Visiting Nice and looking for a green space to fill your lungs with fresh air? Direction the Castle hill Park! This 19-hectare estate offered us a sublime view over the Baie des Anges, and is just a stone’s throw from the old town and port. An ideal spot for a stroll or a picnic!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Parc de la Colline du Château in Nice.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to Castle Hill Park worthwhile?
Yes, Nice’s Castle Hill Park is well worth a visit. We went there to fill our lungs! It’s an ideal place to relax in the open air. The panorama was quite exceptional once we reached the top.
This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nice.
What you can see
The 2 park entrances
If you’re ready to climb the 500 steps of the Escalier Lesage, the entrance on the south-west side of the park is close to the Promenade des Anglais and the Nice sundial. On this side, an elevator also gave us access to the park. The 2nd entrance is at the top of Montée Montfort to the north of the park, near the cemeteries and parking lot.
Exceptional views of the city and bay
Climbing up the elevator or stairs on the Promenade des Anglais side, we first enjoyed an exceptional view of Old Nice, the Baie des Anges and the promenade.
The Bellanda Tower and its panorama
You’ll then arrive at the Bellanda Tower, erected in 1826. It stands on the site of the former Tour Saint-Elme, destroyed when the fortress was dismantled in the early 18th century. Overlooking the Escalier Lesage and its 500 steps from the seafront promenade, this tower is now an art exhibition venue and, above all, a great place to admire the view!
The rolling hinterland loomed in the distance, the blue of the clear sky blending with the azure of the sea. An image engraved in our memory! Educational panels helped us understand how the landscape in front of us has changed over time. Fluctuating sea levels, eroding mountains and shifting rivers have all shaped the landscape over the years.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Castle ruins
Climb the stone staircases to reach the castle ruins. Did you know that these ruins are the cradle of Nice, an ancient site fortified by the Celto-Ligurians? In the 3rd century BC, the Phocaean Greeks settled here and established a trading post. We have learned that Nice (formerly “Nikaia”, the Greek name of the goddess of victory) was occupied by the Romans at the beginning of the Christian era. It was then that the medieval city was born! It was on this hill that the ancient Cathedral of Sainte-Marie was built. You’ll notice that this no longer exists, having been replaced in Vieux Nice by the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, restored and enlarged over the centuries to accommodate more worshippers.
The Cascade de la Colline, refreshing and surprising
Take the time to refresh yourself by admiring the beautiful Cascade de la Colline after climbing a few more stone steps. Built on the former castle keep, it’s a sight to behold! The cascade is fed by water from the Vésubie canal, built at the end of the 19th century.
Location of medieval towers and terraces
If you’re looking for exceptional views of the surrounding area, you’ve come to the right place! A number of destroyed medieval towers, such as Tours Saint-Victor and Saint-Charles, have given way to beautifully refurbished stone terraces.
Remains of the “castrum” wall, medieval tower
After walking along the stone and gravel path, you’ll come to the remains of the castrum wall in local limestone. Can you see the impact of the cannonball on this wall?
The traditional firing of the Nice cannon
Did you know that the cannon shot that you’ll hear every lunchtime is fired from the Colline du Château? It surprised us the 1st time, but we’re getting used to it, so don’t panic! A tradition that dates back to the 19th century and continues to this day (with a real cannon nowadays), every day except July 14th.
Floor frescoes and mosaics
Stone staircases with fairly wide steps then lead you to new terraces and viewpoints. Look up to see the blue sky and the trees above you, but don’t forget to look down. You’ll notice beautiful stone mosaics…
Do you recognize these scenes from Greek mythology? Inherited from the Greeks who settled on this hill several centuries BC, we were surprised to (re)discover Homer’s Odyssey transcribed in stone mosaic on this stepped floor. Curiosities lurk everywhere in this magnificent park, the city’s green lung!
The remains of the medieval cathedral
Continue your tour in search of the wonders of this verdant park full of surprises. You’ll then come face to face with more colorful mosaics, heralding the remains of the medieval cathedral dedicated to Saint Mary, rebuilt in the Middle Ages.
A virtual reconstruction helped us visualize the 1st cathedral built in the 11th century, then the site of the church rebuilt in the 15th century, enlarged with the addition of a vault and bell tower. Stone remains are still visible on the historic site, as you can see from the picture.
The terrace overlooking Port Lympia
After passing the areas where archaeological excavations are still underway and the site of the former housing, stores and workshops, we arrive again on a beautiful terrace. This time, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of Port Lympia. The first port development work began in Nice in 1750, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that the port as it exists today was enlarged and developed. In the distance, you can make out the Mont-Boron Fort and its park, an integral part of the defensive system of Nice and the Villefranche-sur-Mer roadstead, originally built by the Duke of Savoy in the mid-16th century.
Kindergarten
The Parc de la Colline du Château in Nice is a space for discovering and reconnecting with nature that’s perfect for young and old alike! A children’s playground awaits you and your little ones.
