Monaco Marine names Nicolas Grelot as managing director in La Ciotat

Monaco marina

Nicolas Grelot has been appointed managing director of the Monaco Marine shipyard in La Ciotat. He was project manager at La Ciotat for six years, before becoming a commercial developer.

“My main goal is to lead every employee to better interact with customers and improve the quality of our services while putting the customer at the heart of our operations,” said the new managing director, who intends to outfit this site with the newest technology.

Monaco

“We are delighted that Nicolas has accepted this challenge. We believe that he has all the skills required to carry out the necessary changes that we want to make in La Ciotat. His experience, his knowledge of the group and his human qualities will be essential assets to carry out this mission,“ said Tanguy Ducros, the commercial director of the group.

With seven shipyards and marina in Monaco, Monaco Marine maintains nearly 3,000 yachts of all sizes every year. The business is truly a wonderful Monegasque success story!

Canadian teen tennis star Auger-Aliassime moving to Monaco

Tennis ball and racquet

Eighteen-year-old Canadian tennis star Felix Auger-Aliassime is moving to Monaco.

Auger-Aliassime was the youngest semi-finalist in the 35-year history of the Miami Open. He also reached the final at the Rio Open in February, followed by a quarter-final finish at the Brasil Open in Sao Paulo.

“It was definitely faster than I expected it,” Auger-Aliassime said of his success. “After going to South America and playing a lot of matches, you just get into a rhythm and you get a lot of confidence, and everything falls into place.”

Auger-Aliassime will remain in Montreal for the next few days to train and spend time with family before travelling next week to Europe for the Monte-Carlo Masters. He is still a few spots out of making the main draw and said “it’s a possibility” he’ll get a wild card into the ATP Tour Masters 1000 event.

He has decided to leave Montreal and move to Monaco full time in order to avoid travelling long distances to tournaments. He said having a home base in Europe will allow him to train all year with top-10 world players.

“Being on the road all year there isn’t a lot of time for me to relax. To have a base in Europe is essential,” he said.

PBSC Urban Solutions launches electric bike-share in Monaco

MonaBike

PBSC Urban Solutions, the leading global provider of sustainable urban mobility solutions, has introduced state-of-the-art electric pedal-assist bikes to the Principality of Monaco after being selected to redesign its current bike-share system.

The BOOST e-bike has been specially selected for its renowned pedal-assist technology that will transport riders with ease as they traverse the Principality’s hilly terrain. With the total roll-out slated at 300 BOOST e-bikes and 35 smart charging stations, the bike-share network will be expanded to encompass the entirety of Monaco.

The existing system will be rebuilt from the ground up, with a completely new technology and re-branding in line with the high standards of Monaco.

MonaBike

The MonaBike system offers several brand-new features to optimise user experience. The mobile app, with real-time mapping of stations and bike rental features, makes it easy for riders to locate and rent the nearest available e-bike.

The new QR code on the e-bike will allow users to rent and return a bike faster through their smartphone.

PBSC will also be offering its unique valet station feature, whereby bikes can be relocated and rented out independently of stations. This feature will be particularly useful in prestigious events host by the city such as the world-famous Formula 1 Grand Prix.

PBSC is working directly with CAM, Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco, to enable residents and commuters to take full advantage of all resources available to them through Monaco’s public transportation network.

The project represents a key part of the Principality’s Smart City program, promoting low-carbon mobility. By the end of the summer, the MonaBike network will be integrated into a multimodal transportation app, encouraging the use of soft and shared mobility.

Bal de la Rose – the show must go on

Bal de la Rose

Last weekend marked the 65th anniversary of Monaco’s most prestigious social event, the Bal de la Rose.

Bal de la Rose

It was established by Princess Grace in 1954 to launch the party season in the Principality. The idea was to connect the event with a Rose, a show and a country and then mirroring this theme in the décor.

When the Princess Grace Foundation was created in 1964, the Bal de la Rose became a charity event, of which the profits would be donated to the foundation. 100% of the donations are dedicated to humanitarian projects which benefit children and students through cultural projects.

Bal de la Rose

Some of the raffles items included: white gold and diamonds Repossi bracelet, two-night stay at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo with dinner at Le Grill and two entries to Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, two-night stay for two people at Monte-Carlo Beach with dinner at Restaurant Elsa, Marc Newson designed Louis Vuitton cabin luggage, Dior tote in embroidered canvas.

