Football: AS Monaco’s Breel Embolo suffers severe ACL injury

07/08/2023

Breel Embolo in training at AS Monaco's Performance Centre in La Turbie

AS Monaco have revealed that Breel Embolo has suffered a severe Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in training, and will be sidelined for several months.

The Swiss international had been working himself back from a knee injury. Embolo made his return to first-team action at the end of the season but suffered a setback on the final day of the season during a consequential defeat to Toulouse FC.

Throughout the summer, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach striker had been training individually as he looked to regain fitness ahead of the coming season, which begins against Clermont Foot on Sunday.

*Breel Embolo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life*

However, on Monday morning, as the Principality club’s official channels announced the squad to face Bayern Munich, it was announced that Embolo had suffered an ACL injury, which will sideline him for several months. It is a huge blow for the player, who will likely miss the majority of the season and see his preparations for the upcoming 2024 Euros disrupted, but also for the club.

Monaco in the market for a replacement?

Les Monégasques can still choose from an attacking trio of Wissam Ben Yedder, Kevin Volland and Myron Boadu. However, the former two are only under contract for another season and both have been linked with departures. Boadu is a striker with great potential but is yet to display the consistency of a starting striker during his time with Monaco.

Within this context, Monaco are now reportedly in the market for a new striker. According to The Athletic, the Principality club have launched an unsuccessful attempt to but Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun. It remains to be seen whether the Principality club will return with an improved offer, whether they will explore alternative targets, or whether they will ultimately make do with their current attacking arsenal.

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

Club Suisse de Monaco invites eminent Monegasque figures to talk at special event

by: Stephanie Horsman

07/08/2023

In early September, the Club Suisse de Monaco will host a special dinner exchange on the subject of the “attractiveness” of the Principality in the presence of two public figures who have been invited to share their own views on the topic.

Founded in 1949, the Club Suisse de Monaco is one of the Principality’s oldest social organisations. Through its countless events, parties and dinners over the years, the group has brought together “those who act as ambassadors for their country of origin and adoption” in a spirit of conviviality that helps to bring about changes for the betterment of all concerned.

The next event in the calendar will be particularly special as the Club has invited Carole Lanteri, the ambassador of Monaco to Switzerland and Permanent Representative of the Principality to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition, to join its members and guests in a discussion on a theme that has been at the forefront of many conversations of late: the attractiveness of the Principality.

Carole Lanteri, the ambassador of Monaco to Switzerland and Permanent Representative of the Principality to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition. Photo via Club Suisse de Monaco

DINNER EVENT

In addition to the talks given by the honoured guests, the Club is also offering an exceptional meal in a prestigious setting, the Automobile Club de Monaco, on 5th September.

The meal will begin with a glass of champagne and be followed up with a starter of salmon, sea bass and Gilardeau oyster tartare. The main course will be a decadent chicken stew with truffle, and dessert is to be a refreshing dish of fresh fruit and ice cream. Organisers ask that proper attire be worn.

The event is open to both members and non-members alike. Members can attend the conference and dinner for €135, or just the talks and cocktail for €75. Prices for non-members are €170 or €110.

To book a space and for more information, please click here.

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Photo source: Amira El Fohail, Unsplash

Cycling: Mathieu van der Poel wins protest-disrupted road race in Glasgow

by: Luke Entwistle

07/08/2023

Mathieu van der Poel crosses the line in Glasgow

Mathieu van der Poel won the Elite Men’s Road Race in the Cycling World Championships in Glasgow on Sunday despite crashing on the treacherous streets of the Scottish capital.

The 271km race was halted around the 80km mark due to a protest that saw five arrests. After a significant 50-minute delay, the peloton continued their advance towards Glasgow.

10 treacherous laps of the Scottish capital ensued. Conditions worsened as the rain fell in Glasgow. As riders struggled for grip, the withdrawals mounted. Monaco’s Victor Langellotti was one of many riders to start, but not finish the race. Experienced riders such as Luke Rowe, Jasper Philipsen, Peter Sagan and Matteo Trentin also failed to finish. The latter’s race came to an end in dramatic style following a collision with a barrier.

*Victor Langellotti at Beking by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life*

Even the frontrunners struggled amidst the torrential rain.

