News
Violent storms - Violent storms have swept through eastern France leaving one person dead. The bad weather on Sunday caused significant damage. Météo-France placed 13 departments in southeastern France on an orange weather alert for thunderstorms, with additional warnings for heavy rain and possible flooding. Affected areas included the Drôme, the Rhône and some PACA regions. In the Jura, wind gusts reached 105 km/h, leaving over 6,000 homes without power and prompting 130 emergency responses. Emergency services are working to clear fallen trees, but travel remains difficult. The orange storm alert was lifted at 6am, although some areas may still be affected by rain and thunder until mid-morning.
High risk of wildfires - Meanwhile, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture has warned of a very high risk of wildfires today Monday, July 21st, 2025, especially in the Esterel-Tanneron mountain areas, which will be closed all day. High-risk zones also include Théoule, Mandelieu, Pégomas, Auribeau, Peymeinade, and Le Tignet. Burning fires is strictly banned in the Alpes-Maritimes from July 1st to September 30th. Residents and visitors are urged to be extremely cautious near forests with no fires, no throwing cigarette ends from vehicles, and to respect all access bans.
British woman dies in rafting accident - A British woman has died following a rafting accident on the Guisane River near Briançon in the Hautes-Alpes. She was evacuated to hospital in a critical condition but passed away on Sunday evening. The woman, in her seventies, fell from her raft during a supervised outing and was found on the riverbank by rescuers. An involuntary manslaughter investigation has been opened, and an autopsy will be conducted.
Luxury watch thieves strike in Saint-Tropez - Luxury watch thieves have struck three times over the weekend in the Saint-Tropez area. Two genuine Patek Philippe watches and one fake, with a total value close to €400,000 were taken. On Friday, two men snatched a Patek Philippe bracelet worth over €100,000 near a restaurant on Pampelonne beach and fled. Saturday saw two violent thefts in Saint-Tropez village. Around 10 p.m., thieves took another Patek Philippe watch valued near €300,000 close to Place des Lices. Earlier, at 7:30 p.m., a fake watch worth €3,000 was forcefully taken in the town centre.
French town renaming boulevard sparks criticism - In other local news, the town of Drap near Nice has renamed its Boulevard Stalingrad to Boulevard des Rives du Paillon, referencing the local river. The decision, however, made by the local council has sparked strong condemnation from the Russian Embassy in France, which called it a “shameful decision” and accused the town of trying to rewrite history. According to local media the deputy mayor of Drap Alexandra Russo said the Battle of Stalingrad “is not a source of national pride” for France and questioned the glorification of past battles. Russia’s embassy rejected this, highlighting Stalingrad as a crucial Soviet victory that helped defeat Nazi Germany. Drap’s mayor acknowledged Russo’s comments “may have gone too far” but defended the renaming. Local Communists criticized the move, questioning if the town now regrets history.
French court suspends Burkini ban in Mandelieu-la-Napoule – Meanwhile, the administrative tribunal has overturned the burkini ban on public beaches in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, in the Alpes Maritimes. The town had banned swimwear showing “religious affiliation” from July 15th to August 31st, 2025, targeting the burkini. The court’s decision means the ban is temporarily lifted, allowing people to wear religious swimwear on these beaches during this period.
Christophe Mirmand to take oath before Prince Albert II as Monaco’s new Minister of State - Christophe Mirmand, former prefect of the PACA region, will officially begin his role as Monaco’s Minister of State this Monday. He will take his oath at 11:30 a.m. in the Palace’s Hall of Mirrors before HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. The Prince chose Mirmand for his ability to bring calm and unity, noting his strong listening skills and experience in managing complex situations firmly yet flexibly. Mirmand’s key tasks include removing Monaco from grey lists, advancing energy transition, improving urban nature and mobility, and enhancing security. In the afternoon, he will visit Monaco’s police and firefighters.
