Latest Local News in Cannes 2025
Read the latest news from Cannes in 2025
Thursday 1 January
Happy New Year
Best Wishes everyone for a happy & healthy 2026
Happy New Year
Best Wishes everyone for a happy & healthy 2026
Monday 29 December
Your real Christmas trees can be recycled free of charge by the council. Collections take place 31 December and 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28 January from 9pm. Leave the trees near 9pm by the glass recycling bins. All other trees can be taken to the dechetterie at Les Tourrades. For all info call Allo Mairie
on 0810 021 022
Your real Christmas trees can be recycled free of charge by the council. Collections take place 31 December and 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28 January from 9pm. Leave the trees near 9pm by the glass recycling bins. All other trees can be taken to the dechetterie at Les Tourrades. For all info call Allo Mairie
on 0810 021 022
Thursday
25 December MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE |
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Friday 19 December
Major airports in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain are experiencing major problems with the new EES border system. They are calling on the EU to sort the problems out by early January. Some are reporting three hour queues at peak times.
Major airports in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain are experiencing major problems with the new EES border system. They are calling on the EU to sort the problems out by early January. Some are reporting three hour queues at peak times.
Thursday 18 December
Greolieres, the nearest ski resort to Cannes, opens this Saturday. There have been fresh snow falls throughout the resorts in the Alpes Maritimes. A pack of wolves was filmed on a ski slope in Isola 2000 two days ago. A rare sighting although 15 packs are said to roam the Mercantour.
Greolieres, the nearest ski resort to Cannes, opens this Saturday. There have been fresh snow falls throughout the resorts in the Alpes Maritimes. A pack of wolves was filmed on a ski slope in Isola 2000 two days ago. A rare sighting although 15 packs are said to roam the Mercantour.
Wednesday 17 December
The New Year event at the Palais is a Bollywood extravaganza: Bollywood Masala. The show can be seen on 31 December at 8.30pm or New Year's Day at 4pm. Tickets cost from 47 - 65 euros from the Palais, online or at FNAC.
The New Year event at the Palais is a Bollywood extravaganza: Bollywood Masala. The show can be seen on 31 December at 8.30pm or New Year's Day at 4pm. Tickets cost from 47 - 65 euros from the Palais, online or at FNAC.
Tuesday 16 December
The worst airlines for flight delays this year are: TAP Portugal 47.01%; easyJet 43.03%; Ryanair 41.11%; British Airways 39.76%; and Air France 36. 96%. Flight cancellations were down on the previous year.
NB Last day for posting Xmas cards to UK to guarantee arrival before Christmas is Thursday this week.
The worst airlines for flight delays this year are: TAP Portugal 47.01%; easyJet 43.03%; Ryanair 41.11%; British Airways 39.76%; and Air France 36. 96%. Flight cancellations were down on the previous year.
NB Last day for posting Xmas cards to UK to guarantee arrival before Christmas is Thursday this week.
Monday 15 December
If you have a sore throat you can pop into a chemist to have a test to see if you need antibiotics: a positive result means it is bacterial and needs antibiotics. The pharmacist can then prescribe it. The test costs 6 -7 euros. If in the French health system it is reimbursed.
NB Tonsillitis and strep symptoms include a sore, red throat or tonsils, pain when swallowing, swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck, fever and muscle aches.
If you have a sore throat you can pop into a chemist to have a test to see if you need antibiotics: a positive result means it is bacterial and needs antibiotics. The pharmacist can then prescribe it. The test costs 6 -7 euros. If in the French health system it is reimbursed.
NB Tonsillitis and strep symptoms include a sore, red throat or tonsils, pain when swallowing, swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck, fever and muscle aches.
Friday 5 December
The French by a wide margin prefer real Christmas trees. The favourite is the Nordmann fir closely followed by Norway spruces: the two accounting for 78% of sales last year. Just 11% of sales were artificial trees.
Tomorrow is St Nicolas' Day.
The French by a wide margin prefer real Christmas trees. The favourite is the Nordmann fir closely followed by Norway spruces: the two accounting for 78% of sales last year. Just 11% of sales were artificial trees.
Tomorrow is St Nicolas' Day.
