The current heatwave, combined with vehicle and industrial emissions, have pushed Monaco’s air quality levels to dangerously high levels, prompting a warning from the Prince’s Government and recommendations on how to stay safe.
Monaco and the French Riviera are sweltering through a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 30°C+ in most cities.
This heat, combined with the pollution generated from cars and industrial activity, and a severe lack of wind, has pushed Monaco’s air quality level to 180 μg/m3, the threshold at which the government is obligated to send out a warning.
“Due to the persistent high heat and weak winds, which are unfavourable to the dispersion of the pollutants emitted and in order to reduce the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, the Government is issuing the following recommendations,” said the government in a statement.
It recommends that vulnerable people, including pregnant women, infants and young children, people over 65, and those suffering from cardiovascular disease or asthma, limit intense physical and sporting activities in the open air; limit outings during the hottest hours of the day; choose shorter outings and those that require the least effort; and seek medical advice in the event of respiratory or cardiac discomfort.
For the entire population, the government asks that people choose non-polluting modes of travel for short journeys; limit, for private and professional travel, the use of motor vehicles by using public transport and carpooling; and avoid travel on major highways during peak periods.
Air quality in the Principality is monitored by an automated network of five measurement stations: rue Grimaldi, boulevard Charles III, place des Moulins, Fontvieille and quai Antoine 1er. The recorded data is processed daily by the Department of the Environment.
Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, dust and ozone (O3) are continuously measured.
Monaco and the French Riviera have been placed on Orange Warning for extremely high temperatures, which is due to end at midnight on Tuesday 11th July.
As part of Monaco Art Week and continuing for the next month, the Kamil Art Gallery is hosting a solo exhibit by Olga Sinclair, an artist from Panama City who has been described as a “pioneer of abstract expressionism”.
The artist – and the daughter of famed painter Alfredo Sinclair – is exhibiting her work in the Principality for the very first time thanks to support from the Embassy of Panama, her home nation, and Monaco’s AMLA (Monaco Latin American Association), which had the pleasure of co-organising the vernissage of ‘Life in Motion’ and giving the artist a personal welcome to the Principality with a private lunch at Le Méridien Beach Plaza on Tuesday 4th July, as part of Monaco Art Week.
“The title of the exhibtion is exactly how I see my life,” Sinclair told Monaco Life at the opening of her show. “My life is always in motion… I am living now in my eighth country, Venezuela. Every time I have to move, I have to adapt myself to a new culture, but, at the same time, I have my own Panamanian history and feelings for my country. This [sense of] movements create colours, and the colours create sensations…”
This is what directs her signature style: taking inspiration from her ever-changing location and setting.
“Life in Motion offers an unprecedented selection of her most recent abstract paintings that exalt movement and life,” says the curators of the exhibit. “Sinclair’s paintings capture figures and elements through a vivid palette inspired by her many travels between the tropics and Europe. Colour and form, worked through bold brushstrokes, become movement and create a remarkable sense of energy, celebrating life and the natural world.”
66-year-old Sinclair is as busy in her philanthropic life as she is as an artist. Through the Olga Sinclair Foundation, she has worked with more than 80,000 children worldwide, sharing with them her own deep love for art and creativity.
“Life in Motion echoes the career of the artist, constantly moving between different continents, active and committed to children through her FOS Olga Sinclair Foundation,” add the curators.
The exhibition formed part of the Kamil Art Gallery’s contributions to Monaco Art Week, which formally wound up on Sunday 9th July, but will be continuing to welcome and entice the public until Friday 4th August.
Visit it for yourself by heading to the Kamil Art Gallery on 3 Avenue Princesse Grace, which is open every day from 10am until 8pm.
Click on the images below to see more from the vernissage…
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From Monaco to Saint Tropez, the Mediterranean’s most iconic stretch of coastline is the quintessential playground for the superyacht set. Let’stake a look at the hotspots to visit during a late summer charter.
The place where luxury yacht charter all began, the Côte d’Azur is home to the glamourous seaside towns of Saint Tropez and Cannes as well as, of course, the glittering Principality of Monaco. They are also where some of the Mediterranean’s finest marinas are located, all within a champagne-popping range of gourmet restaurants, A-list clubs and designer boutiques.
