Farmers have taken part in a go-slow protest through the streets of Nice today as nationwide protests by the agriculture sector continue. A convoy of slow-moving tractors set off along the Route de Grenoble this morning, followed by a protest outside the MIN wholesale food market, before continuing along the Promenade des Anglais into the centre of Nice. Meanwhile, a group of farmers spent last night sleeping at the Le Capitou tolls on the A8 motorway in the Var, between Puget-sur-Argens and Le Muy, which they had blocked since Wednesday morning. Drivers on the Nice-bound carriageway have had to leave the motorway and follow diversions to avoid the blockade.
Meanwhile, teachers have also been out on strike today nationwide. Locally, demonstrations were held this morning in Marseille, Nice and Digne-les-Bains. Unions say the strike intends to send a warning to the government about working conditions and pay.
The first of February brings a number of small changes to day-to-day life in France. Among them, motorway tolls across France are rising today by up to 3% on average nationally, in line with inflation. Here on the Riviera, the increase by Vinci Autoroutes is 2.7%. The minimum fare that can be charged by a VTC private hire car goes up to €10.60. Electricity prices have increased today, as the price shield put in place during the energy crisis is gradually phased out. The average increase is in the region of 9%. Meanwhile, the Livret A - France's most-popular savings account - keeps its interest rate unchanged at 3%.
In other local news, four police officers have been injured during
