Promenade Paillon is a beautiful park located in the center of Nice that is perfect for picnics, relaxing, and strolling through. With regular events being held here, it is a great place to check out while you’re exploring the city!
How It Started
Before the beautiful Promenade du Paillon was created there was a river, with the same name, flowing in its place. After many years of flooding and other incidents due to the river, it was decided that it should be covered. The extensive project began in 1867 and proved to have other added benefits such as providing a green space for visitors to admire as well as connecting the Old Town to the more developed parts of the city.
This vast 12-hectare park opened in 2013 and spans from the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MAMAC) crossing over Place Massena all the way to the Promenade des Anglais.
Today, the Promenade du Paillon is undergoing a massive extension project which will take it well beyond the MAMAC all the way to Nice Acropolis which is the city’s convention center. This upgrade will make it a 20-hectare urban forest. During this project they will also be renovating and improving the MAMAC which will remain closed until everything is completed.
Check it Out
Discover why Promenade du Paillon is a great escape in the center of Nice.
What to Do
Promenade du Paillon is a great place to escape the busy city and enjoy the peacefulness of the park. As you explore you will discover some of the key features of the area. The first being the “Water Mirror” which is a large water feature with over 120 jets that can be seen from Place Massena. During the day you will find children and dogs running through the water and at night it is lit up in blue, white and red to represent the French flag.
Another great feature is the large playground for children aged 3 to 12. These wooden structures were built in a marine life theme with giant turtles, a whale and pirate ship; all great for playing and climbing. With plenty of swings, slides and so much more it’s a great place to entertain your children.
As you stroll through the area, you will find various sculptures of historic figures, seating areas and places for picnics. Throughout the day you will see people running and taking part in fitness classes as well as walking their dogs and visiting with friends. Although the park is usually busy, there is plenty of space for you to find a quiet area to relax.
Events
Throughout the year the city of Nice hosts a variety of events with some of the largest ones taking place in the Promenade du Paillon. From annual events such as Iron Man and Jazz Fest to smaller events like theater performances and concerts. Depending on the time of year that you are visiting there is a good chance that there will be an event taking place.
In past years they have set up viewing areas for major sporting events such as the Olympics in Paris, Rugby championships and Eurocup games. For this they set up a giant screen to watch the games with plenty of seating. It’s free to enter and you will have food and drinks for purchase inside; depending on the event sometimes there’s also merchandise stalls.
Although the larger events such as Iron Man tend to take over the majority of the park, you can still find plenty of green space to enjoy closer to the MAMAC area.
Carnival
Starting mid February the city center transforms for Carnival for a 3-week period. This incredible event is an absolute must see if you are in the city. Whether you are seeing the parades or taking part in other festivities around the city it is a great experience for all ages.
During this time the Promenade du Paillon transforms into the Carnival village. Throughout the village you will find gourmet food stalls, crafts, shops, games and performances! During the 3 weeks, there are also a variety of events that take place in the village like dance classes, live music, art exhibits and plenty more just be sure to check the official website for more information.
Each year there is a different theme for Carnival which determines what kinds of events and performances you can expect to see. For 2024 the theme was “King of Pop Culture” which had plenty of movies and music references throughout. This year for 2025 it is “King of Oceans” so it will be fun to see what they come up with!
Christmas Market
Another huge event that takes place in the Promenade du Paillon is the Christmas Market! Open for a month starting at the beginning of December, the city is truly transformed. Located off Place Massena the Christmas market takes over the area. At the entrance of the market, you will find an impressive Ferris Wheel, which can be seen throughout the city center.
As you explore the market, you will find various stalls selling delicious food, drinks, sweets and plenty of handmade products; perfect for gifts. There are also performances for children, craft areas and, of course, you can visit Father Christmas. No matter what time of day you visit it will be busy so embrace the festive spirit and enjoy the atmosphere.
With the Christmas Market in one section of the Promenade du Paillon, you can still enjoy the rest of the park. In previous years they have extended the market to both sides of Place Massena and set up an ice rink over the “Water Mirror.” Each year is slightly different so we will have to wait and see what they come up with this year!
Whether you are looking for a place to relax,or for somewhere to take your children, Promenade du Paillon is a great place to visit in the heart of Nice. With so much going on in the city, this park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.