The French Riviera is known for its beaches, sunshine, and glamour. But this stretch of dreamy Mediterranean coastline is also home to a bouquet of delightful gardens, from desert wonders perched high above the sea to thousands of roses dedicated to a princess.
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If I’m being honest, sometimes I’m not in the mood to lie on a beach, or I want a dose of green when I’m among the crowds. A visit to a garden or a tour of some off-beach beauty is the perfect pick-me-up.
Check out these five French Riviera gardens guaranteed to be the botanical boost you need.
1. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
The rose-colored Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild was the winter home of Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild, a French socialite and art collector.
She had her French Riviera villa built between 1905 and 1912 after leaving her husband, a not-so-gentle man who racked up gambling debts and gave her an STD (you go girl!).
As part of the entry ticket, you can dip inside for a look at about a dozen rooms filled with art, décor, and furnishings. There is even a restaurant and tearoom inside what was once the Baroness’s dining room (dessert is the thing to order here).
But it’s the 17 acres of gardens surrounding the villa that draw me there. Categorized into nine themes, such as Japanese, French, and Spanish, they are all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, and are serene, lush, and just…wow!
Filled with lush plants and trees, colorful flower beds and bushes, and dotted with sculptures, statues, ornate stairways and other garden eye candy, this is the perfect garden to stroll with loved ones, Mom, or alone.
Be sure to stop by the French Garden where musical fountains ‘perform’ every 20 minutes.
Getting to Villa Ephrussi from Nice
It’s not very far from Old Town Nice, just about 5 miles, so you could take a taxi or an Uber to the villa’s front door. Other more budget-friendly options:
-Take the train from Nice Ville Station to Villefranche-sur-Mer and taxi from there (much closer)
-Take the bus Line 15 from Promenade des Arts – or the closest bus stop on line 15- in Nice to Passable / Rothschild
2. Jardin Exotique d’Èze
Think of this garden as the reward at the end of a very steep climb through the enchanting perched village of Èze.
Eze is up there, which makes the views so spectacular! If you don’t feel like driving it yourself, you could book a private transfer for maximum flexibility.
Or, for more of an adventure, take an ultra-scenic guided e-bike tour from Nice up to the village and still have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the view.
Crowning the village is the enchanting garden encrusted with castle ruins, statues, and a stunning collection of flowering desert succulents and cacti, as well as Mediterranean plants and flowers. Some are marked with QR codes so you can impress your friends with extra knowledge about the flora.
The garden is also a place to enjoy the most jaw-dropping view of the French Riviera coastline you’ll see.
3. Princess Grace Rose Garden
Inaugurated in 1984, the Princess Grace Rose Garden is one of Monaco‘s most underrated landmarks and a poignant reminder of the American girl who became a princess when she, actress Grace Kelly, married Prince Rainier of Monaco on April 19, 1956.
This garden in the Fontvieille district of Monaco is easily accessible on foot or by local bus. Many Monaco walking tours also make a stop here.
The beautiful garden is home to more than 300 varieties of roses from all over the world. I’ve read that there are 5,000-6,000 bushes, but has anyone has actually counted them? Use your smartphone to flash the QR codes and learn more about the rose varieties.
And be sure to search for the pink Grace de Monaco, the variety created by the French rose breeder House of Meilland as a wedding gift to the new princess. That’s way better than a gravy boat!
Getting There From Nice: Board a train in Nice (toward Menton), and it will stop right at the modern Monaco station in 30 minutes. From there, you can walk down into the city and hop on any of the air-conditioned buses that cover all of Monaco. Bus lines 4 and 6 go to Fontvielle and cost just 2 euros to ride.
4. Monastery Gardens of Cimiez
I stumbled on this garden while visiting the Matisse Museum in Nice and what a discovery it was! So incredibly peaceful, even in the thick of summer.
Cimiez is a historic residential neighborhood located on a hill northeast of Nice’s city center. Known for its rich cultural heritage, it features Roman ruins, Belle Époque villas, like and the scenic Monastery of Cimiez. Interested in a deeper dive? Try this private walking tour of the area and leave the area knowing more than most people do!
The Italian-style garden surrounding the monastery is free to explore. Take in the orange, lemon, and mandarin trees, and follow the flowerbed-lined paths through olive and cypress tree groves.
For shade in the summer, there are pergolas smothered in climbing roses. If I knew how to paint, I’d set up my easel here!
The nearby Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez will make you feel as if you’ve traveled to ancient Rome on foot!
Getting there: Bus line 5, 33, and 16Â connect from Nice to the Cimiez district. You could also take a taxi. It’s less than 2 miles.
5. Les Serres de la Madone
The beautiful village of Menton on the Italian border is worth a visit any time. And it’s home to Les Serres de la Madone , a garden that offers a nice respite from the throngs of people who visit Menton each summer.
The estate was originally owned by an American botanist named Lawrence Johnston, who filled his 17-acre hillside property with flora and fauna from his travels around the world. There is an entry fee (check website for the most current pricing).
Getting there from Nice: The train from Nice Ville to Menton takes aroudn 40 minutes and they leave every 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Mention, hire a cab to take you the 1.5 miles UP HILL to the gardens.
FYI: If you have reduced mobility, you should be aware that there are some steep stairs and uneven terrain. Where sturdy shoes.
Discover more French Riviera travel inspiration or book a one-day tour of the French Riviera if you’re short on time, or stepping off a cruise ship in Nice.
