For the 16th year running, Polychromes is proud to present ZeFestival,
an LGBTQIA+ film festival celebrating the diversity and richness of our
cultures starting on November 4th until December 3, 2023.
Considered
a tradition in the Cote d’Azur, this year's edition features no less
than 19 never-before-seen feature films, most of which can be seen
outside the commercial circuit, as well as a weekend of 13 short films
as diverse as they are creative. Of these 32 films, half are directed by
women, and all communities are represented, with perfect parity between
gay and lesbian films. Zefestival proudly honors the diversity of
genders and sexualities.
For this year's edition, Zefestival
is displaying its program at the LGBTQIA+ center, organizing 2 special
evenings, a breakfast in the dark, and a sensory workshop around Jean
Cocteau's drawings to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his death.
Zefestival is also involved in activist events such as World
AIDS Day and Trans Remembrance Day. It is a time to be visible and
proud.
It is advised to get your tickets to the films and events early.
Although we generally focus on properties on the market in the French Riviera, with winter practically here, we just couldn't resist showing you some amazing properties for sale in Courchevel.
Courchevel is a French Alps ski resort. It is a part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world. Courchevel also refers to the towns of Courchevel 1300 (Le Praz), Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650 (Moriond), and Courchevel 1850, which are named for their altitudes in metres. On January 1, 2017, Saint-Bon-Tarentaise (1100) merged into the new commune Courchevel.
This spectacular area has a renowned reputation as being one of the best skiing locations globally but as residents can attest to, its breathtaking natural surroundings also make it one the prime places in which to live and it entices visitors year-round. With the added bonus of numerous designer luxury boutiques and fine dining restaurants in which to enjoy.
With that, here are some property options currently available.
Courchevel Moriond 1,045,000 EUR to 3,075,000 EUR
These fantastic quality apartments in Courchevel Moriond are being sold off-plan and are due for delivery in late 2024.
The apartments range from 2 bedrooms at 65m2 to 3 bedrooms (+/- bunk room) at 176m2.
The property is in a fantastic location in the heart of Courchevel Moriond. The views are exceptional from these apartments, and they are so convenient for skiing and amenities.
These apartments can be used for personal holidays and also rented via the in-house management company to generate income.
The management company will provide year-round property management, meaning you can enjoy your holiday with hotel-like services as well as your future guests.
The building will have high-end services including:
Reception and concierge service Restaurant Bar Swimming pool Spa Shops Ski room Parking
*Off-plan properties benefit from several financial incentives, including reclaiming of 20% VAT and reduced legal fees.
Courchevel Moriond 2,375,000 EUR to 4,025,000 EUR
This quality development is in a fantastic location with views and sunshine and is close to the village amenities of Courchevel Moriond, including, of course, skiing.
The lodges can be used for personal use and also rented via the management company to generate income for the owners. Constructed by a well-known, local developer, you will be able to choose some internal materials and finishes to really personalize your own apartment.
The lodges range from 224m2 to 391m2.
The management company provides year-round property care, so you can enjoy your holiday with hotel-like services just like your guests.
The lodge includes services including:
Reception and concierge
Restaurant
Bar
Swimming pool
Spa
Shops
Ski room
Parking
Each lodge benefits from balconies with amazing views and some have cinema or private spa facilities.
*Off-plan properties benefit from several financial incentives, including reclaiming of 20% VAT and reduced legal fees.
Courchevel 1850
7,875,000 EUR
This beautiful semi-detached chalet is situated in a private residential area close to the center of Courchevel 1850. The property offers 145 m² livable space / 160 m² floor space, extraordinary unobstructed mountain views, and a wonderful south-facing terrasse.
The property has been constructed using high-quality traditional Savoyard Alpine materials such as aged wood, beautiful stonework, exposed beams & slate roof.
This exquisite chalet offers a spacious living & dining area with a large open fireplace & direct access to the south-facing balcony/terrasse.
The fully equipped semi-open kitchen offers a breakfast bar division to the dining area.
