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Month: September 2024

Fort Royal de l’Île Sainte-Marguerite among four PACA sites awarded 2024 Heritage Lottery status

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/09/2024

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.

See more: European Heritage Days: what to see and do in Monaco

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. 

Read related:

Heritage sites in Monaco that are well worth a visit

 

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: Mairie de Cannes / Axis Drone

Cap d’Ail’s Fête du Sport: martial arts, mountain biking and much more

by: Niki Borisova
03/09/2024
Fête du Sport cap d'ail

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.

Read related:

Where to find the best hiking trails near Monaco

 

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: MonacoUSA, Facebook

Dengue fever alert sparks mosquito control campaign in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/09/2024

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.

Read related:

Monaco increases surveillance of tiger mosquito population

 

 

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: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

New Minister of State embarks on introductory tour of the Principality

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/09/2024

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.  

See more: Didier Guillaume sworn in as new Minister of State, Prince hands over roadmap for Monaco

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.  

Read related:

Monaco announces new Minister of State: Didier Guillaume to succeed Pierre Dartout

 

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: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

European Heritage Days: what to see and do in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter
03/09/2024
European Heritage Days

From the historical to the cultural and the environmental, more than 40 different sites in the Principality, including the Palais Princier de Monaco, will open their doors to the public for the 2024 edition of the European Heritage Days event later this month.  

The theme chosen for this year’s European Heritage Days event, which will be held between 14th and 15th September, is ‘The Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections’. All across the continent, members of the public will be encouraged to head out to visit an array of sites and locations that explore how the movement of not only people but also ideas and culture have shaped the Europe we know today.  

Monaco, which has enjoyed the role of an important port city since antiquity and later rose to prominence as a glamourous destination during the Belle Époque, is fully embracing the theme and is set to delve into its own history with a packed programme of events over the two days. 

Read more: How did Monaco’s Port Hercule get its name?

In all, more than 40 different sites will be opened up to the public. These include the Grand Apartments in the Palais Princier de Monaco, which will host free tours of the state rooms, the Salle d’Europe, the Throne Room and the Galerie d’Hercule on each day between 10am and 6pm.  

See more: Prince’s Palace reopens to reveal new hidden frescos under restoration

Among the other highlights are the Musée Océanographique’s plans to offer significantly reduced entrance prices to visitors – entry will cost €9 instead of €19 for an adult and €6 instead of €12 for children aged four to 17 – as well as a number of guided tours through the museum’s maritime exhibitions. The tours will be held on 15th September at 10.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm.  

Meanwhile, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has organised for two fascinating days of screenings in the Casino of a film that explores the role of transport in Monaco’s rise as a luxury destination during the 19th and 20th centuries. The showings of the ‘Routes, Réseaux, Connexions’ production will take place in the Atrium, which will be free to access on both days of the event.

It will be free to tour the Atrium of the Casino de Monte-Carlo and watch the ‘Routes, Réseaux, Connexions’ film exploring Monaco’s historical transport links. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM

Culture and the Principality’s plethora of cultural institutions feature prominently in the programme, with locales such as the Académie Rainier III, the Pavillon Bosio – École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques, the Princess Grace Irish Library, the Princess Grace Theatre, the Académie Princesse Grace and the two Nouveau Musée National de Monaco sites all planning events for the European Heritage Days.  

Several museums, including the Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique de Monaco, the Musée des Princes et de Leurs Gardes and the Musée des Timbres et Monnaies, will be joining in, as will numerous religious sites, from the Cathédrale de Monaco to the Principality’s many churches.  

There will also be a strong focus on Monaco’s role as a proponent of environmentalism and conservation. The headquarters of the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco will be welcoming visitors between 10am and 5pm, while the Terres Méditerranéennes association and the Centre Botanique in the Jardin Exotique will offer the public an opportunity to reconnect with nature and explore the biodiversity of the Principality.  

For a complete list of all the events planned at participating locations across Monaco, click here.

 

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: S. Peroumal / Musée Océanographique de Monaco

Get ready for the Flavien Foundation’s 10th charity Trott’n’Roll

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/09/2024

The Flavien Foundation’s ever-popular Trott’n’Roll, a charity scooter event dedicated to raising funds for paediatric cancer research, will be returning later this month for its landmark 10th edition. Here are all the details.

On Saturday 14th September, in the Jardins d’Apolline, the Flavien Foundation—a charity founded by the father of a nine-year-old boy who lost his fight against cancer in 2014—will be hosting the 10th edition of its Trott’n’Roll event.

Children of all ages are invited, along with their families, to come to the gardens between 9am and 6pm for a full day of activities that will feature the signature scooter parade, starting at 2.30pm, as well as a visit from the Monaco Fire Brigade.

This year, there will also be a bouncy castle, a pop-up skatepark, a tombola and plenty of food and beverage kiosks. The organisers have hinted that there will be another big surprise on the day, but we will have to wait until the eve of the event to find out more!

In his memory

Though the event has grown and expanded over the last 10 years, the core reason for holding it has remained steadfast.

As always, the goal of Trott’n’Roll is to raise funds for childhood cancer research in honour of nine-year-old Flavien, the foundation’s namesake, and those at the charity have worked tirelessly over the last decade to make this a reality.

Among the projects supported by the foundation is the work being done by the Centre Scientifique de Monaco to develop a new type of treatment protocol for children and young adults suffering from brain cancer.

See more: Paediatric cancer: CSM reports encouraging results following clinical trials

This project recently reached the clinical trial stage, the results of which were published in the Pediatric Blood & Cancer journal in June 2024. The findings and future of the Mependex clinical trial will be discussed at this year’s Trott’n’Roll, with the hope of inspiring participants to dig deep to support this potentially revolutionary treatment protocol.

For more information about the event and how you can make a donation to the Flavien Foundation, click here.

 

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 by Monaco Life