Jardin Albert 1.

Jardin Albert 1er is one of Nice’s absolutely oldest public gardens, and you can hardly avoid seeing it from either the Promenade des Anglais or Place Massena, as it connects these two places.

Dear child has many names (danish proverb) and this also applies to “Jardin Albert 1er”. The garden was formerly called Jardin Masséna, Jardin des Palmier, Jardin Paradis and Jardin des Plantes, before being given its current name in 1914.

The garden or park is a lovely green oasis in the middle of this cosmopolitan city and offers the visitor a pleasant relaxing stroll via the Promenade de Paillon surrounded by palm trees, carob trees, fragrant roses and various plants from America, Australia, China, Japan and the Himalayas.

Artwork and historical monument
Here are plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy the powdery Riviera life and admire the monumental work of art “L’Arc de Venet”, a huge metal arch of 19 meters, which has been in the garden since 1988 and is a gift from the artist Benar Venet.

Here are also a number of fountains and basins, the most spectacular being the Triton’s Fountain, which was awarded the title of historical monument in 1920.

Known for its concerts
The park hosts several festivals during the summer months, most notably the Nice Jazz Festival each July. Within the park is the Théâtre de Verdure, a popular concert venue that has welcomed a number of world-famous artists over time.

It is also a great area for families with children. The Promenade du Paillon has excellent play areas with a climbing frame and swings, as well as a traditional carousel completed with galloping horses and soaring planes.

The play areas are fenced so there is no danger of children walking out on the street and there are plenty of cafés, restaurants and snack bars nearby.

The toilet facilities here are clean and modern, however, a small fee must be paid to use them.

By Tommy Sverre / 2021