New features at Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2024

22/02/2024

Discover what’s new at the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, including ‘click & collect’ dining and a new broadcasting partnership.

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament is set to return from 6^th to 14^th April at the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

The 2023 tournament saw impressive figures, with over 140,000 attendees, 38.4 million television viewers, and 167.1 million social media views. This year aims to build on that success with several new features designed to enhance the spectator experience. These include the introduction of a ‘click & collect’ service for fast food, modifications to the seaside stands of the Court Rainier III to accommodate additional boxes, a new covered dining area, and a fresh broadcasting partnership with France Télévisions. This partnership will see one match per day aired on the france.tv platform and the final broadcast on France 4, complementing the comprehensive coverage provided by Eurosport France.

Additionally, the tournament will continue its support for the GEMLUC association (Group of Monégasque Enterprises in the Fight Against Cancer), which funds research and cutting-edge technology.

The final list of participating players is slated to be revealed in Paris on 12^th March during a press conference, with ticket sales already approaching 130,000.

Organised by the Monégasque Company for the Operation of the Tennis Tournament (S.M.E.T.T.), the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters marks the first Masters 1000 event of the clay court season, setting the stage for the summer tennis season on the French Riviera.

The draw will take place on 5^th April at 6pm;

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Photo by Monaco Life

Trenitalia announces plans for two new train lines through the south of France

by: Stephanie Horsman

22/02/2024

Two new train links between Italy and the south of France are in the works: one from Milan to Nice via Monaco and a second through the mountains of the Mercantour to the city of Turin. Here are the details we know so far.

The Covid pandemic brought an unfortunate end of the popular Thello train route from the south of France to Milan, but it has now been revealed that Trenitalia is keen to revive the service with the support of France’s SNCF network.

By summer, the Milan to Marseille journey could be a daily occurrence. Although the specific stops along the route are yet to be confirmed, it is very likely that both Nice and Monaco will feature as well as Ventimiglia.

A scenic link to Turin from Nice via Breil-sur-Roya is also in the works and could be operational by summer 2025. The concept is a service similar to the famous Ferroviaire del Bernina express line from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Northern Italy, which offers passengers spell-binding views of the Alps thanks to panoramic carriages.

CROSS-BORDER ALLIANCE

The reopening of the Milan connection and the launch new mountain route is something Italy, Monaco and France are keen on. Cross-border tourism benefits all three, and a meeting was held in the Ligurian town of Imperia earlier this month to launch an alliance.

“Alone, we cannot necessarily release significant resources [to run these lines],” long-time Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi told the press. “Joining our forces will allow us to better finance projects, with very precise timetables.”

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Photo source of the Bernina Express: Andreas Stutz

Banksy and Invader among the big names at Artcurial’s upcoming urban art auction

by: Stephanie Horsman

22/02/2024

A week before the Urban Art Fair in Paris this April, Artcurial will host a vibrant urban art sale of its own in the City of Light. Here’s what to expect from the event.

Urban art – street art to some – is defined as “artwork that is created in a public space, typically without official permission”.

Growing out of the politically motivated 1960s graffiti movement, this rebellious visual art form has evolved with the times to become a genre all of its own – one that is highly prized among collectors and connoisseurs the world over.

In late April, the Carreau du Temple in Paris will be hosting a major street art event, the 8th Urban Art Fair, but fans of the genre will also get an opportunity to snap up some very special pieces a week before at the upcoming Urban Project sale that is being organised by Artcurial Paris.

Set to take place on 17th April and with acclaimed auctioneer Arnuad Oliveux at the helm, the Artcurial auction will feature works by some of the most celebrated street artists of our time, such as Banksy, Futura 2000, JonOne, Shepard Fairey, Vhils and André.

FRENCH INVADER

The French urban art scene will be well-represented at the sale, notably through works by Invader, who has been filling city walls and open spaces with colour since 1996. Up for grabs at the auction will be Rubik Killers, a collection of 441 Rubik’s Cubes on plexiglass, which is expected to fetch between €150,000 and €200,000.

*Invader’s Rubik Killers, 2009. Photo credit: Artcurial*

Also on the block will be a mosaic by French street art legend Alias PA_810, which is estimated to sell for €60,000 to €80,000.

OLD SCHOOL

Old school graffiti will also feature in the sales, primarily from American artists. One such acrylic and spray paint work by Futura 2000 from 1987 is thought be worth between €50,000 to €70,000.

There will also be a large canvas by JonOne from 1991 that was made during the Hôpital Éphémère period. Estimates for this piece range from €70,000 to €90,000.

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

Works from artists like Shepard Fairey, Vhils, KAWS, Barry McGee, ROA, EVOL and Todd James will be going under the gavel too, but the biggest sales are expected from Banksy.

His 2017 Grappling Hook, a wood, shellac, acrylic, aluminum, polyurethane, synthetic hemp rope and steel work could fetch in the vicinity of €100,000 to €150,000.

*Banksy’s Grappling Hook, 2017. Photo credit: Artcurial*

For more information about the event, click here.

Images courtesy of Artcurial Paris

New Restaurant: Lunch in the sun at Mr. Nakamoto in Cannes

by: Elsa Carpenter

22/02/2024

The sun was shining brightly in Cannes as Monaco Life headed down to the Mondian Cannes, a five-star hotel that opened on the Croisette last spring, to sample the fresh fusion delights of Mr. Nakamoto.

