Monday, June 23, 2025

Coco Chanel’s Roaring Riviera: A Dazzling New Exhibition Opens at Villa Paloma in Monaco

 

On 19 June 2025, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco at Villa Paloma unveiled Les Années folles de Coco Chanel, a captivating new exhibition dedicated to the creative brilliance of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel during the exuberant 1920s along the Côte d’Azur.

The opening ceremony was attended by Princess Caroline of Hanover, joined by her daughters Charlotte Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra, as well as Alexandra’s partner, Ben‑Sylvester Strautmann. Princess Caroline’s presence, as President of the NMNM board, underscored the exhibition’s cultural weight and its celebration of the intersection between fashion and the arts.

Curated by Célia Bernasconi, the exhibition brings together more than 200 works. Among them are 30 iconic Chanel ensembles and accessories, paired with 40 pieces by artistic giants like Picasso, Van Dongen, Laurencin, Gontcharova, Delaunay, and Cocteau. Vintage photography by Man Ray and Edward Steichen adds further depth to this visually rich journey.

The exhibition unfolds across three thematic chapters:
  • Outdoor Living & Seaside Leisure Highlighting Chanel’s revolutionary jersey garments designed for an active lifestyle on golf courses, tennis courts, and yachts.

  • Ballets Russes & Slavic Influence Featuring Chanel’s famed Le Train Bleu costume, a collaboration with Jean Cocteau and inspired by the Monte-Carlo ballet scene.

  • The Birth of Riviera Style Showcasing Chanel’s early Riviera boutique in Monte-Carlo, the launch of her iconic No. 5 perfume in Grasse in 1921, and the creation of her Villa La Pausa in 1928.

    Complementing the historical content, contemporary artist Chloé Royer offers a modern counterpoint with her sculptural installation Of Limbs and Other Things, which explores themes of feminine identity and transformation—echoing Chanel’s own legacy.

    Exhibition Information:
  • Dates: 19 June – 28 September 2025

  • Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00 (extended to 11:00–19:00 in July and August)

  • Admission: €6 (reduced €4); free entry on Sundays

Les Années folles de Coco Chanel is not just an exhibition—it is an ode to Chanel’s radical influence on fashion, femininity, and freedom. Through the lens of the Riviera's golden age, it paints a portrait of a woman who reshaped modern style and cultural expression.

If you’re in Monaco this summer, don’t miss this elegant journey into the heart of Chanel’s artistic revolution.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

First LGBTQ Retirement Home Set to Open in France

France is on the verge of a historic milestone with the upcoming opening of its first LGBTQ+ retirement home in Lyon. Scheduled to welcome residents in autumn 2025, the Maison de la Diversité — or House of Diversity — is located in the city’s charming Croix-Rousse neighborhood. More than just a housing project, it is a bold response to the isolation, discrimination, and invisibility that many LGBTQ+ seniors face.

Why It Matters

Older LGBTQ+ individuals have often lived through decades of repression, many without the support of children or extended families. Studies show that 65% of LGBTQ+ seniors live alone — a stark contrast to 15% of heterosexual seniors under 70. Suicide rates among them are 2–7 times higher. The Maison de la Diversité aims to counter this isolation with a safe, inclusive, and supportive living environment.

 A Place to Be Yourself

Inclusive and Intergenerational

Primarily designed for those over 55, the home also reserves one unit for a student resident to promote cross-generational exchange. The goal is to build a community rooted in mutual respect and solidarity.

Community-Driven Design

The 680 m² residence spans five stories and houses 16 apartments (T1 and T2), each accessible via elevator and connected by outdoor walkways. In addition to private units, residents share 120 m² of communal space and a 200 m² garden — fostering daily interaction and companionship.
 
Charter of Shared Values

All residents agree to a charter emphasizing LGBTQ+ values, inclusion, and cooperation. While LGBTQ+ people are the primary focus, the home is also open to allies who support its mission.

Design & Comfort

  •  
    Modern and Eco-Conscious

    The building is fully accessible and constructed using hemp-based materials, targeting high environmental standards.

    Functional Living Spaces

    It features 9 units at intermediate rent and 7 at subsidized social rates, with apartments ranging from 24 to 42 m², each equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and living/sleeping areas.

    Shared Amenities

    The residence includes activity rooms, a laundry area, guest accommodations, a bike garage, and a garden, all designed to support healthy aging and social connection.

    From Vision to Reality

    A Community Effort
    First proposed in 2022, the project received unanimous support from Lyon’s city council. Construction began in mid-2023 and is slated for completion by late 2024 or early 2025.

