Support a worthy cause at the Caudwell Children’s Butterfly Ball

30/09/2024

Friends and supporters of Caudwell Children, a UK-based charity that for disabled and autistic children, are being invited to don their gossamer wings for an unforgettable night at this year’s Butterfly Ball, which will be hosted by the Hôtel de Paris on 9th October.

Caudwell Children, a UK-based charitable association that provides mobility, sensory and therapy equipment to disabled and autistic children and their families, will be holding its ninth annual Butterfly Ball at Monaco’s prestigious Hôtel de Paris on 9th October.

The event promises its guests “an evening of glamour, fine dining and spellbinding entertainment, while knowing the choices you make have the power to change lives”.

Funds for the charity will be raised through a live auction, where exceptional art and one-of-a-kind experiences will be up for grabs.

ABOUT CAUDWELL

Since 2000, Caudwell Children has grown from a local charity to an international association that has helped more than 78,000 children worldwide. The 90-member team is assisted by a vast network of volunteers and donors, who support the children and families struggling with daily life due to a variety of mental or physical disabilities.

Prices for a table of 10 start at €6,500. Click here for tickets and reservations.

For more information on the wonderful work being done by Caudwell Children, click here.

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Photo courtesy of Caudwell Children

Four in 10 new car registrations in Monaco are for electric or hybrid vehicles

by: Elsa Carpenter

30/09/2024

Efforts to promote the purchase and use of electric and hybrid vehicles over those powered by fossil fuels are paying off in Monaco, with four in 10 new car registrations now linked to ecological models.

According to the latest data on travel and transport in the Principality, published by Monaco Statistics (IMSEE) earlier this month, just over 40% of all new car registrations in the first half of 2024 were for ecological vehicles. This category is defined by Monaco’s Environment Code as an electric or hybrid vehicle that emits 98g or less of CO2 per kilometre.

22.2% of new registrations in Q2 of 2024 were for fully electric vehicles, with a further 19.1% for hybrid models, building on an upwards trend observed since the start of the year. Combined, these figures equate to a 4% year-on-year rise in ecological purchases. Registrations for new petrol-powered vehicles, meanwhile, fell by just over 9% during the same period.

The Principality has a well-developed infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles, with more than 300 Monaco ON charging stations adapted to a range of vehicles in car parks and at roadsides throughout the country. According to the Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development department, every resident is within 200 metres of a free charging point.

See more: Monaco unveils new ‘park and ride’ facility, Parking Salines

Furthermore, the Monaco Government runs a generous subsidy programme for individuals and businesses that can help with the purchase and day-to-day running of ecological vehicles. Up to 30% of the purchase price can be covered by the grants depending on the model and emissions of the vehicle. For more information on the subsidies available, click here.

Read related:

Where to wash your car in Monaco once the skies have cleared

Photo by Monaco Life

Greek Week begins at Le Deck

by: Elsa Carpenter

30/09/2024

Monte-Carlo Beach’s Le Deck is embracing the sun-kissed ingredients of Greece all week long with a special lunchtime menu featuring classic Hellenic dishes. Here are all the details.

Every day between 30th September and 6th October, Le Deck restaurant at Monte-Carlo Beach will be welcoming guests onto its sun-filled terrace for an authentic culinary experience inspired by the flavours and delights of Greece.

There will be mezze sharing plates and classically Hellenic dishes aplenty, all served with the generous philoxenia – the love of welcoming guests – that the nation is known for.

To reserve a table, contact +377 98 06 51 00 or click here.

Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM

Football: Late drama as Monaco celebrate the centenary in style

by: Luke Entwistle

29/09/2024

AS Monaco captain Denis Zakaria runs away in celebration as Lamine Camara nets the winner against Montpellier in the centenary match.

Lamine Camara netted a dramatic late winner against Montpellier (2-1) to ensure that AS Monaco celebrated their centenary in style at the Stade Louis II on Saturday.

“We are working hard not to distract ourselves from the sporting project,” Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro told Monaco Life ahead of the centenary celebrations.

