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Month: September 2019

Larvotto closes for major redevelopment

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/09/2019

Works are set to begin on transforming Monaco’s main beachside district, Larvotto, on Tuesday. The first stage involves the closure of all restaurants and retail stores until 2020.

The Monaco Government announced the major project in May and, following a busy summer season, the Principality is ready to push ahead with the first stage. It will include the installation of wave breakers and the gradual closing down of retail stores and eateries over the next 15 days. Those businesses will be financially compensated for earnings lost during the renovation period.

“The complete renovation of this site will make it possible to better protect the beach with breakwaters installed between the existing dikes, to offer more qualitative and attractive commercial areas that will be able to remain in activity all year long and expand public spaces,” said the government in a statement.

The project will conform with incredibly high environmental standards, including low consumption street lighting, terminals for charging electric bikes, solar panelled pergolas, optimised water management, intelligent waste management, and a new thalasso-thermal heating and cooling system that uses sea water to service the entire Larvotto neighbourhood.

Following the closure of the restaurants on Wednesday 2nd October, the beach will be closed to the public from Thursday 3rd. The breakwater will then be installed over a four week period.

By summer 2020, the beach will be reopened for the public, however the new shops and restaurants will not be unveiled until July 2021.

All works are expected to be completed by January 2022.

Ministers visit sites of proposed new housing in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/09/2019

Ministers of the Prince’s government took time out last week to visit the sites for Monaco’s ambitious new housing projects which aim to give residents more than 120 new lodgings per year over the next 15 years. 

A cadre of top government ministers, including Minister of Finance and the Economy Jean Castellini, Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario and President of the National Council Stéphane Valéri, gathered together to call in at both the Jardins d’Apolline in the Condamine, which is currently still undergoing renovations, as well as the site for the new Soleil du Midi apartments on Rue Plati.

The site for the new Soleil du Midi apartments on Rue Plati. Photo: Stephane Danna

The overall governmental plan, as per the wishes of the Sovereign Prince, is already being enforced, and the residents of the Principality can expect a hundred new apartments to be allocated by mid-October.

Blocks B and D of the Jardins d’Apolline are being worked on now, and Soleil du Midi, a 10-story building with three subterranean levels, is expected to be completed in roughly two years time, after the demolition of the buildings currently inhabiting the site.

“What we are looking to do in the Principality is quality public operations because the living environment of Monegasques begins with housing,” explained Jean Castellini.

“People who settle in these homes need to feel good, benefits are high and prices are attractive. These two deliveries are the first stones in the building of this national housing plan.”

 

 

Comedy of errors land Leclerc in 3rd place in Russia

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/09/2019

Charles Leclerc’s third place finish at the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi was a disappointment but, he says, not entirely unexpected as miscommunication, an unexpected breakdown and a dodgy strategy left the Ferrari pilot fighting for the top spot.

Sunday’s exciting race initially looked promising for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as he started at pole position, but once the race began he was quickly overtaken by teammate Sebastian Vettel, and that’s when things started going wonky.

With a slightly confusing strategy employed by Team Ferrari, whereby Leclerc would allow Vettel to take the lead early, Leclerc would edge out Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and then Vettel would fall back to allow Leclerc to regain the lead, putting the Ferrari pilots in the two top spots. But a comedy of errors ensued that no one saw coming.

First, Vettel refused to give up the lead, despite being ordered to do so three times, stating that he wouldn’t be able to maintain the second place slot if he slowed down, and also saying that he took the lead fair and square, without the assistance of his teammate.

Ferrari then decided to pit Leclerc to give him the advantage of fresh tires, but not long after he rejoined the race, Vettal suffered engine trouble, forcing him to quit. A virtual safety car gave Hamilton a chance at a freebie pit stop, and Leclerc was then forced to fight for his position.

Hamilton never looked back and crossed the finish line with his teammate Valtteri Bottas in the second place spot. 

After the race Leclerc said that it would have been difficult to catch Hamilton, even if he had made it past Bottas. He also said that there is no fallout between he and his teammate over what happened, despite the fact it probably cost him the win.

This result puts Hamilton closer to an astounding sixth Formula One world title.

Trade mission to Russia a great success

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/09/2019

A Monaco delegation from the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) visited the southern Russian hub of Rostov-sur-le-Don where building relations between the businesses of the region was top on the agenda.

Attended by 16 representative from 12 Monegasque organisations, a series of meetings took place in the southern Russian town from 17th to 20th September with a view to expand trade in the region.

