Les Voiles Blanches Bettimask, the local annual toy collection, is back. This year, a pirate ship will travel port-to-port, gathering gifts to donate to the Lenval Foundation. Here’s how you can get involved.
The Pirate Blanc – or White Pirate – of Les Voiles Blanches Bettimask will be collecting booty in ports up and down the coast in the name of charity from 25th August to 10th September.
The “ship” will go to 20 ports in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco to fill its chests, with the sole purpose of distributing them to hospitalised children in the region.
Last year, more than 1,800 toys were collected through the efforts of Les Voiles Blanches Bettimask, and then distributed via the Lenval Foundation.
To join in the fun, people are invited to drop new, unwrapped games or toys at two “safes” set up in Monaco. You can find one at the Mairie and the other at the Condamine Market.
AS Monaco released their new away kit and then debuted it the very same day as Les Monégasques came up against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup on Wednesday.
Monaco’s collection is complete. Having already released the club’s home kit, and then a third kit, in collaboration with the Oceanographic Institute, the away kit is now on the market.
Italian kit manufacturer Kappa have gone for a simple but stylish design with a black and gold colour scheme. The front of the kit also subtly integrates a map of the Principality, whilst the motto “Daghe Munegu” (“Go Monaco!” in Monegasque) is engraved on the collar.
Photo source: AS Monaco
The away jersey is now available to purchase either online or at the club’s official shop on Promenade Honoré II. Prices start from €85.
After the release, it was only a matter of hours before the Principality club debuted their new kit as AS Monaco, continuing their pre-season preparations, were in action in the Emirates Cup at the Emirates Stadium in London on Wednesday 2nd August.
A penalty shootout defeat against Arsenal
Against elite opposition in Arsenal, Monaco were composed and took control of the game on multiple occasions. Youssouf Fofana opened the scoring for Les Monégasques, diverting a strong Mohamed Camara cross past Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal then hit back just before half-time through Eddie Nketiah, just moments after new signing Philipp Köhn made a stunning close-range save. The Swiss goalkeeper’s early performances have shown much promise.
Monaco then could, and perhaps should have, taken the lead just after the break. Takumi Minamino crossed for Wissam Ben Yedder, whose shot rebounded off the post.
The scores were level at the full-time whistle, meaning that the winner of the Emirates Cup would be decided by penalties. Minamino missed the only penalty in a high-quality shootout, meaning that at their home stadium, Arsenal lifted the trophy.
Adi Hütter’s side have one more pre-season game, against Bayern Munich on Monday, before the start of the season. Monaco kick-off their campaign against Clermont Foot on Sunday 13th August.
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Not too long ago, Fontvieille barely existed. Here’s everything you need to know about the neighbourhood that Monaco reclaimed from the sea.
The next district to be featured in the Monaco Life series “Getting to know Monaco”, after tours of The Rock, Monte-Carlo and La Condamine, is the relatively recent addition of Fontvieille.
Built from the sea
Fontvieille is a marvel in that it really wouldn’t even exist but for the sheer will of Monaco’s late Prince Rainier III.
Work on the quartier was started in 1966 from a design by Italian engineer Gianfranco Gilardini. As the workers clawed land back from the sea, the neighbourhood, which borders on Cap d’Ail, began to take shape. For years, it was considered the “industrial zone” of the Principality, and many overlooked this vibrant area until recent times. Now, however, it is home to 4,420 residents, making up 12% of the population.
The port, attractive due to its position and protection from strong winds, is perhaps the most well-known feature of Fontvieille. As interest began building amongst new residents, bars and restaurants began to move into the area. Today these addresses count the excellent Beefbar, Le Rouge et Le Blanc wine bar and Les Perles de Monte-Carlo, which serves locally grown oysters and other amazing fresh seafood for reasonable prices, amongst their biggest draws.
The Port of Fontvieille is found at the foot of the cliffs below the Palais Princier de Monaco. Photo source: Mony Misheal, Unsplash
Sports, nature, events and more
But it is not all about the port. Fontvieille is also where the annual International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo and New Generation Circus Festival take place. The purpose-built big top, called Le Chapiteau, invites talent from all over to perform their amazing feats in front of live audiences each January. 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the event, so this year’s plans will no doubt be extra-special.
The Big Top also plays host to numerous other events and conferences throughout the year. You can almost always be guaranteed to find something on.
The district is home to the Stade Louis II, the 16,000-person stadium that is home to local football club AS Monaco and a popular venue for several athletic events each year, such as the Herculis track and field event, which attracts top runners and athletes from around the world.
