After the three episodes of bad weather that affected the city, the port had to get back on its feet to preserve maritime wildlife. This is where the departmental council decided to invest massively to allow for its renovation.
“The departmental ports have been certified as clean ports, an accreditation received in March 2019.” This is an environmental certification developed with the department with a strong commitment towards being “active in biodiversity.”
Renovation works
The management of the port is ensured by the Alpes-Maritimes department in the form of direct management. Olivier Hugues, head of the port services and director of the Villefranche Sur Mer port management, explains in detail the nature of these repairs to the port facilities.
“There is the promenade for professors, which is a pedestrian pathway located on the breakwater. It protects the port, which has been entirely redone with calade (old pebbles). This allows for a genuine, pleasant tourist concrete pathway.
Then, there are the reinforcement works for all these structures, like on the dock of the pier. We experienced three episodes of bad weather last autumn that forced us to reinforce these port structures as well as the electrical installations.
We rebuilt the support walls of Chemin du Lazaret, which were holding up lands that had collapsed over time. These heavy works were spread over several phases. The final phase of the segment was completed this spring. We also redid all the electrical networks of the pier and the electrical and potable water networks of the Renée Portes dock.”
Installing measures to conserve species
Three initiatives were implemented this year:
- The installation of artificial nurseries placed on pontoons. They will enable wildlife to reproduce in conditions close to their natural habitat.
- Composters used by the port services for the maintenance of green areas.
- The elimination of pesticides in the maintenance of the port.
Resources implemented by the department
Charles Ange Ginésy, the president of the departmental council, wanted to propose an ambitious renovation plan. “We are going to rehabilitate the governor’s hall and the Baudouin gardens. We make improvements every year amounting to 1.2 million euros. This corresponds to site improvements, user safety, and the proper functioning of the port. It is an additional 700,000 euros for the improvement of this port.”
