The month of May is coming in like a lion at the Grimaldi Forum, when a series of high-profile concerts and business events are on the agenda.
The month of May is always a sort of ramp up to the busy summer season in Monaco. It’s the month of Grand Prix races and the Cannes Film Festival, to be sure, but there are also several big events being hosted at the Grimaldi Forum to get people out of their winter caves and back into the world.
First off is a concert by Christophe Mae on 7th May to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the release of his debut album Mon Paradis, which launched him to stardom.
Then on 11th and 12th May, the IM Power Congress comes to the Forum, an investment management event committed to empowering change through networking and talks. The event organisers say, “At IM|Power we believe the future is digital, the future is inclusive and the future has to be sustainable. Our mission is to connect the entire breadth of the investment management industry to create a profitable and purposeful industry that will remain relevant far into the future.”
Also on the 12th is Lass, an electro, house, ragga, afropop sensation who is coming to perform his celestial melodies as part of the free Thursday Live Sessions.
RM Sotheby’s is hosting an auction on 14th May featuring hypercars and historics all under one roof, giving car lovers another reason to come to the Principality.
Next up is Ready for IT!, a one-to-one digital meeting dedicated to digital transitions and security. The third edition of this popular event offers access to companies on the cutting edge of the digital world.
Completely switching gears, on 19th May, the legendary Iggy Pop arrives at the Forum. Known as the godfather of American punk rock, the 74-year-old is still on the road delighting audiences, only this time with a new jazzy sound.
The month ends with the Monaco Streaming Film Festival from 31st May to 3rd June. The second edition of this summit for the global streaming industry welcomes both virtual and in-person guests to enjoy premieres, acquire and distribute new content, meet financiers and see the latest in media tech.
CFM Indosuez Wealth Management has been named Best Bank in Monaco by Global Finance magazine for the sixth consecutive year.
The ranking covers 150 countries and highlights banks that are leaders on their market based on solid results and the ability to meet the specific needs of their clients in a highly complex market environment. Global Finance’s experts analyse the performance of banks based on objective criteria, including asset growth, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and product innovation.
“In a competitive and demanding market, this award reflects the pursuit of excellence shared by the 400 employees of CFM Indosuez Wealth Management, which is celebrating 100 years of supporting families and businesses in the management and protection of their private and professional wealth,” said the bank in a statement on Tuesday.
CFM Indosuez Wealth Management’s roots date back to 1922, when it was created by prominent Monegasque families, some of whom still hold nearly 30% of the bank’s share capital.
It now has five branches in the principality and Monaco’s biggest trading floor.
“Our teams, comprising nearly 400 highly specialised employees, combine their knowledge of the principality’s international environment with the vast expertise and opportunities provided by the global network of Indosuez Wealth Management and Crédit Agricole Group,” says the bank.
Three Michelin star chef and ‘leader of modern cuisine’ Yannick Alléno has officially opened his restaurant the Pavyllon at the Hôtel Hermitage, endowing the people of Monaco with an unprecedented sensory experience.
It was during an exclusive press lunch on Saturday 23rd April that Yannick Alléno, holder of 13 Michelin stars, unveiled his new pride and joy – the Pavyllon at the Hôtel Hermitage.
It is the climax of an affair that began two years ago when Alléno accepted an invitation by General Manager Louis Starck to be guest chef at the Hermitage, eventually taking over the hotel’s Vistamar restaurant in May 2021.
Now, following an extensive renovation, the Pavyllon is an exciting display of the chef’s bold and creative vision for fine dining, a mirror of its Michelin starred sister, the Pavillon, in Paris.
“I felt like it was the right time to bring fine counter dining – serving up good food, fast – to Monaco,” says Chef Alléno. “It encourages people to interact and makes them feel involved, as well as being a vibrant, companionable and theatrical experience.”
Pavyllon at the Hôtel Hermitage, photo by Monte-Carlo SBM
Free from the constraints of traditional gastronomic dining, guests are invited to sit around a large bar, the counter serving as a bridge between kitchen and dining room, where guests are encouraged to talk freely to the chefs as they add their finishing touches to the plates.
It creates a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, where sophistication and attention to detail align with the simple desire to have fun.
Yannick Alléno on a plate
This ‘leader of modern cuisine’, who boasts two restaurants with three Michelin stars, is among an elite circle of the world’s greatest chefs, driven by a passion for creativity and innovation; a man who constantly pushes the boundaries of fine dining.
His ambition, he says, is not to add just another Michelin star to the one he has already achieved here, “my ego is fine”, quips the 53-year-old. But he would like to win more accolades with a Michelin Green Star, a relatively new award that highlights restaurants at the forefront of sustainable practices. He plans to achieve this by using fish that complies with the Mr. Goodfish programme and fresh produce from the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo’s own gardens.
