With a smile on his face, the Mayor of Nice, Philippe Pradal, comes to visit the André Malraux vessel, a French archaeological exploration ship assigned to the service of DRASSM (Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research). For two weeks, the André Malraux will carry out survey operations off the coast of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.
“We are delighted to welcome the André Malraux to our shores,” confides the Mayor to Frédéric Leroy, Deputy Director of the DRASSM. An important visit, especially since the city of Nice has requested to have the Promenade des Anglais classified as a UNESCO heritage site. “These archaeological researches conducted in the Bay of Angels will only highlight the richness and potential of our history.”
Indeed, during the following two weeks, the team of archaeologists on board the ship has two main “missions.” By late morning, the vessel will anchor in the harbor of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, where there are two 17th-century shipwrecks. At the same time, they will continue establishing the archaeological map of the area.
“Obviously, it is important for us that the residents of the Metropolis also discover what we have found.” Since the city of Nice created, six years ago, a Heritage Directorate comprising an Archaeological Service, it is working on a project to exhibit images and videos of the wrecks found off the Côte d’Azur.
Philippe Pradal even took the opportunity to propose “a collaboration” with the DRASSM. A joint effort that could have a favorable impact on the Archaeological Service of the city. Today, the city of Nice is the only local authority in France capable of engaging in both terrestrial and maritime archaeology.
As for the André Malraux vessel, it will continue to navigate the waters of the world once its mission is completed. “But we will certainly return, as there are many other wrecks to discover,” confides Frédéric Leroy.
