Nice’s “Little Marais” Shines Again as Rue Bonaparte Reclaims Its Rainbow

 

For many residents and visitors, the rainbow-painted entrance to Rue Bonaparte is more than just a colourful piece of street art—it is a symbol of the district’s identity, history, and commitment to inclusion. This month, the iconic markings that welcome people into Nice’s celebrated “Petit Marais” have been refreshed, restoring one of the city’s most recognizable symbols of LGBTQIA+ visibility.

 

On June 8, municipal crews repainted the pedestrian section of Rue Bonaparte leading toward Place du Pin, bringing back the vibrant rainbow bands and striking blue roadway that have become a defining feature of the neighbourhood.

First introduced in 2020 as part of a pedestrianization project developed with local businesses, the colourful design initially sparked debate. Some critics questioned the bold aesthetic, while supporters embraced it as a distinctive expression of the area’s character.

Today, the painted street has become a popular attraction, drawing tourists and photographers while serving as a visual landmark for one of Nice’s most dynamic districts.

 

The area surrounding Rue Bonaparte and Place du Pin earned the nickname “Le Petit Marais” in reference to Paris’s famous Marais district, long regarded as the heart of LGBTQIA+ life in the French capital. 

During the 2000s and 2010s, the neighbourhood emerged as the centre of LGBTQIA+ nightlife and community life in Nice. Gay bars, cafés, restaurants, and inclusive social venues helped transform what had once been a relatively quiet area into one of the city’s most vibrant destinations.

Although several of those pioneering establishments have since closed or changed hands, their influence helped shape the neighbourhood’s reputation as a welcoming and diverse space where people could gather openly and safely.

 

The restoration of the rainbow markings during Pride Month carries particular significance. Across the world, the rainbow flag has become one of the most widely recognized symbols of LGBTQIA+ pride, equality, and solidarity. 

First created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, the flag was designed to represent diversity, hope, and the many different identities that make up the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the decades, rainbow colours have come to signify far more than celebration; they are often viewed as a visible sign that a space is welcoming, inclusive, and safe for everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

 

For many LGBTQIA+ people, the presence of rainbow symbols in public spaces provides reassurance that they can express themselves authentically without fear of discrimination. In cities around the world, rainbow crossings, murals, and public art installations have become powerful reminders that diversity is valued and that inclusion belongs in everyday life, not just during Pride celebrations.

 

As Nice continues to evolve, the renewed colours of Rue Bonaparte serve as a reminder of the neighbourhood’s unique history and the community spirit that helped make Le Petit Marais one of the French Riviera’s most welcoming districts.

Whether viewed as public art, a cultural landmark, or a statement of solidarity, the rainbow gateway remains an enduring symbol of visibility, acceptance, and pride in the heart of the city.

Monaco Pride 2026 to Shine a Light on Equality, Inclusion and Community

 

Monaco Pride 2026 will return on Wednesday, July 8, bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, residents and supporters for an evening dedicated to visibility, inclusion and equality in the Principality.

This year’s event will be hosted at the newly rebranded Stars of Monaco, formerly known as Marius, on Quai Antoine Ier, marking another important milestone in the continuing effort to build a more inclusive Monaco.

 

For those who have experienced Pride celebrations in major European or North American cities, Monaco’s version may appear modest by comparison. There are no giant parades stretching through city streets or massive festival grounds packed with tens of thousands of attendees.

Yet what Monaco Pride lacks in size, it more than makes up for in significance. The event represents an important opportunity for a community that has historically had limited visibility within the Principality to come together, celebrate diversity and continue advocating for equal treatment and recognition.

 

At the heart of these efforts is Mon’Arc En Ciel, Monaco’s grassroots LGBTQIA+ rights association. The independent, non-partisan organization was created to give a stronger voice to LGBTQIA+ people living and working in Monaco while promoting equality, visibility and inclusion.

Through advocacy, community outreach and engagement with decision-makers, the association works to challenge discrimination and advance equal rights for all residents regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

 

The organization brings together a diverse group of supporters including residents, workers, retirees, families and allies who share a common belief that everyone deserves the same dignity, respect and legal protections. In recent years, Mon’Arc En Ciel has become one of the leading voices encouraging open discussion about LGBTQIA+ issues in Monaco and helping foster a greater sense of belonging within the community.