1st double bedroom with full ensuite bathroom
2nd bedroom with bunk beds & full ensuite bathroom
3rd bedroom with bunk beds & full ensuite bathroom
4th bedroom is a beautiful master bedroom with a dressing & ensuite bathroom with a separate WC.
There is a possibility to purchase the adjoining chalet if you wish to unite the two together.
Courchevel 1850 9,900,000 EUR
This stunning chalet is in a great location in a quiet, exclusive area of Courchevel 1850, 3 Valleys. The chalet is just a few steps from the ski lifts to whisk you up to the Courchevel ski area and then beyond to the 3 Valleys. The skiing location couldn't get much better than this.
The chalet consists of:
A large welcoming hallway, with stairs, or a lift, to all floors for convenience
5 en-suite bedrooms
An open-plan living area with 2 seating zones, a cozy spot around an open fire, a dining area with exceptional views, and a good-sized kitchen.
For all you cyclist enthusiasts, the new Tour de France route for 2024 has just been revealed with a couple of surprises.
Next year, the Grand Depart (Stage 1) will take place in Florence on June 29th and will end in Nice on July 21st.
This will be the first time that the route of the race will be outside of Paris. With the Olympic Games being held in the capital of France next year, an alternative conclusion to the world-famous race has been introduced.
Since the Champs-Elysees will be blocked off a few days before the Olympics are to begin on July 26th, instead, the climatic Stage 21 of the race will be a 34 km individual trial time along the curving route between Monaco toward the city of Nice on July 21st.
From the start line in Florence, the peloton will head to Rimini on the Adriatic coast for Stage 1. From there it will be Cesenatico to Bologna for Stage 2, and Plaisance to Turin for Stage 3. Stage 4 will also begin in Italy, in Pinerolo to be exact, before crossing into France for the first time in the 2024 edition.
The cyclists will then reach their most northern point in Troyes, before turning west and eventually south to Le Lioran in the Massif Central then to Pau and along the border with Spain.
The Tour will enter the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region for the first time in the race at the end of Stage 17, with a climb up Superdévoluy. Then from Gap to Barcelonnette, which will be one of the most challenging areas of the entire event as the peloton will push above 2,000 metres three times.
Isola 2000 will get a visit from the Tour on Friday 19th July, for the end of the 19th stage, but “nothing will be settled yet as the stage for a major rematch will be set over the 133km between Nice and the Col de la Couillole, with the Col de Turini and the Col de la Colmiane”, which will be tackled by the riders for the penultimate stage.
This will be a very technical ending to the race with riders needing to provide all their strength and efforts for their uphill time training capabilities and then continue to follow through from there with the finish of the race being in Place Masséna in Nice.
France has been breaking tourism records throughout the country since Covid19 lockdown restrictions were lifted.
This past summer was no exception in the Cote d’Azur and we have also been taking care of holiday ski chalet rental inquiries coming in since late spring 2023.
Preplanning is the name of the game in travel these days with those booking early then being able to relax and plan extracurricular activities to make the most out of their ski vacation in the Rhone Alps this season.
It cannot be expressed enough that from the winter bookings already coming in, the ski season will be booming well into 2024.
Any trip planning comes with stressful moments, we want to alleviate as much of that as possible for you so the basics information to let us know about are: specific dates (give or take a day or two), number of guests, and most importantly a budget range you want to stay within in order to get the best selection of rentals available.
We are fortunate to have in our portfolio almost 220 rental properties throughout the Rhone Alps, including all the popular travel hot spots, and we also have more private and quiet hidden gems in other areas as well.
Our property collections are both modern and traditional in architectural design and are suitable for anyone’s requirements. We have everything from 2 bedroom apartments close to the slopes to the grandest of luxury chalet rentals with indoor pools, fitness rooms, etc.
With that, here is a small collection of property rental selections to give you an idea of what is out there.
Courchevel
Area: 650m²
7 bedroom(s)
15 sleeping(s)
This superb luxury chalet with a swimming pool is nestled in the wooded cocoon of the Chenus area in Courchevel 1850. Premium services, an exceptional wellness space, and direct access to the slopes will make up the program for your stay.
