The exhibition “The Valrose Estate: Excellence in the Service of Heritage” at the Heritage Center in Nice can be discovered until March 22, 2024.
In partnership with the Côte d’Azur University, the city of art and history service is dedicating an exhibition to one of Nice’s sites, the Valrose estate. A ten-hectare site, featuring small and large castles, artificial ruins, parks, a theater, and more, retraces the history of the Valrose estate up to today.
“We definitely wish to be part of progress, to be at the forefront. We will never forget where we come from, what we are, and we will never forget our history or our heritage,” explains Gérard Baudoux, the mayor’s deputy responsible for UNESCO, Historical Heritage, Archaeology, and Sponsorship.
The exhibition of the Valrose estate highlights the various figures who have played a historical role in the establishment of the estate. It aims for a historical approach. In the 18th century, Nice was a center for the upper bourgeoisie during the winter season. This is why the city of Nice saw the emergence of constructions referred to as “folly,” estates like Valrose.
Alliance between Heritage and University
The Côte d’Azur University, which has made its home at the Valrose estate, has implemented a management and enhancement plan. Indeed, the Valrose estate is undergoing restoration, particularly the lake decor, to preserve its heritage. “Heritage is what allows us to place ourselves in time and progress, it’s the roots and origins that we need for building ourselves,” adds Gérard Baudoux. For its conservation, the Valrose estate was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on July 27, 2021.
Michel Graniou, Bogdan Konopka, and Michael Kenna, renowned photographers, have selected their most beautiful shots of the Valrose estate. These photographs immerse the visitor at the heart of the site, from the gardens to the former theater that has become an amphitheater.
