At the entrance of the Nice port, the Véran fish tank is set to undergo a partial demolition ordered by the State. The operation targets the upper part of the structure, added in the 20th century. The work is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026, with an anticipated duration of three months.
On Boulevard Franck Pilatte, near the Plage des Bains Militaires, the Véran fish tank is about to be partially demolished. Due to the deterioration of this structure, the State will demolish the uppermost level of the construction. This operation involves a building visible from the beach and exposed to maritime conditions for decades.
At the end of the 19th century, two fish and lobster tanks were erected on the ruins of the former Lazaret. The site is located at the entrance of the current port of Nice. These structures were part of the installations related to port activities and the management of marine resources.
Since that time, the site has undergone several transformations. One of the tanks was integrated into the building of the nautical center in the late 1940s. The other tank was elevated in the 1960s, allowing the creation of a fish restaurant. The place has been disused for ten years. This added part is now the element concerned by the demolition.
Over time, the condition of the structure has deteriorated. Direct exposure to the sea and strong winds has weakened the structure. State services have opted for a partial demolition, focusing on removing the upper level, considered too degraded to maintain.
The historical part of the tank, built with stones, will be preserved. This preservation is justified by the heritage interest of the site as it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage. Maintaining the sediment balance of the pebble beach is among the arguments put forward. The beach remains frequented all year round by residents and visitors.
The demolition works are coordinated and 100% financed by the State. The start is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, with an anticipated duration of three months. During the construction period, beach access for the public will be maintained. The showers will not be usable for the entire duration of the work.
A destruction in line with past projects
The decision to demolish part of the Véran fish tank is part of a context already marked by significant interventions. In 2019, the Plage des Bains Militaires was the subject of substantial work. Popular with the people of Nice, this beautiful cove, which became iconic since the filming of Brice de Nice in 2005, had been undergoing work since February. The stated goal was to repair the damage caused by successive waves. The facilities of the nautical club were concerned, with the Véran tank being central to the concerns.
Overlooking the sea, this building, a former lobster tank converted into changing rooms, was battered by waves. A meter-high opening appeared in the concrete façade. This degradation necessitated the launch of a specific construction project as early as February.
To allow equipment access, a gravel embankment edged with rock blocks was set up. This embankment reduced the beach area, provoking numerous reactions. The Bains Militaires project was divided into two phases. The first phase, delivered in mid-April, included installing an anti-pollution net. The program also involved creating an access ramp with protective embankments, which were to be dismantled later.
This final phase foresaw the demolition of the embankment. Shuttering was to be carried out to pour a concrete slab onto the new pontoon surrounding the Véran building. Once completed, the shuttering and rock blocks were to be removed. The completion of the beach, announced for the first semester of 2020, aimed to restore the site to a condition close to its previous state.
The destruction of the upper level of the Véran fish tank confirms the impossibility of preserving the entire structure.
