The southern French city of Cannes is to allow significantly fewer cruise ships to dock at its port.
Starting next year, only one ship designed to carry more than 3,000 passengers will be allowed per day, the city council announced on Saturday.
Only 34 cruise ships will be allowed in the Bay of Cannes during the course of a year. By 2027, this number will be reduced to 31.
No more than 6,000 cruise passengers per day are to be allowed in the city in future.
The popular city on the Côte d’Azur wants to attract more smaller, modern and environmentally friendly passenger ships.
The vessels should also be more aesthetically pleasing, according to a statement from the town hall.
From 2030, Cannes plans to only allow ships that can carry a maximum of 1,300 guests.
“The Bay of Cannes is an ecological treasure and a source of biodiversity that must be protected,” said conservative Mayor David Lisnard, explaining the move.
His administration has imposed strict environmental regulations on cruise ships for several years.
The city council says 175 passenger ships anchored in the city last year, bringing 460,000 people to the city.
The large cruise ships do not dock in Cannes itself, but anchor in the bay off the city. Passengers are then brought ashore in smaller boats. The new regulation will come into force through an agreement with the company responsible for the small port.
Cannes is not alone in its action against cruise giants on the French Riviera.
Nearby Nice recently announced that in its efforts to prevent too much tourism it will only allow ships with up to 900 passengers from this summer onwards.
