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Nice

plans and ambitions

press DEPARTMENT Isabelle Billey-Quéré Tel. +33 (0) 4 92 14 46 10 Tel. +33 (0) 4 92 14 46 15 presse@otcnice.com

OTHER PRESS KITS AVAILABLE :

General MICE destination A sporting dynamism Nice, green city Nice Carnival Cuisine Nissarde

press kit 2015/16

New plans

AND NEW AMBITIONS FOR NICE

Nice is a traditional, original and lively city, and is currently undergoing a genuine economic, cultural, artistic and architectural revolution..

As France’s second most popular tourist destination after Paris, Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a modern, active city. It is the vibrant economic heart of its region and has successfully preserved its unique authenticity and “art de vivre”.

The establishing of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, an area that stretches from the coast to the inland region, offers surprising potential, thanks to 80% of its surface area being comprised of mountainous terrain. In this exceptional setting, its development strategy is primarily focused on preserving its natural and cultural environment as well as its heritage and the implementing of a sustainable development policy that is now applied across all domains in a bid to achieve high quality standards.

Excellence is crucial in three fields in particular: sustainable development, health and tourism, all three of which are riding the wave of digital development.

KEY DATA

> France’s fifth-largest city, > 350,000 inhabitants, 50% of whom are under the age of 40, > 10 km of coastline including

7.5 km of beaches, > 300 hectares of green areas

and 1,500 of woodland within

the area’s 7,192 hectares, > 300 days of sunshine per year, > 49 districts with 550,000

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habitants in a 14,000 km2 area

from the coastal towns to the

ski resorts of the Mercantour.

Nouveaux projets et New plans and new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

CLEAR

ambitions

> To become the “Green City” of the Mediterranean and an undisputed reference in the environmental field. > Promote the City of Nice as a leader in medical healthcare treatment by becoming Europe’s leading city of health. > To make Nice the most popular Mediterranean capital for its unique “art of living”, while meeting the needs of travellers. >T o retain Nice’s authenticity and tradition, and to guarantee an outstanding welcome for its visitors. > To become the ultimate short stay destination. >T o host major international events.

To achieve these goals, the city has planned and deployed a series of ambitious projects aimed at improving the future quality of life in Nice for both residents and tourists.

These developments will have an economic impact on the whole region.

The Nice of tomorrow is being prepared today...

THE TOURISM-BASED ECONOMY > The leading international airport after Paris, with almost 12 million passengers, 55% of whom are from abroad and connecting Nice with the big cities of Europe as well as New York and Dubai. Over 100 direct destinations exist. > France’s leading low-cost air hub with 17 airline companies, > The leading tourism destination in France after Paris with more than 5 million visitors per year, > One visitor over 100 in Europe stays at least one night in Nice, > One of the leading conference destinations in France thanks in particular to its Nice-Acropolis conference centre, which has been named best conference centre in Europe several times and conform to ISO14001, > One of the leading cruise destinations in France with 340,000 passengers (Nice-Villefranche), and 700,000 Corsican cruise passengers,

> One of the widest range of hotels in France after Paris with almost 200 hotels and 10,000 bedrooms, > The 2nd highest concentration of museums certified «Musées de France» with 19 museums and galleries, > The first city in France to have a wine AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée – controlled designation of origin) on its territory..

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New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

PROJECTS TO MATCH

the city’s ambitions

NICE, AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE CITY All of the city’s projects are approached first and foremost from an environmentally responsible perspective. Nice, and more widely the Nice Côte d’Azur Urban Community have embarked on a series of profound changes for the region with the stated aim of creating a new developmental and urban planning model backed by a job creation strategy.

With the goal of becoming the “Green City of the Mediterranean”, Nice’s development and urban planning policy takes full account of the problems encountered in all fields of human activity, including: the living environment, infrastructure and transport methods. As a result, a further 100 hectares of green areas have been created including the “Promenade du Paillon”, a 12-hectare urban park running through the heart of the city, nviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy a relaxing and decidedly “botanical” experience.

To meet the future needs of Nice’s inhabitants (over 60% of the world’s population will be urban between now and 2030), alongside its ‘French Tech’ labelling initiative (French start-up ecosystems), the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has set up a ‘Smart & Sustainable Metropolis’ campaign that aims to develop various aspects of day-to-day life in Nice:

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Environmental: digital sensors and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) chips, allowing for real-time geo-localised management that directly impacts on water quality, waste collection and smart parking (10,000 spaces).

