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Month: June 2023

What is with all this stormy weather? 

by: Elsa Carpenter
14/06/2023
storm monaco

Storms down south, sunshine to the north… What is going on with the weather in France and Monaco at the moment, and can it all be blamed on a “marais barométrique”? 

For more than two weeks now, the weather in France has been split along a clear divide between the north and south of the country. While the northern regions have experienced high temperatures and little to no rainfall, some for almost a month, the southern reaches have spent a fortnight or longer under ever-changing skies that often bring rain and storms in the afternoons. 

This phenomenon is called a “marais barométrique” in French, or “barometric swamp”. It refers to centers of action where two weather patterns meet. In this case, that’s the high pressure to the north caused by an anticyclone over the UK and the still and heavy low pressure in the south.  

Météo France has explained the current situation in the south of France in a general forecast: “In this zone, the morning generally begins under a strong sun. [Then] quickly, with rising temperatures, the first cumulus form. They sometimes become cumulonimbus, storm clouds, especially on mountain ranges. Because they are located in a barometric swamp area, these thunderstorms are not very mobile. Thus, they can dump large amounts of water in a very short time, sometimes 50 to 100mm in one hour.” 

While the extra rain is welcome given the dire situation of reservoirs and natural water resources across France, sun lovers in the south of France will be pleased to hear that these could be the final days of storms in the area. Sunny skies are set to return in the coming days, bringing with them temperatures that could break the 30°C threshold for the first time this year.  

Temperatures 2.5°C above normal 

Recently, temperatures up north have out-stripped the south. In Lille, for example, where rain hasn’t fallen since the start of May, the mercury climbed to 32.4°C at the weekend, while Nice’s hottest day of the year so far was in May at 26.3°C. That said, across the country, temperatures have been warmer than average since the start of June by 2.5°C. 

 

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Photo source: Anandu Vinod for Unsplash

Over 60 cars seized during Top Marques for causing public disturbances 

by: Elsa Carpenter
14/06/2023

Despite warnings from the police and public authorities, 64 vehicles were impounded due to various offenses committed by their wayward owners during the recent Top Marques event. 

Monaco’s police gave fair warning against drivers’ potentially anti-social behaviour ahead of the Top Marques, which features luxury cars, boats, motorbikes, aircraft and high-end products, with a heavy focus on supercars and futuristic design.  

The event, which took place from 7th to 11th June at the Grimaldi Forum, was held mere weeks after the Monaco Grand Prix. Both had come with the same stern notice from the government that alerted people that public disturbances, such as over-revving engines, racing noisily through streets and other car and noise-related nuisances by over-enthusiastic car owners, would not be tolerated.  

But there will always be those who test the limits of patience. This year, 64 of them wound up with their vehicles impounded by the police for 120 hours at a specially equipped lock up in Fontvieille. Some also received a stiff fine of up to several hundred euros on top of that too.  

“We are not here to financially bludgeon people, but to make sure that we confiscate the vehicle with which they are disturbing the tranquillity of inhabitants,” said Fabien Vachetta, Deputy Head of the Events and Society at Monaco’s Police Department. “We tell them: You are passionate about cars and supercars, we understand, but you must accept that people need to sleep, rest and live in the Principality without being disturbed by engine noise.”  

Among the cars seized were Mercedes, Ferraris and even a Renault Clio, showing that supercar fans come in all shapes, sizes and budgets.  

 

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Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube takes over as new Director of MonacoTech

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/06/2023

MonacoTech has elevated Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube to the position of director. The Monegasque replaces Lionel Galfré as the head of Monaco’s successful incubator.

Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube arrived in January 2022 at MonacoTech as assistant to the director, Lionel Galfré.

The government-backed incubator on Wednesday that as of 5th June, she has now been tasked with the top job.

“I am honored to take the helm of MonacoTech and extremely enthusiastic about the idea of working with all the actors of innovation in the Principality to accelerate the creation of value, jobs and wealth for the territory,” said Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube. “I believe that cultivating meaningful innovation and entrepreneurship based on strong human, social and environmental values are the keys to sustainable growth. It is indeed the ambition of MonacoTech to be a springboard for growth for the talents driving these innovations.”