Bal de la Rose

For the past five years, Princess Caroline’s friend Karl Lagerfeld was there, supporting, often responsible for the artistic direction and his hand-designed illustrations on the invitations. Likewise, for this year’s theme ‘Riviera’ was based on his idea.

Bal de la Rose

To illustrate the splendour of the Riviera, a reknown graphic designer Richard Zielenkiewic produced a number of immersive decorations. The famous walkway that leads to the diving board of the Monte-Carlo Beach swimming pool fully embraced the Salle des Etoiles.

Bal de la Rose

Inspired by the painting of deckchairs on the beach, the table cloths repeat the pastel shades, like emblems and symbols of the Dolce Vita. In the centre of each table are symbolic elements that recall the Riviera spirit of the evening. Under the hip-swaying rhythms of the 1950s, VIP guests were transported to another era.

Bal de la Rose

The 2019 edition of Le Bal de la Rose delivered light, sunshine, the coastal atmosphere, all wrapped up in a glamorous and minimalist vision of the Riviera.

Bal de la Rose Bal de la Rose

AS Monaco wins seventh straight basketball match

Basketball Roca Boys

AS Monaco captured its seventh win in a row in the French Pro A League by defeating Chalon Reims 93–86.

Paul Lacombe finished with 16 points and eight assists for Monaco. Elmedin Kikanovic added 16 points and Jarrod Jones 15 points and five rebounds. Their team (15-9 record) is now tied at the fourth spot with Dijon.

Basketball Roca Boys

Chalon needed more than Jimmy Baron’s 23 points to keep up with its opponents’ offense. This result dropped them to 10-15.

ASVEL Villeurbanne remains the standings leader with 18 – 6.

French League Round 24 Results:

  • Gravelines-Dunkerque –  Limoges 88 – 83
  • Levallois – Pau-Lacq-Orthez 68 – 66
  • Dijon – Le Portel 94 – 58
  • Antibes – Fos-sur-Mer 72 – 76
  • Nanterre – Strasbourg 92 – 86
  • Chalon/Saône –  Cholet 89 – 84
  • Le Mans – Boulazac 86 – 78
  • Bourg-en-Bresse – Lyon-Villeurbanne 81 – 82
  • Châlons-Reims – Monaco 86 – 93

1958 Riva Tritone Via goes up for auction

1958 Riva

In early 1958, Carlo Riva received a special order for a pair of Tritones from a wealthy Milanese textile industrialist, Mr Gianoglio. A close relative of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, the reigning prince of Monaco, Mr. Gianoglio wished to bestow the prince with a Tritone, as a show of his admiration and gratitude. Thus, hull no. 62, Via, was born.

Via, adorned with red and white stripes, in the livery of the Principality, was powered by two Chris-Craft MCL, 5.5-litre, six-cylinder engines, each capable of 175 hp at 3,400 rpm and both equipped with the automatic diverter dubbed the ‘Chris-O-Matic’, which was launched at a time when the pushbutton automatic transmission fascinated the American auto industry.

1958 Riva

Via proved to provide great fun for the young family that formed after his marriage in 1956 to Princess Grace. A frequent sight in the waters surrounding the Principality, Via served as the prince’s flagship in keeping with naval etiquette and protocol, flying both the flag of Monaco and the personal flag of the prince.

Prince Rainier III eventually replaced his Tritone with a smaller Riva Junior, used for short trips and water-skiing with Princess Grace and their children. Yet, Via would continue to remain in its home port, always maintained by Riva in Monaco under the long-term custodianship of its second owner.

Several years ago, after deciding to restore the faded craft to its original condition, a previous owner entrusted Via to a renowned Dutch specialist. An exemplary restoration of several years was then undertaken, returning the Tritone to its original specification, including both original engines, which were completely rebuilt and refurbished. The latest technology enabled the famous Chris-O-Matic transmission to be rebuilt with added reliability. In 2014, the beautifully restored craft was purchased by its current owner and has returned to its home port of Monaco, where it has been regularly looked after by Monaco Boat Service and remains ready to use and enjoy at a moment’s notice.

Today, Riva is still a symbol of wealth and glamor, and there is perhaps no more glamorous Riva than Via, which continues to embody the spirit of Prince Rainier III and the stunning Princess Grace.

The vessel will be auctioned at Sotheby’s at the end of May.