After reopening temporarily this summer, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is again closing Terminal 1 to air traffic this year.
Nice Côte d’Azur has announced that as of 13th September, they will again be closing one of its two terminals. The opening was always meant to be temporary in order to handle the summer influx of travellers and to better manage flights arriving from countries with different levels of Covid risk.
The airport made a statement on social media to alert the public of the closure on 9th September saying, “On September 13, Terminal 1 closes its doors after a temporary opening this summer. British Airways, El Al, Iberia, Iberia Express, Nouvelair, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish airlines, and Vueling will be transferred to Terminal 2. The parking lots in Terminal 1 will also no longer be available.”
Nice Côte d’Azur’s website announced on 1st July that the reason for the provisional reopening was “intended to support enhanced health checks for certain international flights, while maintaining the quality of service provided to passengers.”
Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, said back in July, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, all of our airport partners have consistently demonstrated flexibility, agility, and adaptability, if not anticipation, to protect the health and also the comfort of our passengers. This reopening is part of this approach and will last as long as necessary.”
Travel in France this summer has been laden with regulations related to Covid. In addition to the introduction of the new health pass, which is now required for entry into many public venues including restaurants, museums and shopping centres, there have been various different rules for passengers depending on whether they have come from green, amber or red listed countries. Vaccinated visitors, additionally, have different entry requirements than the unvaccinated.
Photo source: Nice Côte d’Azur airport
Health pass mandate to go before National Council Tuesday
The National Council is due to examine on Tuesday a controversial bill mandating health passes for certain workers in Monaco, namely those in the health and care sectors.
The Monaco government announced in July that, in the face of an upsurge of Covid-19 contaminations and hospitalisations due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant, it would follow France’s lead and table a bill making vaccination against Covid-19 compulsory for staff working in Monegasque health establishments, in structures welcoming the elderly and more generally for people in contact with fragile or vulnerable people.
The bill, n° 1043, was delivered to the office of the High Assembly on 3rd August and the National Council convened an extraordinary session from 13th to 17th September to examine the bill and make a decision on its adoption.
The Manifestation pacifique contre le pass sanitaire à Monaco (Peaceful demonstration against the health pass in Monaco) Facebook group has been staging protests ahead of the session.
The National Council announced on Thursday that it would debate the bill on 14th September at 6pm. The session will not be open to the public, however people can follow it live on the National Council’s Facebook page and on Monaco Info.
Photo of the second demonstration against the mandatory health pass which took place on 9th September. Source: Manifestation pacifique contre le pass sanitaire à Monaco
The Animal Fund (TAF) is celebrating World Clean-up Day by inviting people to participate in a beach clean-up in Villefranche-Sur Mer on Saturday 18th September.
Gloves and rubbish bags will be provided to all participants, and refreshments will be served afterwards by TAF’s partner in the event, Blue Coast Brewing Company.
The Animal Fund was set up in 2015 as a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers.
Its founder, Berit Legrand, told Monaco Life that “TAF’s aim is to protect the ocean and its precious marine life, especially the whales and dolphins, from pollution, overfishing and massacre. These amazing species have an indispensable role in the ecosystem and the entire planet and why we must protect them.”
TAF pride itself on fast action and reactions to find solutions to carry out its goals, which are threefold.
TAF first looks to educate the public on the consequences of continued misuse of the seas and abuse of its creatures. They do so through extensive publicity campaigns, events, presentations and online media.
Next, they communicate on environmental issues that damage the planet and concern the seas, such as overfishing, plastic pollution and use of animal products in cosmetics.
Finally, they take action through their events helping people make eco-friendly choices.
“We must not forget that our physical and global health is very much linked to plastic pollution, and it is imperative we reduce our plastic consumption. Recycling is better than resources going to waste, yet, much better is to reuse and simply reduce the amount of plastic we use.
“We believe that by creating awareness of the harmful effects of plastic pollution, it can help the general public to make positive changes. Education has always been TAF’s cornerstone and the reason why we always implement education in our clean-ups.”
The association had a busy summer, with many events prior to the upcoming beach clean-up.
Saturday’s beach tidy-up will run from 9am to 11am. Meeting point is at the TAF tent in the parking space at the end of des Mariners beach. To sign up, email info@theanimalfund.net
Artcurial Monaco Director Louise Gréther steered the French auction house through its largest summer auction on record, with everything from Hermes bags to Porsches, Cartier jewellery to vintage Rolex watches going under the hammer at the Hermitage Hotel.
