Movies Made in the French Riviera

 

The Côte d'Azur has been a popular filming location for many international movies due to its stunning landscapes, glamorous real estate, and picturesque cities. Here are some notable international movies that were filmed in the French Riviera, some that are well known, and a few that are obscure but could be considered cult classics.

To Catch a Thief (1955): Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this classic film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly was filmed in various locations along the French Riviera, including Nice, Eze, Cannes, and Monaco.

And God Created Woman (1956): Directed by Roger Vadim and starring Brigitte Bardot, this French drama was shot in and around Saint-Tropez, showcasing the beauty of the town and its surroundings.

Bay of Angels (La baie des anges) (1963): A French romantic drama film written and directed by Jacques Demy. It stars Jeanne Moreau and Claude Mann, who play characters driven by their passions for love and money in the gambling world. Filmed mainly in Nice with segments in Monte-Carlo Monaco. A true classic of the Cote d’Azur.

La Piscine (The Swimming Pool) (1969): Directed by Jacques Deray with Alain Delon, and Romy Schneider. A must-see, cult film shot in and around a fabulous villa in Saint Tropez.

The Day of the Jackal (1973):This political thriller directed by Fred Zinnemann features scenes shot in various locations in the French Riviera, including Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

The Last of Sheila (1973): Written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins. This who dunnit mystery film was filmed at many ports throughout the region but mainly in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Nice, and the Lerins Islands. The movie featured notables such as Dyan Cannon, Raquel Welch, James Mason, Ian McShane, and James Coburn, and is considered a cult classic.

Never Say Never Again (1983): Sean Connery starred in the famous adaptation of Ian Fleming’s ‘Thunderball’, in the film, 007 fights his way through the streets of Villefranche-sur-Mer and Nice and the main antagonist, Maximillan Largo, shows off his yacht in the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Under The Cherry Moon (1986): An American musical drama film starring and directed by Prince and Filmed primarily in Studios de la Victorine in Nice, and on location throughout the French Riviera.

Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue) (1988): Directed by Luc Bessonluc and starring Jean-Marc Barr, Rosanna Arquette, and Jean Reno, with music by Eric Serra. Scenes were shot at the Marineland in Antibes among many other locations. This movie is still shown in outdoor cinemas locally during the summer season.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988): Starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, this comedy was filmed in the towns of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Cap d’Antibes on the French Riviera.

Goldeneye (1995): Goldeneye was the first time Pierce Brosnan played the iconic 007. The scene with Bond racing with the dazzling and dangerous Xenia is set in the Alpes-Maritimes, as well as the casino scene set in the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monaco.

French Kiss (1995): Starring Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, and Timothy Hutton. The film was shot in and around Cannes along with Valbonne.

Ronin (1998): Directed by John Frankenheimer, this action thriller starring Robert De Niro and Jean Reno includes scenes filmed in Nice, France.

Simon Sez (1999): Not a big box office hit but entertaining. The film was shot throughout the region in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Mandelieu-La Napoule, Mont Boron, Eze, Nice, and Menton. It featured Dennis Rodman, Dane Cook, and French singer and actor Filip Nikolic.

The Good Thief (2002): A crime thriller film written and directed by Neil Jordan. It is a remake of the French film - Bob le flambeur (1955) by Jean-Pierre Melville. The film was shot mainly in Nice but also in Monaco, along with Le Bar-sur-Loup and Cagnes sur Mer.

The Transporter (2002): This action film starring Jason Statham was partially filmed in the French Riviera, showcasing the region's scenic landscapes.

And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen (2002): Directed by Claude Lelouch, this romantic drama stars Jeremy Irons and Patricia Kaas and features scenes shot in Nice, Cannes, and Menton.

Femme Fatale (2002): Starring Rebecca Romijn, Antonio Banderas. The film had some key scenes shot in Cannes.

The Bucket List (2007): Directed by Rob Reiner and featuring Jack Nicholson, Sean Hayes, and Morgan Freeman. Set in both Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Killers (2010): Featuring Ashton Kutcher, Tom Selleck, Katherine Heigl, and Catherine O'Hara. This rom-com was filmed in and around Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Nice.

Iron Man ll (2010): Starring Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Film scenes were shot inside the Hotel de Paris in Monte-Carlo, and the race circuit during the Monaco Grand Prix.

W.E. (2011): Director and co-written by Madonna. The movie featured James D’Arcy, Andrea Wiseborough, and Oscar Isaac. And was filmed in locations such as Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cannes.

To Rome with Love (2012): Directed by Woody Allen, this romantic comedy features scenes shot in Antibes on the French Riviera. Features Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Judy Davis, and Penelope Cruz.

The Great Gatsby (2013): While not entirely filmed in the French Riviera, some scenes of Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel were shot in the region, including at the Château de la Napoule in Mandelieu-la-Napoule.

Grace of Monaco (2014): Starring Nicole Kidman and Tim Roth. The film was shot in various parts of Europe but included local areas such as Menton, plus in and around Monaco.

Magic in the Moonlight (2014): Another Woody Allen film, this romantic comedy-drama starring Colin Firth and Emma Stone includes scenes filmed in the French Riviera, particularly in Nice and Antibes.

