The holiday rental platform Airbnb has revealed that the taxe de séjour contributions generated by its listings in France during 2023 added more than €187 million to the coffers of villages, towns and cities up and down the country.
In the south of France, short and long-term stays booked via Airbnb created almost €40 million in tourist tax-based revenue: more than €13 million in the Alpes-Maritimes; in excess of €10 million in the Var and just under in the Bouches-du-Rhône; €2.7 million in Vaucluse; €1.4 million for communes in the Hautes-Alpes; and €770,000 in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Marseille’s Airbnbs produced over €4.2 million in tourist tax contributions, a figure no doubt buoyed by the influx of travellers who stayed in the city during the Rugby World Cup, while Nice and Cannes were close behind with €4.1 million and €2.9 million apiece.
But small and medium-sized communes in the region also did well out of their Airbnb-registered rentals. Over 260 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur communes saw at least €100,000 in tourist tax paid out by Airbnb at the end of 2023.
In total, just over €187 million was collected by the accommodation rental platform in France last year, benefiting the municipal coffers of over 24,5000 villages, towns and cities across the country. This represents a 25% increase on the amount generated in 2022.
What is the taxe de séjour?
France’s taxe de séjour – or tourist tax – is payable per person per night and varies according to the type of accommodation and the commune. It must be included on the bill given to the person renting the accommodation and should be collected either by the landlord or owner of the property, the hotelier or the “the professional who provides the internet booking service on behalf of the landlord, the hotelier [or] the owner.”
A commune-specific simulator is available here and more information on the tax can be found here.
ASM Danse Sportive, which was formed as an official sports association in Monaco in 2009, has transformed itself from an incubator for competition-level dancers to an entity that welcomes dancers from all walks of life – even those with two left feet!
The association recently released its 2024 schedule of classes, which are held at venues in the Principality itself as well as in the neighbouring French communes of Cap d’Ail, Beausoleil and La Turbie, and there really is something for everyone, regardless of age and ability.
This year’s variety of dance styles include West Coast Swing, Rock’n’Roll, Zumba, the exotically named Kizomba, Jazz and Modern, to name but a few.
Added to this is a range for couples only that features the likes of the Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot and Jive alongside perennial Latin favourites like Rumba, Samba and the Paso Doble. There’s also yoga and Pilates on offer for those looking to tone up in-between sessions!
Group lessons are available for the casual dancer, while private lessons and regular training can be had for those looking to take their talents to the competition floor.
To explore the schedule and get information on prices and times, click here. You can also find out more about the association by clicking here.
The spotlight of honour was on Bulgaria and its cultural heritage at this year’s Orthodox Church of Monaco Christmas Gala, which welcomed distinguished guests to One Monte-Carlo for a night of communion and philanthropy in favour of the Croix Rouge Monégasque.
On 12th January 2024, the Orthodox Church of Monaco hosted its fifth Orthodox Christmas Gala at One Monte-Carlo’s Salle des Arts.
Aligning with the Julian calendar, this event takes place 13 days after Western Christmas and spotlights a different Orthodox country each year, with Bulgaria being the focus of this most recent edition.
The evening began with a Christmas prayer service led by His Grace Irenei, Bishop of London and Western Europe, at Saint Elena’s Parish.
The ceremony was then followed by a procession to the Place du Casino and the venue, where a champagne reception welcomed the esteemed guests, which included a 40-strong delegation from Bulgaria and notable Monegasque politicians, to the Salle des Arts.
The culinary highlight of the night was a Bulgarian-themed dinner crafted by the renowned chef Andre Tokev, who had flown in from Sofia. His collaboration with local Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer chefs introduced the Monaco crowd to an authentic Bulgarian dinner experience and featured “the best wines and spirits of the Balkan country”. It was accompanied by entertainment provided by a prominent Bulgarian Orthodox choir and the singer Olla.
Sotheby’s also conducted an exciting auction during the course of the evening, raising €32,000 for the Croix Rouge Monégasque charity branch.
Alexander Hagerty, the founding president of the Orthodox Church of Monaco – Saint Elena’s Parish that was officially recognised by the Monaco Government in 2017, commented on the event’s success, saying, “We are extremely proud of our parishioners and generous guests.”
Other thanks went to the Banque Eric Sturdza and Amura, a caviar house in Monaco, for their assistance in organising and supporting the event, which was overseen by Trust Events.
