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Month: July 2024

Seven killed in apartment fire in Nice: Monaco sends support to families

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/07/2024

Prince Albert II has sent his condolences after a violent apartment fire in Nice claimed the lives seven people, including three children, in the early hours of Thursday. Police are investigating arson as a possible cause.

The fire broke out in the Moulins district of Nice at around 2.30am, the flames engulfing the top floor of the residence building on Rue Santoline, west of the city. Among the victims are three children aged five, seven and 10, according to Hugues Moutouh, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Arson is being investigated as a possible cause of the fire, with the local newspaper reporting that three hooded men were seen at the building before the flames took hold. 

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin were lead to the scene on Thursday by Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi. 

At midday, Prince Albert II of Monaco sent a letter of condolence to the city’s long-running mayor. 

“It is with deep sadness and great emotion that I learned about the tragic news of the deadly fire that broke out in a building in Nice last night,” reads the statement by Monaco’s Sovereign. “In this painful circumstance, I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and all those affected by this catastrophe. My thoughts are also with the firefighters and all the emergency responders who bravely battled the flames under difficult conditions. Please accept, Mr. Mayor, the assurance of my solidarity during this difficult time.”

Some residents in the building were trapped in their apartments as smoke filled the stairwell. They were were rescued by emergency services, including over 100 firefighters, who rushed to the scene. 

According to witnesses, two victims jumped from the seventh floor balcony to escape the flames, their neighbours throwing mattresses on the ground to soften their fall, in vain. One died, the other was seriously injured and remains in intensive care. 

The other victims, firefighters reportedly later discovered, was a mother trying to shield her three children from the flames in the bathroom of the burning apartment. All were killed. 

According to Nice Matin, 10 people were living in the apartment that was ravaged by flames, seven of them were killed: two women, one man and four children. 

The community of Nice, along with everyone who has heard of this tragedy, is struggling to comprehend it.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Image constructed by Monaco Life from photos from the public shared on social media

 

Tour de France: Roads and car parks in Monaco to be closed en masse on 21st July

by: Elsa Carpenter
18/07/2024

Ahead of the Tour de France’s much-awaited arrival in the Principality of Monaco this weekend, local authorities have released a breakdown of the roads, car parks and other public services that will be affected by the major sporting event.  

On Sunday 21st July, the cyclists competing in the 2024 Tour de France will be setting off from Port Hercule on their final leg of the race: a 35-kilometre time trial from the Principality to the centre of Nice.  

One-by-one, the riders will leave the start line on the Quai Albert Ier, pass by the Yacht Club de Monaco, head through the Tunnel Louis II and speed along the Avenue Princesse Grace before beginning the long climb up to La Turbie via Beausoleil. From there, the peloton will tackle the Col d’ Èze then begin the descent down to Nice through Villefranche-sur-Mer. 

The first rider will take off at 2.30pm, and the final competitor is due to arrive in the centre of Nice, Place Masséna, by 7.30pm.  

Though the local section of the route isn’t as extensive as other events in the Principality, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, widespread road closures and the temporary closing of a number of public car parks will be required in order to maintain safety and security levels.  

Roads closed to all vehicles 

Between 10am and 8pm on the day of the event, the following roads will be off limits to drivers: 

Boulevard Albert Ier; Quai des États-Unis; Route de la Piscine; Darse Sud; Quai Antoine Ier; Allée des Boulingrins, in the upwards trajectory; Place du Casino; Avenue des Citronniers, until the Métropole car park entrance; Boulevard Princesse Charlotte, between the roundabout exit towards Boulevard des Moulins and No. 29; Allée Emmanuel Gonzales; Avenue Princesse Grace; Rue des Iris; Ruelle Saint-Jean; Avenue J.F. Kennedy; Boulevard Louis II; Avenue de la Madone, from the intersection with Avenue des Spélugues and that of Avenue de Grande-Bretagne; Avenue Saint-Michel, from the intersection with Avenue Princesse Charlotte; Avenue de Monte-Carlo; Boulevard des Moulins, from the roundabout to Avenue de la Costa; the Portier access route to the Tunnel du Larvotto and the Portier roundabout; Rue du Portier; Rue des Princes; Avenue des Spélugues and the Sardanapale access route.  

