NEWS
Driving on the Wrong Way of the A8 MotorwayThe A8 motorway was temporarily closed at the La Barque toll plaza toward Nice due to a vehicle driving the wrong way near Aix-en-Provence. The incident caused significant traffic congestion, and Vinci Autoroute implemented immediate safety measures. The toll reopened after security checks and verification of the alert using surveillance cameras.
Free Parking - To support holiday shopping, the city of Avignon is offering 2,600 free parking spaces during the festive season. Surface parking within the city walls and key lots will be free from the 21st of December to the 5th of January on weekdays, as well as on Saturdays, 30th of November, 7th of December, and 14th of December. This aims to benefit both shoppers and merchants.
War Shells in an Attic - Two 25-centimeter shells have been discovered in the attic of a house in Cairanne, Vaucluse. The homeowners, who were organizing the space, found the unexploded ordnance and promptly alerted the police. Authorities secured the area for safety.
Illegal Waste Dumping Measures - Illegal waste dumping costs French municipalities over €60,000 annually, according to ADEME. To combat this, measures including extensive CCTV monitoring and trash inspections to identify violators have been implemented, issuing fines up to €150 in towns like Le Luc-en-Provence and Draguignan in the Var. Le Luc's mayor plans to increase fines to €500, citing significant waste reduction from these efforts.
'Our End Will Be Your hunger' - Farmers staged another protest, "Our end will be your hunger," against administrative burdens, arguing they spend 30% of their time on paperwork instead of farming in the Var. Their procession in Draguignan included tractors, symbolic gestures like depositing manure, and calls for streamlined regulations. While they welcomed the French Parliament's rejection of the Mercosur trade deal, they remain committed to further mobilizations for fair agricultural remuneration and simplified administrative controls, as outlined in a new charter signed by the local prefect.
Farmers Protest - Farmers' unions FDSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs are organizing a protest on Wednesday, which started at 8am at Agroparc in Avignon. A tractor convoy will travel through key locations, stopping at state offices to protest overregulation and demand financial aid. Traffic and public transport disruptions are expected throughout the morning.
Inoxtag Won't Visit the Alpes-Maritimes - Popular YouTuber Inoxtag, known for climbing Everest, cancelled his scheduled book signings in the Alpes-Maritimes due to flight issues in Paris. Thousands of fans awaited him at CAP 3000 and Carrefour Lingostière, but both events will be rescheduled, he announced on Instagram.
BUSINESS
The UK government plans a consultation to revise electric vehicle (EV) sales rules after manufacturers warned that current targets, which require EVs to make up 22% of car sales and 10% of van sales, are unrealistic due to weak demand. Firms face fines for missing quotas, prompting heavy discounts and concerns over job viability. While annual EV sales targets will remain, the consultation will explore added flexibilities to balance industry needs with the 2030 petrol and diesel ban.
And - Stellantis plans to close its Vauxhall van factory in Luton, risking 1,100 jobs, citing weak electric vehicle (EV) demand and strict UK sales rules. Production will consolidate at Ellesmere Port, which will receive a £50m investment, while unions criticize the move. The decision highlights challenges in the UK's EV transition, with calls for better incentives and regulatory adjustments.
SPORTS
Rugby Union - Saracens chief executive officer Mark Thompson has left the role with immediate effect after 10 months at the Premiership club.
Football - Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City side were "fragile", while they were also labelled "weak" and "frail" after surrendering a 3-0 Champions League lead against Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium.
Lastly, the AS Monaco will face SL Benfica for a champions League’s match tomorrow in the Stade Louis 2 in Monaco, which means a few traffic changes will occur. The gates open 2 hours before kick-off to avoid security delays, so you can expect heavy traffic and busy parking near the stadium. You can use the principality’s parking updates or the YOURSMONACO app for parking advice, the Salines Parking is recommended. Train services will operate as normal with the latest train being at 11:48 in direction to Nice and quarter past 11 in direction to Menton. Furthermore, the sale of alcohol will be prohibited in Monaco from 3 to 8pm.
WEATHER
Mostly clear apart from Nice and Cannes this afternoon. Highs of 17 degrees in Nice and Marseille, 18 in Cannes, and 19 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Toulon.
Tonight, light clouds with lows of 13 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, partly cloudy across the region with highs of 16 degrees.
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