Click on the images below to see more from the event:
Qualified childcare assistants looking for a change of scenery might find their perfect new position within the Mairie de Monaco’s structure of childcare facilities, following an announcment via social media that the Early Childhood and Families Department is looking to fill five postings.
The Mairie de Monaco operates a number of different childcare facilities across the Principality. These include: eight crèches and three micro-crèches for children aged two months to three years of age; the Jardin d’Eveil for children aged two and three; and eight affiliated childminders, who welcome children into their homes. In total, almost 450 spaces are available for children of pre-school age.
The specific locations for the new positions have not been revealed in the recent job posting on the Mairie de Monaco’s social media pages, but interested parties can get in touch with the recruitment service to find out more information on +377 93 15 61 80.
Other job opportunities in Monaco
On Wedneday 31st January, the Fairmont Monte Carlo will be hosting an in-house recruitment event for some 260 positions across almost all of its departments. For more information about the event, click here or contact fmc.recrutement@fairmont.com.
On Friday 16th February, the Monaco Government will be holding the second edition of the Monaco pour l’Emploi job forum at the Grimaldi Forum. 12 different sectors and industries are expected to be present. Click here for more information.
Monaco’s historic Café de Paris has undergone a remarkable rebirth, transforming into a world-class destination after a two-year and €55 million renovation. Monaco Life explores the intricacies of the project’s design and how the Café de Paris came to live up to its iconic reputation.
Entrusting the renovation to the esteemed David Collins Studio, renowned for prestigious projects worldwide, owner Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer aimed to preserve the original DNA while modernising this iconic establishment.
According to the Studio’s Chief Creative Officer Simon Rawlings, it was vital that the new design integrate the Café de Paris seamlessly within the Triangle d’Or and its iconic neighbours: the Hôtel de Paris and the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo. The goal was not for the Café de Paris to stand out but to harmonise with its surroundings.
The Café de Paris sits alongside its famous neighbours the Hôtel de Paris, opposite, and the Casino de Monte-Carlo on the left. Photo by Monaco Life
“What gives this a timelessness in terms of longevity is the connectivity between the Café de Paris and what you’re seeing in the Hôtel de Paris across the square, to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and all around. It feels like it all fits together, because with such a high-profile venue, we didn’t want it to standout,” Rawlings tells Monaco Life.
Timeless authenticity: modernising while preserving heritage
The rebuild successfully created an atmosphere that feels both familiar and new. Rawlings notes that the design draws inspiration from various sources.
“If you look around this grand café, there are inspirations from everywhere. The moulding details were taken from the main ballroom of the Hôtel de Paris, the colour palate came from the iconic glass screens in the original Café de Paris, which have been retained and brought front and centre in this design. There’s a relevance to everything, and that’s the key.”
The original horoscope dividers have been restored and reinstated in the Café de Paris. Photo by Monaco Life
The result is a carefully curated space that feels authentic, blending the old with the new.
A market-inspired vibe was also introduced, featuring a lemonade bar at the front and a fish counter at the rear, encouraging patrons to explore the venue fully.
The true impact of the redesign will be felt in summer, says Rawlings, when giant glass doors seamlessly connect the Café to the bustling Casino Square.
Versatility in design: adapting to diverse experiences
The Café de Paris caters to a diverse audience, from tourists seeking the Café’s legendary ambience to locals looking for a chic brasserie or a late meal after the opera. The two-level structure provides flexibility, with a more intimate and formal atmosphere upstairs and a vibrant, informal setting on the ground floor.
Private areas offer options for events, gatherings and parties, with the entire first floor available for exclusive hire.
The design allows for a range of experiences, from a casual aperitivo at the bar or quick work lunch to a formal dinner replete with white table cloths in cosy booths.
Upstairs provides patrons with a more formal dining experience. Photo by Monaco Life.
A Parisian touch in Monaco: crafting an authentic atmosphere
Rawlings and his team aimed for authenticity in the Café de Paris redesign, sourcing materials from French manufacturers and drawing inspiration from Parisian brasseries.
The challenge was to capture the essence of a city brasserie while adapting to Monaco’s unique climate and sunlight.
“One of the things I was very adamant on from day one, is that whatever we put in here, it had to be authentic; it shouldn’t feel like a film set, so we used the original bentwood chairs, for example, not versions of,” reveals Rawlings. “We took inspiration from the brasseries on the Champs Elysée, but then we had to make it feel less urban.”
