The world’s highest profile yacht show is paving the way for a more sustainable future with the MYS Carbon Neutrality Transition Plan.
Aside from its annual showcase of the world’s most beautiful and stylish superyachts, the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) has also long been a stage for innovation, particularly with an eye to sustainability and environmentally-conscious technologies.
Now MYS is taking that commitment one step further with the announcement of a three-phase Carbon Neutrality Transition Plan that will lower the show’s carbon footprint dramatically.
THE GOALS
MYS organisers used the data collected from last year’s event to calculate the overall carbon footprint left not just by the show itself, but that of visitors, service providers, exhibitors and the yachts themselves. This information has allowed a “big picture” view of the show and its emissions, and helped organisers in setting out their objectives.
In a webinar held on 21st June, organisers brought together suppliers and exhibitors to explain how the new Carbon Neutrality Transition Plan is going to work.
The idea is to roll out the programme in three phases, to allow their working partners time to join them on their path to making the show the most sustainable in the world. Central to this is the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% by 2025, compared to 2022 levels.
This is line with the Principality’s own goals of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
Phase 1 of the Carbon Neutrality Transition Plan is to lessen emissions via systems and practices the show is directly in control of. One of the biggest culprits is air conditioning, which amounted to 48.5 tonnes across the four-day event in 2022, so by reducing reliance on these massive cooling systems, the show will be able to make considerable headway on its aims.
Phase 2 will consider indirect emissions from water usage and electricity, which are surprisingly low for such a large event. The water usage amounted to 0.1 tonnes of related carbon emissions and 2.4 tonnes for electricity.
Phase 3 will be trickier as it involves activities outside the direct control of the MYS, and includes sectors such as waste, transport, suppliers and exhibitors.
This was by far the most carbon-heavy group, with the extrapolated data showing that the biggest polluters were exhibitors, who generated 77 tonnes of CO2, which is roughly the same as driving a diesel car 620,000 kilometres. Service providers came in next at 39 tonnes, which is the same as the power needed to run a television set for 741 years.
Visitors added 6,608 tonnes, waste contributed five tonnes, and employees just one tonne. Though smaller figures, they do add up and demonstrate the need for everyone to actively work towards reducing their output in order to make the MYS as environmentally responsible as possible.
During the webinar, MYS organisers emphasised the need for collaboration if the show is to reach its goals, and reminded partners that demonstrating sustainability in practice can help build the future of business for the yachting industry and beyond.
Monaco Life steps outside of the Monaco bubble to track down the restaurants with the finest sea views that the French Riviera has to offer.
Sun, sea and haute cuisine… Residents and visitors on the French Riviera are spoilt for choice when it comes to great restaurants and great views, so Monaco Life has narrowed down the list of “must try” experiences to a select number of high quality dining destinations that might well include some you haven’t heard of.
From Menton to Saint Tropez, make sure at least one – if not all – of these delectable addresses is on your restaurant card this summer.
Casa Fuego in Menton
Perched on the edge of Menton, Casa Fuego is the lesser-known and perhaps more relaxed sister to the world-renowned Mirazur. Mauro Colagreco’s Argentinian-inspired restaurant, which places the asado grill at its heart, looks out over the old town and the Mediterranean from a cosy, but still sublimely designed interior and intimate terrace space.
Prices are very reasonable given the quality of the cuisine on offer. Expect classic local dishes combined with the chef’s native Argentinian favourites, all cooked on a wood fire.
Photo source: Casa Fuego in Menton
Ceto in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Everyone was waiting for the grand opening of the Maybourne Riviera, formerly Vista Palace, and its Michelin-starred restaurant Ceto, led by iconic chef Mauro Colagreco, is proving itself well-worth the hype.
Seafood reigns supreme here, with a menu deeply inspired by all the ocean has to offer. Highlights include the sea lettuce ravioli with langoustine and a citrus consommé, blue lobster with violet artichoke from Nice and a whiskey butter, shellfish in vermouth, and the catch of the day with asparagus infused with kumquats and a micro-seaweed sabayon with a sea urchin dressing.
Even the desserts get a sprinkling of the sea. The cuisine is creative, beautiful and perfectly matched by the incredible panorama from this exciting address.
It does have a Michelin-star, so expect gastronomy prices with the world-class view.