Thursday 4 December
While most towns have already opened the Christmas markets and switched the lights on, Le Cannet switches on at Rocheville on 14 December, the xmas market opens in the Tivoli Gardens on 19 Dec and the spectacular son and lumiere on the town hall is on 20 Dec.
While most towns have already opened the Christmas markets and switched the lights on, Le Cannet switches on at Rocheville on 14 December, the xmas market opens in the Tivoli Gardens on 19 Dec and the spectacular son and lumiere on the town hall is on 20 Dec.
Wednesday 3 December
If you are planning on a Christmas shopping trip to the market in
Ventimiglia on 12 December...be WARNED. There is a national transport strike planned in Italy for that day. That includes planes, railways and buses. Check before travelling.
If you are planning on a Christmas shopping trip to the market in
Ventimiglia on 12 December...be WARNED. There is a national transport strike planned in Italy for that day. That includes planes, railways and buses. Check before travelling.
Tuesday 2 December
The Alpes-Maritimes has fifteen ski stations covering 460 kilometers of alpine slopes and 150 kilometers of Nordic spaces. Resorts can be found between 1,400m and 2,700m of altitude and are easily accessible from the coast. On clear days, six stations have views of the Med. Isola 2000 and Auron open 6 December and Valberg on 20 December.
The Alpes-Maritimes has fifteen ski stations covering 460 kilometers of alpine slopes and 150 kilometers of Nordic spaces. Resorts can be found between 1,400m and 2,700m of altitude and are easily accessible from the coast. On clear days, six stations have views of the Med. Isola 2000 and Auron open 6 December and Valberg on 20 December.
Monday 1 December
Doctors, including GPs, in the Alpes Maritimes and the Var will be on strike on 3 December. They are furious about being asked to do more but being paid less. Doctors throughout France will strike from 5 Jan and will be joined by surgeons and specialists from 11 - 14 January.
Doctors, including GPs, in the Alpes Maritimes and the Var will be on strike on 3 December. They are furious about being asked to do more but being paid less. Doctors throughout France will strike from 5 Jan and will be joined by surgeons and specialists from 11 - 14 January.
November/October/September Highlights
The public showers in rue Hibert, Le Suquet have been completely refurbished by the Cannes mairie. There are eight showers including one for the disabled. There are also toilets, washbasins, mirrors and lockers. There are even dog boxes for you to leave Fido while you shower.
The public showers in rue Hibert, Le Suquet have been completely refurbished by the Cannes mairie. There are eight showers including one for the disabled. There are also toilets, washbasins, mirrors and lockers. There are even dog boxes for you to leave Fido while you shower.
A single retired person living in France needs an income of 1,634 euros per month to live a 'decent' life, including a social life as well as paying for essentials. It excludes mortgage or rent. This compares with £2,461 per month for a comfortable life in UK and £1,146 for a minimum standard of life. The poverty line in France is 1,102 euros per month.
The women's Tour de France 2026 takes place 1- 9 August and will end in Nice. The women cyclists will start from Lausanne Switzerland and cover 1,175 km.
French air traffic controllers (ATCs) were responsible for 31% of all air traffic control-based delays in Europe this summer according to Eurocontrol, the European air traffic body. In Germany ATCs caused 12% of delays, Spain 10%, and Greece 9%. Nice airport is short of 12 operational ATCs. Other reasons for delays across France are strikes and outdated infrastructure and IT systems.
The Schengen Entry/Exit System has come into effect. It will be phased in and not everyone will be checked at first but do allow extra time. You will need to have a photo and fingerprints taken plus you could be asked a series of travel questions so it is best to have your Ghic/Ehic card as proof of medical insurance; a hotel booking, French-home utility or property tax bill, or an email/letter from the host inviting you to stay; a credit card will be enough to show you have money. Once registered, in future you will be able to use the e-gates although there is still a technical problem with the e-gates for non EU French residents.
Following a European regulation, all bank transfers in France are subject to a "verification of payee" system. This will reduce fraud. In real time it will automatically check that the payee's name matches the IBAN account number. Do note that if you are advised not to proceed but you do and it is a scam you will lose the money.
The European Commission is thinking about withdrawing small coins in the Eurozone. Countries such as Belgium and Ireland already round up cash purchases to the nearest 5 cents. Only 43% of purchases in France were made in cash last year. I find the best place to get ride of small coins is at the bakers and newsagents and any shop that has the automatic pay machines.
