Hundreds of Riviera homes could be threatened by coastal erosion by 2050

A new report by France’s Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, the Environment, Mobility, and Development (CEREMA) has identified more than 860 primary residences and holiday homes along the coastline of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region that could be at serious risk of damage or destruction due to coastal erosion by 2050. The situation is expected to worsen by the end of the century, with more than 22,000 homes projected to be at risk by 2100.

CEREMA’s report casts a long shadow over the futures of the municipalities located on France’s Mediterranean coastline, many of which are likely to be at risk of coastal erosion and rising sea temperatures caused by global warming before this century is out. In the PACA region alone, a staggering 22,189 homes are projected to be threatened by considerable damage, if not complete destruction, by 2100, up from an already alarming 868 homes that will be at risk by 2050.

PACA’s coastline spans 1,035 kilometres, equivalent to 43% of France’s Mediterranean shore. Approximately 5 million PACA residents, or 80% of the population, live close to the sea, with the majority residing in major cities such as Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, and Nice.

By 2050, CEREMA forecasts that coastal erosion will affect 224 homes in Bouches-du-Rhône, 433 in Var, and 211 in Alpes-Maritimes. These figures account for both permanent and holiday residences.

By 2100, the erosion risks will intensify, affecting 10,703 homes in Bouches-du-Rhône, 9,809 in Var, and 1,677 in Alpes-Maritimes.

The threat extends beyond private homes too. In 2050, 464 business premises and around 10 campsites are expected to be at risk. Additionally, transportation infrastructure, including roads and railways, will require significant adaptations.

Experts say that the challenge will be to find solutions for each unique site, from land restoration and renaturalisation projects to strategic withdrawal, that respond to the diverse geographical and socio-economic demands of the zones while not further endangering the population and the environment. They stress that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to the issue.

To compile the report, CEREMA’s team of researchers cross-referenced data on climate events, infrastructure vulnerability and exposure to identify key areas at risk, using the IPCC’s temperature projections for 2030 (+2°C), 2050 (+2.7°C) and 2100 (+4°C), to determine how natural hazards and extreme events, such as floods, heatwaves and coastal submersion, will evolve and ultimately impact the region.

In the last five decades, France’s coastline has contracted by around 30 km² – around 4,200 football pitches.

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Photo credit: Slim Mars, Pexels

AS Monaco Basketball cruise to 109-82 victory over Chalon

After a deserved 105-90 win over Alba Berlin in the EuroLeague in the opening days of 2025, AS Monaco Basketball has backed up that victory with another in the Betclic Elite. This time, the side achieved a stunning 109-82 victory over Chalon-sur-Saône to the roars of their supporters at home in the Salle Gaston Médecin.

It was a similar story to the Alba Berlin game. AS Monaco Basketball were missing a number of key players for the Chalon fixture on 5th January, with Alpha Diallo out due to injury and Elie Okobo and Georgios Papagiannis resting at the behest of Head Coach Vassilis Spanoulis, which meant the onus was on the remainder of the squad to step up and perform.

They delivered in style, responding to an initial Chalon lead in the first quarter with a glorious 22-9 run in the second quarter, sparked by Matthew Strazel. By halftime, the Roca Team had built a healthy 54-49 lead.

The Monaco side continued to assert their dominance in the second half, benefiting from the roar of a home crowd. Chalon’s resistance faded as Monaco outscored them 55-33 across the final two quarters, cruising to a commanding 27-point victory.

Jordan Loyd proved himself unstoppable, scoring 20 points, while Strazel and Mike James weren’t far behind on 19 and 17 points, respectively.

Post-match reactions

Speaking after the game, Spanoulis praised his team’s performance, saying, “After a shaky start, we were excellent. Sharing the ball was key—29 assists reflect how well we worked together. Defensively, we forced 23 turnovers. This was a complete team effort.”

AS Monaco Basketball have a busy month ahead in both the domestic French league and the EuroLeague. The next Betclic Elite fixture will see them play Blois on 7th January ahead of FC Barcelona’s visit to Monaco for a EuroLeague matchup on 9th January.

