New Expansion of Flight Routes to the Cote d'Azur

 

With last summer breaking tourism records throughout the French Riviera, it was recently announced by the Nice Airport Cote d’Azur a number of new and more frequent flight routes worldwide but more specifically to and from the USA.

The number of long-haul routes has reached a record 10. With 21 new routes, including 16 new launches and 3 annualizations, the airport is an active part of the region's strategy to promote quality tourism throughout the year.

 

Nice Côte d'Azur is gradually rebuilding and expanding its network, offering a range of coherent destinations to meet the expectations of both local residents and visitors from around the world.

 

Although the program may evolve, it includes 111 destinations in 42 countries. And a record number of 10 long-haul destinations, including 6 to North America, with 2 routes to Canada and now 4 to the United States, thanks to the takeover of the route to and from Atlanta operated by Delta Airlines.

The latest new destinations are Atlanta (USA) with Delta Airlines, Bari (Italy) with Easyjet, Birmingham (UK) with Jet2, Brussels (Belgium) with Volotea, Constantine (Algeria) with Air Algeria, Valette (Malta) with Air Malta, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) with Air Saudi, Tampere (Finland) with Air Baltic, and Paris-Bauvais which is actually 70km away from Paris by Easyjet, a little further than their "London" Luton airport is from London.

From May to October, Nice will be linked to Montreal, with Air Canada and Air Transat, with 5 to 7 rotations per week. From April to October, New York will be accessible with up to 3 flights per day, operated by United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and La Compagnie.

Finally, Delta Airlines will once again connect us with a direct flight to its Atlanta hub, on a daily basis, from May to September, offering the territory an exceptional gateway to the whole of North America and Latin America.

"The continued growth of our network to and from North America is excellent news for the people of the Côte d'Azur and for our region, as these routes offer so many opportunities for leisure and business travel and exchanges between our two countries. This renewed, and even increased, confidence on the part of the airlines is a perfect illustration of our strategy, which is focused on providing the most direct connectivity possible for the people of the Côte d'Azur and air links that support the quality tourism that our region is looking for" explained Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Côte d'Azur airports.

In addition to the return of the Emirates A380, which operates daily between Nice and Dubai, three other long-haul flights to the Gulf countries are on the agenda for this summer: Bahrain, with Gulf Air (2 weekly rotations between June and September), Kuwait, with Kuwait Airways (2 weekly rotations between June and September) and Riyadh, with Saudia (3 weekly rotations from June 16 to September 30).

These four destinations, attract a particularly sought-after clientele for Côte d'Azur tourism professionals, Nice Côte d'Azur is now able to offer a full range of destinations to the Gulf States.

As a reminder, the Summer 2022 program included 107 destinations in 40 countries and 9 long-haul destinations.

Reflecting its territory and mirroring its attractiveness, Nice Côte d'Azur unveils a Summer 2023 program resolutely focused on continuously improving the territory's connectivity with international cities.

A Successful Return for Lou Queernaval

It’s been three years since Lou Queernaval made its last appearance as part of the world-renowned Nice Carnival and not only is the carnival celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, but it can now add the successful return of celebrating diversity with just over 9000 people in attendance this past Friday, February 17th.

One could feel a buzz of excitement in the air as the crowds gathered at Place Massena in the heart of Nice where people of every age, ethnic background, and sexuality attended this most spectacular event.

 

In past years, everyone tended to meet on the street to mingle around, dance and enjoy the entertainment from the stage set up at the Apollo statue, but this year with so many people in attendance, everyone was directed to find a seat on the grandstands to watch the show about to commence.

With that, an amazing light show, and a DJ playing a number of dance hits set the tone for the party atmosphere as the show was underway with Erwann le Hô, from the Nice LGBT Center as the master of ceremonies encouraging everyone to enjoy the display of colorful floats, drag queens and go-go dancers who were all part of the 350 artists and volunteers putting on a most extraordinary show for two plus entertaining hours making what typically could be just a regular parade feel more like you were in a massive nightclub.

