Nice becomes UNESCO World Heritage site: 5 cultural highlights

Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site under the title 'Winter resort town of the Riviera'. The recognition came after a seven-year campaign led by mayor Christian Estrosi and Jean-Jacques Aillagon, president of the Nice World Heritage mission. UNESCO acknowledged the 'Outstanding Universal Value' of Nice's architectural, landscape and urban heritage, particularly the 522-hectare urban complex shaped by cosmopolitan winter tourism from the mid-18th to mid-20th century. Key sites include the Parc de la Colline du Château with its panoramic views and artificial waterfall; the Promenade des Anglais, built by an English reverend in 1820, lined with historic hotels like the Negresco (designed by Henri Negrescu in 1913, later run by Jeanne Augier who amassed a collection of over 6,000 artworks); the Jardin sud de la Villa Masséna and other parks totaling 300 hectares; historic villas such as Villa Furtada Heine (built around 1781 for Lady Penelope Atkins, later inhabited by Paolina Borghese); and museums including the Musée Matisse on the Colline de Cimiez, the Musée Chagall, and the MAMAC (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art).