French and Riviera News Monday 18th November 2024

Local News 

Jogger dies from heart attack - A 36-year-old jogger has died from a heart attack whilst out running in Mont Boron in Nice. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday morning when the victim, who had been running for approximately 3kms, fell victim to the attack. Emergency services were unable to save the young man.

Investigation into fatal road accident in Antibes – In other news, police are investigating a fatal road accident in Antibes. The tragic collision involving a car and a motorbike occurred on Saturday lunchtime, claiming the life of a motorcyclist. Traffic was interrupted in both directions between the boulevard Chancel and the boulevard Poincaré while emergency services intervened.

Uber drivers to strike this week - Uber drivers on the Riviera are planning strike action this week in protest against a big increase in the commission charged by the ride-hailing app. The chauffeur-driven vehicles union, VTC 06-83, says drivers will refuse to accept any rides to and from Nice airport or railway stations this Thursday and Friday. Drivers are angry after Uber increased its commission from 25% to 45% on the most popular routes, without any prior consultation. The union says driving for Uber is becoming an increasingly precarious job. As part of this week's so-called "Uber blackout", drivers are planning to protest at Terminal 1 at Nice airport from 6am on both Thursday and Friday. If you're due to fly, it may be worth allowing extra time to get to the terminal. The strike also coincides with an SNCF train strike planned for Thursday.

No Finish Line kicks off in the Principality - Princess Charlene of Monaco has opened the 25th No Finish Line here in the Principality. The Princess marked the start at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on Saturday afternoon. The race which sees participants run and walk around the Chapiteau raises funds for the Children&Future association. Princess Charlene was joined by her brother Gareth Wittstock as well as recently appointed minister of state for Monaco Didier Guillaume. The No finish Line is on until November 24th and hopes this year to beat lasts years total of 315.000km.

Oak tree elected for tree of the year - A 600-year-old oak tree in Vence has been elected for Tree of the Year 2024. The Queen Jeanne Oak tree is part of an exceptional history. Measuring 30 metres high and exceeding six centuries in age voting is now open. It’s not the first time that the town of Vence can boast such a tree, back in 2022 an Ash tree came first in the “Coup de Cœur de l’arbre Vert” competition.  To vote go to https://www.arbredelannee.com/candidatures/2024-chene-provence-alpes-cote-dazur-vence. Voting closes on December 20th

Nice voted most popular city to holiday in - Titan Travel agency has voted Nice as the most popular city in the world for holidays. The travel agency annually ranks the most popular destinations in the world based on the number of publications generated on TikTok and Instagram and this year the top spot goes to Nice in the Alpes-Maritime, dethroning London which came first last year.

What if the Promenade in Nice was pedestrianised? – Meanwhile, local media is asking what if the Promenade des Anglais in Nice was to become pedestrianized on Sunday’s? A possibility which is gaining popularity amongst the people of Nice and is promoted by an association dedicated to protecting and promoting the famous seafront.  Although we will have to wait and see, the idea is certainly not a new one. Six years ago, an online petition was launched by Julien Guitard calling for the promenade to be dedicated to pedestrians. However, at the time it failed to gain momentum collecting just 200 signatures. For the time being the towns of Villeneuve Loubet and Cagnes sur mer have adopted the initiative. In Villeneuve Loubet the coast road is closed to traffic on the first Sunday of every month from November to May and in Cagnes sur mer the seafront is dedicated to pedestrians twice a year and for certain occasions during the summer season. Let us know what you think by sending your comments to studio@rivieraradio.mc

Ski season – And, with the ski season just around the corner and the first snowfall in the region on November 12th, some resorts have announced their opening dates. The resorts of Auron, Isola 2000 and La Colmiane are planned to open on December 7th. However, we must wait to find out the opening dates for Gréolières and Valberg.

Food bank donations – Finally, don’t forget that from this coming Friday November 22nd, and 40 years after their first collection, food banks in France will launch through until Sunday the 24th of November, their annual collection for food donations. The campaign benefits 2.5 million people in France.

Business

French farmers will protest across France today Monday 18th November, as the prospect of a trade deal between European and Mercosur countries increases discontent over foreign competition that fuelled a farming crisis earlier this year. A push by the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc to conclude long-running trade negotiations by the end of the year has rekindled anger in France. Similar frustration was voiced by farmers across Europe last winter after a surge in imports from Ukraine following Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, as part of more localised protests farmers in southwestern France have swapped the entry name signs of hundreds of communes. The campaign follows one staged last year in which 800 commune signs were turned upside down in protest against government regulations and red tape.

Airline company Ryanair has announced that from May 1st, 2025, customers will have to check in online and will receive boarding passes on a smartphone app. The move to end the use of paper tickets will affect flights in France and is part of plans to remove all Ryanair ticket desks at airports. Around 60% of passeng