From club legends, including the likes of Arsène Wenger, Claude Puel, Gérard Banide, Ludovic Giuly, and Leonardo Jardim doing a pre-match lap of honour at the Stade Louis II, to the match ball being delivered by parachutists, there were plenty of distractions. But Adi Hütter’s side did not seem perturbed by the spectacle and quickly went to work on breaking down the Montpellier defence.

Folarin Balogun, buoyed by his goal last week, had the tools to unlock MHSC, finding Breel Embolo, who blazed over from a glorious position. The Swiss international had another great chance minutes later but this time it was Dimitry Bertaud standing in his way.

Montpellier rain on Monaco’s parade

Embolo’s current lack of confidence showed and it was punished shortly after by Montpellier, who sprung the trap with a rapid transition, finished by Rabby Nzingoula. Montpellier had come to spoil the party, and that was exactly what they were doing.

It could have got even worse just seconds later with Mohammed Salisu forced into a goal-line clearance from Fayad Khalil. However, Les Monégasques would draw level before the break and it would be Balogun who would get it. After getting the monkey off his back last week, netting his first goal at the Stade Louis II in a year, he then got his second in the space of six days, latching onto Embolo’s through ball.

With the game seemingly drifting towards a draw, and in-front of the likes of Wenger and Jardim, managers tha have made history with AS Monaco, Hütter showed why he has the best win pecentage of any of the club’s managers in the 21st century.

“What I don’t like is to do nothing. The important thing was asking what can I change, how can I influence the game,” said Hütter post-match.

History-maker Hütter makes the difference

The Austrian admitted that he took a “risk” in going so attacking, ending the game with three strikers, a No.10 and two attack-minded full-backs. However, like so many of Hütter’s tactcial choices, it paid off… eventually.

Monaco knocked on the door throughout the half but they struggled to beat the impassible Bertaud in the Montpellier goal. However, having huffed and puffed, they knocked the door down with the final kick of the game through substitute Lamine Camara.

*Prince Albert II and Dmitry Rybolovlev at the Stade Louis II, celebrating AS Monaco’s centenary. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life.*

A mighty roar, worthy of the grand occasion erupted inside the Stade Louis II. Having secured the three points that takes them back joint-top of Ligue 1, the celebrations, in the presence of Prince Albert II and Dmitry Rybolovlev, continued long into the evening with a fireworks show, commemorating 100 years of the club’s existence.

“To celebrate this century game with a victory, we gave a gift,” said Hütter. That gift, handed to AS Moanco fans across the world, as well as the 13,ooo plus inside the Stade Louis II, will be remembered for a long time. In front of some of the personalities that have shaped the Principality club, the current crop wrote another memorable chapter on Saturday night.

Photo source: AS Monaco

Private jets and super yachts: VistaJet roundtable looks at tech, sustainability and trends

by: Niki Borisova

28/09/2024

On the third day of the Monaco Yacht Show, VistaJet and Bombardier held a roundtable discussion to celebrate 20 years of innovation in private aviation. The event delved into the future of luxury travel, highlighting advancements in jet technology and the shifting trends within the yachting world.

The morning of the 27^th September started with an exclusive roundtable discussion hosted by VistaJet and Bombardier at the new Aviator Lounge by Bombardier, marking the 20^th anniversary of their collaboration. The event brought together industry leaders to reflect on the past two decades of innovation and share insights into the future of luxury private aviation.

Top executives, including Matteo Atti, VistaJet’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Simon Rochefort, Vice President of Sales and Development, discussed how the company has shaped the private jet industry and what drives ultra-high-net-worth individuals. They stressed the importance of understanding their client’s evolving preferences and needs and the value of staying agile and open to new technologies.

“We use technology with moderation, as you only need to change as fast as the people change,” said Atti. “There is no point in being ahead of the curve of the customer.”

