Nice hosts the UN Ocean Conference with an "Olympic Games-style" security system

The city of Nice will be at the center of international news as it hosts the United Nations Ocean Conference from June 9 to 13. Thousands of people and heads of state are expected. So, for an exceptional event, exceptional security arrangements are in place. The people of Nice will have to adapt.

The security plan is presented as equivalent to that of the Olympic Games. 4,000 police officers and gendarmes are being mobilized specifically, and certain areas will be subject to restrictions, particularly around the port of Nice and its brand new Convention Center. Vehicle access will be prohibited, except for delegations.

Pedestrian access is controlled and reserved for local residents with a waiver. This is already causing concern for residents of part of the port, who will be in an area under UN control for five days. "We're wondering whether to leave during this period," confides one port resident.

Another neighbor laments not being able to host family and friends this Whitsun weekend. Residents are also unhappy that their port parking lot is inaccessible, having been replaced by another one more than a 20-minute walk away. Restaurant owners, meanwhile, will be able to remain open.

But one of them is concerned about the delivery times, which are only allowed between 3 and 6 a.m. “It's impossible to get fresh produce delivered that early!” complains José Orsini, the owner of the port bistro. He is waiting for a response from the Prefecture to extend this time slot to 7:30 a.m.

Despite this point of contention, the chef acknowledges: "It's a huge boost for the city of Nice! It's worth playing the game!" The city hall has set up several communication channels to keep the people of Nice informed.