Latest news with #Provençal
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Beyond the glitz: discover five Cannes attractions that shine
A view of the harbour and beaches in Cannes, France. Image: Unsplash As the world's glitzy film industry converges on the stunning French Riviera for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the city transforms into a vibrant hub of glamour and excitement. While the star-studded red carpets and glamorous premieres draw the spotlight, there is so much more to Cannes than just its cinematic allure. Nestled between the azure waters of the Mediterranean and the lush hills of Provence, Cannes is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. From bustling local markets to breathtaking historical sites, this picturesque city offers a delightful array of activities that cater to every traveller's interests. Here are five captivating things to do while visiting this remarkable destination, ensuring that your trip to Cannes is as enriching as it is entertaining. Markets of marvel: a feast for the senses From Tuesday to Sunday, the charming Provençal markets of Cannes come alive, inviting both locals and tourists to indulge in a sensory delight. Each market is a vibrant tapestry of bursting colours, enticing aromas, and an atmosphere brimming with excitement. The stalls showcase an impressive array of fresh produce - think vibrant greens, sunny citrus fruits, and succulent tomatoes - all sourced from the fertile Cannes basin. As you stroll through the markets, take the opportunity to sample delicious local delicacies. From savoury charcuterie to Mediterranean fish and fragrant herbs, the offerings are not only delectable but also steeped in the warmth of the local culture. Don't forget to try some traditional pastries and artisanal cheeses, which are sure to tantalise your taste buds. Engaging with the friendly vendors adds to the experience, as they share stories and insights about their products, making your visit to the markets a truly immersive experience. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A beautiful sun-kissed beach in Cannes. Image: Unsplash Sun-kissed shores: beaches for every taste Cannes boasts a stunning coastline featuring 13 public beaches alongside numerous private options, each offering a unique experience tailored to different preferences. With the inclusion of a handicapped-accessible beach, Cannes ensures that everyone can enjoy its sun-kissed shores. The renowned Boulevard de la Croisette, with its expanse of soft sand and sparkling waters, is the perfect spot for relaxing and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Families can revel in various activities, ranging from wakeboarding to exploring a self-service library on Macé beach. For those seeking tranquillity, quieter stretches of sand provide a serene escape from the bustling crowds. With numerous supervised swimming areas, you can safely bask in the sun while enjoying the lively scene around you. Whether you prefer lounging on a sunbed with a good book or engaging in water sports, Cannes' beaches cater to all tastes. A journey through time: historical wonders await Cannes is steeped in history and charm, with an architectural heritage that narrates centuries of fascination. Discover the enchanting Suquet hill, a captivating ascent that harkens back to a time when Cannes was merely a quaint village. The cobbled streets and picturesque façades create an inviting atmosphere, perfect for leisurely exploration. Make your way to the Place de la Castre, perched atop the hill, where the remnants of the past come alive. Here, you can explore the old castle, now the Museum of World Explorations, which showcases fascinating exhibits that delve into Cannes' rich maritime history. A medieval tower offers breathtaking views of the landscape, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the city from above. Don't forget to visit the Notre-Dame-d'Espérance church, a historical gem built in 1627, which continues to welcome visitors from all walks of life, providing a moment of reflection amidst your explorations. A view of an island off the coast of Cannes. Image: Unsplash Retail therapy: shopping in style Cannes is a shopper's paradise, with its pedestrian-friendly boulevards lined with chic boutiques, international brands, and local treasures that cater to every taste. A stroll along the iconic Croisette reveals a plethora of luxury stores, where you can indulge in high-end fashion and accessories. Rue d'Antibes stands as the city's commercial heartbeat, offering a mix of well-known brands and charming local shops. Immerse yourself in a true shopping experience at Rue Meynadier, where traditional food shops await you. The central location makes this an excellent opportunity to take breaks at quaint cafés dotted throughout the shopping district, allowing you to recharge while enjoying a delightful cup of coffee or a sweet treat. Fabulous fashion and shopping events provide additional excitement for visitors, making Cannes a destination where retail therapy is not just an activity but an experience. Nature's embrace: scenic walks in the great outdoors To truly soak up the beauty of Cannes, lace up your walking shoes and take a stroll at the Croix des Gardes. This lush park offers a picturesque retreat, complete with stunning views of the bay, the Lérins Islands, and the surrounding mountains. A leisurely 40-minute climb from the old port leads you through vibrant greenery, making it an accessible outing for the entire family. The park's tranquil atmosphere provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the festival, allowing you to connect with nature and enjoy the serene beauty of Cannes. As the Cannes Film Festival steals the spotlight on the Riviera, don't forget to explore the wonderful experiences that make this coastal city a captivating destination. With its vibrant markets, stunning beaches, rich history, superb shopping districts, and picturesque walks, Cannes beckons beyond the glitz, promising a delightful journey for every traveller. Whether you're a film enthusiast or simply seeking to immerse yourself in the charm of this Mediterranean gem, Cannes has something special to offer everyone.