See more: Podcast: VistaJet’s Simon Rochefort talks elite travel

It was revealed that VistaJet operates from 2,700 airports worldwide, which requires providing multiple services to meet its clients’ needs. To keep up with these demands, VistaJet has developed booking and food delivery apps, offering personalised services tailored to its clients’ preferences. With a dedicated tech team of 400, VistaJet has a strong focus on technological innovation. Atti disclosed that one standout feature developed by the team is the daylight simulation system, which clients highly appreciate for its ability to help reduce the effects of jet lag.

In addition to VistaJet’s technological advancements, Bombardier executives, including Mathieu Noël, Director of Product Strategy and Sustainability, and Ettore Rodaro, Vice President of Regional Sales Europe, delved into the company’s work in sustainable aviation. They spotlighted the Global 7500 and 8000 aircraft as examples of industry-leading innovation. Ettore stated, “Sustainability, when combined with technology, is also rooted in engineering.”

The Bombardier Global 8000 aircraft allows clients to fly up to 17 hours uninterrupted. “We recently had a client who flew from the famous Ambani wedding in India to Paris in 16 hours straight and another who flew from Saint Martin in the Caribbean to the Galapagos in 15 hours,” revealed Ettore.

With its ability to fly several nonstop routes, the Global 8000 demonstrates sustainability by reducing the need for additional fuel stops and minimising overall fuel consumption and emissions during long-haul flights.

See more: Photos: New Aviator Lounge by Bombardier opens at the Yacht Club de Monaco

The roundtable also featured special guests from the yachting world, such as Fraser Yachts CEO Anders Kurtén and Benetti Yachts Marketing Director Camilla Calza, who explored the growing link between private aviation and yachting, discussing how both industries serve a shared, demanding clientele. “When you talk about market trends, it’s healthy to understand that these ecosystems (yachts and aviation) are extremely scarce,” noted Kurtén.

According to Kurtén, the younger audience wants more diversity regarding yachts, as today, they are more focused on social spaces and what the client can do onboard. “The younger client wants to continue their lifestyle seamlessly on board,” disclosed Kurtén. Features such as tenders, water toys, wellness areas, fine dining, and remote trips are in high demand. “Trips to Greenland on explorer yachts have tripled this past year, for example,” reflected Kurtén.

Kurtén provided an example of how the yachting industry is adapting to these evolving demands through yacht design and crew recruitment. “We recently posted a job listing for a new crew position with the following description: ‘Trilingual, teaches yoga, can make a mean martini, and plays a musical instrument,’” he shared with a smile. This reflects the growing expectation for crew members to offer more diverse skills that align with the modern, lifestyle-focused experiences younger clients seek on board.

Camilla Calza shared this sentiment, mentioning that the first step in designing yachts is to understand what the client wants, as every aspect of the process is based on the client relationship.

Photo by Monaco Life.

Interview: Thiago Scuro reflects on AS Monaco’s past, present, and future

by: Luke Entwistle

28/09/2024

AS Monaco CEO and Adi Hütter look on during a training session at the club's performance centre in La Turbie.

Ahead of Saturday night’s “special” centenary celebrations, AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro discussed the club’s past, it’s present, and it’s future in an interview with Monaco Life’s Sports Journalist Luke Entwistle.

Earlier this season, the Principality club celebrated its centenary. But whilst the club was officially founded on 23rd August 1924, they didn’t play their first game until 20th September of the same year. As a result, further celebrations are planned on Saturday, when Les Monégasques will take on Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1.

“It will be a special night. It will be a moment to celebrate some good moments and some important people from our history,” began Scuro in an interview with Monaco Life, before outlining those plans.

“[We will be] hosting some iconic players from our history, and coaches that have made history over these past 100 years. A special jersey on the pitch in order to show our respect for our past. We will have Arsène Wenger, one of AS Monaco’s former managers and who became a legend. There will also be players like (Marco) Simone, (Eric) Abidal, (Delio) Onnis, (Claude) Puel, and (Jean-Luc) Ettori.”

“There will be around 40 former AS Monaco players from different moments of our history. There will also be an exposition of the trophies in the stadium during the match, all of the iconic jerseys, and other animations both before and after the match to surprise our fans,” added Scuro.

