French and Riviera News Thursday 28th August 2025

News

Uber to launch channel tunnel train by 2029 – It’s been reported that Uber plans to launch high-speed trains between London, Paris, Lille, and Brussels by 2029, partnering with Gemini Trains. Departing from Stratford International train station in east London, tickets will be bookable via the Uber app. The move challenges Eurostar’s monopoly, promising lower fares and more competition on the cross-Channel route.

France braces for a busy September with political crisis, tax changes, and more – In other news, France faces a tense September with a key government vote on September the 8th, protests on September the 10th, strikes, and tax deadlines. Highlights include a drop in the price of gas, new blood donation rules, reopening of energy renovation grants, the “foire aux vins” and electric car leasing,

Yellow weather warning for Alpes-Maritimes – Locally, Météo-France has issued a yellow alert for rain, flooding, and storms in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes for today, Thursday 28th August 2025. Up to 100mm of rain, hail, and 80km/h wind gusts are expected, mainly along the coast. An upgrade to orange alert remains possible. Nice will close all parks, gardens, and the coastal path as a precaution. Conditions should improve by mid-afternoon.

Eric Ciotti declares candidacy for mayor – In regional politics, Éric Ciotti has officially declared his candidacy for mayor of Nice in the March 2026 elections, challenging current mayor Christian Estrosi. Running with the slogan “The best is yet to come”, Ciotti promises to restore order and cut spending, reverse the 20% property tax hike, double police numbers, and invest in public services. He also aims to lead the Nice Métropole and is open to support from National Rally members, vowing to be a mayor “close to the people.”

Bernard Arnault Buys Iconic Côte d’Azur Hotel for €200 Million - French billionaire Bernard Arnault, head of luxury group LVMH, has purchased the prestigious Cap Estel hotel in Èze for €200 million through his company Agache. The exclusive five-star hotel, with just 28 rooms and suites, boasts a rich history dating back to 1899 and has hosted stars like Greta Garbo and the Beatles. Cap Estel is considered one of the Riviera’s hidden gems. The acquisition further strengthens Arnault’s presence on the French Riviera, following previous investments in Saint-Tropez.

Voiles de Saint-Tropez - The 27th Voiles de Saint-Tropez is set to kick off on the 27th of September 2025, bringing together nearly 4,000 sailors and some of the world’s most beautiful yachts. The event features 19 boat classes and this year the event will also be marking the 70th anniversary of Club 55, with festivities, crew parades, and daily regattas continuing through to the 5th of October.

Business

Nvidia's revenue jumped 56% to $46.7 billion in the second quarter of this year. This growth is driven by strong AI demand from major tech companies, despite ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. While the company continues to face challenges from changing US policies, it remains focused on maintaining its leadership in AI technology.

Ryanair will increase staff bonuses for spotting oversized cabin bags from €1.50 to €2.50 per bag starting in November, with no monthly earning limit. CEO Michael O’Leary urges passengers to follow the cabin bag rules to avoid delays. New EU regulations will slightly increase allowed carry-on bag sizes starting from September. O’Leary also criticized sustainable aviation fuel targets as unrealistic, saying Ryanair won’t increase its use due to limited supply.

Sport

Football - Manchester United have been shockingly knocked out by fourth-tier Grimsby in the EFL Cup on penalties, raising serious questions about their manager Ruben Amorim. Despite £200m spent on new attackers, the team’s struggles continue after a poor league finish last season. Next, they face Burnley.

Tennis - At the 2025 US Open, Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko have clashed after a net cord decision at the US Open. Leading to a heated on-court argument.

Athletics - Morgan Lake has become the first British woman to clear two metres in the high jump, finishing third at the Diamond League Final in Zurich. Lake hopes this breakthrough will help her reach a global podium.

Weather

Thundery showers are forecast with a moderate breeze and highs of 26 degrees in Monaco, 27 degrees in Nice and 25 degrees in Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 19 degrees.

The outlook for Friday and heading into the weekend, sunny with strong winds highs of 29 degrees.

Sunrise 06.49am Sunset 08.12pm

Beach weather

Cloudy with temperatures around 24-28°C (75-82°F). The sea is warm at 25°C (77°F). High UV index of 7. Thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and evening, so beachgoers should stay alert for sudden changes.

And Finally 

Henry Cavill has surged in the odds to become the next James Bond, now sitting at 3/1 after a wave of public support, according to Ladbrokes. While Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the frontrunner at 8/11, Cavill is the clear favourite among bettors. The 42-year-old actor narrowly missed out on the role to Daniel Craig in 2005, with resurfaced audition footage reigniting fan interest. Bookies say the Cavill buzz is picking up again as speculation over Craig’s replacement intensifies.

 

Last local news

French and Riviera News Thursday 28th August 2025

It’s been reported that Uber plans to launch high-speed trains between London, Paris, Lille, and Brussels by 2029, partnering with Gemini Trains. ... French and Riviera News Thursday 28th August 2025 Read More

28/08/2025

Evening Update Wednesday 27th August 2025

Éric Ciotti has officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Nice in the March 2026 municipal elections, challenging current mayor Christian Estros... Evening Update Wednesday 27th August 2025 Read More

27/08/2025

French and Riviera News Wednesday 27th August 2025

As 12 million students return to class in France on the 1st of September, several key changes are being introduced. These include mandatory sex educat... French and Riviera News Wednesday 27th August 2025 Read More

27/08/2025

Evening Update Tuesday 26th August 2025

A stormy and rainy episode is expected tomorrow in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var, with heavy rainfall possibly reaching 100mm along the coast.... Evening Update Tuesday 26th August 2025 Read More

26/08/2025

French and Riviera News Tuesday 26th August 2025

France is preparing for a nationwide shutdown on September 10th called “Bloquons tout,” organized mainly through social media. ... French and Riviera News Tuesday 26th August 2025 Read More

26/08/2025