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Month: March 2023

Prince Rainier III: A series of major events set to commemorate the centenary of the Builder Prince’s birth

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/03/2023
prince rainier III

Ahead of the 100th anniversary of her father’s birth, Princess Stephanie has revealed details about the main events that will celebrate Prince Rainier III. From a gala ball to a concert in New York, there’s plenty planned for the coming year.  

Known as the Builder Prince, Prince Rainier III’s reign was marked by many changes that modernised Monaco, leaving a legacy that is still very much felt today. It is well known that he was instrumental in the creation of both Fontvieille and Larvotto, clawing back land from the sea to expand the territory, but he was also a social trailblazer, putting in place a new constitution and making Monaco an international destination, notably through his marriage to Grace Kelly, who then became his Princess.   

He also can be credited with the establishment of several of the Principality’s best-known events and organisations, including the Monte-Carlo Television Festival and the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival. 

2023 marks the centenary of his birth: 31st May 1923  

In his honour, his daughter Princess Stéphanie has put together a programme of events that will celebrate this remarkable man. 

“This is the culmination of several months of work,” Princess Stéphanie told the local press. “The first events will take place at the end of May… I think we are going to have a great year paying tribute to my dad.”  

Planned events

The calendar of events kicks off on 31st May in a day of tribute for Monegasques and residents. This date will also see the launch of an exhibition entitled ‘The Prince at Home’, which will be displayed in the Grand Apartments of the Palais Princier de Monaco. Various other exhibitions, such as ‘Prince Rainier III, A Sailor Above All’ at the Yacht Club de Monaco and the ‘100 Years of Metamorphosis of the Casino Square’ in Monaco’s Carré d’Or, will also celebrate his legacy. 

June will see a concert by the Rainier III Academy of Music on 14th, a conference by friend Jacques Boisson on 15th, and a special concert by the Carabinieri Orchestra at the United Nations in New York on 19th. 

In July, Monaco’s technical and hospitality school will be renamed the Prince Rainier III School, complete with a ceremony and special unveiling of a bust.  

On 21st October, the Centennial Ball will be held at the Monte-Carlo Casino as a moment that heralds back to the glorious days of parties and balls hosted by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace.  

A National Day event involving the 1st Tirailleurs Regiment, with whom Prince Rainier III served at the end of the Second World War, will take place on 19th November.  

In addition to these official events, many Monaco institutions and establishments will organise their own complementary occasions. A documentary film about his life is being put together, the Oceanographic Museum will toast his links to Jacques Cousteau, the Yacht Club is putting on a feature highlighting his love of boats, and a vintage car parade will celebrate his passion for automobiles.  

What’s most important to all the organisers involved is inclusiveness, which they hope will culminate in side-events put on by individuals that will complement the official schedule. 

“The idea is to show everything he has done for our country and which still benefits some people today,” said Princess Stéphanie. “He was an incredible man and a wonderful dad, even if sometimes I missed him because he worked a lot. He also considered all the other Monegasques as his children.”  

For the full schedule, please click here.

 

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Photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco

 

 

 

Football: Barren AS Monaco run continues

by: Luke Entwistle
13/03/2023

AS Monaco are four games without a win in all competitions after Stade de Reims took the three points away from the Stade Louis II (0-1) on Sunday. 

Les Monégasques’ season has come off the rails since their Europa League exit against Bayer Leverkusen in February. Since that defeat, Monaco are yet to win, and they continued their poor run of form against Reims. The Principality club’s winless run now extends to four games.

Woodwork to the rescue

Monaco were the last team to beat Reims in Ligue 1, and since Will Still took the helm in September, the club have been imperious. However, it was the Monegasques who had the better chances, despite a lack of possession.

Wissam Ben Yedder’s dinked finish beat Yehvann Diouf, but not the post. Just the other side of the break, Vanderson then went close, but he hit the other post. Monaco were knocking on the door, but Reims would break it down through Folarin Balogun.

The Englishman, currently on loan from Arsenal, broke clear of the Monaco defenders and beat Alexander Nübel with a strongly-hit effort. Balogun could have had a second after pouncing on a Malang Sarr error, but this time Nübel was equal to the attempt.

Record-breaking Will Still

However, Monaco couldn’t create any chances of their own and therefore succumbed to a logical defeat. Les Monégasques drop off the podium and are now three points away from third-placed RC Lens.

Reims are currently on the longest unbeaten run in Europe’s top five divisions. Only former PSG manager Thomas Tuchel has had a longer unbeaten start to life in Ligue 1.

Monaco are in dire need of constructing a run of their own.

“It’s up to us to get our heads back up and work hard to turn our luck around. It’s not a question of desire, but we showed that today,” said Philippe Clement post-match.

The Principality club travel to relegation-struggling Ajaccio next Sunday, where only a win will do.

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.

 

Photo by AS Monaco

Photos: Prince Albert II traces Grimaldi footsteps in small town of Ollioules

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/03/2023
ollioules prince albert

The pretty Var town of Ollioules has been inducted into the network of the Historic Sites of the Grimaldis of Monaco following a visit from Prince Albert II, who met with villagers and high-fived local schoolchildren.  

A visit by Prince Albert II to a small medieval town known for quaint charms such as its olive trees and amazing Romanesque church would be an event in itself, but the Prince coming to honour his family ties is cause for real celebration.  

Prince Albert recently spent time in Ollioules in the Var doing just that. He was invited by Mayor Robert Bénéventi, local officials and the people of the village upon learning that an ancestor of the Prince, Charles Grimaldi, the Bishop of Rodez, was buried there in 1770.  

