Day: 13 January 2019

Following a four-year renovation programme, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, founded in 1864, is now writing the next page in its history at the heart of a new Monte-Carlo.

The meticulous modernisation of this iconic hotel started in 2014, with the vision to articulate and further define the founder François Blanc’s dream of “a hotel that surpasses everything”, thus perpetuating the legend into the 21st century.

Partial deconstruction, reconstruction, the harmonisation of spaces, the design of new areas, creation of exclusive suites and the evolution of gastronomy; the transformation of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was entrusted to architects Richard Martinet and Gabriel Viora, who dedicated themselves to enhancing and preserving the timeless spirit of the
building.

A step-by-step transformation

In May 2017, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo revealed the first stage of the transformation – the revived Rotunda Wing, showcasing new rooms that further elevate the standard of the hotel with a minimum size of 34 m2, using the most refined materials available. On the 8th floor, Le Grill restaurant followed and was transformed with a mix of modern warm blue hues and contemporary furnishings, creating a feeling of being suspended between the earth and the sky.

In addition, the new Hairspa Rossano Ferretti also opened its doors. In November 2017, the sumptuous Princess Grace Suite was inaugurated by H.S.H Prince Albert II and Princess Stéphanie – it is the most exclusive suite in Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to date. In June this year, the famous Le Bar Américain unveiled its new-refreshed look, by interior
designers David Collins Studio with a new terrace that opens onto the sea and Place du Casino. The new Monte-Carlo Suite followed – found at the heart of the hotel, it prolongs the “luxury gaming” experience of Casino de Monte-Carlo for the most prestigious players on the planet seeking discretion and an even more personalised service.

The penultimate step came in December 2018 when Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo unveiled its new courtyard patio. A 671 m² green space at the heart of the hotel, it is a prestigious courtyard lined with luxury boutiques including Graff, Harry Winston, Omega and Stardust. Lastly, the famous Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris restaurant regained its original setting next to Place du Casino. The golden decorations, frescoes and hangings in the Salle Empire have all been restored to their full splendour.

January 2019, the epilogue

Following the popularity of 3 Michelin-starred restaurant Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris, the awardwinning chef introduces a new restaurant in 2019, Ô Mer. Found on the ground floor of the Rotunda Wing, the restaurant, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, overlooks the beautiful hotel gardens and offers a Mediterranean menu with flavours and tastes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia – with a hint of the Hispanic, Nice and Maltese shores.

At the end of January, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo will unveil a spectacular new suite on the top floor, overlooking Place du Casino: Suite Prince Rainier III. The largest suite at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, guests can expect a one-of-akind experience; the space has been meticulously dressed with personal objects and ornaments. Hôtel de Paris MonteCarlo will then have a total of 207 rooms, 60% of which are suites and include the two most exceptional suites on the Riviera, a striking bar and an exceptional culinary repertoire along with one of the largest private wine cellars in the world, the Cave de l’Hôtel de Paris.

Ivan Artolli, Managing Director of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo comments, “the transformation of Hôtel de Paris MonteCarlo reconfirms the original dream of the founder of Groupe Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Whether travelling from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Russia, Asia or Brazil, our guests know that when they turn the revolving door of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, they will enjoy an experience like no other. It’s our job to continue to make their dreams come true.”

A context of renewal for Groupe Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
The transformation of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo is part of the vast programme to transform the Place du Casino, the historic centre of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort, 150 years after its creation. The transformation affects the Place du Casino neighbourhood in its entirety, with Casino de Monte-Carlo, the opening of One MonteCarlo and the reconfiguration of green spaces, to assert the Group’s vision for 2020: Make Monte-Carlo Societé des Bains de Mer the most exclusive destination in Europe.

AS Monaco has secured Cesc Fabregas onn a no-fee transfer from Chelsea, after the London club initially tried to secure a multi-million-pound transfer fee.

Monaco will pay bonuses to Chelsea based on Fabregas’ performances. He has signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

The 31-year-old Spaniard played for Chelsea for four years, joining from Barcelona. Prior to that, he played for Arsenal, where he was a team mate of Thierry Henry.

