Monaco imposes cap as it welcomes cruise ships back to its waters

The arrival of fine weather has marked the return of cruise ship stopovers in Port Hercule, with the government promising to impose strict limits.

From April to November, cruise ships will return en masse alongside yachts in the ports of Monaco, or at anchor near the Principality, with thousands of tourists eager to experience the legend that is Monaco and the surrounding French Riviera.

While it is a welcome boost to the local tourism sector, it does have an environmental impact on the small Principality and its coastline.

In an effort to preserve the atmospheric and marine environment, the government, in announcing the return of cruise season on Wednesday, said that it is working with the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM) on a “rational” cruise policy.

“By setting a maximum limit on the size of ships at the port or moor, a limit on the maximum capacity of passengers on board, and the duration of the season, the Government allows the reception of cruises in line with the image of Monaco, its quality of life and its economic attractiveness,” said the government.

This year, authorities aim to undertake inspections on 90% of vessels, and analysis of samples from 30% of those cruise ships at the Rainier III breakwater.

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Monte-Carlo Masters: Monaco’s Romain Arneodo beats Alexander Zverev in doubles, Stan Wawrinka out

tennis monaco

Monaco’s Romain Arneodo and doubles partner Tristan-Samuel Weissborn beat a team containing world number 16 Alexander Zverev at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

After the exits of Hugo Nys, Lucas Caterina and Valentin Vacherot earlier in the tournament, expectations weren’t necessarily high for Monaco’s last-man-standing, Arneodo. “Romain is coming up against a difficult pairing, but we have lots of hope!” Monaco’s Davis Cup captain Guillaume Couillard told Monaco Life following Nys’ defeat in the doubles on Monday.

However, despite coming up against Zverev, a former world number 2, Arneodo and Weissman went on the offensive in the first set. Whilst Zverev held, his Brazilian partner, Marcelo Melo, was broken twice on Court 11 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

Arneodo is no stranger to success at the Monte-Carlo Masters, having reached the semi-finals of the competition alongside fellow Monégasque Nys in 2017. He and his partner relied on that experience in the second set, which was tighter than the first, and which relied on one crucial break late on.

Arneodo and Weissman ultimately prevailed (2-6, 4-6) to progress to the Round of 16, where they will face Great Britain’s Joe Salisbury and America’s Rajeev Ram. “We played very well. We were very solid. We’re doubles specialists, whereas Zverev is less used to it, he doesn’t have the same eye for it, even if he’s one of the best singles players in the world. In the doubles format, we had the advantage, and I’m happy for everyone, for Guillaume (Couillard), four ourselves, for the federation, and for Monaco,” said Arneodo to Codesport.

Former winner Stan Wawrinka knocked out

Despite defeat against the Arneodo-Weismann duo, Zverev’s participation in the completion is not yet over after beating Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (6-4, 6-4).

Elsewhere in the singles competition, 2014 Monte-Carlo Masters winner Stan Wawrinka lost his second-round match against Taylor Fritz (7-6, 6-2), whilst Argentinian Diego Schwartzman was forced to withdraw hurt from his tie against Italian Jannik Sinner.

Sinner is joined by compatriot Lorenzo Musetti after prevailing in an all-Italian affair. He humiliated his compatriot, Luca Nardi, who on Tuesday beat Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot, by not conceding a single game in Wednesday’s match (6-0, 6-0).

Daniil Medvedev, one of the favourites in the competition, alongside Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, beat Lorenzo Sonego (6-3, 6-2) to progress, and in the final match on centre-court, Holger Rune beat Dominic Thiem (2-6, 4-6).

 

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Modernist masters honoured this spring at the Espace 22 in Monaco

espace 22 monaco

Beginning this week, Art Gallery 44 will be hosting a feast for modern art lovers at the Espace 22 that features household names such as Andy Warhol, Basquiat and Jeff Koons as well as up-and-comers from around the globe.  

Saint Paul de Vence’s Art Gallery 44 is exhibiting prevailing masters of the genre alongside emerging talent at the Exhibition of Modern and Contemporary Art in Monaco’s Espace 22 from 13th April to 13th May.  

In all, there will be upward of 30 works on display from known artists including Arman, Cesar, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Basquiat, Jean Miotte, Joan Mirò, Marc Chagall, Soulages, Yoko Ono and Jeff Koons, who will share the gallery with newer talent from France, China, Japan and Thailand.  

The pieces come from private collectors, and many will be up for grabs during the month-long event.  

“We have already organised this type of event in Monaco at the Café de Paris,” Charles Lemeny, the director of Art Gallery 44, told La Gazette de Monaco recently. “It turned out to be a success. And if we encounter the same dynamic here, at L’Espace 22, we want to multiply the experience several times a year.” 

The exhibit is free and open to the public daily, so even casual visitors can appreciate the beauty and genius of each artists’ works.  

For more information, click here

espace 22 monaco

 

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Images from Art Gallery 44

Princess Grace Hospital launches online patient service

The CHPG has gone digital, offering patients the convenience of accessing information and making appointments online.