Remember winter tyres are required from 1 November when driving in the back country and en route to the ski stations. Unlike previous years when you could just get a warning for infringements, this year you will be fined.
Ryanair is campaigning for the European Union to allow Eurocontrol, the international body overseeing air traffic control services in the EU, to ensure flights passing over France and other countries are not disrupted by national air traffic control strikes. Ryanair has also launched a public website page, Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight
Everyone is being advised to keep 100 euros in cash at home in case of a crisis such as a cyber attack, war or a natural disaster. This is in addition to a 72 hour survival kit to include food, water, torch, matches or a lighter, a Swiss army knife, a charger and power bank, radio, medication and printed identity documents
Top Cannes club Baoli, Port Canto, has created memories for many people for the past 25 years. This iconic venue is undergoing a remodelling into a more modern club ready for the 2026 season.
The Franco British Network is a voluntary organisation which exists to help Brits living or moving to France. It can assist with topics such as: driving, taxes, residency, visas, insurance, setting up a business, inheritance, legal matters, healthcare, notary services, translations, and general administration. Currently a key priority is the renewal of residence cards first issued in 2020.
August Highlights
The newly refurbished road that runs the length of the Pantiero Esplanade and the Mairie and Les Allees on the other side has been renamed Boulevard Winston Churchill. His great granddaughter Jennie Churchill joined the mayor of Cannes for the ceremony. Winston was a regular visitor to the town in the 1920s and he was made an honoray citizen of Cannes in 1949.
The newly refurbished road that runs the length of the Pantiero Esplanade and the Mairie and Les Allees on the other side has been renamed Boulevard Winston Churchill. His great granddaughter Jennie Churchill joined the mayor of Cannes for the ceremony. Winston was a regular visitor to the town in the 1920s and he was made an honoray citizen of Cannes in 1949.
The French postal service, La Poste, has temporarily suspended parcels from France to the USA. This is due to the lack of clarity over the new US customs rules such as who, the sender or recipient, will pay and how much.
Chronopost is not affected. La Poste deals with 1.6m parcels annually to America, most being under the $800 limit before tax. The new regulations mean the only exemption from customs duties will be individual gifts under $100.
Chronopost is not affected. La Poste deals with 1.6m parcels annually to America, most being under the $800 limit before tax. The new regulations mean the only exemption from customs duties will be individual gifts under $100.
Cannes is one of the best managed towns in France : it's official. Localnova has awarded Cannes a rating of 3A (20/20) for 2024. Despite the state depriving the town of 157.5m euros since 2014, the Mairie has not raised local taxes for 11 years. Indeed it expects to cut rates by 3.6% this year.
Did you know...? Up to 300,000 people gather every evening of the Cannes' fireworks' competition. In addition 100's of boats arrive throughout the day to watch from the sea. The town's police on land at sea have a major job at hand managing the road and water traffic.
The pedestrian walkway at the side of the Siagne Canal runs from St Cezaire to Cannes. A new 580m section has just been opened. The canal was the brainchild of the Brits back in the early days of Cannes to bring fresh water to the rapidly expanding town.
Do not attach your bike or scooter to street furniture - signposts, lampposts, arches etc - on the Croisette. The municipality is impounding them and it costs a lot to get them back. Be warned.
July Highlights
There are three main police services in France: gendarmerie, national and municipal. Cannes has the latter two. The Gendarmerie is a military force and operates usually in rural and suburban areas. Police Nationale work in large towns and investigate criminal, administrative offences and public disorder. The municipal police are under the control of the Mayor and enforce local byelaws and maintain public order, monitoring street cameras for example.
There are three main police services in France: gendarmerie, national and municipal. Cannes has the latter two. The Gendarmerie is a military force and operates usually in rural and suburban areas. Police Nationale work in large towns and investigate criminal, administrative offences and public disorder. The municipal police are under the control of the Mayor and enforce local byelaws and maintain public order, monitoring street cameras for example.
Nice Matin reports that locals are cross about the high ferry fares to the Lerins Islands off Cannes. A return adult ticket now costs 18.50 euros and a senior ticket is 17.
Ryanair has increased by 20% the size of its free carry on luggage. The case has to be a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm and weigh a maximum of 10kg. It has to be stowed under the seat in front of you. Do check this is operational on your flight this summer.
