Nearly 3.6 million euros are being invested this summer in 69 public schools in Nice. The municipality is launching 90 projects to improve the conditions for students and educational staff.
As the summer holidays begin, Nice’s public schools are entering a new phase of renovation. The city is investing nearly 3.6 million euros in the modernization of its facilities. In total, 90 operations are planned in 69 schools within the municipality. The goal is twofold: to improve the quality of life within the facilities and to adapt the infrastructure to climate challenges.
“During every vacation period, we take advantage of the school break to continue renovating, beautifying, and transforming our schools,” says Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice. He adds: “Our deepest desire is for every child to learn in the best conditions and for national educators and municipal staff to work in a safe and pleasant environment.”
A significant portion of the budget – over 1.2 million euros – is dedicated to climate change adaptation. Several projects are targeting the waterproof sealing of buildings, greening schoolyards, and improving ventilation and heating.
Adapting Schools to Climate Change
A significant portion of the budget – over 1.2 million euros – is dedicated to climate adaptation: waterproofing work, replacement of windows with double glazing, creation of cool islands, and improvement of ventilation systems.
“These are 90 operations of renovation, modernization, and greening engaged in nearly 70 schools,” says Pierre Fiori, municipal and metropolitan councilor. He emphasizes: “Climate adaptation is not new. It is an effort we started in 2020. Every year, we green about twenty playgrounds, and by the second year, the trees provide shade. We observe a drop in ground temperature of up to 10 degrees.”
Since 2020, all the city’s schools are also equipped with misting systems.
“We see their importance during heatwaves like the ones we’ve had recently,” the official highlights.
Enhanced Ventilation and Air Conditioning Setup
At Terra Amata school, ceiling fans have been installed in classrooms to improve comfort. “They are efficient, programmable tools. Teachers love using them, and students really benefit from them,” notes Pierre Fiori.
In parallel, more than 600 additional fans have been distributed across institutions. “We have 149 schools, about 1,350 classes. Some facilities, like Nikaia or Sainte-Hélène, are fully air-conditioned. For the others, we provide the fans requested by teachers at the start of the school year. We are organized for that ,” assures the municipal counselor.
Concrete Renovations in Institutions
Among the notable works:
- Replacement of window frames in three kindergartens for 219,300 euros.
- Enhanced waterproofing in seven schools for a total of 445,900 euros.
- Creation of cool islands in five schoolyards, for 315,000 euros.
- Installation of ceiling fans in twenty classrooms, representing an investment of 68,000 euros.
- Modernization of air conditioning and heating systems in several institutions for over 200,000 euros.
Other works focus on renovating interior spaces. The city is dedicating 861,800 euros to pedagogical rearrangements. New motor skills rooms, reading rooms, and even an orchestra room will be created. An ULIS class will also be accommodated in new adapted premises. The sanitary facilities of seven schools will be renovated for 134,600 euros. To reduce noise in cafeterias, five schools will benefit from acoustic treatments.
Finally, school safety and heritage are not forgotten. Privacy screens will be installed in several institutions. Facades and gymnasiums of some schools will also undergo specific works, totaling more than 500,000 euros.
A Renovated Gymnasium for the Whole Public
Some works also concern shared equipment. A gymnasium has been completely renovated: floor, locker rooms, restrooms. It accommodates both students and an association offering torball, a sport designed for the visually impaired.
“This gymnasium will be ready for the start of the school year. We have been planning the works for two years. We had to insulate, clean the walls, redo the floors, before rehabilitating everything,” says Pierre Fiori. “During the works, the association was relocated. It will soon be able to enjoy a new facility.”
Pierre Fiori recalls that these actions are part of a comprehensive plan: “The annual budget dedicated to schools is over 9 million euros. In the first year, 1.75 million euros were allocated to energy renovation. This effort has never waned. Today, we are reaping the benefits.”