Fashion Network
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Vuitton reopens summer restaurant in Saint-Tropez
Vuitton has reopened its summer restaurant in Saint-Tropez, underlining the luxury label's increasing investment in culinary experiences. Located at the plush White 1921 Hotel near the House's historical store, the restaurant reopens today with an updated menu served on the latest colorful Louis Vuitton tableware collection. Last year, Vuitton's Saint-Tropez restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, thanks to its updated Mediterranean fare—from marbled tomatoes and ravioli filled with girolles to roasted fowl with a fine velouté or brill meunière prepared with seaweed and citrus. The reopening also marks this summer's return of hyper-mediatic chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric to Vuitton in Saint-Tropez. Donckele and Frédéric first connected with Vuitton's parent company, LVMH, at the conglomerate's five-star hotel in the French capital, Cheval Blanc Paris—most notably at Plénitude, the hotel's three-star restaurant. In Saint-Tropez, Vuitton's restaurant is situated on the famed Place des Lices, site of the resort port's renowned Provençal market each Tuesday and Saturday. Beyond Saint-Tropez, Donckele and Frédéric play leading roles in developing the Louis Vuitton Culinary Community, mentoring emerging local talents around the world who, as Members, contribute to the Louis Vuitton luxury snacking vision. Vuitton now boasts eateries in Milan, Tokyo, Osaka and Bangkok, each overseen by chefs within the Culinary Community. Vuitton cafés have also sprung up in Paris, New York, Bangkok, Japan, Chengdu and soon in Shanghai and Seoul. In effect, the Saint-Tropez restaurant is designed to trumpet Vuitton's longer-term vision of extending the House's concept of excellence and savoir-faire to hospitality around the world. 'We are dedicated to bringing customers a relaxed Louis Vuitton culinary experience—whether in Saint-Tropez or any other destination around the world,' said Donckele. Added Frédéric, 'The Culinary Community allows us to align the Louis Vuitton hospitality offering while still encouraging the chefs to flourish according to their own skills and creativity.' The Saint-Tropez space blends a bright floral pattern similar to a motif seen in LV's 2025 Women's Resort collection, designed in a geometric pattern that reinterprets the Monogram Flowers and made in extra-white Limoges porcelain. The ambience is enhanced with reinterpreted Objets Nomades pieces such as the Mini Bell Lamps designed by Barber & Osgerby and Zanellato/Bortotto's lamps enclosed within interwoven leather. Mixing seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients, the menu merges Mediterranean, French and global cuisines—from Wagyu beef in an aromatic bouillon to grilled bluetail lobster with a shiso-infused sauce to sole amidst locally grown herbs and flowers. May the dining begin.
Fashion Network
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Vuitton reopens summer restaurant in Saint-Tropez
Vuitton has reopened its summer restaurant in Saint-Tropez, underlining the luxury label's increasing investment in culinary experiences. Located at the plush White 1921 Hotel near the House's historical store, the restaurant reopens today with an updated menu served on the latest colorful Louis Vuitton tableware collection. Last year, Vuitton's Saint-Tropez restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, thanks to its updated Mediterranean fare—from marbled tomatoes and ravioli filled with girolles to roasted fowl with a fine velouté or brill meunière prepared with seaweed and citrus. The reopening also marks this summer's return of hyper-mediatic chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric to Vuitton in Saint-Tropez. Donckele and Frédéric first connected with Vuitton's parent company, LVMH, at the conglomerate's five-star hotel in the French capital, Cheval Blanc Paris—most notably at Plénitude, the hotel's three-star restaurant. In Saint-Tropez, Vuitton's restaurant is situated on the famed Place des Lices, site of the resort port's renowned Provençal market each Tuesday and Saturday. Beyond Saint-Tropez, Donckele and Frédéric play leading roles in developing the Louis Vuitton Culinary Community, mentoring emerging local talents around the world who, as Members, contribute to the Louis Vuitton luxury snacking vision. Vuitton now boasts eateries in Milan, Tokyo, Osaka and Bangkok, each overseen by chefs within the Culinary Community. Vuitton cafés have also sprung up in Paris, New York, Bangkok, Japan, Chengdu and soon in Shanghai and Seoul. In effect, the Saint-Tropez restaurant is designed to trumpet Vuitton's longer-term vision of extending the House's concept of excellence and savoir-faire to hospitality around the world. 