France has 11 bank holidays the same as Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Estonia, Sweden, Italy, and Hungary. The UK has nine.
The Loka Bar in Cannes is part of a pilot scheme to cut driving over the limit. Twenty bars and clubs on the Cote d'Azur have installed free to use breathalyser machines called Flineboxes. Scooter and motorcycle riders as well as car drivers are encouraged to blow in before leaving the premises.
Remember smoking is banned on all public beaches, parks and public spaces where there are children eg bus shelters, sports grounds and schools. You can be fined 135 euros. You can still smoke on cafe/restaurant terraces and beach kiosk terraces. Vaping is not included in the new rules.
April Highlights
For the first time in the history of the Cannes Film Festival, the official poster is double sided. It features Anouk Aimee and Jean Louis Trintignan embracing on a beach in Deauville. It is from the 1966 film Un Homme et Une Femme. It will be on sale from the official store.
For the first time in the history of the Cannes Film Festival, the official poster is double sided. It features Anouk Aimee and Jean Louis Trintignan embracing on a beach in Deauville. It is from the 1966 film Un Homme et Une Femme. It will be on sale from the official store.
The cost of France's healthcare was 11.5% of GDP in 2024. It had risen 20% between 2019 and 2023 alone. Mutuelles, the insurance paid by most French people to top up the state payments, have also risen and the organisations are seeking to reduce payments for glasses, hearing aids and dentistry. The average price of cover for over 75s this year is €171 a month, and €136pm for retirees.
March Highlights
The price of a British passport rises from April 10 but applications received before this date will be processed at the current charges. For overseas (France included) online standard renewals the cost rises to £108 for adults and £70 for children. Paper applications increase to £120.50 and £82.50 respectively.
The price of a British passport rises from April 10 but applications received before this date will be processed at the current charges. For overseas (France included) online standard renewals the cost rises to £108 for adults and £70 for children. Paper applications increase to £120.50 and £82.50 respectively.
One of the strongest earthquakes in 20 years registered 4.1 at 6.30pm. It was followed by more than a dozen aftershocks before the final one at 10.30 measuring 3.7. The epicentre was on land about 30 km north of Nice. It was felt from Italy into the Var.
Palm Bus has improved the service on its three busiest routes: 1, 2 and A. It has extended operating hours Monday to Thursdays: now 5.45am to 11.30pm, with buses every half hour between 8 and 11.30pm. On Fridays and Saturday nights, buses run hourly until 2.45am. For full details see www.palmdeplacements.fr
You can receive as a single person up to 17,438 euros before you start paying income tax for declarations this year for 2024. And you may have other credits off the final bill. The first level of taxation is 11% and rises to 45%. The UKs HMRC can tax your British pensions but there is a double taxation treaty in place. So if a French tax payer and a British pensioner do consult an accountant.
Cannes launched an advertising campaign to encourage visitors to the town in winter: Back to the Future! You can see an exhibition in large format of the 11 posters at the Palais. They can be seen from London to Milan ands at Paris and Nice airports.
The US consulate in Marseille is the only one to survive Pres. Trump's cost cutting programme. It is expected to continue to offer passport renewal and notarial services.
January/February Highlights
Sad to report the death of the former mayor of Cannes, Bernard Brochand, at the age of 86. He was elected mayor of his home town in 2001 and served until 2014. He was also the town's MP from 2001 to 2022, becoming father of the House in 2017.
Sad to report the death of the former mayor of Cannes, Bernard Brochand, at the age of 86. He was elected mayor of his home town in 2001 and served until 2014. He was also the town's MP from 2001 to 2022, becoming father of the House in 2017.
Bottled water is a staple of French life but the country's main consumer group has been investigating it. Only three brands are listed as having little or no contaminants and being safe to drink. They are Volvic, Montclar and Badoit. It is also recommended that the water be kept in glass or stainless steel containers to avoid leaching of plastic microparticles from the plastic bottles.
A car is stolen in France every four minutes. Favourites for thieves are SUVs (66%) and Hybrids (53%). Criminals don't even need to break in to the cars: electronic keys make it easy. To protect your vehicle buy an RFID blocker or a Faraday box. They are not expensive and prevent criminals from cloning your car keys.