Paintings and works of art
Another of our favorites in this mythical park: the works of art and paintings on display. On the Bellanda Tower, we marveled at Jean Klissak’s painting Les Congés Payés, depicting the Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais. We admired the ochre and red roofs typical of the Côte d’Azur capital, with the mountains on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Elements brilliantly captured by the artist!
As for the view of Port Lympia, artist Alexis Mossa delighted us with his watercolor Vue sur le port depuis le Château. Very different artistic styles, offering a different view of the panoramas you’ll be able to observe from the terraces.
A place of remembrance to pay tribute to the righteous
A large stone stele will then stand before you at this place of remembrance. A list of men and women who saved Jewish people from anti-Semitic persecution and the extermination camps is engraved. This place of remembrance invited us to reflect and remember.
The Jewish cemetery
If you continue to the north-east of the park, you’ll push open the gate to the Israelite cemetery on part of the hill. We observed a Holocaust Memorial. Cartoonist Goscinny and jeweller Van Cleef are also buried here.
The castle cemetery
To round off our visit to the park, we headed for the Château Cemetery. Did you know that it contains nearly 2,800 graves? It was built on the site of Nice’s former citadel at the end of the 18th century. Numerous personalities, poets, artists and scientists are buried here.
We were speechless at the beauty of this place of remembrance and contemplation, with the green-coated mountains as a backdrop. And so ends our nostalgic, almost poetic stroll through this immense park.
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
Parc de la Colline du Château, Nice: how to get there
Where is the park?
- In Nice
- In the Old Town district, park overlooking Vieux Nice
- Nice-City train station = 15 minutes by car or 40 minutes on foot
- Village ofÈze = 25min drive and 3h walk
Access by car and parking
Parking is available at the top of Montfort and Eberlé. This is the north-east entrance to the park on the cemetery side (not on the Promenade des Anglais side below). Free parking is available along the 2 slopes.
In all cases, you’ll have to complete the journey on foot, as cars can only access the cemetery. An overhead pay parking lot is available (close to Place Garibaldi and Rue Catherine-Ségurane).
Public transport access
By streetcar:
- the nearest, line 2 (Garibaldi / Le Château stop)
- or further on line 1 (Cathédrale / Vieille ville stop)
By bus, you’ll need to walk about 20min from the Wilson stop on line 5.
Access on organized tours
Or opt for an organized tour that includes this legendary Nice park:
- visit to the old town and Castle Hill – find out more
- Grand tour of Nice’s sights on a Segway – reserve your place
- guided tour of Old Nice and the Colline du Château – see program
- with a digital audioguide to explore Old Nice – see program and availability
- by Bus Hop-on Hop-off Nice Le Grand Tour – book your ticket
- private electric velotaxi tour – discover the activity
And don’t forget that Nice’s Petit Train Touristique makes a stop near the park (see details here).
Visiting difficulties
The Parc de la Colline du Château is a beautiful place, but unfortunately not all areas are accessible to people with reduced mobility. An elevator near the Escalier Lesage on the Promenade des Anglais side will take you up to the park’s highest vantage point, avoiding the 500 steps.
You should also be aware that the ground is paved and sometimes contains gravel. Bring good shoes and comfortable clothes. Public toilets are available and directional signs are posted throughout the park to help you find your way around.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Tips for visiting the Parc de la Colline du Château
Schedules and prices
Schedules:
- Open from 8.30am to 6pm from October 1st to March 31st.
- Open from 8.30am to 8pm from April 1st to September 30th.
Access is free of charge.
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
It all depends on how much time you have and what you’re looking for: you can spend 2 hours there, or walk around all day if you’re organizing a picnic. To admire all the park’s sights without hurrying, allow 2 to 3 hours, as it covers 19 hectares!
Best moment
The Mediterranean climate is fairly mild, but temperatures can quickly rise in the sun. We recommend that you plan your visit outside peak sunlight hours, in the morning or mid-afternoon. So if, like us, you don’t like crowds, avoid the summer period if you’re going to Nice, as the crowds are very high. It’s a beautiful city at other times of the year too, in autumn, winter or even spring. You’ll admire different colors and landscapes depending on the season.
Direction of visit
Visiting with children
Take in the sights and sounds of this verdant park with the whole family! Archaeological site, terraces and sublime views, waterfall, historical mosaics and plant species will amaze young and old alike!
There’s even a playground to keep the kids entertained!
Eating out
The park has an on-site snack bar and picnic tables. Why not try a Provencal-style picnic in the park? See details here and book.
And since you’re so close to Nice city center, check out our selection of the city’s best restaurants.
Hotels
You’re right in the heart of Nice. See our article on the best hotels.
For a stay in a luxury setting, you can also consult our articles on:
- the best 5-star hotels in Nice
- the best hotels on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice