The Promenade du Paillon is a long linear park running northward from Place Masséna, built above the buried course of the Paillon River. Opened in 2013 on the site of former bus stations and car parks, it has become Nice's main green spine: a kilometre of lawns, fountains, play areas, trees, and benches stretching between the city centre and the arts complex around MAMAC.
The Mirror of the Sea — a shallow reflecting pool that periodically shoots up jets of water — is a favourite with children and parents in the afternoon heat. The park is free, always open, and genuinely used by Nice residents rather than just tourists. It connects Place Masséna to Place Garibaldi by foot along a pedestrian route that avoids traffic entirely.