Event Previews & Reviews from Nice

This seven day stage race that brings the cycling elite to France early in the season, a full five months ahead of the legendary Tour de France, is now in full swing.

Summer is well and truly over, but for some autumn is the best time to be here.

If you are in the midst of packing your suitcases to get away on your first winter holiday to the Cote d'Azur, or are simply visiting family or friends in the area for the holidays, and are wondering what's going on locally - then look no further! 

The Nice Carnival almost rivals Rio with its extravagant and colourful parades through the city and along the Promenade des Anglais.

After four exciting days of racing in the Alps, Chris Froome emerged victorious in Paris for the third win of his career. Equalling the records of Philippe Thys, Louison Bobet and Greg LeMond who all have three Tour wins under their belts, and becoming Britain's first three-time winner.

Summer is almost over, however there are lots of things to do in this Riviera city.

As with most weekends in Nice and along the Cote d'Azur, the May day holiday weekend this year begins with festivals and a good smattering of culinary delights. Throw a running-come- wine-tasting event into the mix and the month has truly begun.

Stage 17 of the Tour de France 2016 took the riders from Bern, the capital of Switzerland, to Finaut-Emosson on the Swiss-French border, just around the corner from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

So far we've seen not only some fantastic racing, stunning scenery and nail-biting sprints from the 2016 Tour de France, but we've witnessed several unusual crashes, the yellow jersey literally running up Mont Ventoux and more than one incident of an over-enthusiastic fan causing disruption.

The French Riviera has warmed up and visitors are flocking to Nice's beaches.

The Stade de Nice saw some fantastic football on Friday night as Spain, the hot favourites in the EURO 2016, took on Turkey and came away with a 3-0 victory.

After Bradley Wiggins in 2012 and Richie Porte in 2013 and 2015, Geraint Thomas was ideally placed to keep Team Sky in a good position for a fourth win at Paris-Nice in five years.

First launched in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture, the third Sunday in September is the designated day for historical monuments, museums and even private areas across the country to open their doors and allow the public access to places they would not normally be able to experience.

As 15,000 people cycled the penultimate stage of the Tour de France 2016, from Megeve to Morzine in the Etape du Tour on Sunday, the drama of the actual race was unfolding in the Pyrenees.

As with most months along the Côte d'Azur, June is about festivals and markets.

As the sun begins to heat the earth and our skin we can certainly feel that spring is in the air here in Nice.

We're halfway through the summer and the holiday season is fully underway.

Each February, the streets of Nice are filled with the fun and excitement of their lavish Carnival. The main winter event taking place on the French Riviera and one of the largest carnivals in the world, the Nice Carnival 2019 is ready to offer you an unforgettable experience.