Nice classified as a UNESCO World Heritage

On 27 July 2021 the inhabitants of Nice learned that their city, which had been on the shortlist for many years, had finally been classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Nice was inscribed on the list as ‘the winter resort town of the Riviera’.

Through this classification UNESCO recognises the exceptional universal value of the rich urban heritage, the unique history and the emergence of a form of tourism in Nice shaped as of the 18th century for and through tourism.

“The history of Nice, which is at the same time deeply rooted and open, Mediterranean and alpine, European and cosmopolitan, has produced an architecture and a landscape that are unique, a model for many other cities in the world.” C. Estrosi, mayor of Nice

“Through this classification Nice is recognised as an archetypical winter resort on the Riviera, with its exceptional location between the mountains and the sea, and the myriad influences that shaped its heritage.” R. Bachelot, minister of culture

This classification also comes with great responsibility. The heritage site – an incredible witness to the past and tourism in Nice – must be kept in pristine condition. After all, this past constitutes the basis for the destination’s unrivalled savoir-faire: Nice boasts two and a half centuries of hands-on experience in welcoming travellers from across the globe.

This classification signals a fresh start for Nice as a tourist destination as it enhances the city’s image and public perception. It is also an invitation to rediscover this unknown and even undervalued aspect of Nice.