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco marks 20 Years on Monaco’s throne with heartfelt speech – Meanwhile, at the weekend over 6,000 Monégasques gathered at the place du palais here in Monaco to celebrate Prince Albert II’s 20 years as Monaco’s sovereign. Since the beginning of his reign on July 12th, 2005, the Prince has been a symbol of unity and guidance for the Principality. In a moving speech on Saturday July 19th, the 67-year-old prince thanked his family and people, saying, “Everything I do each day… I do for you.” He reflected on the shared journey through joyful and difficult times and Monaco’s growing global role, especially in environmental leadership. Monaco’s mayor praised Prince Albert as the “embodiment of our identity” and a loyal leader. The Prince called for unity amid global challenges, emphasizing harmony, hard work, and openness as Monaco’s strengths. The celebration ended with applause for a leader dedicated to Monaco’s future and sovereignty.
Nearly 200 firefighters monitor swimming areas in the Var this summer – With drowning risks rising early this summer, 186 firefighters have been deployed daily across 68 lifeguard posts on beaches in 21 towns in the Var. In Fréjus’s, lifeguards watch the swimming zone marked clearly by red and yellow flags for safety. Here in Monaco of course, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation continues its work dedicated to preventing drowning through education and training programs worldwide. Founded in 2007, the foundation promotes water safety by teaching swimming and lifesaving skills to children and communities, aiming to reduce drowning accidents globally. Their efforts complement local safety measures by raising awareness and empowering people to stay safe around water.
Sports legends shine at Monaco Electric Boat World Championship - LeBron James, Tom Brady, Didier Drogba, and Rafael Nadal have gathered here in Monaco at the weekend for the E1 Series, the world championship for electric powerboats. Each of them owns a team competing in the race, which drew lots of attention at the Monaco Yacht Club on Saturday. Despite their star power, none won the race. Rafael Nadal’s team even faced a crash in qualifying but still raced. The surprise winner was Blue Rising, owned by Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, with drivers John Peeters and Sara Misir taking the trophy. Defending champions Team Brady finished second, reclaiming the overall lead from Team Rafa. The championship battle remains wide open. E1 CEO Rodi Basso called the Monaco race “one of the most spectacular” so far. Next stops will be in Lagos and Miami for the season finale.
Movie night under the stars at Saorge Monastery – The Monastery of Saorge on the French Riviera is hosting its first “Cinema Under the Stars” event, reviving a cherished local tradition. This week marks the first edition of “Cinema Under the Stars”, offering a friendly, film-loving evening as night falls.
Miss and Mister Levant 2025 crowned on nudist Island – Finally, the nudist island of Levant, in the Var, has held its traditional Miss and Mister Levant contest at the weekend, with about 20 candidates competing. Organized for the first time by the cultural group Agir Ô Levant, the event dates back to 1946 when Ginette became the first queen. Nearly 300 people gathered on the beach for the event.
Business
Asian shares and the yen have remained steady on Monday after Japanese elections delivered a setback for the government. Meanwhile, Wall Street futures are preparing for upcoming earning reports from major tech companies. Investors will also be looking for progress in trade talks before President Donald Trump’s August 1st tariff deadline. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has expressed confidence that a deal with the European Union could still be reached.
Microsoft has issued an alert about active cyberattacks targeting its server software used by government agencies and businesses for document sharing. The company urged customers to apply recommended security updates immediately. The FBI acknowledged the attacks on Sunday, confirming collaboration with federal and private-sector partners, but provided no further details.
And - A public petition in France which opposes the “Duplomb Law” has gathered over one million signatures as of Sunday evening, 20th July 2025. It had already reached 500,000 on Saturday, the threshold needed to trigger a public debate in the National Assembly. The law, passed on the 8th of July, reauthorises a pesticide, which had been banned since 2018 and supports intensive farming. It was introduced by MP’s Laurent Duplomb and Franck Menonville as a response to farmers' protests in the winter of 2024. In response to the petition the President of the National Assembly in France Yaël Braun-Pivet said she supports holding a debate, acknowledging the public’s concern.
