Latest news with #CôtedAzur
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Is the ocean ‘having a moment'? This was the UN summit where the world woke up to the decline of the seas
The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope … and we are all in the same boat.' So said Jacques Cousteau, the French explorer, oceanographer and pioneering film-maker, who notably pivoted from merely sharing his underwater world to sounding the alarm over its destruction. Half a century later, David Attenborough, a year shy of his 100th birthday, followed Cousteau's trajectory. In the naturalist's acclaimed new film, Ocean, which highlights the destructive fishing practice of bottom trawling, he says he has come to the realisation that the 'most important place on Earth is not on land but at sea'. This message, backed by undeniable indicators of poor ocean health, has boosted calls for more ocean governance and protection. The mood at this week's UN ocean summit in Nice, which ended on Friday, was that if ever there was a defining 'moment' for the ocean, it was happening here, in France's Côte d'Azur. But there was also a sense of this sentiment being shared in the wider world, where, partly thanks to the summit, many are finally waking up the reality of the serious decline of something that makes up more than 70% of the Earth's surface. By the end of the first day, on the roof of the conference centre overlooking the Mediterranean, Emmanuel Macron, the French president and co-host, declared the summit a success. 'Never before have so many heads of state and governments met to discuss the seas,' he said, citing the figure of 60 world leaders, three times as many as attended the second UN ocean conference in Lisbon in 2022. About 190 ministers were also in Nice. The US did not attend. But what, with the eyes of the watching world, was actually achieved for the future health of oceans? The most important accomplishment was that enough countries either ratified or formally committed to ratifying the high seas treaty. Once ratified, this agreement will help achieve an agreed global target of protecting 30% of the world's seas by 2030. It will provide the first legal mechanism for the creation of protected areas in the high seas, international waters that cover almost two-thirds of the ocean. The treaty is expected to now come into force by 1 January 2026, said Macron. This alone is an achievement: the early stages of the high seas treaty took 20 years of negotiations before agreement was reached in 2023. Now it could be months away from becoming a reality. António Guterres, the UN secretary general, called the pace of progress 'a record'. 'I see a momentum and an enthusiasm that was difficult to find in the past,' he said. The summit does not carry the weight of a climate Cop, the annual UN climate change conference where governments and other stakeholders gather to discuss and negotiate on climate action, nor is it legally binding. But it has come at a critical moment for threats facing the seas. In April, Donald Trump made a move to fast-track deep-sea mining under US law, sidestepping international efforts to regulate the industry. The conference saw four new countries – now 37 – joining France in calling for a moratorium, pause or ban on deep-sea mining, amid warnings of 'irreversible' damage to ecosystems should it go ahead. Trump's actions, which were criticised by China, which also wants to mine, have had the effect of 'strengthening people's commitment to multilateralism' and building alliances at a key moment, says John Hocevar, oceans campaign director at Greenpeace USA. 'In July, the International Seabed Authority meets to discuss, hopefully, a moratorium on deep-sea mining.' More than 90 ministers issued a symbolic statement in Nice reaffirming their support for the strongest possible plastics treaty, to be negotiated when talks resume in August. Rémy Rioux, a former French negotiator on climate finance at the 2015 Paris agreement, and director general of ADF, France's development bank, says that Macron has adopted similar diplomacy at the ocean summit that made Cop21 a success. 'There was significant numbers of heads of state in the room, which represents something,' Rioux says. 'I'm proud that France has provided a voice to those who are not heard.' But, in terms of finance, we 'are still way behind what the UN say is needed'. Pacific nations, who contribute least and stand to suffer most from the effects of the climate crisis, sea level rise and ocean pollution, welcomed the chance to talk to Macron. But they were quick to remind larger, more polluting nations that they needed to do more. Moetai Brotherson, the president of French Polynesia, announced the creation of the largest protected marine area in the world. It will cover 5m sq kilometres, the nation's entire exclusive economic zone and will restrict destructive activities such as bottom trawling and deep-sea mining. A fifth will be designated a highly or fully protected area, where only traditional Tahitian boats, ecotourism and scientific exploration is allowed. 'By doing what we are doing, it will put pressure on other countries, including France, to do more,' he says. 'Turning this area into a marine protected area is one thing. Ensuring that laws are not broken is another. The responsibility of big nations is not to come and lecture us, but to help us.' Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's environment minister, says: 'The Pacific island states have banned bottom trawling in their national jurisdictions – and so we are calling on all nations to do the same. The EU is full of countries that are still doing this.' At the start of the conference, the French president found himself under fire for failing to ban bottom trawling in protected marine areas. France announced that instead it would 'limit' the practice and seek to protect 4% of its metropolitan waters. One of the strongest critics of France's role in the summit, was the granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau. France 'over-compromised and under-delivered', she says. 'This was the moment for France to lead – and they missed it,' says Alexandra Cousteau, also an adviser to international oceans organisation, Oceana. 'President Macron promised action on bottom trawling in marine protected areas but delivered only artificial limits and empty words. That's not leadership – that's evasion.' Despite its achievements, the summit highlighted how much is yet to be done. A study by National Geographic Pristine Seas and Dynamic Planet found, for example, that in order to meet the global target of 30x30, 85 new marine protected areas would need to be created daily. So far, less than 3% of the ocean is given this extra protection. Yet, overall the mood was high, boosted by a surge of enthusiasm for protecting the world's seas. 'I hate to say it out loud, but it has been better than I expected,' says Hocevar. 'The ocean is having a moment and this was the best opportunity to demonstrate momentum.'
