The park is one of the favorite places for walks in Nice. This 19.3-hectare park is located on one of the many hills of the city of Nice. The park of the castle hill is a place where people come seeking a peace and quietness. Children can play safely since cars are prohibited. In addition, a playground is specially equipped to accommodate children of all ages.

This park offers breathtaking views over the coast and the cities surrounding Nice. You can now see how unique that the city has grown on the hills that surround it and admire the port of Nice and the beautiful bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer .
The original vegetation of the Parc de la Colline du Château consists of hardwoods and conifers. Many alien species have been added over the years up to get an interesting flora today.

Bellanda Tower :

The tower is accessible by the staircase that climbs the hill of the castle from the sea. It is halfway and will provide both a point of rest and relax before continuing the rise and a panoramic view on the Promenade des Anglais and Old City.
Bellanda Tower was built in 1844 in typical romantic style. It was built in place of the old tower of St. Elmo, which was part of the ancient castle.

The cascade of the castle :

These are the ruins of one of the dungeons of the castle which served as the basis for the construction of this beautiful waterfall visible from the old town and the Cours Saleya . The waterfall was built in 1885 in order to decorate the Castle Hill, but also in order to play the role of on-verses basins of the first modern water supply of Nice. Even today, the waterfall is fed by the waters of the Vésubie valley.

The history of the castle park :

Why do we speak of the "castle park" when no castle is there? This is because in 1706, King Louis XIV asked it to be destroyed. The castle had until then defended the city of Nice against many attacks. Indeed, Nice, at the time, was not yet in France. This fortress was then an obstacle for the French attacks against the Savoie County .

Fortunately for Nice, this destruction had a positive effect since the city was forced to open and expand outside its ancient walls. Then the tourist resort was born which allowed the city to develop.

In 1828, King Charles-Felix of Savoy, at the time King of Sardinia, originally intialized the project of the Castle Hill Park. He wanted to create a walk for the rich tourists on holiday in Nice. Then the Royal Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and many famous botanists (Risso, Bottière, Milo) began to build a park for the city of Nice.

Despite different destructions, the castle park retains traces of its monuments of the past. Many ruins have been found and revealed (cathedral, citadel). Archaeological digs are still active today in an attempt to reveal traces of the fortress (from the medieval to the Baroque period).

Schedules and prices:

September 1 to September 30 : 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
October 1 to March 31 : 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
April 1 to May 31 : 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
June 1 to August 31 : 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The park entrance is free.

Photo: Baptiste Rossi©