Park Phoenix - 405 Promenade des Anglais

Apart from the park's amazing size, over 7 hectares of land, the reknown of Parc Floral Phoenix is its immense greenhouse, one of the largest in Europe and known as the Green Diamond. This amazing glass and metal tent-like structure, 22 meters / 72-foot high and extending over 7,000m², houses the most complete range of plants ever assembled in Europe and offers the visitor 7 different tropical and sub-tropical climates. Designed by architects Selme and Tampon-Lajariette, it was built in 1989 and opened in February 1990.

The entrance to Parc Phoenix is located west of Nice at the Promenade's end on number 405 (the last number being 461), a stone's throw from the airport and within the Arénas district, Nice's bustling business quarters adorned by tall mirror-façade buildings complete with hotels, restaurants, and shops. It is now the most visited botanical garden on the Côte d'Azur, with Monaco's Jardin Exotique in second place and Eze's Jardin Exotique a close third.

When you start your visit, you'll find yourself directly in front of the park's central feature: an enormous 6,000m² lake. Interestingly, the Museum of Asian Arts (free admission, closed on Tuesday), with its 'white hat' in the picture above, is built on this same lake and adds a somewhat oriental feel to the start of your tour.

Open: daily, April to September - 09:00 to 20:00; October to March - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: 2 euros; children under 12 free