Nice So Fétiche #9: Four Days of Pride, Culture, and Connection

 

The French Riviera is set to heat up this fall with the return of Nice So Fétiche, the must-see fetish event of the season. Now in its ninth edition, the celebration will take place from Thursday, November 13 to Sunday, November 16, 2025, bringing together enthusiasts, associations, and the simply curious for four unforgettable days of fun, culture, and community spirit.

 A Celebration of Fetish Diversity

From leather and latex to newgear, sportswear, puppy play, and skinhead aesthetics, Nice So Fétiche embraces all fetish identities. The program promises a vibrant mix of activities that highlight the creativity and inclusivity of the scene — proving that fetish culture is as diverse as it is dynamic.

Highlights of the 2025 Edition

Among the standout moments this year:

• Mister Fetish France 2026 Contest – a proud and empowering event showcasing visibility within the community.
  

• Official Dinner, Brunch & Fetish Parties – perfect occasions to meet, share experiences, and celebrate together.
  

• Bondage Workshop, Petit Train & Offbeat Bingo – playful, interactive events blending humor, creativity, and camaraderie.
  

• Art Exhibition by El Mago – featuring the Paris-based artist’s sensual and evocative works inspired by the human body, nature, and fetish imagery.

  
  
   
  

More Than an Event – A Community Experience

Beyond the leather and latex, Nice So Fétiche #9 is a celebration of queer and fetish visibility, a place to connect, express, and belong. It’s about pride, creativity, and the bonds that unite a diverse community — all under the sun of the Côte d’Azur.

 

Dates: November 13–16, 2025

Location: Nice

Book now: Evidence Events

NSF by EVIDENCE app: Nice So Fétiche

Chanel Shines Bright at Monaco’s First Haute Joaillerie Grand Prix

 

They do say diamonds are a girl’s best friend — and this weekend in Monaco, Chanel proved it once again.

On October 25, the Principality hosted the inaugural Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie, a new event celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation in the world of fine jewelry. “We designed this Grand Prix as a celebration that brings together all the players in the industry—from stone-producing countries to the Maisons and their muses, as well as crowned heads, collectors, and clients,” explained co-founder Jean-Philippe Braud.

Among ten prestigious brands competing before an international jury, Chanel emerged as the standout, winning the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie for its Sweater Prestige Necklace.

Crafted in 18K white gold and platinum and adorned with diamonds, onyx, and eleven emeralds totaling 37.18 carats, the piece pays tribute to Chanel’s sporting spirit. Its crossover neckline and supple tubular chains echo the movement and energy of a jogging cord — a blend of luxury and freedom.

Other winners of the evening included Tiffany & Co. (Special Jury and Heritage Prizes), Messika (Design Prize), Dior (Savoir-Faire Prize), Louis Vuitton (Stone Prize), Chopard’s Caroline Scheufele (Visionary of the Year), Sahag Arslanian (Most Promising Artist), and Dolce & Gabbana (Audience Award).

The first Grand Prix marked not only a glamorous evening in Monaco but also a new stage for the art of fine jewelry to dazzle on a global scale.

Nice Named Among Europe’s Top 30 City Destinations by TUI

 

The French Riviera’s capital, Nice, has once again proven its enduring charm — this time earning a place among Europe’s Top 30 city destinations, according to a new index by TUI Musement. The ranking, titled Top 30 City Breaks in Europe, highlights the continent’s most searched and most desirable urban getaways, based on Google search volumes for weekend and short-stay holidays.

Nice secured the #26 position, with more than 44,000 searches, underscoring its growing appeal as a cultural and coastal escape that goes far beyond its famous beaches. For decades, the city has been known as the gateway to the Côte d’Azur, but this recognition places it firmly among Europe’s favourite short-break cities, alongside iconic destinations such as Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam.

A City That Blends the Sea, Culture, and Urban Style

What sets Nice apart from many European cities is its unique combination of Mediterranean beauty and cosmopolitan energy. The city’s celebrated Promenade des Anglais, with its sweeping sea views, offers the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll or morning coffee, while the winding streets of Vieux Nice invite exploration through colourful markets, hidden piazzas, and local eateries.

