Villefranche-sur-Mer: The Next LGBTQ Destination?

Something’s up.

Seemingly unspoken about until a week ago. At a recent gathering with friends who all live in or have second homes in Villefranche-sur-Mer, we found it intriguing how many people in the LGBTQ community of all ages have decided to consider the town their home.

There is undoubtedly no question why one would want to do so; the area’s natural beauty with its breathtaking panoramic sea views towards the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat peninsula is enough reason.

We found it fascinating how many couples or single people we knew of from the LGBTQ community are in or want to move to the area during the discussion.

After all, there are no gay nightclubs, bars, or shops specific to the community, but beyond that, it seems to offer so much more. A laid-back lifestyle, a small-town feel, the locals are friendly, curious, and approachable, numerous amenities are within walking distance, and a true feeling that you are in the actual Cote d’Azur because of its architecture and history.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is ideally located between Nice and Monaco, if one wanted to visit either of those locations, it only takes minutes by car, or is just as convenient by frequent trains and buses. Hence, it’s not like you’d ever miss out on anything.

For the size of Villefranche-sur-Mer (population around 5000 but at least double that during the summer months), it possesses a cultural melting pot of nationalities by the people you might see or meet on the streets and beaches, and even amongst the wide selection of restaurants to suit everyone’s tastes.

In speaking with people that chose to live in Villefranche-sur-Mer, either full or part-time, the main reason seems to be the same, the quality of life away from the hustle of a city.

Yet, if one wants to, a quick Uber ride will get you safely and cheaply to the center of Nice amongst all the LGBTQ attractions such as the nightclubs and bars. And Monte-Carlo is also just minutes away if you want to do some luxury shopping.

There is a sense of calm in Villefranche-sur-Mer. This place offers you the chance to slow down and reflect while also enabling many inspirational ideas for any possible plans in your life.

Being in the luxury real estate and rental business means I have to be observant of any shifts and changes for clients. And even well before the pandemic hit, Villefranche-sur-Mer has always been a top vacation travel destination, no matter your sexual preference.

As for real estate, whether as an investment or a second home, the requests come in weekly for everything from studios to high-end luxury villas in the hills.

Many close friends who have purchased a property in Villefranche-sur-Mer have mentioned they felt they got more for the money, just in views alone, over being in the center of a busy city. Those that have come here for a holiday for the first time never want to leave and speak fondly of Villefranche-sur-Mer from their memories and experiences of the place and return as often as they can.

It almost feels like you can’t go two blocks now without knowing someone in the LGBTQ community with an apartment or villa in any neighborhood, so a change is taking place, quietly but definitely…

Having explored the area extensively over the years, no matter the time of day or night there is always something to see and do, and it is incredibly safe throughout the year.

If you want to discover “the life,” as the locals in the French Riviera fondly refer to the region, Villefranche-sur-Mer is the place to be

The Stalker Craig Book

To pull away from the LGBTQ lifestyle in the Cote d’Azur for a moment, I wanted to let my readers know I’ve recently published a book titled “Stalker Craig.”

In this crazy worldwide internet web of life, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been trolled or possibly cyberstalked online, so I wanted to present my experience, hoping that others can learn from it.

Stalker Craig is a true tell-all account of a friendship that went wrong over a slight disagreement and of how a former friend then started targeting me with ongoing online harassment and death threats over the years.

It’s a story of a trusting friendship that turned into a campaign of hate and jealousy by pursuing online antics weaved by the perpetrator in his unrelenting attacks.

The book details how he began his attacks and the various escalating steps and abuse he continues to take in an attempt to break me down mentally to the point of depression and thoughts of suicide.

The book, Stalker Craig, indicates the lengths an individual will go to when his online harassment has not resulted in the satisfaction he desires to raise the levels of hate against you and your loved ones.

As though the daily harassment isn’t enough to deal with over the years, the stalker then twists any updated information he thinks has about you, those around you, and your businesses to what he thinks is his benefit to ruin your life. When any recent information runs out for Stalker Craig, he will come up with the most unbelievable stories online to provoke and possibly damage your reputation with rumors of outrageous sexual acts, fraud, diseases, and even murder for you and those closest to you to read.

The book’s timeline states how it all began to its now astonishing levels of absurdity with continuous complaints made throughout the years for the files set up with numerous police departments, law firms, and court orders to try and make him stop.

The never-ending fear one feels when you need to watch your back worried the stalker might show up and possibly kill you due to the anger he consistently expresses. Or that he will go after someone you love and care about more aggressively.

Stalker Craig describes what most don’t consider when being consistently attacked online. The endless hours it takes to screenshot, save and file all the evidence while you continue to map out and verify his attacks. The time and effort it takes to try and have the defamatory posts and comments removed through the myriad of fake social media accounts he has made up to then also give to the police and legal team.

Over time, the toll it takes on the victim, mental health issues, privacy and trust concerns, the continued breakdown, and shattering of your self-confidence, leading to depression.

Stalker Craig is a diary of how the victim has continued to deal with the situation of abuse and safety concerns when you’ve done everything you are supposed to for it to end. And when none of the harassment has stopped, to save oneself, it gets to the point that this is enough and, under the guidance of lawyers and police, leads to a more drastic, strategic step in hopes of regaining control of your life.

Stalker Craig can be found on Amazon and with many other online retailers.

The 2021 Winter Ski Season in France

With the recent snowfalls on the local mountains in France comes the start of the new ski season.

Unfortunately, not without some rules set into place by the government of France due to the Coronavirus (that could continue to change) but still, far more relaxed and open than in the past winter season.

