Near the beginning of last summer, a new and fabulous LGBTQ+ cocktail bar opened up in what is known affectionately by the locals as ‘le petit Marais' of Nice.
Situated at 9 Rue Bonaparte, and adding even more color and light to this special part of the city, Rainbow Bar quickly became a favorite by those not only living in Nice but also visitors alike.
This attitude-free zone brings people together from every walk of life, whether it is to hang out with friends for an after-work apéro and tapas, or as part of a night out on the town to catch a drag show, to check your vocal range by singing a few bars of a song on karaoke night, or even just on your own where you can take in the ambiance, people watch and easily make new friends.
Rainbow Bar isn’t a huge establishment, but that just means more fun can be had with everyone being in close quarters with each other. The business is well laid out so that you can watch the world go by from the terrace, or get to know someone better on a date in a cozy corner at the back.
An array of vibrant, tasty, reasonably priced cocktails concocted by the friendly staff are available or feel free to ask for your regular drink of choice.
With new establishments, especially those in the LGBTQ world, it can be hard to know if a place will really take off, but if this past summer was any indication Rainbow Bar has certainly had a tremendous start and continues to do well.
This month to change things up, we thought we would showcase some properties in the region that are yet to be completed and on the market.
It can be rare to find these properties as they tend to quickly get purchased so that a new owner can take over and proceed with their own desired designed details both inside and out.
Another reason they can be a great property investment is the price can sometimes be more strongly negotiated depending on factors such as; what work needs to be completed, location, and possibly varying owner circumstances.
If any of the property options below are of interest to you or you have a specific property idea and location in mind, please feel free to connect with us as we also have off-market real estate opportunities available besides anything public.
Beausoleil France - Price Upon Application
An extraordinary property is under development in Beausoleil with a southern exposure and Mediterranean Sea view, only 340 meters from the border with the Principality of Monaco in an area formerly referred to as “Upper Monte-Carlo”.
The villa is under construction and just waiting for the new owners to choose how to customize it.
There are a number of possibilities for the sale:
The Villa is sold finished to a high specification at a price defined at the time of purchase.
The Villa is sold with maximum freedom of choice by the owner of materials, subdivisions, installations, etc. with a price to be defined according to the choices made by the client.
The Villa is sold in the current state of works with a defined price and the owner can customize and finish it with total autonomy.
The structure is on three levels connected by an internal elevator, full southern exposure, Monaco, and sea view, made of reinforced concrete.
The total building is 643 sq m inserted into a property of more than 1,600 sq m of terraced land with large flat parts.
The property is accessed via a sloping ramp enclosed by a marine steel driveway door (from a second door, there is access to an uncovered parking space that leads to the main and secondary (main floor) entrances made with biometric armored doors and to the car lift that allows access to the 149 sq m interior garage suitable for 8/10 vehicles.
From the garage, there is access to the semi-basement floor of 224 sq m interior divided into several rooms of various sizes that can be used for any residential use.
Cap d'Antibes France - 4,300,000 EUR
Contemporary villa to be completed.
Area: 360.01m²
6 bedroom(s)
Land: 1265m²
On the west side of the Cap d'Antibes, in the heart of a prestigious estate and close to the beaches and the port Gallice, this contemporary villa to be completed is positioned on a beautiful flat plot of 1265 m². (structural works done)
The layout of the villa offers 3 levels served by an elevator.
On the first level, a double living room has large bay windows opening onto the garden, a large fitted kitchen, and a dining room.
Upstairs, the 4 sublime en-suite bedrooms have access to a 160 m² solarium with sea views.
The lower level consists of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a gym, and a sauna.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer France - Price Upon Application
Behind a private, gated domaine, this front-line property project of 337 m2 in progress can be purchased as is and has expansive lounge and dining areas along with 4 bedrooms. Plus a basement of 300 m2 offers more possibilities.
The plot of 2072 m2 offers plenty of opportunities on the flat land with a swimming pool.
The property is within walking distance of all the shops, the marina with its restaurants, and the beach.
Tourrettes France - 6,742,000 EUR
Situated within Domaine de Terre Blanche and its world-famous golf courses. This property is waiting for the ideal client to complete the project to their own specific requirements.
This property contains
Villa of 855 m2 with an open floor plan.
- Condition "shell and core" (under the finish).
- The highest quality of construction and materials.
- Project of interior design.
- Best panoramic view.
- Quiet and privacy.
- All necessary infrastructure.
- No easements or restrictions.
Garden - Landscaping, and gardening.
- Automatic watering.
Area of 10000 m2
- One of the largest,
central views.
- Maximum silence and privacy.
- On high ground.
- Correct site shape.
- Fully fenced in.
- No easements or restrictions.
- Driveways established.
- All necessary connections and underground facilities (including
underground sewage tank).