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Telegraph
France's 20 greatest beaches
France has upwards of 3,400 miles of coastline. That's more than the distance between London and Dubai, packed with variety. With so many beaches, it makes you wonder how some of them get so busy, with millions of visitors annually. If you're wrestling for a lounger, you're probably going to the wrong places. Many of France's best beaches are only reachable via goat track-like trails, or even by water. Don't dismiss rocky beaches either, these calanques have some of the most spectacularly clear water in the country, and you won't have to shake sand out of your shoes afterwards. Lagoons laid out in squares like patchwork, peppered with flamingos, round-the-clock music and the scent of tanning oil, endless waves for sunset surfing and waterside seafood shacks; there's a beach for every kind of traveller. Here's our pick of the 20 greatest in France. Explore by region: Corsica Côte d'Azur South Southwest Brittany Normandy Northeast Corsica Lotu, Saint-Floren t Best for soft sand Even getting to Lotu, Saint-Florent is an adventure – by sea, 4x4 or a long walk. Boat is the most popular and local companies have capitalised on its beauty, but fortunately, the limited number of boat seats stops it from becoming too crowded. Insider tip: Feet-in-the-sand dining La Cabane du Lotu is the only place to eat nearby; book in advance. How to get there: The two-beach package with Taxi Plages from Saint-Florent costs £30pp. Where to stay nearby: Hôtel la Roya (0033 49537 0040) has doubles from £100, room only. Tamaricciu, Porto-Vecchio Best for tropical vibes Neighbouring beauty queen Palombaggia gets all the press, which means Tamaricciu Beach, just around the corner, stays quiet. Powder-like sand, clear waters and semi-submerged boulders, it could be the Seychelles, except it's framed by umbrella pines rather than palms. Insider tip: Rise with the lark in summer, the car park at Palombaggia fills up fast. How to get there: Drive from Porto-Vecchio to Palombaggia, then walk 10 minutes. Where to stay nearby: Corsican Places (01489 866992) has a seven-night package at San Giovanni Hotel, including flights, breakfast and car hire, from £998pp. Côte d'Azur Notre Dame, Porquerolles Best for deserted bliss It's the tangled foliage rather than the island location that makes it feel like you've been marooned on Plage Notre Dame. In a little bay facing the mainland, it's sheltered from the elements. The different depths of water and submerged rocks give the sea a marbled effect. Insider tip: Porquerolles à Vélo at the arrival port hires bikes for the day to get you there quicker. How to get there: Catch the boat from Toulon to Porquerolles, and walk 50 minutes east along the coast. Where to stay nearby: L'Oustaou de Porquerolles (0033 49458 3013) has doubles from £174, including breakfast. Calanque de Port-Pin, between Marseille and Cassis Best for happy hikers 28 rocky, limestone inlets line the coast between Marseille and Cassis. Port-Pin is so long that the horizon isn't visible from the beach, just turquoise waters and flat rocks for sunbathing. Insider tip: Pack plenty of water. Restaurants are few and far between, and water costs more than wine. How to get there: Either walk from Cassis (45 minutes) or hire a kayak to access Port-Pin from the sea. Larger boats aren't allowed inside the calanques. Where to stay nearby: The Best Western in Cassis (0805 0808 58) has doubles from £123, including breakfast. Sablettes, Menton Best for bars Just across the main street from Menton's old town, with numerous beach bars and restaurants, and a watersports club renting kayaks and paddleboards, Sablettes enjoys one of the best climates in the country, and locals and tourists alike make the most of the beach year-round. Insider tip: Take a day trip (pack your passport) to visit the spectacular clifftop botanical Giardini di Hanbury, across the border in Italy. How to get there: It's 40 minutes by rail or road from Nice. Where to stay nearby: Hôtel Lemon (0033 49328 6363) has doubles from £118, including breakfast. Le Layet, Le Lavandou Best for getting your kit off Of hundreds of nudist beaches in France, this is the most idyllic. Accessed via a footpath lined with pines, eucalyptus and mimosas, the little strip of sand is ringed with tall trees to keep bathers from prying eyes. There's an on-site restaurant and loungers for hire. Insider tip: Swimwear is accepted, just don't expect your beachmates to do likewise. How to get there: Drive 10 minutes east from Le Lavandou; there's a car park a quarter of a mile from the beach. Where to stay nearby: Hotel Baptistin (0033 49800 4451) has doubles from £127, including breakfast. Grand Jardin, Borme-les-Mimosas Best for escaping the crowds Only reachable by sea or the coast path, this beach may be slap-bang in the middle of the French Riviera, but it's rarely