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Month: September 2023

All the World Wellness Weekend events planned in Monaco and the Riviera

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/09/2023

The Principality of Monaco is joining nearly 150 other countries, as well as cities along the Côte d’Azur, in celebrating World Wellness Weekend in the coming days. Here are all the local events.   

Since 2017, World Wellness Weekend has been a source of inspiration for millions of people around the world through the thousands of free, fun and creative activities organised by wellness professionals and service providers each year.  

World Wellness Weekend is a concept that was started by Jean-Guy Gabriac, an author and educator in the field, as a way of encouraging people to think more about their health and consider making better, more sustainable choices in their lives, as well as to find innovative ways of making exercise more enjoyable.  

The global initiative, taken up by venues, associations, businesses and city officials in almost 150 counties worldwide, is partnered with the United Nations Global Sustainability Index Institute. Locally, the three destinations of Monaco, Nice and Antibes will also be hosting World Wellness Weekend-related events, and here’s when and where to find them.  

MONACO 

Conscientiae, the new venue that took over from Stars‘N’Bars, will be hosting events on the theme of “holistic options to care for your mind, body and spirit” on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, to which a number of wellness professionals from the realms of yoga, nutrition, massage, reflexology and meditation have been invited along to give free, introductory mini-sessions to those interested.  

Some of the topics that will be covered include: electrostimulation exercise, face and body sculpting, floral art classes, a family constellation presentation, health and nutrition science, kundalini meditation, a yoga-Pilates flow course and a short reflexology treatment.  

Additionally, the restaurant will be open for those who would like to enjoy a healthy meal before or after the event. The Saturday programme runs from 1pm to 6pm, and on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.  

For anyone interested in attending or for more information, please contact katarina@conscientiae.com. 

The Spa CinqMondes at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has also organised a series of treatments and skin diagnosis sessions between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th September, from 10am to noon and subject to availability. To honour the inclusive spirit of World Wellness Weekend, the spa will also be putting out video “capsules” featuring yoga and facial massage methods.  

For further information, please click here. 

NICE 

In Nice, the Boscolo Hotel and Spa is holding two days of facial self-massage and yoga video tutorials at its Deep Nature Spa on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September. The facial massage techniques are simple movements designed to relax and smooth features, and the yoga tutorial will be hosted by a teacher with two decades of experience. The establishment will also be offering a “Flash Diagnosis and Relaxation” session on both days for guests of the hotel. A reservation is required for this free treatment. 

For more information or to book, please click here.  

ANTIBES 

Thalazur in Antibes has organised three days of events, starting on Friday 15th September with an “Oxygenating Walk”. A Pilates session with sea views will take place between 9.30am and 10.30am on Saturday 16th, followed by a “Muscle Awakening Course” at the same time on Sunday 17th September.  

To reserve a space at any of these Antibes events, and for more information, please click here.

 

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Photo source: Kike Vega, Unsplash

Drought: Nice and Cannes among the 20 Riviera communes classed as “natural disaster zones”

by: Elsa Carpenter
14/09/2023
natural disaster

Over 1,000 communes across France have been recognised as places of “natural disaster” following the droughts of 2022. Among them are 18 towns and cities in the Alpes-Maritimes and one in the Var.  

A decree from the French government issued on 8th September has recognised 18 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes and one village in the neighbouring Var as being official natural disaster zones due to the widespread droughts that affected much of the country in 2022. 

They join a list of over 1,000 other French communes also labelled as natural disaster zones for the same period. 

Natural disaster zones in the French Riviera 

In the Alpes-Maritimes, these are the designated municipalities: Ascros, Bendejun, Bézaudun-les-Alpes, Cabris, Cannes, Châteauneuf-Villevieille, Coaraze, Cuébris, Daluis, Mougins, Nice, Peille, Peillon, Roquette-sur-Var, Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Spéracèdes and Touët-sur-Var. 

Vence and Le Tignet had their requests to be listed rejected, but Bonson, Castagniers, Castellar, Colomars, Drap, Rigaud, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Menton are still in the process of review. A decision on their status is expected in the coming weeks.  

