Following eighteen months of extensive renovation, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has officially unveiled a complete overhaul of its commercial landscape. The project, which commenced in September 2023, has transformed approximately 6,300 square metres of retail and service space across the airport’s scheduled and business aviation terminals.

The renovation encompasses 42 retail and service units, creating a new shopping environment designed to embody the unique art de vivre of the French Riviera—a region stretching from Saint-Tropez to Monaco and beyond to Italy.

A ‘laboratory’ for future travel

The airport’s vision for this transformation centres on delivering a premium experience that mirrors the region’s cultural identity while positioning Nice as an innovative ‘laboratory’ for the airport of tomorrow.

“Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has a twofold specificity: it is the gateway to an exceptional region, and it is designed as a laboratory for the airport of tomorrow,” explains Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Franck Goldnadel. “This is naturally reflected in our new retail offering, which delivers an unusual encounter inspired by the colours and scents of the Riviera, as well as concepts that are entirely new to a French airport.”

French craftsmanship and sustainable luxury 

The new retail mix places a heavy emphasis on French excellence and Mediterranean craftsmanship. Travellers will now find luxury brands in fashion, leather goods, and perfumery that are exclusive to Nice within the French airport landscape, outside of Paris.

In a move highlighting the airport’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the retail portfolio now includes a multi-brand luxury fashion boutique featuring second-hand products. This initiative responds to the growing demand for more sustainable, meaningful consumption patterns among luxury travellers.

Furthermore, the airport has refined its ‘travel essentials’ offering, introducing new product categories in collaboration with established market partners. The project also included a full refurbishment and expansion of the Service Centres in the commercial aviation terminals to better cater to the diverse needs of leisure and business passengers.

Defining the passenger experience

Candice Cadreils, Director of the Commercial Business Unit of Candice Cadreils, says there was a  strategic intent behind the works, noting that the objective was to ensure that arriving at or departing from Nice feels distinct from any other travel experience.

“These eighteen months of work reflect our ambition to offer all our passenger categories—leisure and business travellers alike—a unique, surprising, and innovative travel experience,” says Cadreils. “We have succeeded in attracting iconic brands representing French excellence that travellers will not find in any other airport. This demonstrates the strong trust that exists between us and our partners.”

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Main photo source: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport