Pink Parade

Here is what I like about the Pink Parade in Nice.
It feels very of the moment, natural and growing.

 

The difference I have found with the Pink Parade weekend in Nice compared to what I have experienced in North America is that it feels community minded once again, back to the roots.

In France, many of the basic equality rights we might take for granted in North America (and we all still have a long way to go), they are still fighting for around the country.

I also like the fact that it is not overly sponsored and full of promotions for whatever many circuit type parties might be happening that weekend.  Overall, it doesn’t seem so money based.

Of course the celebratory atmosphere is still there, and so are the hot party boys.

You’ll notice right away the Pink Parade involves everyone, meaning everyone is encouraged to participate ahead, along and behind the floats, together as one.

If you have missed this year’s Pink Parade, my suggestion would be to check out the AGLAE website, they are the ones who have helped put together Pink Parade in Nice since day one. 

The next Pink Parade will be held in Nice on Saturday, June 16, 2012!

AGLAE

The AGLAE was created on July 14, 2003.
Gay & Lesbian Association Azuréenne Expression
Organizer of NICE PINK PARADE since June 2004

AGLAE is responsible:

• To present and defend the interests of its members.

• To develop, for its members, any action to be taken into account the specific lifestyle of homosexuals.

• To promote gay culture (arts, entertainment, nightlife, relationships with others).

• Disseminate and inform its members in connection with the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Feel free to also stop by the new LGBT Community Center for any other information you might need, or click on the links below:


LGBT Community Center Website


Gay French Riviera LGBT Community Center Post


Here are some photos, information and video from this year’s Pink Parade!

The Pink Parade and events really only got underway in 2004, and every year the LGBT community gets together and is stronger than ever bringing strength and spirit to all the events.   Anyone is welcome to attend!

See you there in 2012!!!

Le Glam

Going to Le Glam means nothing but good times!

I honestly can’t remember ever having gone to Glam only to find it less than half full or lacking in any vibe and energy.

Glam has certainly hit it's mark with the club crowd.  It is one of those places where you can attend on your own or with friends and you’ll still meet a ton of people. 

Le Glam

You will find Glam if you go down rue du Maréchal Joffre, about three blocks west of avenue Jean Médecin until you see rue Eugene Emmanuel on your right.  Le Glam is near the corner at: 6 rue Eugene Emmanuel.

Inside the entrance to Glam is where you pay the cover to gain entry into the club, which usually includes a conso (drink).  I've personally found that half the time there isn’t even a cover charge; you are just greeted by the staff and allowed to go through.

  

Continue straight ahead from there and take the stairs down into the club itself.  When you are at the bottom landing, the coat check and washrooms are to your left and the actual club is to the right.

Glam is a large space with a high ceiling and cool lighting leaving you with a sense of being in an art gallery, just one that is packed with people dancing and having a great time.

Inside the club you will notice there is of course a dance floor, a superb sound system with beats coming from the DJ booth in the far right corner, and the main bar is to your left near the middle of the club with plenty of other areas to congregate or cruise around the space.

Glam holds a variety of events that are as diverse as their clientele and cater to every segment of the LGBT community.  The club is like a late night meeting spot for everyone.

 

I think that is one of the things I enjoy about Glam, it doesn’t seem to matter if it is one of their popular Bear events taking place, Cabaret or Pop Star events, everyone is welcome.  It’s not unusual to see drag queens, twinks, men in leather, lesbians and bear groups all together and having a great time.

The owners of the club bring in all types of DJ’s such as: Mademoiselle Lucy, Sebastien Coda, Tommy Marcus and Ben Crafter to name a few.  I’m always on that dance floor!

And Glam has attentive and hunky staff that certainly know how to handle the crowd with ease while quickly serving drinks.

The club is open from Wednesday to Sunday from about 9pm-4am.

It seems no matter what time of year it is; the owners of Glam are doing a fantastic job of keeping things consistently fresh and fun.

I very much recommend anyone of any sexuality check out Le Glam!

Luxury Shopping in Nice

Great cities include great shopping areas and Nice is no exception, especially in the luxury department.

Nice’s “luxury zone” of boutiques is for the most part centered on avenue de Verdun, avenue de Suede, and rue Paradis and sits at the edge of Place Masséna just across the square from Galeries Lafayette.

