The Promenade des Anglais, is one of the finest esplanades in Europe, and the most charming part of Nice. It owes its name to having been in great measure constructed at the expense of the British at Nice in 1822, 3 and 4, in order to provide occupation for unemployed men.
The growth of the town has led to the continuation of the promenade westward, and one can now walk along the shore to the Nice Airport at the mouth of the Var, a distance of some 4 miles.
Just before the Second World War the Promenade was widened and there is now a double traffic way with dividing lines of palms and magnificent flowers, and a large pavement, beneath which are innumerable bathing establishments.
The Promenade des Anglais is the haunt of visitors and of those residents who have leisure.
Here they assemble in their thousands to bask in the sun to which it is exposed all day long, and to enjoy the superb prospect. Far away to the west is Cap d’Antibes, above which are the hillocks of Vallauris, Cannes and Grasse, and much more distant are the Estérels. Eastward are Cap Ferrat and its lighthouse and Mont Boron, of which mention has already been made. Northward along the curving high ground there will be seen the ruined Fort St. Alban, a great square building marking a good view-point.
A little farther along the curve is the dome of the Observatory on Mount Gros. (Visitors admitted on certain days.)
Upon the Promenade des Anglais take place the Battle of Flowers which appear in each winter season’s programme. A line of palms and other trees, planted between the road and the pedestrians’ path, extends along the promenade. Upon the side farthest from the sea are fine bright buildings comprising some of the largest and most luxurious Hotels – the Palais de la Mediterranée, the most sumptuous and fashionable of Nice’s casinos, opened in 1929 and the Musée Masséna, the property of the Prince d’Essling until it was bought by the town and converted into a Museum.
The museum is devoted to regional art and local history.
Some other Hotels we suggest in the Promenade des Anglais of Nice: Radisson Blu Hotel, Hotel Four Points Sheraton, Hotel Le Meridien, Hotel Westminster, the Plaza Hotel and the Hotel La Perouse. As in other articles, our suggestion is to choose an Hotel in Cannes or Monaco and spend a visit in Nice during the day or for a pre-dinner aperitivo. You can assist to amazing sunsets from the Promenade des Anglais. If you move in Nice during the night please use always a cab.
The third turning on the right past the wide Boulevard Gambetta leads across the Rue de France and via Avenue des Baumettes to the Musée Cheret, devoted to ancient and modern art.
At the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais is the Jardin Albert I, laid out with palm trees, other ornamental trees and flower-beds filled with a succession of blooming plants, including, during the coldest months, primulas, cyclamen and cinerarias. The grass of the surrounding lawn, as in all other gardens in Nice, is but an annual, sown towards the end of October or early in November, and ” dug in” some seven months later.
The site lies fallow until seedtime returns.
Adding to the adornment of the spot are a pond with water-fowl, bronze and marble statues, and the Fountain of the Tritons, a Greek work brought from Constantinople in the eighteenth century by a descendant of T èodore de Lascaris, Emperor of Constantinople. In the garden also is a bandstand, occupied daily during the winter season.
On two sides of the garden is the Avenue de Verdun, with very fine palms and with luxury shops.
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