The Monaco Grand Prix will now officially be named the Tag Heuer Grand Prix of Monaco. Tag Heuer is a luxury watch marque and has been linked to F1 and Monaco since 2011. Can't see the name catching on with the public.
Nice Airport has been given the go-ahead for the construction of its 25,000sq m extension to Terminal 2. Good thing really as it is almost complete and will be ready for this summer season. It will increase the airport's capacity to 18 million from the current 14.5m. The court ruled the airport must carry out regular checks for pollutants in order to protect the local flora and fauna.
Following the French budget being passed, the tax on airplane flights will increase to 7.40 euros per ticket. It is known as the solidarity tax and is currently €2.50.
The government has announced crime figures by Department for last year.
In the Alpes Maritimes burglaries were 2.4 per 1000 properties with the French average being 7.4. Car thefts were 2.6 per 1000 inhabitants, sadly above the French average of 2.
In the Alpes Maritimes burglaries were 2.4 per 1000 properties with the French average being 7.4. Car thefts were 2.6 per 1000 inhabitants, sadly above the French average of 2.
The company Miel de Cannes which has hives on the roof of the Juliana hotel was awarded gold for quality and platinum for its packaging at the Paris Honey Awards 2024. In November it will be expanding by placing 15 hives on the roof of the Palais which will become home to more than a million bees. Let's hope they like electro music! I would buzz off.
The cost to retirees of healthcare top up insurance (mutuelle) keeps climbing. The average price for over 75s this year is now 173 euros per month, up 6% and for younger pensioners €136. For 16 - 25 year olds it is just 35. See mutuelle price comparison site www.mutuelle.fr
Universal chargers: the USB-C is now the standard charging port in line with a European directive aiming to eliminate 11,000 tonnes pa of electronic waste. It only applies to new devices and it does not stipulate like for like charging speeds between different brands. Always an annoying fudge with the EU.
Previously banned, motorcyclists can now legally weave through lanes during traffic jams. But only under certain conditions: on motorways or two lane roads with a central reservations with speed limits of 70-130km/h. Motorcyclists must clearly signal they are changing lane and can only filter between the two lanes to the left. Maximum speed is 50 or 30 if traffic is stationary.
France's favourite savings account is the tax free Livret A. The interest rate will fall from 3% to 2.4% from 1 February. About 57m French people have this savings account. Interest is paid annually on 2 January.
Residents of Mougins are being offered 30% off new, quiet gardening tools such as mowers (costing a maximum of 250 euros), hedge trimmers (200) and leaf blowers (150). They have to be purchased from a shop, not online, and comply with EU regulations.
A staggering 123 million euros worth of medicines are thrown away every month in France. Doctors are being offered 1000 euros each for reducing prescriptions to below the national average... and the state will still save money. About one third of doctors already do.
The 23rd film fresco in Cannes can now be seen on a wall along the ave Picaud. It features that kiss between Clarke Gable and Vivienne Leigh from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.
Cannes has announced it will start using drones during the first six months of 2025 to assess building permit infractions. They will also be used to improve the mapping of the commune. Drones are already used in the town for major events, sterilising gulls' eggs and summer forest fires.
1 January 2025
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
HERE'S TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, WEALTHIER AND FUN 2025
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
HERE'S TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, WEALTHIER AND FUN 2025
December Highlights
Another earthquake off Nice took place measuring 3.7 magnitude. The epicentre was 30 km off the coast of Nice at a depth of 2km and its shallowness is why it was felt by so many people in the area and as far away as Draguinan and Bordighera, in Italy.
Another earthquake off Nice took place measuring 3.7 magnitude. The epicentre was 30 km off the coast of Nice at a depth of 2km and its shallowness is why it was felt by so many people in the area and as far away as Draguinan and Bordighera, in Italy.
The price of a single Palm Bus ticket will rise by 10 cents on 1 January to 1.80 euros. All other tickets, such as the popular 10 trip tickets, remain unchanged. The bus service is actually loss making and supported by all the mayors in the communes it serves.
November Highlights
A third of the French population will be over the age of 60 by 2030 - a rise from 4.1m to 6.1m people. The Silver Alliance has produced a report that says pensioners need 15,124 euros to live now with dignity BUT note this does not include rent, mortgage payments or utilities. So you will probably need closer to 20,000 euros to be comfortable.
