View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Trip to Polygone Riviera
I’ve previously written about the Cap 3000 shopping centre in nearby Saint Laurent du Var whose total refurbishment was most likely prompted by plans to build another shopping centre in neighbouring Cagnes sur Mer located along a (formerly) semi-industrial road which links Cagnes to Vence.
This area had long been a soulless wasteland though the Casino was relocated here from Cros-de-Cagnes in 2012. Finally, after much debate and consultation, many tons of concrete were poured to create shops and plazas around the Casino. The result was a Florida-style, open air mall. It was momentarily “the biggest shopping mall in Europe” but that title has since been reclaimed by Cap 3000.
Located in the heart of the French Riviera, readily accessible from the motorway and by public transport, Polygone Riviera is France’s first lifestyle shopping centre in an indoor-outdoor setting, blending contemporary art and leisure. The shopping centre offers the usual brands but includes a signature Designer Gallery™ with a dedicated space for fashion and cultural events.
Jean Mus, a famous landscaper, and José Ignacio Galán Martinez, a renowned architect conceived this centre in the heart of five acres of parkland, divided into four thematic spaces:-
Le Quartier des Saveurs (The Flavour Zone)
This zone provides visitors with a Mediterranean and international atmosphere thanks to over 20 restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world in the “Dining Plaza” and its many terraces.
Le Quartier des Arcades (The Arcades Zone)
This part of the centre is spread out around over a large Italian style square and along an alley of sycamores where it gather together many well-known fashionable stores.
La Promenade des Palmiers (The Palm Tree Promenade)
This area is devoted to hallmark clothing brands like Zara, H&M, Mango but its largest store is Primark which opend in Spring 2016. It was the first Primark in the French Riviera and its seventh store in France.
La Promenade des Palmiers is also the zone dedicated to entertainment with a 10-screen cinema, a gym, the Casino that hosts shows all year long, and dancing fountains, a more modest version of those found in Dubai or Las Vegas.
The Designer Gallery
The landmark store in this area is Printemps, its first branch on the French Riviera, plus other designer stores, and a lounge space for cultural events, in particular contemporary art.
Artworks from 11 French and international artists are exhibited in different areas of Polygone Riviera. There is even an audio guide whereby visitors can take a contemporary art tour of the centre.
However, the most impressive artwork is Le Guetteur, a 22-metre high piece by Sacha Sosno, that stands at the entrance of the site. The same artist provided the Tête Carrée de Nice.
There’s no doubt that the Polygone Riviera centre has had an impact on Cagnes sur Mer, making it a shopping destination when it wasn’t before. Obviously, it improves the shopping experience of the entire French Riviera.
However, in the almost five years since it has opened, there has been a significant turnover of both shops and restaurants and there are a number of empty units. The centre, like that of Cap 3000, re-opened on 11 May though obviously certain of both centres’ facilities remain closed for now.
Polygone is owned by Unibali-Rodamco-Westfield, the premier global developer and operator of flagship destinations, and we hope that it can continue to sustain this offering.
All images courtesy of Polygone Riviera
Impressive. At the end when you said it was owned by Unibali-Rodamco-Westfield, I thought, Westfield is everywhere. They own a good many of our major malls here in the US. I wonder if it is one and the same? Many of our shops are closing and spaces were becoming eateries. It will be interesting how or if that will continue to change, since it is difficult to eat and maintain social distancing. I wonder how that will affect other places, like France, known for it’s fine dining and food.
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It is one and the same
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You know, when I sold real estate in Colorado, we would get these huge foreign conglomerates who were buying up investment properties, so I shouldn’t be surprised. I think Americans would be shocked at who owns what, where. Many here, talk about Corporate America with disdain, but they really have no clue.
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Large tracts of the US are owned by foreigners
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great center, Sheree – are you fluent in French and Spanish? just curious – but the art and various shots you featured made a great post
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Fluent in French and German, pretty good in Italian and not bad in Spanish.
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oh baby – you have such a special brain to have that many languages – how cool
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Not really, three (French, Italian and Spanish) are very similar, particular in structure.
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Got it (and you are humble)
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Not something I’m often accused of being but thanks.
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Geat places to go on a hot day! but yes all big malls are hurting before and now well they will have a harder time to get so many people under one roof if they listen to the gouv!! Salut
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And more to the power of shopping malls, over 40K sq meters are still not allow to open but but the tribunal administratif de Paris has given green light to the centre commercial Beaugrenelle, a nice place. so different tunes to different drums.
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Lovely share Sheree…..
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Thank you 🙏
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Very Impressive. The water art looks very tantalizing.
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It’s quite nice having an outdoor mall to walk around. It’s a 15 minute walk from where I live but I can neither hear nor see it. It’s greatly improved the area.
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That would be worst nightmare come true.
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Actually, as it’s outdoors, it’s not too bad. Better than Cap 3000 which is unavoidable because of the Orange shop.
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I avoid malls at most all costs, but that one looks intriguing, especially with the beautiful greenery in the center!
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It’s an outdoor mall which makes it slightly better.
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Yes, we have one of those just about 2 miles from here, and I do enjoy it on occasion!
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Wow, this place looks so aesthetic. I really like the architectural choices and modern look of everything.
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What a beautiful place and within walking distance…how nice!
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😎
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