Concierge Services in the Age of Social Media on the French Riviera

 

An observation…

The French Riviera has always been home to a wide range of concierge services, designed to help visitors discover the best the region has to offer with guidance from local insiders. Many of these services are reliable and well-established. But just as often, others appear suddenly at the start of high season—only to vanish midway through or as soon as summer ends.

This past season, in conversations with agencies and local acquaintances, we noticed an unusually high number of individuals—mainly on social media—offering “luxury lifestyle” experiences. You’ve likely seen the type: Instagram accounts promising exclusive parties or access, with nothing more than a Gmail address or WhatsApp number for contact. Often, these accounts recycle other people’s videos, pass them off as their own, and make promises of insider access they don’t actually have.

They hide behind names like PartySaintTropez, PartyCannes, PartyMonaco, or ConciergeCannes. At first glance, they may look legitimate and are entertaining to watch—until you dig deeper. The reality is that these “companies” often scramble to contact actual agencies like ours, desperately trying to secure last-minute villa rentals requests, event tickets, or restaurant reservations. They expect everything for free or at hugely discounted rates, while charging their clients triple the real cost. Many refuse to sign legal contracts, aren’t based locally, and in some cases, become aggressive or threatening when pressed.

With the Monaco Yacht Show this week, the trend has flared up again. We’ve seen a flood of messages from so-called companies in Spain and the UK claiming they can introduce us to “industry elites” for an eye-watering fee. Yet the show takes place right in our backyard, and we’ve built trusted relationships in yachting and events for more than a decade. Tickets can also be purchased directly from the Monaco Yacht Show website, and parties remain a matter of knowing the right people and what you bring to the table—not inflated offers from middlemen.

We understand the fascination with the glamor and glitter of Monaco and the Côte d’Azur. From the outside, it can all seem instantly attainable, especially on social media. But the truth is: trust and reputation are everything here. Locals know this, and relationships are built face-to-face, over time.

When we launched Experience The French Riviera more than a decade ago, we did so with the shared economy in mind—a fresh concept at the time. Today, our focus remains on ensuring visitors enjoy the region authentically, without falling prey to scams or unnecessary markups. We’ve become protective of travelers who deserve real experiences, not hollow promises.

So, if you’re tempted by flashy social media accounts or self-proclaimed “insiders,” take a step back. Ask the right questions. Trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

In the Riviera, exclusivity isn’t bought at a premium from strangers online—it’s earned through hard work, trust, and genuine connections. Or, as the saying goes: shop local for peace of mind.

Uber To Launch Helicopter Rides in the French Riviera

 

The French Riviera — with Monaco, Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez as its crown jewels — has long been synonymous with luxury, glamour, and high-profile events. Yet, alongside the glitz lies a more practical challenge: relentless traffic and the region’s natural constraints of sea and mountains. For visitors and residents alike, speed and prestige matter, and Uber now plans to meet that demand from the air.

Beginning in 2026, Uber will integrate helicopter services into its app, giving users the ability to book flights across the Riviera. It’s a move that blends convenience with exclusivity and could reshape how people travel along one of Europe’s most iconic coastlines.

What’s Changing

Uber has partnered with Joby Aviation, which recently acquired Blade Air Mobility’s passenger helicopter business. Through this partnership, Uber users will be able to access existing Blade routes, which already connect Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez by air.

But helicopters are just the beginning. Uber’s long-term vision involves the introduction of eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) — quieter, greener, and designed to reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional rotorcraft.

Supporting this shift, Lilium, an eVTOL startup, is working with UrbanV and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur to establish a network of vertiports across the Riviera, stretching as far as Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. This infrastructure, scheduled to go live in 2026, will make the rollout of electric air taxis feasible.

This isn’t entirely new ground for Uber. The company previously tested aerial mobility through its UberCopter service, linking Nice Airport with Cannes during the Film Festival. With trips priced at around €160 for a seven-minute flight, the experiment demonstrated both demand and the logistical hurdles of short-haul helicopter travel.