“The Mediterranean is overflowing with colour and gardens,” says Alléno. “We enjoy working with gourmet local produce to make ethical, tasty cuisine.”
Mesclun salad with vegetables from the Hermitage Hotel’s own garden
His menu at the Pavyllon takes on a Mediterranean accent while showcasing some Parisian favourites: a simple mesclun salad is transformed with fresh peas kissed by the Riviera; his signature ‘badaboum’ egg, expertly poached, is cut open by Chef Alléno himself to reveal a surprise centre of rich caviar, complimented by the earthy tones of smoked crème fraiche; the ‘surf and turf’ with beef tartare and fish carpaccio is topped with another decadent amount of caviar; the langoustine ravioli displays perfection in one simple bite.
Among the main dishes are roasted red mullet in crispy zucchini leaf upon a collision of mango and tomato ‘fondue’; and a melt-in-your-mouth wagyu feuille à feuille, featuring thin slices of beef layered with mushrooms, seared and served with a famous Alléno sauce. It is, quite frankly, like tasting a piece of heaven.
A taste of heaven: Wagyu feuille à feuille
The desserts all feature Yannick Alléno’s unique sugar substitute – birch water – that has been extracted from trees. We tried the crispy frozen feuillantine with almonds and wild strawberries, and chocolate fondant tart – both a testament to the bounty of natural flavours available to us in the environment.
A home within a restaurant
Yannick Alléno called upon interior designer Chahan Minassian to forge the personality of Pavyllon Monaco, just as he had done at Pavillon Paris.
The designer, who normally works exclusively on residential projects, gives guests the impression they are entering the comfortable universe of a private residence – undoubtedly a private Monaco residence, but a home nonetheless. Soft furnishings, turquoise and cream tones, and various textures encourage guests to melt into the surroundings and relax.
This collaboration between chef and interior designer appeals to all the senses: taste and smell are awakened by the contemporary cuisine; solicited sounds spread around the counter, of clinking plates and cheerful conversation; the warm feel of the dark oak counter and soft textured armchairs, wall fabrics and floors; and finally, the views – of the compositions on the plates, the exceptional setting, and the chefs moving in dance-like synchronisation.
Outside, the garden terrace maintains its incredible views of the sea, the Palace, and Port Hercule.
The interior of Pavyllon was designed to inspire feelings of comfort, familiarity and homeliness
Why Monaco?
Yannick Alléno, who has restaurants in Paris, Courchevel, Marrakesh, Dubai and Seoul, says it was an obvious next step for him to open a restaurant in Monaco. “The Principality has always played a pioneering role in gastronomy, largely thanks to Alain Ducasse,” says the chef. “Being in Monte-Carlo is special, it’s an achievement of sorts.”
Conversely, it is an achievement for the Principality to have Yannick Alléno here, especially at the Hermitage Hotel. His presence reinvigorates the “grand dame” of Monaco and puts her firmly on the gastronomic map.
From the food, to the concept, to the techniques… at every turn it is obvious that Yannick Alléno just loves to rewrite the rule books, and Monaco is all the better for it.
The lunch menu, served within an hour, features three dishes for 68€, the five-course Monte-Carlo tasting menu is priced at 145€, and the seven-course Hermitage tasting menu is 235€, all excluding wine. Dishes can also be ordered à la carte.
Click on the gallery below to see more photos of Pavyllon…
Top photo of Yannick Alléno by Monaco Life, all other photos by Monte-Carlo SBM
The Automobile Club of Monaco has been “overwhelmed” with calls from angry motorists who blame them and the upcoming GPs for snarl-ups all over Monaco, but they say these problems are a two-way street.
This time of year is always a bit fraught in the Principality. With traffic deviations going on left, right and centre all over town to accommodate the upcoming ePrix, Historic Grand Prix and the F1 Grand Prix, plus the stands and other facilities necessary to carry off these events, congestion is heavier than usual, causing tempers to flare among drivers who find getting around a nightmare.
Whilst a certain amount of the trouble rests on these installations, there is also a secondary cause. As reported by Monaco Life on 13th and 14th April,there are two major road disruption issues due to construction projects around Monaco.
The Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM) released a statement on its website on 22nd April, clarifying the situation and hoping to stem the influx of bad sentiment.
“The switchboard of the Automobile Club of Monaco has been overwhelmed by a large number of calls complaining about the traffic troubles in the Principality of Monaco. The ACM would like to point out that the traffic jams are being caused by the high volume of traffic in the one-way streets and the presence and the operations of the building sites in the city’s busy areas. We invite you to take note of this information. The ACM switchboard is dedicated to the organisation of the three upcoming events.”
