Since May 13th, the Vélo Effet Mer Festival has been offering a series of events to raise awareness about sustainable mobility and ocean protection. Until June 14th, the public is still invited to participate in workshops, screenings, and a closing evening.
Launched in mid-May by the Nice à Vélo association, the Vélo Effet Mer Festival is soon coming to an end. There are still a few days left to discover its program and to reflect on the impact of our modes of transport on the marine environment.
On Saturday, June 14th, the festival will conclude at La BASE in Nice with two main events: a fun workshop offered by La Fresque Océane at 3:45 PM, followed by a convivial aperitif and a closing evening. The workshop aims to explore the links between our lifestyles and the health of the oceans. Through a collaborative card game, participants can better understand the causes and consequences of marine pollution and climate change.
The event is free, like the entire festival, but registration is required to participate.
For the past month, cinema sessions and meetings have allowed attendees to discover documentary films on cycling journeys, in France and abroad. The travel or exploration stories were often accompanied by discussions with filmmakers or local associations committed to environmental protection.
Several screenings took place at the Belmondo cinema in Nice, as well as at the Micro Folie museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Among the films presented, Le Chemin by Arthur Bourbon, shown on June 5th, attracted surf enthusiasts and those curious about alternative mobility.
The festival also embraced other practices. A “Bike and Yoga” ride was organized on May 17th on the EuroVélo 8, along the Nice coastline. And on May 24th, an “Ocean Walk” guided by La Fresque Océane offered a sensory immersion to better understand marine biodiversity.
Acting at an Individual Level
By linking bicycle use and the preservation of aquatic environments, the festival aims to highlight a often overlooked reality: our daily travels have a direct impact on the sea.
Transport accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions in France. The ocean, by absorbing heat and CO₂, is under increasing pressure. This dynamic affects currents, marine species, and major climate balances.
The festival’s goal is not only to showcase stories of bicycle journeys but also to invite everyone to rethink their mobility choices on a daily basis.
Supported by several associations like Alternatiba 06, Zero Waste Nice, and Surfrider, the event receives financial support from the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, as part of the Antoine Risso project call.
The festival caters to all audiences, families, travelers, or just the curious. It is part of a local dynamic of ecological transition and reclaiming public space.
Practical Information
Last event: Saturday, June 14th, from 3:45 PM – La BASE, 29 route de Turin, Nice
Complete program and registration: niceavelo.org/velo-effet-mer
