Under a bright blue sky and beside the Mediterranean Sea, the port of Nice experienced a moment rich in symbolism: the handover of the keys to the brand-new Congress Center to France and Costa Rica. It was a slightly solemn ceremony but, above all, it was filled with immense hope just weeks before the UN Ocean Conference, a major international event dedicated to ocean protection. In front of the cameras and the sea, Christian Estrosi, proudly captaining the Nice vessel, shared the results of a challenge faced against the winds and tides: transforming the port into a welcoming place worthy of a global event.
A grand ambition for a place equally grand
The setting? A large hall named “Nicea” resembling a docked cruise ship, with 10,000 m² of flexible spaces right by the water and an ambitious goal: to make Nice shine far beyond its beaches. This new center is not just about...'an exquisite jewel for the UNOC, it’s also a bet on the future, a showcase for business tourism with a Riviera twist, designed to blend environmental excellence, innovation, and the art of living.
With this key handover, Nice steps into a new era. Once the UNOC is completed, the center will be entrusted to the Metropolitan Tourist Office, which is already ready to keep the space alive all year round. The goal is clear: to make the Grand Halle pulse with the rhythm of conferences, concerts, shows, and popular events. In short, to transform it into a cultural beacon as well as a diplomatic tool. Nice is aiming high, and this time, everyone believes in it.