‘The club represents the Principality forever’ – Scuro

It is a night that transcends AS Monaco as a club and that has a greater importance for the entire Principality, as Scuro recognises: “It is special and it is also important to highlight how important it is to Prince Albert II, who is strongly connected to the club. The club represents the Principality forever. There has been a deep relationship with him and his family since day one. And also the our president Dmitry (Rybolovlev) that after 10 years here in Monaco leading the club, supporting the club, having the chance to be here means a lot to him too.”

Amid the festivities, Adi Hütter and his squad have the task of focusing on matters on the pitch. “This is the most important thing. We are working a lot on not distracting ourselves from the football project. Everything around [the club]: the excitement, the celebrations, it is important to the Principality and to our fans but we need to keep focused on our job on the pitch,” admits Scuro

It has been an excellent start to the season for Monaco, who are joint top in Ligue 1 after four wins and one draw, whilst the victory over Barcelona means that Les Monégasques are so far unbeaten. It is a run that means that Hütter has the best percentage of any Monaco manager in the 21st century. Whilst the legends of the past will be honoured and on show at the Stade Louis II, the Austrian is in the process of making his own history at the Principality club.

“Adi really fits well with the way we work, the way we are in terms of an organisation. He has a clear playing idea and he is very simple in the way that he shares this with the players. Has also a very positive leadership skills […] strong compliments to our coach Adi, who is building a strong history here at AS Monaco,” Scuro told Monaco Life. The Brazilian’s first appointment has certainly been a successful one.

Monaco’s unwavering youth strategy

Under the Austrian manager, the club’s youth are featuring prominently and flourishing. As has been the case historically, developping young players through the prestigious La Diagonale or investing in youth, as they did with this summer through the signings of George Ilenikhena, Lamine Camara and Christian Mawissa, remains a central pillar of the club’s strategy.

The club’s participation in this season’s Champions League not only allows those young players to grow, but it also gives them increased exposition. There is no question of a deviation from the Monaco model. “Sometimes [the youth-centric recruitment] goes against fans’ expectations but we believe in this way. That’s the way we have the opportunity to see an 18-year-old striker scoring against Barcelona at the Stade Louis II. This is the history of the club,” said Scuro.

“This is the way we believe we should keep working. So having so many young players on the pitch playing a game of this level for sure will be a big, big step to allow them to become higher-level players in the future.”

A Ligue 1 title challenge?

And those players, notably Camara and Ilenikhena, as well as academy products Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche are already contributing to the club’s current success.

After a strong start to the season, there is already talk of a title challenge, with vice-captain Thilo Kehrer admitting that such talk had reached the dressing room, even if he believes he and his teammates remain unperturbed.

“At this stage, it is too soon to discuss the possibility [of a Ligue 1 title challenge]. PSG continue to be a strong club in the league, as they have been in previous years,” said Scuro, who nonetheless recognises the “clear potential” in this current cohort of Monaco players.

Scuro provides update on AS Monaco sale talks

Les Monégasques have a glistening past and in the present they remain at the cutting edge of French football, whilst also once again flourishing on the European scene. But there are uncertainties surrounding the future.

As reported earlier this year, owner Dmitry Rybolovlev received unsolicited interest to purchase the club, and talks over a potential sale have been ongoing. Scuro provided an update on the situation. “The process is ongoing; nothing concrete has been announced or has happened,” said Scuro, before providing assurances.

“What I want to highlight is that, throughout the whole process, the transparency and the support of our president. The president was part of the summer strategy, decisions, and investment. He is very connected to us and I speak to him basically every week about key decisions that we must take together here at the club. The president, Adi, and I had a conversation last week in terms of what we are doing for the season. This is what we need at this stage – clarity and support from the president. This will make AS Monaco stronger and this is our main focus,” said Scuro.

As Monaco celebrate their past, Scuro is unequivocal in his positive outlook for the future.

Photo source: AS Monaco

Month: September 2024