Nice is a stunning seaside gem of a city on the French Riviera that boasts endless things to see and do. It is steeped in history and culture, has picture-perfect strands for days at the beach, offers a vibrant foodie scene, has a charming old town where there is an excellent daily market, boasts plenty of museums and attractions, has hot and sunny summers, and much more besides. A villa in Provence-alpes-côte D'azur or a vacation rental in Nice, in particular, is certain to ensure an excellent holiday full of relaxation, gorgeous surroundings, and joyous memories.
The many famous charms and the relaxing allure of the slow pace of life in Nice are such, however, that it can be easy to miss out on the many attractions that one can discover in the city. If you're the type to keep active, you like to pencil lots of things into your itinerary while travelling, or you're looking for a few nice outings to enjoy during your stay in the city, then we suggest a visit to the Parc Phoenix while you are in town. This wonderful garden is packed with beautiful blooms, vibrant exotic birds, and stunning features and is just the thing for kids, families, those fond of gardens, anyone interested in photography and capturing pretty places, and both those looking for an active day out or a relaxing excursion. Whether you're darting around the grounds in excitement at all there is to see or just going for a relaxed stroll in an especially lovely setting, this stunning little corner of the world is just the thing.
The many famous charms and the relaxing allure of the slow pace of life in Nice are such, however, that it can be easy to miss out on the many attractions that one can discover in the city. If you're the type to keep active, you like to pencil lots of things into your itinerary while travelling, or you're looking for a few nice outings to enjoy during your stay in the city, then we suggest a visit to the Parc Phoenix while you are in town. This wonderful garden is packed with beautiful blooms, vibrant exotic birds, and stunning features and is just the thing for kids, families, those fond of gardens, anyone interested in photography and capturing pretty places, and both those looking for an active day out or a relaxing excursion. Whether you're darting around the grounds in excitement at all there is to see or just going for a relaxed stroll in an especially lovely setting, this stunning little corner of the world is just the thing.
Parc Phoenix, or Phoenix Park, is a botanical garden and zoo that stretches over 17 acres and was opened in 1990. Located on the the southwestern edge of Nice, in the l'Arenas district, along the Promenade des Anglais, the park is home to nearly 2,500 plant species and is divided into twenty different themed areas including the tropical greenhouse, the ponds, the Mediterranean gardens, and areas reserved for the animals that live in the zoo. The massive and incredibly impressive greenhouse is over 7,000 square meters in size and measures 25m in height, making it one of the largest greenhouses in all of Europe. Full of incredible sights, it is certainly a must for those with an interest in plants, gardens, animals, and wildlife who have found a holiday rental in Nice.
Divided into six distinct areas, the giant greenhouse is the focal point of the park boasting different tropical and subtropical climates and surroundings featuring rare orchids, slivers of equatorial forests, incredible trees and blooms, and more. The main area in the greenhouse is the Central Greenhouse with its humid tropical climate, plants from all over the world, a recreated Central American ruin, palm trees, and sections such as the Louisiana Garden and the Garden of Thailand. Two other key areas include the South African Greenhouse with plants and flowers from South Africa, Madagascar, and Australia and the Fern Greenhouse with its amazing collection of verdant ferns from Africa and Australia and a few Nile crocodiles. In the basement of the greenhouse a series of aquariums and terrariums can be found that house tropical fish, insects, myriapods, and arachnids. Throughout the greenhouse, other animals such as mandarin ducks, Chilean flamingos, and iguanas can be found roaming freely.
Divided into six distinct areas, the giant greenhouse is the focal point of the park boasting different tropical and subtropical climates and surroundings featuring rare orchids, slivers of equatorial forests, incredible trees and blooms, and more. The main area in the greenhouse is the Central Greenhouse with its humid tropical climate, plants from all over the world, a recreated Central American ruin, palm trees, and sections such as the Louisiana Garden and the Garden of Thailand. Two other key areas include the South African Greenhouse with plants and flowers from South Africa, Madagascar, and Australia and the Fern Greenhouse with its amazing collection of verdant ferns from Africa and Australia and a few Nile crocodiles. In the basement of the greenhouse a series of aquariums and terrariums can be found that house tropical fish, insects, myriapods, and arachnids. Throughout the greenhouse, other animals such as mandarin ducks, Chilean flamingos, and iguanas can be found roaming freely.
Outside the greenhouse there is plenty more to discover in Parc Phoenix. You can find various other fascinating areas and attractions including: the Mediterranean garden; The Pyramid, which is a pretty belvedere full of trees on the greenhouse where you can take in views over the surrounding area; the Oasis with its date palms, citrus fruits (including grapefruits, lemons, mandarins, bitter oranges, and more), and vegetables; the tranquil Valley of Grasses where plants and water features come together beautifully; the Vegetable Garden where tomatoes, melons, basil, onions, radishes, eggplants, and more are grown; the little Vineyard; the Island of Bygone times with its intriguing plants that date all the way back to prehistory; and the collection of perfumed plants such as jasmine, honeysuckle, and violet. Additionally, around the central pond you will find animals such as pelicans, swans, ducks and turtles and in the zoo there are enclosures housing lemurs, otters, wallabies, parrots, peacocks, koi carp, and boa constrictors.
Full of things to see from bright and eye-catching flowers, to impressive crocodiles and snakes and cute otters and wallabies, to ancient plants that were around with the dinosaurs, the sound of birds singing, and the scent of blooms and citrus fruits in the air, Parc Phoenix is a sensory smorgasbord that is sure to excite and delight! Just browse our villas in Nice and our vacation rentals in Provence-alpes-côte D'azur and plan a trip during your next holiday. Enjoy wandering around or dart about to see it all; it's entirely up to you!
Parc Phoenix
405 Promenade des Anglais
06200 Nice
+33 (0) 4 92 29 77 00
Opening hours:
Open daily (except December 25th and January 1st)
Summer hours (April 1st to September 30th) – 9.30am to 7.30pm
Winter hours (October 1st to March 31st) – 9.30am to 6pm
Tickets:
Full price - €5.10
Reduced price - €3 (for those with a Nice Museums Pass card, a student card, and young people aged 12 to 18)
Free for children under 12 (within a maximum of 3 children per paying adult allowed)
Full of things to see from bright and eye-catching flowers, to impressive crocodiles and snakes and cute otters and wallabies, to ancient plants that were around with the dinosaurs, the sound of birds singing, and the scent of blooms and citrus fruits in the air, Parc Phoenix is a sensory smorgasbord that is sure to excite and delight! Just browse our villas in Nice and our vacation rentals in Provence-alpes-côte D'azur and plan a trip during your next holiday. Enjoy wandering around or dart about to see it all; it's entirely up to you!
Parc Phoenix
405 Promenade des Anglais
06200 Nice
+33 (0) 4 92 29 77 00
Opening hours:
Open daily (except December 25th and January 1st)
Summer hours (April 1st to September 30th) – 9.30am to 7.30pm
Winter hours (October 1st to March 31st) – 9.30am to 6pm
Tickets:
Full price - €5.10
Reduced price - €3 (for those with a Nice Museums Pass card, a student card, and young people aged 12 to 18)
Free for children under 12 (within a maximum of 3 children per paying adult allowed)
Photo credits
Picture 1: Epibase / CC BY-SA 2.0;
Picture 1: Epibase / CC BY-SA 2.0;