Although no official comment has been made on either side of the Channel, rumours of a visit to France by Britain’s King Charles III this September have begun to swirl.
After a visit marketed as a chance for the UK and France to renew ties following years of tension in the run-up to, and wake of, Brexit was cancelled in March due to the particularly hostile pension reform protests engulfing France at the time, the Palais de l’Élysée released a statement saying that King Charles’ trip to France would be rescheduled “as soon as possible” and “in conditions that correspond our friendly relations”.
Now it appears that a date has been set, and it’s just around the corner.
According to the French newspaper Sud-Ouest, ministerial sources in France have leaked the news that Britain’s freshly crowned monarch will be making his way to France in September for a two-part visit to Paris and Bordeaux, as was originally planned.
Queen Consort Camilla is also expected to join her husband on the visit, which will reportedly take place in the penultimate week of the month and include a dinner at the Palace of Versailles.
It will be a particularly busy time for France and official engagements, with Pope Francis due to visit Marseille between 22nd and 23rd September. According to the Vatican’s official schedule, he will be met there by French President Emmanuel Macron.
King Charles’ scrapped trip in March would have made France the first country to host him since he succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, as regent. Instead, that honour went to Germany after Macron decided to postpone the visit amid the rising national tensions related to his reforms to the pensions system.
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Come the end of August, over 200 artists will unite under one roof at the Big Top in Fontvieille for the art3f fair.
From 25th to 27th August at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, the art3f event will highlight the “human and warm side” of the art world.
OVER 3,500 PIECES
Monaco is one of 21 cities around Europe that hosts the travelling and intentionally unpretentious event, which is targeted at people who love art and the artists who love making it, with many pieces advertised and sold for refreshingly affordable prices.
Artists from Monaco, France, Europe and many other parts of the world will together exhibit more than 3,500 of their paintings, sculptures and photographs, lining the walls of the venue and filling the space to capacity.
NEW TALENT
Last year’s edition saw 16,00 visitors cross the threshold and 714 works of contemporary art purchased, many of which were from young up-and-coming talent. This show offers a rare opportunity to meet the stars of tomorrow as many of the artists are expected to be present.
In addition to the exhibitions, a central bar and restaurant will be set up and there will even be live music at the official opening event on Friday 25th August from 6pm.
The launch night is open to all visitors, though those without invitations will be asked to pay the entry fee.
Tickets are going for €7 during pre-sales and €10 at the door. For more information, please visit the art3f website here.
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Financial aid for the purchase of low-emission vehicles looks set to change in France as the government calls on the public to share their opinion on a scorecard concept.
The French government is proposing a change to the “bonus écologique” criteria used to evaluate a low-emission vehicle – one powered by electric, hydrogen or a combination of both – in the context of its subsidy scheme. The idea is to introduce a type of scorecard that vehicles will need to pass in order for them to be considered for part-financing.
At the moment, the only aspect of the vehicle that matters is its emissions. Under the new plans, the government will also look at the production and delivery methods used by manufacturers to determine the eco-credentials of a vehicle before it even touches down on the road.
According to the European Environment Agency, “Emissions are usually higher in the production phase [of an electric vehicle], but these are more than offset by lower emissions in the use phase over time. Greenhouse gas emissions of electric vehicles [are] about 17 to 30% lower than the emissions of petrol and diesel cars.”
As much as €7,000 is available to prospective “clean” car owners in France under a scheme that hopes to accelerate the uptake of low-emission vehicles by the public. The current EU goal for a complete transition away from traditional fossil fuel powered vehicles is 2035. In 2022, the purchase of low-emission vehicles represented 23% of all new European registrations.
A public consultation on the matter, which is open until 25th August, can be found here.
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Adi Hütter’s AS Monaco era got off to a winning start with a six-goal thriller (2-4) against Clermont Foot on Sunday.
After last season’s disappointment, the page had been turned. However, it didn’t feel like that in the opening exchanges. Clermont Foot applied pressure to Monaco’s defence, and the latter cracked. Philipp Köhn, the successor to Alexander Nübel, dropped a clanger, palming a Mateusz Wieteska header into the back of the net.
The Swiss shot-stopper showed great mental strength to bounce back later in the match, pulling off some important saves. Monaco, through Vanderson, almost bounced back immediately, but the Brazilian’s shot rebounded off the post, with Mory Diaw making a vital fingertip save.
Köhn was then called into action once again, but this time he was up to the task. Monaco, who slowly grew into the game, did then level the score, and it was Vanderson again, who this time found the back of the net after a neat exchange with a reborn Takumi Minamino.
100 goals up for Wissam Ben Yedder
Monaco then took the lead before the break. Youssouf Fofana’s well-hit shot clipped off the inside of the post with the rebound falling to captain Wissam Ben Yedder to slot into the empty net. The France international was participating in Monaco’s Ligue 1 opener, despite being charged with rape on Friday.
However, Clermont are looking to build on last season’s historic campaign, and they worked their way back into the match. Muhammed Cham caused Monaco’s defence problems all day, and he restored parity just after the break.
