Why Gay French Riviera?

The Gay French Riviera blog started almost 10 years ago on February 4, 2011. At the time I was still living in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada but was making frequent, yearly trips to France and more specifically to the French Riviera which I had first visited upon a suggestion by a French friend on my first trip to Europe in the early 1990’s. The Cote d’Azur was nothing but love upon first sight.

I remember very well the evening I started this blog. I had never written anything before for any kind of publication, I obviously had heard about blogs, yet really wasn’t sure where to start so thought I would just give it a try to see what would come of it.

It was dreary and raining outside on that typical Vancouver winter night and since I was constantly missing all aspects of the beautiful French Riviera and France, after searching around online I noticed there really wasn’t anything geared towards the LGBTQ community in that part of France.

There was random website listings of nightclubs, bars and beaches that you could tell no fact checking had been done to see if the places even still existed and apart from one small French blog that was also outdated, I gave it a shot and registered Gay French Riviera.

I had kind of mapped out a plan of what and where to write about at first to start setting things off as an introductory guide of sorts but overall, I wanted it to have a feel about what to expect on a first visit, current events, places, news items, whatever an individual or group might be want to experience.

Gay French Riviera has turned out to be a great way of spending some free time and back then a way to connect closer to France while I planned out my next trip there to what I now for years have called home.

The blog was never about obtaining the most online hits (although the numbers are substantial every month) or to make money, it’s truly just become a way to promote the French Riviera and France itself to not only those around the world who consider themselves to be part of the LGBTQ community...but for everyone who has an interest in the country.

Surprisingly, within three months of posting blog articles online, the Nice Tourism board contacted me as they were starting a big promotional push to also bring the gay community into the area as a year round destination and within a couple weeks of that, Cannes Tourism and Monaco Tourism also connected with me.

Together we had set out a plan for my next visit where I would be introduced to various hotels, restaurants and businesses who consider themselves to be gay friendly. Plus, I was given personal tours to explore parts of the cities and attend events during my time.

I found this thrilling to no end; I was always happy just to be in this place of the world I loved and now all these extras were coming my way which have been great to experience and in turn write about.

This also helped open other doors to various owners and managers of places whether they be nightclubs, boutiques and a variety of businesses that I thought may interest a member of the community planning a vacation in France.

Many of these people have become lifelong friends and since finally making the move here many years ago, in a sense this blog has helped establish not only myself but my businesses starting with ExperienceThe French Riviera.

I am consistently grateful and in awe of the chance to get to live in the French Riviera. For me there really doesn’t seem to be any bad days. There is a sense of freedom here no matter your sexuality and if you have dreams you want to accomplish; this is one of the best areas of Europe to be given it garners such a culturally diverse and extensive international audience.

No matter what happens in the future, especially in the time of Covid19 right now, I am forever in love with France and all it has brought to my life and others I know.

If you are hesitant about things in your life, don’t know where to begin, all I have to say is taking the chance on writing Gay French Riviera has been nothing but rewarding so go for whatever you have in mind, be consistent and make it happen.

Gay Voyageur

Being in the luxury villa rental and real estate business for almost 10 years focusing mostly on properties here in the beautiful French Riviera and other parts of France. My company, Experience The French Riviera has always been open to meeting new clients from every type of background and nationality from anywhere around the world.

In fact, it’s one of the most exciting things, getting to meet new people on almost a daily basis, learning more about their lifestyle and customs that what will make a trip to France memorable.

With that, an individual’s sexuality has never been an issue, not with myself or any owners I work with, everyone deserves a holiday and why not have the most luxurious one imaginable. 

So late this summer, my fellow Canadian friend Danny of Gay Voyageur and I started discussing how we could showcase some of my villa rentals available to rent for those coming to this stunning part of France on his work website.

Gay Voyageur is a longstanding, reputable LGBTQ travel and information guide specifically geared towards community interests. And not only is it for those in Europe or planning on coming here, but the website also focuses on other parts of the globe as well such as Asia and North America.

Vacation rentals, nightclubs, beaches, sports, Pride events, relevant news items, are just a small number of informative items available through the Gay Voyageur website to help make your destination planning that much easier and effective no matter where you want to go.

Currently in my property portfolio we have well over 150 villas to choose from, so for this undertaking we have started with some of the best in the region and as time allows more villas will be added to the Gay Voyageur website. And not only will there be luxury villas, but also apartments in Paris and chalets for your ski holidays in the French Alps plus our other concierge services as well.

We all deserve a taste of the good life and one of the many ways clients can obtain such a sumptuous villa for a vacation is to travel as a group. This way you are together and have your own private space to do as you please in both a safe and secure environment considering the current Covid19 situation. Or, if you would like, feel free to rental a villa on your own or with your partner. 

There is a wide variety to choose from with many of the properties starting with three bedrooms going all the way up to 10-15 bedrooms. The locations also vary with many at seaside areas close to all amenities or even in the countryside as private retreats.

Most of the villas offer additional services such as cleaners, chef, car service and we can even provide private charter jet service through one of our partners. Whatever you require, if your budget allows for it, we can make it happen, just let us know what you require and when. Have a corporate or private event in mind? We can help with all your planning requirements. 

So be sure to refer to the Gay Voyageur website frequently for updated property listings from us at Experience The French Riviera. We want to provide you with ideal villa rental and all- around experience for your vacation or business trip in France!

French Riviera Summer Reflections

Now that it’s October and the summer is well and truly over here in the French Riviera (although the sun never seems to stop shining), it’s time for a bit of reflection.

It’s been interesting. The weather was fantastic as usual during the summer months and all senses were certainly reinvigorated simply with just the rush of the morning sun coming up along the Mediterranean sea with all the surrounding scents and sounds of life.

Then there was the vast choices along of beaches to go swimming and sunbathing daily if you wanted, along with an extensive amount of hiking trails for people to explore and be enveloped by nature either by way of along sea or by making your way up the mountains enabling one to take in the many expansive views.

The Coronavirus has certainly brought in a whole new way of living. Speaking with friends and business associates, you could tell people are planning their best to focus on life ahead with the virus situation around and definitely you got the sense this summer that people are very much making such plans with what truly makes them happy. It’s actually been inspiring to witness as it slowly has already been coming into fruition for some.

One thing that was quite noticeable was this summer oddly seemed more pleasant, more local, more natural and overall calmer.

Usually the summer months slowly build into a chaotic pace with visitors and locals trying to take in as much as possible of the region. But this year, with the lock down only being lifted about the middle of May bringing in a late start to the season with the following weeks having more restrictions being released and some surrounding countries being allowed to cross the France borders, there didn’t seem to be a mad panic in daily life.

This summer things seemed to be more civilized and manageable.

Of course, for the local LGBTQ community, bars and nightclub owners did their best to open with Covid19 measures in place while opting for limited hours and a smaller number of patrons in attendance while others had outdoor terrace beach parties with the occasional drag show during the week. One thing is for sure, you noticed how enterprising and imaginable people are in the face of adversity.

It was also lovely to gather with smaller groups of friends for drinks or intimate dinner parties, even just a quick stop at the beach for a chat while the sun was going down was remarkable, especially if the gatherings were impromptu with conversations seemingly deeper yet more relaxed and heartfelt.

Summer 2020 certainly felt like a time of reflection for many, even with the stress of the Coronavirus, overall it has been wonderful to see people’s true character’s come to light with their hopes and aspirations.