The Nice administrative court has suspended the decree issued by Christian Estrosi aimed at limiting cruise ship stopovers. It ruled that the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis does not have the authority to regulate the movements of cruise ships. The Metropolis calls on the State to take responsibility.
This Sunday, July 13, the Nice administrative court suspended a decree signed by Christian Estrosi on July 9, 2025. This decree aimed to limit cruise ship stopovers in Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, in response to health and environmental concerns. The summary judge sided with the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, who had challenged the legality of this decree.
In a statement, the court reminded that only the prefect can, “within the framework of his water plan policing powers, organize the entries, exits, and movements of ships.” According to the decision, the Metropolis is not competent in this matter.
The suspended decree prohibited stopovers of ships carrying more than 450 passengers in Nice. In Villefranche, it limited to 65 per year the stopovers of ships with more than 2,500 passengers, with a maximum of one ship per day. These measures were to take effect on Friday, July 11.
According to the Metropolis, the decree would have affected, by the end of the year, five stopovers in Nice and twelve in Villefranche. In 2026, the restrictions would have affected 15 stopovers in Nice and 53 in Villefranche, involving more than 200,000 passengers.
The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis calls for shared governance
The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has taken note of the court decision. In a statement, it recalled that the decree was issued “to protect the health of residents, respond to the environmental emergency, and preserve local quality of life.” It emphasizes that this action was within the limits of its authority but that these remain insufficient to act alone.
“It is clear that, alone, the Metropolis cannot act without encroaching on the State’s attributions. Understood. But the urgency remains,” communicated the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, chaired by Christian Estrosi. He mentions air pollution, pressure on ecosystems, and the impact of over-tourism.
The Metropolis regrets that the State remains, according to it, in a reactive posture. It calls for the prefect to take measures to limit the effects of maritime tourism on the coastline. Failing this, it is considering taking legal action for “failing responsibility.”
Consultation must open in September among the various stakeholders involved. A round table was already held at the prefecture last Friday, bringing together representatives of the maritime world, elected officials, and members of the economic sector. The objective: to discuss the modalities of receiving cruise ships in the ports of the Côte d’Azur.
In the meantime, the Metropolis assures that it will remain “mobilized and available” to build shared and sustainable governance of the Mediterranean coastline.
