Monte-Carlo SBM appoints Olivier Bernard to manage extensive real estate portfolio

26/10/2023

As its portfolio of 170 exceptional properties continues to expand, Monte-Carlo SBM has created a new position, Director of Real Estate, and Olivier Bernard this week took up the important role.

The new position was created as part of the reorganisation strategy of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group (SBM), implemented by President-Delegate Stéphane Valeri in January 2023.

Olivier Bernard stepped into the role on Monday 23rd October and will head a new real estate department of the group.

Working with the Eiffage Immobilier Group for 25 years, Olivier Bernard is a specialist in the development, assembly, marketing and operational management of real estate projects in France. He also has extensive experience in carrying out work internationally.

He has also joined the Executive Committee of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

“The development of real estate has become essential for the profitability of our group,” said Stéphane Valeri, Deputy Chairman of SBM. “Our real estate assets already consist of 170 exceptional properties: housing, villas, shops and offices. I am happy to welcome Olivier Bernard with whom we will study closely all the prospects for valuing our land for the years to come.”

Olivier Bernard is responsible for supervising the completion of all construction and rehabilitation operations for the Group’s real estate portfolio, and will participate in defining the Group’s strategy in his field. In this capacity, he will develop and manage all resulting projects, in the Principality or abroad, particularly the acquisition of the Palace des Neiges in Courchevel, which Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has just completed.

Meanwhile, Luc Leroy, who is responsible for the development project of the Café de Paris, among other major achievements, was appointed Director of Construction and Heritage Building.

RELATED ARTICLE:

SBM marks new era in business, officially purchases luxury ‘Palace des Neiges’ in Courchevel

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Photos source: SBM, compiled by Monaco Life

Less than 100 days to launch of first all-electric UIM E1 raceboat championship

by: Cassandra Tanti

26/10/2023

The first dates for the UIM E1 World Championship, the first all-electric raceboat championship, have been revealed, with the race to make its stunning debut in Jeddah in February, before making its way to the shores of Monaco.

The first-ever E1 race – the E1 Jeddah GP – will take place on 2nd and 3rd February, at the spectacular Jeddah Corniche.

Featuring mixed-gender teams competing in an iconic one-design fleet of RaceBirds, Jeddah will be the first stop of a global championship that will span the world throughout the year.

Presented in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation, the racing at the Jeddah Corniche will take place close to shore on the sparkling waters of the Red Sea, ensuring a thrilling experience for fans.

“The Jeddah Corniche will provide a spectacular backdrop for our debut event,” Alejandro Agag, Chairman and co-founder of E1, said. “I’m so pleased to be taking one step closer to our first E1 race.”

World famous team owners

Up to 10 teams will compete in the inaugural UIM E1 World Championship season, each battling it out to secure the coveted E1 title of Champions Of The Water. The league has already announced world-famous team owners including Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Steve Aoki, Didier Drogba, Virat Kohli and Sergio Perez, with more to come.

“We are thrilled to get the first dates in our fans’ calendars as the first-ever E1 Grand Prix is about to arrive,” said Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1. “We know that audiences around the world will love our unique racing in stunning locations, as we make a positive impact on our race locations with our all-electric race fleet.”

Each team will choose two pilots to share driving duties throughout the event, with regulations mandating each team to select a mixed gender pilot line-up to ensure equal opportunities in the sport.

Onsite, fans can enjoy the first-ever Acceleration Festival, E1’s dedicated village for attendees with a wide variety of entertainment options and experiences. Ticketing details will be released shortly.

Promoting sustainable technologies in the Red Sea

“Our partnership with the UIM E1Championship will help accelerate the growth of water sports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi WaterSports and Diving Federation said. “This exciting race, in which the world’s best athletes will participate, serves as an ideal incentive for participation in water sports and a source of inspiration for the nine million people living on the Red Sea coast to improve their lives through sustainable technologies developed by E1. We are proud to host the inaugural event of this exciting global championship.”