I always have a touch of Stendhal syndrome whenever I sit in the lobby of the Hermitage Hotel. Its Belle Époque wedding cake grandeur makes me pinch myself. This architecture, coupled with the finessed flurry of Artcurial auctions being held in the Salle Belle Époque by the main lobby, is a sumptuous layering of art of all crafts, from jewellery and painting, to sculpture, leather and architecture. Behind it all is Artcurial Monaco Director Louise Gréther. Monaco Life: How did you come to work for Artcurial?
Louise Grether: Eight years ago, a close friend in Monaco introduced me to the late François Tajan, the deputy chairman of Artcurial and respected auctioneer. He had a great belief in Monaco as the perfect location for all our ‘luxury’ sales and wanted to set up a permanent office here having just finished the sale of the entire contents of the Hôtel de Paris. My background is in consulting and international relations, but I was immediately attracted by the challenge and I am eternally grateful to him for his belief in me. It was a wonderful opportunity to be involved in a forward thinking company that cleverly combines a passion for art with a great entrepreneurial spirit.
Since the establishment of Artcurial Monaco in 2015, we have been extraordinarily successful. We have built on Artcurial’s presence in the Principality for almost 20 years now and can count on a very loyal and international client base. This year is the biggest summer auction session we have ever hosted, and in these unusual times it seems almost unbelievable. I have never had so much demand from people wanting estimations and the buyers are all there. Jewellery at the Artcurial Summer Auction 2021, Hermitage Hotel, photo by Benedetta Pizzonia/Monaco Life Has there been a shift in what people are selling since the onset of the pandemic?
A lot of my clients are saying they’ve had the time to do a little spring clean and feel they can’t wear all their collections for security reasons on the streets of London or Geneva, they can only really wear them in Monaco. Or they’ve come to the realisation that their grandchildren don’t want to inherit them because it’s all about trainers and minimalism nowadays. We still have great demand for estimations for jewellery, watches and Hermès bags because these departments are at the forefront of our luxury auction week in Monaco. However, I have noticed more and more interest in our Italian Design department, Contemporary Art, Motorcars, Old Master and Street Art. Our experts are in great demand these days. What do you love most about your job?
No two days are the same in my job and there is never a dull moment! I particularly enjoy meeting my clients, some of whom I develop a close relationship with over the years. It’s difficult sometimes, like in the case of jewellery in particular, it can be very sensitive. You’re either dealing with a succession or a divorce unfortunately, and jewellery can be difficult to part with. What’s the most expensive piece you sold this summer?
A 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 for just under €1 million. The 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 that sole for €977,440 at the Artcurial Motorcars auction this summer Artcurial is famous for its Hermes auctions, why is that?
Vintage is in vogue these days, particularly luxury vintage. We regularly sell limited edition Hermès bags for over €100,000 such as the Himalaya bags, special orders in exotic skins. The beauty of these bags is that you bid on them in the auction room and can take them away immediately, which may explain why they are so attractive considering the long waiting lists at Hermès. Artcurial hosts two auction sessions a year in January and July, with motorcars, jewellery, watches, Hermès and luxury bags, and the ‘Monaco Sculptures’ sale. Do you believe there is a bigger market in Monaco for certain categories?
There is definitely room for other sectors in Monaco but we are focusing on the luxury sector at the moment because we believe there is a great potential in this sector and room for growth. We have an intermediary sale for jewellery, watches and Hermès online in Paris which is a success, but we reserve the exceptional pieces for Monaco. What is the story behind exhibiting all the Artcurial Sculptures outdoors for public display?
It’s the second ‘Monaco Sculptures’ sale that we have organised in collaboration with the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM). The aim is twofold: to showcase some wonderful art outdoors in the Principality during the summer months, and to promote the sculptures in a fantastic setting to achieve the best possible results for our clients. It’s worked perfectly so far – where else could you exhibit a million pound sculpture on the street and not be nervous that it would be tagged with graffiti? ‘Woman smoking a cigarette’ by Fernando Botero 1987, photo by Benedetta Pizzonia/Monaco Life Who owns Artcurial?
Artcurial was bought by our President, Nicolas Orlowski in 2002 with the backing of the Dassault and Pastor families. Our headquarters in Paris is in the historic ‘Hotel Marcel Dassault’, an exceptional building on the corner of Avenue Montaigne and the Champs Elysées. What’s your favourite piece that sold this summer?