NICE: A LABORATORY FOR THE FUTURE

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Practical innovations: citizens become pro-active consumers thanks to apps designed to facilitate their everyday lives such as the ‘Nice City Passport’, ‘City Opt’ or ‘Nice Risques’.

of all users.

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Health: thanks to facilities and developments currently underway and due to be completed in the East district, Nice aspires to become Europe’s leading city of health, with its new CHU Pasteur 2 university hospital centre, the Cité Saint-François, the ‘Pasteur Innovation Living Lab of Nice’ Paillon label and the ‘Serious Games’ initiative at the Institut Claude Pompidou. As an example, last July saw the launch of the e-Calman app, designed to make Nice’s cultural hotspots accessible to visitors with Alzheimer’s.

Nice aims to achieve medical excellence.

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Employment: the ‘Nice Méridia’ district in the Eco-Valley has been designed and developed to produce and manage (Smart Grid Ready) electrical energy sustainably in order to host accommodation, universities, laboratories, shops and offices.

50,000 new jobs are due to be created, 20,000 of which will be created before 2030.

KEY DATA By 2017, more than 80% of energy consumption will be monitored thanks to th Gestion Technique des Bâtiments (GTB : Centralized Technical Management) collected by «smart sensors».

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A smart city designed to meet the needs

The development strategy focused on technological and digital innovation is not simply an obscure goal but a reality and one which is being applied in all fields. The city and its urban area have often been pioneers in experimentation, including with contactless NFC technology. Nice is also the only French city to have received the Smarter Cities Challenge prize from IBM, making it possible to obtain three years’ technological support. This has been followed by numerous partnerships and agreements with major groups for research and development, with experiments and trials being run in the city.

This is the case for transport, car parking, lighting, energy and health etc., and even the «virtual town hall» services known as «Spot mairie»!

New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

The flagship project THE CREATION OF THE ECO-VALLEY AS PART OF AN «OPÉRATION D’INTÉRÊT NATIONAL» (OPERATION OF NATIONAL INTEREST) DÉCIDED DURING THE «GRENELLE ENVIRONNEMENT» Several phases 2012/2015/2025 The goal of this campaign is to equip the French Riviera’s metropolis with a business district to match its reputation via progressive urban regeneration in the strategic sector located to the west of the city, opposite the airport, based around two major structural set-ups.

It is intended that this 10,000-hectare area located to the west of the city on the Var plain will become a reference in the field of sustainable development for Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

It has already started welcoming companies in this business sector including a teaching and research centre devoted to sustainable development and ecology-related activities and a stadium meeting UEFA standards (opened in September 2013), which shelters since June 2014 the National Museum of the Sport. These will also be followed by a major cultural facilities and a 75,000 m2 exhibition centre to accompany the existing amenities but also housing, shops and major green areas (parks, gardens, landscaped areas, etc.).

Connected companies Planned as a business incubator focusing on sustainable development since their creation, the Eco-Valley is enjoying enthusiastic support from the great names to be based there: ERDF, GDF Suez, Schneider Electric, Eco ways, Michael Pages, etc. And also connected and rapidly growing start-ups companies such as : •

Solar Games: designs and develops virtual worlds aimed at developing ‘Serious Games’, video games that are particularly effective in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease or to stimulate the cognitive and motor skills of disabled users;

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Advansolar: aims to turn solar power into a major strength in our connected city via installing solar charging points for electrical devices such as cars, bikes or smart phones;

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Vulog: promotes eco-mobility in an urban setting. In particular, the company has developed management software for the fleet and electronics used in the Auto Bleues self-service car rental scheme.

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And also: Salez Poivrez, CarrotCake.fr, Sustainable Design School, Snacpass, SMS Factor, Webelse, Inotekk, Fingertips, Liganz, Uzeo, France Labs, Mentis Services France...

Other tech and digital start-ups are already enjoying the support and advantages provided by the accelerator that was recently set up in the Allianz Riviera in a 500 m² space.

GREEN HOUSING June 2017 : 2 buildings, 125 units.

A large-scale project planned for the entrance of the new Méridia district, with a budget of around 20 million euros and a total surface area of 8,500 m2. Green spaces, sustainable management...

A third of these buildings’ spaces will be comprised of social housing, comply with the Cerqual Environnement standards and have already been certified as a Bâtiment Durable Méditerrannée [Mediterranean Sustainable Building].