    Broad Support Network

    Backers include the City of Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, Croix-Rouge Habitat, and nonprofit Les Audacieuses & Les Audacieux. Mayor Grégory Doucet called the project a reflection of Lyon’s commitment to inclusivity and human dignity.

    Scalable Model

    Organizers hope this pioneering project will be just the beginning, with plans to establish 10 similar retirement homes across France over the next decade.

    Voices from Within

    Christophe Dercamp, general coordinator, describes the home as “a cocoon... a bubble of kindness, mutual aid, and solidarity between generations and neighbours.”

    One future resident, François, told LyonMag:

    “I could leave home wearing glitter — I know I’ll be safe.”

    A National Movement Begins

    While LGBTQ+-focused senior housing exists in countries like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, Maison de la Diversité is a first for France. Lyon’s initiative could inspire similar projects in cities such as Paris, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, and Nantes, which are reportedly considering their own LGBTQ+ senior residences.

    Looking Ahead

    Set to open at 65 rue de Belfort, the Maison de la Diversité is more than a housing complex — it’s a symbol of social progress and belonging. For LGBTQ+ seniors, it offers not just a home, but a place to live freely, authentically, and surrounded by community.

    In Summary

    Lyon’s Maison de la Diversité challenges the invisibility that too often accompanies aging within the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a place where dignity, safety, and joy converge — proving that you can grow old and still sparkle on your own terms.

  • Thursday, June 19, 2025

    Dolly Party – Fête de la Musique 2025

     

    The iconic Dolly Party returns to light up Nice on June 21, transforming Place du Pin into an exciting celebration of music, identity, and community. Organized by the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d’Azur in partnership with the City of Nice, this open-air music festival is a cornerstone of Pride and the Fête de la Musique.

    What Is the Dolly Party?

    Originally launched as the “Dolly Fête de la Musique,” this annual event has grown into a beloved Riviera tradition. Held on the summer solstice, it brings the streets to life with:

    Electro & House DJ Sets – A stellar lineup including Nicolas Dermen, Ben Crafter, Jisse, FredSki, and Anna Crouse.

    Immersive Visuals – Building façades transformed by projections from artist Moya, plus dazzling lighting and dancefloor energy.

    Community Action – Info booths, free HIV/STI testing, vaccination services, and prevention outreach led by local associations.

    Neighborhood Support – Surrounding bars, cafés, and restaurants join the festivities, with proceeds supporting the Centre’s vital advocacy work.

    More Than a Party – A Celebration of Identity & Inclusion
     
    Empowerment Through Festivity

    Dolly is not just a celebration—it's a joyful act of resistance, a public affirmation of LGBTQIA+ visibility and pride.

    An Inclusive, Safer Space

    Everyone is welcome in this non-judgmental atmosphere. With controlled entry points and a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, Dolly offers a space where all identities can feel safe, seen, and supported.

    Support That Lasts Beyond the Night

    Funds raised go directly toward the Centre’s year-round efforts—legal advocacy, health outreach, and support services for LGBTQIA+ individuals across the region.

    Why It Matters

    Visibility & Belonging
    By taking over a central square, Dolly celebrates queer presence in the heart of the city—amplifying voices and strengthening community ties.

    A Safer Gathering
    Dolly is a carefully managed event with entry checks and supervision, ensuring safety while preserving freedom and joy.

    Awareness in Action
    Through partnerships with organizations like AIDES and ENIPSE, attendees can access essential health services in an engaging, accessible environment.

    Fundraising for Impact
    The event directly supports the LGBTQIA+ Centre’s work across the Côte d’Azur—combating discrimination, promoting public health, and building community resilience.

    What to Expect in 2025

    When: Saturday, June 21 | 18:00–00:00
    Where: Place du Pin & Rue Bonaparte, Nice
    Entry: Free and open to all | Secured access with bag checks
    Atmosphere: An exhilarating mix of beats, lights, community, and care—bringing together the essence of Pride and music festival magic.

    Beyond June – A Cultural Staple

    Dolly isn’t just a once-a-year affair. On August 14, the beloved Dolly White Party takes over Place du Pin once again—this time with an all-white dress code, drag performances, striking visuals, and continued fundraising for LGBTQIA+ causes.

    Nice itself is a city proud of its inclusive spirit. From beaches to bars like Le Glam, it remains a welcoming destination where events like Dolly play a vital role in strengthening LGBTQIA+ culture and connection.