Lynn Chadwick’s ‘Sitting Couple II’. It was displayed in our gallery for two months and attracted a lot of interest. Unfortunately, it has just been collected by its new owner. Where can people find you at Artcurial throughout the year?
Our office is located at the Monte-Carlo Palace on Boulevard Des Moulins opposite Dolce and Gabbana, in the centre of Monte-Carlo. We conduct an expertise day once a month at the Hermitage Hotel with our jewellery, watch and Hermès experts and regularly organise expertise days in other fields by appointment. What makes the Artcurial auctions so successful in your opinion?
A carefully curated selection of art and jewellery is the recipe to a successful auction. When conducting valuations, selecting pieces that are desirable is essentially our criteria.
You have to be really on your toes and creative in this business, particularly this past year, so I try to do a lot of private events and partnerships with local private banks, for example. We also organise private expertise days for select groups. Was July 2021 a busy month for you?
Extremely busy, we achieved €21.5 million in sales. Do you think Monaco has become a haven for art, and that the perception of the Principality has changed?
Yes, it is moving up in the world. As the President of Monaco Art Week, I think with all the important galleries moving to the Principality, Monaco Art Week will rise to the next level. Does Artcurial participate in charity events?
All the time. We did a charity auction last month for the Natalia Vodianova and Antoine Arnault charity. In June, we did a charity event for Cap Moderne, which includes the Eileen Gray Villa, at Mohammed Jameel’s house who runs the Jameel Foundation in Monaco. His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco was present and was a wonderful support. Last month, we hosted an auction for Monaco Liver Disorder in the Musée des Prince and we raised €230,000. A self-portrait of the artist Ron Mueck, ‘Mask II’, 2001. Various materials. Let’s get back to basics. Where do you start the day?
My favourite place to take a coffee is at Casa del Café, then Marc Armstrong, head of Sotheby’s, comes along. Actually, I did my biggest deal in Casa Del Café so I am eternally grateful to them. What’s your most fun night in Monaco?
On my terrace in Monaco with good friends. If you could own any piece of art work, what would that be?
A sculpture by Ron Mueck, but my husband would probably never allow it and it likely wouldn’t fit through the front door. What motto do you draw inspiration from?
“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life” by Rumi.
Photo of Artcurial Director Louise Gréther, courtesy Artcurial
Monaco makes its commitment to biodiversity known at IUCN Congress
There were a number of important developments to come out of this year’s IUCN congress in Marseille thanks to Prince Albert and his Foundation. Here are the highlights.
As Monaco Life reported on Wednesday, Prince Albert was attending the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, being hosted in the south of France from 3rd to 11thSeptember, to take part in several sessions related to the preservation of the ocean and calling for urgent, collective action.
He was joined by Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Olivier Wenden.
Prince Albert first spoke at a conference on 6th September organised by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. This initiative, launched by his Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, has become a global partnership that includes Member States, philanthropic organisations, United Nations agencies and financial institutions.
In his speech, the Prince recalled that the fund is composed of “two main vectors: the first, based on traditional philanthropy, dedicated to technical issues, as well as to the evaluation and management of initiatives. The second, more directly financial in nature, is dedicated to public investment in specific and guaranteed projects that will enable concrete action to be taken in favour of coral reefs, particularly in developing countries.”
French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Michel Le Drian then announced France’s support for the Global Fund with a contribution of €3 million to participate in international coral reef restoration and conservation efforts.
After attending the conclusions of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s Scientific and Technical Committee, which was meeting within the Congress, Prince Albert took part in an event organised by his Foundation, the Government of Monaco, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and the Oceanographic Institute. This evening, attended by around 100 guests, was an opportunity for the Monegasque delegation to present, through an exhibition, the Principality’s numerous commitments and actions in terms of preserving biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.
On 7th September, Bernard Fautrier, Minister Plenipotentiary and Special Adviser to the Sovereign Prince for environmental issues, spoke on the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), of which the Principality has held the co-presidency alongside Australia and Indonesia since 2018. During this conference, the ICRI unveiled the first trends and recommendations from its Global Coral Reef Health Study (GCRMN). The report is the first observation of the state of the world’s coral reefs since 2008 by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and the first that is based on a quantitative analysis of a global dataset produced from the contributions of several hundred scientists and organisations from 73 reef-hosting countries. The work will support decision-making and reinforce the ambition to protect coral reef ecosystems. Photo by Axel Bastello/Palais Princier
Afterwards, Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the signature of two important partnerships, one with The MedFund in favour of marine protected areas (MPA) in the Mediterranean, the second with his Foundation for the strengthening of freshwater preservation.