Sport
Cycling - Belgium’s Tim Wellens has claimed a memorable maiden Tour de France stage victory on Sunday, breaking away to win stage 15 from Muret to Carcassonne. The 34-year-old seized his opportunity on a hilly 169.3km stage, attacking solo on the final climb. The Tour now heads into a rest day before the race resumes with a mountain test up Mont Ventoux on Tuesday.
Rugby Union - The British and Irish Lions claimed a 27-19 victory over Australia in Brisbane at the weekend, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and extending their unbeaten Test record in the Queensland capital. The win sets the tone for a fierce series, with the next Test to be played in Melbourne.
Football – England’s defender Lucy Bronze has said that abuse directed at female players is worsening as women’s football grows in popularity. Her comments come following teammate Jess Carter’s revelation that she received racist messages during Euro 2025. The Football Association confirmed it is working with police to identify those responsible. As England prepares for their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy on Tuesday, Bronze emphasized the team’s determination to use their platform for change.
Cricket – It’s been announced that England will host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031. The announcement was made by the International Cricket Council (ICC at its annual conference in Singapore. All WTC finals to date have been held in England, including last month’s 2025 final at Lord’s, where South Africa defeated Australia to claim their first major title. The 2021 final in Southampton and the 2023 final at The Oval both attracted strong global audiences, and the 2025 final at Lord’s was a four-day sell-out. ECB chief executive Richard Gould said the board was “absolutely delighted,” adding: “This is a testament to the passion that fans in this country have for Test cricket.”
Tennis - Finally in tennis it’s bad news for British number one Jack Draper who has pulled out of the upcoming Canadian Open in Toronto due to a minor arm injury sustained after Wimbledon. The 23-year-old, who made a breakthrough by reaching the US Open semi-finals last year, says he is aiming to return in time for this year’s tournament, which begins on 24 August. Draper joins a growing list of high-profile withdrawals from the Canadian Open, including Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.
Weather
Some low cloud to start with, along with scattered showers in places, clearing to give way to sunshine. Strong winds expected in Nice and the Alpes Maritimes region. Gusts of up to 70km/hr are forecast. Highs of 31 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 30 degrees in Monaco and Marseille, 33 degrees in Vence and Draguignan. This evening going down to 21 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday, sunny with a gentle breeze and highs of between 28-30 degrees.
Sunrise 06.08am
Sunset 09.04pm
Weather elsewhere
London 21° thundery showers.
Athens 37° sunny.
New York 28° sunny.
Beach weather
Hyeres – Air temperature 30°, sea temperature 25°, Strong winds and sunshine. UV level 8.
Nice – Air temperature 29°, sea temperature 26°, Strong winds and sunshine. UV level 8.
And Finally
After years of debate, scientists have finally cracked the formula for the perfect Full English Breakfast and it’s causing a stir in fry-up fans everywhere! According to food experts, the iconic plate should include bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and toast with eggs as the “centrepiece.” But the real surprise? Tomato ketchup beats brown sauce as the ideal condiment, thanks to its sweetness and vibrant red colour, which pairs perfectly with eggs and potatoes. Brown sauce still scores points for complementing meat with its spicy tang, but ketchup wins the taste test overall.
Global, the UK’s and Europe’s largest radio and outdoor company and a major media and entertainment group, has acquired Riviera Radio, the only Englis...
Read More
Violent storms have swept through eastern France leaving one person dead. The bad weather on Sunday caused significant damage. Météo-France placed 13 ...
Read More
Some low cloud to start with, along with scattered showers in places, clearing to give way to sunshine. Strong winds expected in Nice and the Alpes Ma...
Read More
A major wildfire broke out Thursday evening burning 240 hectares and prompting the evacuation of 104 people in Martigues, Bouches-du-Rhône. Meanwhile,...
Read More
Train traffic between Hyères and Toulon has been halted following a serious incident. Trains were affected on Thursday, July 17th, shortly after 1pm a...
Read More