The Love Punch (2014): Featuring Pearce Brosnan and Emma Thompson. Most of the filming locations center around Cannes and Cap d’Antibes.

By the Sea (2015): Directed by and starring Angelina Jolie alongside Brad Pitt, this romantic drama was shot in various locations along the French Riviera, including Gozo (Malta), which stood in for the South of France.

Absolutely Fabulous (2016): This comedy starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley as Edina and Patsy. The beautiful backgrounds are set in various locations such as Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Antibes, Cannes, and Cap d’Antibes.

The Mercy (2017): Starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz, this biographical drama includes scenes filmed in the French Riviera, among other locations.
 

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018): While the majority of the film is set in Greece, some scenes of this musical romantic comedy were shot in the French Riviera. The movie starred: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Cher, among many others.

Tenet (2020): Christopher Nolan's mind-bending thriller includes scenes filmed in various locations, including Nice, showcasing the city's iconic Promenade des Anglais.

These are just a small number of movies that have taken advantage of the French Riviera's charm and beauty as a backdrop for their stories.

Inauguration of the new Centre LGBTQIA+ in Marseille

 

Finally, the day has arrived.

After a few years of hard work, with extensive group meetings, appointments with funders, and the various associations and other local community members, the Marseille LGBTQIA+ Center had its opening ceremony over the weekend.

Everyone in attendance was riveted with anticipation outside the new LGBTQIA+ Center before making their way inside as the first speech was read at the podium.

"This is an important day in Marseille", says Noémie Pillas, an association activist. After months of dedicated efforts, she and the teams Noémie coordinates were able to inaugurate Marseille's first and only LGBTQIA + (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex, asexual...) center on Saturday, December 9, right in the city center, between the Panier and the Old Port.

In keeping with official protocol, Bérangère Couillard, the French Minister for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination, who had come for the occasion, cut the tricolor ribbon alongside local politicians. "In France's second-largest city, it's about time", the Minister emphasized.

The opening of this center was one of the promises made by Printemps Marseillais during the 2020 municipal elections. "I don't think we realize yet how important this moment is. We needed this place so badly," testifies Théo Challande-Névoret, deputy (écologiste) in charge of the fight against discrimination.

In France, there are some forty centers of this type that have existed for several years. For lack of "funding" and "political commitment", the fight to open such a center has long been silent in Marseilles, "but not in vain", explains Stéphane Bernard, president of Fierté Marseille, the association that runs the center. "For decades, here perhaps longer than elsewhere, LGBT+ people have known fear, lived in secrecy, threatened by shame and rejection. Marseille is a world-class city that has made its LGBT+ population invisible," fervently supports Noémie Pillas. Thanks to the courageous battles of our elders, our struggles have come out of the closet."

So, to make up for this shortfall, activists and associations have been working since 2017 to secure grants and support. "The presence of the Minister and the authorities is a historic sign of commitment," states Stéphane Bernard. He adds, "We hope this support will continue for a while, but we will also need money. We need the political will to advance our rights".

The opening and construction of the center's premises, leased on a commercial basis by Fierté Marseille, were financed by the City, the Region, the Department, and the State. "Bérangère Couillard points out: "We are in a position to join forces in the fight against discrimination. "The State is united against LGBTphobia", she insists.

A member of the Association des parents gays et lesbiens (AGPL) observes the walls filled with snapshots of LGBT+ personalities: "We finally have a place to meet, where we don't have to worry about how we're going to be received." Association meetings are already planned for the days and weeks ahead. "We want our daughter to be able to meet people like her and share her experiences," adds her partner.

Set up at 17, 19, and 21 rue du Chevalier Roze (2e), the expansive, brand-new center, where colorful signs were put up the day before the inauguration - offers three distinct areas: a bar, a health center, and an inter-associative space.

Open six days a week, the premises also include a shower and luggage storage area for homeless people. "These spaces are more necessary than ever for us to get together, organize ourselves, and take care of ourselves," explains Noémie Pillas.

A mission that began this past Saturday evening with great fanfare, as over 400 people gathered to celebrate the opening. "Pour que vive le center LGBTQIA +" ("So that the LGBTQIA + center lives on"), was heard loud, with dignity and pride.

Christmas Markets on the Côte d’Azur

 

It is well into that time of year when the Christmas decorations start appearing in the parks of local cities and lights glitter in an array of colors along many of the prime streets and homes up and down the Riviera coastline.

 

As in other parts of the world, it is a time of gathering with loved ones to partake in local traditions such as exploring the many Christmas markets.

 

The focus of this article will be on three main locations but if you are in the region, be sure to stop in at any other seaside or countryside locations as each is unique in celebrating the holidays in their way.

 

 

Cannes

The seaside city of Cannes never disappoints, and although quieter during the winter season, there is always a lot to see and do.

The place to take in most of the holiday activities would be at the Village on the Allées de la Liberté and the funfair on the Pantiero with rides and games for all ages at the port.

 

Browse and do some Christmas shopping at many of the artisanal stalls, enjoy an array of food items such as waffles and crepes, and here, one can even go ice skating at the rink.

