Georges-Kévin N’Koudou joins AS Monaco

George-Kebin N'Koudou

AS Monaco announces the arrival of Georges-Kévin N’Koudou from Tottenham. The attacking midfielder is loaned until the end of the season.

At Nantes FC, with whom he made his professional debut in the 2013/2014 season, the young -23-year-old offensive midfielder played a second full season with the Canaries before joining Olympique Marseille.

Author of 10 goals and 5 assists in 41 games on the at Marseille, the explosive winger went to Tottenham in August 2016. The former international French youth international joins AS Monaco after two seasons and a half at Spurs including a six-month loan at Burnley.

George-Kebin N'Koudou

“Georges-Kévin N’Koudou is a player who has already proven himself in Ligue 1 with Nantes and especially Marseille. His speed and explosiveness will be an added strength for the team,” said Vadim VasilyevVice President of AS Monaco.

N’Koudou said, “I am very happy to return to Ligue 1 and to get involved with AS Monaco. I look forward to meeting my teammates and giving everything on the field with this red and white jersey.”

Kuwait Airways flying to Nice twice a week in summer

Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur

For the first time, a French airport outside Paris will be welcoming a flight from Kuwait City. This fifth long-haul destination makes the area even more attractive and should help to capture high-yield custom.

From 3 June to 12 September, Kuwait Airways will be offering two weekly connections with Nice, on Mondays and Thursdays. The flight from Nice to Kuwait will be direct, and is scheduled from Terminal 1 at 18:15.

The flight from Kuwait will make a commercial stop at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport, where passengers for Nice will remain aboard the aircraft.

It is scheduled to land at 17:15. The flights will use Boeing 777-300 aircraft, with 290 economy seats, 36 business-class seats, and 8 first-class seats.

“This new international connection to and from Kuwait strengthens our dynamic and unique offer for long-haul flights. It is a great opportunity for local economic development, with high-potential tourist passengers. It also actively boosts the global appeal of the Riviera,” explains a delighted Dominique Thillaud, Chairman of the Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.

Monaco Yacht Show launches 2019 ad campaign

Monaco Yacht Show 2019 advertisement.

The advertising campaign of the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show again reveals the audacious direction undertaken by the organisers for six years to welcome a new generation of private visitors and introduce them to superyachting.

Monaco Yacht Show 2019 advertisement.

The artwork features a slightly restyled logo with the iconic monogram “MYS”, bigger and instantly recognisable. This logo refresh will increase the Monaco Yacht Show’s brand awareness as a label of the Monaco superyacht art of living and of the « MYS » know-how in superyacht events. This is also heightened by the “House of Fine Yachting” hallmark (like seasonal collections in Haute Couture, the MYS unveils a unique collection of 120 superyachts every year).

The MYS is already looking forward to its 30th edition in 2020. An anniversary date that will resolutely position the Monaco Yacht Show as a genuine family brand with a range of related projects dedicated to enhance the show’s visit experience for the private clientele and offer a first immersion into the superyacht world for prospective owners or charterers over the next few events (Monaco Yacht Summit, MYS Inaugural Gala event, Car Deck, Tenders & Toys, Sapphire Experience).

Monaco Yacht Show takes place between 25 and 28 September 2019.

Hôtel de Paris rooftop goes up in flames

Hotel de Paris roof fire

Fire has ravaged part of Monaco’s legendary Hôtel de Paris. The blaze broke out at around 11.30am on Thursday 31st January in the new rooftop spa, adjoining the palatial Rainier III suite which had just been inaugurated two days earlier.

By midday, thick plumes of black smoke could be seen bellowing from the hotel’s rooftop, where the spa was under construction. The area was evacuated and firefighters converged on the scene. The blaze was eventually brought under control and no casualties have been reported. See the videos on our Facebook page.

Hotel de Paris roof fire
Hotel de Paris roof fire

It is a devastating blow for the world-famous hotel which sits at the heart of Monaco, adjacent to the Monte Carlo Casino and the Café de Paris. Just two days earlier, on Tuesday 29th January, HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Charlene inaugurated the Rainier III penthouse, the largest suite in the hotel. The 600sqm “villa on the roof” is filled with photos, paintings, sculptures and personal items that belonged to Prince Rainier III. It is unclear if any of the historic pieces were damaged in the fire. The suite was priced at 45,000€ per night.

Hotel de Paris on fire

The Hôtel de Paris was nearing the end of a four-year 250€ million renovation, and sections have gradually been opened to the public including, most recently, the new lobby, the three Michelin star restaurant Louis XV, and the garden-filled interior known as Le Patio.

The hotel was set to debut in full its dramatic renovation in March. The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated.

The Princess Grace Theater commits to the Monaco Energy Transition

transition-energetic - Copyright - Stephane Danna

Françoise Gamerdinger, Deputy Director of Cultural Affairs in charge of the programming of the Princess Grace Theater (TPG), signed this Tuesday, January 29 the Charter of commitment of the National Pact for the Energy Transition.

With this strong gesture, the establishment is committed to a decarbonated Monaco.

transition-energetic - Copyright - Stephane Danna
transition-energetic – Copyright – Stephane Danna

The ceremony, which took place four days after the adhesion of the Society of the Baths of Sea to the National Pact, took place in the presence of Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux, Director of the Mission for the Energy Transition, and of all the team Princess Grace Theater.

The National Pact, set up last January, commits the Monegasque community to achieve the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), set at -50% in 2030 compared to 1990 and carbon neutrality in 2050.

HSH the Sovereign Prince, followed by his Government, were the first signatories of the National Pact, which now has nearly 600 signatories.

Monte Carlo Rally start likely to return to Monaco

Monte Carlo Rally car

Following complaints about Monte Carlo not being a location for the early stages of the Monte Carlo Rally, the Principality may host the start of next year’s event.

Last weekend’s event began in Gap instead of Monaco’s prestigious Casino Square, which had previously hosted the start since 2015.

Monte Carlo Rally car
Photo: Facebook Rallye Monte-Carlo

The cars arrived in Monaco late on Saturday night before heading into the mountains nearby before dawn. They then came back into Monaco for a harbourside finish on Sunday.

Four-time Monte Carlo Rally winner Tommi Makinen told AutoSport: “When I was competing we were always based in Monte Carlo.

“There was always a really fantastic atmosphere around the place and you knew you were in Monte Carlo Rally – now we don’t know that at all.

“We start this rally from the middle of France. We need to put Monte Carlo back into the Monte Carlo [Rally]. We need to make this event more of a challenge again.

“Why not start from Monte and then come out on a long loop with six different stages split by a remote service one day and the same again the next?”