If you are staying in one of our holiday apartments in Monaco, Nice or Cannes in late May, then the chances are you are heading off to the Monaco Grand Prix whilst you are here. Known as The Place to Race, each year in late May, the Formula One racing heroes zoom through the winding narrow streets of Monte Carlo. With little room for error and constant gear change, this yearly event is the jewel of the Formula One crown.
The dates for 2010 for the Monaco Grand Prix have been changed from May 20 - 23 to May 13 - 16. There are more than 3,000 seats available for sale on the circuit. Prices range from 100 euros to 500 euros a ticket. You are best getting hold of a map of the circuit before you buy. The best sections are A1, A4, V, Z1, Z2 and O.
For more information on tickets, visit the Automobile Club de Monaco. If a ticket for Sunday's main event proves hard to come by, you can book yourself into a restaurant for lunch which has a terrace overlooking the race. Or, try watching the qualifying race the day before instead, where the smell of burning rubber is just the same, but both the crowds and the ticket price are less colossal.
For a glimpse of Tom, George, and Brad straightening their dickie bows, or the stunning pouts of Angelina and Julia, then head to the Cannes Film Festival from 12-23 May 2010. A haven for Hollywood, this glittering extravaganza is the most prestigious film festival in the world. The main hub of the action is the Palais des Festivals, a giant building where the entrance is adorned by the famous red carpet and photographers flash bulbs. We have a selection of rental apartments in the very heart of this area, if you want to be part of the action. If you prefer to base yourselves in Nice, then transport links mean that nny of our rental apartments on the French Riviera will get you to the red carpet on time. See the official website for more details.
As well as the Cannes film festival, the dates for the other upcoming main conferences are as follows:
• 23 January – 27 January 2010: The MIDEM music conference• 16 March – 19 March 2010: The MIPIM property conference
• 12 April – 16 April 2010: The MIP TV conference
The historic Nice Carnival attracts over one million visitors each year. For 2009 the theme is the King of Masquerades and you can see it all from the 13 February to 1 March. With a budget of € 5 million, it's no surprise it's still a huge tourist draw. We can expect trapeze artists, clowns, elaborate constructions and lots of silly string all over the Promenade des Anglais. As usual, there will also be the "Bataille des Fleurs", a huge parade of flowers and the ceremonial burning of the Carnival King. And then the rest of the budget will go up in smoke at the almost 30-minute long fireworks display. Find details on parade times and entrance fees here.
Annual Events
Mimosa Festival of Mandelieu-La Napoule. Celebrate with the locals at the annual Mimosa Festival (La Fête du Mimosa). From 13 - 22 February 2009, Mandelieu-La Napoule goes flower power crazy. The blooming of the gloriously yellow, sweet smelling mimosa flower marks the beginning of spring. The highlights are the election of the Mimosa Queen to reign over the spectacular parade of flowered floats. There's also dancing, singing, food events, craft fairs, and a children's carnival and activities.
Lemon Festival of Menton (Fête du Citron à Menton). In nearby Menton, it's a citrus celebration. Menton prizes itself on producing sweet lemons and is immensely proud of its reputation. The annual festival is over 70 years old. Artists and craftsmen bind the fruits together to create impressive fanciful sculptures and floats that parade the streets or sit serenely in the Bioves Gardens. In 2009, the festival takes place on Sunday 15 and 22 February and 1 March with fireworks in the evening on Thursday 19 and 26 February. There are also craft fairs, food markets, and arranged visits to orchards and jam factories. For further details, and to book tickets online, click here.
Tennis Masters Monte Carlo. Reserve your tickets online for the 2009 Masters Series Monte Carlo tennis tournament which takes place 11 - 19 April 2009. Details, packages, news and you can even print your own ticket from the official website.
Cannes MIPIM Property Summit. For four days from 10 - 13 March 2009 MIPIM brings the hospitality and real estate sectors together on a global scale. This premier real estate event is a unique opportunity to network and do business with industry decision makers.
Cannes Lion International Advertising Festival in June, delegates gather in Cannes to celebrate the best that the advertising industry has to offer the world, to review the year just gone and to draw a roadmap for the future. More than 10,000 delegates from 85 countries come to enjoy over 50 seminars, 25 workshop and be inspired by the 28,000 pieces of work on display. This year, the advertising festival takes place from 20 - 26 June 2010.
Iron Man Nice. The fifth year of Ironman France will take place on 27 June 2010. This competition of extreme endurance consists of a triathalon that includes a 3.8km sea swim, 180km bike race and a 42.195km run in Nice and the surrounding hills.
Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show (Festival International de la Plaisance). Every September, 50,000+ visitors descend on the glamorous Port de Cannes for the Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show to see the latest models from the nautical world. At around € 20 a ticket, this is a great event for boat enthusiasts. Organised by the French Nautical Industries Federation, next year's boat show at the Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto takes place from 8 - 13 September 2010.
Bastille Day. Bastille Day on 14 July is a national holiday in France and many businesses, schools and banks may close and public transport services will be reduced. A great day to stay in Nice, take it easy on the beach perhaps and end the evening admiring the magnificent firework display over the sea.
Jazz Festival. In 2009, the Nice Jazz Festival will take place every evening from 18 - 25 July. These eight days of July are magical with jazz events a plenty around Nice and the gardens and olive groves of Cimiez. Not to be missed, even if your love for Jazz is minimal - it's a great family fun event.
St Reparate Festival. In 2009, this event will take place on Sunday 11 October, with processions to celebrate the Patron Saint of Nice.
Opera at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, St Jean Cap Ferratt. Between 18 - 30 August, this spectacular performance brought to you by Les Azuriales Opera will host its 14th annual Operatic Event. It is a spectacular setting for a night to remember whilst on holiday and worth the ticket price of 138 euros, not including dinner. English subtitles are provided during the concert. Download the 2009 brochure here
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