After the inaugural race in Jeddeh, the championship will make its way to Monaco in July 2024. For more on the championship, the E1 Jeddah GP and details on how to watch or buy tickets head to e1series.com

RELATED ARTICLE:

Monaco confirmed as E1 host city during RaceBird unveiling

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Photo source: E1 Series

MyCrown pop-up turns memories into treasured home décor

by: Niki Borisova

26/10/2023

In a world filled with disposable items, one entrepreneur has taken a novel approach to preserving cherished memories by repurposing sentimental items as the fabric for a range of home décor items.

Called the MyCrown Collection, the concept was born during the first lockdown period of the pandemic by founder Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, the president of the Hellenic Community of Monaco, who reminisces, “I was arranging old clothes of my family [and] wondering how to keep them; I didn’t want to get rid of them.”

The trial of transforming old and used garments, including shirts, skirts, scarves and dresses, into exquisite pillows and table napkins was remarkably successful and has since evolved into a thriving business that has found its way into luxury boutiques across the Greek Islands and the Principality of Monaco.

Today, the product list includes everything from bed sheets and towels to table mats and candles. The items can all be customised, making the MyCrown collection particularly popular with those looking to add a one-of-a-kind item to their home.

Preserving heritage through home elegance

The brand has its roots in Sophia’s Greek heritage, but is proudly designed in Monaco then produced in Greece. As such, shoppers can expect to find signature Greek charms and symbols believed to protect against negative energies adorning the products.

Sustainability is key too, and all products are crafted by hand using eco-friendly materials, such as sustainable cotton and linen fabrics, which infuse each piece with a vintage touch.

Proceeds from the sale of the MyCrown Collection are donated to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

A pop-up for the MyCrown Collection is being hosted by the Pâtisserie Riviera on Boulevard des Moulins, in partnership with Liana Vourakis, until 27th October. It’s a great opportunity to get some early Christmas gifts and contribute to a good cause.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Full Tour de France 2024 route revealed, including Monaco-Nice time trial

by: Elsa Carpenter

26/10/2023

The official route of the 2024 Tour de France has been revealed in detail at a grand unveiling in the French capital. In a significant departure from tradition, the race will have a “historic” start in Florence and the first ever finish outside of Paris, crossing the finish line right here in the Riviera.

Christian Prudhomme, the general director of the Tour de France, took to the stage at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on Wednesday to announce the official route of the 2024 race.

As France will be hosting the Olympic Games around the same time as the Tour, some major changes to next year’s route have been required, and while some fans of the race might not be so pleased with the significant breaks from tradition, others are rejoicing at the shake-ups.

PARTENZA ITALIANA

In a “historic first”, the Tour de France will actually get its Grand Départ over the border in Italy on Saturday 29th June.

“Florence had been talking to us about it for a very long time, Emilia-Romagna nurtured its burning desire, and then Piedmont came on board,” said Prudhomme. “Italy truly raised its ambitions to the power of three to host the Grand Départ.”

From the start line in Florence, the peloton will head to Rimini on the Adriatic coast for Stage 1. Then it will be from Cesenatico to Bologna for Stage 2, and Plaisance to Turin for Stage 3. Stage 4 will also begin in Italy, in Pinerolo to be exact, before crossing into France for the first time in the 2024 edition.

The riders will head steadily up the map, reaching their most northern point in Troyes, before turning west and eventually south to Le Lioran in the Massif Central then to Pau and along the border with Spain.

SOUTH OF FRANCE

The Tour will enter the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region for the first time in the race at the end of Stage 17, with a climb up Superdévoluy. The next stage, from Gap to Barcelonnette, will be one of the most challenging in the entire event as the peloton will push above 2,000 metres three times.

Isola 2000 will get a visit from the Tour on Friday 19th July, for the end of the 19th stage, but “nothing will be settled yet as the stage for a major rematch will be set over the 133km between Nice and the Col de la Couillole, with the Col de Turini and the Col de la Colmiane”, which will be tackled by the riders for the penultimate stage.

