Jardin Albert 1er

Jardin Albert 1er is the green hinge of central Nice, a public garden of about three hectares that links the Place Masséna and the old town to the Promenade des Anglais and the sea. Walking through it, you pass from the red-ochre arcades and busy trams of the square to palms, lawns and the open view of the Mediterranean in a few minutes. It is the oldest public garden in the city and, because of its position, one of the most used.

The garden was laid out in the nineteenth century, after Nice became French in 1860, as part of the transformation of the town from a modest port into a fashionable resort. It was designed by an engineer named Durandy, and the main works took place between the early 1860s and the 1890s. It has had several names over time, including Jardin des Plantes, Jardin Paradis and Jardin Public, and it took its present name in 1914 in honour of King Albert I of Belgium, who had visited the city. The style is a formal one, with lawns, ponds, fountains and shaded alleys, planted with palms, magnolias, oleanders and other subtropical species that thrive in the mild climate of the Riviera.

Several features give the garden its character. The Théâtre de Verdure, an open-air theatre built in the late nineteenth century, hosts concerts and performances in summer, and the stage is set against a backdrop of greenery. Contemporary art appears here too: a large sculpture by the artist Bernar Venet, a huge steel arc, was installed in 1988 and stands in contrast to the soft planting around it. Benches shaded by trees, a children's carousel and open spaces make the garden a popular spot for families, office workers and tourists who want to rest in the heat of the day.

The garden is a good starting point for a walk. To the south, the Promenade des Anglais, the broad seafront boulevard that was paid for by the English winter visitors in the early nineteenth century, runs along the Baie des Anges, with its blue chairs and the pebble beach. To the north, the Place Masséna, with its chessboard paving and fountain, leads to the Vieux Nice and the flower market, and the Promenade du Paillon, a long modern park that follows the line of a former river, begins close by. The Colline du Château, with its views over the bay, is a short walk to the east, and the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, the MAMAC, lies on the other side of the Promenade du Paillon.

The garden suits everyone, from solo travellers to families, and it is especially pleasant in the early morning and evening, when the temperature drops and the light turns soft. Admission is free. It is a good place to pause between visits to museums and the old town, and a quiet stroll here offers a break from the more crowded parts of the city. Opening times are set by the municipal authorities and may vary by season.