Petra Hall created The Riviera Times in 2002 and she was often asked the question: “Isn’t the Riviera Côte d’Azur Zeitung in German enough for you?” The response was ‘no’ because her business plan was already clearly defined. The mission was to cover the most important news and information in the major foreign languages in the region, from Marseille in France to Genoa in Italy and including Monaco.

"It all started when I created the German language newspaper Riviera Côte D'Azur Zeitung in 1992 – a visionary idea presenting a cross border communication operating in the Mediterranean region." says Petra

Very quickly the newspaper was able to boast high numbers of loyal readers. "We had a great relationship with a diverse range of clients, subscribers, companies, those who wished to establish themselves in the area, French establishments as well as European media researchers, needing expertise advice. We were so much more than just a magazine!" said Petra Hall.

It was in 2015 when they transformed from the traditional newspaper format to launching the magazine Riviera Zeit (former Riviera Côte d'Azur Zeitung) and Riviera Insider (former Riviiera Times), bringing together more than two decades of unique insights into Riviera news, culture, art, restaurants, trends and insider-tips.

Petra Hall: "Today Riviera Insider is the only magazine exclusively written in English that covers the whole region – full of information, produced by mother-tongue journalists and with a proper editorial team in place. It is not a magazine without any editorial content, but a publication with its own identity, full of useful items to enable people to enjoy life better in this privileged region, and also one which targets an international readership, to reflect life on the Riviera."

Petra proudly talks about the numerous subscribers who are based not only in France but in Monaco, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and other countries across Europe as well as the United States, Scandinavia and Australia. "It is a success which is also owed to all those who have had faith in the company and who have supported it wholeheartedly in this innovative approach." she concludes.

The editorial content deals with a multitude of topics concerning services, economics, culture as well as history, social and regional news. The French, Italian and Monegasque personalities also have the opportunity to have their say and offer a fascinating insight into their country's practices, habits and mentalities.

Since 2015, the group Riviera Press took over these two magazines, which comes out every two months. In 2016 the publication titled Palaces, in English and French, was launched and formed part of the editorial family.

Where can people fnd the publicaions?
Today, Riviera Insider, Riviera Zeit and Palaces are at newsstands between Saint Tropez and San Remo and boasts around 3000 subscribers. They are also available free of charge on all Delta Airlines flights to New York, in consular offices, international schools and at almost 1000 other distribution outlets.

One of the editorial team's important, daily challenges is to present a selection of current news events on the web page www.riviera-press.fr.

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We asked Petra our famous 5 questions and this is how she replied...

1. What makes you smile?

The innocence of children, the loyal friendship of dogs and honest people who do their job with enthusiasm.

2. What or who inspires you?

Nature, and sensitive intelligent human beings

3. Do you believe in gut instincts?

Yes

4. Your 3 essential things if you were stuck on a desert island would be what?

Water, mobile, hat

5. If you are planning a day/night out, what do you enjoy doing the most?

Hiking in the unspoiled nature

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Thank you to Petra Hall and her team for including me in their Expat Focus feature on Riviera Insider: Expat Focus: Anna Fill