The area is of particular interest as it is a crossroad with the Caucasus and has access to an Azov Sea port.

The Rostov-sur-le Don Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Deputy-Director Victor Goncharov welcomed the delegation by hosting a business forum on the day of their arrival where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two Chambers of Commerce.

Over the next days, several important meetings and gatherings took place including more than 70 face-to-face meetings between various business leaders from both sides, as a way to start the bridge building process and to better comprehend what each party can bring to the table.

Events organised by the Rostov General Assembly allowed Monaco’s delegation access to high-level governmental contacts, including Roman Shekhovtsov, Regional Deputy Minister of Economic Development. 

Other highlights included a visit to the French Flag Register shipyard where the representatives had a glimpse at the industrial expertise Rostov has to offer. They were also treated to a trip to Rostov’s Museum of Fine Art, where they saw the exhibition Monaco, Histoires d’Artistes.

The trip was rounded out with a dinner hosted by Monaco’s Ambassador to Russia, Mireille Pettiti, where the delegates were able to discuss first impressions, which were highly favourable.

The MEB will return to Russia in November with the Ballet de Monte-Carlo as part of a trade mission scheduled for 2020.

 

2020 stamps for vehicle registration now available

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/09/2019

All Monaco license plate holders have been sent a letter to renew vehicle registration fees for 2020.

The Traffic Services Department’s open registration period runs from 1stOctober until 31st December 2019 and offers residents two convenient methods of payment.

Users can choose to pay online but must remember to type in the vehicle registration plate number at the top left of the invoice.

Bank checks from French or Monegasque institutions are also accepted and are to be made payable to the Service des Titres de Circulation. There will be a special box available in the entry lobby of the Traffic Service’s Department to deposit the checks, which must be accompanied by a signed invoice and in the envelope provided by the government.  

Conversely, users may also send the letter by post, but are reminded the envelope must be legally stamped and posted before the 31st December deadline. 

Penalties will be incurred for anyone failing to register before the end of year cut-off date, and cancellation of your number plate will occur on 7th February for those who do not pay, after being formally notified.

The Department must be alerted to any change in situation, such as address, civil status, or (re)newed identity documentation. It may also be necessary to provide driver’s licenses and registration certificates in some instances.

The address for the Service des Titres de Circulation is 23 Avenue Albert II, 1ere Etage, 98000 Monaco.

 

 

New Website Launch

by: Eric Brundage
30/09/2019

As we transition into Autumn and a new school year, I’m pleased to announce that today will mark the launch of a totally reformatted and enhanced Monaco Life newsletter and website.

Working over the past few months with the outstanding team at JP Goodwin’s Design Centre, we have updated virtually every aspect of our delivery. We will be bringing you significantly expanded news coverage as well as weather, travel and financial information, which will be updated daily and we have added a classified ad capability for Monaco residents.

We will provide access to breaking news and will be aggregating content from the top local and global influencers. We have three dynamic interns from IUM who will be focused on enhancing our social media content and on keeping you up to date on happenings at our local university and with the student scene generally.

We are also very excited to be relaunching our Premium Content section. For €99 a year, in addition to discounts from some of the area’s top stores and service providers, our Premium Subscribers will have access to a wide range of news and information covering everything from banking, finance and real estate, to lifestyle, arts, fashion, wellness, sports and events, written by our experienced local journalist and Editor Cassandra Tanti.

We are very proud to announce an incredible team of contributing experts and columnists including Geoffrey Kent writing about travel, Marcos Marin on art, Patrick Coote on yachting, Alessandra Vicedomini covering fashion, and Alberto Vitale on jewellery and gemstones.

As one of our core missions, we will continue to support all aspects of sustainability and environmental awareness. We will highlight all of the businesses, organisations and events involved with this critical subject and will have a number of experts working with us in this pursuit. To get started, we will have world renowned animal advocate Katerina Pirelli writing a monthly column on animal rights and species preservation. Her first piece on Marcel Peters, Princess Stephanie’s elephant trainer, was outstanding and very well received.

We have also significantly enhanced our social media and video content capabilities and hope you will all enjoy seeing our content on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Finally, we have created additional channels for our most valuable resource – you our readers – to give us feedback and suggestions.

We want to thank you all for your continued support and look forward to providing you all of the news and information about Monaco and the Côte d’Azur for many years to come.

Yours very gratefully,

Eric Brundage, Publisher