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Day: 15 November 2023

AS Monaco narrowly misses victory in EuroLeague clash with Anadolu Efes SK

by: Niki Borisova
15/11/2023

In an intense EuroLeague pitting against Istanbul’s Anadolu Efes SK that was streamed live by Monaco Life, AS Monaco displayed exceptional tenacity, but still fell short of a win. 

In a gripping display of basketball talent, AS Monaco narrowly missed out on a victory against Anadolu Efes SK at the Salle Gaston Medecin on 14th November, with the final score reading 82-89 in favour of the visitors.  

Although not the result wished, the intense Round 8 game of the 2023/24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season showcased Monaco’s resilience and fighting spirit in the face of disappointment.  

The second-half surge and standout performances 

AS Monaco, known for its robust defence, faced a stern test against Efes’ sharp offensive strategies. 

The team conceded 48 points in the first half, but their unwavering determination was evident. The defence, particularly in the second half, showcased moments of brilliance, putting up a stand against Efes’ aggressive playstyle. 

The second half saw a remarkable turnaround led by AS Monaco’s star player of Mike James, who shook off a quiet first half to score some crucial points.  

The recent game was the first match to be live streamed by Monaco Life on Instagram. Photo by Monaco Life

By the end, however, Jordan Loyd led the scoring for AS Monaco with a significant 19-point contribution while John Brown III was a force on both ends of the court, grabbing eight total rebounds, including five offensive rebounds, and contributing two steals. Donatas Motiejunas, besides his scoring skills, impressed with a 100% shooting accuracy from both the two-point and three-point range.  

Nevertheless, Efes had the upper hand and sealed a victory. 

The next EuroLeague match will be against Real Madrid at the WiZink Center on 16th November at 8.45pm.  

First live stream 

Monaco Life carried out its inaugural live stream of an AS Monaco match on the Monaco Life Instagram page, an initiative that garnered substantial engagement from the followers. Click here to see the latest posts and stories from the team.  

 

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Photo by Monaco Life

Photos: Monaco commemorates 500 years of independence with minting of a new €2 coin

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/11/2023

Prince Albert was on hand to press the very first €2 coin bearing the image of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who formally acknowledged Monaco’s sovereignty in 1524. The new currency will enter circulation next year.  

On 3rd November 1524, the Declaration of Tordesillas was signed by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1500-1558), acknowledging Monaco as a sovereign entity and thus making it an independent state.  

This document replaced one made in June of that same year – the Treaty of Burgos – that had been deemed unacceptable to the Lord of Monaco, Augustin Grimaldi, who said it endangered the autonomy of his nation.  

Now, nearly 500 years later, a new Monegasque coin bearing the image of Charles V is being minted in the workshop of the Paris Mint in the town of Pessac in southwestern France, and Prince Albert II was there to witness and even participate in the creation of the first piece of the new currency. 

The new €2 coin commemorates 500 years of Monaco’s independence. Photo credit: Sylvain Dubois / Monnaie de Paris

FIRST HEAD OF STATE TO VISIT THE PARIS MINT

Prince Albert was welcomed to the premises on 9th November by Marc Schwartz, CEO of the factory, becoming the first Head of State to tour the Pessac Mint in its 50 years of operations.  

Learning from engraver Joaquim Jiminez, the Prince was taught about the process of manufacturing coins. He even took a turn at the machines, striking the inaugural commemorative €2 coin, which he was later gifted by Schwartz.  

Prince Albert is the first Head of State to visit the Mint in its 50 years at Pessac. Photo credit: Sylvain Dubois / Monnaie de Paris

Since the 17th century, Monaco’s currency has been a mirror of the French version, being the same size, weight and denomination. From 1878 onwards, all coins for the Principality have been minted at the Paris Mint per the customs and Monetary Union Convention of 1865. 

 The coin will be in circulation from 2024. 

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Photo credit: Sylvain Dubois / Monnaie de Paris 

Grimaldi Forum continues to raise the sustainability bar with new events industry certification

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/11/2023

The Grimaldi Forum Monaco has hit another sustainability benchmark, this time achieving its first ISO 20121 certification, in addition to its sixth 14001 certification.

