News
“Douce France” welcomed 100 million international visitors last year - According to recent data from the French government France welcomed 100 million international visitors last year generating 71 billion euros in revenue. The number of visitors was up by 2 million compared to 2023 and the outlook for the first quarter of 2025 is good with an increased attendance. International air arrivals are already up by 10% over the quarter compared to the same period last year, with a 15% increase in American visitors, 7% in Brazilian and Indian visitors and 16% in Chinese visitors. The hotel occupancy rate in Paris is also up by 7 points for January 2025 and 4 points for February.
The mayor of Nice announces plans for 2025 with major changes to cruise ships in our region and Airbnb - To combat overtourism, the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has announced a ban on cruises on the metropolitan coastline. Estrosi has promised unprecedented measures to combat overtourism. The mayor of Nice no longer wants "low-cost" cruises where "customers consume nothing and leave their waste behind". The goal is to have no more cruise ships from July 1st this year. In order to achieve this, he said he is working to "cancel all cruises that can still be cancelled ahead of drafting a banning order.
Looking ahead to 2025 the mayor made several announcements including the completion of the Mathis route (the major dual carriage way in Nice), the Pasteur 2 hospital and the main police station, which is being erected on the old site of the Saint-Roch hospital. This year will also see the birth of the Pavillon de la mer. A performance and conference hall, with more than 2,000 seats, on the port.
Regarding Airbnb in Nice the mayor says “yes” when it “allows our retirees to make a student studio profitable during the summer”. But "no" to companies that manage dozens of apartments and prevent the people of Nice from living in Old Nice or other popular districts of the city. The aim is to reduce the number of Airbnb’s in Nice by 50% and impose quotas by district.
Alpine regions ask for authorisation to kill more wolves - Eight departments of the Alps have asked the French government to authorise an increase in the current number of wolves which are authorized to be killed. Recently the protection of wolves’ status in Europe was revised downwards. However, several Alpine departments have claimed that there is a "clear underestimation of the wolf population” which is increasing. Indeed, the wolf, which had been eradicated at the beginning of the 20th century in several countries, has made a big comeback in recent years, provoking anger amongst many French farmers who have denounced attacks on their herds.
Neighbourhood in Nice without electricity for several hours - A neighbourhood in Nice has been left in the dark following a power cut. Residents in the Madelaine district were without electricity on Tuesday January 21, 2025. The Enedis electricity online portal had indicated that power would be restored by 6pm, but this was not the case for many concerned residents. The blackout which had lasted several hours was eventually resolved at around 7.30pm. According to technicians it was due to a “cable over heating”.
Côte d’Azur region was the most generous in giving away “Piece juanes” - Results have shown that following the fund raising for charity of the “Operation Pièces jaunes” in France the Côte d’Azur region was the generous city. Figures published at the end of the challenge showed that the people of Nice deposited 492.45 kg of yellow coins. The goal: is to raise money to fund projects to improve the lives of hospitalized children and teenagers. To close the 35th edition, Brigitte Macron, president of the Foundation des hôpitaux, and Didier Deschamps, sponsor of the operation, will be in Nice on Friday, February 7th.
SBM holds recruitment day –Here in the Principality the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) is holding a recruitment day today, Wednesday 22nd January, at One Monte-Carlo. The event will offer seasonal positions in hospitality, wellness, and leisure across the SBM’s establishments in Monaco. The day offers an opportunity for candidates with training or experience in high-end hospitality to apply for a range of seasonal roles.
Monaco prepares to celebrate one of the Principality’s oldest traditions - Monaco will once again take great pride in one of its oldest traditions of honouring the Principality’s patron saint, Sainte Dévote, this Sunday January 26th and next Monday the 27th, a public holiday here in Monaco. The two days will see religious ceremonies take place along with cultural events and a nighttime drone show to mark the occasion. Not forgetting one of the main highlights of Monaco’s Sainte Dévote celebrations: the traditional burning of a ceremonial boat, a ritual which dates from 1874. On Sunday a traditional mass in Monegasque will be held at the Sainte-Dévote Church at 10.30am followed by further processions. At 8.15pm there will be an eight-minute drone show. Celebrations continue on Monday 27th January, with a mass at the Monaco Cathedral at 10am. The mass will be followed by the traditional procession, carrying Sainte Dévote’s relics through Monaco Ville, stopping at the Palace for a blessing in the presence of the Princely family and the public. A final blessing will take place at the cathedral. Finally at 6.30pm the day’s events will end with a concert from the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo featuring works from Mozart and being performed in the cathedral.
