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Day: 25 December 2023

Port Hercule to countdown to 2024 with fountain lights show in the Stade Nautique Raininer III

by: Niki Borisova
25/12/2023
port hercule new year

Port Hercule will be transformed into a dancefloor come New Year’s Eve on Sunday as the Mairie de Monaco holds its annual countdown event. Here’s what is on the programme. 

From 9pm on 31st December, Monaco City Hall will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party in the Christmas Village on Port Hercule.  

Two DJs will be brought in to provide the music of the evening, which is set to continue until 2am the next morning, and the Mairie has hinted at a clubbing theme for the tunes.  

The pinnacle of the night will be a spectacular display of lighted fountains at the Stade Nautique Rainier III swimming pool as the countdown for the New Year. Presented in collaboration with the Prince Rainier III Commemoration Committee, it is expected to last for a full 20 minutes and welcome in 2024 in style.  

The Christmas Village will remain in place until 7th January. Click here for more information.  

Read related:

New holiday season Sports Village opens at Port Hercule

 

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Photo source: Geoff Brooks, Unsplash

Court of Appeal demands new environmental impact study into Nice Airport extension

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/12/2023
nice airport extension

The extension project at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has run into a snag following a decision from the Court of Appeal in Marseille that demands a new environmental impact study be undertaken. 

Concerns about the possible environmental damage that the extension to Terminal 2 could have on the surrounding area, which includes a protected Natura 2000 zone, have dogged the project since its earliest days.  

Permission for the extension had been given by the local prefecture four years ago, but a coalition of nearby residents and eco groups immediately launched a legal case against the plans.

After initial defeat in the courts, which included a ruling in favour of the extension at the Administrative Court of Marseille in October 2022 that hinged on the scheme’s low emission strategies and its provisions for improved “passenger experiences” and safety, the anti-extension group decided to take its case to the city’s Court of Appeal. 

WORK CAN CONTINUE, BUT MAY BE HALTED IN THE FUTURE

On 14th December, the Marseille Administrative Court of Appeal ruled that the airport and its management must conduct a new environmental impact study.

Importantly, this ruling does not prohibit any continuation of works already underway at the airport, but still, a lot is hanging on the results of the report, which will be due in 12 months’ time. If it is favourable to the airport, the project has a strong shot at continuing. If it is not, the building permit could be revoked.  

A statement released by the management of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport confirms that note has been taken of this most recent decision.  

“This request for further details is to formalise the procedure to grant planning permission,” reads the statement. “Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is fully committed to carrying out this additional study, which will demonstrate that the adaptations planned for Terminal 2 only concern passenger handling areas, and do not involve any mechanical increase in the number of aircraft movements.” 

If it is allowed to be finished, the extension of Terminal 2 will increase Nice airport’s theoretical capacity to 18 million passengers, up from its current theoretical maximum capacity of 14 million passengers, which was breached back in 2019.  

Read related:

Renovations at Nice Airport’s T2 see shops and VIP Lounge closed

 

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Photo source: Constantin, Unsplash

Carnaval de Nice opts for contemporary over classic for its 2024 theme

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/12/2023

The city of Nice will be going all out with a pop culture theme for next year’s carnival, but who will lead the procession? 

Over the years, the famous Carnaval de Nice has covered an array of themes, from the more recent King of World Treasures in 2022 and King of the Animals the year before to gastronomy, space, the Mediterranean and sport.  

There’s often a figurehead associated with the chosen subject, a King who leads the parade through the streets of Nice and along the Promenade des Anglais, but with a theme as wide as pop culture, which has been picked for the 2024 event, it is anyone’s guess as to who it will be come February.  

WHAT TO EXPECT

From 17th February to 3rd March, a period that neatly crosses all three winter school holiday zones in France, the parades, flower battles, dancers and musicians of the age-old festival will return to Nice.  

See more: Everything you need to know about the Nice Carnival

Floats dedicated to all things pop culture, from TV and film to fashion and music, will be lined up for a series of free and ticketed events, including a pop-up Carnival Village on the Promenade du Paillon that will be open to all from 11am to 6pm daily. This will be free to enter. 

The opening and closing nights will also be free in 2024. The final procession will culminate with a fireworks display at Centenaire Plage, where the King’s float will be set alight.  

Children under 12 and those in fancy dress can also get free entry to the standing zones throughout the festivities, except for the flower parades. Tickets are required, but can be obtained gratis from ticket stands or reserved online ahead of time.  

Lou Queernaval will delight the masses on Place Masséna on 23rd February. This event has grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among those who love a bit of glitter and sparkle.

For the full list of parades and events, as well as to reserve tickets, click here. 

Read related:

Photos: 150th Nice Carnival kicks off in spectacular, colourful style

 

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Photo source: Carnaval de Nice, Facebook

E1’s ‘Race to Hong Kong’ revealed with seven events around the world to form first season

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/12/2023

The first ever electric race boat competition, E1, has revealed its final schedule for the inaugural 2024 competition. Here is where Monaco sits in the line-up. 

E1, the world’s first and only all-electric race boat championship, will feature seven thrilling races around the world, culminating in a spectacular final event in Hong Kong. The season will encompass Europe, the Middle East and Asia with globally recognised cities hosting E1 races.

The final line-up of host cities has now been revealed. The UIM E1 World Championship season one calendar is:

E1 Jeddah GP 2-3 February

E1 Venice GP 11-12 May

E1 Puerto Banús GP 1-2 June

E1 Geneva GP 29-30 June

E1 Monaco GP 26-27 July

E1 Rotterdam GP 7-8 September

E1 Hong Kong GP 9-10 November

The debut season will reach Monaco on 26th and 27th July, and concludes with a spectacular finale on the globally recognised waters of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on 9th and 10th November.

Up to 10 teams of male and female pilots will compete in the first season chasing the E1 title of ‘Champions of the Water’. E1’s teams are owned by some of the biggest names in their fields from Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, Virat Kohli, Didier Drogba and Sergio Pérez in sport to Steve Aoki and Marc Anthony in the world of music and entertainment.

E1’s owners and cities also share the championship’s mission to drive change and make a positive impact on marine mobility.

“I share the pride of everyone at E1 as we announce this spectacular calendar of events for our first season,” said Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1. “These cities are all world renowned for their cultural, touristic and sporting offerings and will each provide our fans with a unique and unforgettable experience. Our race locations not only will provide a stunning backdrop for our RaceBirds, but they align with our goals of improving the ecosystems in which we race and accelerating marine electrification.”

“The list of names in the Season 1 calendar shows the immense confidence our city stakeholders have in E1 before the first race has even started and there’s still so much more to come from the championship,” added Alejandro Agag, Chairman and co-founder of E1.

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