*L'exception urbaine* studies the formation of Nice’s urban identity from the Renaissance to the period of the Consiglio d'Ornato, the body associated with the city’s nineteenth-century transformation. Philippe Graff examines how the built environment was shaped by planning decisions and changing political and cultural influences. By linking historical analysis with attention to buildings, streets, squares, and civic projects, the work offers insight into the processes through which Nice became an exceptional urban case. It is especially relevant for readers interested in French architectural heritage and urban history, as well as the relationship between civic institutions and the Mediterranean city over time.