Price from 50.000€ to 150.000€ per week depending on length of stay and rental dates.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Area: 467 m2
Bedroom(s): 6
Sleeps 15 Guests
New prestige chalet nestled in the heart of the village of Saint Martin-de-Belleville. The chalet offers an exclusive location close to the slopes, high-quality services, and a breathtaking view of the Belleville Valley.
Weekly rates from 14,750 EUR to 35,050 EUR depending on the length of stay and dates.
Meribel
Area: 250 m2
Bedroom(s): 5
Sleeps 12 Guests
An authentic chalet rental in Meribel that is able to comfortably accommodate up to 8 adults and 4 children.
Weekly rates from 11,000 EUR to 25,800 EUR depending on the length of stay and rental dates.
Megeve
A wonderful holiday ski chalet rental in Megeve offering 370 m2 of living area with 6 bedrooms and able to sleep up to 12 guests.
Weekly rates from 12,500 EUR to 65,500 EUR depending on the length of stay and rental dates.
Connect with us today to book your ideal winter holiday chalet rental.
As an internationally known travel destination, celebrities often come and go from this part of Europe. Still, it appears one in particular, the superstar singer, Bad Bunny, made good use of his time when he was here during the recent Monaco Grand Prix as showcased in his latest music video aptly titled, “Monaco”.
The video initially begins in New York City’s most famous restaurant, Carbone, where the singer, Bad Bunny meets Al Pacino before the video then starts showing shots of the Principality of Monaco.
Under a multitude of dance beats, one begins to quickly recognize iconic Monaco hot spots, including those from the inside and outside of the beautiful Monte-Carlo Casino and even the famous Fairmont Hairpin, make an appearance between images of him on a superyacht with a plethora of female models against the backdrop of Monaco.
As a Puerto Rican superstar, he has consistently captivated audiences and pushed boundaries around the world with his distinctive blend of contemporary sounds and Latino beats, all of which have earned him numerous awards.
His latest album, ‘Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana,’ (no one knows what will happen tomorrow), which ‘Monaco’ is a part of, was released earlier this month on October 13th to already outstanding reviews and sales as the album debuted with a staggering 145.9 million streams on its first day, making it the biggest debut of 2023.
The Monaco song’s lyrics, merge music and his love for a luxurious lifestyle including the world of fast cars. In the chorus, he effortlessly raps a clever reference to Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez, which adds a twist to the song, with Checo making a cameo appearance in the video and Bad Bunny trying on Verstappen’s racing helmet.
When the music video ends at the five-minute-mark, viewers are then taken “behind the scenes” to show how many of the Tik Tok-style shots of Monaco were shot, while between yachts, the Casino, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the large private villa which is located in the hills of Cannes.
Monaco’s presence in this music video not only highlights the allure of the Principality but also showcases its significance as a global destination for music, entertainment, and full-on luxury living.
As a local, many of us are well aware of the good and bad of what life is really like in the Principality of Monaco.
Now, a new fascinating book has recently been published under the title, All in Monte Carlo, which in ways confirms what a number of local people already believe pertaining to the luxurious lifestyle in the Principality, a place where not everything that glitters is considered gold.
Inspired by true events and written under the pen name of Anne Shilling - for the most obvious of reasons. All in Monte Carlo takes you on an intriguing journey where revenge is served in ways never imagined by the four main female characters, all of whom become interconnected such as life is in Monte Carlo where everyone is truly about one degree of separation from each other and no background is left uncovered.
These strong, resourceful women, each from different beginnings and careers utilize both their intuition and personal ambitions to keep them focused and on track in high society when dealing with the men, the money, and the drama that ensues in a part of the world where appearances are everything.
All in Monte Carlo captivates you through what can be the turmoil in each of the characters’ daily lives with the various hotspot locations and even the architecture is described to a T, which can be followed by the illustrated map, offering a mind’s eye view whether you live in the area, or have previously visited Monaco.