 

While Monaco enjoys a reputation as an international, cosmopolitan destination, LGBTQIA+ advocates argue that important gaps remain when it comes to legal recognition and equality compared with many neighbouring European countries.

As a result, Pride continues to play an important role not only as a celebration but also as a platform for education, awareness and dialogue. It provides an opportunity to highlight ongoing challenges, support LGBTQIA+ youth and families, and encourage broader conversations about inclusion within Monégasque society.

 

The growing attendance and support for Monaco Pride over recent years suggest that attitudes are evolving and that many residents want to see a more welcoming and inclusive future for the Principality. For organizers, the event is ultimately about creating a space where everyone can feel seen, respected and valued.

 

This year’s gathering at Stars of Monaco will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to all. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Due to limited capacity at the venue, organizers are encouraging anyone wishing to attend to reserve their place in advance by contacting Mon’Arc En Ciel.

 

As Monaco Pride 2026 approaches, the message from organizers remains clear: equality, inclusion and community are values that benefit everyone, and Pride continues to be an important reminder that the journey toward full acceptance and equal rights is one that deserves ongoing support.

Blast From the Past: Monaco's Beloved Waterfront Gathering Place Returns as Stars of Monaco

 

For many residents of Monaco, the announcement feels less like the launch of a new restaurant and more like the return of an old friend.

 

In a move that is already generating excitement across the Principality, the iconic waterfront venue at 6 Quai Antoine Ier is preparing for a new chapter with the arrival of Stars of Monaco, a concept that revives the community-first spirit that made Stars’N’Bars one of Monaco’s most cherished destinations for more than three decades.

 

Set to officially open on June 16, Stars of Monaco represents a nostalgic return to the atmosphere, energy and inclusiveness that transformed the original Stars’N’Bars into far more than a restaurant. For countless residents, it was a second living room — a place where children grew up, friendships were formed, business ideas were born and visitors were welcomed into the unique social fabric of Monaco.

 

When Stars’N’Bars first opened in 1993, it quickly became one of the Principality’s most recognizable gathering places. Families shared meals overlooking Port Hercule, sports fans packed the venue during major events, and locals from every corner of society found themselves drawn to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that became its trademark.

 

Following the passing of co-founder Kate Powers, the venue entered a period of transition with the introduction of Marius, a more refined dining concept that sought to reimagine the historic address. While Marius brought its own identity to the waterfront location, many residents continued to long for the vibrant community spirit that had made Stars’N’Bars such a beloved institution.

 

Now, after listening to years of feedback from loyal patrons and the wider Monaco community, the venue’s operators have chosen to embrace those roots once again.

The result is Stars of Monaco — a concept that combines the warmth and familiarity of the past with a contemporary approach designed for today’s Monaco.

 

At its heart is a simple philosophy: create a place where everyone feels comfortable, whether stopping in for a quick coffee, a business lunch, after-work drinks, a family dinner or an evening with friends. Rather than catering to a narrow audience, Stars of Monaco aims to become a destination for all generations and all occasions.

 

The social calendar reflects that ambition. Happy Hour gatherings, Girls Night events, Aperitivo evenings, live Jazz Nights and themed weekend celebrations are all planned as part of a broader effort to restore the sense of connection and spontaneity that once defined the venue. The bar area will once again become a focal point of the experience, bringing people together through live entertainment, special events and the revival of several cocktails remembered fondly by long-time patrons.

 

The menu also delivers a healthy dose of nostalgia.

 

Many of the signature dishes that became synonymous with Stars’N’Bars are making a highly anticipated comeback. Guests can once again enjoy the famous guacamole, cheese nachos, signature salads, legendary burgers and the much-loved Banana Split that became a rite of passage for generations of Monaco families.

 

Alongside these familiar favourites, the kitchen will introduce a selection of contemporary dishes showcasing premium ingredients including Puglian burrata, fresh truffle, wild king prawns and Charolais beef, creating a menu that balances comfort with culinary refinement.

