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.

Tough Love in Cannes

 

I woke up this morning to some news shared on Instagram by the Mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard.

In his words:

“These two teenage minors had degraded green spaces. Intercepted by the Cannes municipal police and then summoned with their parents to the town hall, I had them carry out work of general interest (in parallel with any possible criminal procedure at the disposal of the judicial authority).

This is how they spent their week of school holidays taking care of green spaces, especially in our Cannes cemeteries, where many of us will visit next week, for All Saints’ Day. They were well behaved and did helpful work.

We are multiplying these works of general interest in Cannes, adapted to the degree of malice the acts of young people arrested by the municipal police. I am convinced that an appropriate and immediate sanction can in some cases put minors on the right track.

In a country where we are too accustomed to laxism, we have to teach them that every mistake leads to a punishment. In a society where the myth of the king as individual as a mere consumer of public space has been overly cultivated, it is to learn that there is no freedom without responsibility.

In a time of economic difficulties for so many French people, it is not the taxpayer to pay for the degradation caused by others.

Civilization means freedom and responsibility, order and justice.”

I found this to be an impressive decision. Without diving into politics, this struck me as a mindset that has been fading in much of modern society—yet perhaps it’s beginning to reemerge. It also felt very reflective of the regional character and the kind of values one encounters while living in France.

Every mayor seems to have their own approach, and one thing I’ve noticed over the years is that many—regardless of political affiliation—are deeply protective of their citizens and communities. Mayor David Lisnard of Cannes appears to embody that same pragmatic, common-sense leadership style, consistent with many of his past decisions.

ZeFestival 2025: Nice Celebrates the 18th Edition of Queer Cinema and Culture

 

The Côte d’Azur is set to shine even brighter this autumn as the 18th edition of ZeFestival returns to Nice from November 12 to December 1, 2025. Organized by Polychromes, a local association devoted to promoting all LGBTQIA+ cultures, the festival has become one of the most anticipated cultural events in the region — a vibrant celebration of diversity, art, and community.

More Than a Film Festival

Far beyond a series of film screenings, ZeFestival is a multi-disciplinary event that embraces cinema, literature, poetry, painting, photography, singing, stand-up comedy, debates, and festive evenings. Its mission remains clear: to provide a platform for stories of gender and sexual diversity, to amplify marginalized voices, and to foster dialogue and understanding.

The volunteer programming team is committed to highlighting the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of LGBTQIA+ people through art that is as diverse as it is powerful. Each year, the festival curates a rich program of independent films and original creations that focus on visibility, dignity, and freedom.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the 2025 edition is Sam Feder’s latest film, “Heightened Scrutiny,” a timely and incisive exploration of the systemic attacks faced by queer communities — a reminder of why spaces like ZeFestival remain so essential.

A Festival Across the City

This year’s edition will take place across a wide variety of venues throughout Nice, reflecting the festival’s deep connection with the city’s cultural fabric.

Cinemas such as Jean-Paul Belmondo, Rialto, Variétés, and the Forum Jorge François will host film screenings, while the Vigna Bookshop, the Bistrot Poète, the Croque Bedaine, the Ramdam Bar, the Atmos concept store, and the LGBTQIA+ Center will serve as settings for exhibitions, readings, and community gatherings.

It is thanks to the dedication of Polychromes and the support of committed partners — including the City of Nice, the Alpes-Maritimes Department, and the South Region — that this ambitious event continues to thrive. The collaboration of local associations, artists, and filmmakers also plays a key role, particularly during post-screening discussions and debates that encourage public engagement.

What to Expect in 2025

While the full lineup is still being implemented, festivalgoers can expect:

• Curated Film Screenings – A selection of feature films, documentaries, and shorts from around the world, exploring the many facets of queer life and identity.
  

• Talks, Q&A Sessions, and Debates – Opportunities to meet filmmakers, activists, and scholars, and to discuss representation, rights, and culture.
  

• Workshops and Exhibitions – From queer writing and theatre to photography and visual arts, these sessions invite participation and discovery.

• Community Gatherings – Friendly and festive moments that connect locals, visitors, and allies, reinforcing Nice’s role as a welcoming and inclusive city.

