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Day: 30 August 2023

Football: Folarin Balogun joins Monaco from Arsenal in big-money move

by: Luke Entwistle
30/08/2023
Folarin Balogun being presented as an AS Monaco player

AS Monaco have secured the signing of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, who joins the Principality club from Arsenal in a deal that could ultimately be worth up to €40m.

Monaco’s pursuit of Balogun has lasted almost all summer. The club have been in the market for attacking reinforcements, especially since Breel Embolo’s serious ACL injury and Kevin Volland’s departure.

The USMNT international, who represented England at youth level, scored 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 games last season whilst on loan at Stade de Reims. However, upon his return to parent club Arsenal, it became quickly evident that Balogun wasn’t going to feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans.

An exciting addition to a free-flowing attack

He has therefore returned to the French top flight, with Monaco paying €30m up front with bonuses potentially making the deal ultimately worth €40m.

Balogun’s arrival will add to Monaco’s attacking arsenal. Adi Hütter’s side have been in scintillating goal-scoring form so far this season, scoring 10 goals in their opening three Ligue 1 games. Hütter, and the team, will be hoping for Balogun to hit the ground running and add to this impressive record given his experience at the top end of the French leagues.

Balogun has signed a five-year deal with Les Monégasques, tying him to the Principality club until 2028.

 

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Photo source: AS Monaco

Last chance to catch these fantastic summer events in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/08/2023
summer events monaco

All good things must come to an end, even summer and its accompanying roster of special events in the Principality of Monaco.  

Now is your last chance to catch the top-quality shows and attractions that have punctuated the summer season. Here’s a list of a few of our favourites.  

OPEN AIR CINEMA 

One of summer’s greatest pleasures is al fresco everything, but complemented by cinema? What could be a better way of keeping up with the current blockbusters. 

Monaco’s outdoor movie theatre has been screening the biggest films from the summer, as well as some classic favourites all summer long, but as the season ends, so too does the programming. There are still a few days enjoy this seasonal experience, but the shows only go on until 3rd September, so make a date, grab the popcorn and head to the movies! 

MONET EN PLEINE LUMIÈRE 

Arguably the most celebrated show of the summer, Monet en Pleine Lumière at the Grimaldi Forum follows the artist’s life on the Riviera through some 100 iconic artworks. The pieces were gathered from collections all over the world, some never having been publicly displayed, and together give a wonderful perspective on how his time in the region shaped his art. The show is scheduled to run only until 3rd September. 

PLANÈTE MER 

This Galerie des Pêcheurs-hosted exhibit featuring a selection of images from the oceans and seas offers insight into the wonder, beauty and fragility of the undersea world. Put on by the Monaco Department of the Environment, Olivier Jude and Sylvie Laurent, it highlights the marine environment in a fascinating way. The exhibition ends 31st August, so time is of the essence to catch this show before it ends.  

AU COEUR D’UN REGARD- JANE GEMAYEL 

Lovers of Jane Gemayel’s expressive works that “push the boundaries of art and inspire deep emotions” only have until 23rd September to visit the Galerie Adriano Ribolzi to see her unique blend of contemporary and traditional pieces up close and personal. 

LA DONNA 

A dozen artists present works on the theme of femininity and the power of feminine beauty at this Espace 22-hosted exhibit. The show ends on 12th September, but there are two more chances to attend vernissages on 31st August and 7th September.  

GEORGE CONDO

Fans of the visually stimulating George Condo have a little bit longer to catch his exhibit, Humanoids, at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, which will come to an end on 1st October. Nevertheless, make sure this one is down in your diary for sometime in September. It’s really something to see!

 

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Photo by Monaco Life

MYS set-up to disrupt traffic, pedestrian flows from early September

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/08/2023

As the Principality winds down from the summer tourism rush in early September, the push will be on to get Port Hercule ready to host the most prestigious boat event in the world, the Monaco Yacht Show, which is also due to draw in huge crowds.

This year, the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) will be held from Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th September. The event attracts a lot of people to the Principality, and with that comes a significant amount of money for the local economy.

Taking over the entire Port Hercule, a number of weeks’ worth of work is necessary to host the enormous event. As a result, the main areas to be impacted by installation works from Saturday 2nd September is Quai des Etats-Unis/Avenue J.F. Kennedy, and la Route de la Piscine and Quai Antoine 1er from 11th September, as well as various quays of the port.

Parking bans will be in place as as well as restrictions and diversions for vehicle and pedestrian traffic, sometimes with total shutdowns over a few days.

“However, constantly improving each year thanks to sustained consultation between State Services and the organisers, measures will be put in place to streamline traffic during peak hours,” said the government in a statement. “Occasional easing of restrictions will allow school children to be dropped off nearby and the implementation of temporary traffic patterns will facilitate deliveries.”