Why Now?

Several forces are aligning to make Uber’s air ambitions viable:

• Premium mobility demand: Quick, reliable transfers between hubs like Nice–Cannes or Nice–Monaco save precious time, especially during high-traffic events.

• Tourism and prestige: The Riviera attracts a global elite for whom helicopter access represents both convenience and status.

• Regulatory momentum: Partnerships with airports and government stakeholders show a growing openness to advanced air mobility solutions.

• Technological progress: Advances in electric aviation promise quieter, safer, and more sustainable air travel.

What It Means for the Region

For travelers, the benefits are clear: faster transfers and a seamless booking process via the Uber app. For the economy, new infrastructure and services could boost tourism appeal and create fresh opportunities in luxury mobility.

But challenges remain.

• Cost: Helicopter and eVTOL services will carry a premium price point, limiting access primarily to high-spend travelers.

• Environmental impact: While eVTOLs promise cleaner flight, conventional helicopters remain noisy and polluting until electric fleets arrive.

• Regulation: Airspace management, noise restrictions, and strict safety protocols will need careful coordination.

• Equity: As with many luxury services, debates may arise over whether public infrastructure should benefit only the wealthiest users.

  
  
  

  Challenges Ahead

  The path forward is not without obstacles:

• Certification of eVTOLs is a lengthy process, with safety and reliability under intense scrutiny.

• Noise reduction is critical in a region known for its natural beauty and strict environmental rules.

• Scalability remains uncertain: will demand justify the cost of building vertiports and operating fleets?

• Alternatives — from ferries to fast cars — may remain more practical for many travelers.

Looking Forward

The rollout is expected in 2025–2026, beginning with helicopter services and soon expanding to electric aircraft as vertiports come online. Quieter, cleaner eVTOLs will likely first attract premium users before gradually becoming more accessible as costs decrease and fleets expand.

Final Thoughts

Uber’s move into helicopter and air-taxi services marks a bold step in the evolution of mobility on the French Riviera. If executed well, it could ease congestion, enhance connectivity, and elevate the region’s luxury travel experience. But its success will hinge on more than just technology — regulation, environmental impact, infrastructure, and community acceptance will all play decisive roles.

For now, one thing is clear: the Riviera’s skies are set to become just as exclusive — and as competitive — as its shoreline.

Neo Art & Culture Lab x by Vogelart present Encre Sympathique

 

Art has long been woven into the rich history of the Côte d’Azur, and the upcoming exhibition Encre sympathique at Neo Art & Culture Lab x at Vogelart promises to be a must-visit for anyone captivated by the world of contemporary creativity.

Encre sympathique is an art exhibition curated by Thomas Zitzwitz at the NEO in Nice, France. The theme of the exhibition Encre sympathique is based on the novel of the same name by Patrick Modiano… I also like the play on words associated with it when you translate the title directly into English... sympathetic ink?

What does that mean? As you know, it‘s the French word for invisible ink... when I was a child, I lived very close to Nice in Èze and went to a small village school there... I wrote my secrets in invisible ink in a notebook... » Thomas Zitzwitz

Invited artists: Alicja Kwade, Andi Fischer, André Wendland, César Piette, Dietmar Lutz, Emily Sundblad, Eva Claessens, Fabian Treiber, Felix Schramm, Gabriel Kuri, Georg Herold, Gregor Hildebrandt, Hannah Sophie Dunkelberg, Jack Pierson, Jan-Ole Schiemann, Jenny Brosinski, Jens Wolf, Jordan Rubio, Julian Lennon, Kathryn Garcia, Latifa Echakhch, Martin Eder, Mathilde Seguis, Max Frintrop, Natascha Schmitten, Norbert Bisky, Olivia Berckemeyer, Peter Böhnisch, Regine Schumann, Robert Janitz, Sador Weinsčlucker, Schirin Kretschmann, Sibylle Springer, Slawomir Elsner, Thomas Ruff, Thomas Zitzwitz, Thoralf Knobloch, Willi Beermann, Wolfgang Tillmans, Xiyao Wang.

