All industries have been heavily affected by the Coronavirus and resulting confinement, but none as much as the tourism industry (including restaurants, events, hotels, travel, and entertainment sectors). As the mayor of one of the top destinations in France, David Lisnard is seeing first-hand the devastating impact on his own city and has demanded a concerted response to the impending economic disaster in tourism. 

Take the Fun Food Challenge! Christine Kjeldbjerg and Lucy Kelly are two registered nutritional therapists working on the French Riviera. They have collaborated to create the "Fun Food Diversity challenge", as a way to maintain “Unity in the community” during the lockdown, and at the same time support immunity and keep us healthy! 

Having series fatigue? Our film critic gives her top picks to break the rut of series binging and revisit some oldies but goodies to see us through the remaining lockdown. From Soderbergh to 80’s romcoms, she covers a range of films for every taste and includes an ode to 'Wilson' which we may just appreciate a lot more now! Start the popcorn...

After 32 days of confinement, there have been a series of adjustments to what is and what is not allowed. The Côte d'Azur, in particular, has some very strict rules. The government is constantly running to catch-up with the needs of workers, families and overall health safety. Here we look at the latest changes. 

For the duration of the lockdown, Gomecano is mobilising mechanics across the region to intervene free of charge on caretakers' vehicles. Thanks to strong support from Allianz France, the mobile mechanic start-up is doing their part to assist those assisting us. Whether it's a flat tyre, dead battery or something more involved, GoMecano mechanics will arrive on-site to repair or replace, free of charge.

The Cannes City Council, in cooperation with Cannes Université and the Ecole Régionale d'Acteurs de Cannes-Marseille (ERACM), is encouraging creative writing and prompting the people of Cannes to take up the pen to share their experience of the confinement. The initiative entitled "Mots barrières & mots dans l'air : écrire ensemble contre le virus" (Confined words & words free to roam: writing together against the virus) is being organised by the network of media libraries in Cannes and will run from 13 April to 25 June 2020. 

Most of the world has been in confinement for a few weeks now. However, society’s inability to attend live performances hasn’t prevented us from viewing some great performances. Some of the world’s most revered theatres and opera houses are making famous plays, ballets and concerts available online for free. As the proverbial saying goes: when a door closes, a window opens - and we certainly have a wonderful open window on the arts! It is the perfect antidote to Netflix malaise.

Brexit took place on 31 January, however, there is a grace period for the remainder of 2020 before the rules come into effect. That means there is still time to plan for what to do with your UK pension if you are residing in France. Blevins Franks offers Riviera Insider readers a few options to consider.