The stunning turquoise bar serves the first floor dining room and terrace of the Café de Paris. Photo by Monaco Life
Therefore, the architectural envelope was lightened, floors brightened, and walls painted to create a paler environment that complements the Mediterranean setting.
In summer, the roof opens up, providing a near-outdoor experience. The design balances traditional brasserie decor, such as pleated lampshades and classic pewter bars, with a modern touch.
Artistic flourish: elevating the dining experience
Art plays an important role in the Café de Paris’s ambience. Original artworks commissioned specifically for the restaurant add a unique touch. The artwork, particularly on the first floor, reimagines the classic French-brasserie poster art in a new collage-style presentation, mixing various historic prints and enhancing the overall aesthetic of the room.
Original images of the café’s bygone days, blown up and displayed en route to the restrooms, further immerse patrons in the establishment’s rich history.
The anchoring centrepiece of the Café de Paris, the light sculpture, also serves as a connection between the two floors. Photo by Monaco Life.
A tower of lights: connecting spaces with sculptural elegance
The most spectacular piece of art is the lighting centrepiece, a tower of lights that was designed by Simon Rawlings and conceived as a visual link between the two floors. Initially featuring wine bottles, then inspired by globe chandeliers, the design evolved into a sculptural masterpiece.
The tower, suspended through the floor and ceiling, adds a touch of glamour and connects the spaces seamlessly.
“I wanted each floor to feel the connectivity of a design detail and for there to be an activity in that design,” reveals Rawlings. “So, the idea is that you descend the stairs glamourously on this very plush, deep red carpet. It is very sexy. Then at some point you pause – I see everybody stopping at about three steps from the bottom – take a photograph and then continue. It has that effect. I like building those kind of experiences into the spaces.”
Lighting is a critical aspect of the ambience of the Café de Paris. Photo by Monaco Life.
Creating atmosphere through lighting: a delicate balance
Lighting was a critical aspect of the design, with multiple fixtures contributing to warmth and ambience. The team has purposefully avoided modern spotlights in favour of a whole range of decorative, brasserie fixtures to maintain a classic Parisian vibe.
“Ultimately in brasseries, light fixtures are the decoration and artwork,” explains Rawlings. “If you look at any traditional brasserie, the more lights, the more impressive; it’s all about the lights.”
The bar as a focal point: adding energy and elegance
The bar, a globally recognised and familiar element to all patrons, serves as a focal point at the new Café de Paris, adding energy and elegance to the vast space. Beyond its functional purpose, the bar becomes a centrepiece, creating a sense of theatre and engagement for patrons.
The bar is one of the most striking elements of the entire café. Photo by Monaco Life
“When you enter a space this big, it can be kind of daunting the first time, and bars are very familiar,” says Rawlings. “I also think a bar gives energy to a room, more than a show kitchen, because a bar is always in use; it’s active but it’s not disruptive. I think the art of mixing a cocktail or pouring a drink can be quite elegant and sexy; it just creates a sense of theatre.”
The Café de Paris redesign stands as a testament to the delicate art of preserving history while embracing modernity. The result is an iconic destination that seamlessly blends Monaco’s charm with timeless elegance, inviting patrons to indulge in an immersive and unforgettable experience. The new chapter of the Café de Paris is sure to be a long one.
A ruling that allowed a greater deal of flexibility within the titres-restaurant scheme, which was made by the French government in 2022, had been due to terminate at the end of last year, but it will now run until the close of 2024.
Since October 2022, the French government has made the purchasing power of the venerated titres-restaurant meal vouchers go further.
Once used solely to pay for a portion of meals bought by employees who worked in facilities that did not have canteens or cafeterias on-site, the government ruling 15 months ago allowed beneficiaries to also use the vouchers to buy food from supermarkets in a bid to help out those who were struggling to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis and combat the effects of high inflation.
This relaxation of the rules was set to end on 31st December 2023, but has now been prolonged until the end of 2024, according to France’s Journal Officiel.
The list of food items that can be bought under this conditional system is extensive – a full list can be found here – but it does have limitations. For example, alcoholic beverages, baby food and formula, confectionery, pet food and non-edible items, such as cigarettes, cannot be purchased using titres-restaurant.
For more information about the scheme, click here.