Monaco’s Port Hercule is an intriguing mix of history and glamour, contributing to the Principality’s legendary status. For visitors looking to soak up some rays or enjoy an informal al fresco lunch, the Principality has several private beaches, including the popular Monte-Carlo Beach, with its own stretch of sand and jetty.
For those searching for a more relaxed experience, a sea-view pool, modern facilities and more than a dozen massages make Les Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo a must-visit spa for any serious spa-goer. Its exceptional setting offers views over the Mediterranean Sea, which inspires the spa’s holistic approach, using the benefits of seawater to treat both physical and mental well-being.
Or pop into the Spa Métropole by Givenchy. The spa has access to a Lagerfeld-designed pool and gardens in a haven away from the bustling Casino Square.
For those looking for a spot of culture, the Palais Princier de Monaco on the Rock has a typically Provençal setting and it’s well worth climbing up for the spectacular views over the Principality. Watch the changing of the guard in the Palace Square or wander through the streets to the Jardins Saint Martin. If you are on a charter with the family, take the children to the Oceanographic Museum with its famous aquarium and Odyssée des Tortues Marines.
Having worked up an appetite, Monaco has plenty to offer all taste buds. Le Louis XV is probably Monaco’s most exclusive dining establishment, and with three Michelin stars and Chef Alain Ducasse at the helm, expect to be wowed. In contrast, those looking for a more casual but equally tasty beach lunch should head to La Note Bleue for a simple salad or catch of the day.
Head up to Cannes’ old town of Le Suquet for a spot of bar-hopping and spectacular views. Photo source: Jim Thirion, Unsplash
The entire stretch of coastline is known for its plethora of designer boutiques and quaint local artisan shops, and Monaco is where you will find a who’s who of the most prestigious names in luxury from around the world. Further, along the coast, Cannes’ once small fishing village has become a charming seaside destination. If you are still looking to shop, the famed Boulevard de la Croisette along the seafront is the place to head for more designer boutiques, while the Rue d’Antibes has internationally-recognised brands.
While in Cannes, make sure to visit the Musée des Explorations du Monde, a small museum located in Le Suquet. You should spend an evening up here, in Cannes’ old town, where you can hop from bar-to-bar without moving more than a few feet.
You may be staying on board, but you should still head ashore to dine at the historic Carlton Cannes, a Regent hotel that opened this summer after an impressive two-year renovation. The “Grand Dame of La Croisette” has plenty of choices regarding places to drink and dine. One of the new additions is the Turkish restaurant Rüya, plus the exclusive Bar 58 and courtyard terrace. However, the Riviera Restaurant is the most iconic dining establishment. Many charter brokers, including those from Monaco-based brokerage Northrop & Johnson, will tell you that this is the place to book for a memorable occasion on the terrace, overlooking the Croisette with views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Back on board, Ile Sainte Marguerite and Ile Saint Honorat, collectively known as the Iles de Lérins, lie just across the Bay of Cannes and offer peaceful anchorages away from the bustling port.
Then it’s time to head to Saint Tropez. The beautiful old port is the town’s focus and the perfect place to finish a charter along the coastline of the Côte d’Azur, with Monaco at the other end of the itinerary (or vice versa). Offering a great deal more to soak up than just the sun, Saint Tropez itself boasts an ancient charm.
Jump off your yacht onto the quay and head to the Citadel, which houses the Naval Museum. Perched above the town, it offers fantastic views over the pastel-colored buildings lining the port. At the same time, several other historical sites exist, including the Three Towers and the Chapelle Sainte Anne. Several art galleries and museums also house art from many of the world’s most famous artists inspired by the small fishing village and the Provençal light widely adored by painters.
After a spot of culture, it’s time to browse the boutiques that line the harbour front. Like Monaco and Cannes, Saint Tropez is renowned for its luxury labels, and many of the top international brands have unique pieces dedicated to the quaint seaside town. Plenty of local designers also sell unique pieces, with pop-up stores opening throughout the summer.
The long stretching Pampelonne Beach near Saint Tropez. Photo by Monaco Life
Just around the headland, Pampelonne Beach may not be in Saint Tropez itself, but it’s definitely part of the “St. Trop” scene. The popular stretch of sand is known for its glamour and ambience, and is where you will find legendary beach clubs, the likes of Le Club 55.
