This June, Club Vivanova’s Midsummer White Party will be championing the work of three Borneo-based conservation trusts and organisations. Tickets to the event are now available.
The Southeast Asian island of Borneo is home to some of the world’s most ancient rainforests, but its flora and fauna are becoming increasingly endangered. Sadly, these fragile eco-systems are being threatened by the encroachment of human activities and risk being destroyed all together.
In 2017, two organisations, Borneo Wildlife Preservation and the Borneo Conservation Trust, joined forces to spearhead a number of important projects to help prevent the degradation of the island’s wildlife. Programmes include reforestation efforts and the provision of safe shelter spaces for injured, displaced and orphaned Borneo pygmy elephants.
In addition to these efforts, the organisations also conduct educational workshops to foster environmental stewardship among local communities and inspire future generations to protect the forests.
On 13th June from 6pm to 8.30pm at Twiga Monte-Carlo, guests at Club Vivanova’s Save the Rainforest-Midsummer White Party will be invited to help further these causes as well as that of Hutan, the Borneo-based French charity that is dedicated to wildlife conservation projects in the region.
The event promises an evening of elegance and entertainment, featuring a spectacular wine bar and a cocktail dînatoire menu. Guests will be treated to a variety of gourmet dishes and a live DJ will be setting the tropical mood. A tombola at 8pm will offer attendees the chance to win a number of luxurious prizes.
Tickets cost €75 per person and can be reserved online here.
The Monaco Grand Prix Circuit is easily one of the most famous race tracks in the world. For 95 years, cars at the peak of their day have raced here on the streets of the Principality yet the allure of this iconic circuit has never faded.
With just over a month to go until this legendary event returns to the Principality, the grandstands are up and the roads have been resurfaced. It’s the perfect time to get out and explore one of racing’s most mythical routes.
Turn 1: Sainte Dévote
Named after the Église de Sainte-Dévote that sits just to the left of the first turn of the circuit, this corner looks very different outside of race days. It is part of a major thoroughfare between Port Hercule and the Monte-Carlo neighbourhood which sits at the crest of the hill.
Turn 2: Beau Rivage
The winding Avenue d’Ostende has three lanes, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way on race day. Only the bravest attempt an overtake on their way up to Casino Square. Due to the sheer width of the new single-seaters, going two abreast is a risk that many decide not to take.
The meandering Avenue d’Ostende up to Casino Square. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
On the coverage of the race, the gradient of one of the most recognisable avenues in the world isn’t fully appreciated, but that steepness isn’t lost on pedestrians, who are faced with a real climb up to the Carré d’Or.
Turns 3 & 4: Massenet and Casino
Outside of race days, the track narrows as it reaches the top of the hill and Massenet, the official name for Turn 3.
The view back to Port Hercule from Massenet. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media CentreThe cars take a side route through Place du Casino, skirting by the Hôtel de Paris. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
The road that runs through Casino Square isn’t actually used for the Formula 1 races. Instead, the cars and their drivers make their way through a small stretch of tarmac that is usually reserved for visitors staying at the Hôtel de Paris.
Turns 5, 6 & 7: Mirabeau Haute, Fairmont Hairpin and Mirabeau Bas
The run down from Casino to Mirabeau Haute. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Heading down from the Casino, there is little space for pedestrians, but plenty of space for cars to overtake.
On a track notorious for its lack of possible overtaking places, Mirabeau Haute offers one of the only clear opportunities to do so.
Mirabeau Haute. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
The Fairmont hairpin, the most iconic corner in motor racing – and the slowest – remains the same year-round, with cars heading up towards the Casino hugging the red and white apex, which unlike at some other corners, is never removed.
The famous Fairmont hairpin. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Turns 8 & 9: Portier and Tunnel
It is all change around this area of the track. Coming out of Mirabeau Bas, the single-seaters used to get a glimpse of the Mediterranean before taking the Portier turn towards the tunnel, but no longer. With the Mareterra land reclamation project nearing completion, this section of the track is entirely different to that of years gone by.