A third of the French population will be over the age of 60 by 2030 - a rise from 4.1m to 6.1m people. The Silver Alliance has produced a report that says pensioners need 15,124 euros to live now with dignity BUT note this does not include rent, mortgage payments or utilities. So you will probably need closer to 20,000 euros to be comfortable.
For the third consecutive year, Cannes has been voted Best World Destination for Events and Conferences at the world travel awards - the Oscars of tourism.
The fee to see your GP rises to 30 euros, from 25, on 22 December and it is set for five years. If you have a medical card and top up insurance |(mutuelle) you will see no difference at the surgery as the mutuelle will pick up the difference. You can, however, expect your insurance fee to rise next year.
Societe Generale bank is now charging foreign second homeowners extra admin fees amounting to 200 euros for Brits and 300 for Americans. This is in addition to the annual charge of nearly 29 euros for holding an account. BNP Paribas will increase its fees in January from between 120 to 180 euros. The banking consumer association, SOS Litiges Banque & Assurances, thinks online and neobanks such as Revolut and Wise should be considered as alternatives.
October Highlights
Avoid the French brand Petit Navire tins of tuna - they contain 13 times the legal limit of mercury for sardines and four times that for fresh tuna. Two consumer groups tested 148 cans from across the EU.
Cannes is known for its walk of fame with the handprints of film stars but did you know it has a Maritime walk of fame celebrating sailors? The latest to join is Francois Gabart and it can be seen at Port Canto. Cannes is proud of it being a sailing and sea sports capital.
OMG (Oh my God) the price of a croissant is about to go up. This is due to the wholesale price rise of butter by 40% this year. It is caused by viral diseases in French cows leading to a shortfall in milk production. Butter will also rise in supermarkets.
September Highlights
The sun is out so head to the bd Midi to watch the ballet at sea which is the Royal Regattas. Just a couple of days left and you can visit some of these magnificent classic yachts moored at the Old Port.
The sun is out so head to the bd Midi to watch the ballet at sea which is the Royal Regattas. Just a couple of days left and you can visit some of these magnificent classic yachts moored at the Old Port.
The European Space Agency through its Plato mission will be searching for a "second earth". The Plato satellite is being built in part at Thales Alenia Space in Cannes. It will be launched in December 2026 from Guyana aboard an Ariane rocket. It will be searching for exoplanets similar to ours that can sustain life. Although nearly 6,000 such planets have already been identified, none meets all requirements for life.
If you thought you felt the earth move on Saturday evening... you did. A rare 4.3 magnitude earthquake hit at 8.47pm. Its epicentre was 90 km south east of Cannes. While there was no material damage it was felt all along the coast to Nice.
Major works on the railways between Nice and Ventimiglia, Italy will start 15 September and last 10 months at a cost of 20m euros. Except on Friday and Saturday evenings, no trains in either direction will run between 9pm and 6am. All train services are affected. Works will include installation of new electrical equipment, vital work on the tunnel by Eze station and improved accessibility for the disabled at Villefranche sur Mer.
A French consumer group has tested 24 supermarket olive oils to find the best. And the winner is Primadonna extra virgin olive oil from Lidl which costs just 7.99 euros. It was found to be rich in antioxidants, and outperformed several more expensive brands in terms of health and quality.
The new rules on luggage on the TGV and Intercites trains comes into force on 15 September. If you get it wrong you can be fined 50 euros. You are allowed two suitcases 70x90x50cm in the luggage racks and hand luggage 40x30x15cm. All luggage has to be labelled. In addition passengers are allowed free of charge a musical instrument, a pram or a pair of skis. Bikes cost 10 euros. Luggage restrictions on Ouigo trains already in force.
August Highlights
The summer fireworks in Cannes are in fact one of the world's most prestigious competitions: the Cannes Pyrotechnic Art Festival. This year's winner was the English company Sirotechnics with a show called "It's written in the Stars" on 7 August.
The summer fireworks in Cannes are in fact one of the world's most prestigious competitions: the Cannes Pyrotechnic Art Festival. This year's winner was the English company Sirotechnics with a show called "It's written in the Stars" on 7 August.
