PARC PHOENIX
405 Promenade des Anglais
Tel +33 (0)4 92 29 77 00
Fax +33 (0)4 92 29 77 01

Description
When the weather is bad or overcast, think of a visit to Parc Phoenix, situated opposite Nice airport. Even though there are many things to see and do in the open air, its indoor dome boasts a multitude of plant species, taking you on a trip to admire flora, butterflies, birds and reptiles from around the world. A trail helps to visit each zone - search for the Iguanas, admire the miniature crocodiles and tortoises, cross the carp pond and visit the aquarium and insect area.

Open: 1st Oct-31 March, 9.30am-6pm & 1st April-30th Sept, 9.30am-7.30pm. Entrance closes 1 hour before closing time. Price: -12 yrs free ; +12 yrs 2€. 2hrs free parking at the Arenas car park. Entertainment organised in school holidays.

CASTELLI
448 rte Grenoble
Tel +33 (0)4 93 18 35 20
Fax +33 (0)4 93 18 12 26

Description
One indoor activity that families who live in England do at weekends is a trip to a garden centre as they very often offer some sort of entertainment for children, with a cafe, and a nice shop. Other nationalities may find this amusing (?), but never the less we recommend the Castelli garden centre for a short outing of about 1 hour, if the weather is bad or if you fancy a little shop at the week-end.

With a large selection of plants, outdoor furniture and accessories (including some for children), there is a pet shop where our furry friends, birds, fish, puppies, ducks, chickens and even pigs can be bought or just admired.

The 1st floor, easily reached by lift if you have a pushchair or a wheel chair, displays a beautiful selection of indoor decorative items, sold at reasonable prices. At Christmas, there is a very magical feeling given by wonderful, unusual decorations that can be bought, a miniature Christmas village and a few Father Christmases (fake ones and unfortunately without a grotto). Be careful if you are going with little children as there are quite a few fragile objects - it's best to keep them in the push chair if possible.

There isn't a café but there are drinks machines. The shop is open every day, including week-ends and bank holidays, from 9am to 7pm. There is a large car park and it is just opposite a large supermarket and furniture shops. It is a 2 minute drive from Quick, with an indoor and outdoor play area, if you want to please the kids.