The Grimaldi Forum Monaco was one of the first European convention and culture centres to obtain the ISO 14001 environmental certification. Now, it has obtained the benchmark ISO 20121 certification for the events industry.

ISO 20121 is a certifiable international management standard that integrates the principles of sustainable development – environmental, social/societal and economic – into its activities.

“This certification demonstrates our commitment to identifying and addressing key sustainability issues in our organisation and events,” said the Grimaldi Forum. “We are committed to creating a more sustainable future, this achievement is testament to our ongoing efforts.”

A new CSR team

This year, the Grimaldi Forum positioned Françoise Rossi in the newly created role of Director of CSR, and her mission is to energise and promote the company’s CSR policy.

Meanwhile, Maureen Aubert, Environment Manager, Certifications and Legal Officer, plays a central role in coordinating certifications and aligning the Grimaldi Forum’s standards. She also orchestrates the quarterly meetings of the CSR committee of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, where concrete actions are planned in accordance with ISO 14001 and ISO 20121 certifications.

A committed player in Monaco 

The Grimaldi Forum is Monaco’s largest congress and exhibition centre and, since its creation in 2000, has positioned itself as a committed player in Monaco’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development.

The venue is soon set to undergo a major expansion that will increase its exhibition capacity by 50% and make it possible for the venue to host larger events, and more events simultaneously.

SEE ALSO:

Behind the scenes of the Grimaldi Forum expansion

 

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Main photo: Françoise Rossi, Sylvie Biancheri and Maureen Aubert. Photo source: Grimaldi Forum Monaco 

 

 

Check out the vintage menu of the new Café de Paris

by: Elsa Carpenter
15/11/2023

From flambéed Crêpes Suzette to the traditional barbagiuans of Monaco, the menu of the Café de Paris is a veritable window into its history and heritage, but there are also plenty of new gourmet additions to tempt you through the doors of this ‘just opened’ address.  

Monaco Life was among the lucky few guests at the much-awaited grand reopening of the Café de Paris on Tuesday 14th November, and aside from being entranced by the beauty of the €55 million – or more – renovations, it was the new menu from Chef Victor Marion that really blew us away. 

At an exclusive lunch hosted by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, Monaco Life was treated to dishes including finely sliced red tuna with lemon and smoked salt (€29) from the raw bar, Deviled eggs with caviar and sucrine lettuce (€35) and an exquisite plate of Viennoise scallops with tarragon and mushrooms (€46), but these are just a taste of the glories that await diners. 

FROM TRADITION TO INNOVATION 

If it’s tradition that you are after, try the regional favourite pissaladière (€20) or a plate of Monaco’s barbagiuans (€19), which both feature on the ‘Pour Patienter’ section of the extensive, but certainly not overwhelming, menu. 

One of the more traditional offerings on the list of entrées: a slice of the signature Café de Paris paté en croûte with chicken, duck, pork, pistachios and pickles. Photo courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer 

For an appetiser or entrée, the fondant leeks with Gribiche sauce, croutons and capers (€21) or the signature Café de Paris paté en croûte with chicken, duck, pork and pistachios (€29) will go down a treat.

There’s lots to choose from at the raw bar too, from a range of oysters, including some from Les Perles de Monaco for €42, to a sea bream ceviche with rosemary oil and a citrus-dill dressing (€27).  

An exquisite vegetarian offering of leeks with Gribiche sauce. Photo courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

The standout dishes from the pasta portion of the menu have to be the truffle tagliolini (€47) and the mouthwatering tarragon-infused lobster macaroni gratin for €69.  

The lobster macaroni gratin from the pasta menu. Photo courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer 

Moving on to meat and fish and the menu reads like an advertisement for the finest produce of the region. Curried lamb from the Alpilles (€37) sits alongside Mediterranean bar with fennel (€65) and rock octopus with candied garlic and a Chimichuri sauce for €42.  

