A civil wedding planned for this Saturday at Parc Phoenix in Nice has been canceled by municipal decision. The cause is a wedding procession involved in numerous traffic violations. The events led to a traffic jam and required intervention from the authorities.
The ceremony was to take place this Saturday at Parc Phoenix, a site now dedicated to civil weddings in Nice. The couple and their guests traveled to the union site in a motorized procession. The journey resulted in several traffic code violations.
According to information provided by the city of Nice, the procession disrupted traffic on major roads. The northbound road of the Mathis route was completely blocked. Rue Marceau was also affected. These disruptions occurred during the day in a very busy area.
The incidents were observed by the Urban Supervision Center. Law enforcement also intervened. Reports indicate behaviors deemed dangerous for road users. Several violations were recorded during the procession.
The municipality mentions speeding violations and non-compliance with seat belt regulations. People exited vehicles while traffic was stopped. Flags were displayed in the public roadway. These actions took place on the Mathis route, a road that generally experiences very heavy traffic on Nice’s road network.
Christian Estrosi: “I decided to cancel the wedding”
In response to the situation, the decision to cancel the ceremony was made before its celebration. The celebration was to be conducted by municipal councilor Imen Jaidane. This decision was announced by the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, in a message released after the events.
In his statement, the mayor declared: “I decided to cancel the wedding that was to be celebrated today by my councilor Imen Jaidane… the list of Highway Code violations is far too long and unacceptable.”
The city of Nice considers that the events constitute a breach of public order. The safety of residents and motorists is also emphasized. The municipality recalls the legal framework surrounding civil marriages. Christian Estrosi writes: “Civil marriage is a solemn act of the Republic: it cannot be preceded or accompanied by irresponsible, dangerous, or unlawful behavior.”
The involved couple had nonetheless signed the good conduct charter imposed by the community. This document has existed since 2012. Nice was the first city to implement this measure. The charter is signed by all prospective couples before the ceremony.
The text commits signatories to strictly respect the Highway Code. The charter also requests the avoidance of any dangerous or disruptive behavior. Festivities should proceed in compliance with laws and respect for people present in the public space.
Christian Estrosi specified that the decision of cancellation was made on-site. The mayor reiterates the municipality’s stance on safety and traffic. In his message, a firm position is reaffirmed: “I do not tolerate any deviations, any obstruction to traffic, any breaches of the rules. In Nice, the laws of the Republic apply to everyone, without exception.”
Festive processions regularly receive particular attention in Nice. Traffic disruptions linked to private events have resulted in interventions in the past. However, the municipality indicates that these situations have become less frequent since the charter’s introduction.
Since its implementation, the town claims to have noticed a reduction in the number of incidents. The municipality emphasizes the need to reconcile private celebrations and respect for public space. Adherence to rules is still presented as a prerequisite for maintaining ceremonies in a peaceful setting.