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AND BIG BRANDS... ...such as IKEA, who will be setting up an unprecedented new generation store with 25,000 new jobs due to be created in 15 years! Institutions will be represented too, such as the IMREDD [Mediterranean Institute for Risk, Ecology and Sustainable Development], which moved to the Nice Premium building and was inaugurated in 2012 while awaiting the completion of its own premises in 2018.

New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice THE GRAND ARÉNAS BUSINESS DISTRICT ORGANISED AROUND TWO MAJOR FLAGSHIP FACILITIES: A prestigious venue, a showcase for the meeting industry, located opposite the airport New facilities and amenities will further enhance the potential for Nice tourism on the French Riviera. Nice will be gaining a new, fully divisible and versatile 75,000 m² exhibition centre in the Eco-Valley. This new facility will further add to the capacity currently available at the Acropolis conference centre located in the city centre. The goal is to be able to welcome major international events which require ever greater exhibition space and which will also benefit from the French Riviera’s massive hotel capacity (30,000 bedrooms).

A multimodal hub: Nice Saint-Augustin In the heart of the Eco-Valley, the multimodal station (a connection point providing easy access to the airport, the high-speed rail network, the regional trains, tram lines 2, 3 and 4 and the road networks) will ensure that the city’s hotels are easily accessible. will ensure that the city’s hotels are easily accessible. This urban area will also include offices, housing, hotel facilities and shops, in addition to local accommodation and services.

Everything possible will be done to meet the needs of visitors and delegates, especially through the provision of «smart» multiservice kiosks. Eventually, other multimodal hubs will be set up in the city (Gare Thiers station; Pont-Michel to the east; Lingostière further west ).

AN ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY The Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNSA), a member of the Université Nice Côte d’Azur (UNCA) with faculties in Menton, Nice, Cannes, Grasse and Sophia Antipolis, provides training in engineering based on 3 major streams: IT and Communication Technologies, Sustainable Development and Fine Chemicals in Grasse, with a special focus on the healthcare professions. Intensively active in research, multi-disciplinary and outward-looking, the UNSA is one of the world’s most appealing universities and works tirelessly to promote its sense of dynamism and to boost entrepreneurship and tech and digital innovation.

In the context of the ECN (National Ranking Examinations] that allow candidates to access the very best intern postings, Nice’s medicine faculty stands out thanks to its exemplary results that have put in first in the league tables, outranking Paris 5. Mentoring from the very first year, mock exams and national testing in a digital form that was developed and standardised 2 years ago, while its application on a national level is scheduled for 2016: a real pioneering success in its field.

THE UNIVERSITY IN FIGURES

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> Nice ranks third in France in the league table of best student cities in terms of international appeal, with an annual student body made up of 20% international students (L’Etudiant, 2013/14)

> France’s 3rd biggest student city > 40,000 students, 6,000 of which study hard sciences (maths, physics, chemistry, earth and universe sciences) and 4,700 studying biology, medicine and health > 47 research laboratories and 1,341 university researchers > 237 million euros total budget for the UNSA

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Incubators and university projects The student InKubateur at the SKEMA Business School on the UNSA campus, Télécom ParisTech Entrepreneurs in Sophia (a student incubator specialising in ICT) and the new EDHEC Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) incubator.

The Cré@tude PACA-Est project, ‘PEPITE’ (Pôle Etudiant(e)s pour l’Innovation, le Transfert et l’Entrepreneuriat), aims to promote entrepreneurial spirit and innovation among students and recent graduates. Having been piloted by the UNSA, it brings together the leading schools EDHEC and SKEMA, the Paca Est and 7Télécom ParisTech EURECOM Entrepreneurs incubators, Telecom Valley and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. « Jeunes Pousses » - Start-ups Launched by the Nice-Toulon CROUS (student union) and the UNSA, this very first university incubator provides offices, meeting rooms, medical consultancy rooms and gyms in order to boost the development of entrepreneurial spirit and encourage initiative-taking. The goal? To turn Nice into an exemplary model, with the launching of a second incubator in 2016.

The Learning Campus: a new facility in the region This educational project spearheaded by Nice’s CCI is designed to support and host close to 2,000 young people in a 23,000 m2 space. From first professional qualifications to engineering diplomas, from the automobile industry to health via personal assistance services and new technologies, all training programmes here are offered part-time.

