Over three days in mid-September, the Tremé Jazz Festival will be replacing the usual acoustics of the pretty seaside town of Villefranche-sur-Mer with the vibrance and spirit of the iconic New Orleans neighbourhood. Here’s what to expect from the programme.
Villefranche-sur-Mer is set to host a weekend dedicated to the distinctive sounds of Tremé jazz, a genre deeply rooted in New Orleans’ cultural heritage, between Friday 13th and Sunday 15th September.
There will be plenty of free daytime activities to enjoy alongside ticketed concerts by night, where entry prices will range from €15 to €30.
The first day of the festival will feature a market showcasing an array of items linked to Tremé style, as well as an opening parade that will kick off the festivities. In the evening, the La Citadelle auditorium, located on Place Emmanuel Philibert, will host a concert led by prominent musicians from the Tremé neighbourhood in New Orleans between 9pm and 11.30pm.
Saturday’s activities include another sale of Tremé-related objects and a concert by Big Chief, a renowned Tremé community figure, who will perform alongside the French Hot Brass Band. The concert will take place at the Théâtre de Verdure de La Citadelle, also from 9pm to 11.30pm.
The festival will conclude on Sunday 15th September with a gospel mass at the Saint-Michel Church at 10am.
For more information about the festival, click here.
Ilma, the Ritz-Carlton’s newest “superyacht”, embarked on its inaugural voyage from Monaco this Monday, but before setting sail, Monaco Life Editor in Chief Cassandra Tanti was invited aboard to witness first-hand how this esteemed hotel brand is charting a new course in the high-end cruise sector.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest vessel, Ilma, which arrived in Port Hercule early last week, drew significant interest with its impressive 790-foot length and sleek, modern design.
On Tuesday 29th August, President and Chief Financial Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Collection Ernesto Fara welcomed on board a small number of prestigious guests, including Monaco Life, for ‘An Evening in Monaco’, a showcase event for the Ritz-Carlton’s stunning second cruise ship, which it affectionately calls a superyacht, that was delivered by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire on 12th July.
Ilma set sail on its first grand voyage from the opulent shores of Monaco on 2nd September, a fitting departure for a brand celebrated for its heritage, service and exclusivity.
A variety of luxurious suites, some the size of a Monaco apartment, are available on Ilma. Photo by Monaco Life
Celebrating luxury at sea
Ilma is designed to offer a luxurious, intimate experience at sea while accommodating 456 guests and almost as many staff. In fact, Ritz-Carlton takes pride in boasting the highest ratio of space and crew members per passenger in the luxury cruising industry.
The designers from Chapi Chapo and AD Associates have successfully prioritised space and comfort, creating the intimate atmosphere of a private yacht while offering the amenities of a larger vessel.
Adorned with all the refined touches expected from Ritz-Carlton, Ilma invites guests to admire a curated collection of artworks throughout the yacht – including Warhol’s ‘Turtle’ – alongside pieces created exclusively for Ilma, which fittingly means ‘water’ in Maltese.
Ilma’s onboard infinity pool. Photo by Monaco Life
There’s a full-service spa, hairdresser, two swimming pools, fitness centre and marina-style platform that can transport guests directly to the water for water sports. Entertainment options include a theatre for live performances, as well as smaller venues for concerts and lectures.
Shoppers, meanwhile, will love the dedicated Bulgari boutique.
The Bulgari boutique. Photo by Monaco Life
Exceptional dining experiences
Dining options span five distinct restaurants, each offering its own unique atmosphere and culinary experience, ranging from fine dining to casual, al fresco settings.
I had the pleasure of dining at Seta, the fine dining gem helmed by Chef Fabio Trabocchi. His culinary genius is truly something special, and it’s exciting to see how he’s brought his unique style to the luxury cruise scene.
Seta fine dining restaurant by Executive Chef Fabio Trabocchi. Photo by Monaco Life
Chef Trabocchi’s dishes are a beautiful blend of traditional Italian roots with a modern twist, infused with global influences and made with only the best ingredients.
