Nice: The LGBTQ+ Cultural Hub of the French Riviera

 

Visitors often ask me how Nice became such a vibrant hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community. Having first visited the city in 1990, I've had the pleasure of witnessing its growth and evolution.

The city of Nice, nestled on the sun-drenched shores of the French Riviera, has long been a magnet for artists, intellectuals, and free spirits. Over the past few decades, it has also emerged as a vibrant LGBTQ cultural hub, drawing visitors and residents alike with its inclusive atmosphere, dynamic nightlife, and rich history of queer culture. But how did Nice become the LGBTQ+ epicenter of the Côte d’Azur?

A Historical Haven for Artists and Outcasts

Nice has historically been a place where nonconformists and creatives have found refuge. In the early 20th century, writers such as Oscar Wilde and artists like Jean Cocteau spent time in the region, contributing to an atmosphere of openness and artistic expression. The city's Mediterranean charm, coupled with a relatively tolerant social climate, attracted a diverse and cosmopolitan crowd, setting the stage for its future as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Legal and Social Progress

France has been a progressive force in LGBTQ rights, decriminalizing homosexuality as early as 1791. However, true societal acceptance took time. Throughout the 20th century, major cities like Paris led the charge in LGBTQ+ activism, but Nice, with its laid-back and welcoming demeanor, slowly built a strong community of its own.

By the late 20th century, LGBTQ+ friendly venues began emerging across the city, and with the rise of tourism, local businesses and institutions adapted to cater to an increasingly diverse clientele. The establishment of the Centre LGBT Côte d’Azur in 2001 marked a major milestone, providing advocacy, support, and visibility for the local queer community.

A Thriving LGBTQ+ Scene

Today, Nice boasts a flourishing LGBTQ+ scene that seems to rival even Paris especially during the summer months. The city's gay district, is conveniently spread out depending on what you want to see and do, and is home to an array of bars, clubs, and cafes catering specifically to the LGBTQ+ community.

Venues such as Le Glam, Blitz, L’Omega Club along with Le Code and The Morgan Cruising Bar have become institutions for nightlife, while events like Pink Parade, Nice’s annual Pride march, and Queernaval part of the famous Nice Carnival celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and diversity.

Cultural Contributions

Beyond nightlife, Nice also embraces LGBTQ+ culture through arts and entertainment. The city hosts the annual LGBTQ+ film festival, In&Out, which showcases queer cinema from around the world. Art galleries and museums frequently highlight LGBTQ+ artists, and institutions such as the MAMAC (Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain) feature works that challenge gender and sexual norms.

Additionally, the city’s political leaders have shown increasing support for LGBTQ+ rights, with local government initiatives promoting inclusivity and equality. The tourism board actively markets Nice as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination, further cementing its reputation as a welcoming space.

A Destination for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Nice's reputation as a premier LGBTQ+ destination extends beyond France, drawing visitors from across Europe and beyond. With its stunning beaches, luxury accommodations, and open-minded culture, it provides the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement plus safety for LGBTQ+ travelers. The city’s proximity to other queer-friendly destinations, such as Cannes and Saint-Tropez, also makes it a key stop on the French Riviera’s LGBTQ+ circuit.

Conclusion

From its bohemian past to its present as a beacon of LGBTQ+ culture, Nice has evolved into a thriving hub for queer life on the French Riviera. Its combination of history, activism, nightlife, and cultural inclusivity ensures that it remains a premier destination for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking both celebration and a true community. Whether visiting for a weekend or settling down for good, Nice stands as a testament to the enduring power of diversity and acceptance.

Monaco Crowned 2025’s Top Must-See European Destination

 

For the second consecutive year, Monaco has secured a podium finish in the European Best Destinations (EBD) rankings, earning the prestigious title of the “Must-See European Destination of 2025.”

EBD, a platform that has been showcasing Europe’s top travel spots to millions of tourists, industry professionals, and media outlets since 2009, awarded Monaco the top spot in its 2025 rankings.

This recognition was determined by 1.2 million votes from 158 countries, with nearly 10% of participants selecting Monaco as Europe’s premier destination. It is the first time since Bordeaux in 2015 that a French-speaking city has claimed the top position. Two other nearby French towns also earned a place in the Top 20 this year—Èze at 15th and Cassis at 18th.

Riga secured second place, while Dubrovnik took third. Madrid and Belgium’s Namur rounded out the top five.