From someone who lives in the area, the content of the book is very relatable and confirms any notions one may have about the Principality. Each of the characters in the book not only provides an insider look but it keeps you guessing who they might be based on in real life, or even a combination of people, and more especially the salacious scandals of what each of the characters is dealing with in their lives and how things will ultimately end.
This book is a definite read for everyone, whether you live in or near Monte Carlo, have been a visitor, or are planning a trip to Monaco.
All in Monte Carlo is available on Amazon and other major online retailers.
Well, actually, since the Cote d’Azur broke tourism records again this year so to say it was busy is a definite understatement.
It was expected that summer 2022 would be hectic due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions being lifted and people desiring to get out and live again, but it was still astonishing to witness on every level how many visitors came to the region.
In the past, a summer season in the region would start around the end of April until the end of September after the Monaco Yacht Show which is usually also an indicator that the season has ended. What is quite noticeable now is people are starting their holidays sooner around the middle or end of March, or choosing to arrive in September or even as late as the end of October.
Local news reports indicated back in early April that visitor hotspots like Eze Village were receiving 1000+ visitors a day bringing the total to 5000+ over their normal amount which just continued to climb in numbers as summer approached. To this point, the municipality is considering measures to regulate the influx of tourists.
From my business side, clients wanting to rent a vacation property had begun booking their villa stay back in late 2022, (which was reminiscent of before COVID-19), and for numerous reasons such as to confirm their accommodation during the prime of the season, better rates, more choice in properties, and even to avoid the crowds in certain locations.
This also extended to those searching for a property to buy but off-peak periods in the region, simply because they wanted to experience what life might be like here during a quieter part of the year when it is more back to the locals, the range of property choices, and when an agent has more availability away from the height of the season so there is less of a rush for all parties involved. So clients were arriving during the winter months and springtime.
Currently, this Autumn, owners of villa rentals have decided to keep their properties open for guests longer simply because the weather is still summer-like but mainly because the demand is still there. Typically after summer is when people either arrive for their first time or return after spending a summer vacation here to look for a property to buy as the rush of summer is over so viewings can be done at a calmer pace.
There has always been an unspoken secret with the locals which suggested that September is also a great time to enjoy the region as the weather is still perfect for swimming, prices are slightly lower, heat waves are rare, and overall the main flux of visitors are have left having to get their kids back in school and traditionally more people are back at work.
That secret is no more if the past two months of September are any indication. One could tell a slight decrease in the number of tourists during that month, but not by much. Hotels and restaurants were still booked up, beaches were full, and nightlife was in full swing as with everything else, with the mood being that of the height of summer and this has now extended into October to a large extent.
There are regional hotels that usually close for the winter season that have decided to stay open an extra month longer with rates only slightly decreasing and the same goes for Airbnb rentals. Some locals seem a bit surprised by the activity but as with the roar of summer here, it’s best to evolve with it all.
So my advice is this, if you are considering booking a villa for a holiday, the sooner you do it, the better as you can possibly get the property you want at a great rate (possibly even discounted if the stay is long enough), and in the location you desire to avoid areas and properties that tend to be completely booked out early.
Before the pandemic hit, typically people would book a villa rental for a week or two at the most. Now people are booking anywhere from one month to three or even six months, just so they know they have a property they love and can use as as a base to come and go from during the summer months. Don’t let this dissuade you though, rentals are still available on a weekly basis, it’s just best to book them early, especially if you have a tight budget.
If you are looking for a property to possibly buy, anytime before or after July or August is usually the best, this way you won’t feel rushed with the pace here in summer, also it is more pleasant when you can look at a property when there isn’t a potential heat wave taking place, agents, and owners will also have more time to focus on you and what you want.
Keep in mind, that August is also the month when most people in France take that whole month off for their yearly holiday, so that can restrict some access. But as they say here, things just seem to have a way of working out, and for ourselves, we have a resourceful way of making things happen.
With social media and the plethora of information out there, travelers have become more knowledgeable about what is going to work for them in terms of a vacation or business trip. It’s always a pleasure to work with those who educate themselves about this beautiful part of France and to help guide them more on how they can get the best out of their trip.