The entrance into the tunnel. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Along with the Fairmont hairpin, the tunnel is arguably one of the most well-known parts of the track. The drivers are plunged into darkness as they pass through before re-emerging back into the light as they stream past the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Out of the tunnel and down towards Nouvelle Chicane. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Turns 10, 11 & 12: Nouvelle Chicane and Tabac
Rather than continuing down Boulevard Louis II and back towards Sainte-Dévote, the drivers turn sharply left into a chicane, putting them within metres of the waters of Port Hercule. There is, however, a small run-off area for those who miss their breaking point as they come out of the tunnel.
As the route transitions into the Quai des Etats-Unis and then to the Tabac corner, the thousands of fans in the grandstands get one of the best views of the racing.
Turns 13, 14, 15 & 16: Louis Chiron, Piscine and Rascasse
Once in the port, the atmosphere becomes something of an amphitheater or a stadium.
The view back towards Tabac. Phot by Monaco LifeThe view of the pitlane from Piscine, looking towards Rascasse. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
As the cars reach the end of the port sector, they reach Rascasse, named after the bar La Rascasse, from which a lucky few can view the race.
The cars enter the port zone to a stadium-like atmosphere. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Turns 17 & 18: Antony Noghès
Rather than continuing up the hill, towards La Condamine and the Place d’Armes, where the fanzone is often located, the cars make a swift right-hand turn onto Boulevard Albert Premier via the Antony Noghès turn, which is named for the founder of this emblematic race.
The final turn onto the start/finish straight. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco LifeThe temporary paddock, which is constructed parallel to Boulevard Albert Ier. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Then the drivers are onto the final straight and speed along the Boulevard Albert Ier to either recommence the circuit or pass under the chequered flag.
The start/finish straight. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Watch our video of the track in the countdown to the Grand Prix below:
From wins on the rugby pitch to success in the pool for AS Monaco Water Polo and a Champions of France title for the Principality’s professional women’s volleyball team, this past weekend was marked by successive victories for Monegasque sports teams.
With the Roca Team’s EuroLeague journey over for another season and an end to AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 pursuits, all eyes are now on the Principality’s other mainstream sports teams.
Starting with rugby, AS Monaco Rugby secured a strong victory against Saint Priest Rugby in the Stade Prince Héréditaire Jacques in Beausoleil on Sunday 19th May. The team delivered an impressive performance for the home crowd with a 38-18 win that propels them into the quarterfinals of the Fédérale 2 league.
Also on Sunday, the women’s team at AS Monaco Volley competed against Illac in the Stade Moneghetti in a series of games that ended with straight-set victory – the second resounding home turf win of the day.
The team has been unbeatable all season and has been subsequently crowned the Champions of France in the Nationale 2 league.
Meanwhile, the AS Monaco Water Polo team beat Choisy-le-Roi in the first leg of the Nationale 2 final on Sunday. The game, which was held in the pool at the Stade Louis II, ended with a 19-8 victory for the home side. The win positions them favourably for the return leg of the final, which will be held in Choisy-le-Roi this coming Saturday.
France’s National Institute of Geographical and Forestry Information (IGN) has just launched a fascinating new map app, Cartes IGN, that allows the public to explore the nation’s countryside and cities while learning about the impacts of climate change and human activity on the territory. Here’s how it works.
The new Cartes IGN app combines real-time information with historical data to present the France of both today and yesteryear. It also highlights the changes brought about by climate change and human activities alongside numerous handy features.
Users can obtain turn-by-turn directions for both pedestrians and motorists by entering their starting point and destination, and choosing the route that suits them most.
It is also possible to compare maps and aerial views from different periods, dating back to the 1950s, to gain a better understanding of landscape transformations through urban expansion, agricultural development, deindustrialisation and environmental shifts.
The app provides detailed information about specific buildings, including their height and year of construction as well as points of interest. Users can even use the app to identify crop types in a field, tree species in a forest or whether a beach is sandy or pebbly.
Additionally, users can contribute to the accuracy of the application by reporting anomalies. If there are discrepancies between on-site observations and the cartographic representation, such as changes in the road network, new street names, construction or demolitions, users can inform the IGN directly via the app. This collaborative approach ensures that Cartes IGN remains up-to-date and reliable.
