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Month: July 2023

Drugs, alcohol and high speed blamed for fatal Louis II tunnel crash

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/07/2023
louis II tunnel crash

Police investigators have revealed the circumstances behind the deadly car crash in the Louis II tunnel at the start of April that resulted in the deaths of the driver and his two passengers.   

More than three months have passed since the horrific car accident that led to the deaths of three men in the Louis II tunnel in Monaco. 

Since then, investigators have been piecing together the puzzle of what exactly happened in the early hours of Saturday 1st April. 

Monaco’s Attorney General Morgan Raymond this week released the findings of that investigative report.

According to Monaco Matin, the three victims – all aged in their 30s – had been out partying in the Larvotto district on the evening of Friday 31st March before getting in to an Audi Q3 in the early hours of Saturday 1st April.   

Investigators determined that the car was driving at 156km/h inside the Louis II tunnel, and at around 4.16am it hit the wall near the Auditorium Rainier III at 148km/h before bursting into flames.

The report also reveals that the driver’s blood alcohol level was 1.76 grams per litre. The legal limit in Monaco is 0.5 grams.  

Drugs were also found in the driver’s system.

“While the accident is the consequence of a lack of control involving particularly excessive speed, this road behaviour is due to the recent and combined intake of cocaine and alcohol,” said Raymond, according to Monaco Matin. 

“This [elevated] consumption is likely to remove inhibitions, increase risk-taking and reduce the feeling of danger, in short, to reinforce a feeling of omnipresence and invulnerability, a phenomenon which undeniably increases the risk of accidents.”  

The fire that began almost immediately after the crash is believed to be due to petrol igniting in the engine and moving onto a damaged fuel tank.  

The three men that died in the accident were a French national and two Swiss men. One was a Monaco resident, one lived in France, and one was living in Switzerland. Two worked in Monaco’s finance and banking sector.

The report ruled out suggestions that there had been a fourth person in the car in the moments before the crash. 

 

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Photo of the accident scene provided to Monaco Life. The car in the scene has been removed out of sensitivity to the victims’ families. 

 

 

Tennis: Alcaraz to play at Hopman Cup in Nice next week 

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/07/2023
hopman cup nice

If you missed out on tickets to Wimbledon, but find yourself hankering for some on-court action, here’s everything you need to know about the Hopman Cup, which is taking place next week in Nice.  

The Hopman Cup, an exciting tennis competition where mixed gender teams play for their national country, is coming to the Nice Lawn Tennis Club from 19th to 23rd July.  

HOW IT WORKS 

Mixed doubles teams compete for their nations in this thrilling tournament alongside a series of men’s and women’s singles matches. Each win garners a point for the team or country.  

The matches are played to the best of three sets, with a tie-break as the third set. The top teams from each group then move onto the finals until a single winning team is declared.  

The tournament is attracting some big names this year, the likes of Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and his compatriot Rebeka Masarova as well as France’s Richard Gasquet and Alizé Cornet. Denmark’s Holger Rune is also expected to play.

The competition has been on hiatus for three years, so the return, which was announced in December 2022 by the International Tennis Federation, will be warmly welcomed by fans in the region and beyond.  

Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi is particularly happy to have the Hopman Cup back, saying, “This event confirms once again that Nice is a privileged destination for the biggest international sporting events. After the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2020, the Top 14 semi-finals in 2022, the Hopman Cup will precede the Rugby World Cup by a few weeks, and then the arrival of the Tour de France in July 2024. Tennis is a major sport in Nice, a discipline that has a strong history, with a club that is more than a hundred years old, and great players who have marked French tennis.”

HOSPITALITY 

For match-goers, there will not only be fantastic tennis viewing on offer, but top-drawer catering and live music. It’s a much more informal and relaxed occasion than some of the more highbrow tennis tournaments. 

The bar will be open from 3pm for cocktails and snacks, one hour before the first match of the day, and a dinner service starts at 8pm.  

DJs will keep the party going at night in a dedicated, on-site lounge area. 

For tickets and more information, please click here. 

 

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Photo source: Hopman Cup via Facebook

Recent rains not enough to replenish PACA groundwater tables

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/07/2023

Despite substantial rainfall in late spring and early summer, the groundwater levels in many parts of the south of France remain well below normal levels, and the situation will only be exacerbated further as summer heat sets in.  

