News
Fire breaks out on restaurant terrace in Juan-les-Pins – A fire has broken out on a restaurant terrace in Juan-les-Pins. The incident occurred at around 6pm on Sunday evening on the terrace of the L’Institution restaurant on Boulevard du Président-Wilson. The blaze, confined to the ground-floor terrace of a two-storey building, posed no threat to the upper floors. Firefighters responded swiftly and despite a busy early evening in the seaside resort, no injuries were reported. As a precaution, ten people were evacuated from the restaurant, but none required hospital treatment. The street was briefly closed during the emergency response.
Man on electric unicycle hits curb and dies instantly – A 39-year-old man has died in an accident while riding an electric unicycle. The RD98A road in Saint-Tropez was closed on Sunday morning, August 3, because of the crash which was the latest in a series of accidents in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez over the weekend. Just the day before, three accidents injured seven people seriously.
Firefighters were called to the scene on General Leclerc Avenue near the Pillon petrol station. The man hit the curb at high speed while riding the electric unicycle, also called a gyropod. He was not wearing any protective gear, and the fall was fatal. Traffic was blocked for several hours, and a detour was set up for people entering Saint-Tropez. Tests are being carried out to find out more about what caused the accident. This is the fourth accident in 24 hours where the victim was alone and responsible for the crash.
Sainte-Agnès expands video surveillance - The village of Sainte-Agnès has recently extended its video surveillance coverage to all village entrances, aiding police investigations into recent acts of vandalism and theft. On July 14th, early morning vandalism near the village viewpoint led to the identification of five suspects, thanks to footage from the new cameras. These young individuals are believed to live in the Menton area. Additional incidents earlier this year include damage to two-wheelers near a local school and a hit-and-run in the village car park, with culprits quickly identified.
Most recently, a stock of alcohol prepared for the upcoming Lavender Festival disappeared during the weekend of July 19–20. Authorities are currently identifying three suspects, with strong leads on one individual. Sainte-Agnès, along with neighbouring villages Gorbio and Castellar, now share a common remote monitoring system, improving the efficiency of investigations. Mayor Albert Filippi highlights the importance of these measures in protecting the community.
City of Menton treated to spectacular air display - The skies above Menton have been lit up by a dazzling air show featuring two of France’s most elite flying teams: the Aerobatic Team of the French Air and Space Force and the Patrouille de France — the country’s official precision flying unit, comparable to the UK's Red Arrows or the US Navy's Blue Angels. The show began on Sunday with a thrilling 15-minute performance. Their aerobatics combined speed, agility, and absolute precision against the dramatic backdrop of the sea and the Alps. Then came the headline act: the Patrouille de France. Flying eight Alpha Jets in perfect formation just 2 metres apart, the team executed a series of intricate aerial displays, drawing gasps from the crowd as they painted the sky with red, white, and blue smoke trails, a powerful tribute to the French tricolour and national pride.
Founded in 1953, the Patrouille de France represents the highest standard of aerobatic flying in the French Air and Space Force. Their mission goes beyond spectacle; they promote French aviation excellence at home and abroad and serve as ambassadors for the armed forces. The event was held as part of Menton’s 80th anniversary of the Liberation celebrations and marked the first time such an air show had taken place over the city. Co-organized by the Menton Riviera Merveilles Tourist Office and Bleuciel Airshow, the performance captivated thousands and left an unforgettable impression of grace, precision, and power in flight.
Nice tops ranking of happiest employees in France - A new survey released at the end of July 2025 has revealed that Nice ranks first among French cities where employees report the highest job satisfaction and professional fulfilment. Conducted by the American software company Adobe, the study surveyed 2,000 workers across 24 sectors nationwide. According to the results, 63% of employees in Nice say they are satisfied with their current professional situation, the highest rate among major French cities.
The report highlights Nice’s quality of life and professional appeal as key factors behind this achievement. Additionally, 59% of workers in Nice say they are living their professional dreams, and 60% have no desire to leave the region for career reasons. This contrasts with cities like Marseille, where 76% of respondents would consider relocating. Following Nice, Reims (55%) and Rennes (54%) complete the top three cities where employees feel happiest at work.
Nice aims to become the capital of luxury – Meanwhile, Nice is stepping up its luxury hotel game to compete with Cannes and Monaco, attracting wealthy tourists, especially from the U.S. The city’s hotel and tourism sectors are focusing on high-end offerings that showcase French excellence. In June 2025, the iconic Negresco Hotel unveiled its new “Jeanne et Paul” suite — a 400m² double apartment with expansive terraces and stunning Mediterranean views. This suite, priced between €25,000 and €35,000 per night, features rare art collections and luxurious décor. Nice has welcomed three new five-star hotels between 2022 and 2024 and according to a Deloitte and In Extenso study, the share of upscale and luxury hotels in Nice rose from 23% to 28% over the past decade, surpassing cities like Lyon and nearing Paris’s 24%. Luxury hotel occupancy rates and average room prices increased by 5% last year. This growth is largely driven by a strong resurgence of affluent American tourists, facilitated by six direct daily flights between Nice and the U.S. During summer, American visitors make up about half of the clientele at top hotels like the Negresco and Hôtel du Couvent.
Paul Pogba and wife Zulay launch “Unbreakable” Jewellery Collection in Monaco - After a challenging period marked by personal and professional struggles, footballer Paul Pogba and his wife Zulay are turning a new page with the launch of their “Unbreakable” jewellery collection. Designed in collaboration with Swiss jeweller Elke Berr, the collection symbolizes resilience, strength, and the power of unity. Made responsibly with recycled gold and traceable stones, each piece is handcrafted between Switzerland and Thailand and can be personalized. A showroom is set to open in Monaco in September in partnership with Monte-Carlo Diamonds. With Paul recently signing with AS Monaco, this new venture marks both a personal and professional rebirth.
