French Mayor Proposes Ban on Large Cruise Ships to Combat Overtourism and Pollution

The mayor of Nice, France, has called for a ban on large cruise ships from anchoring in the picturesque bay between Nice and Villefranche on the French Riviera. Mayor Christian Estrosi cited concerns of overtourism and pollution, proposing the ban to take effect starting this summer. He emphasized the need to address the negative impact of cruise ships on the environment and local community, stating that “Nice no longer wants ‘low-cost cruises’ to stop in its port.”

Estrosi’s proposed ban targets large cruise ships with a capacity of over 900 passengers or over 190 meters in length, aiming to eliminate about 70 percent of the cruise ship passengers scheduled to land in Nice. The mayor believes that focusing on smaller, ultra-luxury cruise ships aligns better with the image Nice seeks to project. Despite his efforts, local officials have pointed out that Estrosi lacks the authority to change many cruise ship visits, as federal authorities control waters further out where many large cruise ships anchor.

The call for a cruise ship ban in Nice is not the first attempt to limit cruise ships along France’s Mediterranean coast. Environmental groups have been staging protests against large cruise ships, citing the impact on cities like Venice, Italy, which banned large cruise ships. Similar actions have been taken in destinations like Key West, Florida, and Bar Harbor, Maine. Other cities in Europe have also proposed relocating cruise ship docks away from the city center to address concerns of overtourism and environmental degradation.

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