 

Near the end of the event, everyone was invited to gather back down on the street from the grandstands to dance and enjoy the floats and entertainers up close with their friends and family for an even stronger feeling of the LGBTQ community spirit.

 

Putting on an event of this size is no easy task and it was definitely the talk of the town the rest of this past weekend as it genuinely showcased a sense of love and acceptance.

A grand MERCI to all of the hardworking individuals, associations, and the city for such a remarkable and memorable event.

 

Photo/Video credits: Tony Tenicela

Lou Queernaval 2023

The wait is over everyone!

Finally, after a 3-year absence, Lou Queernaval, the first gay carnival in France is back.

As part of the now 150-year tradition of the Carnival in Nice, Lou Queernaval makes its comeback as part of the official program of Carnival 2023. For those that may not know, "Lou" translates to "the" in Nissart, the regional dialect of Nice and Queernaval is self-explanatory.

Nice Carnival is one of the most important events in the country and it attracts visitors from all over France and worldwide. The city of Nice has one of the biggest gay scenes outside of Paris and is considered a central hub for almost everything encompassing the LGBTQ community in the region.

Since 2015, Lou Queernaval has been a part of the regular Nice Carnival with live bands, dancers, and traditional carnival floats, including the King and Queen of Carnival so it’s wonderful to have the event back after the pandemic.

Local and national LGBTQI organizations join the party as the streets are covered in glitter and confetti across Place Masséna. The event is lively, colorful, and fun, and is a friendly way to get to know the city of Nice and its local gay community.

This year the main Lou Queernaval event will be held at 20h on Friday, February 17 at Place Massena, with the event being open to everyone, both young and old, no matter your sexuality.

There will be a main stage and elaborate opening show with lots of music, followed by the parade with drag queens, hot shirtless men, various dancers, and elaborate costumes. Think of it as a gay pride parade, just with a carnival twist.

And every night of the whole carnival, the LGBTQ establishments are filled with locals mingling with international visitors with many of the establishments on the weekend of February 17th holding various themed events.

This unique event is free of charge and is proposed by the Nice LGBTQIA+ community in close collaboration with the City of Nice and the Nice Côte d'Azur Region. The event is committed to promoting the values of sharing, and inclusion while living in harmony together.

See you there!

Drag Queen Story Hour Cancelled in Toulouse

 

In recent days, the city hall in Toulouse has canceled readings to children by drag queens at a local library.

Faced with the indignation of a local group and a collective of associations, on Tuesday, January 24, the city hall of Toulouse took the decision to cancel reading workshops for children that were supposed to be animated by drag queens in a library.

"This choice of programming - which has not given rise to any approval or endorsement from elected officials - may destabilize part of the public. This is obviously not the will of the community," explained the city hall of Toulouse, in a statement published on Tuesday.

While a small group presenting itself on Instagram as a "community youth movement Toulouse and rooted" and called "French Fury" had launched a petition to cancel the event, the Toulouse City Council has taken the decision "in a bid to appease" to reorient the reading initially scheduled for February 18 "to accommodate only a major audience."

On Twitter, the collective "La Manif pour tous" was also indignant against these readings. "PARENTS, WAKE UP! This reading workshop in a Toulouse library for 3-6-year-olds led by two drag-queens has nothing educational, playful or aesthetic," it wrote.

To make things extra dramatic, the municipality says in a statement, "Some reactions may lead to public disorder." At the time a petition to stop the activity was started by one of the associations but has since been deleted.

However, Jean-Luc Moudenc, the mayor of Toulouse, intends to ask the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmain, "for the dissolution of the movement "French Fury", at the origin of the threats and the disturbance of public order."

The reading workshop was intended to "educate the young public about the difference, in a playful way," said city hall.

The Manif pour tous is the main group of associations behind the demonstrations and actions in opposition to the law opening marriage and adoption to same-sex couples in France.

Shanna Banana and Brandy Snap, two of the local drag queens have started a petition to make sure the events still take place that can be found here:

Petition

Liberté, égalité, fraternité - the national motto of France, we shall see.