Exceptional discovery - During renovation work in Vence, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an early Christian cathedral dating back to the 5th century. The entire site stretches about thirty meters in length. The find helps shed light on early Christianity in the region. The city plans to continue its market hall project on the site, incorporating the heritage discovered. Foundations of the cathedral’s and some tombs may also be preserved and shown through transparent flooring.
Collectors go all out hunting for rare Ricard memorabilia – Finally, every year, memorabilia collectors of France’s famous anise-flavoured drink Ricard gather on the Île des Embiez to hunt for rare treasures linked to the iconic brand. About ten devoted fans met this weekend on the island, owned by the Ricard family since 1958, some even camping overnight to be ready for the first visitors arriving by ferry at 7:30am as stalls offered thousands of yellow-and-blue branded products. “Finding the rare piece you don’t have, that’s the real thrill,” says Julien from near Montauban, who admits the hobby quickly becomes addictive. As for Barbance, a careful Ricard drinker, he adds with a smile, “Of course, I enjoy Ricard, but I drink as little as possible for my health. My wife drinks it every day!”
Business
A number of key changes are taking effect in France this August. Electricity bills may rise due to VAT adjustments, and households without a Linky smart metre will face extra fees. Interest rates for popular savings accounts like the Livret A and LEP are also being lowered. On the tax front, the online correction service is now open, and important dates for refunds or remaining payments have been released. Families preparing for the new school year can expect to receive the back-to-school allowance, or ARS, later this month. For more detailed updates, visit www.service-public.fr.
And - The French government is considering doubling the annual cap on medical co-payments from €50 to €100 to encourage patients to take more responsibility for healthcare costs. France’s Health Minister Catherine Vautrin proposes that patients pay these fees directly at the pharmacy. These fees, called "franchises médicales", are small amounts currently deducted from reimbursements for doctor visits, prescriptions, and medical tests. The government also plans to raise the fee amounts themselves, meaning more patients will likely hit the new higher annual caps. While the government says this move aims to combat the illusion of “free healthcare,” critics argue it unfairly burdens patients and does not address doctors’ responsibilities. Franchise fees already doubled last year, sparking protests from patient associations. The new changes could save the government around €700 million, as part of a broader effort to cut €5.5 billion in healthcare spending next year.
Sport
Cricket - The final Test between England and India will be decided on this Monday morning, with England needing 35 runs and India four wickets to claim a dramatic win at The Oval. After a rollercoaster four days, centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook put England in touching distance of a historic chase. But once they fell, India’s bowlers fought back, and the tension was high as bad light halted play with England’s lower order clinging on. Injured all-rounder Chris Woakes could yet bat if needed, having suited up on Sunday despite a shoulder issue. India have a new ball available in 3.4 overs, though the old one has offered more movement.
Cycling - Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt has claimed a historic win at the 2025 Tour de France Femmes, securing victory after dominating the final two stages, including a solo triumph at the challenging Col de la Madeleine and a final push in Châtel. This marks the first French victory in the race in 35 years. Reflecting on her success, she said, “It may look easy, but it took many sacrifices. This victory is not just a win, but a life lesson.”
Formula One - Lewis Hamilton says he "still loves" Formula 1 despite enduring his most difficult weekend as a Ferrari driver at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion qualified 12th on Saturday, branding himself "just useless", while teammate Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole of the season. Hamilton finished 12th in the race and Leclerc faded to fourth after an early fight with McLaren. It was Lando Norris who went onto win the race with Mercedes' George Russell taken the final podium place by coming in 3rd.
Football – The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco will once again welcome the football world on August 28 and 29 for the draws of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, kicking off the 2025-2026 European club season. On August 28th at 6 p.m., the Champions League draw will take place, followed by the Europa League and Conference League draws on August 29th at 1 p.m. The event marks the official launch of UEFA’s men's club competitions and will include participation from French clubs AS Monaco and Nice. Since 1998, this annual event in the Principality has drawn football stars and fans alike. Last year’s red carpet featured legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon, who were honoured for their outstanding careers. This year, the identities of the stars attending remain eagerly anticipated. The new league phase format, introduced last season, adds excitement and anticipation to the draws, which are a highlight of the European football calendar.
Weather
Hazy sunshine with some cloudy patches in places. Highs of 27 degrees in Monaco and Nice, 28 degrees in Cannes and Toulon, 32 degrees in Saint-Tropez with a light to moderate breeze. This evening going down to 21 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow, clear skies and sunshine with highs of 27 degrees. Winds picking up in the Var region.
Sunrise 06.22am
Sunset 08.49pm
Weather elsewhere
London light rain 22°
Paris sunny 28°
Liverpool 19° gusty winds and rain.
Beach weather
Hyeres – Air temperature 27°, sea temperature 23°. Hazy sunshine. UV level 7.
Saint- Tropez – Air temperature 32°, sea temperature 25°. Sunny intervals. UV level 3.
And Finally
In the Hautes-Vosges region of France, farmers have turned to an unconventional—and very smelly—method to clear squatters from their land. On July 8, tractors were seen driving around a farm spraying liquid manure (slurry), a mixture of water and animal waste, to make the area unbearable for the trespassers. Local media report the farmers took this action after receiving no help from the police to remove an illegal gypsy camp. The video of the tractors spraying manure was widely shared on social media, drawing mixed reactions but largely support from viewers who praised the farmers' ingenuity. The incident reflects growing frustration among European farmers and property owners over squatters.
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