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New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

NICE, ‘EUROPEAN CITY OF HEALTH’ Programme for 2015-2020 Health accessible to all is the core concept behind the largescale project being rolled out to the East of the city. Three major aspects underpin the new facilities: developing preventative action, improving the quality of life for patients with reduced independence and developing and supporting innovation in healthcare.

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PASTEUR 2 IN FIGURES

This latest generation medical centre is equipped with the region’s very first spinal surgery unit, an ultrasound department and an ambulatory surgery unit.

In addition, it hosts the emergency department, with over 80,000 patients using the service every year.

Phase 1 : 2007-2015

> 81,000 m² surface area > 452 available beds

Pasteur 2 opened its doors in June 2015. This modern organisation brings quality of care in line with the highest technological performance and the very best reception and care for patients. It is also a training ground for the university’s medical students.

> 19 operating theatres > 2,800 professional hospital staff > 80% of bedrooms are single bed

Boasting the very latest energy performance certificate classified as ‘HQE’ (High Environmental Quality), it is equipped with solar panels that produce 20% of its hot water needs, recycle sterilisation vapour and allow for the building’s high inertness.

> 3 MRIs and 3 scanners

INADDITION Ambassadors programme: Set up by the Nice Tourism and Convention Bureau, this programme aims to reinforce the municipality’s visibility as a preferred destination for delegates and conference participants by facilitating access to its many conference rooms. Doctors, researchers, teachers, lecturers and students can all becomes Ambassadors of Nice and encourage their associations, federations or institutions to organise meetings and events here.

As a symbolic beacon, the ‘Galet’ will host students and lecturers from September.

A veritable work of art and architectural feat to seat 200, this amphitheatre measures 23 metres wide, 12 metres high and 30 metres long and is covered in pebbles.

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DID YOU KNOW? Home to 30,000 doctors, dentists and pharmacists, PACA is France’s leading region in terms of medical professional density.

The Cité Saint-François This new establishment will contribute to developing and modernising the Pasteur district in line with the city’s commitment to health and improving the appearance of the city.

In addition to its medical vocation with its clinic and day hospital nutrition unit, it will also house:

The Cimiez Hospital is developing a new innovation in social networks: Designed to be used by health care professionals, this new tool is being trialled by gerontology patients.

Ultimately, patients will be able to be monitored by health care professionals, from hospitalisation to returning to their homes, thanks to the sharing of data from their medical records.

THE CHU PASTEUR 2 UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE

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a student residence of 42 residential units,

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a conference centre to seat up to 150 and a restaurant to seat up to 200 open to all,

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a crèche with 40 cots,

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a car park with 100 spaces.

Digital services for patients with the ‘Pasteur Innovation Living Lab Of Nice’ Paillon label The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis supports various different projects developed within the Delvalle building by the Centre National de Référence Santé à Domicile et Autonomie (CNRSDA) [National Centre for Home Care Assistance and Independent Living] and the Centre d’Innovation d’Usages en Santé (CIU) [Centre for Innovation in Health Care Applications].

These projects are being studied as part of the Paillon label, which seeks to establish and label technological tools designed to make life easier for outpatients once their hospitalisation has ended.

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Nouveaux projets et New plans and new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

GLOBAL PLAN FOR TRANSPORT: MOVING MORE AND BETTER Other changes are taking place with respect to transport in a bid to continue enhancing the City of Nice’s visual appeal and to make it more accessible.

Getting around the city will be practical and pleasant for citizens and convention participants alike. Eco-friendly, sustainable developments are being rolled out as part of the City of Nice’s projects and ambitions.

USEFUL INFORMATION...

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The Nice Côte d’Azur Airport Redesign work on terminals 1 and 2 has just kicked off, and the airport is determined to uphold its development policy with a view to continuously improving the quality of its services for its clients and to absorb increases in traffic.

It was the first French airport outside of Paris to achieve Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation and is aiming to reach Level 3+ between now and 2018. Thanks to its responsible action initiatives, greenhouse gas emission has dropped by 15% in 3 years, with visitor numbers up by 30%. Today, 100% of the electricity used is renewable.

It was the first airport to be awarded ‘Famille Plus’ certification and welcomes in close to 12 million travellers every year with a range of exclusive services.