Photo source: Ceto, Maybourne Riviera
SEEN by Olivier in Nice
The Anantara Plaza Hotel hasn’t long opened, but its gastronomic rooftop restaurant is already proving popular with the city’s foodie set. The menu is clearly fusion-focused thanks to restaurateur Olivier da Costa’s background in Lisbon, Sao Paulo and Bangkok. This is the fifth SEEN by Olivier to open and he describes it as an “immersion of all the senses in pure indulgence”.
Lobster buns sit alongside Wagyu rump linguine and beef shank with pink berries and chives on an eclectic, world food menu. But it’s the metropolitan view that Monaco Life loves it for: a 360° extravaganza of the Riviera’s capital and its stunning Baie des Anges.
Photo source: Anantara Plaza Hotel
Maison de Bacon in Antibes
Head down the coast a little and you’ll come to the city of Antibes, a forever favourite with tourists in the region thanks to its picturesque cobbled streets and status as a capital of luxury yachting. But instead of wandering the old town looking for a place for a bite to eat, Monaco Life recommends driving a bit further to the Cap d’Antibes peninsular. It’s here you’ll find a true classic.
Maison de Bacon dates back to 1948, when it was established by the Sordello family who ran the restaurant until 2021, when it was purchased by the talented restaurateur Laurent Le Fur. Major renovations have taken place over the last few years, but the spirit of the restaurant, its epic views and some of its dishes remain the same. Tradition is important here and the menu champions local delicacies and just-landed catches like no other.
The tastefully renovated interior and the views that beckon beyond. Photo source: Maison de Bacon
La Passagère in Juan-les-Pins
Just the other side of the Cap d’Antibes is the Belles Rives hotel, a place renowned for its literary and artistic links with the greats of the 20th century, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. The views here stretch out beyond Juan-les-Pins, Golfe-Juan and Cannes to the impressive Estérel mountains in the distance.
Location is key at La Passagère, with “culinary gems” of the region dominant on Chef Aurélien Véquaud’s seductive Michelin-starred menu: spider crab with a verbena foam and caviar; locally-caught wild fish with green beans, girolles and kalamansi; and bonito with lemon.
Photo source: La Passagère
L’Or Bleu in Théoule-sur-Mer (main image)
Next up is this jewel of a destination: a Michelin-starred restaurant within the confines of an elegant hotel that boasts simply jaw-dropping views of the Estérel mountain range and the near untouched crystal waters of this part of the coast.
Dining at L’Or Bleu is a genuinely spectacular experience thanks to Chef Alain Montigny’s – a former Meilleur Ouvrier de France – ever-changing menu that juxtaposes Mediterranean classics with flavours of the world beyond.
Récif in Saint Raphaël
With the Cap Dramont to one side and the sprawling sandy beaches of Saint Raphaël to the other, the 1950s Roches Rouges hotel and its Michelin-starred Récif restaurant were always going to be head turners.
Chef José Bailly has taken meat entirely off the menu, allowing for a fully immersive experience into the world of the sea and its bounties. Two menus are offered by: the five course Anecdotes for €135 or the six course Mare Nostrum for €160. Either is a winner.
A simply magical spot on an often under-appreciated part of the Côte d’Azur. Photo source: Les Roches Rouges
Club l’Indochine in Saint Tropez
The final stop on our gourmet tour of great sea view restaurants has to be in Saint Tropez. Of course, this is a place known for its incredible dining scene and emblematic hotels, but this address offers something a little different.
Club l’Indochine by The Duc Ngo is found at the ultra-glamourous Villa Belrose. It’s the product of a clever collaboration between German-Vietnamese chef and entrepreneur The Duc Ngo and French chef Jimmy Coutel, who together present two contrasting styles: that of the historically haute cuisine France and that of “the fresh, expressive cuisine of Indochina”.
If this pairing and the unparalleled views of the Bay of Saint Tropez aren’t enough to tempt you, then what about this… The hotel boasts a vast selection of over 500 exclusively French wines, which makes Club l’Indochine’s wine list one of the most extensive in the south of France.
AS Monaco Basketball, the champions of France, have further strengthened their squad with the signing of France international Terry Tarpey.
The Roca Team underwent a complete squad overhaul last summer to help the club compete both in Europe and in France. The club’s success in getting to the Euroleague Final Four and winning both the Betlic Elite and Coupe de France validate those investments, however, speaking at the start of the season, Oleksiy Yefimov promised an end to such active windows.
