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Day: 1 April 2024

France unveils comprehensive strategy to achieve EU’s 2030 digital transformation targets

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/04/2024
digital transformation

The French government’s plans to help France achieve the 2030 digital transformation goals set out by the European Union include an increased emphasis on early digital learning, support for businesses and the rollout of digital systems for 250 essential public services.  

On 25th March, the French government unveiled its roadmap for the future. The new strategy, which builds upon the EU’s own plans to make the 2020s the “digital decade” for Europe, comes after a 2023 report found France to be lagging behind its neighbours in terms of the digital transformation of public services and the espousal of digital technology by the nation’s small and medium-sized businesses. 

The new plans are focused on the four key pillars of digital skills, digital infrastructure, digital conversion of businesses and the digitalisation of public services. 

MEETING THE CHALLENGE 

To meet these missions head on, the government has pledged to up the ante regarding country-wide fibre optics and 4G access as well as to improve the support available for businesses in the digital age. A total of 250 essential public service administrations will also be fully digitalised by 2025 and there are forthcoming changes to education, including an increased focus on maths and the nationwide teaching of digital skills from primary school.

France ranked 12th in the 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index, an indicator that the European Commission uses to monitor the progress made by member states. 

For more information on the measures and steps included in the plans, click here.  

Read related:

French mobile users will need data roaming in Monaco from March

 

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Photo source: Mimi Thian, Unsplash

Pattie Boyd Collection shatters expectations, fetches €3.3 million in record-breaking Christie’s auction

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/04/2024

The Pattie Boyd Collection offered by Christie’s online has realised over seven times the pre-sale high estimate, selling for a total of €3,291,639. The hottest item – original artwork chosen by Eric Clapton for Layla.

The unique collection captivated hearts and imaginations around the globe, providing a remarkable window into the private world of the celebrated model, muse, photographer and icon.

The sale, held from 8th to 22nd March, was led by the original artwork chosen by Eric Clapton for the cover of Derek and The Dominos 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs which sold for €2,307,968 – 33 times the pre-sale high estimate – after a prolonged bidding battle. The artwork was originally acquired by Clapton from the son of artist Frandsen De Schomberg during a 1970 stay at the artist’s home in France, when the guitarist was struck by the resemblance to the similarly blonde-haired Pattie Boyd.

“I am completely blown away by the enthusiasm of international bidders for these special treasures that I have always loved,” said Pattie Boyd. “I am so happy that new hearts will now enjoy them, as they enter into their next ‘chapters’. I am lucky that my life today continues to bring me joy and different adventures – I would encourage people to follow their passions and live their lives with gusto!”

‘Layla’, Pattie Boyd Collection. Photo source: Christie’s.

A handwritten love letter by Eric Clapton, ‘Dearest L’, that was urgently mailed to the Harrison home around the same time that he wrote his famous ode to unrequited love, Layla, fetched €125,093.

Of mice and men, a handwritten love letter from Eric Clapton in 1971, realised €139,810, while photographs of The Beatles in India, 1968 sold for €61,811.

Other lots included a handwritten Christmas card by George Harrison, a handwritten love letter by Eric Clapton in 1970, and a Karl Lagerfeld painted silk wrap skirt.

“The outstanding results of this landmark auction are a real testament to Pattie Boyd, model, photographer, muse and icon,” said Adrian Hume-Sayer, Director, Private and Iconic Collections and Head of Sale, Christie’s London. “Making over seven times the pre-sale high estimate and setting an auction record for original album cover artwork, the sale highlights the unique way that Pattie Boyd, George Harrison and Eric Clapton continue to captivate the world – both individually and collectively. This sale documented a pivotal moment in social, cultural and music history. Pattie Boyd continues to be a true inspiration.”

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Main photo of Pattie Boyd courtesy Christie’s

 

 

Prospective students invited to upcoming open day at the Académie Rainier III

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/04/2024
Académie Rainier III

The prestigious Académie Rainier III will be hosting an open day for prospective students and their parents later this month. Here are all the details.

On Saturday 13th April, between 9am and 12pm at two different sites, children with aspirations of launching a career in the arts will be able to explore the courses on offer at Monaco’s Académie Rainier III with their parents.

