Galeries Lafayette

To start off your shopping experience in Nice, you've got to see Galeries Lafayette.  And lucky for you there are two of them in the city!

Galeries Lafayette 

If you recognize this national chain, you'll know this huge department store has anything you might want and with any budget in mind.  Whether it be a top designer piece or just something you forgot to pack for the trip.

The Nice city center Galeries Lafayette is situated at: 6 avenue Jean Médecin, along the tram route, next to Place Massena near the beach.  Believe me, you won't miss seeing Galeries Lafayette in it's landmark location next to the city center square.

Here is a quick rundown of what you can expect to find; the main floor level has jewelry, purses and a large cosmetic area to name a few items.  With other levels above the main floor that have whole areas dedicated to children and women's wear.

Of course I love the men's wear level.  It always seems like I am buying something there since they have such a good variety of items to choose from.  Name a brand, it can be found here, this is a great section to buy something to wear to the clubs or even swimwear for the beach.

The selection of male retail clerks working in the men's department is not too bad either. They are very helpful and also informative as to what is happening around town. 

On the upper levels of this Galeries Lafayette you'll be able to find household goods, luggage and fine china.  Take a moment and enjoy the restaurant overlooking Place Massena.  

This location is open everyday from 9am-8pm and they will now be open Sundays starting March 20, 2011 from 10am-8pm.

If you wanted to see the other Galeries Lafayette location, you'll have to head out towards the airport where right across the river in the St Laurent du Var neighborhood you will see France's 8th largest mall, Cap 3000.

One easy way to get there is to just hop on the train in Nice towards Cannes and two train stations later you will arrive at Saint Laurent du Var station.  Step off the train there, cross the bridge over the train tracks and freeway, continue to walk South and you will soon find Cap 3000.  It's maybe a 5-7 minute walk away.

Cap 3000 

Personally, I find this Galeries Lafayette to have a stronger selection of goods to choose from as opposed to the city center location in Nice.  Here you will find Galeries Lafayette takes up an enormous part of the mall and covers two levels including a large gourmet food area.  Many people I know actually go to this location when the store is having a sale as the discounts are better.  There is also the only Starbucks in all of the Cote d'Azur inside this mall across from Galeries Lafayette on the main mall level.

Don't forget that if you are a non-resident of the European Union you are entitled to claim back the 12% tax that you paid on your purchases within the store, so hang on to your receipts.


While you are here, the rest of this mall has some great shopping too, certainly something for everyone.
Take a leisurely look around.

Le Cercle

Nice has a surprisingly good number of gay, bi-curious and mixed saunas (bathhouses).  I can think of at least four off hand and the first one I am going to mention here, Le Cercle, is a relatively new sauna in the city.

Le Cercle 

Le Cercle is situated in the northern part of Nice away from the tourist area, it’s more like a residential, suburban section of the city.  I don’t believe this to be a hindrance to the business itself; rather it seems to attract a more curious crowd to the sauna.

Located north of the Gare de Nice (train station), the easiest way to get there is by taking the tram in the direction of Las Planas to Gorbella Station.  Step off the tram at that station stop and walk back south along blvd de Gorbella about two blocks until you are at avenue Cyrille Besset.

Stay on avenue Cyrille Besset but walk to your right until you are at avenue Clement Ader a very short walk away. Head down avenue Clement Ader until you see the entrance to Le Cercle at: 16 avenue Clement Ader.

Walking inside Le Cercle you will know you are in the right place, it feels new, clean and safe.  Now the fun awaits!

Le Cercle is a cozy venue with a decent layout, which seems to make everything quite conducive.  It’s hard to say the exact size of the space but it’s not so large that it’s intimidating.  The staff are warm, friendly and willing to help you with any questions you might have about the facilities.

You can tell some thought was put into the layout of Le Cercle and that they aren’t afraid to change things up from time to time.  The place is certainly flexible enough in its main configuration for that kind of thing, which I’m sure, makes for some interesting events.

 

The hamman is a decent size; the Jacuzzi is comfortable along with many other areas throughout making it playful and great to cruise.

Since Le Cercle is not strictly a men only sauna though, I would suggest you come down for the Men Only Foam Party on Sundays from 2pm-10pm, which is always a best bet.  They have also started a Gay Naked Party on Tuesdays from 9pm-2am, which is a lot of fun.

Otherwise, if you are into a bi-curious/swinger type of thing, I would refer to their website for when those nights take place.   Hell, I’m curious myself about those nights. 

Play Safe!

Update August 2014: Word is Le Cercle is now more straight/mixed couples than before. The gay foam parties on Sundays are now a thing of the past.

Castel Plage (Beach)

I adore Castel Plage.

Castel Plage 

Castel Plage in Nice is widely know as a very gay-friendly, private beach at the eastern end of the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels), you cannot miss this place.  This is where the see and be seen crowd goes to the beach; this is where all the jet setters visiting the city go to the beach.

I have friends obsessed with Castel Plage; they will literally be there from morning until night.  Everyone makes an appearance here.

