The Paillon Promenade

designed by Péna Paysages /

Location: France / Nice / Type: Parks / Water features / Built: 2013 /
Show on Google Maps / Published on June 8, 2015

Péna Paysages: The major goal was to create a large urban park in the heart of the city thereby capturing the sensuality of nature. The park would give the city the green space it lacked, while showing that it could take an ecological vocation by a return to nature in the city. From the urban planning point of view, this major project allowed us to join together locations that were disassociated during the twentieth century. This intervention was offering an opportunity to open the landscape.

The project proposes to reestablish the rivers course on the surface by the symbolic creation of two riparian forest on the edges of the park. The presence of a long stone ribbon, which runs from the theater to the beach, evokes the flow of the forgotten river. This constitutes the main promenade, longitudinally bisecting the park. The central part has a wide green carpet on which rectangular mineral spaces are arranged delineating recreational activities areas for children. A large mirror of water and an array of misting fountains take place on either side of the Place Massena.

Thanks to the magic of a Mediterranean climate, which is an accommodating biotop, the garden invites a botanical journey across continents. The park is a huge success (about 15 thousand visitors daily) without observing a decrease in use of neighboring public spaces. The landscape and urban quality of this park has reinforced the green vocation of the city and its image has become a tourist attraction beyond borders.

Project Name: The Paillon Promenade
Location: Nice, Côte d’Azur, France
Client: Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur
Completion: 2010‐2013
Team: Péna Paysages (team leader), ZEKTON Hydraudesign (Fontainerie) / Atelier Coup d’Eclat (Light) / EGIS
Area: 12 ha Budget : 31 M€