MONACO IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The final stage of the race on Sunday 21st July is to be an individual 34km time trial from the Principality of Monaco to Nice, which will be, quite incredibly for an event in its 111th edition, the first time the Tour de France has finished somewhere other than Paris.

The stage has been described by organisers as “a litmus test that will resolve all questions… the race for the overall victory may not be settled after the battle of the summits and could even come to an end on the final stage”.

It will be in the Place Masséna of Nice that the yellow jersey will be awarded.

Speaking at the grand unveiling of the route in Paris, Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi said it was with “great pride” that his city would welcome the Tour, adding that he had big hopes for a Frenchman to secure victory on the Promenade des Anglais.

Click here to see a video of what to expect from the Monaco-Nice stage and here to see the overall route in full.

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Photo source: Christian Estrosi / Facebook

Local cancer charity and Borneo Wildlife Preservation the focus of upcoming gala in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova

26/10/2023

Under the esteemed patronage of Princess Stéphanie, a gala dually benefitting the Ecoute Cancer Réconfort association and Borneo Wildlife Preservation is set to take place on 18th November. Here are all the details of the Vivanova event.

Touted as a “luxury lifestyle gala dinner” by the organiser, the upcoming soirée will be held at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo and feature gourmet cuisine alongside exciting entertainment and performances, including a fashion show and auction.

It is a blend of opulence and philanthropy that Monaco does so well; a night where Premier Cru champagne will flow in equal measure to the generosity and charity of the guests.

After a welcome in the Galerie Cristal at 7pm, the grand affair will head to the enchanting Salle d’Or ballroom of the hotel for a five-course gourmet dinner complemented by premium international wines.

Then will come a fashion show directed by Pauline Ducruet and live musical entertainment from High On Heels, before the focus turns from fun and frivolity to the more serious matter of raising money for two important causes: the Ecoute Cancer Réconfort association, which is based in Monaco and helps cancer sufferers purchase equipment and services to make their lives and recovery at home as easy as possible, and Borneo Wildlife Preservation.

The auction, which has helped raise €250,000 over the years for various charities and organisations, will be officiated by Sheriff Thomas Lefevre.

The festivities continue into the night with the Mezcal XAMÁN After Party and plenty of dancing and networking opportunities.

Individual tickets for the Vivanova gala cost €250 while a VIP table for 10 costs €3,000. For more information, click here.

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Photo source: Club Vivanova

Why are French students being asked to self-assess their risk of being bullied?

by: Stephanie Horsman

26/10/2023

France is taking an interesting new approach to tackling school age bullying by asking pupils from primary through to the lycée to complete an anonymous questionnaire on the reasons why some children become victims of harassment.

An estimated one in 10 French children is bullied or has been bullied at school at some point, according to recent statistics. The reasons run from petty jealousies to differences in lifestyles and even appearances.

HOW IT WORKS

To mark National Anti-Bullying Day on 9th November, the French government is launching a programme that allows students from CE2 to terminale to take part in a voluntary and anonymous self-assessment geared toward determining which children are more likely to be in the crosshairs of bullies and why.

The poll, which will be available to schools from 9th to 15th November, will be adapted to the ages of the children taking part, meaning that pupils from each age group will receive age-appropriate sets of questions.

The hope is that the findings will help inform educators to the various forms of the bullying and what is causing such extensive harassment on school grounds, with the goal of assisting establishments in adapting their own policies to prevent and handle bullies and bullying.

The pHARe programme, the government’s “comprehensive plan for preventing and dealing with situations of harassment between students” that is already in effect at many schools across the country, will also now become mandatory for all establishments at this time.

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Photo source: Ben Mullins, Unsplash

Day: 26 October 2023

Monte-Carlo SBM appoints Olivier Bernard to manage extensive real estate portfolio