The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, presented on Thursday, June 26, the initial stages of developments aimed at revitalizing the Madeleine neighborhood. Parking, green spaces, urban agriculture, and community life are at the heart of this human-scale project.
In Madeleine, one of the most densely populated and popular sectors of Nice, the transformation is underway. This Thursday, June 26, Christian Estrosi visited the area to present the first implementations of the enhancement plan launched last November after a major citizen consultation. Objective: improve the quality of life, boost the local economy, and strengthen social bonds.
A Green Parking Structure with 300 Spaces to Relieve the Area
In front of residents gathered on the Boulevard de la Madeleine, the Mayor of Nice unveiled a future superstructure parking with 300 spaces, expected by November 2025. A key issue for this neighborhood often congested by traffic.
Christian Estrosi confirmed the creation of “300 parking spaces just below the reception center. At the same time, we have cleaned out, weeded, and tidied up all of Magnan.”
These works are accompanied by a road renovation, particularly in the upper part of the neighborhood, with upgraded and secured roadways.
Shared Gardens Instead of a Real Estate Project
One of the highlights of the visit: the inauguration of an area dedicated to urban agriculture, in place of an initially planned real estate project.
“We have canceled a construction program to transform this land into urban agricultural land. Each resident will be able to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” noted the mayor.
26 plots will be created, including one for solidarity and one reserved for neighborhood students. The idea was championed by the residents themselves.
“We have established a partnership with Côte d’Azur Habitat. Together with several members, we fought to bring this project to life,” explains Frédéric Bandézian, president of the sector committee of Madeleine.
A Community Hub to Recreate Social Bonds
A community hub has just opened its doors. It will host local structures and serve as a place for meetings and exchanges between generations. A landscaped public parking lot complements this development.
“Urban agriculture is making great strides in Nice. It’s a collective effort and a wonderful idea that we have embraced,” said Christian Estrosi.
During the visit, he took the time to greet the residents, shake hands with children, and visit the first carefully cleaned plots.
A Public Services House for Greater Proximity
Another major project in the neighborhood’s renewal: the transformation of the former gas station into a Public Services House, on the site of the old Public Service House, closed for years. The work will begin in September 2025 for an expected opening in September 2026.
This structure will allow residents to perform all their administrative tasks on-site, without having to go to the city center.
“You will have all public services without needing to go to an administrative center of the town hall: renew a passport, an ID card, enroll a child in school or nursery, perform a procedure for the CAF… Everything will be centralized,” explained Christian Estrosi.
“The work will start in September, with completion a year later. So, in exactly 14 months, this public services house will be fully operational.“
In La Madeleine, the ambition is clear: to restore the importance of community living in a neighborhood that has long been sidelined from major projects. Between citizen mobilization, municipal support, and concrete actions, the renewal is truly underway.
