Restaurants in Ventimiglia: a guide to the Italian city’s new dining and leisure scene

Ventimiglia has undergone a major transformation with the opening of Cala del Forte, and the new marina has established the coastal Italian town as a hub of culinary delights and leisure activities that complement its famous farmers markets and diverse shopping options.

The Cala del Forte marina was inaugurated by Prince Albert on 2nd July 2021. This new addition, located just a brief journey from Monaco and owned by the Principality, has been developed by Monaco Ports and is part of a major new economic strategy for Ventimiglia.

With the new marina comes new opportunity, both in the water and on land. One of the most visible is the emerging culinary scene that is steadily growing in popularity.

New culinary highlights

Just next to Cala del Forte, Margunaira stands out as a destination for Argentinian cuisine enthusiasts. Here, visitors can savour the rich flavours of dry-aged châteaubriand steak and traditional empanadas washed down with a selection of fine wines from the nation. Some of the best come from the Mendoza region.

Margunaira offers spectacular food and hearty Argentinian dishes. Photo by Monaco Life

Pasta e Basta, a long-standing favourite in the town for 30 years, recently refreshed its look alongside the marina’s development. The restaurant offers a distinctive dining experience, inviting guests to choose from a variety of homemade pastas presented on a tray and then pair them with their choice of freshly prepared sauces.

As one ventures into Cala del Forte, a range of other gastronomic experiences await. Olivia, a quaint establishment, serves up delightful gelato, pastries and coffee. It is the ideal spot for those seeking a quick refreshment.

La Tana del Porto emerges as a premier destination for those looking to unwind and socialise, especially during its live music-filled aperitivo hours. With a terrace that offers a view of the port, the ambience is perfect for a relaxed evening. Adding to the charm is their dynamic weekly cocktail menu, and among their culinary highlights, the rabbit leg alla Liguria comes highly recommended.

For a diverse culinary journey, Palosanto offers a vibrant blend of Argentinian cuisine and South American wines, complemented by the energy of live DJ music. This place caters to all dining needs, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and remains a lively spot for after-dinner drinks. It is open from 8am to 1am.

Vibrant South American cuisine combines with excellent wines from the New World in Palosanto. Photo by Monaco Life

Marixx, a more upscale dining choice, caters to dinner crowds from Tuesday to Sunday and lunch guests from Wednesday to Sunday. It is renowned for its raw bar, seafood pasta and oyster bar. This establishment is the brainchild of Chef Riccardo Marcenaro, a prominent figure in the culinary scene of the Riviera di Ponente. His approach to cuisine is about preserving traditional Italian culinary art while infusing it with touches of elegant modernity.

More than just dining

The port area is also poised to welcome new attractions like Minimall, a collection of luxury boutiques, and already houses the Boutsen classic cars store, a gym, a café-bistro and various yachting agencies.

At just a short distance from Monaco, Ventimiglia’s Cala del Forte is well-positioned to serve the overflow of yacht owners, sailors and visitors from the Principality. Photo by Monaco Life

Cala del Forte’s strategic location and regular maritime transfers to Monaco via the high-speed shuttle Monaco One ensure seamless connectivity. This marina is a centrepiece in Ventimiglia’s evolution into a destination that offers a blend of gastronomic and leisure experiences.

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All photos by Monaco Life

 

 

“Leave and Take” libraries launched in Monaco

As part of efforts to promote the reduction of waste, the Mairie has opened the first of a series of municipal libraries featuring books donated in the Principality.

The Mairie’s Marjorie Crovetto and Chloé Boscagli Leclercq inaugurated the shared libraries on Friday 24thNovember, during European Waste Reduction Week (SERD).

In addition to containing books for the general public, the shared library located at Parc Princesse Antoinette includes a selection of children’s books such as comics and novels, while a second, installed at the Condamine Market, has works intended for a wider audience, including novels, essays and poetry. All of these books were received during a collection organised at the Condamine Market for SERD 2023.

Soon, other shared libraries dedicated to early childhood and parenting will see the light of day in the Principality’s childcare centres.

“Resulting from a project aimed at promoting the circular economy, the ‘Làscia e Piya!’, (leave and take!), give users the opportunity to drop off books and borrow works left by other readers in a specially dedicated place designed by the Municipal Technical Services teams,” said the Mairie in a statement. “This local cultural approach allows us to build social links and create moments of sharing, and is part of the project to fight against all forms of waste initiated by the Municipal Institution.”