crowded. The waters are so clear that many locals fondly refer to it as Tahiti. Insider tip: Hire a boat (no permit needed) from the port of Borme-les-Mimosas to arrive by sea. How to get there: Drive from Hyères and park at Plage de l'Estagnol (€12/day). Walk 15 minutes across the headland from here. Where to stay nearby: La Villa Mauresque (0033 49483 0242) has doubles from £273, including breakfast. South Robinson, Marseillan Plage Best all rounder The sand is soft, it's easy to access on foot or by road, it's patrolled by lifeguards, and it's neither empty nor crowded. Robinson is also a kilometre long and separated from plenty of great seafood restaurants by just a row of sand dunes. Insider tip: Nearby Étang de Thau is the best place to eat fresh oysters. How to get there: Drive 30 minutes east from Béziers. Where to stay nearby: A week at The Drawing House (sleeps six) with Vintage Travel (01954 261431; starts from £2,000, self-catered. Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Marie-la-Mer Best for avoiding fellow Brits The Pyrénées-Orientales are immensely popular with holidaying French families, but less so with British tourists. The sand here is the colour and consistency of shortcrust pastry, the beach long and safe for swimming, framed with dunes. Insider tip: Check the summer concert schedule at Argelès-sur-Mer (30 minutess south). How to get there: Drive 20 mins from Perpignan. Where to stay nearby: Camping de la Plage (0033 46880 6859) has pitches from £125 per week. Gruissan Plage, Narbonne Best for la vie en rose The route is even more spectacular than the beach itself, especially by bike. Cycle past a collage of lagoons populated by flamingos and bright shuttered cottages of Gruissan town to arrive at a long beach the colour of weak tea, framed by a row of chalets on stilts. Insider tip: Algae often turns the lagoons at Gruissan a pinkish colour, at its brightest in early summer. How to get there: Drive 20 minutes southeast from Narbonne. Southwest Dune du Pilat, Arcachon Best for sunsets Plummeting down to meet the sea, Europe's largest sand dune looks like a mountain. It's worth the climb up the sliding sand wall, the Atlantic views from the top are superb, particularly at sunset, as Dune du Pilat faces due west. Insider tip: Avoid the restaurants closest to Dune du Pilat to avoid paying £7 for an Americano (a sad but true story). The neighbouring town of Arcachon is much more affordable. How to get there: It's an hour's drive from Bordeaux. Where to stay nearby: Victoria Boutique Hotel (0033 503309 2840) has doubles from £165, including breakfast. Le Porge-Océan, Arcachon Best for surfers A stone's throw north from Pilat as the crow flies, or an hour by road, is one of the finest surfing beaches in France. Sure, it doesn't have the glitz of Biarritz, but what it does have is eight miles of sand the colour of demerara sugar, and reliable rolling waves. Insider tip: Don't judge a book by its cover (or name), So Nice Surf School is the best. How to get there: It's an hour's drive from Bordeaux. Where to stay nearby: Hotel du Porge (0033 55770 9292) has doubles from £80, including breakfast. Trousse-Chemise, Île-de-Ré Best for charm Île-de-Ré is packed with great beaches, but at low tide at Trousse-Chemise you can walk all the way out to picnic on a sand dune – just keep an eye on the tide or you'll be wading back. There are no facilities, just scrubby vegetation, sand and water. Insider tip: Ditch the car for a bike when you arrive; driving is hellish in summer. How to get there: Drive to Île-de-Ré from La Rochelle (tolls £14 in high season, charged on arrival only). Where to stay nearby: Camping Huttopia Ars-en-Ré (0033 54629 4642) has pitches from £20 per night. Brittany Île du Loc'h, Glénans Best for sailors The only thing that stops the Glénan archipelago from becoming a Maldivian honeymoon spot is the Breton weather. Loc'h is private except the beach, going by kayak (rent from St Nicolas) as close as most of us get to a private island experience. Insider tip: Pack plenty of water, it's more expensive than alcohol on the Glénans. How to get there: Boats to the Glénans run from Bénodet, Concarneau and a couple of other towns from April to October. Aber, Crozon Best for nature Brittany's Crozon peninsula looks as though it should be an island, with teetering, crumbling cliffs, wild foliage and tiny stone cottages from centuries gone by. There aren't any facilities, and the beach is a little stonier than nearby Morgat, but there are uninterrupted views of the sea and a little gorse-covered island with a fort. Insider tip: At low tide you can walk out to Aber Fort on the island. How to get there: Drive 50 minutes from Brest or Quimper. Where to stay nearby: Hôtel de la Baie (0033 29827 0751) has doubles from £58, room only. Grand Plage du Sillon, Saint-Malo Best for foodies Saint-Malo may just be the coolest seaside town in France. It