With a Master’s degree in Management and New Technologies from HEC Paris, as well as an engineering degree from ENSERG, Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube began her career as a consultant at IBM.

Then, at BNPParibas Securities Services, she led transformation projects for different departments of the bank, demonstrating her ability to coordinate teams and drive complex initiatives.

“With international and multidisciplinary experience in change management, Sandrine is a valuable asset in supporting and accompanying the incubator’s startups in their journey,” said MonacoTech in a statement.

Since her arrival at the incubator, Sandrine has contributed to implementing strategic changes for the incubator, in particular a new recruitment dynamic that includes two calls for projects each year and a redefined support cycle of 18 months, extendable under certain terms.

Since its creation in 2017 by the Prince’s Gouvernement, Monaco Telecom and Xavier Niel, 48 start-ups have been able to benefit from the tailor-made program offered by MonacoTech, and 23 companies have been created offering more than 120 jobs, half of which are in the Principality.

Today, the incubator’s portfolio consists of 18 startups.

After having helped achieved this success over the course of three years, Lionel Galfré has left his post to join the public sector.

 

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Photo source: MonacoTech

 

 

AS Monaco transfer round-up: Disasi, Adarabioyo and Balogun

by: Luke Entwistle
14/06/2023
AS Monaco transfer Youssouf Fofana, Eliot Matazo and Axel Disasi in training for AS Monaco

While some departures have already been confirmed for the transfer window at AS Monaco this summer, many more are expected and there are several rumoured incomings too.

As announced by the club’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell, in a roundtable interview attended by Monaco Life last week, loanees Malang Sarr and Alexander Nübel will return to their parent clubs. The future of Thomas Didillon, on loan from satellite club Cercle Brugge, remains undecided. Further departures are expected this summer in what is expected to be a hectic window.

Axel Disasi – linked by L’Équipe to Manchester United

Disasi is the biggest name to be strongly linked with a departure. The France international has been coy when questioned about his future in recent weeks, and L’Équipe are reporting that Disasi is nearing a move to Premier League giants Manchester United, adding that the player himself has chosen the Old Trafford club as his preferred destination. Fabrizio Romano has, however, tempered the rumours, revealing that whilst there is interest from the Premier League club, Disasi is currently a Plan B option.

Tosin Adarabioyo – linked by RMC Sport to Monaco

Fulham defender Adarabioyo could replace Disasi at the heart of Monaco’s defence. Les Monégasques were linked with the Englishman back in January and the pairing could come to fruition this summer. There is uncertainty surrounding his contract situation with the Cottagers, meaning he could be a free agent. Otherwise, a fee between €10-15m is thought to be enough to convince the Premier League club to sell. Ligue 1 rivals Stade Rennais could provide competition for his signature.

Jesper Daland – linked by Monaco Life to Monaco

Daland has been heavily linked with a move to Monaco in recent months and even trained with the club during the World Cup break. Currently at satellite club Cercle Brugge, a move is now looking less likely. Monaco Life understands that Philippe Clement was particularly keen on the young centre-back, and with the Belgian manager no longer in the managerial hot seat, the chances of a summer switch have considerably decreased.

Kevin Volland – linked by Sky Sports Germany to Wolfsburg

Volland has endured a difficult campaign with Monaco and has had to deal with multiple injury setbacks. His future is one of many being called into question, especially given the fierce competition for starting positions in Monaco’s attack. According to Sky Sport’s Florian Plettenberg, German clubs are interested in repatriating the striker. Bundesliga side Wolfsburg are notably interested in Volland, who has one year remaining on his deal with the Principality club.

Folarin Balogun – linked by Sky Sports to Monaco

Should Volland depart, Monaco could be in the market for a replacement. Elye Wahi has been heavily linked with a move to the Stade Louis II, but interest from Arsenal could make such a transfer impossible. However, should Montpellier’s Wahi land in London, that would threaten Balogun’s place at the club. Coming off the back of an impressive loan spell with Stade de Reims, the American international wouldn’t come cheap, especially given the competition for his signature, which comes in the form of RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Édouard Mendy – linked by Nice-Matin to Monaco

Given Nübel’s departure, as well as the uncertainty surrounding Didillon’s future, Monaco will be in the market for at least one goalkeeper, potentially two. Mendy has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and, despite still having two years left on his current deal, could leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Jean Butez is an alternative option and it is also thought that the new manager will look at Radoslaw Majecki, who is returning from a loan spell at Cercle Brugge. Monaco Life understands that no talks have yet taken place over the Polish goalkeeper’s future.

