- Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and Deputy President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, announced on Friday, January 24, the Metropolis’ adhesion to the Plan Bleu.
- Nice Côte d’Azur is the first French local authority to join the Plan Bleu, a European program aimed at raising awareness on environmental and sustainable development issues in the Mediterranean, including tourism.
- The NATURA 2000 site at Cap Ferrat has been selected as one of the six pilot sites for the project and is the only one in France, with recommendations expected by mid-2026.
- In June 2025, UNOC-3 (United Nations Ocean Conference) will bring global stakeholders to Nice to discuss key maritime challenges.
A Commitment Against Overtourism and Its Impacts
The Mediterranean, known for its unique biodiversity and natural heritage, is at the forefront of climate change. According to the Plan Bleu’s report “The Mediterranean in 2050”, the region is under intense pressure from overtourism.
In response, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has committed to the Plan Bleu, which seeks to develop sustainable tourism by balancing economic attractiveness with ecosystem preservation.
NATURA 2000: A Pilot Site for Concrete Solutions
The NATURA 2000 site at Cap Ferrat, now part of the project, will serve as a pilot site for experimenting with responsible tourism practices. Through this program, the Metropolis and its partners will receive concrete recommendations by mid-2026 to transform this protected marine area into a model of sustainable management, ensuring eco-friendly tourism and environmental protection.
UNOC-3: A Key Event in June 2025 in Nice
In June 2025, Nice will host UNOC-3, the third edition of the United Nations Ocean Conference. This event will gather international decision-makers to discuss marine and coastal issues, including sustainable tourism. Holding this global event in Nice further reinforces the central role of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis in shaping the global conversation on ocean and coastal conservation.
The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has also taken concrete actions, such as banning the largest cruise ships, to reduce their impact on biodiversity and improve residents’ quality of life.
