people walking through a fountain in the centre of Nice

Promenade du Paillon Walk in Nice

A stroll through an urban oasis in the centre of the city

Location: Nice
Imprint: Updated 5 May 2026

Nice’s flagship urban park covers 12 hectares in the heart of the city, just a few minutes walk from Promenade des Anglais. Promenade du Paillon used to be a very congested and rather ugly thoroughfare where the old bus station and multi storey car park were situated. It was demolished in 2011 and a 3 year development project took place to turn it into the oasis of green open space, safe play areas and impressive water features that we enjoy today.

Originally there was a river of the same name that ran through this area; the more serpentine of the paved paths apparently follows where it used to flow. The river separated Old Nice from the more modern part of town but after a series of serious floods it was gradually filled in and built over, being used for markets and trade fairs until the bus station was built in the 1970’s.

What to see

Sainte Reparate Cathedral

Distance from location
<1 km

Located in Nice's old town, this impressive cathedral is dedicated to Sainte Reparate and was built in a Baroque style over a 50 year period from 1650.
Promenade du Paillon

Distance from location
<1 km

Nice’s flagship urban park covers 12 hectares in the heart of the city, just a few minutes walk from Promenade des Anglais. Promenade du Paillon used to be a very congested and rather ugly thoroughfare where the old bus station and multi storey car park were situated. It was demolished in 2011 and a 3 year development project took place to turn it into the oasis of green open space, safe play areas and impressive water features that we enjoy today.
Palais de la Prefecture

Distance from location
<1 km

This palace is thought to have been built in the early 17th century and was home to the Dukes of Savoy until 1860.
Palais Lascaris Museum

Distance from location
<1 km

This grand noble residence dates to the early 17th century and was the property of the Lascaris-Vintimille family. It has an interesting collection of Baroque art and furniture.
Cours Saleya market

Distance from location
<1 km

This vibrant square sits in the centre of old Nice and hosts markets every day of the week.
Misericorde Chapel

Distance from location
<1 km

This 18th-century Roman Catholic chapel is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and is the work of Bernardo Vittone.

Where to lunch

Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer

Location
Cap Ferrat

The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
Le Chantecler Restaurant

Location
Nice

In a Regency-style dining room decorated with magnificent 18th century woodwork, Jean-Denis Rieubland proposes two menus, "Découverte" and "Chantecler".
Jan Restaurant

Location
Nice

Modern French food with a touch of South African heritage. From childhood Jan used to spend most of his time in the garden and kitchen and has replaced this with the markets of France. With his new restaurant in the old Port of Nice he is not only out to set the trends but to combine local with a stylish and attentive atmosphere.
Le Mayssa Restaurant, Villefranche Sur Mer

Location
Villefranche-sur-Mer

Overlooking the bay of Villefranche and Cap Ferrat, this lovely restaurant serves excellent fish and seafood dishes, as well as pasta and meat mains.
Keisuke Matsushima Restaurant

Location
Nice

This fantastic restaurant is run by one of the region's top chefs, Keisuke Matsushima, who travelled to France aged 20 and worked in many top kitchens as he learned the trade.
La P'tite Cocotte Restaurant

Location
Nice

La P'tite Cocotte is a small traditional restaurant in the typical colours, stone-work and wooden beams of Old Nice. Enjoy its wooden deck in the rise of St. Augustine street with a breathtaking view of the Treille.

What to do

Road bike hire

Location
Nice

This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
Sunset Boat Trip

Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
Motorbike hire

Location
Nice

Based in Nice, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
Solar Powered Boat Trip

Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
Provence self-guided motorbike tour

Location
Nice

A trip for intermediate riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads in Provence.
The Alps self-guided motorbike tour

Location
Nice

A bike trip for advanced riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads of the French Alps.

Directions

The Promenade begins in Place Massena with the Miroir d’Eau (mirror of water), a 3000m² paved section dotted with water jets; sometimes they puff out a gentle cooling mist that is pure relief on a hot day, sometimes they shoot fountains of water high into the air - they can switch at a moment’s notice, so walk amongst them at your own risk! They are a huge hit with children who love running in and out of the jets and shrieking with laughter every time they change.

Further down the Promenade is a children’s play area with fantastical weird wooden creatures that they can climb and swing on. The ground is cushioned and covered with fake grass, while a gated fence prevents them from straying into the road.

The last section of the Promenade is a long stretch of lawn lined with olive trees; this section is the most peaceful and where you’re most likely to find office workers enjoying a packed lunch or elderly locals reading the newspaper.

The Promenade has paved walkways weaving through it and plenty of benches along both sides. With over 1000 trees and 50,000 plants, it has been planned so that there are always some botanical varieties in bloom all year round. There are also a few shaded areas with wooden armchairs near to the public toilets and tourist information desk.

Entry to the Promenade du Paillon is completely free and opening hours are from 07:00-23:00 in summer and 07:00-21:00 in winter.