The Cartes IGN app is downloadable now from the app stores on Android and iOS mobile devices.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix Live Fan Zone, from when to see your favourite Formula 1 drivers on stage, including the Principality’s own Charles Leclerc, to the huge array of free activities laid on by the Red Bull team.
Every day from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th May, the MGP Live Fan Zone in Monaco’s Place d’Armes will be open for the public to enjoy for free from 9am until 9pm.
A whole host of F1-related activities will be set up in the square, such as Red Bull E-Sport simulators, a Red Bull Pit Stop Challenge and Batak reaction tests, and the Red Bull E-Sport stand will be handing out tonnes of exciting prizes to lucky visitors.
On Friday evening, a live DJ is lined up to entertain the crowds ahead of two big concert events on Saturday and Sunday following the last racing sessions.
Q&A with Max Verstappen
One of the big highlights of the programme is an appearance by the indomitable Max Verstappen of Red Bull on the Thursday. The three-time World Champion and two-time winner of the Monaco Grand Prix will be participating in simulator sessions and a Pit Stop Challenge ahead of a special Q&A with fans.
The following day, the drivers of teams including Visa Cash App RB, Alpine, McLaren, Williams, Aston Martin and KICK Sauber will be taking to the stage.
On Saturday, the Fan Zone will host Red Bull’s Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as well as the Haas drivers.
Given the local context for the Leclerc family, F2’s Arthur Leclerc, the younger brother of F1’s Charles Leclerc, is also rumoured to be making an appearance just before 12pm on the Saturday.
Meanwhile, interviews with former F1 drivers Mika Häkkinen, who won the Monaco Grand Prix in 1998, and Damon Hill have been confirmed for Saturday afternoon.
What makes the MGP Live Fan Zone particularly special is that it gives families and fans who have been unable to get a grandstand ticket a chance to enjoy the racing and soak up the unique atmosphere of this iconic race for free. The practice sessions, qualifying sessions and the main races will all be shown live on a giant screen free of charge.
This year’s Women of Monaco Lunch will host a roster of high-profile women for a series of informative and engaging talks on topics as diverse as finance, fashion, art and family rights.
Launched nine years ago by Sandrine Knoell, the CEO of 5 Stars Events and the founder of the Women of Monaco Club, these luncheon events aim to “bring together extraordinary women from different backgrounds who share the same ideas”.
An open and inclusive entity, the Women of Monaco Lunch concept is essentially to unite like-minded women, regardless of ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political differences, in a place where they can form enduring connections.
“I think it is important for the women of Monaco not to feel alone and to feel part of a community where we learn, share and grow,” said Knoell back in February during the one-year anniversary celebrations for the official Women of Monaco Club. “Many have been here for only a few years and often don’t speak French, so this is a way for them to connect with other women, make friends, enjoy social events together and get support if they have problems.”
The next Women of Monaco Lunch will be taking place from 12pm on Tuesday 11th June in the gardens of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo.
A core element of the Women of Monaco Lunch is philanthropy and charitable giving. As such, Knoell has chosen Monaco Aid and Presence (MAP) as the beneficiary of her upcoming event.
The goal of MAP, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, is to support the most vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, through sustainable projects in education and health.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Among the high-level speakers set to appear at the event is Valérie Genin Mignone, Head of Investments at Barclays Private Bank in Monaco. She will be discussing an array of financial issues, helping to shed light on an often daunting topic.
Géraldine Gazo, a partner specialising in International Private Law and Trust and Estates Law at CMS Monaco, will also be making a speech. She will present ‘Transmission in International Families: Tactical Issues’.
Monaco-based artist Olga Volga will be exhibiting her works, which blend a spiritual style of art and energy colours to incredible emotional effect, and guests at the event will also be treated to a fashion show by Italian swim and resort wear designer Isabel Fargnoli.
Monaco Life is a proud media partner of this event, which is being held with the support of Barclays Private Bank, the Riccardo Giraudi Hospitality Concepts group and the Women of Monaco Club.
For more information on the event, to book a space or to apply for club membership, click here.