The platform’s commercial area will continue to be developed until 2017, with the addition of a bar lounge and Michelin-starred restaurants, Nice socca and a high-end bakery alongside leading American coffee giants and burger joints... A total of 5,000 m² extra surface area will be given over to food and drink services

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The new trram lines The installation of the first tram line has considerably changed the face of the city, by “handing back” to pedestrians a number of areas which are now traffic-free. Line 1 which connects the north of the city to its eastern districts will be accompanied by the construction of line 2, in a two-stage process. This new line will provide a link to the airport, to the west, to the Promenade des Anglais and to the port in the East, travelling via the city centre. By 2018, it will be possible to travel from the Palais Nikaïa to the city centre and by 2019, from the airport to the port in just 20 minutes.

Vélos Bleus bike rental Extension works are planned on the network of cycle trails (+125 km) that operate over 1,750 ‘blue bike’ self-service rented bikes all yearround 24 hours a day. In addition, an iPhone and smart phone app will now allow users to view a map of the stations, find their closest station and view their itinerary.

Autos Bleues car rental In order to reduce car traffic in the city, Nice Côte d’Azur has been the first local authority to set up a large-scale car-sharing service which now boasts over 8,000 users.

210 cars are scattered between 70 pick-up points.

The bus and tram network in the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis allows users to get around the entire area for just 1.5 euro per single journey (except for the airport shuttle). The same applies to inter-city journeys in the Alpes Maritimes region.

A range of alternative transportation options are also available to allow visitors to explore the city in freedom and with ease: Segway, Cyclopolitain, tourist trains, Solex, Bluesummer (an electric version of Citroën’s iconic Méhari), etc...

Then by 2018, tram line 3, which presents a major development opportunity for the Eco-Valley, will connect the airport to Saint-Isidore on the Var plain. These changes will allow the visual appeal of the areas served by the tram to be enhanced.

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The Nice-Thiers railway station.

Built in 1870, the SNCF train station sees over 8 million travellers pass through its doors each year. The entire surrounding area has undergone vast renovation and urban improvement works, allowing it to meet the needs of transport development.

This is one of the SNCF’s priority projects. A 2nd development phase aims to integrate a commercial area linking up to the tram line 1.

Completion of the 2nd section: 2020.

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New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

NICE, THE ULTIMATE

short stay destination

The capital of the Côte d’Azur is blessed with a beautiful coastline and enjoys all the advantages of a major European city, including the Nice Côte d’Azur airport, France’s biggest after Paris: Nice is perfect for a short stay and is very easy to get to.

Its idyllic setting between sea and mountain, its light, its exceptional climate featuring balmy winters and cool summers are iconic, and have become the deciding factor in choosing to spend a long weekend in Nice.

The French Riviera Pass is a card that is essential to any shortstay visitor, granting access to the area’s key sites of interest, with details provided on page 13.

There’s something for everyone in Nice. Art lovers will revel in its history, architectural heritage and many museums, all of which boast prestigious collections from Matisse to Chagall via a spectacular range of French and American avant-garde artists.

Dreamers and wanderers can stroll through the narrow winding streets of Nice’s old town and explore the market at the Cours Saleya. Gourmets can tuck in at a local restaurant and discover local specialities such as pissaladière, stuffed vegetables or gnocchi washed down with a Vin de Bellet wine. Music lovers can head to Nice’s Carnival and Jazz Festival on the Place Masséna square, while sportier types can train on the Promenade des Anglais before tackling 10, 20, or 42 km marathons - or the formidable Ironman! Whatever your preferences, Nice leaves nobody indifferent.

A NEW LOOK FOR THE PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS The ‘Prom’ listed on UNESCO’s world heritage list In 2013, Nice applied for the Promenade des Anglais to be included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In order to usher one of the world’s most stunning avenues into a more eco-friendly and sustainable era, new developments on the Promenade are currently under-way with a view to turning it into a symbol of the city’s environmentallyfriendly and sustainable commitments. The project costs approximately 16 million euros and should result in harmonising views between the urban landscapes and the sea front.

The cultural and heritage aspects of Nice and the Promenade des Anglais is crucial and was translated into the ‘Nice 2015 Promenades(S) des Anglais’ event that ran throughout summer 2015. The festival was designed for locals and tourists alike, and aimed to demonstrate the complexity, variety and diversity of what the ‘Prom’ can inspire. 14 exhibitions were held in 13 museums around the Nice area from June to October.

