Jardin Albert 1 is one of Nice’s oldest public gardens by far, and you can’t miss it from either the Promenade des Anglais or Place Massena, as it connects the two.

Dear child has many names and this is also true for “Jardin Albert 1”. The garden was previously called Jardin Masséna, Jardin des Palmier, Jardin Paradis and Jardin des Plantes before it was 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 along 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
There are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the pulverizing river life and admire the monumental artwork “L’Arc de Venet”, a huge 19-metre metal arch that has been in the garden since 1988 and is a gift from the artist Benar Venet.

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

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

It’s also a great area for families with children. The Promenade du Paillon has excellent play areas with climbing frames and swings, as well as a traditional carousel complete with galloping horses and gliders.

The play areas are fenced off, so there’s no danger of children wandering into the street, and there are plenty of cafés, restaurants and snack bars nearby.

The toilet facilities here are clean and modern, although there is a small fee to use them.

By Tommy Sverre / 2021