doesn't have the flashiness of St Tropez, nor the high-rise of Nice, just pure charm, Medieval architecture (the old town is completely fortified), and darn good food. How often do you get to sit in the sand in the shadow of a 17th-century Vauban fort? Insider tip: The best galettes are at Crêperie le Tourneso. How to get there: By direct ferry Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries. Where to stay nearby: Hôtel les Charmettes (0033 29956 0731) has doubles from £80, room only. Normandy Bec d'Andaine, Avranches Best for uninterrupted views There's no powder sand here: when the tide goes out you're left with muddy slush, some of which is quicksand. What you do get, however, is a spectacular view of Mont St Michel, silhouetted on the horizon. Insider tip: Like the pilgrims of old, trek from Bec d'Andaine to Mont St Michel at low tide (with a guide so that you don't fall foul of the quicksand). How to get there: Drive 20 minutes from Avranches. Where to stay nearby: Manoir de la Roche Torin (0033 23370 9655) has doubles from £139, including breakfast. Deauville Best for celebrity spotting Arguably the least under-the-radar beach in northern France, it's still worth going to Deauville for the poster paint parasols and old-worldly charm. France's version of the Los Angeles boardwalk, the Promenade des Planches, is next door in Trouville-sur-Mer, decorated with the names of many famous actors and directors who have visited the town. Insider tip: Time your visit to coincide with a polo match. How to get there: It's an hour's drive from Le Havre. Where to stay nearby: Hotel Barrière le Normandy (0033 23198 6622) has doubles from £386, including breakfast. Antifer, Étretat Best for avoiding day trippers Monet catapulted Étretat to fame in the 19th century, but its fate was well and truly sealed by Netflix's Lupin. Now, day trippers arrive in droves from as far away as Paris. Nearby Plage d'Antifer is much quieter, a stone beach in the shadow of enormous cliffs, pockmarked by little caves. Insider tip: Take two towels, the shingle is far from comfy. How to get there: Drive 15 minutes west from Étretat, then walk for a mile. Where to stay nearby: Hotel les Pins de César (0033 23273 6910) has doubles from £314, including breakfast. Northeast Quend, Fort Mahon Best for beach sports Tidal, grey and often windswept, this is one of the best places for char-a-voile, land sailing in a three-wheeled buggy. You can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, sending up flurries of muddy sand as you go: exhilarating. Insider tip: Spot harbour seals in the Bay of Somme, just 20 minutes' drive from Plage de Quend. How to get there: Drive an hour from either Calais or Dieppe. Where to stay nearby: Le Piloti (0033 6 95 93 05 29) has doubles from £246, including breakfast for two nights (minimum stay).
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea review – extraordinary architect's story told (again)
There is some exasperatingly passionless and obtuse direction in this detached, sometimes almost somnolent drama-documentary about the extraordinary Irish architect and designer Eileen Gray, played here with a distracted air by Natalie Radmall-Quirke. (This film comes after another odd docudrama about Gray, Mary McGuckian's The Price of Desire, from 2015.) In the late 1920s, Gray designed and built a modernist villa on the Côte d'Azur for herself and her lover, the Romanian architectural journalist Jean Badovici (played here by Axel Moustache): she called it E.1027 (the 'E' standing for Eileen, 10 meaning the 10th letter, J, for Jean, the second, B, for Badovici and the seventh, G, for Gray.) But she quarrelled with him and impulsively moved out, leaving him in sole possession of this marvellous property – and then Badovici's friend Le Corbusier, nettled by this brilliant work which was inspired by but possibly surpassed his own, painted frescoes all over the white walls. He then allowed the architectural world to assume E.1027 was his own work and the feebly submissive Badovici simply allowed him to do it. So this is a story of explosive emotion, creativity and betrayal, but you wouldn't think so from this film's somnambulist tread; it declines fully to inhabit any of its scenes, almost as if it is showing the actors in rehearsal, sauntering self-consciously through the action. Eileen and Jean get into a car, for example, by sitting down on two chairs side-by-side on a soundstage. The drama side of things is seemingly muted by the documentary side. The film, moreover, doesn't show the blood, sweat and tears that must have surely been involved in the colossal task of building E.1027 in such a remote spot. The house is just there and the characters waft through it. Gray admirers might prefer Gray Matters, Marco Antonio Orsini's documentary on the subject. E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea is in UK and Irish cinemas from 16 May