Two two-wheeled parking spaces will also be created on Quai Antoine 1 from 11th September on avenue de la Quarantaine and within the La Digue Public Car Park.

The spaces will gradually be returned to the public from 1st October for a return to normal from 12th October.

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Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

Photo by Monaco Life

Sailing: Maralpine boats sailing along the Riviera

by: Luke Entwistle
30/08/2023
Les Voiles Maralpines

Les Voiles Maralpines, traditional boats of the Riviera, are sailing up and down the Côte d’Azur this week, participating in various events and regattas on this famous stretch of coast. 

The Yole de Villefranche association is organising the event, which extends from Villefranche-sur-Mer all the way to Cap d’Ail and the border of the Principality of Monaco. Various regattas are currently taking place in the bays of Beaulieu and Villefranche, and will continue to do so until 3rd September.

As well as the various regattas taking place along the coast, there will also be related events in Villefranche; activities linked to marine activities, boat visits and a parade are all on the itinerary at the Port Royal de le Darse.

What are Les Voiles Maralpines? 

The name Les Voiles Maralpines is inspired by the inhabitants of the Alpes-Maritimes, and has come to represent this heritage boat event that brings together old, traditional boats from across the region. As well as highlighting and promoting the old hulls that are part of the maritime history of this part of the Mediterranean, the event also allows for the passing down of ancestral sailing traditions, such as navigation methods that have been rendered irrelevant by modernity.

Les Voiles Maralpines, therefore, is an event that keeps tradition alive and celebrates the rich maritime heritage of the Côte d’Azur.

Please click here for the full programme of events.

 

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Photo source: Ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer / Facebook Département des Alpes-Maritimes

Inside Monaco’s new and improved Espace Lamartine activities centre

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/08/2023
Espace Lamartine

After three years of renovations, the Espace Lamartine community centre is set to reopen its doors in September with a packed programme of fitness classes, workshops, leisure activities and everything in-between.  

The first thing that strikes visitors to the revamped Espace Lamartine leisure and activity centre is how light and airy it is. The second is how much thought was put into this new community space, from nooks to sit in peacefully to plentiful space for moving about, and from areas for quiet independent work to rooms for interactive meetings. 

The well-proportioned 1,000m2 building on Boulevard Princesse Charlotte, which will officially throw open its doors on 11th September, is lining up a programme full of events across a range of genres between 9am and 7pm on weekdays and from 10am to 6pm on weekends. It is positioned to become a true hub for the whole Monaco population.  

Espace Lamartine on Boulevard Princesse Charlotte. Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

LOADS OF FUN TO BE HAD 

For fitness lovers, the class list is impressive and features yoga, Pilates, gentle gym, Nordic walking, muscle awakening and aqua relaxation. For those looking for something a bit more practical, there will be cookery courses, reading groups, and IT and DIY instruction.  

Then for pure pleasure, the centre will also have fun and games aplenty, with board games, table football, karaoke evenings, escape games, parties, competitions and group outings.  

In addition, there is a coffee area and multipurpose rooms available to rent for occasions such as conferences involving up to 40 people, musical practice and parties. The 100m2 space comes with tables and chairs, and is sound-proofed for the comfort of all.  

There are also rooms intended as quiet spaces to relax or read a book, and a computer room is set up for use, making it a great spot to work or browse the internet.  

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SPACE

Annual membership costs €200 per adult or €25 for a monthly trial. Over 60s and students benefit from a reduced rate of €120, and there are a number of reductions available for children whose parents are members.

A week-long open house has been organised from 4th to 9th September from 10am to 7pm, and anyone interested can come along to take a sneak peek at this charming new space. 

For more information, please click here.  

Click on the images below to see more:

 

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Photo credits: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

French public sector workers to get 75% off public transport fees

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/08/2023

As of next month, public sector employees in France will receive a 75% subsidiary on public transport fees as the government seeks to encourage alternatives to individual car use. 

From 1st September, workers in the public sector will see public transportation subsidies paid by the state boosted by a full 25% starting 1st September.

The new decree, which was published in the Official Journal on 23rd August, covers all workers in the public realm, whether they be contract staff or civil servants, and raises the coverage of costs from 50% off ticket prices to 75%.

Employers will be obliged to take care of the related costs, but employees must take the shortest possible journeys from their residence to the workplace in order to be in compliance with the new rules.

WHAT’S COVERED 

The transport tickets concerned are multimodal subscriptions, which allow the use of different types of public transport including train or bus, as well as annual, monthly or weekly renewal subscriptions to unlimited or limited journeys serviced by the RATP, the SNCF, private transport companies belonging to the professional organisation of transport of Île-de-France (Optile) or any other public passenger transport company. Subscriptions to public bicycle rental services are also included. 

This is clearly intended to get people out of cars and onto greener forms of transportation to get to and from the workplace, and is a part of an overall environmental strategy initiated by the French government.  

 

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Photo source: Manki Kim, Unsplash