Last week, the Vauban district in Nice saw one of its squares being renamed. The former Place de Tende is now called “Place José Balarello” in tribute to the former mayor of Tende.
Located in the Vauban district of Nice, the Place de Tende now bears a new name. It was renamed “Place José Balarello” in honor of the former mayor of Tende, a local and national political figure. As a local and national political figure, he left a mark on the Roya Valley with his commitments, particularly in housing and territorial planning. The inauguration took place in the presence of the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and Jean-Pierre Vassallo, the Mayor of Tende.
José Balarello held numerous political positions. Born in Nice in 1926, he was the Mayor of Tende from 1970 to 2001 and Vice-President of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes for 45 years. He also sat in the Senate from 1984 to 2008, notably within the Social Affairs Committee.
A committed political figure
“José Balarello left his mark on local politics, but also on the national level when he served as a member of the Social Affairs Committee in the Senate,” recalls a statement from the municipality. He played an essential role in the creation of the Mercantour National Park, the Musée des Merveilles, and the modernization of the hospitals in the Roya Valley. He also advocated for the construction of the Tende Tunnel, whose works faced many delays.
José Balarello was also a lawyer and president of the public housing office of Alpes-Maritimes, which became Côte d’Azur Habitat. Under his leadership, the rental stock increased from 3,000 to 19,000 housing units. “Many residents of the Côte d’Azur owe him, even today, having a roof over their heads,” highlights Christian Estrosi.
Deceased in 2015 at the age of 88, he also served on the High Court of Justice and the Court of Justice of the Republic. “I believe he would have been moved to know that he will give his name to Place de Tende,” said the Mayor of Nice during the ceremony. On X, he added: “A way to pay tribute to the man he was, to his convictions and to this city he loved so much.”