Pharell Williams kicks of Paris fashion week - Singer, songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams has kicked off this year’s Paris fashion week. Tuesday night saw Williams present a menswear collection which has cemented Louis Vuitton’s position as the new luxury leader in streetwear. The collection was created in partnership with Nigo, a Japanese designer and one of the most influential figures in streetwear. Williams has held the position of creative director at Louis Vuitton menswear since 2023 and has been described as a visionary. The Paris Fashion Week runs until Sunday.
Business
US tech giants have announced an AI plan worth up to $500bn. OpenAI plans to team up with Oracle and Softbank to build data centres equipped to power artificial intelligence. US President Donald Trump said the plan is a "resounding declaration of confidence in America's potential". OpenAI has previously called for major investments in infrastructure to support AI and pushed for government support of those plans. The ChatGPT-creator and Softbank said the joint venture, dubbed Stargate, intends to invest $500bn over the next four years.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said he is considering imposing a 10% tariff on imports of Chinese-made goods as soon as February 1st. In a press conference in Washington on Tuesday, Trump also vowed to hit the European Union with tariffs.
And – Streaming platform Netflix has said it will raise prices across a number of countries after adding nearly 19 million subscribers in the final months of 2024. Netflix said it will increase subscription costs in the US, Canada, Argentina and Portugal.
Sport
Football - Mohammed Salah scored his 50th goal in Europe for Liverpool on Tuesday night against Lille in the Champions League. The Egypt forward has now scored three Champions League goals this season and 22 in 31 games in all competitions. Liverpool beat Lille 2-1.
Meanwhile, it was a case of two Prince’s at the Stade Louis II here in Monaco last night for the Champions League match between AS Monaco and Aston Villa, both HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was showing his support for AS Monaco while Prince William made the trip to support his favourites Aston Villa. Monaco won the match 1-0. Plenty of action in the Champions League this evening notably PSG are at home to Manchester City. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
This evening however the Stade Louis II will turn to football once again hosting the annual Fight AIDS Cup which has grown into one of Monaco’s most eagerly awaited events. Celebrating its fifth anniversary it is not just about football but is also a symbol of hope, unity, and the relentless fight against HIV/AIDS, brought to life by the remarkable efforts of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie and the Fight AIDS Monaco association. With a lineup up of football icons, it promises to be a memorable evening all for a good cause.
Tennis – Andy Murray has come up trumps in his first role as a coach in the sport after Novak Djokovic's Australian Open quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz. Following the win Djokovic turned straight to Murray and buried his head in his chest.
Cricket - England's captain Jos Buttler has said that their upcoming match next month against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy should go ahead despite calls for a boycott. A cross party letter, signed by nearly 200 UK politicians, was sent to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) calling for England to refuse to play in response to the Taliban regime's assault on women's rights.
Golf - Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy will compete in this year's Irish Open. McIlroy will aim to double his tally of wins at the tournament from 3-7 September.
Weather
Heavy rain to start with strong winds in the Var region. Highs of 13 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 12 degrees in Monaco, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Menton. Toulon 15° with light showers. This evening going down to 9 degrees along the coast with cloudy skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Friday. Thursday, sunny intervals and a moderate breeze with light cloud in Monaco forecast for the start of the Monte Carlo Rally from Casino Square at 2.30pm. Highs of 13 degrees. Friday, sunny with a gentle breeze and highs of 14 degrees.
Sunrise 07.56am
Sunset 05.27pm
Weather elsewhere
London 5° drizzle
Belfast 6° foggy with light winds.
Brussels 5° heavy rain.
Snow report
Isola 2000 – Light snowfall forecast, cloudy. Highs of 3°. 13/19 lifts open. 27/46 runs open. 55cm snow.
Valberg – Light snowfall forecast, cloudy. Highs of 4°. 8/15 lifts open. 14/42 runs open. 30cm snow.
Auron - Light snowfall forecast, cloudy. Highs of 4°. 16/19 lifts open. 21/43 runs open. 40cm snow.
“Douce France” welcomed 100 million international visitors last year and it's looking positive for 2025...
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Singer, songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams has kicked off this year’s Paris fashion week.
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it was a case of two Prince’s at the Stade Louis II here in Monaco last night for the Champions League match between AS Monaco and Aston Villa....
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Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, announced plans to ban large, polluting cruise ships from docking in the city by July 2025, allowing only smaller ve...
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Monaco will once again take great pride in one of its oldest traditions of honouring the Principality’s patron saint, Sainte Dévote, this Sunday Janua...
Read More
