For the 11th consecutive year, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) is organizing the port festival in Nice on September 6th. For this 2014 edition, renowned chefs and pastry chefs will welcome you from 7 PM on the Cassini quay. Nearly 1,100 place settings are expected.
Lou Festin du Pouort is a popular festival, organized by the CCI every year in September, in partnership with the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, the city of Nice, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropole, and the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region. Each provides support, subsidies, and the necessary equipment to set up the festival.
Michel Lallement, Operations Manager of the Port of Nice, states: “The role of the CCI is to establish collaboration with local businesses. This contributes to their development. Fifteen restaurants—among those located on the port quay and on Stalingrad Boulevard—are drawn by lot. This allows them to benefit from the economic impact of the event. The economy is then temporarily revitalized.”
From 7 PM to 12:30 AM, a rich and entertaining program awaits the people of Nice. They can enjoy a gourmet dish for 5 euros, a pastry for 5 euros, and two glasses of wine also for 5 euros. From 7 PM, they will enjoy nautical parades, children’s activities, and musical groups for free. At 10:30 PM, with the lights out, a sound fireworks display will illuminate the sky.
“Each year, the festival is so successful that all the chefs want to participate. To ensure fairness, we rotate two chefs each year by drawing lots. This allows for turnover,” explains Michel Devillers, chef and owner of the restaurant L’Âne Rouge, located at the port of Nice.
“I participate in this festival out of love for Nice and the people of Nice. Seeing grandparents and grandchildren strolling and enjoying this event is heartwarming,” rejoices Thomas Millo, chef and owner of the restaurant L’Auberge de la Madone.
Lou Festin du Pouort represents eight to nine months of preparation, with a budget between 400,000 euros and 500,000 euros. It also involves logistics focused on vigilance and safety, such as prohibiting the consumption of strong alcohols or entry with glass bottles. “Every first Saturday of September, people enjoy feeling like they are still on vacation and safe,” confides Michel Lallement.
