If there is one expense that, during this period of controversy over the city’s and metropolitan area’s debt, should garner unanimous support, it is indeed this Promenade du Paillon, which is far more beautiful than one could have imagined.
Simply magnificent! The Niçoise Coulée Verte was inaugurated in the presence of thousands of locals and tourists who, after strolling along the paths that surround the gardens and the water feature, expressed their admiration. The sunny day was one of those that people like to say: I was there (despite the boring official speeches).
The Promenade du Paillon may not be the equal of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but it will quickly become a symbol of Nice’s influence, a worthy counterpart and complement to the famous Promenade des Anglais.
This green corridor has been developed over the river of the same name, which was buried in the 19th century to sanitize the city. The garden covers 40,000 m2 of planted spaces, including 17,000 m2 of lawn. Like an echo of the Paillon flowing beneath, a vegetal river now extends, allowing, at least figuratively, to embark on a botanical cruise amidst trees and plants from all continents.
One of the main attractions is the 3,000 m2 water mirror, inspired by the one in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne, equipped with 128 water jets, and also “the mist plateau,” a 1,400 m2 surface of basalt and limestone equipped with hundreds of mist sprayers.
Summarizing two years of work, yesterday’s inauguration also marked the end of one of the most significant construction projects on the Côte d’Azur.
The gardens, enclosed by high fences, will be under close surveillance by a special brigade (and an array of high-definition cameras for the day and thermal cameras for the night).
Good luck to the agents who will need to increase their interventions with the many young children and their parents who may mistake the lawns for playgrounds.
Besides, a lawn is made to be trodden upon; that’s precisely where the fun lies!
