The national day of strike action against President Macron’s changes to France’s labour laws takes place on Tuesday, September 12. In the local region this will mean that most trains scheduled to run to Monaco from Nice and Menton during the morning rush hour will not operate.
According to train operator SNCF, only five trains will run from Nice to Monaco between 6:01 am and 8:30 am – at 6:01, 6:45, 7:30, 8:11 and 8:30. Very few trains will run during the rest of the day. In the evening rush hour, just three trains will travel to Nice, starting at 4:41 pmand the last train of the day will be at 8:44 pm.
Commuters from Menton will find morning trains at 6:11 am, 7:11 am, 8:33 am, 8:56 am and 9:34 am from Ventimiglia, and in the evening four trains will run starting at 4:23 pm from Monaco. The last train travelling east will leave the Principality at 7:11 pm.
Disruption started at 6 pm on Monday and will continue at least until 8 am on Wednesday, September 13.
Monaco’s Padel teams: Colin Gresham, Franck Damar, Irina Peterson and Joelle Rossignol
Monaco’s padel teams took part in the Open de France at the Place du Capitole in Toulouse on Friday, September 8.
The first-ever Women’s team, Irina Peterson and her partner Joelle Rossignol, faced off against France, Spain and Holland, finishing their last match at midnight.
The highly-respected Philippe Sassier, who has been playing the sport since 1994 and co-founded the Monaco Padel Federation in 2014 with Andrew Knox, organised the participation of the Principality in the Open de France, which included some great playing also from the Men’s side, made up of Colin Gresham and Franck Damar.
Monaco Padel teams with Philippe Sassier, President of Monaco Padel (third from left)
Irina Peterson and Joelle Rossignol with the Spanish team.
Colin Gresham and Franck Damar in red shorts at tournament
The home team of Toulouse won the European Cup. In fact, the Toulouse padel club has a long history, which dates back to the early 1990s. “This discipline came here in 1992 when I created the French Federation,” said Claude Baigts, organiser of the Open de France.
“Then, between 1993 and 2002, a tournament was held every summer at the Place du Capitole. Last year, we finally returned with a new format, named Open de France Mutuelle du Rempart. On our two courts, we held the Mixed Open de France with sixteen teams representing a dozen nationalities.”
At the same time, the first European Cup of Private Clubs took place under the aegis of the European Association of Padel Clubs, with eight delegations from seven countries, including Monaco. This was a mixed event as each club has a Women’s and a Men’s team.
The tournament also had a business village, as well as a space for sport, health, and well-being”. There was a closing ceremony in the evening in support of Paris’ bid for the 2024 Olympics, but the entire set up was urgently dismantled for security reasons with the impending visit of French President Macron to Toulouse on Monday.
The Department of Urban Development will carry out the complete renovation of the Quai Jean-Charles Rey in Fontvieille. A complete makeover will mean the resurfacing of the quay, and new street fixtures and planters.
“We have reviewed the entire public space both on the aesthetic and functional level”, said Jean-Luc Puyo, Director of Urban Development, “using modern materials and equipment that are perfectly adapted to the space”.
This work will be carried out in three phases. The first phase, which will begin on Monday, September 18, and end in mid-December, will cover the sector between the port entrance and the Michelangelo restaurant.
Espace Léo Ferré’s fall programming starts strongly with the return of Michaël Gregorio, who will present his new show “I’m 10 years old”.
Since 2006 and his debut at the Café de la Danse, more than a million people have appreciated the talent of Michaël Gregorio who takes his impressions, sketches and parodies to the stage.
His talent was revealed in the early 2000s in M6’s “Seeds of a Star” TV show – which he won twice. Today, accompanied by four musicians, Mr Gregorio entertains for over two hours during a transgenerational experience with a variety of musical styles – Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Johnny Hallyday, Daft Punk, Francis Cabrel, Shakira, Depeche Mode, Jay-Z, and others.
To celebrate his 10 years of touring, Mr Gregorio returns with an unprecedented event, during which he revisits the best moments of his first three shows. New sketches, new voices, surprises and guests are also on tap for the Friday, November 3, spectacle at 8:30 pm at Espace Léo Ferré.
Digging into a bowl with quinoa, kale, chicken, sweet potato, zucchini & black beans
Dining out used to be an excuse for me to eat unhealthy, mostly because I thought there were never wholesome alternatives on a menu. Since moving to Monaco, however, I’ve been eating out nearly on a daily basis and have had to find ways to eat out without freaking out.