'We are dedicated to bringing customers a relaxed Louis Vuitton culinary experience—whether in Saint-Tropez or any other destination around the world,' said Donckele. Added Frédéric, 'The Culinary Community allows us to align the Louis Vuitton hospitality offering while still encouraging the chefs to flourish according to their own skills and creativity.' The Saint-Tropez space blends a bright floral pattern similar to a motif seen in LV's 2025 Women's Resort collection, designed in a geometric pattern that reinterprets the Monogram Flowers and made in extra-white Limoges porcelain. The ambiance is enhanced with reinterpreted Objets Nomades pieces such as the Mini Bell Lamps designed by Barber & Osgerby and Zanellato/Bortotto's lamps enclosed within interwoven leather. Mixing seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients, the menu merges Mediterranean, French and global cuisines—from Wagyu beef in an aromatic bouillon to grilled bluetail lobster with a shiso-infused sauce to sole amidst locally grown herbs and flowers. May the dining begin.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Beyond the red carpet: 7 stunning places to explore during the Cannes film festival
The Cannes Film Festival 2025 is officially underway, lighting up the French Riviera with its 78th edition of movie magic. For 12 days, the world's biggest stars—actors, directors, creators, and models—have descended on Cannes for what many call the most important event in international cinema. The event which began on May 13, will continue till May 25. From dazzling premieres at the Palais des Festivals to star-studded afterparties along the beach, Cannes is where film, fashion, and fame collide. And while everyone's waiting to see which film becomes the breakout hit of the year, there's more to enjoy here than just red carpets and standing ovations. If you're lucky enough to be in town during the festival—or just dreaming about it—these 7 breathtaking spots around Cannes offer the perfect escape from the spotlight. La Croix des Gardes Whispering pines accompany you in a walk through La Croix des Gardes. Just minutes from the festival madness, this hillside park offers peaceful trails, spectacular views of Cannes, and breezy Mediterranean air. It's a favorite hidden escape for locals—and the occasional celebrity—who want to recharge between events. And if nothing, the view from over the Bay of Cannes at sunset- is worth everything. Le Vana Bar Tucked in the heart of Cannes, Le Vana Bar serves up cool cocktails and a cozy-chic vibe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Recommends: "These 5 Books Will Turn Your Life Around" Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Famous among festival-goers to unwind, this bar is among one of the oldest bars in Cannes. La Californie No, not California in the U.S.—La Californie is Cannes' most elegant hillside neighborhood, where exquisite mansions peek through palm trees. Once home to Picasso, this area oozes quiet glamour. It's perfect for a late morning walk, far from the festival crowd, where the rustique villas, sea views, and timeless charm give Cannes its Riviera magic. Le Cannet Just a short drive from the main festival strip, Le Cannet is a sleepy, artsy town with colorful streets, Provençal cafés, and a relaxed, bohemian vibe. Visit the Bonnard Museum, sip coffee in the sun, and take in panoramic views of Cannes below. Le Suquet Old Cannes lives here. Le Suquet, the city's historic quarter, is all cobbled streets, winding staircases, and charming stone houses. Climb to the top for a stunning view of the harbor and red carpet frenzy down below. For those craving culture over chaos, Le Suquet is pure cinematic romance. Vieux Port Right next to the Palais des Festivals, Vieux Port (the Old Port) is a front-row seat to Cannes' floating luxury. Lined with mega-yachts and sailboats, it is amongst the favorites for people who love water. Iles de Lérins Just a 15-minute ride from Cannes, these two islands—Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat—offer peaceful beaches, pine forests, and historic ruins. The place not only offers an escape from the buzz of the festival and even allows the opportunity to explore places like pristine beaches, monasteries and secret coves.