Evolution not revolution
The squad is now more settled; fewer departures are expected with Chima Moneke and Jordan Loyd both among those to express a wish to remain in the Principality in the long term.
However, despite the season concluding less than a week ago, Monaco have already made their first signing. 29-year-old Tarpey arrives from Le Mans, where he won the French title in 2018, defeating Monaco in the final. He comes in as a locally formed player, which is important in order to meet LNB rules.
Tarpey has signed for the next three seasons, and it is hoped that he will contribute to maintaining Monaco’s dominance on the domestic scene.
The France international waxed lyrical about Monaco’s accomplishments over the past year, saying, “This season, it was Monaco, and then the rest. For me, from the sixth or seventh match of the Betclic Elite, I knew it would end like this for Monaco. In light of their desire to win this title, it’s deserved. When I see that, I can’t wait to play in this team.”
“There is always an objective to do better than the last year”
Tarpey will be a crucial arm in a Monaco side that will be looking to retain the French title, but the former Le Mans player is also hoping to contribute towards the club’s lofty European objectives.
“It’s true that the season carried out by the team is just exceptional. But there is always an objective to do better than the last year. That’s what I hope, and I think we have the means to do it. The Roca Team didn’t win the Leaders Cup or the Euroleague – these are the titles to chase after. I have the mentality to give everything right until the end and I want to help the team. That’s why I came,” concluded Tarpey.
Summer is in full swing and with it comes a whole raft of water activities in and around the Principality. Monaco Life looks at the key dates in the sailing calendar.
1st July: The Ocean Race Grand Finale
The round-the-world race, which began in Alicante, Spain back in January is set to reach its conclusion. The finish line will be in Genoa, Italy, with the flotilla passing off the coast of Monaco before reaching its final destination.
Photo source: Sailing Energy
Monaco Yacht Club’s Team Malizia remain in contention heading into the final leg and are currently third in the general classification. Regardless of the result, Boris Herrmann and the rest of his crew will receive a heroes’ welcome when the Malizia-Seaexplorer returns to Monaco for a stopover on 5th July.
3rd to 8th July: Monaco Energy Boat Challenge
The 10th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge will be held at the Yacht Club in early July, showcasing the latest innovations in naval engineering. There is a mixture of competitiveness and cooperation as a wide array of vessels take to the waters of Port Hercule.
Photo of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2022 by Monaco Life
As well as showcasing their innovation, there are also competitions and races to add an element of spectacle to what is a growing event within the Principality. The teams will be based in and around the Yacht Club, with talks, seminars and expositions for those intrigued and involved in environmental boating.
10th July to 18th August: SeAdventures Summer Camp
The SeAdventures Summer Camp, aimed at kids, continues throughout the summer. The week-long camps are open for six to 17-year-olds, and will allow kids to explore different types of watersports, from sailing to snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking and more.
It is open to children of YCM members, as well as those that attend school within the Principality. The days start at 9.30am and end at 4.30pm, and offer young sailors excitement as well as education through visits to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Registration can be made here.
22nd to 27th August: Palermo – Monte-Carlo
The 18th edition of the event will hit the seas in late August. Since the launch of the event back in 2005, it has become a Mediterranean classic, covering 500 nautical miles from the Italian city to the Principality.
Lady First III won last year’s edition, arriving in Monaco with a sailing time just short of two-and-a-half days. Whilst competitors such as four-time America’s Cup winner Brad Butterworth will be looking to beat that record, for the more amateur competitors, it will be a leisurely journey across the Mediterranean with family and friends.
Urs Minder, a Swiss former banker and investment-adviser who served as the Honorary Consul of Switzerland to Monaco for almost two decades, has passed away at the age of 66.
Born in Basel, Urs Minder came to Monaco 28 years ago and was originally supposed to stay only three years to help restructure UBS Monaco. He began his impressive banking career in 1979 as a client advisor at Swiss Bank Corporation, which merged with Union Bank of Switzerland in 1998 to form UBS, then the largest bank in Europe and the second largest bank in the world.