The walk-up to the doors of this premium lifestyle establishment, along a wooden boardwalk and via a verdant garden that stretches back from the bustling Croisette, passes through the outdoor section of the Mondrian’s in-house restaurant, Mr. Nakamoto – our destination on an exceptionally warm day in late February.

*The Mondrian Cannes is the only hotel on the Croisette to offer direct access to the seafront and the main shopping zone of the Rue d’Antibes. Photo credit: Cubeddu*

Mr. Nakamoto, which is headed up by Chef Jean-Baptiste Guillaume, offers an invigorating blend of Mediterranean and Asian flavours.

The Carte du Midi features a mix of salads, a Poke bowl, a smoked salmon platter with Kalamansi jelly and sakura shoots, and a burger with Kimchi-mayo as well as the highly recommended and beautifully presented sushi range. The Omakase – “I leave it up to you,” in Japanese – plates would be a great choice for a sharing lunch, with a 16-piece platter costing €37 and a larger 32-piece selection priced at €69.

The lunch options are undoubtedly lighter than the evening menu, where the sushi suggestions – we tried the signature rolls with mango, tuna and asparagus, and the French sourced sea bass nigiri – sit comfortably alongside more classically French steak dishes, five-spiced coquelet, Tonkatsu pork with sour cabbage and a favourite among patrons: the lacquered black cod.

*Sushi in an array of forms is well-represented on the lunch and dinner menus of Mr. Nakamoto. Photo credit: Cedou*

The fusion marriage of flavours and ingredients is continued into the dessert and even cocktail menus of the chef, who tells Monaco Life that the vision he has for Mr. Nakamoto takes inspiration from his many voyages and experiences across the Asian continent.

We chose a Matcha Fizz and a Kirin Ichiban to go with our meal, but could easily have been swayed by the Cho Milk Punch featuring Mezcal, yuzu, kiwi and butterfly pea flower or the Plum Manhattan with Nikki From The Barrel, Umeshu, Sakura vermouth and cherry.

Between sea and shopping

The Mondrian Cannes, which became the group’s first hotel to open on French soil back in March 2023, is found on the site of the former Grand Hôtel de Cannes, which had been the long-standing luxury hotel in the city.

*The garden is a true haven in a busy, bustling city such as Cannes. Photo credit: Cedou*

It counts 75 guestrooms on its plans, each at least 35 square metres in size, and is the only hotel on the Croisette to offer direct access to both the seafront and the main shopping area of Cannes on the Rue d’Antibes.

Chef Guillaume heads up Mr. Nakamoto while Chef Jérôme Faget is in charge of the hotel’s private beach, Hyde Beach, which is located on the sandy side of the iconic Riviera boulevard. Chef Pierrick Cizeron, who has previously enjoyed a senior position at the Majestic and Gray d’Albion in Cannes, recently joined the team as the Executive Chef of the entire establishment.

Mr. Nakamoto is open seven days a week from 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch and from 6pm until 10.30pm for the dinner service. Click here for reservations or more information about the restaurant and the hotel.

See more of our experience in the Instagram reel below…

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Photos courtesy of Emma Lab

Winter Carnival: a day of fun, costumes and community spirit in Monaco’s markets

by: Niki Borisova

22/02/2024

On Wednesday 21st February, the markets of Monaco were filled with colour and celebration as families turned out to enjoy the Principality’s Winter Carnival.

Both the Marché de la Condamine and the Marché de Monte-Carlo on Avenue Saint-Charles were alive with laughter and music as parents and their children gathered to watch the dazzling spectacle.

Troupes of stilt walkers, jugglers, contortionists and acrobats put on an excellent show while bubbles filled the air and balloon makers and face painters set up stands in the marketplaces, bringing much delight to the smiling girls and boys who had come along to join in with the fun.

A princess here, a Spiderman there, dragons, Pokémon and unicorns… The children were stars of the show, and many arrived in their favourite fancy dress outfits.

Organised by the Monaco Mairie and spearheaded by local councillor Axelle Amalberti Verdino, who is in charge of Entertainment and Leisure, the carnival is a favourite among families in Monaco and is a wonderful demonstration of the Principality’s dedication to fostering community ties.

To see more from the event, check out our Instagram reel:

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Main photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

Opéra de Monte-Carlo invites Lang Lang for an evening of magic with Cecilia Bartoli

by: Stephanie Horsman

22/02/2024

As a prelude to the Bal de Rose Gala in March, the renowned mezzo-soprano and the director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Cecilia Bartoli, is to perform at a special sold-out show alongside the internationally acclaimed piano virtuoso Lang Lang.

Since they first met back in 2008 at a concert series celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Maria Malibran, Italian opera star Cecilia Bartoli and Chinese pianist Lang Lang have found themselves in a mutually appreciative relationship based on their unequalled high energies, an adoration of nuances and the fact that they both see ‘colours’ in the music they love.

The admiration that the singer and the pianist share for each other has led to the pair performing together on multiple occasions, the latest of which will occur on 23rd March at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.

The duo will be performing the opening act for the annual Bal des Roses Gala, the glamourous charity event founded by Princess Grace in 1954, and enterain a full-house with pieces by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and more.

“I am so grateful that we can do this concert together in Monte-Carlo,” says Lang Lang. “I hope that our concert will give people some new inspiration. I would like to imagine that it awakens your other sense of knowing sound- and that it gives you something you never felt before.”

To find out more about this spectacular event, click here.

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The light and the dark of Italian opera on stage in Monaco this month

Photo credit: Marco Borrelli

Day: 22 February 2024

New features at Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2024