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AS Monaco Basketball: all the home and away games this January

 

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Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball

Unmarked speed camera cars to patrol PACA roads from spring 2025

Beginning in spring 2025, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region will join a growing number of French regions implementing unmarked speed camera cars as part of efforts to curb speeding on secondary roads. A total of 126 unmarked vehicles are due to be deployed across southern France, primarily targeting speeders on roads with speed limits of 80 to 90 km/h.

This new initiative represents a significant shift in strategy for the region, which has so far not joined other areas of France, including Normandy and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, in implementing these mobile monitoring measures.

In addition to PACA, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions will also see the introduction of these vehicles in the spring. In total, 126 cars will be licensed to monitor local roads across these three regions.

The unmarked vehicles, managed by OTC, a private company, will operate for several hours each day, discreetly capturing speeding violations via sensors located on the front bumper, dashboard, or rear of the vehicle. Although designed for discretion, motorists may be able to recognise the unmarked vehicles based on these distinguishing features. The most common models in use will include the Peugeot 308 and 508, Ford Focus, Skoda Octavia and Dacia Sandero.

See more: Drivers consider class action lawsuit against “cash machine” speed radar near Ventimiglia

OTC has been awarded a two-year renewable contract worth €34.5 million, with each vehicle costing approximately €68,409 annually.

Each unmarked vehicle is projected to generate significant revenue, with estimates suggesting an annual income of up to €390,000 per car, according to the Drivers’ Defense League (LDC). This highlights the dual purpose of the system: enhancing road safety and contributing to state finances.

The company is currently recruiting civilian drivers for the programme, offering salaries of €1,700 gross per month.

The decision to outsource the operation to a private company has sparked concerns, particularly regarding the collection of fines by the private sector rather than the government.

With the introduction of these unmarked cars, drivers on secondary roads in the south of France will face increased monitoring and stricter enforcement of speed limits. Roads that were once perceived as less policed will now be under heightened scrutiny. Tickets are expected to be issued starting in spring 2025.

To read more about OTC and the speed camera car system, click here.

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Photo credit: Why Kei, Unsplash

Flu crisis hits Côte d’Azur amid surge in cases across Europe

France is facing a severe flu epidemic as 2025 begins, with all regions, including Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, now under epidemic conditions. The sharp rise in severe cases has prompted Public Health France to issue a warning about the intensity of this flu season, which is more severe than in previous years. The latest figures show that nearly 4% of deaths in the final week of 2024 were attributed to influenza—double the rate from the week before.

Health authorities across France have been reporting a sharp rise in flu cases in recent weeks, particularly among young people and those over 65. Hospitalisations have surged, especially in the elderly population, putting additional strain on healthcare systems already overwhelmed by a bronchiolitis outbreak and other seasonal illnesses.

Contributing factors to the flu epidemic include low vaccination rates and increased social mixing during the holidays. The gradual return of school and work routines is likely to further contribute in the coming days and weeks.

Around 4% of deaths in the final week of 2024 have been linked to the influenza virus, twice as many as the week before.

The local infection rate and demand for emergency services have surpassed levels seen in recent years, with both Alpes-Maritimes and Var now declared epidemic zones, in line with the rest of the country.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a major epidemic,” Dr. Jean-Luc Leymarie, a general practitioner in France, told EuroNews.

Health authorities are urging vulnerable individuals to get flu shots before the campaign ends in January, though they have indicated they may extend it if the epidemic continues to worsen.

EUROPE-WIDE IMPACT

France’s crisis mirrors that of many other countries in Europe, which are facing similar challenges.

Across the continent, flu cases are spiking after the holiday season. In Spain, influenza B is the dominant strain, with cases climbing rapidly. Hungary has introduced stricter public health measures to curb the spread, while Romania’s health authorities recently reported over 4,100 flu cases in one week—almost double the number reported a week earlier.

As Europe continues to battle the epidemic, health experts stress the importance of vaccinations and timely medical intervention to reduce hospitalisations and fatalities in the coming weeks.