To commemorate the visit and the day, a funeral plaque was laid and a ceremony held for the Bishop. A sign indicating that Ollioules is now part of the Historic Sites of the Grimaldis of Monaco network – a collection of towns, villages and cities that have had direct ties to the Grimaldi family over the centuries – was also unveiled.  

The Prince clearly enjoyed his visit, meeting with locals and shaking hands whilst heading toward Charles Grimaldi’s former country house, which has since become the town’s school. Upon arrival at the school, 228 children were assembled to greet him. The Prince, as a father of young children himself, was completely at ease, eschewing handshakes for high-fives to the delight of all.  

Prince Albert made mention of the former home now being a seat of education, saying, “I am very happy that what was the Grimaldi country house is now a school because our gaze towards history only has meaning if it helps us to project ourselves to the future and transmit its reason for living to our youth.”

Olives are a key feature of the Ollioules landscape and were on the mind of the Sovereign, who spoke about the “symbolism of peace of the branches of the olive tree”.  

“I will also underline the importance of the roots of this tree, which expresses the longevity of memory and the strength of memory and fidelity. For it is indeed fidelity that brings us together here in the finest tradition of southern sociability,” he added.  

Before his departure, he was made an honorary citizen of the town by the mayor, who offered him an olive tree as a remembrance gift.  

“I will remember above all, the symbolism of peace of the olive branches; a peace that is not a given, unfortunately. Never take it for granted,” the Prince summarised.  

In all, it was a day the people of Ollioules will not soon forget.  

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.

 

Photos courtesy of Mika Alesi and the Palais Princier de Monaco

Video of mini car flipping on famous F1 Fairmont Hairpin goes viral

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/03/2023

Watch the moment the driver of a Citroën Ami flips his car at the famous Fairmont Hairpin bend and narrowly misses pedestrians in a video that has gone viral.

The Citroën Ami has a top speed of 45km/h and can be driven in France without a driving license from the age of 14.

Meanwhile, the Fairmont Hairpin is a famous section of the Monaco Grand Prix, and even F1 drivers are forced to slow down at its approach.

In a YouTube video shot over the weekend, the car is captured travelling at a dangerously high speed into the bend a number of times, forcing the car onto only two wheels. On its final lap, the light car flips, slides and crashes into the concrete barriers that line the Fairmont Hotel sidewalk, narrowly missing pedestrians.

According to reports, the 16-year-old male driver and his 22-year-old male passenger – both French – were taken to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre with minor injuries.

The accident has been captured from a number of different angles and shared extensively on social media.

While the makers of the video have made light of the incident, the driver of the vehicle is likely to face criminal charges given the dangerous nature of his driving and the threat it posed to the public.

See the video on the Monaco Life instagram page below…

 

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Cycling: Dominant Tadej Pogacar wins Paris-Nice

by: Luke Entwistle
13/03/2023

Monaco resident Tadej Pogacar won a maiden Paris-Nice title on Sunday after making a late break at the Col d’Èze on the final stage of the iconic race.

With three victories over a week of intense racing from the French capital to the Riviera, he succeeded compatriot Primoz Roglic in claiming the famous yellow jersey on the Promenade des Anglais.

Pogacar, who knows these roads well, arrived for the final two stages with a slender lead over David Gaudu, and couldn’t extend that advantage during the sixth stage, which was ultimately cancelled due to strong winds from Storm Larisa.

Photo by Nicolas DUPREY/ CD 78

A French resurgence

The race-winning moment came 20km from the finish line in Nice. On the way back from La Turbie, Pogacar made the break on an ascent at the Col d’Èze, and despite attempts to stick to his wheel, the peloton couldn’t follow. It was ultimately a comfortable victory for Pogacar, who beat Gaudu by 53 seconds.

Gaudu’s final ranking was the best of any Frenchman in the race since Sandy Casar back in 2002. Jonas Vingegaard completed the podium.

Pogacar, a two-time Tour de France winner, will now be setting his sights on winning the Tour later this year.

In order to regain the Tour de France, won by Vingegaard last year, Pogacar has altered his schedule this year, and has got the season off to a dream start.

“It was always a dream to win Paris-Nice. The competition here was really huge. To be alongside David Gaudu and Jonas Vingegaard on the podium is special,” said an elated Pogacar.

 

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Photo by Petar Milosevic

Yacht chefs to fight it out in 13th Superyacht Chef Competition

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/03/2023

Bluewater will this month present the 2023 Superyacht Chef Competition, in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco, with nine superyacht chefs going head-to-head to compete for some spectacular prizes and the title of Superyacht Chef Champion.

It will be Bluewater’s 13th Chef Competition and 4th edition hosted at the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco. Prince Albert II, who chaired the final previously, has been invited to join in again this year.

The Superyacht Chef Competition is exciting for both industry professionals and the audience. Contestants will be given surprise ingredients from Gourmet Deliveries, U Luvassu poissonnerie and Metro, and will have just 40 minutes to prepare a dish, which is then judged on creativity, technique, presentation and, of course, taste.

Who will be there?

Food trucks will be available for people to purchase lunch and snacks during the day, and Bluewater and GDT will have an open bar with complimentary bubbles and wine. Titta and her team at Superyacht Foodie will also have a tasting bar to include Oath Gin, After Rum, Setz Hard Seltzer, Punchy Drinks and more.

Meanwhile, Yacht Chandlers will provide gifts for all the chefs and the jury, and Impossible Drinks has come onboard as a new partner.

Chef Duncan Biggs at Ocean Wave Monaco will join the jury to help monitor the waste from the contestants when making their dishes.

Competing chefs are due to be announced shortly. Those wishing to attend must register by 17th March by emailing event@bluewateryachting.com.

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Photo source: Bluewater