From 2011, Urs served as CEO of UBS Monaco, where he was responsible for more than 200 employees and established UBS Monaco as the central wealth manager in the Principality of Monaco. In 2017, he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Urs Minder, who was a passionate golfer and sailor in his spare time, was appointed Honorary Consul of Switzerland for Monaco in 2004. In a letter from the Club Suisse de Monaco on Sunday 18th June, the day of his passing, President Arik Röschke thanked Urs Minder, saying: “We would like to thank him for his support and his valuable participation in our events. It was a special gift of Urs to inspire and entertain those around him. We are grateful for the time we were able to spend with Urs and we will always remember him fondly as a valued and respected man. At this difficult time, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to Karine – Urs’ partner – and his three children. Our thoughts are with them.”
The funeral service will be held at 9.30am on Monday 26th June at the Athanée de Monaco (Somotha) Chapel 14, avenue Pasteur in Monaco. Afterwards, Urs’ sons – Alexander, Andrew and Anthony – and Karine will host a reception at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The 18th edition of Top Marques Monaco has been deemed the most successful to date, with 25,000 visitors, multiple sales, and a hugely popular Ferrari auction.
Top Marques Monaco, held from 7th to 11th June, was the most successful and sensational to date, according to exhibitors and visitors.
More than 25,000 visitors attended Monaco’s internationally renowned luxury auto show in the Grimaldi Forum, where around 200 of the most exotic supercars, classic cars, motorbikes, and transport innovations were on display.
“This year’s Top Marques Monaco broke records on every level possible,” said Salim Zeghdar, CEO of Top Marques Monaco. “We have never had so many vehicles in the Grimaldi Forum. The Diaghilev was almost fit to bursting with 80 classic cars and motorbikes, whilst unique models from brands such as Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Ferrari, Maserati, McLaren, Porsche and Rolls Royce were nose to nose in the Ravel.”
A number of world-first unveilings take place Top Marques Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life
Multiple sales were confirmed by exhibitors in both the Classic Car and Supercar departments, whilst the first ever Ferrari auction held on the show’s opening day was also heralded a huge success.
Alonso’s Ferrari sells for €5.4 million
The highlight of the L’Astarossa auction of 40 rare Ferraris organised by MonacoCarAuctions was the sale of Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari Enzo – for the sum of €5,400,000.
Another grande dame of the auction was the 1956 Ferrari 250 GTO Boano, which sold for a record breaking €1,512,000.
The auction resulted in the sale of 18 consignments, almost half of those on show.
Other highlights at the 18th edition of the annual supercar show, held under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, was the world launch of the Dallara Tribute IR8, represented by Stars MC, and the launch of the QUANTiNO twentyfive, an electric roadster by nanoFlowcell that runs without a battery.
NanoFlowcell technology featured for the first time ever at this year’s Top Marques Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life
“We were particularly thrilled to have been chosen by Audi France as the launchpad for the world premier of its RS 6 GTO Concept, which was a huge hit with the press and the public, as well as Venturi’s FLEX electric rover, which visitors could see up close for the first time before it heads to the moon in 2026,” said Zeghdar. “I’m very proud of this year’s show. More than 70% of exhibitors have already confirmed their wish to return next year, which is a clear sign of the show’s success.”
GMK’s first motorbike unveiled
Another highlight for supercar fans was the appearance of Top Marques Monaco’s ambassador, automotive influencer GMK, who chose the event to unveil his first ever motorbike, a BMW prepared in full carbon by SSM Motorrad in Nice.
GMK was also present to announce the winners of the first ever Top Marques Monaco Carspotter Awards – Cyril Desforges, Thibaut Mars and Thomas Arnold – as well as the lucky owners of 10 pairs of GMK-inspired trainers designed especially for the show.
More than 25,000 people visited this year’s Top Marques, a record for the luxury car show. Photo by Monaco Life
Meanwhile, representatives from sponsors ACJ and Dassault Aviation joined Zeghdar and Nunzio La Vecchia, founder of nanoFlowcell, to award prizes to the winners of Top Marques Monaco’s Children’s Art Competition. Dozens of schoolchildren from Monaco took part in the contest to design the transport of tomorrow, with first prizes being awarded to Angelina Claechout, Charlene Barols and Désiree Furst.
Top Marques Monaco will take place next year from 5th to 9th June 2024 at the Grimaldi Forum.
Check out our video below, where we speak to five exhibitors at this year’s show: Cedric Boutsen of Boutsen Classic Cars; Ricky Claus, CEO at Top Classics; Nunzio La Vecchia, CEO at nanoFlowcell Management; and Luigi di Donna, Artistic Director and Concept Founder Signature of Akylone by Genty.
