Tag Archives: UNESCO World Heritage site

France’s “Nice the Beautiful” is now on UNESCO World Heritage List

Nice, French City seafront

Image: Ville de Nice

The French Mediterranean City of Nice has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The announcement was made on the cultural organisation’s Twitter account, which tweeted saying, “Winter resort town of the Riviera”.

The city, which sits on the southeastern coast and is known for its mild climate, was a favourite vacation spot for the various European royal families back in the 18th century. There’s even a seafront named after the British royalty called, “Promenade des Anglais (Promenade of the English)”.

The city joins 40 other world heritage sites located in France. The list includes the banks of the river Seine in Paris, the Amiens cathedral, Mont Saint Michel, and stretches of the Loire valley.

Nice, capital of Riviera tourism

Nice, capital of Riviera tourism. Image: Ville de Nice

Named “Nice the Beautiful”, the city has close to a million inhabitants and is the second-biggest city on the French Mediterranean coast after Marseilles, and the fifth-largest in France. Nice has played host to numerous creatives over the years, including Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse and Friedrich Nietzsche.

“The history of Nice, which is at the same time deeply rooted and open, Mediterranean and Alpine, European and cosmopolitan, has produced an architecture and a landscape that are unique, a model for many other cities in the world,” Nice’s mayor Christian Estrosi said in reaction to the announcement.

According to UNESCO, Nice’s urban planning started as early as two centuries ago in a bid to attract foreign visitors looking to escape the bitter-cold winter of Europe. As a result, the clever design of the area has made the place a tourist destination which boasts to have several million visitors per year and it also has one of the busiest airports in France.

Nice, French City Beach View

Image: Paul Teysen/Unsplash

About five years ago on July 14, 2016, the scenic seafront walk of Promenade des Anglais was met with a murderous attack that killed 86 people, including 15 children. The Islamic State claimed responsibility and the event definitely affected Nice’s reputation as a holiday destination.

With the newly conferred status, the city hopes to boost its tourism and the funds it receives will be used to preserve the sites. As international travel slowly picks up its pace, keep Nice on your list of places to visit post-pandemic. France’s “Nice the Beautiful” is now on UNESCO World Heritage List.

By Joseph Low

 

Live Inside A Piece Of Moroccan History At The Palais Amani

There are not many historic properties in the world quite as majestic as the Palais Amani in Fez (or Fes), Morocco. The former home of a wealthy local merchant, the landmark – a UNESCO World Heritage site no less – is now a chic, upscale boutique hotel. The hotel was first given a makeover in the 1930s, with many more touchups over the years, to become the resplendent gem that you see today.

Boasting 18 rooms, every room has been thoughtfully and tastefully designed to reflect and emphasise the colourful history of Morocco. Of late, the North African country has been a muse to luxury brands with Dior launching its Cruise 2020 collection in Palais El Badi, Marrakech. This time, LUXUO journeys to the Palais Amani in Fez where unlike Dior’s show, one can be a participant and live inside a piece of Moroccan heritage.

From elaborate ceiling trimmings, to mosaic floor and wall tiles, to full-length colour-frosted windows, and the most palatial of courtyards, the Palais Amani can best be described as a modern design tribute to the 1940 film, Casablanca.

But the crown jewel of the palace (or palais, for the Francophiles out there), is undoubtedly the Grand Suite, a sprawling space that spans the entire width of its south wing.

Inside one of Palais Amani’s 19 guest rooms

View from the Grand Suite

Featuring a balcony that is as roomy as it is delightfully decadent, a splendid his and hers ensuite bathroom, and the most gorgeous views that this side of Fez has to offer, the Grand Suite is a space fit for, as the French would say, the crème de la crème.

Medina living at its finest

Perhaps, the best part of the hotel is that it is located along the Fez medina (a term that refers to the old quarters of any city in North Africa). The old city is not just the largest medina in the world, but also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Unwind at the in-house hammam, or spa, after a long day of sightseeing

Because of its close proximity to the medina, the hotel is also able to offer a multitude of activities for guests to experience the medina in their preferred ways. Guests can choose between a food tour (as part of the Fez Cooking School) that gives them a culinary insight into Moroccan, Fassi, and Sephardic cooking, or a sightseeing tour that takes them down many of the 10,000-odd alleys and lanes inside the medina.

Yoga classes for some mind, body, and soul workout

After a long day out roaming the streets, guests can retreat to the hotel, where they can relax and unwind at the in-house Hammam, or spa, and enjoy a luxurious full-body massage.

Do check out the Palais Amani if you’re ever in Fez. Averaging around S$200 per night for a classic room, this Moroccan treasure is certainly well worth your money, and time.

By Kelvin Ong