To qualify for a European Best Destination award, cities and regions must be nominated by tourism offices, local governments, or travel associations. EBD then evaluates candidates based on factors such as tourist appeal, quality of life, cultural offerings, sustainability initiatives, and visitor satisfaction. The shortlisted destinations are then put to a public vote, with rankings determined by the total number of votes received.

In its review of Monaco, EBD praised the Principality as a “unique destination setting the standard for high-quality travel experiences in Europe.” The assessment highlighted Monaco’s seamless blend of sustainability, luxury, culture, gastronomy, wellness, sports, and year-round events, describing it as “an exceptional experience for all travelers.”

EBD concluded, “Monaco is not just a destination—it’s a dreamlike experience that cannot be found anywhere else.”

The key question now is whether this recognition will translate into long-term tourism growth. According to EBD, previous winners and destinations ranked in the Top 10 have reported tourism increases of up to 25%. However, whether Monaco will experience a similar surge remains to be seen.

To gain deeper insight into visitor trends, Monaco’s Tourism and Congress Directorate is conducting a year-long survey in partnership with IMSEE. Running throughout 2025, the study aims to analyze tourist demographics and preferences, with findings expected in 2026.

Top 10 Towns and Villages in the Alpes-Maritimes for the Best Quality of Life

 

The annual ranking of towns and villages where "life is good" has just been released, stirring up a wave of opinions as it circulates throughout the region.

Where is the best place to settle in the Alpes-Maritimes? That’s the key question posed by the Association of Cities and Villages of France, which has published its annual departmental ranking.

This extensive list evaluates all 34,795 municipalities in mainland France, using 190 criteria across 11 categories, including quality of life, safety, environmental protection, healthcare, shops and services, transport, education, sports and leisure, local finances and taxes, community support, and real estate appeal. The ranking is based on official data from organizations such as INSEE.

By analyzing these factors, the ranking aims to capture the essence of each municipality and identify the most pleasant places to live.

With this in mind, the top 10 towns and villages in the Alpes-Maritimes department have now been revealed.

Top 10 of the best villages

It is Théoule-sur-Mer who takes the lead in the classification of cities where life is good in the Alpes-Maritimes, for municipalities with less than 2,000 inhabitants. Located only 40 km west of Nice is notably renowned for its red rock cove. " The little jewel of the Baie de Cannes" , as described by the tourist office, is acclaimed for its natural charm and calm.

1. Théoule-sur-Mer
2. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
3. Cantaron
4. Cabris
5. Blausasc
6. Peillon
7. Castagniers
8. Speracèdes
9. Gorbio
10. Sainte-Agnès

Top 10 best cities

For cities, Nice is widely acclaimed and comes at the top of this ranking. There are largely found cities located on the French Riviera coast in this second list.

1. Nice
2. Antibes
3. Cannes
4. Cagnes-sur-Mer
5. Grasse
6. Saint-Laurent-du-Var
7. Mougins
8. Mandelieu-la-Napoule
9. Vallauris
10. Le Cannet

Monaco Unveils New Housing Initiative

The housing crisis is a global issue, and Monaco is no exception. In response, the Principality has launched a new initiative to encourage residents to downsize, freeing up larger state-owned apartments for growing families.

Under this system, households currently occupying four- or five-room apartments—where children have moved out—can relocate to a modern three-room unit while retaining the same subsidized rent, charges, and deposit conditions. To further ease the transition, the government is offering a fixed €10,000 allowance to cover moving costs.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to address Monaco’s housing challenges. In October 2024, the Prince's Government introduced updates to National Housing Assistance and state-owned housing regulations to better align with residents' needs.

Key changes include adjustments to assistance calculations to ensure continued support for specific groups. For example, full assistance will remain available to surviving spouses over 65 if an extra room was previously granted for health reasons. Additionally, maintenance obligations can now be deducted from household income assessments, and student earnings will be excluded from family income calculations up to a defined limit.

To streamline the process, all available housing offers are now centralized on the Mon Espace Domaines platform, giving residents better visibility of exchange opportunities. The National Council has also assigned a dedicated agent to provide personalized support throughout the relocation process.

“These long-awaited measures will improve the management of state-owned housing and better fulfill the legitimate aspirations of Monegasques,” said Maryse Battaglia, President of the Housing Commission. She emphasized that these reforms reflect the government’s commitment to adapting to demographic shifts and optimizing the Principality’s real estate resources.

Ultimately, these measures aim to enhance housing support and affordability, ensuring the system remains responsive to residents’ evolving needs.