Certain additional restrictions will be in place on the Boulevard Albert Ier between 6pm on Saturday 20th July and 10am the following day, as well as in the wider Port Hercule area.  

A one-way system will also be in force during these hours on the Allée Ouest des Boulingrins, in a descending direction, from the Place du Casino to the Boulevard des Moulins, on the Rue Princesse Florestine, on Avenue Saint-Michel and on Rue Suffren Reymond. For complete details, click here.  

See more: Top spots to catch the action: Best vantage points in Monaco for the final stage of the Tour de France

Campervans and caravans will be prohibited from entering the Principality between 6.30am and 8pm on the day of the race.

All vehicles will be banned from accessing the Tunnel du Rocher Antoine Ier, the Tunnel du Rocher Albert Ier, Boulevard Louis II and Avenue J.F. Kennedy from the Portier roundabout during these hours.  

For a live view of the road restrictions, click here.

Street parking and car parks also affected 

Between 11pm on Friday 19th and 6am on Tuesday 23rd July, dozens of streets will be off limits to drivers hoping to park up on the side of the road. A full list of the roads affected can be found here.  

The following public car parks will also be closed for the full day on Sunday 21st July: Grimaldi Forum, Larvotto, Louis II, Portier, Pêcheurs, Digue, Quai Antoine Ier and Louis Chiron. 

Electric charging and bike services shut down 

Between Friday 19th and Tuesday 23rd July, the following electric vehicle charging points will be deactivated: Rue Grimaldi, Rue Louis Notari, Rue Florestine, Quai des États-Unis, Avenue de la Quarantaine and Avenue Princesse Grace. 

10 of the Principality’s MonaBike locations will also be shut. For a list of those impacted by the race, click here.  

Buses disrupted too 

Numerous local and regional French bus routes will be affected by the Tour de France. For complete information, click here.  

A special Tour de France shuttle will be operating on the day of the race from 6am until 9.20pm. Click here to find out more.

Pedestrian access maintained

Almost all pedestrian access will be maintained during the event, with the exception of much of the Quai Albert Ier, which will be off limits from 11pm on Friday 19th July until midnight after the race.  

Crew and yacht guests will still be able to access the vessels in Port Hercule, but only by foot and via designated passageways.  

Special crossing points will be set up for those who need to traverse the track.  

Read related:

New Tour de France website launched for Monaco stage  

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department

Èze villagers up in arms over mass street closures during Tour de France

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/07/2024

The final stage of the 2024 Tour de France will see the peloton depart one-by-one from the Principality of Monaco for Nice via Èze-sur-Mer. In order to maintain security and safety levels, the village will be entirely cut off to passing traffic, and locals are not happy about it.  

Excitement over the final stage of the Tour de France has been dampened in the pretty perched village of Èze following the news that the commune will be shut off to all traffic between 9am and 7pm on 21st July.  

See more: New Tour de France website launched for Monaco stage

The decision to prohibit traffic for entering and leaving the village has caused tension among the population of 2,100, who rely heavily on summer tourism for their livelihoods. At the centre of their frustrations are questions on why the closures need to be all-day when the cyclists won’t be passing by until after 2.30pm. 

“There was no discussion on the subject, nor any coordination, even though we could perhaps have found solutions,” Thierry Naidu, CEO of Phoenix Hotel Management, the parent company that runs Èze’s Chèvre d’Or, told France 3 Côte d’Azur.  

According to Naidu, the two Michelin star restaurant has been forced to cancel reservations, leading to an estimated €50,000 loss for the day.  

Stéphane Roux, the director of Gallimard, also shared his disappointment with the French language news outlet, adding, “It’s quite catastrophic for traders. We’re going to have to close. It’s a dead loss.”  

