French and Riviera News Wednesday 15th November 2023

News

Poverty is getting worse in France according to new study - According to a new study from INSEE the poverty rate in France increased in 2021 to stand at 14.5% of the population. In 2021, 9.1 million people had monthly incomes below the poverty threshold, or 1,158 euros per month for a single person. The study claims that the poverty rate increased because the poorest households were penalized by the “non-renewal of the exceptional solidarity aid” which was put in place by the government at the height of the Covid crisis in 2020, as well as by the increase in inflation.

Flood victims - Cannes Town Hall is mobilizing to help flood victims in the Pas-de-Calais. A delegation from Cannes, left on Tuesday morning. The team is transporting flood control equipment including 5 motor pumps.

It was on Tuesday that following his visit to the region the French President Emmanuel Macron announced a state of natural disaster in over 200 municipalities in the Pas-de-Calais and about thirty in the Nord department which have suffered flooding. He also announced the establishment of a fund of 50 million euros to help victims in the region. The President also announced what he called "partial unemployment mechanisms" to help affected businesses. A separate fund will be established to help support farmers, including those in Brittany and Normandy who have suffered storm damage.

Accident - A twenty-year-old pedestrian is in serious condition following an accident in Nice. The accident occurred on Boulevard René-Cassin, in the west of the city on Tuesday evening. The woman in her twenties was reportedly “crushed by a Mercedes utility vehicle” according to witnesses. The young woman was taken to hospital. Traffic was interrupted while emergency services intervened.  

Fair in Monaco forced to close due to strong winds - The fair here on the port of Monaco had to close on Tuesday evening for security reasons. Due to strong winds and as a precaution the fair was closed shortly after 8.15pm. It’s the third time since its opening on October 20th that due to weather conditions, the fair has had to close. Today however it will reopen its doors at 11am and closes this year on Sunday, November 19th on Monaco National Holiday.

Couple left distraught after rental nightmare - A couple from Narbonne have been left distraught after renting their apartment for three nights on the website “Leboncoin” only to find themselves unable to get their accommodation back. The rental was only supposed to last a few nights and was followed by another booking, but the tenant now refuses to leave the premises until she finds an alternative accommodation for her and her children telling the owners “I’m sorry this has fallen on you”.  She went on to explain that she had been “going from hotel to hotel with her children for several weeks and that she would like to rent for a few months while waiting for a long-term solution”.  Upon realising that there was a problem the couple went to the local police station to file a complaint only to be told that no criminal offense had been committed by the tenant and that they must initiate civil proceedings. But also, and above all, they do not have the right to enter their rented apartment. In addition, with the “winter truce” having started, they may have to wait until March 31st before being able to get their apartment back. And in the meantime, “still pay the mortgage, the water, electricity, gas bills etc”.  The couple could hire a bailiff who can tell the "tenant" to vacate the premises, then if two months later this has not happened, contact a judge who can take a decision requesting an eviction. A procedure that promises to be long and expensive. The owners now plan to organize a demonstration in the coming days in front of their apartment to make themselves heard.

The British School - HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco went back to school this week as he attended the official inauguration of the “The British School” . Exactly one year after its opening in November 2022 the establishment celebrated its official inauguration in the presence of Prince Albert II. Prince Albert toured the classrooms, which accommodate between 5 and 6 students per level.  Located in Fontvieille, the premises which extend over a little over 600 m² now accommodate all its primary classes, from year 1 to year 6. The school announced that it is proud to count 17 different nationalities among our parents, most of whom are new residents to Monaco. The British School of Monaco is fully part of the Principality's attractiveness program, working with Extended Monaco to facilitate the reception of new residents. Co-founder Luke Sullivan explained "We want our students to become happy, intelligent adults with a strong moral compass and a courageous heart. We are building a diverse but cohesive community: a melting pot of cultures, customs and traditions."

Record temperatures for this time of year - Record temperatures in the middle of November have been observed in the Alpes-Maritimes. Many were seen on the beaches of the Riviera and Corsica, as Tuesday saw temperatures rise above the normal average for this time of year. In Pégomas 28 degrees was recorded, 27.6 degrees in Valbonne, and 26.6 degrees in Mandelieu.

Reopening of the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo - Meanwhile, with the mild temperatures there is no better place to go than the terrace of the Café de Paris which reopened its doors on Tuesday. Riviera Radio was there to see the new look of the famous brasserie which continues to win the hearts of a new generation. The philosophy of the new Café de Paris is based on delicious and simple interpretations of the great classics of the French brasserie. To see more check out the photos on the 106.5 Riviera Radio facebook page.

Tour de France - It's been announced that the 2025 edition of the Tour de France will start in the northern city of Lille. More details are expected to be revealed later this month.