Winner van der Poel said, “[The victory] almost completes my career. It’s almost my biggest victory on the road.”

However, the Dutchman had to fight through the pain barrier to secure it. Having launched his attack with around 25km to go, van der Poel then crashed with just over 15km to go. With a broken shoe and a bloodied leg, the Dutchman immediately set back off on his bike.

“It means everything”

At the time of the crash, he had a 30-second lead, and miraculously, as he crossed the line to be crowned champion, he had increased that lead to 32 seconds despite the quality of the chain pack that included Wout Van Aert, Tadej Pogacar and Mads Pedersen. Van Aert finished in second, whilst Pogacar beat Pedersen in a tight sprint to the line.

Van der Poel is a one-day specialist, having already won the Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo earlier this season. However, he describes winning in Glasgow as “one of [his] biggest goals”. Mission accomplished for the Dutchman who concluded that the victory “means everything”.

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Photo source: Cycling World Championships

A guide to Monaco: five free things to do in the Principality

by: Stephanie Horsman

07/08/2023

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to “do” Monaco, here are five great activities that cost absolutely nothing but provide plenty of entertainment.

As the saying goes, some of the best things in life are free. Following on that line, Monaco Life has sought out five different activities and attractions that can be undertaken without spending a single centime.

PUBLIC BUILDING TOUR

Monaco has lots of spectacular and landmark buildings, all of which are within an easy walking distance of each other.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Café de Paris and Hôtel de Paris on Casino Square are three magnificent examples of Belle Epoque gorgeousness that just can’t be beat. The Casino can also be entered for free.

monte carlo monaco — *Monaco’s beautiful Casino Square: a must-see spot for tourists in the Principality. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM*

After a short walk up the hill to the Rock, visitors can gaze upon the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and the Cathedral. All three of these iconic buildings also have nearby sea views to die for.

Also worth a look on the Rock are the tiny, twisty streets of the old town loaded with adorable souvenir shops that are great for browsing in.

BEACH DAY

Plage Larvotto is public and therefore can be accessed entirely for free. The sandy beach, imported each year, offers plenty of space even on crowded summer days, a lovely, shallow entry to the sea and anti-jellyfish netting to keep away the nasties. Lifeguards are on duty for everyone’s safety and there are clean public toilets.

Visitors can bring a towel, umbrella and a picnic lunch to while away the day without paying for a single thing.

GARDENS

Monaco has several lovely gardens that are totally gratis.

The Princess Grace Rose Garden was created in Fontvieille as a loving legacy from Prince Rainier III in memory of his wife, Princess Grace, who died tragically in 1982 in a car accident. Opened in June 1984, it sits on 5,000m2 of land and features 315 varieties of roses, divided into seven themes, all perfuming the air with their delicate scents.

Another free access garden treasure is the Japanese Garden, which is located near the Grimaldi Forum. Built in 1994 by Yasuo Beppu at Prince Rainier III’s request, it was created using strict zen principles and has a koi pond, islands, a waterfall, bridges, a tea house and, of course, lots of beautiful plants and flowers.

*The Japanese Garden near the Grimaldi Forum and Mareterra district. Photo source: Unsplash*

GRAND PRIX SITES

For those willing to get their steps in, the famous Monaco Grand Prix circuit can be visited on foot. It may take up a chunk of time, but for fans of Formula 1, it’s a thrilling way to see the track up close and personal.

SCULPTURE PATH

Monaco’s incredible pedestrian sculpture path has been created to allow the public to discover works by artists including Rodin, Bourdelle, Léger, Renoir, Arman, Cesar and Lalanne.

Starting at the Place d’Armes, it is a two-kilometre stroll that takes roughly an hour and a half. For a full list of the pieces on display, as well as a recommended route itinerary, click here.

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Featured photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM / Jahan De Lestang Guillaume

How to check the water quality in France’s rivers, lakes and beaches

by: Stephanie Horsman

07/08/2023

Information on the water quality at public beaches, rivers and lakes in France is now available to the public via a new website.

