Month: September 2024

Following an epic at-sea battle of will and determination, Team Lionheart has taken the win at the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s 2024 Water Bike Challenge. The Princess, alongside Prince Albert II of Monaco, was on the beach in Larvotto to welcome the winners and celebrate the efforts of all the teams that competed in the Calvi to Monaco race.  

On the morning of Friday 6th September, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene travelled to the French island of Corsica to wave off the first round of water bikers from the Quai d’Honneur in Calvi’s historic marina.  

From there, the five teams spent the next 24 hours working in relay to cover the 180 kilometres between the island and the shores of Monaco. Team Lionheart took the initial lead, but were soon overtaken by Team Serenity, with Team Rock to Rock fast on their heels.  

See more: F1’s Valtteri Bottas signs up for Princess Charlene Foundation’s Calvi to Monaco Water Bike Challenge

These three teams jostled for the lead for the first half of the race, with mere metres between the competitors at certain stages, but the gap between them and Team U17 and Team Ferrari had narrowed significantly by midway, and there was still everything to play for as the day turned to night.  

As the Principality of Monaco came into sight on the morning of Saturday 7th September, it was Team Lionheart, made up of Olympic gold-medal winning mountain biker Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, former professional cyclist turned owner of Vélo Monaco Gustav Larsson, professional cyclist Harvey Bird and Brandon Green, an environmental activist and the son of Monaco-based Philip and Tina Green, who were upfront. Green ultimately brought his team in to victory on Larvotto Beach, where he was greeted by the Princely couple and cheers from the crowds and cheerleaders who had assembled on its sands.  

Team Rock to Rock took second place, followed by Team Serenity, Team Ferrari and Team U17.  

Read more: Boxer Oleksandr Usyk to lead Team U17 at Princess Charlene Foundation’s Water Bike Challenge

The event was all about raising the profile of the various programmes and initiatives run by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in the Principality and around the world, and support poured in in the run-up to and following the event. As of Sunday afternoon, close to €290,000 had been donated, with the final tally still to be formally announced.  

To make a donation to any of the five teams who took part, or to donate directly to the foundation, visit the website by clicking here.

To watch how the race unfolded, click here.

For more photos of the Princess Charlene Foundation’s 2024 Water Bike Challenge, click on the images below:

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Photo credits: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco / Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department 

The enticing scent of chargrilled meats, combined with warm Italian hospitality and the Michelin-star expertise of Mauro Colagreco, fills the air at Casa Fuego, a cosy family restaurant nestled near the Italian border in Menton, a short drive from Monaco.

When Casa Fuego opened in 2020, Menton was once again gifted with a drawcard restaurant by the famous three Michelin-star Chef Mauro Colagreco. Just a year earlier, the Argentine-Italian marvel claimed best restaurant in the world by ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list for Mirazur, located just a stone’s throw from his new “family canteen”. 

Like its famous three Michelin-star sister, Casa Fuego is known for its use of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and a garden-to-table philosophy. Some of their fruits and vegetables come directly from the garden of Chef Colagreco, while others come from the covered market in Menton or Ventimiglia, over the border in Italy. 

At Casa Fuego, Colagreco brings Argentinian classics to life with a focus on shared dining, all centred around the traditional wood-fired grill, known as the asado in Argentina.

Affordable fine dining at Casa Fuego

The menu leads diners through the flavours of Colagreco’s childhood and the cherished family secrets that shaped his cooking. Argentine-inspired sauces like chimichurri, the bright and tangy flavours of aguachile (akin to prawn ceviche), the rich smokiness of escalibada and the most incredible empanadas I’ve ever had burst with flavour in every mouthful, offering a perfect umami balance alongside the vibrant tastes of South America.

Celebrating Colagreco’s dual Italian heritage, the restaurant offers a variety of pastas, all homemade using organic flour from the chef’s artisanal Mitron Bakery and ground at the Menton mill. 

What’s an Argentine restaurant without excellent meats? Casa Fuego delivers with premium French ingredients, and the selection is mouth-watering: pork ribs, filet de boeuf, homemade Cordon Bleu, grilled free-range chicken, lamb shoulder and beef picanha – all expertly prepared on a wood-fired grill. I couldn’t resist the Côte de Boeuf, aged 45 days, seasoned and seared to perfection, served with French fries and Béarnaise sauce, and carved table side.