The neighbourhood, Stade Louis II and Chapiteau as seen from above. Photo source: Mony Misheal, Unsplash
Fontvieille is also a place for nature. Amongst its attractions is the Princess Grace Rose Garden, which was opened in 1984 as a tribute to the late princess by her husband, Prince Rainier, and boasts 4,000 roses from over 150 species, as well as the Zoological Gardens, a lovely sanctuary for abandoned animals, those taken by customs or just exchanged with other parks.
Thanks to its setting against the cliffs of The Rock, the neighbourhood is surprisingly rich in biodiversity, despite its largely urban context. The Captain’Game orienteering course around the port is a great way to get to know the area better and discover the work going on in Monaco to protect its natural world.
For stamp and coin lovers, the Museum of Stamps and Coins, opened in 1996, has a vast selection of rare and beautiful pieces gleaned from Prince Rainier III’s private collection. It is found on the Terrasses de Fontvieille.
For the business-minded, Fontvieille is where you will find the forward-thinking MonacoTech “incubator” for innovative young companies and start-ups.
Fly away
Finally, this area is where Monaco’s heliport is. Use of the terminal turns a long slog by car from Nice Airport to the Principality into a super-fast seven-minute journey along some of the most stunning coastline on the planet. It is from here that passengers can also access further flung destinations, such as Saint Tropez, Geneva and Milan.
People can also take pleasure rides in a chopper. It’s a fun way to spend a few hours, especially with the family.
Next time, we head north to the Jardin Exotique neighbourhood of Monaco!
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This September, the Princess of Monaco Cup will return for the first time since 2021, bringing golf right into the heart of the Principality.
Sponsored by Monaco Asset Management, the tournament will make its first appearance in two years on 6th September, with proceeds going to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
The tournament will be largely held at the Monte-Carlo Golf Club, although a ‘symbolic’ 19th hole will be installed in front of one of the most iconic buildings in this part of the world: the Monte-Carlo Casino. Teams will tee off towards the Casino on a green specially constructed in the heart of the square.
18 teams consisting of three players, including one celebrity, will take part in a competition following the ‘Scramble’ rules, making for a dynamic, fun and fast-paced game.
Richard Dunne and Russell Martin amongst past participants
This year, the Princess of Monaco Cup will celebrate its third edition. In 2019, €330,000 was raised to help renovate the Municipal Princess Charlene Pool in La Turbie, as well as finance a five-year project at the Awutu-Breku School in Ghana.
Whilst the identities of the celebrity competitors for this year’s edition are yet to be revealed, the tournament has had no difficulty in attracting big-name stars in the past. Former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan was involved, although not competing, in the 2021 edition. Former LA Dodgers baseball player Russell Martin, former Ireland international footballer Richard Dunne and former England rugby international Dan Luger all took part two years ago.
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The long list of luxury hotels that line Cannes’ famous La Croisette is impressive, but did you know that many of these high-end hospitality addresses also come with their very own private beach?
The word “private” is perhaps a bit miselading in this case, as many of the beach bars and restaurants are also open to the public. You’d needn’t be a guest at a five-star hotel to enjoy them, but a reservation will be absolutely key if you wish to do so as spaces at these sumptuous beachside venues are in high demand.
First up on our list of beaches to visit this summer is The Beach Club from the freshly renovated Carlton Cannes. Choose the deck, the sand or the pontoon, but make sure to sample the “sunny” and locally-inspired carte from Chefs Alexandra Delamare and Laurent Bunel, along with one of the very enticing “Spritz” from the drinks menu, such as the 1930 with Gin d’Azur, Suze bitters, lemon, rosemary, bay leaf syrup and champagne.
The Carlton Hotel reopened its doors earlier this year after a significant remodel, but the timeless style of The Beach Club remains. Photo source: Carlton Cannes / Facebook
Next up are two delectable offerings from the Barrière Group: La Plage Barrière Le Majestic and Mademoiselle Gray Plage Barrière.
The former is the more sporty of the two, with a plethora of watersports activities on offer from its pontoon, but the beach also has strong appeal on the gourmet side of things. Le Majestic’s private beach is home to the BFire restaurant from the iconic and award-winning Chef Mauro Colagreco. There’s music every night down on the seafront, and special menus for big occasions, such as the upcoming fireworks events out in the Baie de Cannes.
Le Majestic’s beach bar is the place to go for the fun at heart. Photo source: Barrière Group / Facebook
Mademoiselle Gray describes itself as “gentle and bohemian”, a place for complete relaxation. Its fusion-style menu, created by Pierrick Cizeron, the Executive Chef for the Barrière Group in Cannes, features favourites from across the Mediterranean as well as the East. So appreciated is the vibe here that the beach even has its own music record available for purchase on Apple Music.
