiana garden, the Thai garden, and the Austral African Garden. Birds from the aviary and tropical butterflies fly overhead, just as in nature. Tropical fish species and insects complete the scene below. The gardens are made even more realistic with the sounds of nature’s winds and waters as you walk through. More than 2500 plants species have set their roots in the Parc Floral du Phoenix, all protected by the calm, Mediterranean environment. The result of a visit to the Diamant Vert is the experience of safaris to far and exotic places, all without crossing the street to the Nice International Airport.
Seasonal exhibits, educational events, and children’s activities in Parc Floral du Phoenix cater to all ages, groups, and interests. The goal of the Park is to serve as a popular meeting place for groups and families discovering the marvels of the botanical and animal collections. With its vast green lawns, quiet corners, picnic tables, fountains, duck ponds, and play areas for children, the Park certainly seems to meet that objective. Children can explore and learn about the world around them in safety. It’s the perfect place in Nice for an adventure with the kids, learning about a new species of plant, or letting romance bloom during a stroll among the flowers.
Across from Nice Airport
405 Promenade des Anglais
F-06200 Nice
Tel: 04 92 29 77 00
Fax : 04 92 29 77 01
Email :
Open: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm from April to October; 9:30 am to 6 pm from October to April. Ticket sales end one hour prior to park closing.
Park Admission: 2€, free for under 12
Snack shop "Côté Jardin"
Tel: 04 93 83 52 37
Driving: Take Autoroute A8 to exit Saint-Augustin. Follow the Promenade des Anglais across from the Nice International Airport. Parking fees include surveillance. Free parking available for buses.
Bus: lines 9, 10, 23, 24, and 26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Kari Masson, a freelance writer for travel, cross-cultural, and expatriate-focused publications. More than 50 of her articles have appeared in North America, Europe, and Africa. If you are looking to add dynamic creativity to your publication, contact Kari at
www.jkmassonprint.blogspot.com