One of the most surprising aspects of Casa Fuego is the affordability. With starters at around €15, pasta dishes close to €20 and very reasonable prices for seafood and meat dishes, diners can indulge in fine-dining quality food at a fraction of the usual cost.

They say desserts can make or break a restaurant, and here, despite being full to bursting, we devoured the heavenly dulce de leche flan and the stunning mojito semifreddo.

A warm and inviting atmosphere with great views

The hacienda-style ambiance and décor at Casa Fuego creates a warm, rustic and welcoming atmosphere, embodying a family-friendly dining experience. The restaurant’s centrepiece, its asado, gives the space a cosy, earthy vibe, where diners can share and enjoy food with family and friends in a laid-back setting. Meanwhile, a large covered terrace offers beautiful views of the Menton harbour. 

With all his culinary prowess, Mauro Colagreco, alongside his talented team, has shaped a truly unique dining experience at Casa Fuego. It’s a perfect example of how relaxed fine dining can be both affordable and sophisticated.

See more of our experience at Casa Fuego in the video below…

 

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Photos source: Casa Fuego

Ahead of La Rentrée in Monaco, the government has unveiled the new and cutting-edge Collège Charles III on Promenade Honoré II. 

Monaco’s schoolchildren are preparing to return to the classroom on Monday 9th September, and the new Collège Charles III will be primed and ready to greet its student body at the gates. 

Located at 7 Promenade Honoré II, the modern and highly-equipped Collège Charles III spans almost 24,000sqm. It includes 64 standard classrooms, 14 science laboratories, six technology rooms, three art rooms, three music rooms and a 270-seat auditorium as well as extensive recreational amenities, such as a 25-metre swimming pool and a 1,000sqm multi-sport gymnasium. Additionally, the school is equipped with two infirmaries, each providing medical and rest facilities, and offices for a psychologist and a social worker. 

See more: La Rentrée: where to buy school supplies in Monaco

At a press event that formally introduced the new facility, attended by Monaco Life, Principal Cédric Bertrand said, “Charles III College is a cosmopolitan place of education where more than 46 nationalities rub shoulders. Strong values have emerged from this cultural melting pot, and the establishment has forged a conviction of tolerance, respect and mutual aid.” 

This international aspect runs through the curriculum: from the sixth grade onwards, students can choose to learn German, Chinese, Spanish, Italian or Russian alongside various levels of English instruction.  

Artistic and cultural development is also a core element of the studies offered by the college, which has established partnerships with local institutions such as the Académie Rainier III and the Théâtre Princesse Grace.  

To this end, Jean-Philippe Vinci, Monaco’s Director of National Education, Youth and Sports, said, “The school must be a place of both rigour and the joy of learning.” 

To maintain a focused learning environment, the school has implemented clear policies regarding mobile phone use. Mobile phones are prohibited during class and students are required to keep their devices turned off and stored away during school hours.  

Read more: Total ban on mobile phones in French schools possible by 2025

The Collège Charles III is designed to be accessible to all students. The facility features entrances, elevators and restrooms specially adapted for disabled students, as well as wide corridors and ramps to facilitate movement for students with mobility impairments. 

The central location of the school, at a crossing point between the Condamine, Jardin Exotique, Monaco Ville and Fontvieille neighbourhoods, will make it easy for many students to come to school by foot. It is also served by several CAM bus lines, including Line 4, which connects to the nearby Place d’Armes. For more information on accessibility, click here.

A dynamic cultural programme 

Throughout the school year, students will benefit from various cultural activities organised by the Principality’s Department of National Education, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the school’s cultural partners. These activities, including workshops, performances and talks, will be integrated into the curriculum and cover various artistic, scientific and historical topics. 

Notable events for students include a planned visit by Hugo Duminil-Copin, the 2022 Fields Medal winner in mathematics, who will speak to high school students about connecting mathematical concepts on 17th October. Didier Queloz, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 2019, known for discovering the first confirmed exoplanet, will be coming to meet students on 5th December. Additionally, Djaïli Amadou Amal, a Cameroonian feminist writer and the winner of the 2020 Goncourt des Lycéens prize, has also been invited to the school, with a date still to be finalised.

Read related:

Important dates on the 2024/25 school calendar in Monaco and the French 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. 

Photos by Monaco Life