Reclassifying the districts Alongside the ‘revolution’ taking place to the west of the city, a wide-scale project designed to enhance the city’s visual appeal has kicked off. District after district, changes are being rolled out.

In line with the national plan for the reclassification of old or dilapidated districts and local initiative, no stone is being left unrenovated in a campaign that prioritises sustainable development and the implementing of ‘smart’ structures.

The City of Nice is looking beyond the visual appeal of the Promenade and the high foot-fall areas of the city centre. Residents and visitors alike will enjoy access to transport, accommodation, services and more, all green and all designed for the long-term, such as the areas of Vieux-Nice, Notre-Dame, Gare Thiers station and Gare du Sud station, which will continue to be developed in 2015/2016 and are part of a global process designed to improve the well-being and environment of Nice locals.

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Nouveaux projets et New plans and new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

PROJECTS INVOLVING THE OPENING OF CULTURAL AND LEISURE SITES Culture and sport: two priority areas.

Well-being and an excellent «art of living» are part of the very lifeblood of Nice. With this in mind, cultural and sporting facilities are being renovated or created to meet emerging needs. A number of sites have already been upgraded for the 21st century with the modernisation of the sites themselves and improvements to their ease of use. Examples include the Allianz Riviera stadium, which will be hosting the 2016 Euro football cup and the Centre National des Combes, soon to be a regional tennis training centre, which began development with 11 new courts (including 4 covered courts) due to be completed by April/May 2017.

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Abattoirs transformed into artists’ studios.

2015-2016 After much thought and discussion, the ‘Sang Neuf’ project began its operational development phase in February: between now and the end of 2015, a number of visual artists and performance art companies will be able to move in. The Halle Spada will be transformed into a museum dedicated to the history of the Carnival, with 29 new artists’ studios planned across 1,500 m2 and 1,900 m2 of new premises.

The last stage of the project due to kick off in early 2016 will see the launch of 5,000 m2 of new buildings: an incubator, a start-up hub, a cultural enterprise centre, a library open to the district, a concert hall and rehearsal room, etc.

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The Colline du Château (Castle Hill).

This iconic location steeped in history is undergoing total redevelopment, restoration and landscaping work.

The first phase of work will begin in late 2015 and will focus on the top of the hill and the ruins. From summer 2016, visitors will be able to enjoy introductory trails, play areas, and 19th-century walks dotted with interactive points.

By the end of 2017 and 12-15 million euros later, this open-air museum will also be equipped with kiosks, a restaurant and a renovated lift.

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The Place Saint-François square and the Palais communal Last March saw the beginning of renovation works on the Rue Droite and Place du Gésu in Nice’s old town, marking the first steps in a multi-year plan that aims to renovate and replace the paving and street covering. Next autumn, it will be the Place Saint François square’s turn to be made over, a process due to take approximately 2 years. The façades of buildings will be repainted, the streets paved and new life will be breathed into the medieval buildings of the Capitole (transformed into an exhibition and activity centre), the Palais Communal (to house the museum of communal Nice heritage) and the Aigle d’Or, a former convent.

RECENTLY OPENED The National Sport Museum The goal here was an ambitious one: to create a national sport complex to the west of the city to go with the new Allianz Riviera stadium.

In a dedicated space measuring 3,000 m2, Nice is now home to over 45,000 objects and 400,000 documents, some of which had already been on show at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

The Museum has been open to visitors since June 2014.

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New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE QUALITY OF TOURISM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

and the strategy of quality labelling

Nice as a destination is striving to become a leading name in quality service and welcome.

In order to ensure clients enjoy a rich, diverse and high-quality range of offers, the Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a labelling initiative for its products.

In collaboration with partners, two labels were awarded to the city in 2011.

The city is a shining example when it comes to welcoming families.

No surprise then, that it has been awarded the national «Family Plus» label. Pursuing this labelling policy was the natural choice for a city so thoroughly immersed in Mediterranean culture with its focus on children. Indeed, Nice boasts a huge range of activities for our youngest visitors, thereby meeting the requirements of the «Family Plus» label. This excellent result was obtained through a process involving several stages: identifying the establishments concerned, inspection visits and information meetings to seal a genuine partnership. Regular awareness-building activities for professionals are carried out to enhance and improve these products and facilities. The Nice Côte d’Azur was the first airport to receive the label in 2012. A family guide (FR/UK) is now available online. en.nicetourisme.com/family-friendly-nice In much the same vein, we find a label for the city’s capacity to welcome LGBT visitors.