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Monaco urges vulnerable groups to get vaccinated ahead of flu and Covid season 

 

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Photo credit: Polina Tankilevitch, Pexels

Football: Adi Hütter extends contract until 2027, Monaco lose to PSG

Adi Hütter

Adi Hütter has confirmed that he has signed a contract extension with AS Monaco, ensuring the experienced Austrian will remain Head Coach until the end of the 2027 season. The announcement came over the weekend, just one day before a cruel defeat for Les Rouge et Blanc at the hands of PSG in the Trophée des Champions.

Hütter joined AS Monaco in July 2023 on an initial two-year contract, succeeding Belgian coach Philippe Clement. Over the past 18 months, the 54-year-old Austrian has managed the team in just over 60 professional fixtures, achieving an impressive victory rate of nearly 60%.

In a statement released on 4th January, AS Monaco highlighted Hütter’s “resolutely forward-looking game” and praised the former international midfielder for nurturing young talents developed at the club, including Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Soungoutou Magassa.

Trophée des Champions

Celebrations surrounding Hütter’s contract extension were short-lived, as AS Monaco suffered a disappointing defeat the day after the announcement in the French Trophée des Champions.

Monaco faced Paris Saint-Germain for the second time in less than a month. After a bitter 2-4 loss at home in the Stade Louis II in mid-December, Hütter was optimistic about overcoming their Parisian rivals, but it wasn’t to be.

See more: Football: Monaco’s Ligue 1 title hopes dealt big blow by PSG

Both teams created numerous chances. AS Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Köhn was heroic early on, deflecting Désiré Doué’s shot onto the crossbar in the ninth minute and making key saves against Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha throughout the game.

Monaco responded with strong efforts, including Maghnes Akliouche’s curling shot and Takumi Minamino’s near-post strike, both of which tested PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The second half started with a flurry of activity. Eliesse Ben Seghir came close to breaking the deadlock, while Vanderson struck the post. Köhn continued his stellar performance, making crucial saves against Achraf Hakimi and Gonçalo Ramos. However, Monaco’s resilience was undone in stoppage time, with Dembélé scoring in the 92nd minute to secure a 1-0 victory in Doha for PSG.

“We have to be honest, Paris had many more chances than us, but we had a game plan that the team tried to respect, so I want to congratulate them for that,” admitted Hütter post-match. “You can imagine that every player was sad in the locker room after losing in the last moments because it was a big blow for us. We must now raise our heads and think about the next match against Nantes. In any case, I think that tonight the spectators saw a very good match.”

AS Monaco will resume their Ligue 1 campaign with an away game against Nantes on 10th January.

 

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Photo source: AS Monaco

Two new French Riviera hotels rated among the best in the world by Luxury Travel Intelligence

Two standout French Riviera hotels, one in Nice and the second in Saint-Tropez, have earned top spots on the prestigious list of the Luxury Travel Awards, highlighting the world’s best new luxury openings for 2024.

Two hotels on the Côte d’Azur have made it into the Top 15 on Luxury Travel Intelligence’s (LTI) list of the world’s best new luxury hotels for 2024.

Saint-Tropez’s Arev, ranked 15th, boasts 50 elegantly designed rooms and suites, a fine dining experience at The Strand Restaurant and an exceptional cocktail menu at Q’s Bar. Adding to its charm is the intimate Arev Spa, a tranquil retreat in one of the Côte d’Azur’s most glamorous locales.

In Nice, Hôtel du Couvent, ranked 14th, has been a decade in the making. Once an abandoned convent, it has been transformed into a stunning oasis in the heart of the Old Town. The property blends heritage charm with modern comforts, providing a truly unique stay in one of the Riviera’s most vibrant cities.

The awards also spotlighted the Cheval Blanc Seychelles, named the best new luxury hotel of 2024 by LTI’s Luxury Travel Awards.

The magnificent property has ties to the French Riviera through its sibling property, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez. The iconic Riviera retreat, originally opened in 1936, underwent extensive renovations under LVMH ownership and was reopened in 2019. It features 30 exquisite rooms, a private beach, a Guerlain spa and the famous La Vague d’Or, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Arnaud Donckele.

Other winners from around the world included luxury openings in London, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.

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Photo source: Arev, Saint-Tropez