The result? A menu that feels both innovative and comforting, a combination that has earned him multiple Michelin stars and a lot of well-deserved praise.
Michelin-standard dining at Ilma’s Seta restaurant. Photo by Monaco Life
Chef Trabocchi is perhaps best known for his D.C. restaurant, Fiola, which has become the gold standard for Italian fine dining in the U.S. This reputation will definitely resonate with the predominantly North American guests, who make up over 80% of Ilma‘s passengers.
Paired with exquisite Italian wines and flawless service, Seta is sure to leave a lasting impression on even the most discerning fine dining enthusiasts.
The luxurious suites
Ilma offers a variety of suites, with neutral colour palettes that are contrasted by rich marble stone-tops and warm oak wood finishes.
Each suite is decked out with luxurious finishings and features a private terrace. Photo by Monaco Life
While the Terrace Suites are among the most popular options, featuring spacious layouts and private terraces that offer stunning views of the surrounding waters, the Signature Suites boast additional space, including separate living and sleeping areas, while the Grand Suites feature large private terraces, generous living and dining areas, and additional amenities such as a personal butler service.
The most exclusive offering aboard Ilma is the Owner’s Suite, which spans two levels and includes a private whirlpool, floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, delivering the ultimate in privacy and indulgence.
Another of Ilma’s five onboard restaurants. Photo by Monaco Life
Itinerary and schedule
The inaugural voyage will see Ilma sailing from Monaco towards destinations including Saint-Tropez, Portofino and Amalfi, before concluding the journey in Athens. Then, Ilma is scheduled to continue offering cruises throughout the Mediterranean, with itineraries that include the Greek Islands, the Adriatic and the Iberian Peninsula.
Industry impact
Ilma’s introduction is seen as part of a broader strategy by the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to expand its presence in the luxury cruise sector.
Industry analysts will be watching closely to see how the vessel performs in a competitive market where demand for high-end, personalised travel experiences is on the rise.
Come on board Ilma with Monaco Life in our video below…
The winners of France’s 2024 Heritage Lottery have been revealed, with four sites in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region receiving recognition, including the Fort Royal de l’Île Sainte-Marguerite off the coast of Cannes.
The Heritage Lottery, known as the Loto du Patrimoine in French, is an initiative created as part of the Mission Stéphane Bern by La Française des Jeux, a game-based project that raises funds to help ensure the maintenance of monuments considered to be in danger, whether they are historical or not.
Since its inception in 2018, it has given new life to 950 monuments. This year, another 100 have been selected, including four in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The exact amounts each location will receive will be revealed during the European Heritage Days event later this month, but in 2023, these funds totalled an impressive €27 million.
LOCAL SITES
Among the PACA sites is the Fort Royal de l’Île Sainte-Marguerite. The 17th-century fort on an island off the coast of Cannes, which is the sole recipient on the Côte d’Azur this year, spans 210 hectares and houses around 20 people in its 14 buildings, but is in dire need of a refresh. As such, the lottery has reputedly earmarked over €1 million towards the cause.
The fort and the Île Sainte-Marguerite have been the subject of many legends and tales over the years, the most famous of which is that it was here that the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned.
The restoration of historic landmarks such as this can prove tricky, as strict rules apply, including respecting the materials and techniques used at the time they were built. The estimate to repair the carriage entry alone is hovering at around €150,000.
“The Heritage Mission selection committee made a very good decision,” says Jean-Louis Marquès, Departmental Delegate of the Fondation du Patrimoine for the Alpes-Maritimes. “The restoration of the Fort Royal on the Île Sainte-Marguerite is a remarkable project and is the start of a major programme to enhance the entire island. This is a great recognition for Cannes City Hall and its mayor, David Lisnard, for their commitment to heritage.”
Another location receiving lottery support is the Old Presbytery in Saint-Véran. Sitting at over 2,000 metres above sea level, this site is situated in the highest inhabited town in Europe. The 17th-century church is hoping to receive help with roof repairs as well as a thorough general clean-up. The refurbishments are set to start in autumn 2025.