Monaco held strong this past summer when it comes to tourism in the Principality.
A plethora of non-European visitors, including an uptick in the number of global tourists, is partially to thank for a prosperous summer season in Monaco.
An initial review was held on how well Monaco’s various attractions and venues had done over this past summer and it indicated record visitor numbers, such as the record-breaking Monet en Pleine Lumière exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum as the Monaco Tourism and Convention Department has released its official report on the 2023 summer tourist season.
Monaco has always garnered an international appeal. And although occupancy rates in hotels are still down slightly on the prodigious pre-pandemic year of 2019 (likely due to costs), they did hit an impressive 75% in July and 72% in August. This is primarily due to a high influx of tourists from North America, Italy being close by, along with France at its border, and the UK, who round out the Top Four nations who most visited the Principality.
“Monaco attracts a very good clientele,” says Monaco Tourism and Convention Department Director Guy Antognelli. “What we are seeing overall compared to 2019 is a growth in non-European customers, including a strong increase in the Middle East.”
Asian visitors have lowered in number, according to the data, but global tourists made up for those numbers.
“Japan has picked up this year, China is at just under 40% of the outbound tourism it had in 2019… It’s still a little complicated,” explains Antognelli. “Australians are present in [good] numbers in Monaco, an increase compared to 2019. These are markets with a promising future for the Principality. We will see them much more present in 2024.”
The Tourism Department is now looking ahead to the autumn, with several high-profile conventions and events on the horizon, amongst them the recent Monaco Yacht Show, followed by Assises de la Sécurité, Luxe Pack, and Sportel.
“These are all major events, which are sold out and some of which will attract more participants than in previous editions,” assures Antognelli. “Requests for 2024, 2025, and 2026 are already coming in. This proves that the Principality also remains attractive for business conferences and seminars.”
Last week, four men suspected of a series of ambushes targeting
gay men in Nice in July 2022 were sentenced on September 28, 2023, to
up to four years in prison for two of the assailants, and 18 and 15
months for their accomplices.
These prison
sentences were heavier than those requested by the public prosecutor,
but the criminal court retained only the aggravating circumstance of a
meeting, not homophobia.
The accused, aged between 17 and 27 at the time of the attacks,
organized their stalking via the gay dating app Grindr. The victims were
assaulted in their homes, robbed, and one was even stabbed with a
knife. This modus operandi enabled investigators to link the attacks and
identify the suspects.
But, as the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d'Azur, a
civil party in the case, reminds us, more than 80% of victims of
LGBT+phobic acts never lodge a complaint, according to figures from the
French Ministry of the Interior. This is hardly surprising, however, "if
the courts are unable to find the aggravating factor of homophobia in
such cases?!" worries the association.
Personally, as someone who before making the move to the Cote
d’Azur, had frequently visited the region since 1990, my friends and I
do find the region to be extremely safe, especially when compared to
cities in our homelands of North America and other countries in Europe
and the UK.
I have been out and about at all times
of the day or night, any time of year, either on my own or with friends,
and have not, fortunately, run into any problems. That’s not to say
there aren’t any homophobic a**holes out there, but like anywhere else
in the world, it’s best to be aware of your surroundings and actions for
your own safety.
What I do see frequently are
visitors who arrive (of all sexualities) to the region, who seem to go
into a vacation bubble of sorts once off the plane, assuming because
they are on holiday, nothing bad will happen to them.
At times it is as
though you can see the glazed look on their faces, and this extends to
how they act on social media dating apps. I’m the kind of person who is
always up for some kind of adventure, but I tend to think a touch more
rationally about it all first.
If someone seems too good to be true, my advice is to go
with your gut instinct and ask yourself if it is worth it. And consider
meeting in a public place first and take it from there.
The
French Riviera is an international travel destination that attracts
people from around the world. It is a very safe place to live and visit,
but like anywhere else is not without its issues so operate as you
would where you live and take care of yourself first.