Nice naturally has all of the attractions sought by this target clientele for its holidays including: a remarkable location and climate, an outstanding historical and cultural heritage, ease of access and events all year round. In order to further enhance Nice’s existing attractions, the Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau working closely with the City of Nice and its partners from the gay and lesbian associations created a standard in 2011 defining rules concerning reception and hospitality quality, enabling compliant establishments to earn the ‘Nice, irisée naturellement’ label (Nice, a natural iridescence).

In a bid to continue this initiative, the Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau has also developed tools to follow up on the ‘Nice, naturally radiant’ programme (references, regulations, assessment grid) as well as training for all involved in order to safeguard the quality of tourism services and offers. A brochure specially designed for this clientele is available in French and English from the following website: http://en.nicetourisme.com/gay-friendly-nice Nice is today the first city in France to obtain the international ‘Gay comfort’ member of IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association). The Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau and an LGBT association organised ‘Lou Queernaval’, France’s first gay-friendly Carnival. This festive event drew in close to 15,000 participants for its first edition held on 27 February.

The Nice Convention and Visitors Bureau is upgrading the “cuisine nissarde” label The goal is to guarantee the visitor certified quality concerning the cuisine niçoise (traditional Nice cooking) served in the restaurants covered by this label. Indeed, the “Cuisine Nissarde, le respect de la tradition” trademark features the name of the city in its description. Its cooking reflects the Niçois art of living and the use of regional products, always accompanied by the legendary olive oil covered by an Appellation d’Origine Protégée (protected designation of origin) and other customary aromatic herbs. The fact is, that Nice’s gastronomy reaches far beyond its borders. Nice is the only city in France to have a vineyard covered by a controlled designation of origin within its borders. This was gained in 1941. On the Bellet hillsides, one of the oldest grape varieties of France produces outstanding white, red and rosé wines, whose reputation precedes them far beyond the region. nicetourisme.com/la-cuisine-nicoise

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Nice has made quality its watchword. This refers to quality in the widest sense and in all fields. Nice and its Convention and Visitors Bureau have chosen to give the word “Quality” back its philosophical sense, i.e. «relative to people and their attributes» while also adding the notions of “best” and “perfection”.

New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice At the same time, other labelling schemes will be pursued for the themes of shopping, culture and heritage.

Thanks to its many fashion, art and interior design boutiques stocking local and leading international brands as well as Nice’s cultural richness, shopping, culture and heritage are now key factors in the city’s high tourism numbers.

With a view to continuously improving the Nice experience and visitor satisfaction levels, new labelled projects are currently being assessed based on these themes

THE SHOPPING LABEL PROJECT In Nice, department stores and sumptuous boutiques treat visitors to a VIP experience and showcase the latest trends from leading French brands as well as local designers.

Nice is home to a total of 7,000 shops that meet the most varied of needs, from traditional boutiques offering a selection of local craft products to big names in international fashion and luxury: Galeries Lafayette, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Cartier, Armani, Ventilo, Façonnable, Longchamp, Kenzo, Max Mara, Sonia Rykiel, and many other luxury boutiques (ready-to-wear, leather goods, jewellery), must-have pieces (interior design, fabrics, gifts) and local produce (olive oil, sweets, flowers), not to mention the Fragonard and Molinard fragrance houses and the Florian sweet factory...

THE PLANNED “CULTURE AND HERITAGE” LABEL The same goals are being pursued with the culture and heritage themes, taking full account of the rich architectural, heritage and cultural assets of the city. Drawing upon a proud 400,000-year history, Nice stands out in all fields: The city’s particularly dense history: from the prehistoric Terra Amata camp situated > The city’s particularly dense history: from the prehistoric Terra Amata camp situated in the Port of Nice (400,000 BC),

continuing with the Gallo-Roman ruins of Cimiez, or Old Nice and the mediaeval city and its “castle”, history is alive and vibrant wherever you look in Nice.. > The extremely diverse architectural heritage: with baroque art in Old Nice, Sardinian architecture combining the Genoese style, Belle Epoque buildings, art deco or the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, etc. > The arts, with a huge concentration of museums and galleries but also out in the street with contemporary works featured along the tram routes and elsewhere in the city.

Short stays covered by these labels will be marketed, offering a guarantee of quality for visitors to the city.