Listed as a historical monument since 1928, the Pont de la Reine Jeanne in Saint-Benoît is also set to enjoy a facelift. The 30-metre bridge, in the form of a segmental arch that crosses the Coulomp River, is popular with hikers, but is considered somewhat dangerous and in need of renovations, which it can now afford to undertake.
Finally, La Bastide des Bessons in Marseille has also made the cut and will receive funding to help promote the creation of an intercultural resource centre, offering local and international groups, volunteers and young workers a place to learn. The bastide is known as an architectural gem and was originally intended to be converted into housing. However, its usage was changed after the 2018 purchase of the site by the Une Terre Culturelle association, whose purpose is to help disadvantaged individuals integrate professionally into society.
This coming weekend, the Cap d’Ail Service des Sports will be offering locals of all ages the chance to try out new activities and sports at the town’s annual Fête du Sport.
Cap d’Ail is set to host its 12th annual Fête du Sport this coming Saturday between the hours of 4pm and 7pm at the Parking Brise Marine site.
The event, which is entirely free to attend and is open to all, will feature a range of different workshops and activities for people of all ages alongside games and challenges.
Already confirmed to be attending are representatives from the Martial Arts Academy, Cap d’Ail Macadam, Cap d’Ail VTT, Cercle Nautique and the Cap d’Ail Tennis Club. The representatives will be on hand to assist visitors in exploring the sporting disciplines, whether it is simply learning a few moves or signing up as a new club member.
For more information, the team organising the event can be contacted at 04 93 78 96 40. You can also click visit capdail.fr.
A suspected case of dengue fever in the region has spurred the Monaco Government into action. Over the next few days, the authorities will be carrying out an extensive anti-mosquito spraying operation in the Monaco Ville area.
Following reports of a possible case of dengue fever in a resident of a “neighbouring department and with professional ties to Monaco”, the Principality’s Health Action Department has announced the activation of the Interdepartmental Mosquito Control Agreement (EID).
This decision permits the authorities to launch an extensive anti-mosquito spraying operation in an effort to reduce the risk of the mosquito-borne disease affecting among the population.
The treatment will consist of two nights of spraying in Monaco Ville. The first application took place in the early hours of 3rd September, between 2am and 4am, and the second is scheduled for the same time on 6th September.
During the spraying of the substance, residents are asked to keep their windows closed and avoid walking around on the Rock for at least one hour after the spraying. Nevertheless, the government has sought to reassure residents that the product being used is not “toxic to humans”, but that it can cause irritation or discomfort to those sensitive to it.
It is also recommended that residents avoid approaching the vehicle responsible for delivering and spraying the product. Locals should bring inside all toys, clothing and pets during the duration of the treatment. Furthermore, those with vegetable gardens are asked to wait at least three days following the application of the spray before consuming any home-grown produce, which should then be washed thoroughly before consumption.
For more information on the treatment and on mosquito control in general in the region, click here.
On his first day in the job, Monaco’s new Minister of State, Didier Guillaume, made his presence known in the Principality by embarking on a series of meet-and-greet visits with the nation’s major institutions and administrative departments, beginning with tours of the Police Department and Fire Brigade facilities.
The Principality welcomed Didier Guillaume in as Minister of State with a ceremony at the Palais Princier on 2nd September.
He has stepped into the role with both feet, setting off on a tour of key sites within hours of being confirmed by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Guillaume’s first meeting was with leading figures from Monaco’s Police Department. He is understood to have visited the premises extensively, spoken with department heads, stopped by at the Police Academy and greeted those in the guard room.
Next, the Minister of State headed over to the Condamine Rescue Centre, where he met members of the Fire Brigade. He took the opportunity to tour the operational centre as well as to inspect the various rescue and intervention vehicles on site.
Finally, he went to the Fire Brigade’s locale in Fontvieille, home to the service’s extended operations, such as the diving unit, water rescue team, drone pilots, hazardous environments specialists, technological and biological risk authorities, and those involved in long-term reconnaissance.