Among the waste reduction initiatives also launched and supported by the Mairie de Monaco are the Mùnegu Repair Café, plant donations, and clothing collections.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

 

 

Scouts and Guides join with Prince Albert to plant trees at reforestation site in La Turbie

To dually mark the centenaries of Prince Rainier III and the existence of the Scouts and Guides in Monaco, 100 native trees were planted on a parcel of land in La Turbie over the weekend by the association, which was joined in its endeavour by Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie.  

On Saturday 25th November, members of the Scouts and Guides of Monaco association headed up to a plot of land between the A8 toll in La Turbie and the Grande Corniche to plant 100 trees indigenous to the region.  

Prince Albert, ahead of his departure for Malaysia, joined the youngsters along with his sister, Princess Stéphanie, and both mucked in with the task of digging the rough and rocky terrain.  

Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie helped the proud youngsters get the 100 native trees in the ground. Photo credit: Direction de la Communication / Frédéric Nebinger

The symbolic number of trees commemorates both the 100 years since the birth of the late Prince Rainier III and 100 years of the Scouts and Guides in Monaco.  

From cedars to Alep pines and flowering ash, the trees chosen and the project are also part of a much wider reforestation plan managed by France’s Office National des Forêts (ONF) that covers 305 hectares of land between Eze, La Turbie and Monaco.  

Back in 1986, a vast forest fire swept through the area and razed much of the woodland. In the last 30 or so years, an estimated 440,000 trees have been planted in this zone thanks to the ONF, the Principality of Monaco and the nearby French communes.  

 

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Photo credits: Direction de la Communication / Frédéric Nebinger

Vehicles impounded or abandoned in Monaco to be auctioned for as little as €30

vehicle auction monaco

Here’s how to get involved in the upcoming Monaco Land Administration auction of vehicles impounded or abandoned in the Principality, which include a number of BMWs, Mercedes and Lexus. Prices start from as low as €30!

Call it an end of year clear out albeit a bit fancier and with much more valuable stuff than the average back-of-the-wardrobe goods.

Every year, Monaco’s Land Administration department auctions off a selection of vehicles – some motorised, some not – that have landed in the possession of the government either through impoundment, abandonment or seizure.

The process has already begun for the 2023 lots, but interested parties still have until 12pm on 7th December to submit bids.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

All you have to do is fill out a one-page form available here that includes your offer and place it an enclosed envelope with a photocopy of valid identification. You can fill out the form for multiple vehicles as many times as you wish, but each form should be submitted separately and the bidder must put the words “sale of four-wheeled vehicles” or “two-wheeled” as the case may be on the envelope.

The form or forms should then be placed in the post box in the entry hall of department’s premises at 24 Rue du Gabian.

So as not to be obliged to buy ‘sight unseen’, the vehicles can be visited in person at the administrative pound found at Parking des Écoles until 1st December, between 12pm and 3pm each day.

The minimum bid for a four-wheeler is €50, going down to €30 for two-wheels, though the state reserves the right to enforce a minimum bid for certain vehicles as well as to refuse a sale if the offers prove unsatisfactory or unrealistic for the vehicle. Offers, once made, cannot be withdrawn. 

SOLD ‘AS IS’

All vehicles are sold ‘as is’, and the general conditions of the sale indicate that “the State of Monaco cannot give any guarantee on the good working condition of the vehicles and will under no circumstances reimburse the vehicles purchased whatever the conditions”.  

“Certain vehicles may prove unsuitable for use on public roads,” continues the conditions. “All formalities relating to the registration of said vehicles must be carried out by the successful bidder, who must also bear the costs relating to vehicle registration and other formalities. The Land Administration may not be in possession of all administrative documents and/or keys.” 

LOTS ON THE 2023 LIST 

A complete list of this year’s offerings can be found here. It includes: 21 cars, trucks and SUVs; 35 two-wheeled vehicles; and 32 bicycles or other “found objects”. 

The age range for the four-wheelers is from 1996 to 2017, and the list features manufacturers such as Peugeot, Renault, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Kymco, Isuzu and Toyota.  

