The Heritage Foundation announced the allocation of a grant of 260,000 euros to the isba of the Valrose estate, in Nice. This aid is part of the Heritage Mission and the 2025 Heritage Lottery. The building, classified as a historical monument, is the subject of a restoration project after several decades of degradation.
The Heritage Foundation unveiled last week the amount of the grant awarded to the isba of the Valrose estate, located in Nice. The amount reaches 260,000 euros. The funding is allocated as part of the Heritage Mission, supported by the Heritage Lottery. The scheme is carried out by the Heritage Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Culture and FDJ United.
The isba is located in the heart of the Valrose estate. The site currently belongs to the Université Côte d’Azur. The building is classified as a historical monument. The edifice constitutes a rare testimony to the artistic and cultural exchanges between France and Eastern Europe in the 19th century. The isba is among the very few authentic examples preserved on French soil.
The isba was installed in the Valrose park between 1871 and 1881. The building consists of fir logs joined at their midpoints. The façades feature carved decorations. Balconies, railings, and friezes complete the ensemble. The edifice was then part of an estate considered one of the notable properties of the Riviera under the Second Empire and became a reception venue.
An Advanced State of Degradation
Time has left visible marks on the building. The structure is currently in an advanced state of degradation. The structural woods exhibit rotting phenomena. Several decorative elements have disappeared. Balconies and railings are partially ruined. The woodwork is altered. Earlier interventions, deemed unsuitable, weaken the ensemble.
The situation prevents any public opening. Visits are suspended for safety reasons. A recent assessment made an alarming observation revealing significant deterioration of the wooden structure that could lead to irreversible damage and potentially a total loss.
Classified as a historical monument in 1991, the isba has never undergone a complete restoration. Prolonged exposure to the elements has further weakened the materials. The carved decorations have suffered from wear over time.
A Restoration Scheduled Starting 2026
The grant of 260,000 euros provided by the Heritage Foundation is a crucial step in the project. The funding allows for major restoration work to be initiated. The intervention aims to preserve the original materials. The program also plans for the restoration of missing decorative elements.
The works include the treatment and consolidation of the wood. The restoration of balconies, railings, friezes, and woodwork is included in the program. The repainting of the façades is planned. The revision of the roofing and floors is also on the schedule. The technical installations must be modernized to meet current requirements.
The construction is slated to begin at the start of 2026. Completion is expected before the end of the year. The project is part of an initiative to enhance the heritage of the Valrose estate and to transmit its history.
The grant complements other public and private funding mobilized by the Université Côte d’Azur. A fundraising campaign has been launched in partnership with the Heritage Foundation. The stated objective is to raise 15,000 euros. To date, 2,600 euros have been collected. The total project cost is estimated at 740,400 euros. Additional funding is still required.
Support Embedded in a Regional Framework
The isba of the Valrose estate is among the six departmental sites selected in 2025 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur by the Heritage Mission. The list includes the Notre-Dame de Lure abbey in Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues, the Calm-Gravier house in Villar-d’Arène, the château de la Calade, the bastidon of the Rayol estate, and the Notre-Dame la Brune chapel of the château du Barroux.
In Nice, the isba restoration aims for a gradual reintegration of the building into the university and urban landscape. The project ultimately plans for an opening to a broader public. Students, researchers, residents, and visitors are all concerned. The project marks a new step in the conservation of the Valrose estate’s heritage, property of the Université Côte d’Azur.
