In a few days, the city of Nice and its region will return to their good old autumnal and then winter habits after what has been a very positive season.
But while many tourists come each year to visit our magnificent Cรดte d’Azur, Nice Premiรจre wondered where the people of Nice go on vacation to change from this scenery that yet attracts thousands of visitors.
To answer our questions, we kick off the vacation season with Virginie Rossetti, a true Niรงoise and the communications manager of OGC Nice, Patrick Allemand as the Vice President of the PACA Region, and Rudy Salles, Deputy and Regional Councillor of PACA, who will reveal their latest vacations and their plans for the upcoming fall that is rapidly approaching.
Nice Premiรจre: Where did you spend your summer vacation?
Virginie Rossetti: Vacation? We don’t know that word at OGC Nice…just kidding…I spent a week in Saint Martin the day after the last home match and another in Corsica, just before training resumed…
NP: What was your best memory?
VR: I don’t have a best memory, those were two weeks that went very well. After such a rich season, consisting of great joys (we still finished ahead of Paris and Monaco, 4 points from third), but also a cruel disillusionment (final against Nancy), taking a few days off can only do good. That’s when we are able to take stock, on our work but also on ourselves…I took the opportunity to finally watch the footage of the final, and realize that the faith was still very much there.
NP: What will you do in these last days of August?
VR: I believe we play against a modest team, on August 26…
NP: It’s almost back to school. What are your plans?
VR: My plans are to continue learning, every day, from my job and from each experience I live in general.
Nice Premiรจre: Where did you spend your summer vacations?
Patrick Allemand: I always leave after July 14th, for 2 to 3 weeks. This year, it was Cassis and then Valberg, where I could rest in the “cool”, at a time when the heatwave was raging on the coast. So, vacation in the PACA region.
For me, being on vacation doesn’t necessarily mean going far. What matters is to rest, clear my mind, and dedicate 24 hours a day to my family, which only happens so little during the year, so I make the most of it!
NP: What was your best memory?
PA: Unquestionably, finally having the courage to get back into sports. It’s been 10 years since I did nothing. I resumed cycling. Of course, the reference times are no longer the same, far from it, but it relaxes me and will make me more combative. Everyone will notice. In any case, I feel good.
NP: What will you do in these last days of August?
PA: I’ve been working since the 8th. Working at this time of year is crucial for me. It’s the time when everything stops and I can organize things, sort out what couldn’t be done during the year, prepare my files for the return. Today, everything is operational.
I will therefore take a 4-day break to go to a training session for elected officials, then to the Summer University of the Socialist Party in La Rochelle. I will be back in Nice in the night of the 27th, because I don’t want to miss, under any circumstances, the day of the 28th of August, the ceremonies of the liberation of Nice.
NP: It’s soon back to school. What are your projects?
PA: A lot of projects. First of all, the arrival of the First Secretary, Franรงois HOLLANDE, in Nice, on September 23, for the Fรชte de la Rose. This festival will mobilize many activists, we want it to be a success. With a challenge: filling Acropolis.
There will also be the first assemblies of working-class neighborhoods throughout the department, another project that is close to my heart.
At the regional level, it’s the defense of the interests of Nice in the future State-Region project contract that will mobilize my energy, as well as that of all the regional elected officials from Nice of the majority. But there will also be the defense of other files that interest the rest of the department, I am thinking particularly of the railway transport sector where the effort must be continued.
Nice Premiรจre: Where did you spend your summer vacation?
Rudy Salles: A week in the Gard with family and friends and the rest of the time on the Cรดte d’Azur. Holidays are synonymous with rest, relaxation and rediscovery of what one doesn’t have time to see and do the rest of the year.
NP: What was your best memory?
RS: There are plenty in general. But the best memory is the one I have today making the video films I had the opportunity to make and relive the nicest moments of the summer. I like to then offer DVD copies to my friends so they can share the same joys.
NP: What will you do in these last days of August?
RS: Activities are resuming gradually. From the 25th to the 27th of August is the Fรชte de la Saint Grat, in Saint Andrรฉ de la Roche. I highly recommend the pistou soup on the evening of the 25th, under the marquee. And then on the 28th, I will participate in the commemoration ceremonies of the Liberation of Nice. Finally, I will go to La Grande Motte, from the 31st, to participate in the Summer University of the UDF where I will lead a roundtable on international affairs.
NP: What are your plans for the upcoming return?
RS: The parliamentary session starts very early since there is an extraordinary session, from September 7th, on the privatization of GDF. Then, we will quickly move into the preparation of the elections, notably the Presidential and Legislative elections. Being in Franรงois Bayrou’s campaign team and sitting on the Executive Committee of the UDF, I will play a very active role in the coming months. It’s a very interesting adventure that I will live intensely. Not to mention my Niรงois activities which are numerous. And there, there is a lot to do given the concerns of our fellow citizens who are wondering about the future of our city. I am at the disposal of my fellow citizens in my new office at 31 avenue Jean Mรฉdecin or in my mobile office. My substitute Andrรฉ Bonny provides me with important support in this task. But the time has come to set up teams of women and men on the ground who want to engage to prepare for the future. Finally, as a Regional Councillor, I regularly go to Marseille to defend the files of the Alpes Maritimes. Here, very briefly summarized, are some areas of work for the return.