I have a gaggle of go-to eateries. I tend to hit Mozza (11 Rue du Portier) for the chicken and vegetables or for the Dover sole. When craving a good piece of meat, I’ll definitely head to BeefBar (42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey) and order their barbeque sauce mash on the side – not exactly the healthiest choice, so we’ll keep that between us.
When I’m in the mood for fish with a view, I’ll go for the seabass at Horizon at the Fairmont (12 ave des Spélugues) or venture over to Anjuna in Eze (28 ave de la Liberté).
Most often you’ll find me at Eqvita, Djokovich’s vegan restaurant 7 Rue du Portier, chomping down on a vegan burger with sweet potato fries or the sweet jacket potato with mushrooms. It’s always a toss-up between these two mouthwatering dishes.
Burger at Eqvita
With a little practice, I’ve developed some foolproof tips for enjoying eating out without going all out.
Choose your restaurant wisely. Most restaurants offer a healthy option but when in doubt, check out the menu online before you go.
Send back the breadbasket. I used to love bread and the only way I managed to get off it was to no longer have it in front of me. Not only does bread fill you up with empty calories, but worse, it causes a surge in blood sugar levels which will leave you craving more.
Order water and drink 1 or 2 cups before the meal arrives. This way you’re not confusing your thirst with hunger thus reducing your chances of overeating.
If you’re up for it, avoid alcohol all together but otherwise try to stick to one drink. Choose your preferred beverage and savour every drop, sipping slowly while making sure to alternate with sips of water. Alcohol is dehydrating so drinking water is also a sure way to avoid a hangover.
If you feel like a starter, opt for mainly vegetables or some type of fish tartar or carpaccio.
When choosing your main course, identify what protein you’re going to have first. Chicken, meat (preferably grass-fed), fish, seafood or a vegan source of protein – lentils, quinoa or chickpeas are all great choices.
Share your snaps of eating out in Monaco on Instagram and tag #maddywell #monacolife
Go for something that’s preferably grilled or steamed, and stay away from any deep-fried foods. Avoid anything with heavy sauces or ask for it to be put on the side so that you can choose just to have a little of it. Alternatively, ask for olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to flavour fish or ask for mustard if you’re having meat.
Skip starches and double up on veggies instead. For example, if the fish you’ve chosen comes with rice or potatoes, ask them to be replaced with green beans, broccoli or whichever vegetable is in season instead. Aim to fill at least half your plate with a colourful range of seasonal vegetables. These are filled with vitamins and antioxidants that will keep you healthy and glowing.
Try to stay away from pasta, potatoes and fries. These are nutritionally poor and don’t bring anything but empty calories, a surge in blood sugar levels and give something for your body to burn instead of burning fat.
Love this raw chocolate cake at Eqvita
When you can, try to skip dessert and order a fresh mint tea instead. If you’re craving something sweet, ask for some fresh berries or a scoop of sorbet. Berries are full of vitamins and antioxidants and are low in sugar, while sorbet is a healthier version to ice cream as it contains some vitamins from the fruit, no diary and often less sugar. My personal favourite is coconut sorbet with dark chocolate sauce. It’s probably not the as healthy as having berries but it’s a good compromise and makes me feel like I’ve had something really indulgent even though it’s actually not that bad.
The key to eating out is pleasure. Eat slowly, enjoy your company and stop when you’re gently satisfied, around 80% full. I’m not very good at this because I love food so much but I remind myself that this will not be my last meal and that it’s worth keeping room for the next one … or for my coconut sorbet.
Article first published August 27, 2017.Maddy is the Founder of Nutrition For Naughty People, aimed at helping individuals find a better balance between the things that keep them healthy and the things that make them happy! Any questions? mk@nutritionfornaughtypeople.com.
It’s official. Things are getting cooler in Monaco and I’m not just talking about the temperature. This past weekend the weather wasn’t at its best but that didn’t deter anybody else from being. There’s a shift in the air; the season is changing. The Hermès sandals are being traded for Balenciaga Speed trainers, floral prints replaced by neutral tones, gold is out and silver reigns. The soft glam of the summer is beginning to toughen up for fall. Think herringbone blazers over lattes at Café de Paris and prairie girl chic with a rocker twist while shopping with your girlfriends.
Sonia Lyson
@soniafrancexThis Berlin based Instagrammer gave us business casual lux redux in a total look by Anine Bing. Rocking a graphic T-shirt under a classic herringbone blazer paired with a black button-up skirt, Sonia would make anybody casually rolling up to the Café de Paris for a hangover cure run home and re-think their outfit.
