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Day: 29 May 2020

Monaco’s iconic venues to re-open doors

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/05/2020

The official unveiling of the new Casino Square on Tuesday 2nd June will coincide with the reopening of Monaco’s iconic Café de Paris, followed by a host of other SBM institutions.

The reopening of SBM-held locations began in May with the Promenade Shopping Monte-Carlo boutiques, just ahead of the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo. As wonderful as it was to see a small semblance of normality return, there was still a long way to go. All of Monaco’s bars, restaurants and gaming establishments were to remain closed until further notice.

That notice came on 20th May, when the government announced that 2nd June was the official date these places would finally be authorised to open again.  

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is planning to celebrate by inaugurating the new Casino Square on 2nd June as well as reopening the iconic Café de Paris, showing off their renovated terrace. Mada One at One Monte Carlo will also resume activities that day.

https://www.facebook.com/MonteCarloSBM/videos/705712053518525/

The next day will see another big reopening – the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, which will include L’Orange Verte, Blue Gin, and Cinq Mondes spa and boutique, though no sauna or hammam will be available due to health reasons. The reopening of the Blue Bay restaurant should be announced by the end of June. Regarding the swimming pool, lagoon, fitness and sea access, their reopening will depend on obtaining the authorisation issued by the authorities. 

Friday the 5th is another banner day with the Monte-Carlo Casino and the Café de Paris Casino springing back to life. The games rooms, terraces and Le Salon Rose will be ready to welcome visitors once again.

The following Friday, fans of Bar Américain and Le Grill at the Hôtel de Paris can rejoice, as they are the next to reopen. It is also anticipated that this day, the 12th June, will see the Monte-Carlo Beach Club’s return, though the official word on this is still pending.

On Tuesday 16th June, Buddha Bar reopens, and the 24th sees Coya Monte-Carlo inviting guests back.

The final reopenings are the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel, which is on track for 3rd July, and the Hermitage Hotel, which is hoping to have doors open by 8th July. All dates are subject to the evolving health situation.

As safety precautions are on everyone’s minds at the moment, SBM has implemented a vast laundry list of new measures to ensure the health of patrons and employees alike. The lounges, bars, spas and restaurants have been reorganised to protect the public, whilst still maintaining the top-drawer service and quality expected from the group.

“The resumption of our activities related to games, hotels and restaurants, well-being, shopping and entertainment is an eagerly awaited moment for the Group,” said Jean-Luc Biamonti, President of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group. “Our top priority is the health and safety of our customers and our employees. So that the most exclusive destination in Europe is also the safest, we have taken all the necessary measures in compliance with government directives, for the serenity of our customers.”

Photo: SBM 

 

Saint Nicholas Church goes green

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/05/2020

Saint Nicholas can now boast green credentials, having just been informed they will be having new solar panels installed on their roof, making them the Principality’s first solar-powered church.

As part of the energy transition programme put forth by the government, Saint-Nicholas Church in Fontvieille will soon have 72 photovoltaic panels placed on the roof. These collective panels will produce 19MWh of electricity that will be tied directly into the church’s power lines.

This will make the church 100% energy self-sufficient and will even produce “spare” electricity which will be passed onto the Fontvieille post office. In environmental terms, these new panels will reduce CO2 atmospheric output by an extraordinary 1.55 tonnes per year.  

Once Saint Nicholas’s is completed, the Monaco Building Maintenance Service will be busy turning several other sites into eco-friendly endeavours. Next up will be installations at Fontvielle School, Villa Paloma Museum, SMEAUX, Sacred Heart Church the Children’s Home and Villa Floerstine, which will be the future new home to the Department of Labour.

Monaco’s energy transition plan is committed to lowering the total greenhouse gas emissions in the Principality by 50% by the year 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and to reach a carbon neutral state by 2050. Reliable non-polluting energy sources are only one cog in the wheel toward this goal. The other two parts include finding and using  alternative transportation modes and the lessening of general waste.

 
 

Oceanographic Museum reopens with deals and loads of fun

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/05/2020

After 11 weeks of forced closure due to the health crisis, the Oceanographic Museum is reopening to the public. Get ready to reconnect to one of Monaco’s most popular and beloved venues with fun activities and great deals.
Beginning Tuesday 2nd June, the ‘Temple of the Sea’, Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum, will once again welcome visitors to explore the wonders of the oceans in a safe environment.
The reopening has come with many new health protocols to ensure the best possible conditions for all to enjoy. It is requested that tickets be purchased at least a week in advance online to avoid congestion at ticket counters. Those who choose this option will benefit from a 10% on the price.
Additionally, the museum will limit the total number of guests by 50% in order to allow them to respect social distancing rules, as well as requiring patrons to wear masks at all times whilst at the facility. Sanitising gel will be available from dispensers placed all around the museum, and “barrier gestures” will clearly mark safe distances for visitors to go by.
Finally, popular attractions such as ‘Touch Basin’ and ‘ImmerSEAve 360​​°’ have been adapted in order to offer participants maximum security by limiting contact.
This year’s Fête du Musée will be a 100% digital online experience allowing as many people as possible to enjoy the event without having to leave home. From 6th June to 6th July, and including World Ocean Day on 8th June, the museum is offering a month of experiences geared toward 3 to 14-year olds and their families.
Some of the events on offer are virtual museum tours, videoconferences with big-name divers and underwater photographers, interactive marine-themed games, and a writing competition co-sponsored by Kids Matin.
To top it all off, the Oceanographic Museum has launched its newest campaign entitled Let’s live the ocean, where participants create content for the preservation of marine life via a specially design app.
In order to be a part of the fun, simply go to www.tous.oceano.org, select a favourite species from the moray ribbon, the Napoleon fish, the cow fish, the gray angelfish, the yellow fin pufferfish or the radiated jellyfish and take a picture mimicking the chosen animal. Participants then share the photo on social networks with the hashtag #TousOCEANO accompanied by an ocean-themed message.
Discount tickets to the museum can be pre-bought online at https://billetterie-oceano.tickeasy.com/fr-FR/accueil and more information can be found on the museum website at https://musee.oceano.org/en/