Overview

• The Marseille administrative court of appeal overturned the Nice tribunal’s January order to dismantle the Joan of Arc statue, confirming its legality and allowing it to remain in place.
• Judges ruled that the procurement irregularity in the Parcs d’Azur commission did not stem from intentional favoritism and fell under the art-exception of the public procurement code.
• The five-meter bronze statue was commissioned for €170,000 from Atelier Missor without competitive bidding, prompting the prefect’s original challenge.
• The Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes has officially taken note of the ruling and is studying a potential cassation appeal to the Conseil d’État.
• A separate judicial inquiry into alleged favoritism at Parcs d’Azur, which included a January search of its headquarters, remains active.