News
High fire risk - Due to extremely dry conditions and high temperatures, access to all forest areas in the Bouches-du-Rhône department is strictly prohibited this Monday, July 28th. The fire risk is considered "very severe," prompting the prefecture to issue a decree banning public access. This restriction includes popular destinations such as the coastline of Marseille. The Bouches-du-Rhône is the department most exposed to a forest fire risk in mainland France, with high temperatures, strong winds, and dried-out vegetation making the landscape extremely vulnerable. A single cigarette end, spark, or act of carelessness can trigger a disaster. Residents and visitors are urged to respect the closure and exercise the utmost caution during this critical period.
Sea Temperature Drops to 15°C in the Var Due to Mistral-Driven Upwelling – Meanwhile, holidaymakers along the Var coast may be in for a chilly surprise. Due to a strong mistral blowing over the Bouches-du-Rhône and western Var, sea temperatures are dropping sharply, down to 15°C in some areas. This rare summer cooling, expected to peak today, Monday, July 28th, is caused by a phenomenon known as upwelling, which brings cold, deep-sea water to the surface. According to expects the current temperature of the sea is one of the lowest recorded at the end of July in the past 15 years. While it may disappoint swimmers, experts say the drop is beneficial for the ocean's environment and simply marks a return to seasonal norms. The cooling will be temporary, with warmer conditions forecast to return from the 7th of August onwards.
Nice installs wooden boxes to combat rat infestation – In other news locally, if you've noticed large wooden boxes appearing in the streets of Nice recently, you're not alone and there's a reason for them. Since early June, the city has been rolling out a new plan to tackle its growing rat problem. In response to mounting complaints from residents and passers-by, the City of Nice has begun installing rodent traps in key areas, particularly where infestations have been reported or as a preventive measure. The wooden traps are discreet but effective, having already proven successful in other cities. One notable location is Place Saint-François, in the old town, where the presence of rodents, sometimes referred to as “discreet guests “has raised concern. These new installations mark a proactive effort by city authorities to restore public health standards and public comfort in urban spaces.
Children in Monaco learn water safety through powerful demonstration - Although World Drowning Prevention Day took place last Friday, July 25th, its message remains just as important in Monaco, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Princess Charlene Foundation. At the Rainier-III nautical stadium, families and swimmers paused to witness a powerful water rescue demonstration. The event, organized by the Foundation, aimed to teach children vital safety practices around water. The core lesson was clear and sobering: it takes only 10 centimetres of water for a child to drown. By bringing together partners and staging lifelike scenarios, the Princess Charlene Foundation continues its dedicated mission to educate and protect young lives, not just on one day, but throughout the year.
Monaco’s 25th No Finish Line raises record sum for children’s causes – Recent figures have shown that Monaco’s 25th edition of No Finish Line, held last November, raised a record-breaking €319,005 to support children’s projects worldwide. Nearly 14,000 participated during nine days here on Port Hercule, with every kilometre run translating into one euro donated. Since its start in 1999, the event has raised €5.4 million through the efforts of over 189,000 participants covering more than 5.1 million kilometres. This year’s funds, distributed via Children & Future, support 26 projects across Monaco, France, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The next No Finish Line will take place from the 16th to 24th of November 2025.
Nice Jazz Fest 2025 sets a historic attendance record - The Nice Jazz Festival 2025 wrapped up on Sunday with a record-breaking attendance of 44,000 admissions, marking its most successful edition ever. Mayor Christian Estrosi expressed his pleasure at this "historic record," smiling as he credited the festival’s rising popularity and vibrant atmosphere. Sporting trainers in Nice’s colours, he celebrated the achievement alongside organizers and attendees. Looking ahead, the 2026 edition is scheduled from July 23rd to the 26th, promising another memorable celebration of jazz music on the French Riviera.
Nice Gears Up for the 9th International Pétanque Festival – Finally, the city of Nice is gearing up for the International Pétanque Festival being held form the 1st to the 3rd of August. The heart of Nice will transform into a hub of sport and celebration as the 9th International Pétanque Festival comes to Place Masséna and the iconic Promenade des Anglais. This much-anticipated event will welcome 1,500 pétanque players from six countries, bringing both local flair and international energy to the city. Open to all pétanque enthusiasts who are members of the FFPJP or its affiliated federations, the festival promises a lively atmosphere and top-level competition. Several courts will be set up along the Promenade, with the prestigious Carré d'Honneur located in Place Masséna. More than just a tournament, this event blends sport and summer spirit, making it a perfect occasion for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the Côte d’Azur sunshine, community, and culture.
Business
The US and EU have reached a trade deal framework, ending months of tension with a new agreement on tariffs. After high stake talks at Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, the US president and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen agreed to a 15% US tariff on EU goods, half the 30% rate Trump had threatened. In return, the EU will open up access to key markets and invest $600bn in US industries, including $750bn on American energy. While some sectors, like aircraft and agriculture, will see zero tariffs, the US’s 50% tariff on global steel and aluminium remains. Both sides hailed the agreement as a win, though EU leaders stressed that trade would now be more expensive than before.