I can’t blame them; Castel Plage is located in the most beautiful part of the beach snuggled up to the corner of Le Chateau.  The way it is situated at the end of the 7kms of city beachfront means it doesn’t get as much of the pounding surf along the pebbly beach.  This can sometimes make for the best swimming experience of the area in the warm, crystal clear water.

You will easily find this private beach by following the Promenade des Anglais towards Le Chateau.

Le Chateau is at the far end of the Baie des Anges.  When you see the barrel shaped part of the fortress on the corner, you’ll know you are headed the right way, just keep walking along the sea in the opposite direction of the airport.

Signs are posted along the seawall indicating which areas of the beach are public and which are private, usually the private ones are owned by major hotels.  You also can’t miss a private beach as they are usually the ones with restaurant tables and lounge chairs set up.

Castel Plage is open from May until late September; much of this will be subject to the weather, which for 300 days of the year is sunny.  If the weather has been good for a while, they will open earlier in the year, if the summer feels extended, they will stay open later into the year.  During that time they are open seven days a week from 9am-10pm.

Upon approaching Castel Plage you will see the various flags flying above the restaurant, included in those is the Rainbow flag. 

I also love the structure of the entrance to Castel Plage too, very unique to the rest of the entrances along the beach.  Here you will also see the price menu for what Castel Plage has to offer.

Remember, this is a private beach with it’s own restaurant and lounging areas.  For any private beach, expect to pay to rent a lounge chair on the beach; you will also not be able to bring your own food and beverages.  It’s easy enough to let time slip by basking in the sun and cooling down with a drink, but just be aware of the charges incurring.

People go to Castel Plage to relax and enjoy the day. It is a chic, private beach but it’s not so exclusive that you would worry about not fitting in and feeling comfortable.  Enjoy yourself too.

Castel Plage is beautifully set up; the atmosphere is that of relaxed elegance.

The staff is very gracious and attentive, the restaurant menu is always a pleasant surprise, the portions are just enough and drinks at the beach are always refreshing.

Castel Plage has been around for as long as I can remember, sure it’s luxurious but it’s also a great place to spend the day with friends and meet new ones.

Le Klub

As a first entry into the league of gay clubs in Nice I'm going to start off with a recommendation of Le Klub.

Le Klub 

Located at 6 rue Halévy, just a block from the beach along the Promenade des Anglais in the popular pedestrian district of Nice.  This is one solid club to hit.

Le Klub has had a gay following since it first opened in September of 2000.  It seems to be what the club scene really needed in Nice, and it continues to thrive along with many other gay nightclubs and bars that have opened up over the years in the city.

The main demographics of Le Klub are what I would guess is the age group of 20 - 40 years.  Although I have seen people of all ages and sexual orientations there having a ton of fun and mingling with people from every type of lifestyle in the GLBT community.

Top DJ's from all over Europe and the rest of the World have played at Le Klub, if they are popular or up and coming, they are brought in to spin.  You'll hear Techno, Tribal, Old Skool, House, Top 50, everything.  Le Klub has quite a few themed nights too, especially in the summer so check out their website to see what is coming up.

Do not miss the drag shows! 

The club itself encompasses, from what I could explore, about two floors and looks like it has a capacity of about 300 people but probably a whole lot more.  It may not sound like much but that makes it tight and hot!
Picture shirtless men, sweating and dancing.

Le Klub has a large dance floor, bars, and the upper level feels a bit more lounge like where you can look down on to the dance floor below. It's also easy to hook up in some secluded areas too.  Overall, a very lively and fun place.

And don't let my picture of the entrance during the daytime fool you.  It may look like a tiny place from the outside but its a whole different scene inside, and even out front of the club at night its very social.

All nightclubs in Nice are now non-smoking, some I have been to though have their own makeshift smoking rooms.  And some people still sneak a smoke out in the open here and there.

In the Winter, they are open from 11:30pm to 5am, Thursday to Sunday.  In the Summer I have seen them open for more evenings and a bit later, like 6am.  The crowd starts to go for around Midnight. 

The cost of entry I have paid has been from 10-15 euros but that usually includes a conso.  Drinks, I have found to be reasonably priced.  They also have some free entry nights too, like Sundays.  All of this again depends on the time of year, theme, event nights, DJ's, etc. 

I have also never had a hassle to get in, if there is a line up, it keeps moving.  I've always had a great experience with the staff, they seem to enjoy their jobs and are totally suited to this work environment.

Nice has a fantastic gay community, on every visit I see it growing and becoming stronger.  In conversations I have had with some managers and owners of these establishments, they really seem to support each other.  I asked too about competition, of course it is there I was told, but they see more of a benefit from helping rather than hindering another gay business.

I always hit up Le Klub whenever I visit Nice, even if you plan on having a night of club hopping, make sure you stop in there.  I always think I haven't really been to the clubs in Nice unless I come by.

UPDATE: MAY 2011
It appears Le Klub closed for business a couple of months ago!
Damn, that was a fun club. 

Photos © Le Klub