As Nice prepares to host the United Nations Ocean Conference from 9th to 13th June, residents and visitors are being warned to expect major disruptions across the city. With 70 world leaders and thousands of delegates descending on key areas, heightened security will bring widespread road closures, restricted pedestrian zones, and significant changes to public transport.
The Port of Nice will be the main conference location and will therefore be completely closed off during the event. Subsequently, the entire port district will be under lockdown with heavily restricted access throughout the conference period. This is the most significant security operation Nice has seen in recent years.
The Promenade des Anglais will also face serious disruptions at key moments during the summit. The biggest will happen on Sunday 8th June when world leaders attend a state dinner at Hotel Negresco. The area around the hotel, especially near 37 Promenade des Anglais, will be completely blocked off during the evening. Traffic along the entire Promenade may pause temporarily when official convoys arrive and leave. Residents should avoid driving along the seafront entirely that evening.
From 5th to 13th June, the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen at 65 Promenade des Anglais will also have enhanced security as an official conference venue. Authorities won’t close the entire Promenade, but they will temporarily block certain sections and enforce parking restrictions around the building. They will affect only specific parts of the Promenade, so people can still access most of the coastline.
The Old Town will remain open during the conference but with much tighter security. On Monday 9th June, when official meetings take place at the Palais des Rois Sardes, the historic area will have filtered access with possible street closures around rue Jules Gilly and Place du Palais de Justice. Security checkpoints may be set up at Old Town entrances, though local shops will stay open and residents can still access their homes.
How to get around during the conference
People visiting the Old Town should carry identification and consider using alternative routes through Place Garibaldi or the Promenade du Paillon to avoid the most restricted areas near Cours Saleya. These security measures aim to maintain safety while keeping disruption to local businesses to a minimum.
Getting around Nice will be much more difficult during the conference. Traffic delays will be significant across the city centre, with some streets potentially blocked without warning depending on delegation movements. Security measures and road closures may also delay public transport. Parking in central Nice, already challenging normally, will become even harder with additional restrictions near official venues.
The security operation for the conference will be massive. Up to 5,000 security personnel will work daily, including elite units like RAID and GIGN. This heavy police presence will be visible throughout the entire city, not just near official venues. Anti-drone controls and extensive surveillance will also be active across the conference area. While there are no specific threats made against the summit, the presence of world leaders requires maximum security precautions.
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Anyone planning to travel around Nice during this period will have to be flexible and patient. Journey times should be much longer to account for delays and route changes. Travel plans may need to change at short notice based on security requirements. However, the local police will provide guidance if needed.
Despite the extensive security measures, most of central Nice will continue operating normally outside the restricted zones. Restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions will remain open except where directly affected by security areas. Beach access will continue as usual, though areas next to restricted zones may have some limitations.
Normal operations should gradually return after the conference ends on Friday 13th June. With proper planning and realistic expectations, both residents and visitors can navigate the city successfully during this important gathering
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Main photo by Monaco Life