Meanwhile latest data has shown that France’s Business Climate Indicator for July stood at ninety-six, suggesting the business environment remains steady, though slightly cautious. The stable figure signals a consistent business environment, potentially supporting investor confidence in the French market. While the unchanged level may temper immediate market reactions, the better-than-expected result could encourage cautious optimism for sustained financial growth.
And - Google has acknowledged that its Android Earthquake Alerts system significantly underestimated the strength of Turkey’s deadly 7.8 magnitude quake in 2023, resulting in few life-saving warnings being sent. Despite more than 10 million people living within 98 miles of the epicentre, only 469 “Take Action” alerts, the highest level, which overrides phones in Do Not Disturb mode, were sent before the first quake. Over 55,000 people died. Instead, Google sent lower level “Be Aware” alerts to around 500,000 users, which do not sound alarms or wake sleeping users. Experts have criticised the delay in transparency and raised concerns about countries overly relying on tech systems over national infrastructure. Google says the system, now active in 98 countries, is meant to be in addition to and not replace official warning systems.
Sport
Football - England’s Lionesses pulled off the greatest achievement in English football history by winning Euro 2025 on foreign soil, defeating world champions Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout in Basel on Sunday evening. Against the odds England defended their European title, becoming the first senior England team to win back-to-back major trophies and the first to do so abroad.
Cycling – Meanwhile in cycling and while England were facing Spain, you may have also caught a glimpse of the Tour de France finale unfolding in rain-soaked Paris, where Wout van Aert stole the show. The Belgian broke away on the final climb to Sacré-Cœur and surged to victory on the Champs-Élysées, denying Tadej Pogacar a fairytale ending. But Pogacar still claimed his fourth Tour de France title, matching Chris Froome’s tally and becoming the first reigning world champion to win the Tour since 1990, also securing the King of the Mountains jersey in a dominant campaign.
Formula One - Oscar Piastri claimed his sixth win of the season at a dramatic, rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix, overtaking McLaren teammate Lando Norris. After a 90-minute delay due to heavy rain, Piastri made his move taking a lead he never gave up. Behind them, Charles Leclerc secured third, holding off Max Verstappen, whose title hopes faded further as Piastri extended his championship lead to 16 points. Lewis Hamilton impressed from a pit-lane start to finish seventh.
Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 – Finally, the route for next year’s Monte-Carlo Rallye has been revealed with a super-special stage surprise. The 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo will take place from January 21st to 25th, 2026, with Gap once again serving as the main hub. A key highlight is the return of the Monaco super-special stage on Saturday afternoon, a 2.82 km timed event on the lower part of the F1 circuit near Port Hercules. The route also features classic mountain stages in the Hautes-Alpes and the Drôme regions, with the final day running through the famous Turini passes near Nice. For full details and the complete itinerary, visit www.rallye-montecarlo.com.
Weather
A rather unsettled start with thundery showers forecast in places. Giving way to sunny skies and light winds. Strong winds are forecast for Saint-Tropez and the Var region with highs of 27 degrees, 26 degrees in Monaco and 28 degrees in Cannes. This evening going down to 22 degrees.
The outlook for tomorrow and Wednesday, sunny with gentle winds and highs of 27 degrees.
Sunrise 06.15am
Sunset 08.57pm
Weather elsewhere
London 25° sunny intervals
Dublin 21° light cloud.
Paris 23° sunny intervals.
Beach weather
Nice - Air temperature: 26 °C. Winds: Generally light with moderate sea breeze; typical speeds between ~12 km/h (7–8 mph), increasing slightly into the afternoon. UV level 6. Sea temperature: 25.4 °C.
Monaco - Air temperature: 26 °C. Sea temperature: 24 °C. Winds: Light Sea breeze. UV level is 7.
And Finally…
Science confirms you can really die from a broken heart. A recent Danish study has found that people who experience intense, prolonged grief after losing a loved one are nearly twice as likely to die within ten years compared to those with low levels of grief. Researchers identified five patterns of grief and discovered that about 6% of people with persistent, high grief symptoms were 88% more likely to die within a decade. These individuals also used significantly more healthcare services, including mental health support and medication.
Experts say early identification by doctors, looking out for signs like depression, can help offer tailored support to those at risk. The study highlights the profound physical impact grief can have on health and underlines the importance of mental health care following loss.
Due to extremely dry conditions and high temperatures, access to all forest areas in the Bouches-du-Rhône department is strictly prohibited this Monda...
Read More
A rather unsettled start with thundery showers forecast in places. Giving way to sunny skies and light winds. Strong winds are forecast for Saint-Trop...
Read More
It’s an odd stretch of summer weather across southern France. Météo France has issued a red alert, due to a very high wildfire risk on Saturday, the 2...
Read More
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognise the State of Palestine in September, making it the first G7 natio...
Read More
A mix of sunshine and scattered thunderstorms across the region today, with temperatures ranging between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius. There is a yellow ...
Read More
