 The words French Riviera, or Côte d'Azur as the French prefer, conjure up images of exclusivity and celebrity. This glamorous image is just one aspect of the region's true identity. Beneath the surface, the French Riviera boasts a dynamic, hi-tech research and business community, built on a thriving international workforce. |
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NICE — A CROSSROADS IN EUROPEAN HISTORY
Until 1860 the city of Nice belonged to the Italian Duke of Savoy. Due to the Duke's close diplomatic relations with France, Italy and the Vatican, Nice played an important role in European history. Protected by the mountains, Nice is ideally situated as a Mediterranean port. As early as 1760, Englishman Tobias Smollet wrote that the area was a remote and far-flung paradise. By the late 19th century, the Russian, English, French and German aristocracy had begun building sumptuous winter residences here and by the turn of the century, the region had become a meeting place for heads of state and captains of industry. Ever since, the Côte d'Azur has been the place where the powerful meet to relax in luxurious and beautiful surroundings. This unique legacy has given the region a cosmopolitan outlook that has flourished right up to the present day. The EU Summit in Nice (7-8 December) echoes the historic encounters that took place here between Napoleon III and Tsar Alexander in 1864 and Queen Victoria and Emperor Franz-Josef of Austria in 1896. The Italian ducal palaces of Nice, now converted into administrative buildings and offices of state, are used to accommodate visiting dignitaries for key events, such as the EU Summit. The Summit is set to culminate with the signing of the groundbreaking Treaty of Nice. |
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