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Month: December 2023

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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Hôtel de Paris to welcome in the New Year in true Monaco style

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/12/2023

The Hôtel de Paris is truly at its best during the holidays. Here’s what to expect from the Principality’s most iconic hotel over the next few days. 

From the second you step into the Hôtel de Paris, you know it means some serious festive business, but the Chopard-designed Christmas tree and the awe-inspiring display of gold and white decorations are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the holiday plans of this legendary hotel. 

A rich programme of dinners and musical experiences is being laid on over the New Year period, and it would be simply impossible to just pick one, so here are all the highlights of Le Nouvel An at the Hôtel de Paris.  

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS 

Guests and patrons of the hotel will be spoilt for choice on New Year’s Eve.  

In the relaxed (but still rather fancy) Bar Américan, an à la carte dinner service will be followed by live music from 10pm. There is a required €750 minimum spend on cocktails and other beverages per person to enjoy this option.  

Dinner will be taken up a notch at Le Grill, where a delicious set menu has been created for €990 per person, with sublime views of the scintillating Place du Casino thrown in for free.  

Over at Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse, Chef Emmanuel Pilon has curated an incredibly luxurious €1,200 set menu for the three Michelin-starred establishment that can be further elevated with wine pairings for an additional €500 per person.  

The three Michelin-starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse is offering a set menu at €1,200 plus wine pairing for an extra €500. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

Finally, the Salle Empire will host dinner with a show for €1,200, including wine pairings.  

On New Year’s Day, Le Grill is back with lunch and dinner à la carte, while Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse will be treating diners to a heavenly set menu for €420 per person in the evening. 

AFTERNOON TEA 

On Friday 5th January, the last in a series of wonderfully enchanting afternoon teas will be hosted in the lobby from 3pm to 6pm. This chic locale is a great place to rest and relax after a day on the town – or at the malls – and the typically English experience is the perfect way to spend some time friends or family during the holiday period.  

The final festive afternoon tea of the season will be held on Friday 5th January. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

For reservations and further information about New Year at the Hôtel de Paris, click here.

Read related: 

Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Monaco: a restaurant guide

 

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Photo credits: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and joyous festive season from Monaco Life!

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/12/2023

Dear Monaco Life community,

As we gather with loved ones to celebrate the magic of Christmas and the joy of the festive season, the entire Monaco Life team extends our warmest wishes to you and your families.

As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect with gratitude on the incredible journey we’ve shared with you, our dedicated readers. Your unwavering support has propelled Monaco Life to new heights, and we are thrilled to announce that, thanks to you, we have become the largest English-language media platform in Monaco with a dynamic team of seven talented individuals.

This year has been marked by milestones and successes that would not have been possible without your loyal readership. Your trust in us has been the driving force behind our commitment to delivering timely, accurate, and engaging news and information about Monaco.

Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited about the possibilities that the new year holds. With your continued support, we are eager to build upon our success and further establish Monaco Life as the go-to source for news and insights about the principality.

May your Christmas be filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments, and may the coming year bring you happiness, prosperity, and success. We eagerly anticipate the opportunities and stories that 2024 will bring, and we look forward to sharing them with you every step of the way.

Thank you for an amazing 2023, and here’s to an even brighter and more successful 2024!

Warmest wishes,

The Monaco Life team

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

The Med Fund to back more marine protected areas in the Mediterranean

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/12/2023
monk seal alliance

The Med Fund, an environmental trust fund that aims to mobilise public and private actors to promote the development of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas, has put out a call for applications to help fund projects. Here’s how it works.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been a highly effective way to protect and manage marine biodiversity all over the world. They come in two forms, namely partially or fully protected, with the latter being vastly more regulated and beneficial to the ecosystems they cover.

According to a report put out by the United Nations, there are currently over 1,000 MPAs covering 6.5% of the Mediterranean Sea. Of those, only 76 are deemed “fully protected”, lowering intensive coverage to less than half a percent.

The Med Fund, who provides financial support toward the creation and management of MPAs through grants, covers recurring costs necessary to keep these places operational, and now they are on the hunt for new beneficiaries with an “interest dedicated to marine protected areas benefiting from a high degree of protection.”

WHO CAN APPLY

To be considered, applicants must have a project based in Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Greece, Lebanon, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia, or Turkey and must already be in advanced stages of creation.

They must also have a management team and plan in place specifying a high degree of protection, including aspects like no-take zones, exclusion zones, and wilderness areas.

WHAT IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

There is a vast list of eligible recurring costs the grants can cover. These include, amongst other things, personnel, equipment maintenance, infrastructure costs, costs incurred for regulation monitoring and enforcement, scientific monitoring, sustainability, and support of socio-economic activities.

The application can be downloaded from The Med Fund’s website https://themedfund.org/en/become-a-beneficiary/?fbclid=IwAR13ZXND52WNwzPH62Gs_LyknG3oEeVENutzJ4rKFoJVoJF7flG51s66Ueg and once filled in, can be submitted to contact@themedfund.org until 22nd February 2024.

For more information on The Med Fund or to donate, visit them here https://themedfund.org/en/about-us/

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Photo: Monk Seal by Danielle Colucci on Unsplash

Prince Rainier III’s legacy is retold in the Annales Monégasques of 2023

by: Niki Borisova
23/12/2023

The 2023 edition of the Annales Monégasques, a commemorative journal put together by the Archives du Palais Princier at the end of each year, pays homage to the late Prince Rainier III through captivating insights from Monaco’s esteemed historians and treasured photographs of the great man himself.  

This production is the 47th to have been created over the years and its annual publication has become something to look forward to for many natives and residents of Monaco.  

The team at the Archives du Palais Princier who compile each edition of the Annales Monégasques. Photo credit: Loïc Repiquet / Archives du Palais Princier

This special edition features a collection of photographs and stories of key moments of Prince Rainier’s life, as well as the legacy he left on a place he reigned over for almost 56 years.  

^ Prince Rainier prepares to go diving off the coast of Corsica from his yacht, the famous Deo Juvante, in 1953. Photo credit: Cl. Fausto Picedi / A.P.M.

^ Prince Rainier is pictured at his desk in 1947, two years before he became the anointed ruler of Monaco. Photo credit: A.P.M.

  

^ An official portrait of the Prince from 1949, less than a year into his reign. Photo credit: A.P.M.

The Annales Monégasques is available in Monaco’s bookstores, newsstands and online. It costs €30 in print format and €10 for the PDF version. Click here for more information.  

 

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All photos appear in the 2023 edition of the Annales Monégasques, courtesy of the Archives du Palais Princier