If you know the city of Nice in the South of France well, when it comes up, the first image that’s likely to come to mind is that of Promenade des Anglais. Known as La Prom by locals, it is no doubt the most popular place in the city. This long street facing the Mediterranean Sea is a sight to behold. It is famous for the views of the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels) that keep tourists spellbound. You’ll be talking about the views long after your visit.
So, why is it called Promenade des Anglais which translates to 'Promenade of the English'? Back in the 18th century, English aristocrats came across the promenade. They were eager to spend time in the area's superb climate, away from the harsh winters in England. A stroll down the waterfront was a favorite pastime for many of these visitors, so the barren beach walkway soon became a paved street.
The rich visitors built many lavish villas nearby, notably in the Cimiez area in Northern Nice along Boulevard de Cimiez. Cimiez remains an upscale part of Nice, and the splendid Belle Époque style of many of these buildings is still on display here. It is a place worth exploring to learn more about Nice's history.
Exploring Nice and other parts of the French Riviera
Today, you’ll find crowds of tourists on the beaches along the promenade and taking strolls or a bicycle ride while enjoying the weather that made Nice and the French Riviera famous.
Promenade des Anglais stretches from Nice airport all the way down to the foot of Castle Hill Park, right next to Nice’s harbor, Port Lympia. In between, you’ll find the famous landmarks of the promenade. These include Le Negresco Hotel, Villa Masséna, and Jardin Albert 1er.
It’s tough to put into words what you feel when you breathe in the clean air along the coast while gazing at the bay. Lazing around on one of the beaches along the promenade is good for the soul. Every visitor to Nice should indulge in this activity.
While most of the beaches can get crowded during peak periods, Le Negresco (and a few other establishments along the promenade) does have a private beach for their guests during the warm months. If you prefer not to be on a beach with a lot of people, think about staying in one of these hotels.
If you're relatively fit, walking the full length of Promenade des Anglais is easy as it's just 7km long. As you take on the short hike, here's what you'll see along the way:
Must-See Attractions & Landmarks
Plage Publique de la Lanterne
Plage Publique de la Lanterne is the first beach you’ll see as you start your journey from Parc de Carras, just east of the airport. It is a pebble beach like the rest of the beaches in the area. There’s a covered area here where you can relax and gather yourself for the walk to the other end of the promenade. It’ll take a while before you get to the next landmark, but you’ll be too busy taking in the sublime views of the Baie des Anges to notice.
Le Negresco Hotel
Le Negresco Hotel is synonymous with Nice. The hotel is hard to miss as its imposing Belle Époque style and pink dome stand out. Directly facing Promenade des Anglais, it is as much a tourist attraction as a 5-star hotel, and stopping by for lunch may not be a bad idea. You’ll have the Michelin-starred Le Chantecler waiting for you (don’t forget to book in advance).
Villa Masséna and Jardins du Musee Masséna
Next to Le Negresco, you'll find the Belle Époque Villa Masséna. The villa was built in 1898 for Victor Masséna, the Duke of Rivoli. Victor's son, Andre Masséna, ceded the villa to the city of Nice in 1919, after which it became a museum (Musée Masséna). Musée Masséna is an art museum with art showing the rich history of the French Riviera. The villa, which also has a lush garden, is the ideal place to visit before continuing your trip down Promenade des Anglais.
Former Site of Casino de la Jetée-Promenade
In 1891, Casino de la Jetée-Promenade was built on a pier opposite the current site of Palais de Méditerranée Hotel. It saw a lot of patrons while it was in place, but it appears the casino was never meant to last as it didn’t survive the World Wars. Despite multiple rumblings about rebuilding it, all that’s left of it is the remains of the pier you have to look hard to notice.
Jardin Albert 1er
Jardin Albert 1er is a public park that has been part of Nice since 1852. The green space with different sculptures and monuments connects Promenade du Paillon to Promenade des Anglais. Here, you’ll find Théâtre de Verdure, which often hosts many events in the city, including the Nice Jazz Festival.
Vieille Ville (Old Town)
As you step away from the garden, you may want to take a detour into the Old Town to see the charm of the cobblestone streets and the locally sourced produce and flowers at Marche Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya. It’s mostly a cash-only market, so stop by an ATM if you intend to make a purchase.
Neuf Lignes Obliques
Neuf Lignes Obliques is a steel sculpture built to mark the 150th anniversary of the annexation of Nice. It’s in front of Esplanade Georges Pompidou, a small green area with a selection of palm trees. The green space has a walkway leading through the Old Town to Fontaine du Soleil, the fountain with a statue of Apollo in Place Masséna, Nice’s main square.
Opéra de Nice
The imposing Opéra de Nice is the main opera venue in Nice. Built in 1826 on a site that had a wooden theater, it was introduced in 1828 with the performance of Barone di Bolsheim by Giovanni Pacini. Today, it hosts operas, classical music performances, and ballets. There’s a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty on the promenade right in front of the opera house. It’s easy to miss so be sure to look out for it.
Colline du Château
As you approach the red, white, and blue “I Love Nice” sign, you can pat yourself on the back, noting that you’ve made it to the other end of the promenade. If you’re not too tired, climb up to Colline du Château, the hilltop park where a beautiful waterfall awaits you. Beyond the waterfall, the best reason to go to the park is to enjoy the best views of the promenade and Baie des Anges. Only one other place in Nice rivals the views here. It will be the highlight of your walk along Promenade des Anglais.