The new digital services portal, accessible via the website www.chpg.mc, now makes it possible for patients to make and manage medical appointments, prepare for pre-admission, access medical documents including consultation reports and laboratory tests, and pay their bills.

Patients will also be able to prepare for their visit by sending medical questionnaires in advance.

The online service will soon grow to include other services “to allow patients to participate more in their care”, says the hospital in a statement.

From now on, any patient of the CHPG will receive an email allowing them to activate their online space. They will then be able to access their health information, securely, from the address:

https://my-patient-portal.chpg.mc/

This is the latest development in a digital transition that was initiated in 2018 ahead of the opening of the New Princess Grace Hospital Centre.

 

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Formula One: Charles Leclerc earned €8,831 per lap last season

Charles Leclerc at the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix

Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc earned €8,831 per lap last season, the eighth highest on the grid, but considerably behind Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who earned almost €30,000 per lap completed in the 2022 season.

Leclerc finished second in the driver’s championship last season. Despite a promising start to the campaign, which saw the Monégasque driver win two out of the first three races, Leclerc and the Ferrari team became unstuck in the midseason. Consequently, it was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who strolled to a consecutive world title. 

However, the Dutchman wasn’t the highest earner per lap last season, according to research carried out by OLBG. That accolade goes to Hamilton, who completed 1,246 laps – 25 fewer than Verstappen – and earned an extraordinary €28,090 per lap raced. 

Verstappen, whose estimated salary is the same as Hamilton’s at €35,000,000, was the second-highest earner per lap. Monaco resident Lando Norris was placed third, ahead of Fernando Alonso, who at the time was racing for Alpine. 

The recently retired Sebastien Vettel was fifth, ahead of another driver no longer on the grid, Daniel Ricciardo. Carlos Sainz, who according to OLBG’s estimations earns €500,000 more than Leclerc, was seventh. Having completed 156 laps fewer than his teammate over the course of the season, Sainz is comfortably ahead of Leclerc (€10,649). 

Charles Leclerc one of the best value for money drivers on last year’s grid

Leclerc was then in eighth, earning €8,831 per lap. Alpha Tauri’s Yuki Tsundoa was the lowest earner per lap with just €590 earned each time he passed the start/finish line. 

Leclerc also earned €34,091 for each one of his 308 points earned during the last campaign, the third-lowest on the grid. Stroll, who earned €472,222 per point comes top of the list, representing the worst value for money. Mercedes’ George Russell, meanwhile, was the best value for money, earning just €16,364 per point in his first season with the team.

 

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Photo from Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

Nikki Beach launches season on rooftop in Monaco

Summer reopenings are coming thick and fast. Nikki Beach is the latest to launch its season on the rooftop of the Fairmont Monte-Carlo with its signature vibe and entertainment, and a delicious menu served poolside.

Nikki Beach is the original luxury beach club concept that can now be found in 11 stylish hotspots across the globe, including Miami, Montenegro and Saint Tropez.

In Monaco, Nikki Beach has been marching to its own drum since 2015. The emphasis here is sophisticated poolside lounging with champagne, specialty cocktails and gourmet food.

 The globally-inspired menu emphasises fresh seafood, including a generous truffle tuna tartare with black radish, yuzu and black truffle for starter. We also enjoyed the butternut squash topped with vegan feta – a new addition to the menu, says Chef Alessandro Pizza.

The mains are equally generous and packed with flavour: the famous chicken satay and rice, and whole baked sea bass served with artichokes and a chopped tomato and olive salad are among the highlights.

But the chocolate tart, made with 70% Venezuelan chocolate, salted caramel and macadamia nuts, is not to be missed, even if you are in a bikini.

Corporate Executive Chef Alessandro Pizza, photo by Monaco Life

Nikki Beach’s menu follows a long-running winning formula for the resort. Everything is designed to be shared, says the chef, and sushi is always a hit.

Chef Pizza was born in Cambridge, UK, to Italian parents who inspired his passion for food. He has been with Nikki Beach since 2002 and was appointed Corporate Executive Chef in 2022, overseeing all of the kitchens in the franchise.

He opened Nikki Beach Saint Tropez 20 years ago and this is where you will most likely find him in the summer, but he tells us he will oversee Nikki Beach Monte-Carlo throughout the season, ensuring the kitchen maintains his high standards.

Photo by Monaco Life

Music is life

Nikki Beach is known for its live music programme. A global resident DJ curates the danceable soundtrack that guests have come to expect at all of their locations. Afternoon sessions at Nikki Beach Monte-Carlo are no different.

This summer, the rooftop will once again come alive with plenty of poolside revelry.

Every Tuesday in April, guests can enjoy ‘Sunset Rituals’ from 6pm to 8pm, and entertainment on Sundays from 11am to 8pm. Events can be found here.

See more in our Instagram video below…

 

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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.  

 

Feature image by Monaco Life