    In Summary

    The Dolly Party is a living celebration—bold, inclusive, full of joy and purpose.

    On June 21, music and solidarity will pulse through the streets of Nice. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, LGBTQIA+ or an ally, this is your invitation to dance, connect, and be part of something meaningful.

    Bring your energy. Bring your heart. And celebrate a community that celebrates you.

    Sunday, June 15, 2025

    From Expatriates to Jet-Setters: A Century of Americans on the French Riviera

     

    With more and more North Americans coming to the region (including the LGBTQ community) either for a vacation, retirement, secondary home investment, or even a forever home. I thought it was important to give some background as to why that continues to this day.

    For more than a century, the French Riviera—la Côte d’Azur—has seduced Americans with its blend of Mediterranean charm, sun-soaked leisure, and artistic spirit. From bohemian writers in the 1920s to modern retirees and tech nomads, Americans have woven themselves into the cultural and social tapestry of this legendary coastline. Here's a look at how that relationship has evolved over the decades.

    The 1920s: The Lost Generation Finds the Riviera

    The earliest wave of American migration to the French Riviera began in earnest during the 1920s, when a cohort of disillusioned, ambitious writers and artists fled Prohibition-era America and found refuge in France. Chief among them were members of the so-called “Lost Generation”: Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. Drawn to the Riviera for its beauty and its freedoms, these expatriates made towns like Antibes, Cannes and Nice their creative sanctuaries.

    Fitzgerald, in particular, immortalized the region in his novel Tender Is the Night, depicting the glittering but decaying lives of Americans abroad. The Côte d’Azur became a place for introspection and excess, a land where art mingled with jazz, gin, and Mediterranean light.

    The 1940s–1950s: Postwar Glamour and the Hollywood Invasion

    World War II temporarily dimmed the Riviera’s luster, but the postwar years brought a resurgence—this time with a Hollywood flair. The 1950s saw American movie stars such as Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor flock to the region, helped in part by the rising glamour of the Cannes Film Festival. Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956 cemented the connection between the French Riviera and American fantasy.

    Simultaneously, American writers like James Baldwin found in the Riviera a quieter, more contemplative retreat. Baldwin lived for years in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a hilltop village where he wrote and socialized with fellow artists, far from the racial tensions and constraints of the United States.

    The 1960s–1980s: Counterculture, Wealth, and the Global Jet Set

    The 1960s ushered in a new kind of American presence: the counter-cultural traveler. Hippies and beatniks arrived in droves, drawn to the Riviera’s artistic reputation and relaxed lifestyle. While Paris remained the intellectual capital, the South of France offered sunshine, sea, and a sense of bohemian freedom.

    By the 1970s and 1980s, however, a different class of American began arriving: entrepreneurs, bankers, and heirs, part of the global jet set. Towns like Saint-Tropez transformed from quiet fishing villages into luxurious playgrounds. Americans invested in property, opened restaurants and clubs, and became part of the Riviera's wealthy elite.

    The 1990s–2000s: Second Homes and Globalization

    As globalization took hold, the Riviera became increasingly accessible. More direct flights, international business networks, and the rise of real estate investment drew another wave of Americans—this time not as wanderers or artists, but as vacation-home owners and retirees. From Saint Tropez to Menton, American retirees and professionals purchased villas, often using them as seasonal retreats.

    Though integration into local culture varied, many Americans contributed to the region’s cosmopolitan vibe, bringing with them ideas about wellness, entrepreneurship, and international living.

    The 2010s–Present: Tech Nomads and the Remote Work Boom

    In the last decade, the profile of Americans moving to the French Riviera has shifted again. Fueled by the rise of remote work (with the appropriate paperwork in place) and the appeal of a slower-paced Mediterranean lifestyle, a younger generation of Tech nomads and freelancers is settling in cities like Nice and small towns along the coastline. Social media has added to the region’s allure, promoting a curated, sun-drenched vision of Riviera life that continues to enchant.

    At the same time, longstanding American enclaves—expat groups, English-speaking bookstores, international schools—remain vital parts of the local ecosystem.

    A Cultural Dialogue Across the Sea

    Today, Americans on the French Riviera represent a rich blend of history, ambition, and adaptation. From writers and celebrities to retirees and remote workers, they’ve each brought something uniquely American while also absorbing the art de vivre of southern France.

    The Riviera continues to enchant not just as a destination, but as a kind of mirror—reflecting back American dreams through the prism of breathtaking landscapes, café terraces, and endless blue horizons over the Mediterranean Sea

    If you are considering coming this way, connect with us today.