Water skiing was invented in Juan les Pins 92 years ago. It was 3 August and Norwegian snow skier Emil Petersen was being dared by a local friend from Antibes to ski on water. Emil donned a pair of three meter skis and, towed by a motor boat, he crossed the bay... and the rest is history, as they say. In Juan even Santa arrives on water skis.
July Highlights
There are 166,314 Brits holding French residency cards as of end of last year. For the second year Americans obtained more first time residency cards last year than the British: 12,153 v 9,261 Brits. Americans are now the fifth largest foreign nationality compared with the Brits at 10th place.
There are 166,314 Brits holding French residency cards as of end of last year. For the second year Americans obtained more first time residency cards last year than the British: 12,153 v 9,261 Brits. Americans are now the fifth largest foreign nationality compared with the Brits at 10th place.
If you want to know how clean the water at your favourite beach is head to www.labelleplage.fr This is a French environmental body and it has produced an interactive map of 1,854 beaches in the country. Just 5% (93 beaches) are to be avoided with 80% safe to use. Do note Cannes puts up water test results regularly. La Belle Plage says it is stricter than local authorities. I checked the site and can confirm Cannes beaches are good.
Beware of scam QR codes on parking meters in Nice. Phoney QR stickers are placed over the real one. You should only download the PayByPhone app from the Apple Store or Google Play. You are asked NOT to scan the meter code but to type in the meter identification number or search for your parking space by location.
Calling all lovers of train journeys with stunning scenery to enjoy at leisure. The Espresso Riviera tourist train will run between Milan and Nice from 4 August to 1 September and then between Ventimiglia and Milan until 29 September. It leaves Milan in the morning arriving Nice in the early afternoon before returning to Milan that day. It takes about six hours each way and costs from 44,50 euros. There is a bar and restaurant car on board. Tickets go on sale 20 July through Trenitalia app or www.fstrenituristici.it
Do take care of your contactless bank cards especially in summer when we wear and carry less. Scammers can walk pass you with a card reader, which uses NFC technology, and deduct up to 50 euros from a French card. Make sure you protect the card with an NFC blocker plastic card which you can buy or, in some cases, request from your bank. Better safe than sorry!
A French consumer magazine has tested 15 anti mozzie products. The top three are: Cinq sur cinq spray famille 100 ml: 16.8 out of 20; Moustifluid spray haute protection pour zone à risque: 16.4/20; and Mousti KO: 15.5/20. All DEET based products protected for more than eight hours. Personally I get friends to bring over Superdrug's jungle strength DEET spray. Remember that DEET melts plastic and that means it can damage anything from contact lenses, spectacles' rims and arms, and plastic watch faces to nail polish and synthetic clothes
Hurricane by Tracy Emin
June Highlights
Tomorrow the new FAMM opens in Mougins. It is the world's first museum dedicated to women artists. Each of the four floors features different artistic periods of the past 160 years: from Impressionist to Contemporary. Full entrance fee is 16 euros. There are reductions for locals, families and groups as well as students and the 65+. See www.famm.com
Tomorrow the new FAMM opens in Mougins. It is the world's first museum dedicated to women artists. Each of the four floors features different artistic periods of the past 160 years: from Impressionist to Contemporary. Full entrance fee is 16 euros. There are reductions for locals, families and groups as well as students and the 65+. See www.famm.com
All British ex-pats have the right now to vote in the forthcoming UK election. Today the foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, has announced that the Tories, if they return to power, will appoint a Minister for Brits living abroad. Topics such as tax, pensions, tuition fees, banking and visas raised through an MP will be passed to and championed by a dedicated minister.
Ten of Cannes' beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, three more than last year. It is the town with the most Blue flag beaches in the Department. They are Ile Sainte-Marguerite East, Ile Sainte-Marguerite West, Chantiers navals, Font de Veyre, Rochers de la Bocca, Saint Georges, Trou de l’Ancre, Midi, Riou, Gare Marchandiset. Its three ports, Canto, Vieux-Port and Mourre Rouge, have also been awarded Blue flag status, one more than last year.
May Highlights
The 81st Monaco Grand Prix is under way. The drivers will make 78 laps of the circuit, covering 3,337 km on Sunday. Do head to the entry free fan zone at Place d'Armes, open 9am to 9pm every day. Today and tomorrow the drivers are interviewed there - don't forget your autograph book. You can watch on big screens or enjoy the simulator or the pit stop challenge. There is a DJ tonight and live concerts tomorrow and Sunday after the race. Take the train, by the way.