Those with successful bids will be informed by post within three months of the end of the sale date, and are expected to pick up their vehicle, by appointment, within 20 working days from notification. The relevant documents will be provided by the Administration des Domaines, including certificates of sale.  

For further information, please click here

 

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Photo source: Liviu Florescu, Unsplash

Sports round-up: AS Monaco defeated by Paris Saint-Germain while Roca Team perform well

A Kylian Mbappé-led Paris Saint-Germain trounced AS Monaco 5-2 in a Ligue 1 pitting in the French capital, but it was a different story for the Roca Team, who returned from a defeat as Real Madrid to secure successive victories in the EuroLeague and Betclic Elite. 

Basketball: EuroLeague and Betclic Elite review 

In the face of overwhelming odds, AS Monaco showcased commendable resilience in Round 9 of the EuroLeague, which was held at the WiZink Center in Madrid on 16th November.  

Despite falling 91-73 to undefeated giants Real Madrid, AS Monaco’s spirit shone brightly throughout the game. Donatas Motiejunas led the charge for Monaco with 14 points, demonstrating the team’s unwavering determination and potential, even in defeat. 

Meanwhile, in the domestic Betclic Elite league, AS Monaco continued their dominance with a convincing 99-81 win against Blois on 19th November at the Stade Louis II.  

This game was a showcase of Monaco’s offensive strategy, and young star Matthew Strazel led the charge with 17 points, while Donta Hall’s all-around performance was nothing short of exceptional. The team’s cohesive play and strategic execution were on full display, leaving Blois unable to keep up. 

The EuroLeague Round 10 saw AS Monaco take on Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria-Gasteiz on 24th November.

In a dramatic and closely-fought contest, Monaco clinched a thrilling 75-77 victory. The game’s climax was marked by Jaron Blossomgame’s heroics, as he delivered a stunning last-second dunk to seal the win. Mike James, facing his former team, played a pivotal role with an impressive 28-point performance, underlining his status as a formidable player in European basketball. 

Mbappé leads PSG to decisive victory over his former club  

In an intense Ligue 1 showdown, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), led by former AS Monaco star Kylian Mbappé, overpowered AS Monaco with a 5-2 victory at the Parc des Princes on 24th November.  

Kylian Mbappé scored the second of five goals against AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes. Photo credit: AS Monaco

Mbappé was pivotal in PSG’s triumph, and the team’s offensive strength was further showcased by goals from Ousmane Dembele, Goncalo Ramos, Vítor Machado Ferreira and Randal Kolo Muani. Nevertheless, AS Monaco managed two goals thanks to Takumi Minamino and Folarin Balogun.  

PSG’s win strengthens their position at the top of Ligue 1. 

Upcoming clashes 

Up next for AS Monaco’s basketball team are two crucial matchups: a Betclic Elite league game against Le Mans on 28th November in Le Mans, followed by a challenging EuroLeague clash with Olympiacos Piraeus on 30th November at Stade Louis II.  

In football, AS Monaco will face Montpellier in a Ligue 1 match on 3rd December, and another key Ligue 1 fixture with O. Lyonnais is scheduled for 15th December. Both matches will be played at the Stade Louis II. 

Other sports news 

In other sports news, the 36th Tournoi International Epée was organised by the Monegasque Fencing Federation and held under the patronage of Prince Albert II at the Espace Saint Antoine on 26th November.  

 

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Main photo credit: AS Monaco Basket

Corruption evaluators make another official visit to Monaco ahead of June deadline

With just six months until the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) delivers its report on Monaco, a delegation has made its fifth visit to the Principality.

From 20th to 24th November, a group of evaluators from the Council of Europe’s GRECO visited the Principality of Monaco as part of its evaluation cycle in the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity in central governments and law enforcement agencies.

During the visit, the evaluators met with representatives of Monegasque authorities, civil society and the media.

“These exchanges made it possible to present to the evaluators the different systems of prevention and the fight against corruption implemented in Monaco and those in progress of development,” said the government in a statement. “This visit was also an opportunity for the Principality to reiterate its determination to continue its efforts to develop its regulations regarding the prevention of corruption and promoting integrity.”

GRECO is expected to adopt its report on Monaco in June 2024.

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Photo by Monaco Life