Latest Local News in Cannes 2024
Read the latest news from Cannes in 2024
Monday 18 March
If you own a French registered car, from 1 April the Green insurance window sticker becomes redundant. Police can now check you are insured digitally through the Insured Vehicles File. Insurance companies will however issue a Memo Vehicule Assure which you keep inside the car as proof of insurance especially for the 72 hours after insuring the car. Also handy in case of an accident as it has all your relevant insurance information. Police from 35 other countries, including the UK, will be able to consult drivers’ insurance status by scanning number plates. Drivers visiting France from these countries will find their insurance details are already accessible to police digitally.
If you own a French registered car, from 1 April the Green insurance window sticker becomes redundant. Police can now check you are insured digitally through the Insured Vehicles File. Insurance companies will however issue a Memo Vehicule Assure which you keep inside the car as proof of insurance especially for the 72 hours after insuring the car. Also handy in case of an accident as it has all your relevant insurance information. Police from 35 other countries, including the UK, will be able to consult drivers’ insurance status by scanning number plates. Drivers visiting France from these countries will find their insurance details are already accessible to police digitally.
Friday 15 March
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity! The 12P/Pons-Brooks comet passes earth only every 71 years and is about the size of Halley’s Comet: 15x8km. Binoculars at least 40mm to 50mm in diameter or a telescope are recommended. You need to look to the north-west – about 8°C below the Andromeda galaxy. The comet will be visible most nights in March, but its light will be strongest in the next couple of nights when it may/possibly be seen by the naked eye.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity! The 12P/Pons-Brooks comet passes earth only every 71 years and is about the size of Halley’s Comet: 15x8km. Binoculars at least 40mm to 50mm in diameter or a telescope are recommended. You need to look to the north-west – about 8°C below the Andromeda galaxy. The comet will be visible most nights in March, but its light will be strongest in the next couple of nights when it may/possibly be seen by the naked eye.
Thursday 14 March
Deadline for tax returns in the Alpes Maritimes is 23 May. This applies also to second homeowners who have to declare any income on letting their French property in the calendar year 2023. You can do this online.
Deadline for tax returns in the Alpes Maritimes is 23 May. This applies also to second homeowners who have to declare any income on letting their French property in the calendar year 2023. You can do this online.
Wednesday 13 March
From this Friday you must not prune trees, bushes or hedgerows until after 31 July. This is so as not to disrupt nesting birds. You can be heavily fined if you do.
From this Friday you must not prune trees, bushes or hedgerows until after 31 July. This is so as not to disrupt nesting birds. You can be heavily fined if you do.
Tuesday 12 March
The latest exhibition at the Bonnard Museum in Le Cannet celebrates 150 years of Impressionism and opens this Saturday. It includes 80 prints from a private collection and two iconic paintings on loan from the Musee d'Orsay. Learn about the connection between Toulouse Lautrec and Bonnard. Visit the Paris of the Belle-Epoch and its nightlife. Further info: museebonnard.fr
The latest exhibition at the Bonnard Museum in Le Cannet celebrates 150 years of Impressionism and opens this Saturday. It includes 80 prints from a private collection and two iconic paintings on loan from the Musee d'Orsay. Learn about the connection between Toulouse Lautrec and Bonnard. Visit the Paris of the Belle-Epoch and its nightlife. Further info: museebonnard.fr
Monday 11 March
Wizz Air, the Hungarian low cost airline, has pulled out of the Nice-London route. Ryanair has offered "rescue fares" on the route for affected passengers. Wizz Air has cancelled more than 80 routes across Europe. Air France is axing its Nice - Paris Orly flights
Wizz Air, the Hungarian low cost airline, has pulled out of the Nice-London route. Ryanair has offered "rescue fares" on the route for affected passengers. Wizz Air has cancelled more than 80 routes across Europe. Air France is axing its Nice - Paris Orly flights
Friday 8 March - bad weather today and tomorrow
A new wall fresco has been unveiled in Cannes celebrating Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), one of France's greatest writers and journalists. It can be found at 28 rue Louis Blanche opposite Le Chalet de l'Isere where he lived. This 95m2 mural is the first in the ave de Grasse locality.
A new wall fresco has been unveiled in Cannes celebrating Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), one of France's greatest writers and journalists. It can be found at 28 rue Louis Blanche opposite Le Chalet de l'Isere where he lived. This 95m2 mural is the first in the ave de Grasse locality.