When heading out for a dip to cool down on hot summer days, the cleanliness of the water in the sea, lake or river chosen matters.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

France’s regional health agencies (ARS), under the direction of the Solidarites and Health Ministry, are responsible for carrying out the analysis of water quality in sites favoured by bathers around the country.

The procedure typically starts with a bacteriological control between 10 and 20 days before the opening of the “swimming season”, from 15th June to 15th September, then at least twice a month during the season. This can be reduced to once a month in the cases where the water quality of a location has been in compliance for the prior two years.

In addition to bacterial tests, teams also carry out visual checks and note the presence of glass, plastics and other waste. The results are then posted near the bathing spots by the local mairie or manager if the site is private.

EASY TO USE

The findings are now available too on an easy-to-use website that can be found here.

Once on the site, pulldown menus ask what location is being searched for. Then a page comes up with list of the most recent samples and results along with rankings from excellent to good, adequate or poor. The website also identifies places where swimming is temporarily prohibited, not yet ranked or are not ranked due to insufficient information. A “bathing site profile” PDF file can be downloaded for more in-depth information, such as sources of pollution and action plans.

The website also gives tips on the risks of swimming in water with poor quality standards, as well as ways to avoid these potential problems.

A list of amenities at the selected spot, such as toilet facilities, showers, first aid points, handicap access and the like, is included too.

In 2022, 2.8% of the 3,370 bathing areas in the country were deemed as having poor quality water. This is slightly down from 2021, when it was 3%.

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Photo source: Michael Kroul, Unsplash

Where to find the best vegan food in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter

07/08/2023

If Monaco is lacking a single, dedicated vegan restaurant, the Principality’s diverse gourmet scene provides plenty of options, from high-end dining at the Hôtel de Paris to grab-and-go selections in the Condamine Market area.

Monaco is home to over 150 restaurants, but none of them are specifically vegan. In recent years, a handful have opened – including Novak Djokovic’s Eqvita near the Grimaldi Forum and L’Inattendu-e close to the Marché de la Condamine – but eventually they would all close, leaving the job of serving up vegan food to the growing number of diners who have moved away from meat, fish and animal products to a surprising collection of restaurants.

Here are a few of our favourite vegan-friendly destinations.

Let’s start with the big name – perhaps the biggest in Monaco – of Le Louis XV–Alain Ducasse. You might be surprised to learn that this incredible three Michelin-starred restaurant has been championing vegan cuisine since it first opened in 1987. The vegan menu, known as Jardin, remains a firm favourite today and costs €280.

Next is the highly creative vegan menu from Chef Marcel Ravin at Blue Bay in the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, which comes in at €170 and is inspired by the produce growing in the restaurant’s own gardens. Dishes include the delectable sugar cane and beetroot tartlet, a Creole tomato broth, and candied shallots with cocoa butter, peas and black garlic.

*There are lots of colourful and creative options at the Blue Bay. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM*

The flavourful South American cuisine of COYA Monte-Carlo, a restaurant headed up by Venezuelan chef Victoria Vallenilla, is a good place to go to if not all of the guests around the table are vegan. There’s something for every diet here, but vegans will really appreciate the tasty selection of side dishes and sharing plates that are clearly marked on the menu.

The fusion cuisine of Buddha Bar is also a nice place to head to for inventive vegan options. There are tonnes of vegan plates on the menu, which will take you from China to Thailand via the Mediterranean.

*Fusion vegan dining at the elaborate Buddha Bar. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM*

At the cheaper end of the scale, Woo Monaco on Rue Princesse Caroline has a great selection of organic dishes to enjoy in-house or take away. From sandwiches to Buddha bowls to salads to a soupe du jour, which is always 100% vegan and comes with some deliciously crunchy croutons, and even desserts, be sure to try out this lovely spot for some lunch when you’re in the area.

vegan monaco woo — *Woo Monaco is a great shout for lunch. Photo via Facebook*

Another top lunch destination is EOLA – Eat Organic Live Active – in Place d’Armes. The toasts and Poke bowls will be the main attraction for a meal, but the vibrant acai bowls also make a brilliant breakfast if you’re passing by before work.

*Start the day well at EOLA with one of its delicious acai bowls. Photo via Facebook*

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Featured photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer / Matteo Carassale

Day: 7 August 2023