Opening Vernissage: 25th September, 2025, 6 p.m. to10 p.m.
Exhibition from September 26 to October 11, 2025, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free Entrance Monday and Tuesday closed.

Encre sympathique NEO art & culture lab VogelART - 6 bis rue Lascaris, Nice, France

The NEO x VogelART art and culture space was inaugurated in Nice in July 2024 by Sebastian and Simon Vogel.

NEO is a blank canvas for artistic and cultural projects: from art exhibitions and cultural events to photo shoots and pop-up events. It is a place where art, culture, fashion, and design converge and celebrate creativity.

Since July 2024, more than 15 events have been organized at NEO, including concerts, car design presentations, and exhibitions.

Highlights include the Ndayé Kouagou exhibition in collaboration with the NIR ALTMAN gallery and an exhibition by the Skateboard Museum Berlin. In October, the group exhibition “Tender is the Night,” organized by Thomas Zitzwitz, brought together artists such as Alicja Kwade, Eva Grubinger, Gregor Hildebrandt, Ida Tursic & Wilfried Mille, Isa Melsheimer, Jorinde Voigt, Luca Vitone, Malerie Marder, Matthieu Laurette, Una Szeemann, Young Kim, and many others.

Monaco Ranks Among Top 5 Cities for the Ultra-Rich

 

In its latest City Index 2025, international real estate firm Barnes Group has ranked the 50 most sought-after cities for individuals or families with assets of more than $30 million. For the first time, Monaco has entered the top five, joining Madrid, Dubai, Miami, and Milan at the summit of the global luxury real estate market.

“Luxury real estate has proven to be a bulwark against uncertainty,” notes Thibault de Saint Vincent, president of Barnes. “Cities like Monaco and Milan have made a spectacular leap in the rankings for their ability to offer a 360° experience thanks to advantageous taxation, quality infrastructure, and a refined art of living.”

Why Monaco Stands Out

Monaco’s appeal rests on its unique mix of security, political and economic stability, and favorable taxation. “People move to Monaco for its security, its political and economic stability, as well as its tax attractiveness,” emphasizes Florian Valeri, managing partner of Barnes Monaco. Unsurprisingly, the Principality is described as “by far” the favorite destination for many of the world’s wealthiest families.

Most Desirable Districts

Although Monaco covers just 2.08 km², certain neighborhoods stand out in the City Index. Fontvieille is in high demand for its seafront residences, pedestrian areas, and low traffic. Larvotto draws buyers to its beaches and the new eco-district of Mareterra, while the Carré d’Or remains a perennial favorite for its central location and luxury establishments.

What Buyers Seek

According to the report, small apartments—studios and one-bedroom units—are the most sought-after investments, while larger three- and four-bedroom residences attract younger families relocating to the Principality. The new Mareterra development has become a particular magnet for this clientele.

Beyond real estate, Monaco’s cultural, sporting, and gastronomic offerings add to its appeal. From Michelin-starred dining such as Alain Ducasse’s legendary Louis XV to a lively bistro and nightlife scene, the Principality balances exclusivity with vibrant social life.

A Safe Haven Investment

Barnes highlights the continued strength of Monaco’s real estate market, even with record prices averaging more than €50,000 per square meter. Demand remains robust, making property here not just a lifestyle choice but also a secure, long-term wealth preservation strategy.

For many ultra-high-net-worth families (including an expanding network of people from the LGBTQ community)—particularly from France, Italy, and the UK—Monaco is both a residence and a symbol of enduring prestige. With its new ranking among the world’s top five cities for the ultra-rich, the Principality’s reputation as a global haven for wealth and lifestyle has never been stronger.