In the Var, the village of La Cadière-d’Azur, which is situated between the Sainte Baume mountain range and the Bay of St-Cyr-La Ciotat, is the only commune to receive natural disaster zone classification.  

What does this status mean? 

Being counted as a natural disaster zone allows residents in the area to make specific claims to their insurers for financial assistance in dealing with issues caused by natural forces, as well as have their claim promptly dealt with.  

Nature disasters can mean floods, mud and landslides, and, as is becoming more common according to insurers, droughts. In the latter case, problems tend to be caused by shrink-and-swell episodes – or “épisodes de sécheresse–réhydratation des sols” in French – which can cause damage to properties inside and out.  

According to comments made to Ouest France by the national insurers’ federation, France Assureurs, the total cost of drought damage to French homes in 2022 could come to €2.5 billion, which would be a record amount since France introduced the natural disaster status in the 1980s.  

What now? 

Residents in the communes listed now have 30 days to contact their insurers and submit an estimated statement of losses.

For more detailed information, please click here. 

 

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Photo source: Blowup, Unsplash

Everything you need to know about Monaco’s upcoming “vide grenier” for children

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/09/2023
monaco vide grenier

At the end of this month, a “vide grenier” dedicated to second-hand children’s clothes and toys will be held at the Parc Princesse Antoinette in Monaco. Here’s all the information.  

A car boot sale, a yard sale, a jumble sale… All are turns of phrase for a good old clearing out of the cupboards, and that’s precisely what a vide grenier means to the French speaking population.  

On Saturday 30th September, the Mairie de Monaco will be giving everyone and anyone a chance to give a second life to items that may otherwise have ended up in landfills with a special public sale of gently used clothes and toys at the Parc Princesse Antoinette on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique.  

The event will run from 9am to 1pm and a catering kiosk will be set-up on site. Shopping can be thirsty work! 

Expect a wide range of goods suitable for newborns through to teenagers, from shoes and bags to seasonal clothing, swimwear, video games, books and toys, all at great prices to promote the Principality’s aims of a supporting a circular economy.  

All stands have now been taken – a sign of the popularity of this event – but there will be room to everyone to peruse at leisure and pick up some excellent bargains as access is free. 

Click here for more information.

 

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Photo source: The Nix Company, Unsplash

Monegasques invited to apply for new housing in Grand Ida quarter

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/09/2023

Monaco’s housing department on Thursday put out a call for people of Monegasque nationality who are interested in renting state-owned apartments to make their applications online now.

As part of the National Housing Plan – which aims to house Monaco nationals in a State that has some of the highest priced private real estate in the world – a significant number of new construction projects have been undertaken in recent years.

One of the next developments due for delivery in 2024 is the Carmelha building and other residents in the new Grand Ida quarter, nestled between Boulevard Rainier III and Rue Plati, between the state residence of Mélèzes and the adjoining residences of Hélios and Jardins d’Apolline.

Monegasque nationals can make their applications online at https://teleservice.gouv.mc/logement-domanialmonaco or on MonGuichet.mc, the platform of both of the Prince’s Government and the Mairie.

Monegasques who made a previous request online during the last call for applications will be able to easily renew the form which will be pre-filled with the information provided.

People who are unable to make their submissions online can fill out a written form, available from the reception of the Directorate of Housing located at 10 bis, quai Antoine 1er in Monaco.

Applications close Friday 6th October.

The apartments are allocated according to criteria defined by Ministerial Order. Rents are fixed according to the area and the geographical location of the dwelling. National Housing Aid may also be granted to households according to their income and the level of the rent.

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Total Energies to cap price of fuel at €1.99 beyond 2023

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/09/2023

Fuel giant Total Energies announced on Tuesday that it will continue to cap fuel prices at less than €2 per litre, beyond the end of 2023 and “as long as prices remain high”.

In a statement this week, the French group said that it intends to fight against the constant rise in fuel prices.

“In the context of rising fuel prices since the beginning of summer, TotalEnergies reaffirmed its commitment at the end of August 2023 by confirming that the price of diesel and gasoline will not exceed €1.99/L in the all of its service stations in France,” said the group.