“We are very pleased to welcome Cesc Fabregas to AS Monaco, a world-class player and a great professional, whose arrival demonstrates the ambition of the club,” said club vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.

“We are convinced that his experience at the highest level will bring a lot to our players on and off the field.”

Fabregas said, “I’m here to help the team. I’m looking forward to starting. I am very excited.”

The eighth meeting of the local cross-border commission for Franco-Monegasque cooperation was held on 11 January 2019 at the Ministry of State of the Principality of Monaco.

Created in 2005, this commission is held annually alternately in Monaco and Nice. Its purpose is to deal with neighborhood issues between the Principality of Monaco and the local authorities of the Alpes-Maritimes, particularly in the areas of social affairs, health, transport, planning and the environment in the spirit of “Community of destiny” that drives both countries.

The meeting was co-chaired by HE Mr Serge Telle, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, HE Mrs Marine de Carné-Trecesson, Ambassador of France in Monaco and Mr Georges-François Leclerc, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes.

The Monegasque delegation included the members of the Prince’s Government. The French delegation was composed of representatives of the French Embassy in Monaco, the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes and elected officials.

Among the topics on the agenda, the issue of service to Monaco, which is a central concern for which the authorities discussed together the possibilities for improvement, was discussed.

In this respect, progress has been made on the reopening of the Beausoleil motorway exit ramp, as well as those relating to the development of intersections on the medium corniche. Exchanges also focused on alternative modes of transport such as the creation of a maritime link and improved coordination of national police and gendarmerie services in the area of ​​peak hour traffic management.

In addition, the committee had constructive discussions on the La Cruella quarry development project, the housing of assets or the implementation of teleworking for employees of Monegasque companies residing in France.

The committee welcomed the good progress made on the technical aspects of securing the Rainier III tunnel and delegations agreed on accelerating its validation at the governmental level to improve passenger safety.

Various topics concerning the activities developed by the Principality’s companies on French territory were also discussed, as was the integration of the Monaco Nursing Training Institute into Parcoursup for the year 2019-2020.

The committee welcomed the successful implementation of the digital partnership signed in 2015 between the Principality of Monaco and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and discussed other cross-border cooperation projects.

In addition, the status of the MOU extension project has been presented, the work initiated in 2016 is continuing and should be fully completed by 2025.

Many topics have made significant progress and those that can not be resolved at the local level will be examined by the French-Monegasque National Cooperation Commission, which will meet in Paris in 2019.

The two delegations agreed to hold the next session of the Local Committee in 2020 in Nice.

Ms Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, accompanied by a delegation, received on Friday, 11 January, Paolo Artini, new representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in France and at Monaco.

This meeting took place in the wake of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly last December 17 of the Global Compact for Refugees, under the leadership of UNHCR which led the process of consultation and negotiation.

The Pact renews the response of the international community to the challenges of large-scale forced displacement in support of host countries and refugees.

Considering the ever-increasing needs of UNHCR, whose target population has doubled since 2010 to reach nearly 80 million vulnerable, refugee, displaced or stateless persons, the Prince’s Government has decided to increase, in 2019, its operational support.

It will help 4,700 adults, refugees in Morocco and Tunisia, find employment and support the education of more than 4,300 refugee children in Lebanon and Mauritania.

The working meeting was an opportunity to discuss the 30th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, celebrated this year. Monaco, a signatory to this convention since 1993, has made the right to education for vulnerable children, including refugee, displaced and stateless children, a priority.

This meeting illustrates Monaco’s commitment to respect for the right of asylum and the values ​​of humanity and solidarity it promotes and the commitment of the Monegasque authorities in its support for UNHCR’s actions to help refugees who flee crises and conflicts.

As a reminder, UNHCR is one of the three privileged UN partners of the Monegasque Cooperation, with the World Food Program and the World Health Organization.

Paolo Artini has been working since 1993 for UNHCR. He has served in many countries including Kuwait, Mauritania, Ethiopia, the Balkans and Italy. Before being appointed at the end of 2018 in France, he served as Deputy Representative for UNHCR in Turkey and at the Regional Representation for Western Europe.