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Day: 8 May 2020

June likely date for Casino Square unveiling

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/05/2020

Le Camembert is no more. Casino Square has finally got its facelift and is ready for its close-up, but that almost certainly will not be before June.
The renovation of Casino Square, Monte Carlo’s central area facing the iconic Casino de Monte Carlo, has been a long time coming. The last phase of the makeover that included the building of One Monte-Carlo and the reconstruction of the Hôtel de Paris, was set to be officially inaugurated by the hosting of three major events this summer.
Sadly, the coronavirus had other ideas, forcing both the Fête de la Danse and a concert by Canadian super-songstress Celine Dion to be cancelled, as well as a gathering of 120 Ferraris on the esplanade to inaugurate the new look that was meant to happen at the end of June.
Nevertheless, SBM President Jean-Luc Biamonti has moved the €2.5 million project forward and accomplished what he set out to do after roughly four months of work. The project had two main objectives. The first was the removal of the grassy mound, affectionately called the camembert, which was an impediment to having large scale events on the site. The second was to resolve the on-going traffic circulation issues that continuously cropped up.
There were three contenders for the project and in the end, it was landscaper Michel Desvigne whose design was chosen. Desvigne is well-respected in the Principality and also has his stamp on the Mareterra land extension and Larvotto revamp.
The new Casino Square is now flattened and wide open. In the centre, Anish Kapoor’s mirror stands reflecting the casino whilst removable palm trees dot the area. The trees can be moved for events and the process of removal and replanting takes 24 to 48 hours. Traffic will no longer drive past the Café de Paris, but the side where the Grand Prix passes remains untouched.
For those who are ready to start enjoying the 3,500m2 plaza, SBM has stated that it will officially open when the Café de Paris reopens. If all goes according to plan with deconfinement, this means the public can begin enjoying the space in June, albeit without the Ferrari parade.
“The Place du Casino should be accessible again when the Café de Paris reopens, a date which is not yet known right now, because it is linked to the calendar of deconfinement of the Principality,” the Société des Bains de Mer said in a statement.
Despite the anticipation, not everyone is enamoured with the changes. Those waxing nostalgic, primarily on social media, long for the old version. But it is hoped that, as was the case when the Winter Sporting was replaced by One Monte-Carlo, people will soon adapt.
It should be noted that this is not the first time the square has been altered. Horse-drawn carriages once dotted the site, later followed by cars. Pedestrian traffic was always a feature, though in more recent times, safety issues became a concern. This latest incarnation solves the thorny problems of traffic, parking, safety and usability, making it the kind of place ready to take on the 21st century.
 
 

Interview: Grimaldi Forum Managing Director Sylvie Biancheri

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/05/2020

The Grimaldi Forum is Monaco’s largest cultural and congress centre, hosting the Principality’s main events worth in excess of €21.5 million a year. With close to 300,000 people passing through its doors annually, the spin-offs for Monaco are also enormous, amounting to €68 million in 2019 alone.
But the normally bustling halls of the Grimaldi Forum are eerily quiet, and will likely be so for many months to come.
Managing Director Sylvie Biancheri spoke to Monaco Life about how the forum is dealing with the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.

Grimaldi Forum Managing Director Sylvie Biancheri

Monaco Life: It must be a challenge to keep up with scheduling amid the Covid-19 global crisis. Is it the Grimaldi Forum who determines which events will be cancelled and which ones will be postponed, or is it the organisers who are making these decisions?
Sylvie Biancheri: It depends. If the Grimaldi Forum is acting as the organiser/producer of the event, we have to make the decision of whether to cancel or postpone. This is the case for cultural exhibitions, shows, concerts, etc. If the Grimaldi Forum is acting as the operator/hosting venue, it is then the client/organiser who decides.
What do you estimate to be the number of cancellations so far this year, versus postponements?
For a total of 25 events concerned up to now, 20 events have been postponed and five were cancelled. Many have been postponed until later in 2020, while others have been postponed to 2021.
Has the government imposed any rules with regards to what shows and events may go on and which may not?
Before the lockdown, the government tried to identify a difference between “active” and “passive” events, to be able to determine which ones were likely to be less risky for the population, and try to maintain them. However, since the lockdown, it is clear that we had to cancel all types of events.
Do certain events have priority over others? Do business events have scheduling priority, for example?
Of course, business events have a certain priority, but we really try to “save” all the events. Unfortunately, we regretfully had to cancel our great summer exhibition – ‘Monaco and the automobile, from 1893 to today’. It was set to occupy one of our most successful spaces for three months. We have been able to find other dates to postpone most events, though.
The government has indicated that phase three will involve the opening of public spaces in June (based on the success of the first two phases). Does that include the Grimaldi Forum?
For us, unfortunately, all events until the end of August have been cancelled. In July, we still have in our schedule the Ballets de Monte-Carlo for a broadcast (no audience) and the Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival, but it is too early to know if the festival can go ahead. We can only wait and see.
Are you optimistic that things will return to normal by next year?
It is difficult to say. I do hope that the situation will be better at the end of the year, and I have to remain optimistic. But we don’t have any visibility about the possibility of international travel, and this makes the situation complicated for all international events.
What is the first scheduled event you have on the books for re-opening and when is it?
At the moment, besides the events mentioned above in July, the first event scheduled is taking place at the very beginning of September – One to One Retail e-commerce, organised by Comexposium, which was originally planned for mid-March.
What is the post-confinement plan for the forum? What kind of precautions for guests and staff will be imposed to keep everyone safe?
For the staff, everything is already in place, and we can list the following measures:

