An exceptional concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Lahav Shani will be held at the Grimaldi Forum in September followed by a gala dinner.
The event will be held under the High Patronage and in the Presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, originally the Palestine Orchestra, was founded on 26th December 1936 by Polish-born Jewish violinist and musician Bronislaw Huberman, who foresaw the Holocaust. Huberman persuaded 75 Jewish musicians from major European orchestras to immigrate to Palestine, creating what he called the “materialisation of the Zionist culture in the fatherland” on the sand dunes of Tel Aviv.
Over the decades, the orchestra has toured the world, performing with the likes of Placido Domingo, Barbara Fritolli, and Pinchas Zukerman, and featuring in Paris, London, Madrid and Bucharest for its 75th anniversary tour.
On 13th September, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Lahav Shani will take to the stage in the Grimaldi Forum Monaco at 7pm for a performance of Joseph Haydn: Symphony No 104 ‘London Symphony’, and Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 1.
The concert will be followed by a gala dinner in the salon Le Génois.
A spate of watch thefts in the region has taken another victim after a high-end timepiece was stolen from the wrist of its owner whilst he was at dinner in Cannes.
A supposed gang of skillful thieves has continued a spree of thefts in the French Riviera city by pinching an expensive watch off the arm of another unsuspecting victim.
The latest incident reportedly took place on Monday 7th August at around 8.30pm at a restaurant on the Croisette. According to the local press, a man seated at a table watched on helplessly as two people stole his watch and promptly fled the scene on a motorbike.
This follows on from another theft that took place, according to Nice Matin, on Saturday 5th August at Les Plages Electro, an annual three-day dance party on the beach. At the end of July, a German tourist also reportedly had his €80,000 watch taken as he was leaving his room at the Carlton Hotel.
THEFTS DOWN SAYS MAYOR
Despite these shocking incidents, Mayor of Cannes David Lisnard and Central Commissioner Wilfred Fremond announced at a press conference that watch thefts were, in fact, down so far in 2023. Compared to last year’s figures, 22 watches have been stolen in the past seven months compared to 35 over the same time period in 2022.
However, when compared to the Principality of Monaco, which attracts a similarly wealthy clientele and where not a single incidence of pickpocketing was recorded in 2022, the city of Cannes still has some way to go when it comes to protecting its visitors and residents.
Nannybag, an international luggage storage company, offers tourists in and around Nice an inexpensive and safe way to stow their personal effects at handy locations.
It’s the last day of the holidays and the AirBnB checkout is at 10am, but the flight isn’t until 7pm. What to do with the day when there is a mountain of luggage to tote around and no safe place to leave it?
This is a problem that Nannybag can solve. Now available in 32 countries around the globe, including Nice, this innovative business has been set up to harbour people’s luggage for a small fee on a 24-hour basis in locations convenient for tourists, such as near airports, train stations and local attractions, like museums and shopping areas.
There is no size limit, meaning a backpack costs the same as a massive rolling bag, making it a real bonus for the holidaymaker who prefers not to travel lightly.
NICE AND BEYOND
In Nice, there are 36 “nannies” all over the city, including a number of shops, hotels, post offices and even restaurants. For €6 per day per bag, tourists can leave whatever they want at the pre-ordained location and roam the city without lugging their luggage.
There are also locations in Cannes, though fewer, and even one in Beausoleil near Monaco.
HOW IT WORKS
To use this handy service, people must go online and reserve space at a location of their choosing for specific dates.
They then simply go to the address of the booking and drop their bags, which will be marked by an assistant with a biodegradable safety seal. Full protection up to €1,000 is included in the deal in the case of damage, loss or theft. Identification must be presented upon both arrival and departure, along with a reservation number for added security.
Now, people are free to tour the city and enjoy it without worrying about their possessions. Pretty useful, don’t you think?
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England, France and Australia have all progressed to the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals – with varying degrees of difficulty – but the USA has made a shock exit from the tournament.
Never have the USA been knocked out of the Women’s World Cup at such an early stage of the tournament. Despite largely dominating, the USA couldn’t beat Zecira Musovic in the Sweden goal. It is largely thanks to the shot-stopping efforts of the Chelsea goalkeeper that Sweden took their opponents to penalties. Momentum swung away from the USA when Megan Rapinoe, in her final World Cup, blazed over when she could have made it 4-2.
Sweden then seized control and after Kelley O’Hara’s miss, Lina Hurtig scored the decisive penalty, although a lengthy check was needed to confirm the ball had in fact crossed the line. Sweden therefore advance by the slimmest of margins (0-0, 5-4 on penalties) and will face Japan, who beat Norway 3-1, on Friday.
England scrape through
USA’s exit made England one of the de facto favourites, but Sarin Wiegman’s side made heavy weather of getting past Nigeria. Neither side could break the deadlock, despite Nigeria being handed the advantage due to a needless Lauren James red card. England, down to 10, were therefore forced into a penalty shootout.
Georgia Stanway was the only player to miss as England won 4-2 on penalties to secure their progression. The reigning European champions will now face Colombia, who narrowly beat Jamaica (1-0) on Tuesday.
France ease past Morocco
France didn’t have such difficulty booking their place in the quarter-finals of the competition. Hervé Renard’s side began the tournament slowly, but are growing in confidence. Kadidiatou Diani’s goal in the 15th minute was the first of three in just eight minutes. Kenza Dali added to the lead and the third was scored by Eugénie Le Sommer.
Just 23 minutes in, France were cruising and only had to manage the game to secure their place. Le Sommer added a fourth in added time.