Connect with us for more details on any of these properties.
Finally, Marseille is one of the last major cities in France without a center for LGBTQ+ people, but this will soon change as a new space has been approved for development.
Three premises with a total surface area of 380 m2 have been selected to host around thirty associations fighting for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. The new LGBTQ+ center will be located at 17, 19, and 21, rue du Chevalier Roze, in the 2nd district of Marseille, next to Place Sadi-Carnot.
The new center will offer three distinct spaces. The first will be a meeting and workspace, while the second will be dedicated to legal advice with a medical area run by partner associations.
The last part of the space will offer both a library and a bar, with the possibility of exhibitions or shows open to the general public as this will be a “place to be visible”.
The center will also be able to store materials and the archives of Marseille's LGBTQ+ associations for future generations. Visitors will be able to consult the archives and the works and performances of queer artists. Here, the LGBTQ+ community will be honored.
"We are a bit last in the race. All cities in France, small, medium, or large, have an LGBTQIA+ center", explains Maximilien Degonville, coordinator of the project to BFM Marseille Provence.
He added: "It was something that was very much needed by the communities that didn't have a place to meet, a place to be visible, a central place where they could receive services. A place to be yourself and be able to learn from your community, from your history."
The center's coordinator is keen to point out that this project is not new but dates back to 2017. "Five years later, we're finally on the project end dates," he states.
"It was a lot of long-term work with ups, downs, slowing down, speeding up. Now we're there. We have a place, we have everything to build but we are well on our way", ends Maximilien Degonville.
The project is carried out by the Fierté Marseille organization, which has been in charge of Pride Marseille since 2019.
The annual budget is €150,000. The city is financing up to 44,000€ this year.
Before the inauguration, it is necessary to continue the works and to fit out the structures.
The name of this space has yet to be determined. The name for the new center will have to reflect Marseille and its dynamic society, but it will also have to speak to everyone.
Although major work still needs to be done, the inauguration of the center is hoped for the summer of 2023, which is also the 30th anniversary of the Marseille pride.
If Christmas is your favorite time of year, then you’ve come to the right place as the lights and sounds of the season liven up the cities and villages throughout the region.
One can sense the energy in the air as the holidays approach with numerous shops beautifully set up for all the shoppers getting their gifts and the party season is already in full swing as restaurants have started their Christmas parties along with the outdoor cafes being the ideal place to catch up with friends and family between all the ongoing activities.
Christmas markets are a long-standing tradition in the region, so to break it down for you, here is the following list of what is taking place where:
Nice - Without question, the Christmas Village in Jardin Albert 1er and Place Masséna is always an impressive sight filling the senses of the season. Running until January 1st, there will be crafts and food stalls, entertainment, games for children, Santa’s Grotto, rides, and 14 free shows for young and old. Nice is also organizing a series of festive “Soirées After Work” with international DJs and acts.
Monaco – Once again in Monaco, the traditional Christmas Village has taken up residence on the Port Hercule. This year, it will be open until January 2nd, 2023. With lots of stalls, rides, and games making it entertaining for everyone in attendance. This year, to stay in line with energy savings, the ice rink has been transformed into a roller rink. The Société des Bains de Mer has also decorated the Place du Casino in its sumptuous five-star style and has a full schedule of events taking place in hotels across its portfolio.
Cannes – This year, the captivating Cannes market has 50 different chalets selling Christmas fare alongside Santa’s Cottage and an ice skating rink on the Allées de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle until January 2nd. There is also a parade on Rue d’Antibes with acrobats and live music on December 24th from 3 pm.
Antibes – Not a place known for holding back, this year, a 450m2 ice skating rink will dominate the Antibes Christmas market on the Esplanade Pré-aux-Pêcheurs, which runs from December 11th to January 2nd. Plus, there is a Ferris wheel, carousel, and rides set up alongside stands laden with handicrafts and warming food and drink options. In Antibes’s old town, a letterbox for sending wish lists to Santa, a mini farm, and craft workshops for young children.
Menton – You won’t be able to miss Santa’s Workshop which can be found in Menton until January 1st in the Jardin Biovès, where elves will be hard at work making toys in full view so all can see the magic. At the Bastion and the Sablettes, visitors can enjoy delicacies, a merry-go-round, a little train, Santa’s mailbox, a gourmet market, and workshops of all kinds in this most colorful city.
Saint Tropez – There is nothing better than spending time in the holiday season at this most beautiful seaside village where you will see Christmas-themed stalls line the old port every day until January 1st, as well as the timeless open-air ice rink in the Place des Lices. In the week running up to Christmas, little ones will love meeting Santa and his animals at the pedological farm in Place Grammont.
As for anything in the LGBTQ community, all the bars, cruising bars, bathhouses, and nightclubs will be open as usual and of course will be party central.
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