The partial closure of Avenue Princesse Grace is part of the problem, with a one-way system in place until the beginning of July due to building works at the Testimonio II site.
The second source of commotion, now past, was found near Fontvieille at the entry to the Dorsale Tunnel, where traffic was also down to one lane, with occasional full closures that ended on 24th April.
Photo of the ACM by Monaco Life
Euroleague play-off match two: The Roca Team strikes back
AS Monaco Basketball responded to their first-leg defeat at the hands of Olympiacos with an emphatic victory in Greece (72-96) on Friday, whilst qualification for the domestic play-offs was also confirmed.
The Roca Team drew level with Olympiacos in their best-of-five play-off tie with an emphatic victory on Friday. Having been constrained to their lowest scoring tally in years in the first leg in the Peace and Friendship stadium in Greece, Sasa Obradovic called for a response from his players.
And what a response he got. The Serbian coach called on his players to “manage our emotions better,” and to “avoid falling in the atmosphere around us.” Falling behind in the first-quarter (16-10) it would have been easy to fold under the pressure.
The opposite transpired. An incredible second-quarter (12-30) built a healthy 12-point lead going into the break. Needing to control the match in the second-half, the more senior members of the squad needed to make their experience count.
The man for the big moment, Mike James, heeded the call and stepped up to the plate in the second-half. Having scored only two points in the opening two-quarters, he registered 21 in the next two as Monaco not only maintained, but grew their lead.
A stellar response from a mentally resilient Roca Team means they head back to the Principality for Wednesday’s game all-tied, Obradovic’s side now able to put their home advantage to good use.
Obradovic reflected post-match on the mentality shift that allowed Monaco to level the tie. “We adjusted to the atmosphere and played with more purpose… I hope we’re mentally prepared for the third game, which will be crucial.”
Domestic play-off qualification secured
Before welcoming the Greeks back to the Salle Gaston Medecin, Monaco had a Betclic fixture against Fos-sur-Mer to navigate on Sunday afternoon. With qualification for the domestic play-offs already sealed pre-match, Monaco nonetheless did a professional job in ensuring a morale-boosting win before Wednesday night’s fixture (93-66).
James and Will Thomas were amongst the big names rested for the fixture, but in their absence, their replacements made short work of a Fos-sur-Mer side that sit second-from-bottom of the Betclic table.
Dwayne Bacon (21) and Donta Hall (17) featured prominently on Friday and did the same on Sunday. Their efficiency and attacking flair proved too much for their opponents, who struggled to keep pace in the opening two-quarters.
Monaco did, however, only head back to the dressing room with a five-point lead. A more resilient defensive effort in the second-half helped the Principality side to grow a healthy gap that they were never going to concede. The Roca Team eventually ran out 93-66 winners.
With the lack of training in Monaco’s packed schedule, the match was a good opportunity to give court time to some of their supporting acts, whilst ensuring a positive dynamic ahead of another important week.
“It is good preparation ahead of a crucial week against Olympiacos. Currently, training sessions are very limited, so I’m very happy with what we showed today against Fos.”
All attention can now turn back to the Euroleague play-off, as Monaco look to take the lead against their formidable Greek opponents in Wednesday’s match at the Salle Gaston Medecin. Victory would take them one step closer to booking their ticket to Belgrade next month.
Monaco’s women’s basketball team won the French Cup on Friday against US Le Poinconnet (69-50), celebrating their second title in five years with the travelling fans, who made the journey to Paris.
It was a dominant victory for Monaco Basketball Association (MBA), who won every quarter on their way to adding to their success in 2017, becoming only the second side to win the competition twice after Angers UFAB. It was a logical victory given the clear difference in quality between the two sides. On the one hand, Monaco are the N2 table-toppers (18 victories, four defeats), whilst US Le Poinconnet languish in sixth (11 victories, 11 defeats).
Monaco fans packed the Accor Arena in Paris to cheer on the Principality team, as they saw them effectively end the game as a contest in the first-half. A stout defensive performance limited US Le Poinconnet to just nine points in the first-quarter and 14 in the second. Although they limited the damage in the final two-quarters, with a more incisive attacking display and then a shut-out of their own, it wasn’t enough to repair the damage done in the opening stages.
Post-match, MBA player Najet Ouardad revealed the well-founded confidence of the side coming into this year’s final. “With this team, you knew we were going to win. We are here for a reason. We’ve worked hard and we kept together. That work has paid off.”
Having secured another trophy for the cabinet, their attention immediately shifts to adding to their success between now and the end of the season. “We’ve won a trophy, that was an objective and now we move onto the next one, which is getting promoted to second division. We have the play-offs coming up and we’re focused on that now.”
Just like the men’s basketball side, MBA are blossoming, and their already stellar season could have the perfect ending yet, should they earn that much-deserved promotion.
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