With unbelievable flora, the Côte d'Azur is brimming with gardens and parks that exude calmness and serenity. The mild climate is conducive to thriving vegetation, made up of several thousand species of flowers, plants and trees.
Here is our selection of the five finest public and private gardens that are a must-see on your trip to the Riviera:
1 - La Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild - Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
La Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is surrounded by nine magnificent gardens that attest to the wealth of the Côte d'Azur. Each garden has a different theme. This mini tour is an invitation on a journey through French, Spanish, Florentine, Japanese and exotic gardens among others. It’s nice to lose yourself in this place for a day. In the centre of the estate is a villa built by Baronness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild between 1905 and 1912 and reminiscent of Italian palaces. The park has over 5,000 artworks and exceptional pieces of furniture on display.
2 -The Exotic Garden of Eze – Eze village
The Exotic Garden of Eze is perched on an ancient Medieval fortress overlooking the Mediterranean. The panoramic, unobstructed birds-eye view stretches miles into the distance and is one of the most incredible in the Côte d’Azur.
What awaits you in the exotic garden? A verdant, artistic discovery in the midst of hundreds of plant species. This garden has been awarded the Remarkable Garden classification and we recommend that you make it a priority on your trip to the Côte d’Azur!
3 – Parc Phoenix – Nice
Head to Nice, at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, where you will find Parc Phoenix. Fifteen thematic gardens, a lake of 6,000m2 reflecting the walls of the Museum of Asian Arts and an animal park. You might cross paths with parrots, lemurs, wallabies and more.
Deep in the park stands an impressive metal pyramid, one of the world’s biggest. This 7,000m2 space has no less than six different tropical and subtropical climates. Discover the t garden of Southern Africa, the exuberance of the equatorial forest, the world of orchids, the fern greenhouse and the crocodiles of the Nile. To end your visit, head to the aquarium and insect gallery. It offers a complete change of scene that will appeal to young and old.
4 – Jardin Botanique de la villa Thuret – Antibes
Villa Thuret is a scientific research site that has been dedicated to botany and acclimatisation since 1857. Created by Gustave Thuret, Villa Thuret is now home to over 2,500 trees and plants from 380 regions across the world. A two-hour stroll in the Azur sun, in an idyllic setting near the sea.
5 – La Villa Roc Fleury – Cap d’Ail
A former restaurant built in the Italian style typical of the 1900s, Villa Roc Fleury is now part of the heritage of the Côte d’Azur. This villa, which is available to rent on our website, is open to the public at certain times of the year for cultural events. Why are we talking about it in this article? It has a magnificent garden with lush vegetation and ninety-year old palm groves.
