An alley near the Promenade des Anglais. A large pastel wooden door. Ring the bell, and Andrรฉ, the co-manager (see interview), greets you with his partially unbuttoned floral shirt and three-day white stubble. On the ground floor, the first session of undressing occurs, but just to leave your coat and other bulky items in the cloakroom. For your safety, a condom dispenser is neatly attached to the wall. To the left, a spiral staircase opens into a purple haze.
From above…
Andrรฉ then takes us to the first floor. A long bar stands and overlooks a room with dim lighting. The walls, adorned with fragments of mirrors, reflect the warm colors of the room. On each side, dark velvet armchairs intertwine near the red coffee tables. At the far end, near the bay windows, are vertical bars available for striptease enthusiasts. To get your eyes accustomed, you can admire nude paintings on the walls and, in the corners, figurines and sculptures with strangely phallic forms. Here, people meet, talk, get to know each other, and almost tame one another. To avoid having to raise your voice, the soft lounge music gives the place a piano bar vibe. Then, as the night progresses and guests settle in, Club 54 transforms into a nightclub by opening its dance floor.
…below
Those who have formed particular connections, or simply regulars who already know what they want, can then retreat together. Head to the basement for a “big hug,” as they say at the Club. Descend the stairs into a dimly lit space. Already, subtle scents of incense, sweat, and stale tobacco reach your nostrils. Tapestries and zebra-patterned benches transport you 20 years back. Club 54, established in 1980, has retained its original charm.
In the center of the room, white beds are interlocked to form a single platform. Heart-shaped cushions and red curtains add touches of tenderness to this spartan universe. In a recess, the clinking of steel chains can be heard. The cell bars barely conceal “the dungeon” reserved for “the naughty ones.” The medieval aspect likely reminds one that the club is set in an old castle’s fortifications, an edifice listed as a historic monument by the Ministry of Culture. 
Andrรฉ, Co-manager of Club 54: “It’s wild here. We have fun!“
It is generally difficult to form an opinion about a place intended for the free practice of sex. To hell with taboos. In his sixties, Andrรฉ shares with us his extensive experience in the swinging scene.
N.P:
What kind of people come to Club 54?
A: Our clientele prefers a mild form of swinging. Sometimes clients like to be tied up, but nothing too extreme. What’s most stimulating is having sex with complete strangers. The couples who come here lead normal lives. Most of them are middle-aged individuals who have developed some weariness in their daily lives. This type of venue isn’t really meant for young couples.
N.P: Is the swingers’ club a successful business?
Our establishment is known worldwide thanks to the Internet, which lists us properly. We no longer rely on paper advertising to promote ourselves. As a result, there are far more foreign visitors than locals from Nice. Other clubs in Nice had to close because they weren’t doing as well. Swinging and places conducive to sex fare much better in Cannes. We are beginning to have issues with neighbors due to the music. Safety regulations have also changed. I can now only accommodate 49 people at the bar and 19 in the basement.
N.P: Is it difficult to manage the atmosphere in such a libertine setting?
It’s wild here. We have fun. There’s no jealousy. Sometimes a man needs to be managed so he doesn’t become too insistent with women or too demanding. But it always goes well. I personally select the clients at the entrance. Occasionally, I like to participate. No bouncer or reservations needed.
N.P: In your opinion, has the swinging scene evolved?
Mentalities change from year to year. Before the arrival of AIDS, the club was an orgy. Now, with condoms, people are more cautious. We see couples who come just to flirt or exchange caresses. We were the first to host themed parties. The clientele used to be much more attentive and enthusiastic when it came to dressing up, for example. Now, the panorama of libertines has expanded. There is much less personal investment.
N.P: What does the Club bring you personally?
Being the manager of Club 54 is a second activity for me; I have another profession on the side. But what I love above all is having an activity involving contact.
