Here it is. A letter with dual signatures from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the Minister of Culture, Franck Riester, ended a long wait and placed the seal of approval on a dossier that Jean-Jacques Aillagon, former Minister of Culture, has been working on since 2012.
This “crowning” represents the final national act in the candidacy process: now it’s up to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to make the decision, following the assessment by ICOMOS experts. This decision is scheduled for the summer session in 2021.
“With the candidacy of Nice, the Riviera capital of tourism, it showcases France’s model of cultural, heritage, and tourism development. The inscription of Nice on the UNESCO World Heritage List will enhance the attractiveness and cultural influence of all French territories,” declared Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
For his colleague in Culture, Franck Riester: “The dossier for Nice, which we have decided to support this year, is profoundly original. It recognizes the heritage value of a new type of urbanism: cosmopolitan and leisure-oriented. What began in Nice from the late 18th century is the invention of a significant part of our modernity.”
“I am delighted with the honor bestowed upon us by the French Government in selecting ‘Nice, the capital of Riviera tourism’ for nomination to the World Heritage List to present to UNESCO,” stated Christian Estrosi. “Tourism, a major phenomenon of the contemporary world, whose excesses are sometimes lamented, has also contributed to the creation of an original heritage bearing an outstanding universal value. Nice is a testament to this.”
