As you move around Nice for the next few years, you’ll be seeing a lot of construction. What’s going on? A lot. A major expansion to the west is intended to revitalize the entire area between Nice Airport and the Plaine du Var with parks, gardens and cultural centers. Central Nice will lose the massive TNN structure which, controversially, will be destroyed and replaced with parkland. Nice’s current administration is determined to reduce cars and pollution in central Nice. To that end there will be new transport lines to the north, east and west and plenty of greenery to keep the air fresh.
To put it in historical perspective, Nice’s mayors and governing officials have always sought to put their imprint on Nice’s urban landscape. Some projects have worked out well such as the expansion of Nice from its old town core to the Quartier des Musiciens and Cimiez. Some have been less welcomed such as the destruction of mansions and parkland in West Nice. This mayor has a vision of a much greener and cleaner Nice that extends from the Var river to the northeastern limits of the city where people can rely on modern public transport.
For an overview of all the changes along with maps and models, stop by the Maison des Grands Projets facing the water mirror in the Promenade du Paillon.
Here are the major developments:
PARKS
Extension of the Promenade du Paillon
Redevelopment of the Place Ile de Beauté
Plaine du Var Landscaped Park
CULTURAL SPACES
Théatre des Franciscans
The rehabilitation of the Franciscan church on Place Saint François has been going on for some time. In excavating the 13th-century church, archaeologists discovered columns, caves and even the remains of an early 20th-century cinema. It should be a beautiful venue for the new Théatre National de Nice. The 300-seat theater will be modernized technically and acoustically and made more accessible. The stage will be fully modular with various tiers and configurations that can adapt to each production.
La Cuisine
Parc des Expositions
TRANSPORT
Cable Car linking Nice and Saint Laurent du Var
This cable car is intended to relieve traffic congestion by providing a convenient link between Nice and Saint Laurent du Var. Why not just extend tramway line 2? That would involve creating a new bridge over the Var river. This cable car will link the Cadam tram stop on line 2 with the Saint Laurent town hall in less than three minutes. And, it will run every four minutes.
Tramway Line 5
The underserved municipalities of Drap, Ariane, Bon Voyage and La Trinité will finally get their tram line, making their commute much quicker. The new line will serve an area of 50,000 inhabitants, contain 16 stations and extend 7.6 km.
Tramway Line 4
When? early 2026.
Interesting News thank you!
You’re very welcome!