A spokesperson for the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes, the official body behind the decision, has said that the reasons for the closure of Èze are clear: “The time trial circuit, which is being held this Sunday 21st July, must be verified early in the morning because the riders will carry out a final reconnaissance of the course from 11.30am.”  

Additionally, officials will need time to erect the protective barriers along the roadside and conduct technical checks.  

The Tour de France’s final stage, which is not taking place in Paris as usual due to the upcoming Olympic Games, will be a 35-kilometre time trial from Monaco to Nice’s Place Masséna. The first rider will leave the Principality at 2.30pm, with the final cyclist due in Nice by 7.30pm.  

Read related:

Top spots to catch the action: Best vantage points in Monaco for the final stage of the Tour de France

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Bogitw, Pixabay 

Where to watch the Art en Ciel: Monaco’s annual fireworks competition

by: Niki Borisova
18/07/2024

From the top of the Oceanographic Museum with cocktails to the port with a pint, discover the best spots to watch Monaco’s Art en Ciel International Fireworks Competition, an annual tradition in the Principality for over 50 years. Here are Monaco Life’s top recommendations.

The Principality is set to light up the sky again with its renowned fireworks display, part of the annual ‘Art en Ciel: International Fireworks Competition’. This event will occur over several weekends from late July to early August 2024. The competition, organised by the Mairie de Monaco since 1966, showcases the talents of pyrotechnic specialists worldwide.

The first fireworks will kick off on Saturday 27th July at 10pm with a grand pyromelodic fireworks show titled ‘pop-rock’, launched from Port Hercule. This 16-minute display will be visible from Quai Albert Ier, with a secure viewing area set up by the Mairie de Monaco, accessible through six entry points.

In addition to this public viewing area, Monaco Life’s Niki Borisova recommends a few key spots around Monaco that provide excellent views of the fireworks. 

The primary viewing area would be the Port Hercule, offering direct sight lines to the fireworks launched from Quai Rainier III. There are many casual venue options on the port, such as Café Milano, with its terrace; further down, there is Brasserie, Jacks, Crazy Pizza, La Rascasse, Quai des Artistes, and Marius (ex Conscientiae), all offering a clear view directly onto Quai Rainier III.

For terrace options, the Equivoque terrace bar also offers unobstructed views of Quai Rainier III so guests can enjoy the fireworks display with cocktails.

View from the top of Avenue de la Porte Neuve. Photo by Monaco Life

Further up from Equivoque is La Mome restaurant, the perfect spot for fireworks viewing, accompanied by dinner and a lively atmosphere.

For something new this year, the association Les Amis du Musée Oceanographique de Monaco, in partnership with Trinity, is hosting a summer charity event on the roof terrace of the Museum from 7pm to 11pm. The evening promises a unique experience with a panoramic view of Monaco’s fireworks, a cocktail dinner and DJ music, and a raffle – all while helping to support the museum’s innovative projects. Tickets are priced from €80 and children are welcome. For bookings, click here.  

For a fancy option, the American Bar at the Hôtel de Paris is always a classic, as its terrace overlooks the Avenue de Monte-Carlo and the Port Hercule. Also located in the Hôtel de Paris, Em Sherif restaurant can be a prime spot for fireworks and a romantic dinner. Further along the terrace is the Em Sherif lounge, which overlooks the Port Hercule, and guests can enjoy the show with drinks and shisha.  

Another upscale bar would be the new Campari lounge bar at the Hermitage Garden, even more so because fewer trees block the view, and guests can soak up the fireworks view in a garden-like atmosphere. 

View from the Princess Grace Theatre. Photo by Monaco Life

However, there are also viewing points by Theatre Princess Grace and the Thermes Marines, turning off the Avenue d’Ostende, which are perfect for catching the fireworks without spending any money. Any spot on the Avenue d’Ostende would also be a good option but it can get crowded as the sidewalks are narrow.