When it comes to travel, France’s borders are open to “green” countries, including all EU and Schengen zone countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with proof of vaccination or a recently obtained negative Covid test.

Only fully vaccinated visitors will be welcomed from those on the “orange” country list, such as the USA and the United Kingdom. No proof of vaccination means people will be denied entry. For those who’ve been double vaxxed, no test is required upon arrival.

At the resorts, there are specific guidelines laid out in early November by Prime Minister Jean Castex. Protective masks are required in ski lift lines and in gondolas, but not on open chair lifts or other open-air places on the mountain when skiing.

Currently, health passes are not mandatory to access ski lifts, but this will change, says the PM, if the country’s incidence rate climbs over 200.

Businesses at the resorts will also have to adhere to the rules, so they may also impose some limits such as extra cleaning protocols and ongoing monitoring of group sizes in their establishments.

National rules still apply for areas like public transport and all indoor public spaces where it is compulsory to wear a mask. There are no exemptions to the mask rule and those who do not wear a mask can expect to pay fines of €135.

Restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafes do not, in general, require masks as these places require a health pass to gain entry, though owners of these establishments are free to impose whatever regulation they wish on this front, and can bar entry to anyone who refuses to comply. Hotels usually ask that masks be worn in communal areas.

Bookings through Experience The French Riviera for holiday chalet rentals have been coming in fast since the end of September so if you require a property, now is the time to book with your exact dates, the number of guests, and a budget range would expedite things and get you exactly what you require.

Overall, life in France does feel more back to normal in many ways and more optimistic, these current rules seem to be second nature at this point for many of us that live in the country and everyone seems excited to hit the slopes and celebrate the winter season.

Cruising Bars for Cocktober

Well, not for just October but anytime of year is good for cock.

Here in the Cote d’Azur in France, we tend to enjoy all things hot, and that means not only in terms of our weather but also our local men and visitors alike.

As things get ever so slightly cooler here during the Autumn months in the French Riviera, this is the time when more of the heated activities take place inside. And what better than in one of the many enticing cruising bars in Nice, the city considered central to everything LGBTQ in the region.

Malabar Station

10 rue Bonaparte - Nice

A very well-known cruising bar in the heart of the affectionately named “le petit Marais”, a nod to the gay Marais district in Paris. Strolling by in the early evenings, you’ll see a diverse mix of people enjoying an apero or two on the outdoor terrace who usually help set the tone for the night ahead.

Generally, between 10 pm and 11 pm is when the terrace closes and the heated action inside Malabar begins. Step into the bar area, where you can enjoy more drinks, listen to a local DJ, while all kinds of porn are on various surrounding screens in the closely-knit space while your eyes wander around the crowd of men all grouped together.

Any real action though tends to happen in the adjoining large cruising room, with its cubicles, slings, blackout room, and of course never-ending porn screens.

Eagle Nice
18 rue Emmanuel Philibert - Nice

One of the oldest cruising bars in Nice but still well regarded. Situated near the port, once you step inside, you are in another world. Here, it’s mainly the locals and a few tourists, enjoying a beer at the long bar and some action in the adjoining room filled with cubicles and discreet play areas. It can get down and dirty here so come prepared for anything.

Le 7
7 rue Foncet - Nice

What was once apparently the first cruising bar/theater in Nice was only a few years ago lovingly renovated with extreme care, keeping the characteristics of the historic details throughout, just with an added clean upgrade to the whole facilities.

The newly revamped club offers a cocktail lounge bar as you walk in and numerous levels to cruise the varied clientele base of men with lounges to relax, a porn theater, expansive blackout playrooms, and an extensive number of private rooms to take care of business with that special stranger you just met.

Le Code
4 rue Papon - Nice

A sexual play space set up for those that mean direct business. Offering various themed play nights for whatever you are into, whether that be fisting or piss action or just looking for a get-off with some new buddies.

Pay a nominal fee to come in at the entrance, once buzzed inside you will be in the lounge/bar area with a wet play space at the back.

Most of the hard-core action though happens on the lower level, where it’s definitely a tight squeeze but that’s kinda the point for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time cruising.

Here, you will find a small maze, gloryholes, porn lounge, and numerous slings for whatever sex adventures you can dream up, or just jump into the mix of those already in the throngs of it all around you.

Morgan Hot Cruising Bar

3 rue Claudia - Nice

Last but not least, the extremely popular Morgan Hot Cruising Bar. Offering a variety of themed nights to tickle everyone’s fancy and without question one of the most fun, attitude-free establishments in Nice.

The Morgan Hot Cruising Bar is the place where being nude is overall the name of the game with every body type and nationality to be found.

Once you pay the nominal entrance fee, you will be given a tagged bag (and numbered wristband to wear) to place your clothes in after you strip down in the adjoining small room. When that’s sorted, step into the wide-open lounge area with a cocktail bar to relax and enjoy a drink and/or take a few steps up towards the back where there is another cozy lounge area where you might find an impromptu sex show taking place in front of you as anything can and will happen here.

Cruise the many playrooms with the ones most men gravitate to being the cubicle area with gloryholes and a sling room or the playroom in the back far corner with its circular vinyl bed where many an orgy takes place while others surround and watch, waiting for the chance to dive in on all the action.

Honestly, this place can get so busy, you will be squeezing your way through the halls filled with what feels like a forest of hard dicks slapping against your ass and thighs.

Whatever you are after, whatever you are into, you can expect a ton of fun at any of these safe cruising bars open year-round in Nice.