NEWS
Transavia Direct Flights to Paris Orly - Transavia airlines will begin offering direct flights between Nice and Paris-Orly starting on the 29th of March 2026, becoming the third airline on this route alongside Air France and easyJet. Up to eight daily flights will be available, with fares starting at €45 one-way. While flights are faster, the train remains the most eco-friendly option, despite taking around six hours.
Arrested for Money Laundering - The son of a Ukrainian oligarch accused of aiding Russia, has been arrested in Monaco on suspicion of laundering hundreds of millions through real estate. His father is jailed in Ukraine for allegedly supplying helicopter engines to Russia during the war. Although the son was released without charges, investigations into 14 luxury properties worth €57 million continue across Ukraine, France, and Monaco.
Drugs Seized in Arianne District of Nice - A large-scale police and gendarmerie operation in the east of Nice led to the discovery of 212 cannabis plants in the Ariane district. The operation, conducted from the 28th to the 30th of April, involved over 500 law enforcement officers, targeting drug trafficking with 1,134 people and 1,023 vehicles checked. Eighteen individuals were placed in police custody, and €23,300 was seized, as part of ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the region.
Injured from a Flaming Crepe Suzette - Nearly two years ago, a woman suffered second-degree burns from a flaming crêpe Suzette at the famed Sénéquier restaurant in Saint-Tropez. She claims safety warnings were ignored and accuses the restaurant of trying to cover up the incident, as the investigation remains ongoing. The dish has since been removed from the menu, and she is seeking justice and compensation for her injuries and trauma.
Les Ambianceurs - Gilles Roche, the iconic host of the Nice Carnival, leads a 70-person troupe called Les Ambianceurs, known for their high-energy performances across France and abroad. Their vibrant shows recently reached Japan, where they represented France at the Osaka World Expo with French-themed performances. Behind the festive magic is a mix of passion, precision, and teamwork—driven by Gilles’ creativity and his partner Christelle’s organizational expertise.
Kazuki Yamada to Leave - Kazuki Yamada will step down as Artistic and Music Director of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra in August 2026, after ten years in the role. He has been appointed to lead the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester in Berlin, marking a new chapter in his international career. Under his leadership, the OPMC achieved major local and international successes and expanded its recording work with renowned labels.
Monaco's record Breakining International Dog-Show - Over the weekend of the 10th and 11th of May Monaco’s Fontvieille will host a record-breaking International Dog Show with 1,430 dogs from 262 breeds and 29 countries. Organized by the Société Canine de Monaco, the event will feature judges from eight nations and highlight several French dog breeds. With various competition categories and a Junior Handler contest, the show remains a key event in the global dog-show calendar.
Orange Blossom Harvest - The orange blossom harvest is in full swing, with its fragrant flowers used for perfumes and culinary water in Vallauris, Alpes-Maritimes. The local tradition, once in decline, is making a comeback with new bitter orange trees being planted and the historic Nérolium distillery still active since 1904. Celebrations and demonstrations highlight this cultural heritage, with orange blossom water selling for up to €70 per litre.
Winemakers in France Struggle - Young winemakers are struggling due to falling global wine consumption, climate issues, and rising costs in southern France. Many can't pay themselves regular salaries and are forced to work extra jobs to survive. The French government is offering €9 million in aid, but for many farmers, true stability would come from being able to live off their passion.
NEWS UPDATE
Anti-Terrorism Exercise in Cannes - A full-scale anti-terrorism training exercise will take place on Wednesday, the 7th of May, involving around 100 police, RAID, firefighters, and medical staff at the Cineum in Cannes-La Bocca. The operation will be held behind closed doors with a secured perimeter, and residents have been warned about possible loud noises and visible police activity. Organized ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, the exercise aims to test emergency response coordination in the event of a major crisis.
Red Arrows in Nice - Ten Red Arrows jets from the UK’s Royal Air Force have performed a brief aerial display on the 5th of May, leaving white smoke trails over Nice. They stopped at Nice Airport to refuel while en route to Greece for pre-season training ahead of the 8th of May WWII Victory Day celebrations. The Red Arrows, Britain’s version of the Patrouille de France, have visited the Côte d’Azur several times in the past notably in 2013, 2017 and 2018 over Monaco and Cannes.
BUSINESS
Chinese manufacturers are flooding Indian markets with cheap viscose yarn and other goods due to U.S. tariffs, causing major disruptions in India’s textile industry. Local producers, unable to compete with low prices, are slowing production or risking shutdowns. Despite reassurances from China, India’s growing trade deficit and over-reliance on Chinese imports pose serious economic challenges.
Donald Trump has proposed a 100% tariff on films made outside the U.S., aiming to revive domestic movie production, though details remain unclear. Industry leaders and international partners warn this could severely harm global film collaboration and raise production costs. Trump has since softened his stance, saying he’ll meet with Hollywood executives to address concerns.
And - The current U.S.–China trade war, marked by high tariffs and political tensions, threatens to disrupt global trade and fuel inflation. Open economies like Monaco are especially vulnerable, as rising interest rates and reduced global growth could hit key sectors such as finance and real estate. Experts warn that without de-escalation, this trade conflict could spiral into a lasting economic crisis with worldwide consequences.
SPORTS
Football - Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League game at Aston Villa has been brought forward two days to 16 May to allow Spurs extra time to prepare for their possible appearance in the Europa League final on the 21st of May.
Rugby Union - Northampton Saints have signed Newcastle Falcons captain Callum Chick ahead of the 2025-26 season. The 28-year-old number eight will join the European Champions Cup finalists after making more than 150 appearances for his boyhood club.
Tennis - Jannik Sinner says it was "good news" for him personally not to miss any Grand Slam tournaments during his three-month doping ban. World number one Sinner accepted the ban in February after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over his two positive tests last year. His ban expired at midnight on Sunday, meaning he is able to compete at his home tournament - the Italian Open - in Rome this week.
WEATHER
Cloudy with sunny intervals on the coast though thunderstorms persist inland. We have moderate to strong winds across the region with gusts of up to 50 km/h and rather mild temperatures on the coast with highs of 18 degrees in Marseille, 19 in Toulon and Nice, 20 in Saint-Tropez and 21 degrees in Cannes.
Tonight, light rain over nice though mostly clear in the rest of the region with temps dropping to 14 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, thunderstorms will be back in most of the region until late evening. We’ll have strong winds and highs of 19 degrees.
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