Les anciens abbatoirs

“A city within a city,” they called Les anciens abbatoirs. It sprawled across two hectares, a testament to Nice’s industrial past. Les anciens abbatoirs began its life in 1957, its construction spanning a decade until 1967. The rhythmic clang of machinery once filled the air here at Les anciens abbatoirs, a hub of activity. But by 1988, the first slaughterhouse chain fell silent. Eleven years later, the entire site at Les anciens abbatoirs ground to a halt. The question loomed: what to do with this massive space? Les anciens abbatoirs stood as an architectural memory of the working-class life that once thrived here. The answer arrived in the form of “Sang Neuf,” a project referencing the site’s history. This urban project aimed to revitalize the eastern district by dedicating Les anciens abbatoirs to cultural and artistic activities. In 2009, the artists’ collective “La Station” took root within the walls of Les anciens abbatoirs. The Crossover Festival soon followed, their amps echoing through the vast halls. Les anciens abbatoirs, a place once defined by industry, found a new purpose. Today, 29 workshops have been renovated, breathing new life into Les anciens abbatoirs. Rails still hang from the ceilings, a reminder of the carcasses they once carried. The cold room doors remain, silent witnesses to a bygone era. Future renovations promise even more transformation for Les anciens abbatoirs. Performance halls, rehearsal spaces, a dance studio, shared areas, a training center, a business incubator, and a library are all on the horizon. Les anciens abbatoirs truly will become “a city within a city” once again. Even the Architects’ Union of the French Riviera plans to establish its headquarters here. If you visit Les anciens abbatoirs, look for the “Flux tendu” exhibition by La Station. The artwork, inspired by the remnants of the site’s past, hangs suspended from butcher’s hooks and the old ceiling rails. It’s a captivating blend of industrial and agri-food imagery, both nostalgic and futuristic.