Whenever, and however, you choose to visit the glittering hotspots of the Western Mediterranean, a late summer charter is the perfect time to drop anchor and avoid the peak season crowds.
“Saint Tropez, Cannes and Monaco are perennially popular, and the streets are busy during July and August. Of course, those visiting by yacht have a distinct advantage because they are dipping in and out,” says Charter Broker Fiona Maureso from Northrop & Johnson.
The F(ê)aites de la Danse’s second edition was a massive success by all accounts, with over 20,000 in attendance and all swaying to the beat, including Prince Albert II.
The public’s passion for dance was made crystal clear as the F(ê)aites de la Danse festival hit Casino Square in Monaco over the weekend.
More than 20,000 people, including Prince Albert II, turned out for the exclusive dance event, which was held six years after the first edition. But the wait was certainly worth it.
DANCERS OF ALL GENRES
The festival gave the audience gathered a chance to see and enjoy a variety of different types of dance through back-to-back live performances, from the grace of the homegrown Ballets de Monte-Carlo to world dance showcases, which included boogie-woogie, African, hip-hop, Tahitian, country, ballroom and even pole dancing.
Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Jean-Christophe Maillot centre stage with the talented dancers of this year’s highly successful event. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali
“It’s wonderful to dance in a place as magical as the Casino,” said Gilles and Marion of the Monegasque Sports Dance Association to Monaco Matin. “We were there in 2017 during the first edition and then we had the chance to return to our Monegasque lands to dance so we are happy. It’s a wonderful setting. Prince Albert is watching us, it’s impressive!”
Many of the dancers also put on workshops after their performances, giving those in the crowd an opportunity to try out a new dance form for themselves.
At midnight, a flashmob began, but the party continued right through the night, culminating at noon the following day.
Check out the Monaco Life Instagram video by clicking here.
The International Maritime Organisation has revised its plans set in 2018 to reduce shipping-related emissions, introducing stronger objectives that will kickstart the transition to a net-zero future.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping worldwide, has announced a major leap forward in its plans to become a net-zero industry by 2050.
The recently related 2023 version is a revision to the 2018 plans, which had agreed to cut the industry’s carbon footprint by 50% by the middle of this century.
Now, the goal has been set to slash emissions by at least 20% – and ideally 30% – by 20230. The goal for 2040 is a minimum reduction of 70%, and hopefully an 80% decrease. The start line is based on figures produced in 2008.
The revision makes for a huge shift in policy, as well as a show of good faith in the importance the agency is placing on tackling climate change.
There are also ambitions to achieve an uptick of between five and 10% in the use of zero or near-zero emission technologies, fuels and energy sources by 2030, kickstarting the overall transition as well as creating incentives for the industry to make investments in eco-friendly choices.
REDUCING HARMFUL ELEMENTS
The new agreement has also led to a consensus on the necessity of adopting regulations on reducing marine fuel’s emission “intensity”, as well as a greenhouse gas pricing mechanism based on an impact assessment.
Emissions from shipping represent around 3% of the world’s totals, and though not a huge number, are significant in the overall environmental picture.
Monaco is taking another step towards energy efficiency with a programme to replace all of the lighting in the tunnels under the Rock with LED bulbs, which will result in up to 90% energy savings.
According to the Monegasque government, the seven tunnels that crisscross underneath the Rock have a total of 637 light fixtures, with 1,340 fluorescent bulbs illuminating the pathways.
This type of lighting is costly, using tremendous amounts of energy compared to light emitting diodes (LED), so the decision has been made to replace these outmoded fixtures with the latter.LED technology can require up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and last 25 times longer.
The works, which began on Monday 10th July, will see the total number of lights reduced to 213. The average bulb life is between 80,000 and 100,000 for the chosen type of LED, meaning that servicing will only be required once every 10 years.
The project means that there will be slight disruptions to traffic flows during the four stages of the programme, which is expected to be completed by April 2024.
The first will run throughout July and August, exclusively at night, from Monday to Saturday and between 9pm and 5.30am. The Fontvieille, Noghès and Antoine 1er tunnels will therefore be temporarily and intermittently closed during this period.
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