On to another well-known Cannes address now, La Plage du Martinez from the Hyatt hotel of the same name. This beach destination officially reopened during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival after a considerable makeover, and is something of a passion project for new-to-the-scene Chef Jean Imbert. His menus are a work of art – literally – and display a creative take on the usual Mediterranean fare served up along the coast. There’s music every night of the summer, from 8pm until midnight, with special events planned for the fireworks nights.
The new-look La Plage du Martinez. Photo source: Hotel Martinez
Another big hitter is the JW Marriott‘s partner beach, the Palais Stéphanie Beach. It’s a five-star experience with easily one of the best locations; the view from the pontoon splits the Lérins Islands to one side and the Vieux Port and hills of the Esterel to the other. The food is the pull here, like with many of the others, and is a result of a collaboration between Chefs Stéphane Bichon and PhailinhOuparavong for an epic Mediterranean-Japanese vibe. The sushi should be high on your list.
Freshness and flavour rule at the JW Marriott’s partner beach, Palais Stéphanie Beach. Photo source: Palais Stéphanie Beach / Facebook
Next is the Mondrian Cannes’ Hyde Beach. The beach club is tasteful in the extreme, with rows of beach loungers in cream and pale Tiffany blue, giving it a clean, bright feel. The menu has a real Italian slant, and there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy, from silky pasta dishes to fresh fish and generous meat courses.
And finally we come to the 3.14 Hotel’s Plage, a favourite amongst event planners for the many fabulous parties organised year-round in Cannes. Serene, stylish and contemporary, the menu here is equally modern, and Chefs Bruno Laplace and Frédéric Nortier have made sure to cater for every diet. There’s a great selection of gluten-free and organic dishes on offer as well as some excellent desserts of the same calibre by Pastry Chef Olivia Kakou.
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Between trains, planes, taxis and even helicopters, getting to Monaco couldn’t be any easier. Here’s a closer look at the options available for every budget.
The glamour, culture and allure of Monaco draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, who come to the Principality for its events, conferences, tourist attractions and even just a fun night out at the Casino or in one of the top-notch restaurants.
Whether travelling locally or from abroad, there are many fast and convenient ways to reach the Principality without having to get behind the wheel yourself.
AIR
Whilst Monaco hasn’t got its own airport, it does have one a mere 45 minutes away. The Nice Côte d’Azur Airport services cities all over Europe along with multiple direct international flights to destinations such as New York, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Montreal, Atlanta and Kuwait. Connecting flights from European airports expand the list considerably, meaning it is a snap to get to the region from just about anywhere on Earth.
In all, there are nearly 145,000 flights per year landing and departing from the airport. More than 12 million passengers flew through Nice in 2022.
Another air option that will take you right to the shores of Monaco is the short seven-minute helicopter ride direct to the Principality from Nice’s airport. These can be booked with local companies like Monacair, Blade and Helipass. You will skip all the coastal traffic and enjoy a unique perspective of the Principality as you fly in!
TRAINS
Trains are also a great way to get to Monaco, with a high-speed TGV from Paris taking around six and a half hours, and from London, via the Eurostar and TGV, taking about 10 hours. There are also regular connections to the Principality from other parts of France, Italy and Europe as a whole.
For guests staying locally, the TER trains in the French Riviera are well-priced and run 45 routes per day to and from Monaco, starting at 5.40am and ending in the late evening. A trip to Nice Ville takes about 25 minutes, a ride down to Cannes takes roughly an hour, and most of the route runs along the coast. The Italian market town of Ventimiglia is serviced as well, and it takes just under a half an hour.
BUSES
Monaco is also situated along a handy and inexpensive bus service between Nice and Menton that stops off in all the towns in-between. The route is currently split into two routes – the 607 and the 608, until April 2024 – and it takes around 45 minutes to travel from Nice’s port to Monaco along the Basse Corniche. Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes on weekdays and every 20 to 45 on weekends and holidays, starting just after 6am and running until 9pm.
If you are staying in Nice, there is also the 601 night bus, formerly called the Harry Potter-sounding Noctambus, that runs every Thursday through to Saturday, and every night in July and August. Buses leave from Place d’Armes in Monaco.
AUTO OPTIONS
Services such as Uber can be complicated and few and far between in the Principality, so it is best to use the official Monegasque taxi operator or hire a private car. Rates fluctuate significantly, from €130 in quieter periods to well into the hundreds of euros at peak times.
For the intrepid, a week in a hire car can cost as low as €325, but remember to calculate in the cost of petrol and parking, which in many places in Monaco and the French Riviera can be elevated.
With so many ways to get to and from the Principality, visitors are spoilt for choice when making a quick jaunt or a longer stay in the region. What will be your route in?
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