Thursday 7 March
Google Maps has disappeared from Google searches due to the European Digital Markets Act which came into effect yesterday. It aims to improve competition. Now, however, you have to search directly for Google Maps. The Connexion has set out how to authorise automatic Google maps: Open your Google account (Gmail for example)
Google Maps has disappeared from Google searches due to the European Digital Markets Act which came into effect yesterday. It aims to improve competition. Now, however, you have to search directly for Google Maps. The Connexion has set out how to authorise automatic Google maps: Open your Google account (Gmail for example)
- Click on ‘Manage your Google account’ (top-right on Gmail)
- Click on ‘Data and privacy’
- Scroll down to ‘Linked Google services’ and click ‘Manage linked services’
- Tick the boxes next to ‘Search’ and ‘Google Maps’
- Click ‘Confirm’ then ‘Done’ NB The change may not come into effect immediately
Wednesday 6 March
Thales Alenia Space is the biggest employer in Cannes with approximately 1800 staff. About 500 are waiting to learn their fate tomorrow as the company plans to reduce the workforce employed on the telecommunications satellite market which has halved. Staff are assured they will be redeployed and not made redundant. Company results for 2023 show a revenue of 18.4 billion euros, up 4.9%.
Thales Alenia Space is the biggest employer in Cannes with approximately 1800 staff. About 500 are waiting to learn their fate tomorrow as the company plans to reduce the workforce employed on the telecommunications satellite market which has halved. Staff are assured they will be redeployed and not made redundant. Company results for 2023 show a revenue of 18.4 billion euros, up 4.9%.
Tuesday 5 March
Sunny and 18 degrees today in Cannes but yet more rain expected this weekend. The conglomerate Pays de Lerins plans to invest 12.6m on anti flood measures this coming financial year. In Cannes expect the construction of the flood control dam in the Frayère and Carimaï sector; work to widen the bed of the Frayère; and improvements to river flows in the Cannes valleys in general.
Sunny and 18 degrees today in Cannes but yet more rain expected this weekend. The conglomerate Pays de Lerins plans to invest 12.6m on anti flood measures this coming financial year. In Cannes expect the construction of the flood control dam in the Frayère and Carimaï sector; work to widen the bed of the Frayère; and improvements to river flows in the Cannes valleys in general.
Monday 4 March
Easyjet has announced new destinations from Nice Airport: Alicante, from April; Athens, May; Malaga, Malta and Kefalonia, June; Agadir, September; Prague, October; and Rabat, November.
Easyjet has been serving Nice Airport for 28 year and has had a hub here for 10 years. It carried four million passengers, 80% of which are for leisure.
Easyjet has announced new destinations from Nice Airport: Alicante, from April; Athens, May; Malaga, Malta and Kefalonia, June; Agadir, September; Prague, October; and Rabat, November.
Easyjet has been serving Nice Airport for 28 year and has had a hub here for 10 years. It carried four million passengers, 80% of which are for leisure.
Friday 1 March
Today at 3pm in 1815 Napoleon landed on the beach at Golfe Juan with 1200 men after escaping from Elba where he had been exiled. Tomorrow at 10am a reenactment of the landing will take place on the very spot. At 11am there is a parade and in the afternoon a sea battle. There will be a village, music, stalls selling memorabilia, talks and the activities will last all weekend.
On foot his men made an epic six day 324km march to Paris on what is now called the route de Napoleon. He reigned for 100 days before meeting his Waterloo and being exiled again, this time to St Helena where he died aged 51,
Today at 3pm in 1815 Napoleon landed on the beach at Golfe Juan with 1200 men after escaping from Elba where he had been exiled. Tomorrow at 10am a reenactment of the landing will take place on the very spot. At 11am there is a parade and in the afternoon a sea battle. There will be a village, music, stalls selling memorabilia, talks and the activities will last all weekend.
On foot his men made an epic six day 324km march to Paris on what is now called the route de Napoleon. He reigned for 100 days before meeting his Waterloo and being exiled again, this time to St Helena where he died aged 51,
February Highlights
The 15th edition of the Etoiles de Mougins gastronomic festival takes place this year 14-15 September. The guest of honour will be the former Elysee Palace chef, Guillaume Gomez. He spent 25 years as chef to French presidents from Jacques Chirac to Macron, who appointed him ambassador of French gastronomy.
The 15th edition of the Etoiles de Mougins gastronomic festival takes place this year 14-15 September. The guest of honour will be the former Elysee Palace chef, Guillaume Gomez. He spent 25 years as chef to French presidents from Jacques Chirac to Macron, who appointed him ambassador of French gastronomy.
