About Castle of Nice

Castle Hill in Nice is the perfect example of how ruins can be transformed into a wonderful park with a man-made waterfall to boot. The summit offers panoramic and breathtaking views. It makes for the quintessential vantage point wherein one can get the best glimpses of the Riviera and the glistening waters of the Mediterranean. Referred to as “La Colline du Château”, it was originally a citadel used for military purposes and stood guard over the bay of Nice from the 11th century to the 18th century. 

Besieged on several occasions, especially in 1543 and in 1691, it was taken by French troops in 1705 and was finally destroyed in 1706 at the command of Louis XIV. Only a few remnants of the cathedral and medieval fortress remain on top of the hill. Interestingly. there is no castle here anymore. Reaching the top is not an easy task as one has to climb 213 stone steps but once there you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the city. The signboards and placards tell the story of the original site where buildings once stood. 

Nowadays, Castle Hill is used as a park. A favorite haunt for tourists as it offers many panoramic vistas right from the time of dawn to the twilight hours. That's why Castle Hill is fondly referred to as "the cradle of the sun".

 

Must See

 

  • BellandaTower offers lovely, striking views of the Bay of d’Anglais from the platform 
  •  This is one of the only remaining defense structures of the Castle of Nice and is illuminated at night 
  • The cemetery at the Hill which houses 3 cemeteries, Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic
  •  The artificial waterfall presents a spectacular view and is a thrilling and exciting activity especially in the summer
  • One is recommended to explore the cobblestone streets of Nice by foot 

 

How to reach

 

 

 

By Bus: Line 12 

It takes about 31 minutes and costs about 1.49 Euros

By Tram: 

It takes about 34 minutes and costs about 1.49 Euros

By Taxi:

14 minutes and the fare is between 34.66 to 41.83 Euros

By Drive:

14 minutes and the fare is between 1.08 to 1.67 Euros

By Rideshare:

38 minutes and the fare is between 0.96 to 2.51 Euros

By Shuttle:

14 minutes and the fare is between 28.69 to 39.44 Euros

By Towncar:

14 minutes and the fare is between 31.08 to 44.23 Euros

By Uber:

14 minutes and the fare is between 16.73 to 23.91 Euros

 

 

 

Tips

 

  • The hike up Castle Hill can be an exhilarating experience
  • The panoramic view of  bay d’Anglais is the  biggest attraction of Castle Hill
  • One can also see across the whole city of Nice with the backdrop of the hills 
  • Some people might be a bit uncomfortable with the 213 steep steps or can take the lift 
  • They can opt for the 45-minute picturesque train ride instead which tours the entire park
  • The summit does have three key attractions: the tower, the waterfalls and the panoramic view
  •  Sunset is the best time to have a gorgeous view of the bay of Nice
  • Check the closing hours of the park at the gates as it is closed early in winter
  • Admission is free though a small fee is charged for use of the lift 

 

Visit Time

Sunday:         8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Monday:        8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday:       8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday:  8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday:      8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Friday:           8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday:       8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

 

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No 

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

 2 to 3 hours 

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Moderate Rain 20.84°C

 

Local Services in Nice (Contact directly)

Discussion

No threads yet!

Be the first one to start a thread.

More Information about Castle of Nice

Top Attractions in Nice

Top Cities in France