It will be a showcase of what the Principality’s main music and theatre school can offer students, as well as being an opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the world of the Academié Rainier III by meeting with the current intake and the establishment’s teachers ahead of the launch of the application process for the 2024/25 school year on Monday 13th May.

Those interested in the academy’s classical music and theatre courses should head to the Music Academy while prospective students of jazz and contemporary music disciplines will be welcomed at the Stade Louis II.

For more information and to book an appointment, contact +377 93 15 28 91 or visit www.academierainier3.mc.

Read related:

Interview: Conductor Kazuki Yamada, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra

 

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Photo credit: Académie Rainier III

 

 

France seeks to boost its green industry with new C3IV tax credit system

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/04/2024
green industry

The French government has launched a new tax credit system, the C3IV, in the hopes of encouraging companies around the country to embrace the energy transition and step up investments in green industry and technology. 

The Green Industry Bill, which was adopted in October 2023 and came into effect on 14th March of this year, aims to “increase finance for the green industry, facilitate and accelerate the setup of new industries, and [promote the] development of brownfield sites” as well as boosting training for jobs in the field. 

The overarching goal is to reindustrialise the nation and establish France a major player in green industry in Europe. 

To help companies make the shift from traditional fuel sources to greener alternatives, and to encourage the financing of innovative projects that respect the environment, the government has announced a new tax credit, the C3IV, for companies who can demonstrate their willingness to embrace the transition. 

See more: Monaco Blue Initiative: “We are no longer powerless in the face of the degradation of our planet,” says Prince Albert

The tax credits will be available to businesses investing in green technology, such as new-generation batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps.  

For complete information on the rate of the tax credits and caps per business type, click here.

 

It is hoped that uptake of the C3IV will generate €23 billion of investment and play a part in creating 40,000 jobs directly connected to the green industry by 2030, while also helping France reduce its CO2 emissions by 35 million tonnes.

According to government sources, 20 approval applications have been submitted to date for a total investment amount of €1.8 billion. 

 

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Photo source: Serge Le Strat, Unsplash

From Stockholm to Monaco: Artcurial Motorcars to auction 55 exquisite classic cars from The W Collection

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/04/2024

55 exceptional cars from one of Europe’s largest private classic car collections, The W Collection, will be making their way from Stockholm to Monaco this May for an incredible auction held by Artcurial Motorcars. 

Ahead of the Historic Monaco Grand Prix weekend from 10th to 12th May, Artcurial Motorcars will be hosting a one-of-a-kind auction of The W Collection, the private collection of classic cars belonging to an anonymous “Swedish aesthete”. 

With a combined price tag of €35 million, although no reserve prices have been set for any of the cars, the highly anticipated auction of these 55 awe-inspiring vehicles is certainly one for the diary, and it is set to take place on 9th May.  

Of the many beauties going under the gavel, a few of the standouts include: a 1958 Ferrari GT California Spyder LWB, with an estimated value of between €7,000,000 and €10,000,000; a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, expected to fetch between €2,400,000 and €2,900,000; and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta, which is likely to sell for between €8,500,000 and €12,000,000.  

The two Ferraris, which are expected to be the undisputed superstars of the sale, were publicly unveiled for the first time ever at the Retromobile show in Paris, which took place between 31st January and 4th February.  

“The W Collection: From Stockholm to Monaco reflects the excellence and precision of the taste of its owner,” says Matthieu Lamoure, the director of Artcurial Motorcars. “From Porsche to Ferrari via Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, each car of The W Collection: From Stockholm to Monaco will be presented with a complete and perfectly documented history accompanied, for the most part, by a collection of photographs of the restorations they have benefited from. We are proud to present this extraordinary collection to the public, one of the largest in Europe and the most exclusive in Sweden, which pays tribute to the discerning eye and boundless passion of a lover of aesthetics and design.” 

For further details on the auction, click here. 

Read related:

RM Sotheby’s to auction former F1 cars during Historic Grand Prix of Monaco

 

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Photo courtesy of Artcurial Motorcars