Nearly 2,600 Total Energies service stations, out of the company’s 3,400, are affected by the measure.

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Photo credit: Wassim Chouak, Unsplash

 

 

Basketball: Expectation and uncertainty – Roca Team set to get French title defence underway

by: Luke Entwistle
13/09/2023
AS Monaco Basketball manager Sasa Obradovic in a pre-season press conference

Having “touched the hearts of the Monégasques,” as well as the French title last year, AS Monaco Basketball are now tasked with repeating the feat, which in the words of manager Sasa Obradovic will be “very hard.”

The Roca Team exceeded all expectations last season by winning the French title, the French Cup, and by reaching the Final Four in the Euroleague – a historic achievement for a team from the French league. However, for general manager Oleksiy Yefimov, their biggest achievement was that they “touched the hearts of the Monégasques.”

The Salle Gaston Médecin was filled throughout the season, and it will soon be again. The court itself has been redone for the upcoming season, which begins with an away trip to Limoges on Saturday. However, whilst the aesthetics at Monaco’s home court may be different, the roster will be largely recognisable.

The redone court of the Salle Gaston Medecin. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life.

Unlike in past years, which have seen wholesale squad overhauls, there was a greater deal of stability this year, with only Chima Moneke departing from the first team. Four players have arrived in Mam Jaiteh, Petr Cornelie, Terry Tarpey and of course, Kemba Walker.

The latter two were presented to the media on Wednesday. “I appreciate being here. I just want to play, to be on the court. What better city, better place to come to than Monaco? Everyone has been great, I’ve been welcomed with open arms. I’ll be on the court to help these guys as much as possible,” said Walker, the blockbuster signing of the French division this summer.

AS Monaco Basketball’s Kemba Walker. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life.

However, despite strengthening the squad this summer, the Roca Team are depleted heading into the new season. Players such as Donatas Motiejunas, who went deep into the World Cup, are still on leave, whilst injuries and a virus have ripped through the squad.

“Preparations were difficult for me and the staff,” admitted the Roca Team manager. It leaves coach Obradovic in an uncomfortable and uncertain position; not the ideal context to kick-off a French title defence. “It’ll be hard to repeat what we’ve achieved in the past two years,” began Obradovic.”

European basketball returns to the Principality in October

He continued, “We should work twice as hard, to be at a higher level to have a chance to repeat it. We have a group of people capable of doing big things, but doing so depends on a lot of different factors. We should all be ready for a big step. What we achieved last year was great, but our goals must be big, we need to dream big.”

Monaco can afford to “dream big.” They have the means, and the ambition to improve. “The feeling of the French title was sweet; I want that again,” said John Brown III. However, the Roca Team are now the team to beat, and everyone team that faces them will be looking to pull off a scalp. “We’ll have more eyes on us, more pressure,” admits John Brown III, who will once again hope to feature prominently. 

Fans of the Roca Team will have to wait to welcome their players back to the Principality. The team start with two away games before welcoming Saint-Quentin in the Betclic Elite on 26th September. European basketball then makes its long-awaited return on 13th Ocotober, when Virtus Bologna play a visit to the Salle Gaston Médecin.

“The government, the Prince, and the population are behind them.”

Prince Albert II is one of the Roca Team’s most ardent fans, but it was a member of his government, Patrice Cellario, who was present to support the Principality’s basketball club on Wednesday.

The Roca Team has won the heart of the Monégasques. I want to salute the past results and encourage them for the coming season. We have to prove everything all over again. The government, the Prince, and the population are behind them,” said the Interior Minister, who added that the plans for a new, larger stadium for the Roca Team, are still being “studied and reflected.”

Oleksiy Yefimov and Patrice Cellario. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life.

For the Roca Team, the new season gets underway with a mixed set of emotions. There is excitement, uncertainty, and above all expectation. “There is bigger pressure on our shoulders. However, these guys won’t hide from that,” said Yefimov, who is charged with the difficult task of steering Monaco to even greater heights.

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life