The French railways have brought in rules for luggage size and fines if you get it wrong. The new rules apply to intercity, TGV Inoui and TGV Ouigo. To make it yet more cumbersome there are different regulations for the type of train. So take care especially if taking a train after flying in.
Grasse famous for its perfume industry is shaping a new future for itself from this September. This is when the European Sculpture Institute will open its doors to students who will be trained in the art of statuary sculpture, inherited from classical and medieval traditions. It's unique in France. Grasse is twinned with Carrara in Italy famed for its white marble... that's the link.
Transavia, Air France's budget airline, will fly Nice to Faro in Portugal from 42 euros each way from 17 July. From the same date you will also be able to fly to Beirut, Lebanon, from 157 euros.
Cannes' town council has approved the 2024 budget noting it has reduced its debt by 71.55m euros since 2014. It is reducing its operating expenses by 1.51% to accommodate inflation and is investing 80m euros this year.
The battle between David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes, rages on with the town's restaurant owners. They are refusing to sign a new charter banning enclosed terraces. When it rains or gets cold in Cannes the open, unheated terraces stay empty. Many restaurants do not have enough inside space to make them financially viable. Mayor Lisnard, however, refuses to budge on the issue.
Work has finally started on the Star cinema in the rue d'Antibes - eight years after it closed. This art house cinema opened in 1913. When work is completed at the end of next year, it will have four screens seating a total of 539 film buffs.
EasyJet this year will be adding three new destinations from Nice Airport.
- Nice to Alicante from 5 May, Malaga 2 June and Cephalonia, Greece, from 30 June.
Theoule's famous fish festival, Kermesse, has started and lasts until 17 March. Six local restaurants are offering a menu of eight dishes, six of which contain fish or seafood, a bottle of wine for two, mineral water and coffee. Restos taking part: Les Voiles de Theoule (64 euros), La Marea (89), Le Bistro de Lerins (62), Le Coup d' Fourchette (65), Comme a la Maison (68) and Chez Philippe (70). Booking is essential and do state it's for the Kermesse.
Motorway tolls rise by an average 2.7% in the Alpes Maritimes and Var. Electricity prices are also going up, by 9.8%. And all tobacco products will rise from between 10c and one euro a packet. Welcome to February in France!
January Highlights
The new law giving British second-home owners an ‘automatic long-stay visa’ has been rejected by France’s Conseil Constitutionnel despite being passed by both houses of Parliament. It was rejected, however, on a technicality: that it was not directly linked to the immigration bill as first presented. Les Republicans party and many other parliamentarians have vowed to bring it back before Parliament as soon as possible. So watch this space.
The new law giving British second-home owners an ‘automatic long-stay visa’ has been rejected by France’s Conseil Constitutionnel despite being passed by both houses of Parliament. It was rejected, however, on a technicality: that it was not directly linked to the immigration bill as first presented. Les Republicans party and many other parliamentarians have vowed to bring it back before Parliament as soon as possible. So watch this space.
The Croix des Gardes, a stainless steel cross by sculptor Jean-Yves Lechevallier symbolising heritage and sprituality, has fallen down. After 34 years surviving the vagaries of the weather, the 12m high and 8m wide cross finally succumbed to high winds overnight last Thursday. It did not cause any damage and will be rebuilt and restored to its original position by this summer.i
A bouquet of mimosa flowers from Pegomas was placed on the new frame of the choir of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral. It is a tradition to mark the completion of major works.
The French Pizza Championship takes place 13-14 March in Paris and already one Cannes pizza maker is in the final. He is hoping his colleague at the Papagio resto in Le Suquet will be joining him: Laurent takes part in the Nice heat next month. Finalist Giovanni's winning pizza is a white onion cream lined dough garnished with citrus marinated tuna and pistachio, topped with celery angel hair, orange pesto, Sicilian caper flowers and crystallized parsley. Available at Papagio.
France's oldest tree can be found along the coast at Roquebrune, Cap Martin. It is an olive tree and is more than 2,200 years old. It stands 15m tall and has a circumference of 23.5m. It won the Coup de Coeur prize this week in the competition to find France's most beautiful trees.
The mouth of the river Var and its surrounding region has now been designated a red flood area and no more building permits will be allowed. This area includes France's second largest airport, Nice, and the department's largest shopping centre, CAP 3000. Existing permits can go ahead including the airport extensions and new bus station, for example. The flood threat is described as once in a thousand years.