 

 

Nice

Nice tends to be the most popular destination and the largest city for those looking to take in the Christmas attractions.

Meet up at Place Massena, where the city typically installs more than 50 wooden huts offering homemade artisanal items that can easily be shared as gifts for loved ones and a vast amount of food and drinks can also be hand including mulled wine, sugary waffles, varying Christmas beers, charcuterie boards, and other delectable delicacies.

 

And if you feel like getting an overview of the city, both day and night, you can take a ride on the grand Ferris wheel at the foot of all the action.

 

 

Monaco

One cannot go to the Côte d’Azur without making the journey to Monaco. This past week the Christmas village was opened at the Casino Square and Port de Monaco with a number of the royals in attendance, including H.S.H. Prince Albert and H.S.H. Princess Charlene along with H.S.H. Princess Stephanie.

Being the Principality of Monaco, it goes without saying that this is a both glamorous and glittering event and is a delight in every imaginable way with games and rides for both young and old along with numerous artisanal booths filled with both handmade crafts, local drink, and food items to partake.

 

Enjoy the season everyone!

World AIDS Day with Fight AIDS Monaco

 

Typically when one thinks of Monaco, thoughts of a luxurious lifestyle tend to come to the forefront, and possibly the last thing an individual may consider is that there would be an AIDS charity in the principality. 

 

Fight AIDS Monaco is here to change that thinking as it is a non-profit NGO founded by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie in July 2004. 

 

Faced with psychological, and financial distress along with isolation. S.A.S. Princess Stephanie has seen people living with HIV, in the face of discrimination that many suffer daily, and in the face of their acute, often hidden, internalized health and well-being. With that, Princess Stephanie has committed herself to and with them in this struggle for life and dignity.

As the honorable Princess Stephanie stated, “I join all those who are fighting HIV in their own lives, I encourage everyone to be screened, to protect themselves, and to thank anyone who devotes their time, their money to the mobilization of AIDS.”

Fast forward to late October 2023, when I received an email from Hervé Aeschbach, the Coordinator for Fight AIDS Monaco, whom I had met on several occasions before, the last time being at the Fight AIDS Monaco office where I was given a tour of the facilities and had shown an interest in the memorial quilts since I know how to sew.

Recalling this, Hervé asked if I would be interested in utilizing my sewing skills to help construct the memorial quilt this year. Without hesitation, I agreed, feeling honored to be asked as I had attended the charity’s unveiling of the memorial quilts in years past in Monaco on World AIDS Day. And now I had the opportunity to work alongside the other volunteers and clients to help put this tapestry of love together.

For the production of the quilt, once a week in November, we would meet at the Fight AIDS Monaco office where everyone was welcomed in an environment filled with conversations, ideas, and even laughter. 

 

Over the years, various people have helped to assemble a quilt, so there is no exacting way to sew the patchwork of beautifully hand-painted canvases, and each is designed in tribute by those with the association for loved ones no longer with us. But as a team, we looked closely at the construction of previous memorial quilts while laying out the canvases, formulated a plan, and pinned them together so that they could be sewn with the help of everyone involved.

With that, we completed a magnificent memorial quilt by the end of the month, ready to unveil with the others. The lesson from this process, it certainly does take a village.

On December 1st, World AIDS Day, this public event put together by Fight AIDS Monaco took place in the early afternoon at the Musée océanographique de Monaco. In attendance were H.S.H. Princess Stephanie with two of her children, Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb, along with the Government Councillor, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, the National Councillor, representing the President, representatives of associations, members of the Board of Directors, permanent staff, volunteers and affiliates of Fight Aids Monaco, the Prince's Carabinieri Company, and the Monaco Fire Brigade.

Hervé Aeschbach from Fight AIDS Monaco in his opening speech welcomed everyone and spoke more about the important work of the charity and what we must do to keep moving forward, followed by a heartfelt speech given by a longtime volunteer, then everyone in attendance was directed to help unveil each memorial quilt individually as the names of those who are no longer with us were read out.

10 quilts in total were displayed at the Oceanographic Museum in memory of those who died as a result of AIDS, and the latest work pays tribute to the 5 affiliates who died in 2022 and 2023. The creation of a quilt requires 170 hours of work, representing a total of 2,330 hours since the start of this work of remembrance.

From previous experiences, this event is reflective in memory of those who have passed due to HIV/AIDS complications, yet also filled with compassion and love as a supportive community along with the strength and hope that we must do all we can to bring more awareness and raise funds with the hope to eradicate this disease that can affect anyone. And this year, World AIDS Day felt no different.

The Fight AIDS Monaco non-profit organization works with board members, a small but important team of employees, and many volunteers, all of whom share their time, along with Princess Stephanie to help put the word out about AIDS awareness, and prevention and to raise funds for the charity through various events in and around Monaco annually.

Fight AIDS Monaco is funded by a grant from the Government of Monaco but mainly from private donations. To donate, please contact: Fight AIDS Monaco

Photo credits: Frederic Nebinger, Pauline Carostefal, Michel Dagnino