Beyond its scenery, Nice’s cultural depth continues to attract visitors year-round. From the Musée Matisse and Musée Marc Chagall to an ever-evolving culinary scene that now rivals France’s best, the city has evolved into a destination for art lovers and food enthusiasts alike. UNESCO’s 2021 recognition of Nice as a “Winter Resort Town of the Riviera” has further reinforced its historical and architectural importance.

Perfect for a Weekend Escape

Part of what makes Nice’s inclusion in the TUI list so notable is how well the city fits the modern city-break model. Easily accessible by air or rail, compact in scale, and offering a mild climate year-round, it’s an ideal spot for travellers looking to combine culture, relaxation, and coastal living in just a few days.

Spring and autumn in particular offer a quieter, more authentic experience — when café terraces fill with locals rather than summer crowds, and the Mediterranean light gives the city its signature golden hue. Add to this the proximity of picturesque villages like Èze, Antibes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and it’s easy to see why weekend travellers are increasingly drawn here.

Recognition Beyond the Riviera

While the TUI Musement ranking measures online interest rather than visitor numbers, it remains a strong indicator of how travellers perceive European cities. For Nice, being listed alongside the continent’s most iconic destinations affirms its position as one of Europe’s most versatile and desirable city breaks — a place that effortlessly bridges the gap between seaside relaxation and urban sophistication. And is well known to be the cultural hub of the LGBTQ+ community in the Cote d’Azur.

With its timeless elegance, world-class gastronomy, and a growing reputation for culture and creativity, Nice is no longer just a stop on the Riviera — it’s a destination in its own right, and one that continues to rise in global popularity.

The Painful Pleasure of Nice’s Beach

 

The French Riviera! Glitz, glam, and sandy beaches!

Well…yes and no.

Every summer, without fail, first-time visitors to Nice’s main beach along the famous Promenade des Anglais can be spotted taking their first tentative steps across the pebbles. Barefoot and cautious, they wobble and wince as they make their way to the water’s edge before finally easing themselves into the warm, crystal-blue Mediterranean Sea.

It’s both endearing and amusing to watch — not only for locals but often for the visitors themselves. Many laugh at their own struggle, snapping photos as they shuffle toward their sunbathing spot or hobble back from a swim. It’s a rite of passage of sorts, part of the authentic Nice beach experience.

For locals, however, it’s second nature. Most of us hardly notice the pebbles anymore. We’ve grown up with them, and walking barefoot on the smooth stones feels perfectly normal — a small price for a raw, natural connection to our coastline.

But why pebbles instead of sand?

In Nice, these characteristic stones are more than just a quirky feature — they’re essential to the beach’s survival. Carefully selected and regularly replenished, the pebbles protect the shoreline from erosion and storms, helping the beach maintain its shape. Without them, the Baie des Anges would be a narrow strip, easily washed away by the sea.

Historically, this stretch of coast was used by fishermen long before beach tourism took hold. Today, the City of Nice continues to preserve its balance through an impressive annual operation. Each winter, excavators and trucks deliver thousands of cubic meters of locally sourced pebbles — primarily from the Paillon and Var rivers — to replace those carried away by the waves.

The process is precise: only stones between 20 and 80 millimeters are used. “If they’re too small, they float away; too large, and they become a nuisance,” explains Julien Larraun, hydraulic studies officer at Nice City Hall. Since 1960, this replenishment has been a yearly tradition, ensuring both comfort and coastal protection.

Without these stones, the sea would gradually reclaim the beach, pushing dangerously close to the Promenade des Anglais — as it once did before World War II. That’s why removing pebbles is strictly forbidden. Each one is considered public property, and taking even a single souvenir stone can result in a €38 fine.

For those not yet used to the unique terrain, nearby shops along the Promenade sell rubber bathing shoes in every color and style — a small investment for a big improvement in comfort.

In the end, the pebbly beaches of Nice offer more than just a swim — they provide a memorable, authentic encounter with the Riviera’s natural character. And no matter how many first-timers tiptoe across the stones each summer, they always seem to come back for more.