Her round Ray-Ban sunglasses took the look towards early 90s power-suit status and simple Chanel medallion necklace added a subtle touch of the current logo-mania revival trend. In perfect coordination with her look, Sonia accessorised with a red and grey Fendi python Peekaboo bag that brought together the three colours that made up her outfit. A perfect example of meticulously crafting the seemingly unstudied casual on-the-go look that reigns supreme in Berlin.
Liza Orlovskaya
@lisa_orlovskaya Monochrome was the order of the day for art historian and interior designer Liza Orlovskaya. In a black lace-up tank top, black and white plaid shorts, on first glance one might pass this look off as a simple attempt to emulate the grunge trend that Hedi Slimane made so prolific once again. On second glance you would see that that is not the case for Lisa. The devil is in the details, the Hermès details to be exact. A black Hermès Evelyne bag, casual, practical but oh so lux let’s you know that her look is a step above the trendy masses. A Hermès Collier de Chien bracelet in black and silver complimented perfectly by a pair of black and silver Dior So Real sunglasses add an element of polished rock and roll.
Continuing with the current theme, Lisa dons a pair of the most coveted shoes of the season, Balenciaga Speed Trainers, but nobody is going to mistake her for being on the way to the gym in these beauties. I love her look in the simple fact that’s it’s not in your face, look at me, but rather a simple appreciation for quality products … and also … THOSE SNEAKERS! #JEALOUS
Lorenza Abbate
@lorenzaabbate Not exactly sure what this Italian babe does but one thing I do know is that she demonstrates an inherent understanding of what it means to have your own personal style. The only interpretation I have for this look is if Lana Del Rey lived in a little house on the prairie and was an avid fan of streetwear culture. Tortoise shell cat eye sunglasses give it a vintage end of summer vibe, together with a choker and cross necklace ask the question “Is she a good girl, is she a bad girl?”
A black T-shirt from Hunt brand brings in that streetwear vibe. A thick black belt worn high is the perfect foil to Lorenza’s printed prairie skirt. There is something very Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy the way she mixes the dark with the romantic and it’s executed perfectly for a summer look. She is not dressing to attract the attention of men as one can often see on the streets, in the restaurants and clubs of Monte Carlo, she’s just a cool girl dressing for her cool world.
Screen Shot 2017-09-11 at 03.16.21.png
Chiara Nascimben
@chiara.na Once again let it be known that I LOVE this move back towards less is more: high-end basics and lux details. Which is why I’m obsessed with Chiara Nascimben’s look this weekend. A classic combo, white shirt and a denim mini, it’s fresh, it’s comfortable, it says summer barbecue, it says shopping at the Metropole or a Bouchon juice date with friends.
I love the uniqueness of the duo tone in her skirt and the cuffed end gives it a crisp feel. It only gets better with a white Chanel bag and spotted once again the must have sneaker of the season the Balenciaga Speed Trainers. Accessorised with a black Hermès Collier de Chien, Chiara is ready to face whatever the day holds, the versatility of this look is the key.
Danil Bogdanenko
@danskiy I think by now you guys have got my mad love for summer style in it’s simplest form this past weekend. So many people get it so wrong trying to be so right when it comes to fashion. Just chill, take a breath, find things that compliment you, get dressed. Singer songwriter Danil Bogdanenko followed these rules and channelled Steve McQueen in a white mandarin collar button up, rolled up khakis, and Vans Old Skool Gum Sidestripe sneakers accessorised with a classic pair of Persol sunglasses (just like Steve did). See it’s easy! Take note men of Monaco.
Samuel B
@fbysam I’m always totally stoked when I see someone I love to follow on Instagram from afar in whatever part of the world I happen to be in. When I saw that Sam was in Monaco I knew that his look would be on point. Always oozing that classic French boy appeal from under round Ray-Ban sunglasses, Sam kept it simple in a long beige T-shirt by New Look and cuffed chinos from Zara. Prepared for the sometimes-chilly evenings in Monaco, he donned a distressed printed denim jacket also by Zara. Classic Adidas Stan Smith sneakers finished the look off. He’s not trying to join in on the “bling-bling” scene in Monaco that he alludes to in his blog, he’s happy to explore the quieter side of life in this little country. That’s something that everybody (including myself) should take some time to do … to avoid getting caught up with “keeping up”.