Goalscorer Vanderson then turned provider to restore Les Monégasques’ advantage. His ball across goal was clipped in by Ben Yedder at the front post in what was the captain’s 100th goal for the club. Only Delio Onnis and Lucien Cossou have scored more in the Principality club’s long and illustrious history.
“A great team victory.”
Clermont pushed to salvage a point, but instead, it was Monaco who rounded off the scoring. Two substitutes combined; Eliot Matazo crossed for Maghnes Akliouche, who tapped in his first Ligue 1 goal from close-range. An exciting start to Hütter’s reign at Monaco, who will be more encouraged by his side’s attacking fluidity, than its currently lacking defensive solidity.
“Coming away with the three points is very important to start the season. Globally, it’s a great team victory,” said Hütter post-match. The Austrian recognised the margin for improvement, adding, “It’s true that we conceded opportunities and we have defensive worries, but that is part of the process.”
Monaco will be hoping to make it two-in-two when Strasbourg come to town next Sunday in what will be the first match of the season at the Stade Louis II.
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AS Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder has been charged with rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. The accusations were made last month.
The charges, as reported by Nice-Matin, were confirmed by the Nice public prosecutor, and a formal investigation has now been opened. The AS Monaco captain is reportedly under judicial supervision, and a bail of €900,000 has been requested.
The alleged events took place on the night of 10th July in Beausoleil. Two women, aged 19 and 20, reportedly lodged the complaint against Ben Yedder and his brother at the police station in Cagnes-sur-Mer. According to RMC Sport, the France international appeared before a magistrate in Nice on Friday.
Monaco Life can confirm that Wissam Ben Yedder was present at first-team training on Friday, and in a press conference held prior to news of the charges, manager Adi Hütter revealed that the accused would remain captain and play against Clermont Foot in Sunday’s Ligue 1 opener.
According to AFP, however, “certain obligations” have been placed upon him by the court, pending the trial.
AS Monaco have not commented on the charges made against the 33-year-old French football player.
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As the name would suggest, this neighbourhood is home to Monaco’s magnificent exotic gardens, but there is far more to it than just that.
In the upper reaches of the Principality, at its western edge, sits the Jardin Exotique neighbourhood.
Nearly 15% of Monaco’s population has made this architecturally eclectic quartier home and just over 5,000 people live here in a fascinating mix of buildings and villas, new and old, that seem to blend all eras of design.
AN ARCHITECTURAL ADVENTURE
Located close to the neighbourhood’s Princess Antoinette Park – a public space named for the elder sister of Prince Rainier III and dedicated to the legendary olive trees of the region – is a classic example of the real estate in the Jardin Exotique: Le Simona.
A soaring, bright white edifice with curves and breath-taking vertical height, Le Simona was designed by Jean-Pierre Lott and was completed just over a decade ago in 2012. The green-fronted walls of the two towers reflect the vegetation from which the neighbourhood takes its name, but the property also stands for the modern luxury synonymous with recent real estate developments in Monaco.
Le Simona, a perfect example of the adventurous architecture on display in the Jardin Exotique neighbourhood. Photo by Monaco Life
JARDIN EXOTIQUE
As the place that gives the neighbourhood its name, we have to mention the Jardin Exotique, even if the main attraction is closed and will not reopen until sometime next year.
Many of the succulent plants that fill the garden were originally brought in from Mexico in the 1860s and planted the Jardin Saint Martin. In 1912, Prince Albert I acquired the piece of land on which today’s gardens sit and Louis Notari, Monaco’s chief engineer at the time, transformed it. The original plants were moved there along with some additions from South America and Africa soon after.
The gardens were officially opened in 1933, and guided tours of a grotto that contained evidence of prehistoric inhabitants were added in 1950. The complex is currently undergoing renovations, although it is still possible to visit the greenhouses.
MUSEUM OF PREHISTORIC ANTHROPOLOGY
It is in this part of Monaco that you will also find the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, which was first founded in 1902 by Prince Albert I “in order to preserve the vestiges of primitive humankind exhumed from the soil of the Principality and the surrounding regions”.
The collections trace the steps of humanity in the glacial and interglacial periods dating back a million years ago. The museum carries out excavations and exhibits, and houses a fine collection of prehistoric artifacts.
Discover the prehistory of the Principality and the surrounding region at the Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique. Photo by Monaco Life
VILLA PALOMA
The neighbourhood also is the site of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco’s (NMNM) Villa Paloma, one of the two buildings that make up the modern art museum. This site features many contemporary art shows all throughout the year, such as the ongoing George Condo exhibit.
PRINCESS ANTOINETTE PARK
The already mentioned Princess Antoinette Park is a beauty-filled place one hectare in size that shelters centuries-old olive trees. But far from being a “precious” and overly protected space, the park is a lively destination for children and their families, offering activities suitable for all ages.
There are various play areas with swings, slides and the like, as well as the multi-sports grounds for ball games, including ping-pong tables, a badminton and volleyball court, and a small skateboard ramp. The mini farm is home to sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and rabbits, and is hugely popular with the park’s youngest visitors. A zen space was recently added and a 18-hole mini golf course completes the picture.
With all these wonderful things to see and do, a trip to the Jardin Exotique district is well worth the time, especially for families looking for things to do with their children.
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