Last week, the Nice Administrative Court annulled the contract for the statue of Joan of Arc, deemed non-compliant. The Occitan Assembly País Niçard welcomes this decision and calls for a reflection on local memory.
The Nice Administrative Court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, January 15. The contract signed by the Metropolis for the creation of a monumental statue of Joan of Arc was annulled due to non-compliance with public procurement rules. The city of Nice will have to dismantle the work, installed in the garden of a new underground parking, near the Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc Church. The Atelier Missor, responsible for the creation, will have to reimburse the 170,000 euros excluding taxes received.
A Contract Marred by Irregularities ?
The case involves a serious legal flaw, as highlighted by the court. The order, awarded without advertising or competitive bidding, violates legal obligations. The work, a statue in bronze gilded with fine gold measuring 4.50 meters in height and weighing 9 tons, has sparked severe criticism, particularly for its high cost.
The Occitan Assembly País Niçard questioned the priorities of the Metropolis. For them, this non-priority expenditure diverts attention from the real concerns of the people of Nice.
The Assembly also regrets that the statue, like the neighborhood and the church, bears the name of Joan of Arc, a French historical figure without direct link to the history of the County of Nice. They recall that the local heroine is Catarina Segurana, a 16th-century Niçoise resistance fighter.
A Subscription to Save the Statue
In response to this decision, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, announced the launch of a public subscription to keep the statue in the public space. The initiative has received support from André Barthe, former deputy for culture, and Prince Joachim Murat.
However, the Occitan Assembly País Niçard remains firm and welcomes the court’s decision. They reiterate their request to restore the historic name of the neighborhood, Fuon Cauda.
The controversy raises questions about the management of public funds and the enhancement of local cultural heritage. A broader reflection now seems indispensable.