Let me tell you, nothing feels more like you’re living the high life in the French Riviera than shopping for luxury items.

Walking down avenue de Verdun with the scent of flowers perfuming the air, the light breeze from the sea frisking the trees and the sun shining as you shop just suggests glamour.

Boutique after boutique are enticing you inside for a look, and expect to be treated like nothing less than a celebrity while shopping.  Here you’ll notice the good people that work in these establishments are knowledgeable and trained in their products and services.

Now all you have to figure out is where to start shopping?  Well, depending on what you were looking for, I would start on avenue de Verdun at the corner of Place Masséna and make your way towards Louis Vuitton on the corner of rue Paradis.

Tiffany & Co. is about to open for business next to Cartier, which can be found almost immediately on avenue de Verdun.

Update: Tiffany & Co. is open for business as of June 14, 2012

Of course you’ll come across Hermes, which is my favorite of all the shopping, followed by Longchamp.

Soon you will see Louis Vuitton, with it’s long standing history at that location on avenue du Suede and rue Paradis.
 
This Louis Vuitton boutique was updated only a few years ago, and has been here since before WWII, which is quite remarkable but then again, many an aristocrat have spent their leisure time in the French Riviera.

After taking a look around Louis Vuitton, make your way down rue Paradis, which is part of the pedestrian zone in Nice or "zone pietonne".

Immediately you will come upon Emporio Armani with Hugo Boss just across the way, followed by Chanel, and on both sides of rue Paradis is Façonnable, which now also houses the Façonnable jeans store.  In between it all are many other shops to visit.

If you make your way north of rue Paradis, down Place Magenta, you will find even more unique boutiques to explore.

At the end of Place Magenta you can choose to go either directly left or right on rue de la Liberté to shop, or decide to go straight ahead and to your left to rue Alphonse Karr, or go ahead and to your right on to rue Longchamp to really put your credit cards to good use.

No matter which way you turn, you are going to find something you just must have.

In this whole area are over 40 high-end boutiques to set your heart a pounding.  So to get you going I have listed below some addresses to start you off:

Cartier: 4 avenue de Verdun
Tiffany & Co.: 6 avenue de Verdun

Chanel: 6 rue Paradis

Emporio Armani: 1 rue Paradis

Façonnable and Façonnable Jeans: 10 rue Paradis

Hermes: 8 avenue de Verdun

Hugo Boss: 6 rue Paradis

Longchamp: 10 avenue du Verdun

Louis Vuitton: 2 avenue du Suede/rue Paradis

Enjoy!

Sauna Sun House (formerly Le Block)

One bathhouse/sauna in Nice has been putting on a whole new face!

Sauna Sun House is a fun, very cruisy sauna to meet men, relax or let your imagination go wild in a safe environment.

Sauna Sun House 

This bathhouse has quietly maintained its presence in Vieux Nice catering to all ages and types of men, they are particularly well known in the community for their naked events which are held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Sauna Sun House is worthy of a mention because over the past number of months in 2011 it has undergone an extensive renovation with more touches continually being added.

Conveniently located in Vieux Nice and discreetly tucked away, it's easy to find at: 10-12 rue Jules Gilly.

You certainly wouldn’t know it from looking at the outside of the building but you will be surprised to know that there are three levels of space to explore and enjoy. 

In my experience, I think sauna business owners have finally caught on to the fact that to keep your customers happy and have a consistent clientele base, you must keep up with the maintenance and cleanliness of your establishment.  This is what Sauna Sun House is doing.

Once you have entered past the reception area, you can securely store your personal items in one of their 100 lockers.  They also have a wonderful selection of drinks and snacks at the refreshments bar.

Make it your mission to head through the labyrinth of halls and winding stairwells to the check out the cozy, dry sauna, along with the porn video area, cabins and lounge areas.

You’ll notice as well that they have done remarkable upgrades to not only their shower facilities in the wet area, but also to the Hammam (which can hold well over 25 people) or jump into their massive Jacuzzi.

Open Sunday to Thursday from 2pm-2:30am and Friday to Saturday from 2pm-4am, there are any number of things you can see and do at Sauna Sun House and with the newer surroundings, the sauna must be more popular than ever.

Play safe!

Update: Unfortunately Sauna Sun House is no longer being operated as a gay establishment. If this changes, expect another update.