The French Riviera was hit by a major power outage on Saturday morning 24 May 2025 just after 10am, with train lines disrupted and up to 160,000 households left without electricity. Fire rescue services were called out at least 100 times, mainly for people stuck in elevators!
What caused the blackout on the Côte d’Azur?
Arsonists set fire to an electrical substation in the Var (in Biançon/Saint Cassien, in the commune of Tanneron) at 4.30am on Saturday morning, according to the Alpes-Maritimes government department.
This caused a power outage from the Var all the way to Antibes along the coast and inland. Additionally, an electricity pylon in Villeneuve-Loubet sustained major damage, said the department.
In a press statement on Saturday afternoon the department head, Laurent Hottiaux, said he “strongly condemns these serious acts of vandalism” and praised the work of RTE, Enedis and state services.
He said: “All necessary resources have been mobilized to identify, investigate, apprehend, and bring those responsible to justice.”
Teams along the coast worked to gradually restore power supply, and by 6pm electricity had been restored in all municipalities and homes in the Alps-Maritimes.
“Thanks to all the officers who worked to restore the situation as soon as possible for everyone’s safety,” said the department. Security and emergency forces had remained fully mobilised until the situation was resolved.
The impact of no electricity
Apart from the 160,000 homes, businesses were also left without electricity, train lines were disrupted, traffic lights were not working and nor were coffee machines! Even the phone service did not work everywhere. Some shops closed their doors for the day, cinema houses closed, whilst other businesses stayed open, able to accept cash payments only (as credit card payments weren’t working). Many shopkeepers were simply standing in their doorways… waiting, and there was a strange sense of quiet in the air.
A pharmacist who has been in the region for years told Riviera Edition the last time this happened was about 20 years ago when a helicopter crashed in the Var and knocked out the main power source.
Cannes Film Festival evacuation
According to Nice Matin, cinema audiences at the Cannes Film Festival had to evacuate theaters, but fortunately, the festival was able to power up again thanks to a backup generator.
A resident on Cap d’Antibes told Riviera Edition her power returned at around 11.30am, around two hours before the rest of Antibes. Perhaps the area was prioritised as, with Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, it’s currently packed to the rafters with film stars and billionaires attending the festival and the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
Swimming Banned
As a consequence of the power outage, and due to lifesaving stations not being operational, swimming is banned at several Antibes and Juan-les-Pins beaches until noon on Sunday. The mayor said a water quality analysis is underway. The beaches are open.
