Riviera Pebbles Blog: Colline du Château

Posted on 8th Mar 2019 in Go & Do

Collline du Château

OK, you may be slightly breathless when you’ve climbed the steps, but the park and view is well worth the effort. If you’ll find the steps a challenge, there’s an ascenseur (elevator) at the tip of rue de Ponchettes, near the Old Town.

It’s a huge park – hard to believe there’s a city just below it. Amongst the tranquil green open space, you should easily find a place to spread out a blanket and enjoy a home-made picnic with fresh ingredients bought at the Cours Saleya market and the boulangeries of the Old Town.

You can pick up refreshments, there’s a large and safe playground for children and even a site of archaeological remains from a 5th century church. You can also enjoy the waterfall spray – welcoming on a hot summer’s day, and many a vista.

To begin your ascent up to the Château, there are three entrances you can take:

If you happen to be in the Old Town, you can begin your climb on the steps at the top of Rue Rossetti, in the middle of the Old Town.

Alternatively, if you are closer to the Promenade and Cours Saleya, the parallel road, Rue des Ponchettes, leads to the staircase that takes you up with many options to pause and admire the views. Here you’ll also find the lift.

Both the Rue Rossetti and Rue des Ponchettes entrances will provide great panoramic views over the centre of Nice and the Mediterranean throughout your ascent, as well as bringing you past the impressive Cascade de la Colline (waterfall).

If you are on the Port side of the Colline du Château, by following Montée Montfort you come to a few stairs followed by winding paths that take you up to the top. This option provides spectacular views over the Port side.

Whichever way you choose to get to the top, we promise you it will be worth it; for the tranquillity, nature and the unforgettable views over this lovely city we at Pebbles call home.