The project (in 3D) seen from the castle hill -

Studio Méditerranée / DPA architecture

  • After the Nice Administrative Court and the Marseille Administrative Court of Appeal, the Council of State rejected requests from residents to cancel the project to transform the former convent into a palace.

  • The establishment, which should be inaugurated at the end of 2023, will include 88 rooms and suites as well as three restaurants, two bars, a mini-café and Roman thermal baths.

With petitions and legal recourse, residents worried about a certain commotion had tried everything to derail the project.

But after the Nice Administrative Court and the Marseille Administrative Court of Appeal, even the Council of State rejected their requests.

Three years behind schedule, the former convent of the Visitation, built in Old Nice from the 16th century and flanked by the castle hill, will be able to become a 5-star hotel.

The current building, seen from rue des Serruriers (Archives) - ANP / 20 Minutes

And the work estimated at 36 million euros, so dreaded by the inhabitants of the rue des Serruriers in particular, will begin in the spring, announces Perseus capital partners.

The future operator holds a 90-year construction lease with the city of Nice.

An option of the town hall that has made people talk

This arrangement, much discussed by the opposition in 2016, for the low rents in particular (10,000 euros of royalty per year for the first ten years), "allows the valuation of an exceptional element of the heritage by a private company and the return property in the bosom of the city at the end of the lease, ”boasts the municipality for its part.

Including for adjoining plots, located at the corner of rue Saint-Joseph and rue des Serruriers, and on the neighboring sports ground, also used for new buildings and also granted by the town hall.

As in the days of ancient Rome

In total, "88 rooms, from the monastic cell of 19 m² to the apartment of 130 m²", are planned, details the management of Perseus, specialist, expert in the development of luxury hotels.

There will also be “three restaurants, two bars, a mini-café” and even “Roman thermal baths”, with a 20 m swimming pool, treatment rooms and water rooms (cold, warm and hot) as at times of ancient Rome.

No doubt to ease tensions, a documentation space on the School of Nice, a cultural center, an artists' studio and even a market, organized every week for the district, are also on the program.

Launch planned for fall 2023.

Nice

The old convent will become a hotel, and that annoys the neighbors

Nice

The former convent of Vieux-Nice will become a palace

  • Religion

  • Hotel

  • Project

  • Nice