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New plans and Nouveaux projets et new ambitions for Nice nouvelles ambitions pour Nice

NEW WAY

to discover Nice NICE GREETERS, A NATURAL WELCOME Nice’s volunteer local greeters are on-hand to share their passion for their city, as well as their insider tips, top favourites, anecdotes and backstreet finds.

Greeters take visitors on a tour (min. 2 hours) with a personal touch that does not compare to a professional guide, creating a bond and chatting away to the visitors they host.

Thanks to the online form and depending on the selected preferred themes and/or the Greeter in question, a date is set depending on Greeter availability for your chosen day (walking tours provided in French, English, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic).

Please note: forms must be completed and sent at least 7 days prior to arrival and no earlier than 3 weeks prior to arrival.

More information: nice-greeters.com

VISIT MORE,

spend less THE FRENCH RIVIERA PASS CITY CARD allows visitors to fully explore the Greater Nice area.

Designed to make stays easier and better as part of the ‘Digital City’ initiative, this card is fitted with NFC (Near Field Communication: contactless) technology and offers unlimited access to a range of services for the duration of its validity period (24hrs/48hrs/72hrs): sight-seeing Open Tour Nice double-decker bus rides, free access to museums and tourist sites in the Greater Nice area and a list of carefully-selected addresses (restaurants, boutiques, leisure activities, artist studios) to be enjoyed for up to one month following activation.

An optional transport add-on costs €4 per day and allows visitors to travel freely throughout the card’s validity period on the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis network, from Cap d’Ail to Cagnes sur Mer as well as the resorts of Mercantour and the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.

Caution: this package does not include transport to Antibes or Monaco.

New: Antibes, Cannes, the Îles de Lérins and Mougins all join the list of sites free for visitors to access.

More information: nicetourisme.com/french-riviera-pass

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NICE’S

awards

Winner of the AFNOR 2014 trophy for the quality of its ‘welcome and relationships with users’.

New technologies, health care, tourism reception, transport and architecture - Nice stands out and has it all covered.

New: Nice awarded the «French Tech» label... ... during the French Touch Conference in New York. This label allowed Nice to be awarded funding from the Public Bank of Investments, to encourage start-up culture and their longevity in the Nice region, helping them to reach the size required to make an impact internationally.

Prizes and distinctions Tourism: •

2nd most popular destination in France after Paris according to online users (Trip Advisor)

•

3rd most popular summer destination after Paris and Maui in Hawaii according to online users (US News Travel)

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6th best European destination for ‘meetings and events’ (American Express)

Our selection of must-see sites Clean, accessible beaches with labels including ‘Pavillon Bleu’ [high environmental quality], ‘Handiplage’ [disability-friendly], ‘Sans Tabac’ [smoke-free], ‘Cabanes Bleues’ [beach huts] and ‘Avec Chiens’ [dog-friendly]: swimming with coast guard monitoring and easy access so that all visitors may enjoy a relaxing time in a clean, highquality setting.

The Nice Côte d’Azur airport: France’s 2nd largest airport and 2nd largest tourist destination after Paris, and voted ‘Europe’s Most Scenic Approach’ yet again in 2015 by the private airline booking company Private Fly. The Place Rossetti square: Ochre-coloured façades, a baroque cathedral and spectacular fountains: it’s no wonder that the square has been voted France’s 7th most beautiful and charming by the ‘Détours en France’ website.

The Cours Saleya market: Ranked 10th in the list of France’s most exceptional markets by the National Council of Culinary Arts.

Nice Carnival •

Awarded the Moros d’Alqueria prize based on its longevity, international atmosphere and high level of public participation

Innovation : •

Only French city to have been awarded IBM’s ‘Smarter Cities Challenge’ prize

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The eHRD is joining forces with the EcoValley: Special jury prize awarded during the ‘Digital HR Team Trophies’ ceremony and the ‘Collaborative Enterprise Prize’

•

The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis was granted the ‘Cit’ergie’ label by the National Commission for the quality of its climate/energy policy, and its commitment and contribution to energy transition

INFORMATION

for the general public Tél. +33 (0)892 707 407 (0,34 € / min.) en.nicetourisme.com info@otcnice.com

facebook.com/Nice Tourisme

twitter.com/nice-tourisme

youtube.com/user/NiceCotedazurTourism

instagram.com/nicetourisme

linkedin.com/company/nice-convention-&-visitors-bureau

2015/08/20/IBQ