On the other side of the Principality, Fort Antoine offers the most up-close and elevated view. Head there a bit earlier to secure a spot right by the border and admire the fireworks with a view of Monaco.

Staying on the Le Rocher, any position along the Rue des Remparts would be optimal for an elevated view of the fireworks, and the Avenue de la Porte Neuve, which leads up to Le Rocher and is a popular spot to get wide-view photos of the Principality. After the display, visitors in those spots can head into many of Le Rocher’s historic establishments. 

Throughout the summer, Quai Albert Ier will host various events including drone shows, inflatable castles, DJ nights, and 90s/2000s-themed parties. Detailed information is available at www.mairie.mc.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Main photo of the view from the American Bar terrace of the 2023 Art en Ciel Fireworks, by Monaco Life

 

Drowsiness detectors and speed adapters among mandatory safety features for new EU cars

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/07/2024

Since the start of July, new vehicles purchased in the European Union must possess a number of obligatory safety features, including speed adapters, black boxes and drowsiness detectors. 

Following laws adopted back in 2019, the European Parliament is making good on its promise to enhance road safety on the continent. The new rules, which came into force on 6th July, stipulate a number of changes cars coming off the assembly line this year must follow in order to be in compliance. 

The list of safety components includes practical features such as intelligent speed adaptation system (ISA), an interface to allow the installation of a breathalyser, driver drowsiness and loss of attention warning systems, advanced driver distraction warning systems, emergency stop signals, reversing detection systems and precise tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). 

Additionally, and perhaps most controversially, is the mandatory installation of event data recorders (EDRs), known colloquially as black boxes. These boxes, which contain electronic chips, are designed to assist investigators in determining the circumstances of an accident by collecting data that can withstand crashes, flooding and fire. 

The information recorded includes the vehicle’s speed, acceleration and braking patterns, seat belt usage by occupants, indicator signals and the force of impact during a collision. Importantly, no personal information about the driver or passengers, such as conversations inside the vehicle, is stored. Furthermore, access to EDR data is restricted to investigators, designated authorities and researchers, as ordered by the EU regulations. 

However, some European consumer associations have expressed concerns regarding EDRs, particularly regarding the potential misuse of the data to assign liability and the challenges in maintaining data accuracy over time. 

Studies indicate that 95% of road accidents are attributed to human error. The EU anticipates that these new safety measures will save more than 25,000 lives and prevent around 140,000 serious injuries by the year 2038. 

Read related:

France: Car insurance stickers to become a thing of the past

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Why Kei, Unsplash

Housing crisis: Nice to crack down on short-term holiday rentals

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/07/2024
nice short-term rental

The Municipal Council of Nice has unanimously voted to tighten regulations on short-term furnished accommodations in an effort to alleviate pressure on the local housing market. 

On 15th July, the Council responded to public concerns about the shortage of properties available for long-term rent, as well as the rising house prices, by voting to limit the number of tourist accommodation permits that can be issued to owners of furnished properties. 

Previously, applications for tourist rentals in Nice were almost automatically approved, allowing huge numbers of properties to operate as short-term rentals aimed at tourists. However, this is set to change under the new regulations. 

Instead of a six-year renewal cycle, authorisations will now be issued annually and will no longer be routinely approved. This change aims to free up properties for long-term rentals and other uses. 

A report conducted by the city in April revealed that over 13,600 Airbnb-style rentals are being advertised in Nice, with the majority concentrated in popular neighborhoods such as Old Town and along the Promenade des Anglais. Local authorities argue that this concentration has significantly altered the character of these areas. 

In comments made to the Nice Matin, Deputy Mayor Anthony Borré said that “70% of furnished accommodations [in Nice] are owned by investors”, suggesting that local residents are also being forced off the housing ladder due to the city’s popularity with outside investors.

Read related:

Property sales in decline across France, but prices climb in the Riviera

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Nick Karvounis, Unsplash