“More pleasant and elegant than ever” is how the 2007 version of Place Masséna is described. It must be said that the city has paid a steep price. €14,500,000 is the cost of the total redevelopment of the square, with nothing overlooked, from the cobblestones to the facades, from the fountains to the trees. This “new” square is the first result of the city’s redevelopment triggered by the implementation of the tramway.
Concretely, a mosaic of two-tone tiles stretches from Avenue Jean Médecin to Old Nice, with the north and south reserved for pedestrians. The Fontaine du Soleil has been re-watered and completely renovated. The same goes for the lampposts that light the square. Lanterns under the arcades complete the lighting. Greenery has taken on a more prominent role, with pine trees imported from Italy framing the square and a “green flow” running from the heart of the city to the sea. The ecological aspect is crowned by the presence of a bicycle path between the square and the Promenade des Anglais. However, cars are still present on the Verdun/Félix Faure and Jean Jaurès/Phocéens axes.
Program for the inauguration on Saturday, June 16:
– 10:00 AM Start of festivities with performances by wandering musical bands accompanied by jugglers, stilt walkers, and flying structures.
– 10:30 AM Arrival of elected officials and municipal employees on the forecourt of the City Hall. Greeting by the Senator Mayor.
– 11:15 AM Pedestrian departure to the Masséna forum.
– 11:30 AM Official inauguration and balloon release.
– 12:30 PM Buffet offered to all residents of Nice and beginning of the show by Mr. André Ceccarelli.
– 5:30 PM Concert by the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra with the participation of Nice tenor Franck Ferrari and the chorus of slaves from Nabucco.
– 9:00 PM Concert by Hélène Ségara.
All these events are free and open to everyone.