The 81st Monaco Grand Prix is under way. The drivers will make 78 laps of the circuit, covering 3,337 km on Sunday. Do head to the entry free fan zone at Place d'Armes, open 9am to 9pm every day. Today and tomorrow the drivers are interviewed there - don't forget your autograph book. You can watch on big screens or enjoy the simulator or the pit stop challenge. There is a DJ tonight and live concerts tomorrow and Sunday after the race. Take the train, by the way.
Star of the red carpet on opening night was undoubtedly Border Collie Messi. He also bow-wowed the gathered photographers last year as star of the Palme d'Or film Anatomy of a Fall. This year Messi will be wearing a camera and mike and producing a daily one minute film Cannes Festival seen from a dog's height. It can be seen on TikTok.
Cannes came in third as the most entrepreneurial city in France last year. Net new companies were 464, one new company for every 161 residents. Grasse came in 12th with 261 new businesses. Paris, unsurprisingly, came first.
During the film festival, fans will be seen each day outside the Palais with signs asking for tickets. Quite often they are in luck because the professionals get a quota of tickets for each film. If not used, they run the risk of losing tickets for other film screenings... so they are happy to give them away to fill the seats allocated.
Booking subscriptions open today for the Palais des Festivals shows (Oct this year until June next year). Single tickets and Freedom cards can be booked from 13 May. You can take your pick from theatre, comedy, dance, classical music to musicals and concerts featuring stars from the French music scene. Pop into the tourist office near the Palais to book or go to palaisdesfestivals.com and cannesticket.com.
Fourteen train stations in the Alpes Maritimes and Var closed their manned ticket offices permanently yesterday. Eight of the busier stations now have two SNCF agents with mobile payment terminals who can help with tickets or trains. The stations do have ticket machines and people can buy tickets and find out train information by using the SNCF smartphone app.
Not a clever move for a busy travel destination with visitors from around the world.
Not a clever move for a busy travel destination with visitors from around the world.
April/March Highlights
Cannes is lacking 53 national police officers including 18 field agents and 35 investigators due, according to the town council, to the lack of government funding for the past decade. This has led to more work for the municipal police, paid by the residents, and an increase in delinquency. The mayor expects even less police this summer as they head to Paris for the Olympics.
Cannes is lacking 53 national police officers including 18 field agents and 35 investigators due, according to the town council, to the lack of government funding for the past decade. This has led to more work for the municipal police, paid by the residents, and an increase in delinquency. The mayor expects even less police this summer as they head to Paris for the Olympics.
The death toll on French roads is almost twice that in the UK so do take care when driving here. Tiredness is the cause of 23% of fatal accidents on motorways. Drink driving is the cause of 30% of all road fatalities despite French allowances 50% stricter than UK at 0.4g/l. Note, you are 1.5 times more likely to have a fatal crash on a rural road than in a town. There were 3,170 road deaths in France last year and 1,633 in the UK.
Visitors to the EU, including France, beware. You will be turned away if your passport is more than 10 years old from its start date and does not have three months left on it from your French departure date. This applies to tourists and second homeowners.
From 16 April the Forville market will be split over two sites to allow the modernisation work to continue. Local producers and fish stalls will move to a temporary site on the Allees opposite the music stand. All other stalls will remain at the usual Forville site. When completed in spring 2026, the market hall will return to its former glory with a roof garden and kiosk available to the public.
The ticket office of this year's Jazz a Juan is now open. It opens 8 - 18 July. Running alongside it is the free Jammin a Jazz for new talent. The Jazz Club is open 11pm to 1am at the Ambassadeur Hotel. Artists with any jazz themed work can apply to be part of the art exhibition. Jazz lovers can also enjoy looking at the 62 (so far) handprints of famous jazz musicians. Full details and tickets: www.jazzajuan.com
Location, location! Cannes comes in second place after Paris for the highest property prices. It is also bucking the trend with property up 3.4% on the year. The average Cannes price is 6,127 euros per sq/m. Certain streets surpass some prestigious districts of Paris. Top prices are for the Croisette (12,410 euros) and bd Eugene Gazagnaire (10,878). In third place is Antibes.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Cannes by Night
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.
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