Tourism professionals on the Riviera say fears that the recent fuel shortages would have an impact on holiday bookings this autumn appear to be unfounded. According to the union representing the hotel industry, UMIH, many French people had cancelled their Toussaint holiday plans because of the fuel crisis. But, with the situation gradually returning to normal, the hotel sector here on the Riviera says bookings are looking good for the half-term holidays - and it promises to be a successful period. The Nice-Cannes marathon has helped drive bookings and many hotels are annoucing occupancy rates around the 90% mark. Foreign visitors are also back in big numbers - representing 80% of hotel customers, compared with 65% in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic. A strong US dollar is encouraging American tourists back to the Riviera. Gîtes de France is also happy with booking rates for the Toussaint break.
Firefighters in the Bouches-du-Rhône have been busy today trying to control a fire at the mineral port in Fos-sur-Mer. Several tonnes of wood chips were on fire, near the western basin of the Port Maritime. More than 100 firefighters worked on trying to stop the fire and prevent it spreading to nearby homes and vegetation.
A Marseille football supporter has been charged with attempted murder following an incident at the Vélodrome during a Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt in September. Violence escalated before and during the tense match. Three members of the security forces were injured and 17 people were arrested on the sidelines of the match after projectiles and fireworks w
