Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Cruising Bars & Gay Sauna/Bathhouse in Nice

 

Despite its relatively modest size, Nice boasts a surprisingly active gay cruising and sauna scene. Here’s a breakdown of the top venues for those looking to explore the city’s after-dark pleasures.

Les Bains-Douches

Location: 7 Rue Gubernatis, 06000 Nice
Nice’s Only Gay Sauna/Bathhouse

Spread across four floors, Les Bains-Douches is a fully-equipped gay bathhouse offering a large jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, private cabins, dark room, video lounge, and bar. The venue also hosts regular nude sessions and themed events.

Opening Hours: Daily from 13:00 to 22:00

Cruising Bars & Sex Clubs

These venues are explicitly geared toward cruising, often featuring slings, cabins, and themed fetish nights.

Club Le 7
 
Location: 7 Rue Foncet, 06000 Nice

One of the city’s best-known cruising clubs, Club Le 7 spans several levels with dark rooms, video areas, slings, and theme nights. It’s fetish-friendly yet welcoming to all.

Opening Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 21:30–02:30

Le Code

Location: 4 Rue Jean-Pierre Papon, 06300 Nice

Le Code caters to a more fetish-oriented crowd with a dark maze, slings, cabins, and video room. It’s a staple in the local cruising scene and offers varied nightly events.

Opening Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 22:00–03:00
Friday–Saturday: Later hours
Sunday: Afternoon & evening sessions

Morgan Club

Location: 3 Rue Claudia, 06000 Nice

Morgan Club is a 100% gay naked cruising bar with a naturist atmosphere. Expect a small maze, sling, video lounge, and cabins. Popular for themed dress-code nights like jockstrap, underwear, and balaclava parties.

Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday from around 22:00 (closed Mondays)

Ramdam Bar

Location: 3 Rue Lascaris, 06300 Nice

Ramdam is primarily a small dance and terrace bar with art events. But on Saturday nights, it transforms in the back area with a special cruising spot called Le Stock.

Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday from 22:00 (closed Mondays)

Note:
Opening hours and events often change seasonally at these establishments. For the latest info, check each venue’s social media pages. All of these locations charge a nominal fee to enter and are situated in safe, central areas and operate with attentive staff and clear safety standards. As always—explore responsibly.

Monday, July 28, 2025

Villas, Vanity, and Viral Myths: Navigating Rentals on the Côte d’Azur

 

The French Riviera is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world—and with good reason. But behind the palm-lined promenades and shimmering coastline lies a tight-knit community, especially when it comes to the real estate and villa rental market.

On the surface, agencies seem plentiful, but reputation here is everything. One bad deal can unravel decades of trust—something a seasoned director once summed up perfectly over lunch: “You can be in business for 40 years and lose it all in one afternoon.”

Since launching our business in 2011, we’ve seen a rotating cast of newcomers—some with flashy marketing, others with borrowed luxury—attempt to stake their claim, only to vanish before the season’s end. Many fall into the same trap: prioritizing appearances over integrity, or chasing fast money rather than long-term relationships.

Recently, the rise of influencers and self-proclaimed “concierges” has added a new layer of confusion to the rental scene, often peddling misinformation simply to elevate their personal brand.

One trending myth this season? That renting a yacht is somehow better or safer than staying in a villa. The reasoning? Often we find out, it's that the influencer didn’t get the villa stay they wanted for free—or worse, they’re recycling urban myths of villa break-ins from many decades ago.

The truth is, no reputable agency would list a villa that doesn't meet high standards for safety and quality. Since day one, we’ve prioritized the security of our clients and their properties—never once having an incident to report.

Then there are the self-proclaimed middlemen who show up at social events, overhear a conversation, and suddenly pitch themselves as a local fixer or “property expert.” The red flags start waving when the first question they ask as an agency they are reaching out to is, “What’s my commission?”—followed by inflated pricing or vague client details. Some go as far as demanding outrageous last-minute rentals with no budget cap, often messaging agencies while drinking from a noisy beach party at midnight.

We love working with passionate, knowledgeable agents—those who understand the region and respect the process. But if you’re new to renting here, don’t be dazzled by drone footage or Instagram gloss. Ask questions. Compare offers and negotiate. And never hesitate to speak directly with established agencies who care more about your satisfaction than a quick sale.

At Experience The French Riviera, this isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. Our passion is helping people discover the real French Riviera, whether for the first time or the fiftieth. And when it comes to villa rentals, we believe honesty, experience, and local insight always outshine hype.

Saturday, July 26, 2025

EU Approves Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot

 

European regulators have given the green light to a twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV—hailed as one of 2024’s most significant medical breakthroughs.

The drug, Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, was 100% effective in clinical trials. It offers a much-needed alternative to daily PrEP pills by blocking the virus from replicating and spreading in the body. It's effective for both adults and adolescents and will be sold in Europe under the name Yeytuo once formal approval is granted by the European Commission.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to reimagine HIV prevention in Europe and around the world,” said Dr. Dietmar Berger, Gilead’s Chief Medical Officer. 

“Lenacapavir has the potential to become a critical public health tool, especially for people facing the highest barriers to care.”

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a positive opinion on the injection last week, and the U.S. FDA approved it in June. Health experts believe the simplified twice-yearly regimen could significantly improve adherence and access—two challenges that often limit the success of PrEP programs.

Despite progress, HIV cases are climbing. In 2023, over 24,700 new infections were reported across the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—an increase of nearly 12% from the previous year.

Worldwide, HIV still affects 40.8 million people, with around 630,000 AIDS-related deaths last year.

Gilead has committed to making generic versions of the drug available in 120 low-income countries. However, global access may be hampered by recent U.S. cuts to international health funding.

Friday, July 25, 2025

Chagall’s Radiant Riviera: A Vivid Tribute to His Vençois Years

 

Step into the luminous world of Marc Chagall this summer as the Marc Chagall National Museum joins forces with the Vence Museum – Emile Hugues Foundation to present “Chagall, the Vençois Years. A Mediterranean Renaissance.”

This evocative exhibition, on view from June 14 to November 2, 2025, pays homage to the artist’s prolific period between 1949 and 1966, when Chagall found new inspiration in the light, landscapes, and slower rhythm of life in Vence.

The show captures a time of transformation—when Chagall’s palette bloomed with Mediterranean color, and his artistic practice expanded to include ceramics, stained glass, mosaics, and tapestry. Visitors will discover iconic themes such as music, dance, and Biblical symbolism woven into vibrant works, many of which laid the foundation for commissions in chapels and public institutions.

Featuring exceptional loans from the Marc Chagall National Museum in Nice, as well as pieces from Paris and private collections, this exhibition is a rare opportunity to experience the full creative flowering of Chagall’s Riviera years.

Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Vence Museum
2 Place du Frêne
Admission: €6