The application of Nice for inscription by UNESCO on the World Heritage List under the title “Nice, City of the Riviera,” has reached a critical milestone.
The French National Committee of World Heritage Properties has validated its perimeter and has decided in favor of continuing this application. Another step successfully achieved.
In total, this perimeter covers 500 hectares. It outlines the urban ensemble representative of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and includes the entire waterfront: Promenade des Anglais, Quai des Etats-Unis, Terrasses des Ponchettes, which are among the oldest tourist developments in France, designed in the 18th century for the spectacle of the sea. It extends beyond Rauba-Capeu, encompasses the Castle Hill, and crosses the port. It includes Mont Boron, the hills of Cimiez, and Baumettes, which form the amphitheater facing the sea characteristic of Riviera cities.
And it takes into account the regulated urban space delineated to the north by the railway line with some extensions such as the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
The committee has also approved the boundary of the buffer zone. According to UNESCO’s guidelines, this zone surrounds the proposed World Heritage site to preserve the views both from and towards the site.
As a reminder, in 2014, the management of this application was entrusted to a dedicated Mission led by Jean-Jacques Aillagon, a former Minister of Culture, who is working to bring his experience and skills to the service of this project.
On October 23, 2015, the City of Nice requested inclusion on France’s Tentative List. On October 11, 2016, the French National Committee of World Heritage Properties deemed the application admissible. On March 6, 2017, the application of Nice was officially listed on France’s Tentative List. On October 10, 2017, the French National Committee validated the Outstanding Universal Value of the presented property. A management plan will be presented in June 2019, with a view to a possible submission by France to UNESCO of the application dossier for Nice’s inscription on the World Heritage List in 2020.