At a press conference earlier this week, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, revealed that the heavy rains experienced in recent months have not normalised the groundwater levels in two-thirds of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region’s water tables.  

“Since last summer, the water tables have not recharged,” he said. “68% of the water tables are sub-normal for the season.”  

These numbers were confirmed by the Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM), who said that from the start of April to the end of June, the level changes had been slight in some cases and deteriorated in others.  

RAIN CAME TOO LATE  

The usual springtime rains, which go a long way in keeping the water tables at good levels, simply came too late this year to make a real difference.  

Much of the soils in the south are so dry that any precipitation was unable to properly sink in, leaving precious supplies to run off into storm drains and the sea.  

MIXED BAG 

Whilst some places have a paucity of water, others are in good shape, making for a real mixed bag in the region.  

The Direction Régionale de l’Environnement (DREAL) published a report on 11th July stating the total rainfall for the first half of June reached 300% to 400% more than normal in Val de Durance, Provence, while other parts of PACA saw as little as 20mm of precipitation.  

Snow melt is now complete, and even after the storms, river flow levels in the Alpes-Maritimes are still on the low side. Then there are the Giscle river in Cogolin and the Natuby in Trans-en-Provence, which are almost dry. 

This contrasts dramatically with other regional rivers, such as the Meyreuil sur l’Arc, Châteauvert sur l’Argens, and Mormoiron sur l’Auzon, which are recording higher than average flows.  

 

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Photo source: Yan Berthemy, Unsplash

Two new direct flights a week all summer from Nice to magical Marrakech

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/07/2023

Air France is now offering two weekly direct flights from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to the wonderous city of Marrakech, Morocco, where culture, food and fun can be had around every corner.  

If this summer finds you with itchy feet, Nice Airport is offering two extra direct flights to the exotic Moroccan city of Marrakech with Air France, making it more accessible than ever.  

From 7th July to 25th August, Air France is running a service to this remarkable city every Monday and Friday, adding to easyJet’s current schedule, which runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.  

THE VIBE 

Marrakech is a city filled with contrasts. From the neutral palette of the desert landscape to the brightly coloured hustle and bustle of the Medina, it is not describable in a word.  

The ancient part of town is a warren of narrow passageways and old world charms, whilst the newer side boasts luxury boutiques and modern commercial endeavours, as well as multiple cultural venues.  

marrakech nice
A fascinating shopping destination. Photo source: Abdelhamid Azoui, Unsplash

It is primarily a Muslim country, but the locals are used to Western tourists and fashion styles. That being said, it is advisable to be somewhat modest, as dressing too provocatively can garner unwanted attention.  

In general, the people are friendly and warm, though it is good to consider that in the souks, they show what canny businesspeople they are, and to Westerners, they can come across as pushy. This is simply a cultural difference, and should be appreciated as such, knowing that locals would never intentionally offend a guest.

WHAT TO DO 

There is so much to see and do in the Red City, but no trip would be complete without a trip to Jemaa-el-Fna, a World Heritage Site filled with stalls selling all kinds of beautiful wares, food kiosks and even snake charmers.  

Equally enticing is the Medina in the old city, another World Heritage Site, where the Koutoubia Mosque is located, the city’s largest and most spectacular. The souks are also a “can’t miss” with a vast selection of local products, rugs, spices, jewellery, clothes, trinkets and more. Just be prepared to bargain with the vendors over price, as this is customary and part of the experience.  

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent at the magnificent Jardin Majorelle invites visitors to walk around the French fashion designer’s former Moroccan home and grounds. Here, guests can soak up the beauty of the stunning landscape and cubist-style villa before heading into a retrospective journey into the life of the enigmatic designer.  

A visit to the stunning former home of Yves Saint Laurent should be high on your list. Photo source: Mehmet Ugur Turkyilmaz, Unsplash

The 850-year-old Palmeraie should also be on your list. It features over 100,000 trees, which serve not only as shade from the desert sun, but also provide products such as dates, palm oil and palm wine.   

This former imperial city also sits at the foot of the Atlas Mountain range, giving it striking views as well as amazing opportunities to hike, bike and even ski in the winter months.  