See more: The story of Monaco’s legendary Café de Paris in photos

The selection of desserts is just as fancy, from a crème brulée with Sicilian pistachios – another Café de Paris signed dish – to a stunning île flottante with custard and caramalised almonds, both for €13. There are also desserts to share if you don’t want to take on the full responsibility, but you may still want to keep the lot for yourself.  

The île flottante with custard and caramalised almonds à volonté. Photo courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer 

And we cannot forget the famous flambéed Crêpes Suzette (€22), an iconic dessert at the Café de Paris that was once a favourite of a Prince of Wales and is a dish that is a rite of passage in Monaco.

DAILY SPECIALS 

The brasserie menu, already diverse and plentiful, is also complemented by a daily special, such as the veal with Gribiche sauce and vegetables for €39 on a Thursday or the seafood bourride with saffron braised fennel equally for €39 on a Friday.  

Chef Marion sums the new gourmet offerings of the Café de Paris up as “a canaille cuisine that appeals to everyone”.  

Chef Victor Marion describes the new menu as “a canaille cuisine that appeals to everyone”. Photo courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer 

“The Café de Paris Monte-Carlo is a Parisian brasserie on Mediterranean soil,” he says. “It is a restaurant which has been open since before 1900, built on the great brasserie codes. It is of course a question of maintaining continuity in this great culinary history. It seems to me that there is a marriage of reason to be created between Italian and Monegasque culture, and the codes of a Parisian brasserie… It’s all about simplicity and living moments.” 

To see the menu for yourself, click here.  

 

See more in Monaco Life’s Instagram video below:

 

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All photos courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer 

Monaco looks to space for future economic growth and development

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/11/2023

The Government of Monaco has come together with France’s National Centre for Space Studies to sign a partnership agreement that could both “boost the Monegasque economy and protect the environment”.  

Monaco is stepping into the Space Age with a newly signed partnership agreement between its government and France’s National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), which is headquartered in Paris.  

The pact covers “the use of space-based solutions and technologies to support economic development, encourage innovation and help protect the environment”, and is, according to representatives for Monaco’s government, “part of a drive to diversify the Monegasque economy and to meet the commitments made by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, particularly regarding the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.  

At the signing, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Government Advisor-Minister of External Relations and Cooperation in Monaco, said, “This agreement offers multiple opportunities for the Office of Space Affairs and the Principality in the broad sense, particularly in terms of development cooperation, with particular attention paid to the preservation of the environment, a cause dear to Monaco.” 

Lionel Suchet, Deputy Director General of CNES, is pictured with Monaco’s Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Government Advisor-Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, at the signing of the new partnership agreement. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department

WHAT DOES THE ACCORD MEAN FOR MONACO 

Firstly, the new agreement will “promote access to space solutions and technologies for Monegasque companies and public services, thereby boosting the Principality’s appeal and economic development”. Those involved in the deal say it will also “help to connect Monegasque space companies with potential investors via the Connect by CNES2 ‘Spacely’ platform”.  

Secondly, it will explore the advances made in the space sector “to meet the needs of regional planning, the environment and urban risk management, including the impact of climate change”.  

According to a spokesperson for the Monegasque government, “The aim is to study and potentially develop simulation and monitoring platforms along with space-based solutions and infrastructures for monitoring ecosystems, particularly in support of research into the South Pole conducted by the Monaco Scientific Centre.” 

Finally, it will promote training and “science-society dialogue” in the Principality, as well as encouraging information-sharing with neighbouring regions and nations.  

“AN EXCITING FIELD PROMISING NEW PERSPECTIVES” 

Christophe Pierre, Director of Monaco’s Office of Space Affairs as well as Digital Platforms and Resources, has praised the exciting new collaboration, saying, “The Office of Space Affairs, as the focal point of contact between the government and players in the sector in Monaco, is determined to advance its commitment in this exciting field, promising new perspectives, while actively contributing to the protection of our planet.” 

