The announcement was made official on 31 January by the Metropole. Rouen is therefore going to equip itself with a Congress Centre on the horizon 2030-2031. This is theLapeyre" block which has been chosen as the site for this new infrastructure that will contribute to the transformation of the west of Rouen. It will include a amphitheatre with a capacity of 1,000 seatsas well as a room from 400 seats. The project, which is expected to have a Minimum floor area of 9900 m². (including parking), could also include a hotel. La Rouen Metropolitan Area plans to launch the design competition in September 2023, with the aim of achieving a delivery of the equipment in January 2031.
" Greater Rouen Normandy gains in attractiveness "underlines Nicolas Mayer-RossignolMayor of Rouen and President of the Rouen Normandy Metropolitan Area. " Strategically located on the Seine axis, and with its tourist appeal recognised throughout Europe and the rest of the world, we still have plenty of scope to develop the region's tourism potential. business tourism. This future Congress Centre will be an undeniable tool for our region's national and international influence, helping to keep our region competitive. Above all, however, it will be a facility that serves the development of the region and its stakeholders, enhancing their attractiveness and generating virtuous economic spinoffs. "says Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol.
The official launch of this brand new Convention Centre is the fruit of a year's reflection on the feasibility and value of the project. In particular, the study concluded that it was a " a need for the local economy, particularly for players in the health, research and higher education sectors, who are currently obliged to organise their conferences elsewhere than in Rouen, or in conditions that are often ill-suited to the issues at stake ". In addition, the Metropolis is relying on " certain benefits for the retail, hotel and restaurant sectors ".
Orléans power 4 with CO'Met
Rouen's announcement comes at a time when a number of French cities are contributing to a national drive to open up new markets. Valencia had already made a name for itself last year with the inauguration of the "Jacques Chirac" complex, which includes a convention centre and exhibition centre (10,000m² in total), just a 15-minute walk from Valence Ville station. And the start of 2023 has already seen the inauguration of the Arena in Orléans, completing a new events, cultural and sports complex: CO'Met.
The "4 in 1" project is based on the modularity and complementary nature of the different areas. It includes a 16,000 m² Exhibition Centre - Le Loiret, expandable to 33,000 m², divided into four halls. CO'Met also has a convention centre with a 1,000-seat auditorium, a 228 m² stage and a seating capacity of 1,000. It is also equipped with modern committee rooms (mobile acoustic walls, state-of-the-art audio and video equipment, motorised screens) that can accommodate up to 820 people. Last but not least, the Arena was inaugurated at the beginning of January. And it, too, has some solid arguments in its favour: a 3,000 m² stage and modular stands (up to 10,000 seats), a ring of 28 boxes (20 to 88 m²), a 360-degree LED banner screen, an LED cube for animations and slow-motion replays, etc. The home of Orléans Loiret Basket, the resident club, is already approved for international competitions in basketball, volleyball, handball, badminton, boxing, gymnastics, judo and athletics. Presented by those in charge of the project as " one of France's largest convention centres for the development of business tourism "and a a unique concept in France" the CO'Met targets " national and international economic, cultural and sporting events" .
As for the environmental aspect, this will involve the use of geothermal and photovoltaic energy. Orléans Métropole states that it has opted for a building that complies with RT 2012 (thermal regulations) minus 50%, and for a "global performance contract covering design, deconstruction, construction, maintenance, major maintenance/renewal, as well as the cost of fluids and energy for all the project's equipment".
Nice and Nîmes approaching
Other top French destinations will soon be following suit. The new Nîmes Convention Centre is expected for 2025. It will consist of two buildings linked by a footbridge and a technical basement. One will house a 700-seat auditoriumThe other will be an exhibition hall and multi-purpose meeting rooms, all overlooked by a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Arena. Those in charge of the project cite a number of eco-responsible measures, including the use of geothermal probes, photovoltaic solar panels, a green roof, a sunshade, a rainwater recovery system and the use of a majority of natural bio-sourced materials. These efforts should result in Bâtiments durables Occitanie (silver level) and BREEAM (very good level) certification, according to the objectives set by the city of Nîmes.
Even further south, in 2027, the following will be delivered to Nice the Exhibition and Convention Centre. It will be located on the site of the Marché d'Intérêt National (MIN), in the new Grand Arénas business district. The new facility will be strategically positioned, particularly for international customers, thanks to its immediate proximity to the airport. " Le Exhibition and Convention Centre will put Nice on the world map "In fact, the people in charge of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area have already said so. The project places particular emphasis on the accessibility of Nice's new MICE centre via the Saint-Augustin Multimodal Interchange Hub, and aims to be hybrid, hyperconnected and responsible. The city expects to reduce CO² by 820 tonnes a year, and the Exhibition and Convention Centre will be surrounded by 40,000 m² of vegetation.