  
  
  Why ZeFestival Matters

  In a time when LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility continue to be challenged globally, events like ZeFestival provide vital spaces for expression, solidarity, and joy. They also enrich the cultural landscape of Nice, promoting artistic innovation and social awareness through inclusion.
  
  

  For many, ZeFestival is not just a celebration — it is a statement: that art can be a force for change, empathy, and resilience.

  Practical Information

• Dates: November 12 – December 1, 2025
  

• Location: Multiple venues across Nice
  

• Organizer: Polychromes Association
  

• Access: Open to everyone – LGBTQIA+ community members, allies, cinephiles, and curious newcomers alike.
  
  

For detailed program updates, ticketing, and participating venues, visit Polychromes’ official website or follow ZeFestival’s social media channels closer to the event.

A Celebration of Visibility and Creativity

As ZeFestival enters its 18th year, it continues to grow in reach and relevance — not only as a cornerstone of LGBTQIA+ culture in the south of France but also as a beacon of creativity, inclusion, and shared humanity. Whether you’re passionate about film, inspired by art, or simply curious to discover new perspectives, ZeFestival 2025 promises an experience as thought-provoking as it is uplifting.

Nice Airport Expansion: Preparing the French Riviera for the Future

 

The Nice Côte d’Azur Airport — gateway to the French Riviera and Monaco — is undergoing a major expansion and modernization that aims to transform the travel experience while balancing growth with environmental responsibility. As France’s third-busiest airport, Nice’s redevelopment comes at a pivotal time for both the region’s economy and its sustainability goals.

A Bigger, Smarter Airport

Originally designed to handle around 14 million passengers a year, Nice Airport has already surpassed that figure, welcoming nearly 15 million travelers in 2024. To meet increasing demand, the airport operator has launched an ambitious expansion of Terminal 2.

The project adds roughly 25,000 m² of new space, including six new boarding gates, larger check-in zones, redesigned baggage systems, and expanded lounges and waiting areas. Once complete, the terminal will be capable of accommodating up to 18 million passengers annually.

This expansion, slated for completion by 2025-26, is more than just a physical enlargement. It also incorporates significant sustainability upgrades: electrification of ground-handling vehicles, reduction of auxiliary power unit usage for aircraft, and integration of cleaner, more energy-efficient infrastructure.

Why Expand?

The reasons are both practical and strategic.

• Passenger growth & capacity constraints: The airport’s traffic has recovered and exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and the existing infrastructure was designed for a lower threshold.

• Regional & economic importance: The airport serves the French Riviera — a major global tourism and business destination. Improved capacity supports tourism, conferences, business travel and investment.

• Modernisation & sustainability: Rather than simply adding volume, the expansion focuses on more efficient, modern, environmentally-conscious facilities.

• Future-proofing: With evolving aircraft types, regulatory demands, and higher visitor expectations, the airport ensures the region remains competitive.

  
  
  Economic Impact

  Beyond infrastructure and passenger experience, the expansion has a significant economic dimension for the region.
  

• Already, in 2014, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided a €100 million loan to finance the airport’s expansion and modernisation.

• The airport operator states that for the Terminal 2 project, “these major investments will have a direct economic impact of 80% for the Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco, involving around 20 different building trades from the local area’s construction companies. This will generate … some 100 people … increasing to more than 200 at the peak of the work.”

• On a broader scale, older figures (2012) indicate the airport and its operations generated around €7 billion in economic spin-offs and supported about 70,000 jobs in the region.

• The improved connectivity and infrastructure are expected to help the Côte d’Azur region strengthen its international business, tourism and investment appeal.
  

In summary: The construction phase will create hundreds of jobs locally; the longer-term expansion supports more visitors, increased business travel, and thus wider economic growth in the region.

A Vision for the Riviera

The Nice Airport expansion is, in many ways, a reflection of the region it serves — a place where luxury, innovation, and natural beauty coexist in delicate balance. By investing in smarter infrastructure rather than simply larger capacity, the project aims to secure the Riviera’s role as a world-class destination that is both accessible and sustainable.

As the new terminal nears completion, the challenge for Nice will be to welcome more visitors without compromising what makes the Côte d’Azur unique: its quality of life, its environment, and its timeless allure.