 

Perhaps the most celebrated return of all is the Kids Club.

 

For years, it was one of the defining features that set Stars’N’Bars apart from virtually every other venue in Monaco. Under the new concept, the Kids Club will once again welcome young visitors every evening, offering supervised entertainment, dedicated activities and a safe space for children while parents enjoy the waterfront setting. 

 

A dedicated children’s menu and family-focused facilities further reinforce the venue’s commitment to remaining one of the Principality’s most family-friendly destinations.

 

While Stars of Monaco draws heavily on the legacy of Stars’N’Bars, those behind the project are careful to position it as an evolution rather than a replica. The goal is not to recreate the past but to capture the qualities that made the original so successful: accessibility, warmth, diversity and a genuine sense of belonging.

 

For a location that has occupied such a special place in Monaco life since the early 1990s, the transformation carries significance beyond hospitality.

 

In many ways, Stars of Monaco represents a rare blast from the past — a return to an era when community gathering places formed the heart of local life. At a time when many cities are losing these kinds of shared spaces, Monaco appears poised to welcome one back.

 

When the doors open on June 16, many residents won’t simply be visiting a new restaurant. They’ll be revisiting a piece of Monaco’s collective memory — and perhaps creating a new generation of memories for years to come.

Tribute to Mimmo Rotella at NEO Art & Culture Lab x VogelART

 

Two decades after his passing, Mimmo Rotella continues to stand as one of the most disruptive and influential voices in post-war European art. His practice—rooted in the transformation of urban advertising into layered visual poetry—still feels startlingly contemporary, especially in a world even more saturated with images than the one he first responded to.

After completing his studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Naples, Rotella moved to Rome in 1945, entering a period of rapid experimentation. But it was in 1953 that his practice shifted decisively. In what he later described as a moment of “Zen illumination,” he began to see torn advertising posters not as visual noise, but as raw artistic material.

That insight gave rise to his signature technique: décollage. Unlike collage, which builds up surfaces, décollage works by stripping them away. Rotella physically removed posters from city walls, then reworked them in the studio—tearing, scraping, and reassembling fragments before transferring them onto canvas, wood, or metal. The result was not just composition, but collision: layered histories of the city embedded in a single surface.

His approach quickly positioned him at the forefront of European avant-garde art. His work is now held in major collections including the Centre Pompidou and the Museum of Modern Art, and he exhibited widely across international platforms, including the Venice Biennale in 1964. In 1960, Rotella joined the radical movement Nouveau Réalisme alongside artists such as Yves Klein, Jean Tinguely, Arman, all united by a desire to rethink art through the material reality of contemporary life.

Now, Rotella’s legacy returns to the spotlight in “Mimmo Rotella & Friends”, a new exhibition at NEO Art & Culture Lab x VogelART in Nice, curated by internationally recognized artist Gregor Hildebrandt.

Rather than functioning as a conventional retrospective, the exhibition is structured as a cross-generational dialogue between Rotella and fourteen contemporary artists. Hildebrandt frames the show as a living conversation, where Rotella’s décollages act not as historical artifacts, but as active provocations that continue to generate new artistic responses.

Among the participating artists are major figures in contemporary art practice, including Barbara Kruger, Isa Genzken, John Baldessari, Katharina Grosse, JR, and Rosemarie Trockel, each engaging with themes of appropriation, image culture, and visual memory.

At the heart of the exhibition remain Rotella’s iconic décollages—fragmented urban surfaces that carry the residue of advertising, politics, and everyday visual overload. Surrounding them, contemporary works expand the dialogue into new material and conceptual territories, transforming the exhibition into a multi-voiced reflection on how images accumulate meaning over time.

Organized in close collaboration with the Rotella family, the project also resonates strongly in Nice—a city closely tied to the artist’s cultural memory and Mediterranean context.

Exhibition Details

Mimmo Rotella & Friends

• Vernissage: June 23, 2026, 6 pm – 10 pm

• Exhibition dates: June 23 – July 12, 2026

• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 2 pm – 7 pm

• Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

• Admission: Free entry