While the French Riviera is known for glitz, the nature of Nice and Monaco make it a prime location to visit for nature lovers The Last Days of Winter in Nice – HER//Excursions (herexcursions.com). After all, visitors can explore and admire soaring mountains as well as crystalline azure seas.
Nice
I got to experience both firsthand when I went for a run. I hit Promenade de Anglais within a few minutes Promenade des Anglais | Heritage Nice Tourism Office (explorenicecotedazur.com). This a little over 3-mile boardwalk is in the Nice city center and follows the sea. I entered the Promenade only partway and ran towards Old Nice. The paved boardwalk is very wide and runs along bike paths as well.
I began to feel the burn at base of Le Parc de la Colline du Château (Castle Hill). I continued on to run down a stone paved pier before circling back to climb the Hill. Full disclosure: I was hot and tired and ended up just walking up the gazillion steps. The park at the top featured beautiful gardens, complete with a playground and gorgeous mosaics. I could not regret the slog though. The reward was worth Castle Park (nice-tourism.com).
Unfortunately, I did not get an opportunity to go on the many hikes in the area. From trails along the shore connecting villages, to hiking the surrounding hills, there is enough. nature in Nice to satisfy any nature lover. Additionally, proximity to the Alps also means proximityto skiing in Italy.
Monaco
The principality may be tiny, but it offers stunning views, steep trails and sparkling waters for outdoors types. Given that I had arrived in driving rain, I was able to get a front desk recommendation for a day pass gym to use for the next day. I woke up to sunny and cloudless skies. I headed to Hercules Fitness anyway. Only to find the tiniest gym ever. The two treadmills were occupied, as was the bike. I decided to save my €25. It was my best decision of the trip.
I began at the hotel with a vague plan to follow the port. The plan quickly changed when a runner passed me and started heading up a hilly street. Not to be outdone, I followed. Of course I slid around a still slick corner and ended up on the edge of the sidewalk, halfway into the street. I felt bad for the taxi driver that stopped and got out of his car to check on me but I swear I was only minutely embarrassed. The other runner had vanished but I continue to climb.
Running through one of the numerous tunnels carved in the rock was a thrill. I ended up on a boardwalk with a playground, looking down on the port. Running higher still, I wound up following a trail on the edge of the cliffs behind the museum. I admit to rubbernecking the Palace (I was essentially at the bottom of their short driveway after all). Alas no, I did not spot any Royal family members passing the numerous windows.
I headed back and to run numerous paths of St Martin Gardens (visitmonaco.com). The view of the gardens, the city and sea, were stunning in the morning light. The lip of the playground tripped me, and I fell hard enough to panic my Garmin watch. I had to tell the poor thing to stand down.
While my winter visit limited my water exposure to merely admiring from a distance, I know warmer weather brings the beautiful sea into play. As such, the nature of Nice and Monaco is that it is a great place for outdoors types.