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Indian Express
UK man sedates, rapes wife for years, then confesses to her. 5 years later, he was convicted
When Kate sat down one evening for what she thought would be an ordinary talk with her husband, she never imagined the words that would follow. Sitting at their dinner table, he leaned forward and said, 'I have been raping you. I've been sedating you and taking photographs of you for years.' In the kitchen of their suburban home in the UK, Kate (not her real name) felt her world shatter. He spoke so casually she later recalled to the BBC, as though he was asking, 'We're going to have spaghetti bolognese tomorrow for dinner, is it all right if you pick up the bread?' For years, she sleepwalked and had unexplained mornings when she woke to find him having sex with her, acts she could never consent to while unconscious. He apologised each time, and Kate, manipulated by his remorse even helped him seek psychiatric care. She had no idea he was spiking her tea with prescription sedatives to carry out his assaults. Her body soon began to betray her. Panic attacks struck without warning, her weight plummeted, and a sense of dissociation clouded each day. It was only when she confided in her sister that action finally followed. Their mother called the police, but Kate was hesitant. 'There was a grief. Not just for me, but for the children. Their dad would never be who he was,' she said. Six months later, Kate's determination hardened. Psychiatric notes and testimony from Narcotics Anonymous and church friends revealed confessions he'd made about drugging his wife to rape her. Initially, the Crown Prosecution Service declined to charge him and only after Kate demanded a review did prosecutors admit their error. In 2022, a jury convicted him of rape, sexual assault by penetration, and administering a substance with intent, handing down an 11-year sentence, five years after Kate's ex-husband had made his confession. Today, Kate lives with PTSD, a neurological disorder born of her ordeal, but she has reclaimed her voice. Thousands of kilometres away, in a sunlit Provençal village, retired grandmother Gisèle Pelicot believed her marriage of six decades was untouchable. She tended her garden, cooked large dinners, and swam in her small pool unaware that her own husband, Dominique, a self-proclaimed family man who took his grandchildren to football matches on Sunday, maintained a dark secret. 'You were a caring, attentive husband, and I never doubted you,' she would later say at trial, 'we shared laughter and tears,' she added, her voice breaking. Her abuse came to light only after Dominique was arrested in 2020 for filming women without consent. What followed stunned France: police found over 20,000 photos and videos of Dominique drugging Gisèle and facilitating her rape by more than 70 men. He labelled the video folder simply, 'Abuse.' Dominique and more than 50 co-defendants—neighbours, relatives, and strangers brought under false pretences—stood trial in Aix-en-Provence in 2024. Amidst devastating circumstances Gisèle refused to hide. She sat in the public gallery, sunglasses shielding her gaze, declaring that anonymity would have been as good as silence. Over weeks of testimony, the scale of betrayal became clear. Men summoned by Dominique, who promised them therapeutic relief for his 'ailing' wife, claimed they believed they had consent. When Dominique spoke from the dock, he offered remorse without denial saying, 'I am a rapist, like the others in this room.' Convicted of rape and sexual assault, the men received sentences ranging from six to twelve years. In the village streets, murals of Gisèle appeared near the town hall, and banners unfurled from Avignon's ramparts reading 'Merci Gisèle.' Thousands marched, some clutching knitting needles as symbols of domestic strength. Her lawyer, Antoine Camus, told TIME, 'This is the first time in France you have deep thinking on this subject. I believe there will be a before and after.' Yet, Kate and Gisèle stand among millions whose suffering remains hidden. Cross-culturally, shame and guilt anchor victims within marriages, fearful of divorce, financial ruin, or social exile. Raquel Kennedy Bergen of St. Joseph's University notes that victims often remain silent to preserve family stability. In France, just 20 per cent of rape survivors file charges, and of those, 94 per cent end without trial. Worldwide, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the WHO. Legal systems can retraumatise. In New York, former governor Andrew Cuomo's sexual harassment lawsuit collapsed when his team's invasive demands for medical and therapy records threatened to humiliate his accuser. Fictional portrayals, like the controversial non-consensual scene in Netflix's Bridgerton, reflect social confusion about marital consent, weaving romance and coercion in a way that blurs reality. In India, Section 375 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita excludes husbands from rape charges, with the government arguing in 2024 that labelling spousal abuse as rape would be 'excessively harsh.' The UK outlawed marital rape in 1991 and today over 100 countries criminalise it, leaving India among roughly 30 holdouts including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. United Nations Population Fund data shows two-thirds of married Indian women face physical or sexual violence. Domestic violence also carries a lethal toll. A study of North Indian pregnant women revealed that women exposed to abuse are 2.59 times more likely to suffer perinatal or neonatal death. Many campaign for reform, but progress is slow. England and Wales are drafting specific spiking offenses carrying up to ten years in jail; France's parliament debates shifting its rape definition to centre on consent; Indian activists continue to challenge marital exemptions. But laws alone cannot break the silence. In the kitchens and courtyards where trust was betrayed, Kate and Gisèle have reclaimed their stories. They have shown that when the sanctuary of home becomes a site of violation, survival demands more than laws – it demands solidarity, empathy, and an unwavering belief that no call for help should ever go unanswered.