  • Remote work highly recommended until June 2nd
  • Temperature measurement on arrival
  • Distribution of washable masks, hydroalcoholic gel and wipes (to each collaborator and distributors also available in many spots of the building)
  • Visors for the Control Security Post agents in case of intervention, and workers and technicians on the fieldwork
  • Setting up of plexiglass separators in the open space offices
  • Control of the social distancing (4 sqm as requested by the authorities)
  • Reinforcement of the cleaning and disinfection plans for the premises and equipment, especially in all contact points (rails, handles, desks, elevators buttons…)
  • Compulsory wearing of masks in all common areas of the building and for meetings – also highly recommended in offices for more than one person.

Regarding professional events, we’re still working on this, as many clients have to be advised and monitored to comply with the requirements of the Monegasque authorities.
It is quite difficult and not ready yet, but basically we will target different types of populations and different types of measures, as they face different risks: visitors, exhibitors, suppliers, external staff working in the frame of an event and also different phases in the process – goods deliveries areas, set up, exploitation, dismantling. The risks are different according to the populations and phases of hosting an event.
 
Written by Casandra Tanti and Stephanie Horsman, photos by Olivia Marocco for the Grimaldi Forum Monaco
 
Read more:

Record year for the Grimaldi Forum

 
 

France extends border controls

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/05/2020

The French Interior Minister has announced that the country will keep its borders closed through to 15th June, despite the easing of other lockdown restrictions.
Christopher Castaner said that France’s borders will be shut until 15th June to all but essential travel for EU citizens and residents, whilst non-EU residents have been banned entirely for an indefinite period of time.
“Since the start of the crisis the closure of the borders is the rule, and the authorisation to cross a border is the exception. We have to keep this protection in place, this will not change soon,” Castaner said in a televised news conference.
He added that this extended restriction period will not affect cross-border workers. This comes as a relief to employees crossing borders between France, Monaco and Italy, and who have thus far enjoyed freedom to come and go for their occupations.
The news comes despite the gradual lessening of other lockdown measures within the country and upcoming talks with the EU executive branch about lifting internal border controls between Schengen countries.
At the moment, anyone travelling in Europe needs an international travel permit and can then only cross borders if they have good reason. The French government is not requiring a quarantine for travellers coming from inside the EU or Schengen zones, unlike in many other countries.
French citizens may return to the country, but anyone coming from within Europe (including the UK) will need to meet one of the following criteria to be allowed in:

  • People who have their primary residence in France. This does not include second home-owners. Third country nationals will need to present a visa or residency card while EU do not need any proof of residency status.
  • People who have their permanent residency in another European country and are travelling through France to get home
  • Healthcare workers engaged in coronavirus-related care
  • Commercial good carriers such as lorry drivers and flight or cargo crews
  • Diplomatic staff
  • Cross-border workers.

Special parking rates

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/05/2020

Unique hourly rates are being implemented at many of the Principality’s parking garages during the deconfinement period to help make the transition back to normal less expensive for residents.

As of Monday 11th May, several of Monaco’s parking lots will be offering what is being termed “city entrance parking”. Primarily aimed at workers returning to their jobs who are not usual users of public car parks, this service is giving temporary cut-rate deals on parking.

For example, the cost of three hours of parking during this period will now be set at €3.50 rather than €6. The price for a whole day is capped at €5. In order to take advantage of this pricing, customers must now take a ticket. This goes for those with pre-paid subscriptions, as well. Those clients should not use their cards but should also take tickets to benefit from the deal.

The special rates apply to all car parks in the Principality except for the lots and garages of Princess Grace Hospital and Ostende, which have their own pricing plans and allow for patient parking as part of their resumption of medical services.  

Fontvieille Shopping Centre and Place d’Armes also will retain original rates to keep places free for customers as well as Saint-Laurent, des Carmes, des Oliviers and Bellevue car parks in order to keep spaces during the hours necessary for school runs.

Parking de l’Abbaye is also on this list due to its low capacity.

The plan will stay in effect until 15th June, unless the changing health situation deems otherwise.