Lionel Suchet, Deputy Director General of CNES, who co-signed the agreement alongside Monaco’s Berro-Amadeï, spoke of how spatial data is a “strong lever” for supporting the economic development of a country, preserving ecosystems and creating societal benefits for the people.   

“This data is accessible to everyone and CNES does everything it can to support those who use it,” he said. “The Principality of Monaco is a pioneering territory in terms of economic development, innovation and adaptation to climate change, CNES is pleased to be among the players supporting it in this mission.” 

Monaco’s Interministerial Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition, Frédéric Genta, also threw his support behind the new partnership, saying, “This partnership will participate, I am convinced, in the emergence of new to economic models in Monaco, likely to generate societal value and innovative services to better understand and respond to the environmental challenges we face today.” 

 

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Main photo source: NASA via Unsplash

‘Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection’ auction triples expectations

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/11/2023

After weeks touring key Sotheby’s locations around the world and dazzling those who saw it, ‘Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection’ has finally gone under the hammer at Sotheby’s Geneva and created a sensation, achieving a White Glove Sale – selling 100% of all its lots, with over 82% of the lots selling above their high estimate – and generating total sales of over 9.6 million CHF – smashing its estimate of 3 to 5 million CHF by more than three times.

Sotheby’s dedicated standalone Noble Jewels Sale in Geneva, now scheduled to take place during Luxury Week in November, scored a spectacular sale success with this extraordinary collection of 207 lots spanning two centuries of European history charting the fates, fashions and fancies of central Europe’s most prominent royal families – a collection unseen to the public for nearly a century and appearing at auction for the first time. Sotheby’s worked in collaboration with the Philipp Württemberg Art Advisory GmbH to bring this collection to auction.

A Kochert ruby and diamond tiara circa 1896, sold for 762,000 CHF. Photo source: Sotheby’s

A collection that remained hidden for decades

Rediscovered earlier this year in a German bank safe, the most important and largest Viennese Imperial and Royal jewellery collection ever to come to auction boasted provenance from all the most prominent European royal houses linked to the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, offering an extraordinary jewellery journey through the lives of Central Europe’s most influential ruling families across the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ahead of the auction, and starting earlier in September, the collection had benefited from a world tour, that took in New York, Cologne, Paris, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, Taipei and London, where some of its most significant lots were showcased in a series of carefully curated events culminating in a celebratory dinner in Paris, attended by a glamorous members of Europe’s aristocratic society, including Tatiana Casiraghi and some directly linked to the collection, and foremost antique jewellery collectors.


The-auction of Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection during Luxury Week in Geneva. Photo credit: Robert Hradil.

Hundreds of bidders from around the world

Over two sessions, a wide mix of hundreds of bidders fought over every lot in the room, online, and on the phone – many garnering more than five active bidders’ interest – hailing from all corners of the world. The sale witnessed especially strong bidding from across Europe and North America, from a rich blend of private individuals, dealers and some institutions.

Virtually every lot shone with over 82% selling above their high estimate. Lot 1197, an exceptional unsigned Garnet parure set from mid-19th century comprising a tiara, a necklace and three studs saw a flurry of bids and eventually sold for 88,900 CHF – over 25 times its high estimate (estimate 1,800 – 3,500 CHF).

Köchert diamond brooch, circa 1887, sold 266,700 CHF

Köchert and Emil Biedermann – the finest jewellers of their time under the limelight again

The Vienna 1900 sale became an unsuspected celebration of 19th century Austria’s two finest jewellers Emil Biedermann and Köchert, who were making jewellery mainly for the court – with Köchert still trading today. With the collection resurfacing after decades hidden away in safe, the magnificence of their exquisitely crafted creations was on full display through this sale, capturing dozens of bidders’ interest and taking many lots way above their high estimate, including the sale’s top lot (Lot 1089) – Biedermann’s spectacular natural pearl and diamond Devant-de-Corsage which achieved a stunning price of 1 million CHF.

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Main photo: Tatiana Casiraghi wearing lot 1084 rare and attractive diamond riviere necklace attributed to Kochert circa 1900. Photo source: Sotheby’s