Highly protected MPAs are effective tools for protecting biodiversity, provided that they have sustainable human and financial resources, which is unfortunately not the case for many Mediterranean MPAs. In order to increase the number of Highly Protected MPAs in the Mediterranean, a partnership between the MAVA Foundation and The MedFund initiative was ratified, to launch the Highly Protected Mediterranean Initiative. The MedFund will launch a first call for applications dedicated to this initiative at the end of 2021 for support from 2022.
To address the challenges that impact freshwater ecosystems, the MAVA Foundation, Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation have decided to join forces to create the Donors Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE), an initiative dedicated to the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin: rivers, lakes, marshes, wetlands, and peatlands. This collaboration between donors will enable action to be taken particularly in the Western Balkans and North Africa.
At the end of the day, during the Closing Session dedicated to the Ocean entitled A Blue Breakthrough, the Prince underlined the importance of the IUCN Congress as an opportunity to re-mobilise all conservation stakeholders, as well as political decision-makers and public opinion, around this major challenge for our future and that of our planet: the preservation of our seas.
“To better protect our planet from climate catastrophe, it is therefore essential that we look at the oceans and their resources and learn how to manage them sustainably. (…) This is why we must remain determined, on this subject as well as on everything else that affects the oceans and has a direct impact on our world. It is an immense challenge, scientific, economic and political, of course, but also philosophical, because we must learn to see beyond our borders, beyond our daily lives,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Monaco Life with Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation press release, top photo by Axel Bastello/Palais Princier
A mass has been held to celebrate the lives of two firefighters,Sergeant Stéphan Hertier and firefighter Matis Canavese, killed in a traffic accident near Puget-Théniers on 31st August.
On Wednesday morning at 10am, the lives of Stéphan Hertier and Matis Canavese, two local firefighters who died tragically just over a week ago near Puget-Théniers, were honoured in a religious ceremony held in the Monaco Cathedral.
Of the many heartfelt words spoken of the men, one of the more touching came from Prince Albert II who, though unable to attend as he was travelling in Germany, sent condolences through a proxy.
“I come to assure you that I am close to you through thought and prayer in these painful moments,” said the Prince in a written message read by Secretary of State Jacques Boisson. “To the families and relatives of Sergeant Stephan Hertier and Sapper Matis Canavese, I would like to reiterate here the part I take in their immense sorrow. All were selfless and exceptionally dedicated. As such, they were exemplary. The best tribute we can pay them is to keep alive in our minds and hearts, these two qualities having forged their personality. Any death is overwhelming, but the current disappearances are even more so. Our accompaniment this morning will not end with this ceremony.”
Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department
Feelings ran high throughout the ceremony, and Colonel Norbert Fassiaux, Chief of the Monaco Fire Brigade, summed up the effect on his crew, saying, “On behalf of all the military, I would like to say a final farewell to our late Stephan and Matis. Tell them our immense grief and how upset we are, dumbfounded, at their passing. Of course, words never measure up to this tragedy. The circumstances and consequences of the accident are terrible, unfair and can only arouse indignation and anger. The emotion is immense, the pain inconsolable, the emptiness unbearable.”
This is the second tragedy for the fire brigade this summer, the first being the sudden passing of 40-year-old David Eyermann in July.
The National Council also shared their sadness with the population of Monaco, saying on social media, “Today, the entire Monegasque community united, in thought, in the last and moving tribute paid to the two firefighters tragically killed in a road accident on 31st August. Deeply affected by this tragedy, the elected representatives renew the expression of their compassion, their solidarity and their most sincere condolences to the families of Matis Canavese and Stephan Hertier, to their loved ones, as well as to the Corps of Firefighters of Monaco.”
The packed cathedral was presided over by Monseigneur Guillaume Paris, vicar general of the diocese, who stood in for Archbishop of Monaco Dominique-Marie David, who was in Rome on business.
The driver of the vehicle that killed the two firemen and injured two others has been remanded to custody. He drove his car into the four men, who were on motorcycles, resulting in the deaths.
Top photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department
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