| Article Index |
|---|
| Parc Floral Phoenix |
| The Lake and Floral Park |
| The Diamant Vert |
| Contact Details |
| All Pages |
The Diamant Vert
Entrance is through electronic sliding glass doors that bring you into the heart of the structure. Inside this moist and earthy climate you'll discover an amazing range of tropical plants and knowing which one to look at first becomes a difficult decision as each one is more spectacular than the other. The immense size of the Diamant Vert only becomes apparent as you wind your way through and visit each section. In fact, it's rather like seven greenhouses protected by one enormous one.
The different sections are protected one from the other by thick glass doors or heavy rubber-like panels similar to those found in refrigerator rooms. Following the signs and starting from left to right, you'll discover the Emerald Room, Iguana, Louisiana, Tree Ferns, Aquarium & Insect, Australian greenhouses and finally the Orchid Green House. Each greenhouse is remarkable with some surprising creatures lurking within.
For example it was fun discovering Iguanas roaming freely around. Close up these are impressive reptiles and it was a delight to watch them mooch around, some in trees, other peeking over the top of cupboards, while others on the ground delighted in chewing dainty Hisbiscus flowers or nibbling the straplike leaves of a Spider Plant. While some of the Iguanas were fairly big you'll find Bigger Boys, Cayman, in the Louisiana greenhouse - but they're behind tough glass.
All in all you should count on staying a good hour if you want to give your full attention to everything in the Diamant Vert. This length of time might be difficult for some people so, thoughtfully, there are toilets and a baby's nappy changing area. More toilets are located just at the Arenas entry of the park.
A lovely walk awaits you too as you leave the Diamant Vert behind you and if you're feeling peckish you'll find a good snack bar and seating area, located midway in the park where you can recharge your batteries and rest awhile.
Background
The idea of a large park was first discussed in the 1860s apparently by Napoleon III on one of his official visits to the region when inspecting works carried out on reinforcing the banks of the River Var, adjacent to what was then just open fields. His suggestion was to create something akin to the Bois de Boulogne. As it was, the Société Central d'Agriculture, d'Horticulture and d'Acclimatisation of Nice and Alpes-Maritimes used part of the land to undertake a series of ambitious projects: an immense orangery, experimental vineyards and plant cultivations, as well as a silk worm farm and an agricultural laboratory.
During the 1880s plans for a Casino were put forward by the Blanc family who then owned the land but this idea was brushed aside by the local authorities. Little by little the land was sold off in parcels to various smallholders until the expansion of the agglomeration of Nice looked towards this area for property development. Thankfully, while building work was carried out to create the business centre of the Arénas and, adjacent to that the development of the airport, the parkland remained intact and unspoilt.
In 2004 it seems an idea was put forward to renovate the existing park and transform it into a world class Theme Park while still incorporating existing park elements into the new design. While layouts were drawn up to provide new and unique attraction concepts I'm unsure whether or not any official decision was taken. It is hoped that, much like the idea of a Casino all those many years ago, the idea of a Theme Park will be equally shelved as, personally, I think the Parc Floral Phoenix is already in a world class of its own.