Sam Kerr returns
Les Bleues will face Australia in the quarter-finals. Whilst the hosts of the competition weren’t as emphatic against Denmark, the Matildas were nonetheless unphased as they booked their place in the next round thanks to a 2-0 win. Sam Kerr’s timely return could spell danger for France in the quarter-finals.
Spain, who thumped Switzerland 5-1, and the Netherlands, who eased past South Africa (2-0), will face each other in the first quarter-final fixture on Friday.
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If the latest facts and figures from the Notaires de France indicate a decrease in residential real estate sales and a contraction of prices, it’s a trend that has escaped the south of France.
A report from the Notaires de France, which was released in July, has noted that the volume of sales of exisiting property – logements anciens – is falling year-on-year. 1.2 million transactions over 12 months were recorded by the notary service in the summer of 2021, a figure that fell to just over a million a year later. A final total for 2023 is anticipated to be in the realm of 950,000.
But the speed at which sales are falling is what stands out. Since August 2022, the number of transactions has decreased by 5% month-on-month, yet since the start of this year, this rate has increased considerably to reach –12.6% in May 2023.
So what’s the reason? Mortgage rates and borrowing rates have rocketed to levels not seen for more than a decade, exceeding the symbolic 5% cap for now all mortgages above 10 years.
This has meant that potential buyers are, simply, less likely to take the step of buying than they were a year ago.
Prices per square metre up or down?
According to the report, prices per square metre are falling too, by a national average of 1.1% in the final quarter of 2022 and the first of 2023. An average this may be, but it certainly isn’t a trend reflected across the country.
In Nice, the price per square metre rose by 7.8% to €4,620 according to data recorded between January and March 2023 and compared to dates from 2022. In Marseille, over the same time period, prices per square metre reached €3,130, up 8.9%. It was a similar story in Toulon: up 10% to €2,580.
British homeowners losing their influence
Purchases by foreign buyers represent around 1.8% of all transactions involving existing property in L’Hexagone.
British expats have long represented the largest portion of foreign homeowners in France, but their hold on the market is waning, and has been falling steadily since the referendum on British inclusion in the European Union.
Consequently, Belgians have now overtaken Brits in the number of residential real estate sales. After representing 15% of sales in 2021, British purchases stood for 17% of total foreign transactions in 2022. Belgian expats, meanwhile, increased their presence in the market to 19% in 2022.
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region is the most popular of all French regions with overseas buyers, who represent 3.8% of its transactions. This has increased in recent years, but still falls short of the record 2015 figure of 5.2%.
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Spending a day on a boat off the coast of the French Riviera and Monaco can be a magical experience for all. Here are some great spots to visit.
A hot summer’s day is perfect for getting out on the water. Seeing the Côte d’Azur from the sea gives a wonderfully different perspective to the region, and allows people to enjoy aspects of the area that are just not possible in a car, on a bike or on foot.
ÎLES DES LERINS
Just 15 minutes off the coast of Cannes, this island grouping packs a lot of punch. The two main islands, Île Sainte Marguerite and Île Saint Honorat are a natural wonderland with beautiful flora and fauna in a surprisingly unspoilt setting.
Île Sainte Marguerite is known for its fort, now the Museum of the Sea, and as the site of the cell that kept the “Man in the Iron Mask” prisoner in the 17th century. It also features several discoveries from offshore shipwrecks such as Roman and Saracen pottery.
Île Saint Honorat is inhabited by Cistercian monks, who have lived there on-and-off since 410CE. There are medieval touches still evident in the rather austere church and the ruins of an 11th century monastery are evident on the coast.
The monks fill their days in prayer, as well as in producing red and white wine, honey, lavender oil and Lérina, an herbal liqueur. The site is typically closed to the general public, but the monks welcome guests for week-long retreats at various points of the year.
BILLIONAIRES’ BAY
Billionaires’ Bay – or Anse de l’Argent-Faux (fake money) if you want its real name – is located at the foot of Villa Eilenroc on the Cap d’Antibes. Until 2011, this spot was only accessible by boat, but a small path has now opened it up to those on foot too.
Nonetheless, this little spot is still rather secluded and has an air of being completely away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the coast. The small cove is surrounded by rocky outcroppings and the turquoise blue waters has an enduring appeal.
Billonaires’ Bay on the tip of the Cap d’Antibes. Photo via Facebook
PAMPELONNE BEACH
No trip to the south of France would be complete without a trip to Saint Tropez, and Pampelonne Beach is where the legend all began. The still-hot spot was made famous in the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot and remains a place for the jet set to gather to this day.
The road traffic to get into Saint Tropez makes coming by car arduous and annoying, whilst arriving by boat provides easy access to the exclusive beach clubs that offer not only fabulous food options, but also incredible people-watching, with celebrities often spotted on Pampelonne’s golden sands.
Make like those on the yachts and grab a waterproof dry bag for essentials, then swim to shore to get the full experience.
The iconic sandy beach of Pampelonne Plage. Photo source: Valentin Kremer, Unsplash
BEAULIEU SUR MER
Just a short jaunt from Monaco, Beaulieu sur Mer is a great place to stop for a dip in the sea or to grab a leisurely lunch at one of the eateries that sit on the two main beach areas of Petite Afrique and Fourmis.
There is no official tender service, but several local restaurants have access to services who will come and fetch passengers for a fee from out at anchor.
If mooring off the coast and just bobbing around is more the idea, this spot has wondrous views of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat as well as of the dramatic Beaulieu coastline, with mountains rising up from the coast at a dizzying angle, making for excellent photo opportunities.
The coastline of Beaulieu sur Mer. Photo credit: Ville de Beaulieu sur Mer
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