And Youssouf Fofana?

Fofana, a stalwart of the Principality club, is expected to leave, but has seen interest decrease over recent weeks. Whilst it is still expected that the former Strasbourg midfielder will leave, there are currently no links circulating around the press.

 

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

Next-generation hybrid supercar McLaren Artura voted best in France

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/06/2023

The McLaren Artura, featured at this year’s Top Marques Monaco, has been voted best hybrid car by the Association Médias Auto et Moto française (French Auto and Motorcycle Media Association) and it is now available in the Principality.

McLaren introduced hybrid technology in two of its Ultimate class models – the P1 launched in 2013 and the Speedtail launched in 2018 – but the Artura is McLaren’s first production hybrid car with a V6 engine. 

It uses an all-new 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with an electric motor and eight-speed gearbox to produce a combined output of 500 kW (680 PS; 671 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 720 N⋅m (531 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2,250 rpm.

It was deemed the favourite and declared ‘Best PHEV’ by a jury made up of 20 journalists from the Association Médias Auto et Moto, who tested 25 hybrid and electric models on 7th and 8th June around Ruel-Malmaison, in France.

“McLaren is very proud to receive this its first prize which recognises the extraordinary capabilities of McLaren’s first production hybrid model and which crowns the 60th anniversary of the creation of McLaren,” said Steve Robson, McLaren Automotive Market Direct in Western Europe. “This award recognises the ground-breaking nature of this next-generation supercar, and we’re sure our customers will be as proud as we are.”

The McLaren Artura is in Monaco

The McLaren Artura was exhibited at this year’s Top Marques Monaco, the world’s most prestigious supercar event, which took place at the Grimaldi Forum from 7th to 11th June. 

Meanwhile, the first clients cars have arrived at McLaren Monaco.  

“We have had the car for a few months now and you can just tell that the car is very special,” Alexandre Ramon, Sales Ambassador McLaren Monaco, tells Monaco Life. “It’s a small car and the performance is just mind blowing, and so getting this award has definitely paid off for the manufacturers.” 

The McLaren Artura is available for a base price of €232,500.

See more of the McLaren Artura in our Instagram video below…

Culinary Week at the Casino de Monte-Carlo 

by: Elsa Carpenter
13/06/2023

The Casino de Monte-Carlo’s two restaurants are laying on special new menus for Société des Bains de Mer’s Culinary Week. Here’s what to expect. 

Every day until Monday 19th June, Culinary Week is being celebrated in a number of SBM’s top establishments, from Le Limùn in the Hotel Hermitage, with its honey-infused menu, to Le Train Bleu and the Salon Rose within the confines of the Casino.  

Le Train Bleu is departing on a journey through the best cucina Italy has to offer, and front and centre of Chef Richard Rubbini’s Italia-inspired menu is the trumpet courgette, a “true treasure of Mediterranean cuisine”.  

This restaurant offers the unique experience of dining in a faithfully reproduced train carriage, with everything from traditional wood finishing to a Belle Époque décor.  

The interior of Le Train Bleu is decked out just like a train carriage from years gone by. Photo credit: Jahan De Lestang Guillaume

All week, guests at this fascinating place will enjoy the heirloom tromboncino alongside other greats from the Mediterranean region, such as wild-caught fish and langoustines with classic produce like cepes, artichokes and aubergines.  

Over at the Salon Rose, Rubbini has switched up the menu to showcase his flair for fusion. Think miso salmon and tuna tartare with fresh figs for a delectable marriage of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.  

The Salon Rose is open every day for lunch and dinner, with a pause in service between 6pm and 7pm. It remains open until midnight. Meanwhile, Le Train Bleu is open Thursday through to Sunday from 7pm until 2am. 

Both are found inside the Casino and guests are therefore subject to an ID check and the same smart attire requirements before entry is permitted. If you spend more than €40 at either eatery, the cost of entrance to the Casino is reimbursed. 

For more information about SBM’s Culinary Week, please click here. 

 

Main photo credit: Anthony Lanneretonne