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Day: 16 November 2024

Monaco’s Christmas Village embraces festive gingerbread theme for 2024

by: Niki Borisova
16/11/2024

The first details about Monaco’s ever-popular Christmas Village in Port Hercule have been revealed, from the pain d’épices et gourmandises gingerbread theme to the dates when Father Christmas will be making an appearance. Here’s what we know so far about Monaco’s 2024 Village de Noël.

The Monaco Christmas Village will open on Quai Albert Ier in Port Hercule on Friday 6th December and continue into the new year until Sunday 5th January 2025.

This year’s theme is pain d’épices et gourmandises, meaning gingerbread and sweet treats, and holds all the promise of a wonderfully festive and family-friendly atmosphere.

The seasonal attraction will feature 21 food stalls and 24 craft chalets alongside a number of eternally popular family activities such as the staple Ferris wheel, a Christmas-themed carousel, a sledding slide and Santa’s sleigh rides. A new addition for 2024 is an interactive Christmas trail, designed to engage visitors of all ages.

The Christmas Village will also host various live performances in the form of afternoon stage shows and evening music acts over the course of the month-long event. Visitors should also expect to see costumed entertainers, stilt walkers and dancers to be amongst the crowds!

Children’s workshops, such as biscuit decoration and face painting, will take place in the Animation Chalet every weekend then daily during school holidays. The free sessions will typically be held between 2.30pm and 6.30pm.

Father Christmas himself is set to make two special appearances in the Village on 23rd and 24th December, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.

For New Year’s Eve, the party will get going from 9pm on a new stage near Ubaldi, allowing an additional 2,000 people to join in with the festivities. A midnight fireworks display will mark the occasion.

The Village des Sports, also located in Port Hercule, will complement the festivities with outdoor activities such as zip-lining, Ninja courses, climbing walls and treetop challenges. It will run from Friday 20th December until the close of the Christmas Village in early January.

Read related:

Autumn fun fair returning to Port Hercule with more rides and attractions than ever before

 

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: Ed Wright Images / Mairie de Monaco

Smakelijk’s new Sunday brunch brings a fun, family-friendly Belgian buffet to Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/11/2024

Fresh oysters, warm Belgian waffles, crispy croquettes, and a decadent chocolate fountain… the new Sunday brunch experience at Smakelijk is unlike anything else on offer in Monaco. 

Every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm, the restaurant Smakelijk – which means “bon appétit” in Flemish – is transforming brunch in Monaco with a buffet that’s sure to please all ages. This new autumn-inspired spread, created by Chefs Laurent Colin and Alexandre Lamberet, offers a lively mix of Belgian and French favourites that’s as fun as it is delicious.

The autumn brunch buffet is perfect for enjoying in the cosy, vibrant dining room or on the sun-soaked seaside terrace, and features a spectacular dessert selection. Delight in a flowing chocolate fountain of rich Belgian chocolate, an array of delicate French pastries, creamy crème brûlées, decadent chocolate mousse, and a refreshing, generous display of fresh fruit. An indulgent ice cream stand with a variety of toppings completes this sweet experience.

The chocolate fountain and candy station is a hit with the kids. Photo by Monaco Life

There’s also an array of warm dishes, including perfectly scrambled eggs, golden potatoes, and traditional Belgian specialties like savoury waffles prepared on demand. The seafood bar is a showstopper, offering fresh oysters, prawns, tartare, and more for those with a taste for the ocean.

And, of course, no Belgian buffet would be complete without croquettes—crispy bites filled with either seafood or cheese. Savoury croissants are also on offer because, after all, brunch is all about indulgence.

The activities for kids ensure that both parents and young ones enjoy their Sunday brunch experience. Photo source: Le Meridien Monte-Carlo

The experience doesn’t end at the buffet. Smakelijk provides a Kids Club, where young guests can join a pastry workshop with a chef, dive into arts and crafts, and enjoy games designed to keep them entertained. This thoughtful touch makes the brunch experience perfect for families.

At €85 per adult and €35 for kids under 12 (excluding drinks), this brunch brings something different to the Monaco brunch scene, offering a relaxed, help-yourself buffet experience that’s perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to enjoy a lively Sunday meal.

Smakelijk is located in the Le Meridien hotel in the Larvotto district of Monaco.

See more of Cassandra Tanti’s Smakelijk brunch experience in the video below…

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 source: Le Meridien Monte-Carlo