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Month: April 2022

Highlights of Prince Albert’s visit to Italy

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/04/2022

Prince Albert II has just returned from a whirlwind trip to several Italian towns linked to the Grimaldi family, including many interesting UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here’s a wrap-up of his time there. 

Italy and the Grimaldi family have strong and ancient ties, a fact that Monaco’s Prince Albert takes very seriously. He recently completed a trip to the Principality’s neighbour, something he does on a regular basis, to visit sites that have a history with his family.  

This year’s trip took him to Terlizzi in the Puglia region on 20th April, where he was joined by Mayor Nicola Gemmeto in unveiling a plaque commemorating the town’s membership to the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco, a network of French Grimaldi sites created in 2015. Since inception, the group has expanded to include the creation of similar locales in Italy.

The Sovereign visited the church of Santa Maria di Sovereto, where a lapidary inscription with the arms of the Grimaldi was presented to him. He continued his journey on foot through the streets of the city and inaugurated a plaque commemorating his visit at the old castle. He then went to the cathedral to view a coat of arms of a cousin of Prince Honoré II (Prince of Monaco 1604-1662) dating from the beginning of the 17th century.

After laying a wreath at the war memorial, the Prince visited San Nicola Pellegrino cathedral, a Norman-era building emblematic of the city.

Prince Albert visiting the San Nicola Pellegrino cathedral, photo by Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

The following day, the 21st, the Sovereign was received in Canosa di Puglia, a town located in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, by Mayor Roberto Morra where he also unveiled a sign indicating the town’s inclusion into the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco.

“Your municipality was, Mr. Mayor, among the first members of this new network, whose action will complement that of the association created in France in 2015,” said Prince Albert in his speech. “To coordinate the action of these two associations, French and Italian, I wanted a federation under Monegasque law to be created. I will officially announce it in Monaco in a few weeks.” 

After inaugurating a commemorative plaque at the Town Hall, the Prince continued his journey on foot through the historic city centre and visited a school that has christened their reception room the ‘Prince Albert II of Monaco Room’.

 A tour of Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage sites

In what can only be described as a whirlwind tour, the Prince visited many landmark ancient sites, including the Castel del Monte, located in the town of Andria, for a guided tour of this remarkable 13th century building – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The Prince then carried on to the castle ruins of Garagnone, nestled in the heart of the Alta Murgia National Park, located near Spinazzola and Poggiorsini and named for Roberto Guaragna, a Norman knight who arrived in Italy in 1048. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1731 and today, only a few underground rooms and a part of the walls are still visible.

The castle ruins of Garagnone, photo by Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

On the 22nd, the Prince made a guided tour of Matera, a municipality located in Basilicata, and a World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO site. Considered the third oldest city in the world, Matera is famous for its cave dwellings, the ‘Sassi di Matera’. This city became the European Capital of Culture in 2019.

He was then welcomed by the local authorities at the Palazzo del Governo, where he went to Contrada Pietrapenta, about 12 km from Matera, to discover the Crypt of Original Sin, one of the most significant examples of medieval painting in the Mediterranean.

The visit to Puglia ended in Arberobello, a small town located in the Itria Valley, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After lunch with Mayor Michele Longo, the Prince discovered the trulli, small dry stone houses with a cone-shaped roof covered with limestone slate.

On the 23rd, he spent the day in Genoa where he received honorary citizenship and a ceremony was held to mark the inclusion of the city as a “Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco”.

These Italian visits were instigated in 1997 by Prince Rainier III when Albert was still Hereditary Prince. Since then, Prince Albert has made them a regular part of his schedule.

Click on the gallery below to see more photos of Prince Albert’s visit to Italy. All photos by Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace…

 

Monaco startup secures major client in Monaco Telecom

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/04/2022

Pineappli, a start-up supported by the MonacoTech incubator, has managed to secure Monaco Telecom as its first major client, providing digital solutions that the company will eventually rollout on a large scale.

Pineappli helps companies make the transition to digital, providing secure digital solutions for the dematerialisation of documents.

It was announced on Monday that Monaco Telecom has now entrusted the digital transition of its payslips to the start-up, covering nearly 250 employees each month. The partnership will mean that the company saves significant time and money through a simplified system, while eliminating paper usage and helping to protect the environment.

Under the system, each employee has their own “digital safe” in which their payslips are deposited after being stamped with an electronic certificate issued by the Department of Economic Expansion on behalf of Monaco Telecom.

“We can only be delighted with this collaboration with Monaco Telecom, which highlights both the performance and the extent of the possibilities of the Pineappli solution, which is 100% Monegasque,” said Jean-Marc Riestch, founding president of Pineappli, in a statement. “We hope that this example of success can be used to boost the entire Monegasque economic fabric in an environment fully focused on the digital transition.”

Monaco Telecom, a co-founder of MonacoTech, says it plans to use Pineappli’s digital solutions for other contractual documents, in particular electronic signatures.

“With this paperless and secure solution offered by Pineappli, Monaco Telecom is taking a new step into the digital age while meeting security of data protection, initially of the company’s employees, and tomorrow of our customers,” said Martin Péronnet, Managing Director of Monaco Telecom. “This approach is part of our active participation in the Extended Monaco project. It also meets our commitments under the National Transition Pact by promoting dematerialisation, a virtuous circle which is also supported by a collaboration with a MonacoTech start-up, and which proves the quality of the projects initiated in the Principality.”

 

 

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

 

 

 

Grimaldi Forum kicking it up a gear in May

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/04/2022

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.

 

SEE ALSO:

Monaco Streaming Film Festival prepares for powerful return

 

 

 

CFM Indosuez still going strong, 100 years on

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/04/2022

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.

 

 

Yannick Alléno unveils Pavyllon Monte-Carlo

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/04/2022

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

 

SEE ALSO:

Interview: Leader of ‘Modern Cuisine’ Yannick Alléno

 

 

 

 

“Don’t blame us” say ACM of traffic jams

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/04/2022

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