Views of the Atlas mountain range. Photo source: Paul Macallan, Unsplash

 

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Featured photo by Monaco Life

Bastille Day: When and where to catch the best firework displays

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/07/2023
fireworks 14th july

Towns and cities up and down the Côte d’Azur will celebrate France’s National Day this week with spectacular fireworks displays. Here’s a list of where to catch them.

The French National Day of 14th July, also known as Bastille Day, has long been associated with dazzling public displays of incredible pyrotechnics.  

This year, however, the fun is being spread out over two nights, with many locales getting the party started early the night before. 

First to the party: Thursday 13th July 

Nice will host its fireworks show in the waters of the Baie des Anges from 10pm. 

Antibes is following suit with a show on the bord de mer, between Siesta and the Fort Carré, from 10pm.  

Villefranche sur Mer is adding a refreshment bar and BBQ to its evening as the Grand Bal du Comité des Fêtes puts on a pre-party from 8pm in the Old Town, followed by fireworks at 10pm.  

Inland, Saint Paul de Vence will celebrate with a party featuring DJ Alex, a performance by singer Sandra, and Coco Paillette taking to the stage alongside fireworks from 10pm to 2am in the Place de la Courtine.  

Théoule sur Mer will be mixing it up with a laser light show at 9pm followed by an 80s-themed dance party in the Port de la Figueirette.  

Other local towns who will have celebratory fireworks events on 13th July include Beaulieu sur Mer, La Trinité, Grasse, Saint Laurent du Var, Biot, Valbonne, Saint Vallier de Thiey, La Roquette sur Siagne, Aspremont, Saint Jeannet and Peillon.  

Main event: Friday 14th July 

On 14th July, Cannes will kick off its Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique in the Baie de Cannes from 10pm. The theme of the night is Dante. This will be followed by the Bals du 14 Juillet in the Allées de la Liberte, Place de l’Etang and the La Bocca market.  

fireworks 14th july
The fireworks display in the Baie de Cannes is always a grand affair. Photo source: Niccolo Ornati

Nice will hold a memorial service on 14th July for the 86 victims of the 2016 attacks, with a special 86-light beam tribute at 10.34pm exactly. This will be preceded by a procession at 6pm on the Promenade des Anglais and a concert at the Théâtre de Verdure at 9pm.  

Menton will host the Bal de l’Amicale des Sapeurs-Pompiers at 8pm, followed by a fireworks display over the Baie des Sablettes from 10.30pm. 

There is an 8pm kick-off for the Bal Populaire in Mougins, followed by fireworks at 10pm and two DJs spinning disks until midnight to keep the party going.  

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is also holding a ball with a DJ and entertainment from 9pm with fireworks at 10pm.  

Juan les Pins is holding a pyrotechnic display at 10.30pm over the bay.  

Vallauris, La Colle sur Loup, Vence, Cagnes sur Mer, Le Cannet, Villeneuve Loubet, Roquebrune Cap Martin, Saint Martin Vesubie, Levens, Beaulieu sur Mer and La Turbie are also holding events on 14th July.  

What about Monaco?  

For those who can’t get enough of the fireworks, Monaco will also be hosting displays on 22nd July and 5th August, both at 10pm.  

For a full rundown of each town’s schedule, click here. 

 

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Featured photo source: Arthur Chauvineau, Unsplash

 

Boys choir Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco on tour in the US

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/07/2023

Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco, under the direction of Pierre Debat, have kicked off their American tour with two concerts in New York.

The first concert on 6th July was held at the Grotto Church of Notre Dame, a French-speaking parish in the Columbia University district, organised by the Consulate General of Monaco in New York, in partnership with the Committee of French and French-speaking Associations of New York. The second on the 7th July was at St. Bartholomew’s Church, presented as part of the ‘Great Music at St. Bart’s’ musical program.

To mark the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, founder of the Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco (Little Singers of Monaco) in 1974, the tour program includes a tribute through one of his favourite pieces, Le Campanile de Saint-Nicolas.

Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco are touring the East Coast of the United States until 25th July. After New York, the group will travel to Washington DC, Savannah, Port St. Lucie and Miami.

The tour is organised with the support of the various representations of the Prince’s Government in the United States: the Embassy of Monaco in Washington, the Consulate General in New York, and the honorary consulates in Atlanta and Miami.

 

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Photo source: General Consulate of Monaco in New York