Green escapades and outings in Nice
The wonders of nature near Nice
The natural beauty of Nice's hinterland is rare. Whether you prefer land or sea, Nice has something for everyone. Do you prefer a seaside outing, a leisurely stroll or a long, sporty hike? The choice is yours!
Natural parks
Discover the many parks and natural areas of the Nice Côte d'Azur region for a moment of escape. Breathtaking green landscapes await you!
The Préalpes d'Azur nature park
The Préalpes d'Azur can be seen on the horizon from the Verdon, resonating with the peaks of the Mercantour and looking out towards the coast and its islands.
Hidden forests, mysterious caves, canyons, natural sculptures... The Parc des Préalpes d'Azur is a veritable wonderland.
- 90,000 ha of nature
- 2,000 plant species
- 137 km of underground galleries
The park offers a wide variety of landscapes and hiking trails. We recommend the Gorges du Loup or the Pic de Courmettes. Numerous cycle routes also take you through the park, between passes and waterfalls.
Mercantour National Park
The Mercantour National Park remains a must-see. If you're a lover of the great outdoors, fold up your tent and set off on a bivouac, for a real return to your roots. The park's many attractions include :
- 2000 plant species (40 endemic)
- 153 bird species
- 197 vertebrate species (including wolves)
- Lac d'Allos (Europe's largest high-altitude lake)
- the Vallée des Merveilles and its 40,000 prehistoric engravings
The incredible gardens of Nice
Our favorites
To discover the vegetation of the Côte d'Azur while enjoying a real moment of relaxation, Nice opens the doors to its incredible gardens. We've selected just a few of the most beautiful. All are open to the public:
- Cimiez monastery garden
- Eco-Valley Park
- Mont Boron Forest Park
- Vinaigrier Park
Along the clear gulfs
The coastal trails combine the pleasure of walking with a love of the Grande Bleue. The Cap de Nice trail takes you along the coast to Villefranche. For a quiet, family-friendly stroll, consider the Promenade Maurice Rouvier, linking Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
Shellfish and crustaceans
Have you decided to go to the sea? The city of Nice is bordered by 4 km of beaches, both private and public. There are no sandcastles here: the beaches are covered with pebbles or gravel. On the other hand, the water is clear and blue.
Some beaches, such as Carras and Centenaire, have been awarded the Handiplage 2 buoys label, while Lenval beach is dog-friendly.
If you're looking for a sandy beach at any price, it's possible, just a few kilometers away. We suggest
- Plage des Marinières in Villefranche-sur-Mer
- les Fossettes at Cap Ferrat
- Mala beach at Cap d'Ail
The Pelagos Sanctuary
Have you always dreamed of seeing large marine mammals up close? Take your family on an enchanting voyage to the Pelagos Sanctuary. The result of an agreement between France, Italy and Monaco, this 87,500 km2 maritime area is dedicated to protecting the marine species that live there.
Many dolphins, whales and sperm whales can be seen here, as well as turtles and, exceptionally, seals.