All British expats, no matter how long they have lived abroad, can now register to vote in British general elections and referendums. You will need to hand your passport, NI number and postcode of the last place you lived in UK. You then register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. After registration you can apply online for a postal or proxy vote.
You can now buy Cannes Honey produced from hives on top of the Juliana Hotel, rue de Madrid. It is packaged and marketed like a bottle of perfume - beautiful and expensive: from €9 for 45g up to a black velvet box with 400g at 58 euros. It is on sale at the hotel, cheese maker Ceneri, rue Meynadier, and at the La Corbeille grocery store rue Pasteur. See mieldecannes.com for online sales.
The population of Cannes on 1 January this year is 73,990 up 831 since last year. It has 51.3% main homes, 46.6% second homes and just 2.1% vacant homes. It remains the Alpes Maritimes' third largest city after Nice (pop. 348,085) and Antibes (76,147).
The 20th cinematic wall mural has been unveiled. It is the famous kiss from the 1966 Palme d'Or winner Un Homme et Une Femme starring Anouk Aimee and Jean Louis Trintignant. It can be found on the facade of a school on Ave Michel-Jourdan, Cannes. It was painted by Patrick Commecy, covers 80 sq m and cost 35,200 euros.
The five star Chateau de Theoule hotel will open 8 March and is currently recruiting staff. A new, modern wing has been added as well as a private beach and a gastronomic restaurant. Rooms will cost from 360 euros low season to 920 high season. Bookings are being taken now.
December 2023 highlights
Grasse is famous for its flowers grown for the perfume industry including big names like Dior. This year's harvest of jasmine flowers - known as white gold locally - has seen up to a 40% fall. This is due to a moth's caterpillar eating the buds but also winds, drought and a lack of humidity. It takes 10,000 of these fragrant white flowers to make one kilo.
Grasse is famous for its flowers grown for the perfume industry including big names like Dior. This year's harvest of jasmine flowers - known as white gold locally - has seen up to a 40% fall. This is due to a moth's caterpillar eating the buds but also winds, drought and a lack of humidity. It takes 10,000 of these fragrant white flowers to make one kilo.
Villefranche-sur-Mer is to restrict short term holiday lets from 1 July. This popular tourist town has seen its population drop to 5000 and there are more properties available for holiday lets than main residences. Owners will only be able to rent out one property and only for six years - non renewable. The mayor hopes this will encourage more long term lets as well as sales.
Every Christmas Corsica gives Cannes a gift of its famous clementines. The town adds them to the food hampers distributed to the homeless, old, ill and poor in the town. Cannes has the highest social housing of all towns over 20,000 residents in the Alpes Maritimes - 18.36%. This is despite 67% of the town's terrain being uninhabitable due to environmental factors, eg flooding. The government is demanding 25%.
Champagne has always been the top tipple for special occasions but this year sales of champers has dropped 20.7% in French supermarkets. Sales of prosecco, especially rose, and cremants are up 9.6%. Price seems to be the main factor with a litre of supermarket champagne being 30 euros this year compared with 6.46 for a sparkling wine.
November 2023 News Highlights
Residents and second homeowners take note: from 1 January 'biowaste' must be separated from the rest of the waste. Households will need a separate bin at home for kitchen waste, such as peelings, coffee grounds, bread and leftovers. You can compost it yourself, together with garden waste, to use on your garden. Councils have to have a special service to collect it for composting. In blocks of flats there should be a communal container, normally with a brown lid.
Residents and second homeowners take note: from 1 January 'biowaste' must be separated from the rest of the waste. Households will need a separate bin at home for kitchen waste, such as peelings, coffee grounds, bread and leftovers. You can compost it yourself, together with garden waste, to use on your garden. Councils have to have a special service to collect it for composting. In blocks of flats there should be a communal container, normally with a brown lid.
October 2023 News Highlights
From tomorrow, until 31 March 2024, drivers in the Alpes Maritimes will need snow tyres, chains or snow socks when driving in the mountain areas. Technically, you can be fined 135 euros but for the third year the penalty will not usually be imposed. Police, however, will check vehicles.
From tomorrow, until 31 March 2024, drivers in the Alpes Maritimes will need snow tyres, chains or snow socks when driving in the mountain areas. Technically, you can be fined 135 euros but for the third year the penalty will not usually be imposed. Police, however, will check vehicles.
September 2023 News Highlights
Leclerc and Carrefour hypermarkets are selling petrol and diesel at cost price every day of the week, not just weekends, until the end of the year. Total continues cap fuel prices at €1.99.
Leclerc and Carrefour hypermarkets are selling petrol and diesel at cost price every day of the week, not just weekends, until the end of the year. Total continues cap fuel prices at €1.99.
August 2023 News Highlights
The MACM museum in Mougins closes 31 August. It will reopen in summer next year, after a complete facelift, as FAMM: FEMALE ARTISTS of the MOUGINS MUSEUM. Christian Levett, the founder & owner of the MACM, is creating the first European museum dedicated to female art.
The MACM museum in Mougins closes 31 August. It will reopen in summer next year, after a complete facelift, as FAMM: FEMALE ARTISTS of the MOUGINS MUSEUM. Christian Levett, the founder & owner of the MACM, is creating the first European museum dedicated to female art.
July 2023 News Highlights
A couple from Le Cannet has created swimwear that allows you to tan all over. The material, patented in Holland, filters UV, meaning you can tan underneath while still enjoying protection from the sun. The Bikunu range includes boardshorts (from 90 euros) and bikinis (from 60) which have proved a hit with water sport lovers, people with pools and naturists. See www.bikunu.fr
A couple from Le Cannet has created swimwear that allows you to tan all over. The material, patented in Holland, filters UV, meaning you can tan underneath while still enjoying protection from the sun. The Bikunu range includes boardshorts (from 90 euros) and bikinis (from 60) which have proved a hit with water sport lovers, people with pools and naturists. See www.bikunu.fr
June 2023 News Highlights
The free beach shuttle buses are now operating. The Moure Rouge shuttle runs from Port Canto via the Gazagnaire beach - 7am till 11pm every 10-15 minutes. To the west the shuttle runs from La Bocca market to the Midi beaches. It operates every day from 7am to 7.15pm every 15 minutes. Download the Palm Bus app for full details.
The free beach shuttle buses are now operating. The Moure Rouge shuttle runs from Port Canto via the Gazagnaire beach - 7am till 11pm every 10-15 minutes. To the west the shuttle runs from La Bocca market to the Midi beaches. It operates every day from 7am to 7.15pm every 15 minutes. Download the Palm Bus app for full details.
May 2023 News Highlights
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is aboard his superyacht Koru which moored off Cannes today. It is on its maiden voyage. This three masted ship is 127m long and cost 500 million euros. Koru is always accompanied by another mega yacht, Aebona, as Koru cannot move without assistance to start off. The 75m long Aebona support ship carries Bezos' helicopter, recreational and emergency equipment as well as extra crew.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is aboard his superyacht Koru which moored off Cannes today. It is on its maiden voyage. This three masted ship is 127m long and cost 500 million euros. Koru is always accompanied by another mega yacht, Aebona, as Koru cannot move without assistance to start off. The 75m long Aebona support ship carries Bezos' helicopter, recreational and emergency equipment as well as extra crew.
April 2023 News Highlights
Cannes and Nice have been given government permission to use treated waste water in parks and on flower beds, as well as to clean buses. Surprisingly wastewater in France is not used and is just let out to sea: Antibes for example pumps 9m cu/m into the Med. The PACA region is also launching an experiment to use wastewater in agriculture and industrial cooling
February 20223 News Highlights
Cannes town council has approved a 12,000sq m Padel Tennis centre at La Bocca. It will include 12 courts, eight of which will be indoors. It will be designed to a high standard to host national and international competitions. It is a privately funded and owned centre.
Cannes town council has approved a 12,000sq m Padel Tennis centre at La Bocca. It will include 12 courts, eight of which will be indoors. It will be designed to a high standard to host national and international competitions. It is a privately funded and owned centre.
January News Highlights 2023
Cannes has slipped back to third largest town in the Alpes Maritimes, with Antibes returning to second place behind Nice. According to Insee's official figures Antibes has 75,779 inhabitants, 2.620 more than Cannes (73,159).
Cannes has slipped back to third largest town in the Alpes Maritimes, with Antibes returning to second place behind Nice. According to Insee's official figures Antibes has 75,779 inhabitants, 2.620 more than Cannes (73,159).
Despite all the praise heaped on the French health service, pain management is not one of its fortes. There is, however, a nationwide chain of pain clinics. Here you can find them in Nice and Antibes: you need a prescription to get an appointment.
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