The ski season is set to begin in the Alpes du Sud, with local resorts including Auron, Isola 2000 and La Colmiane preparing to open on 7th December.
Although most ski resorts in the Southern Alps need a little more time to get ready for the winter season, three of the region’s most popular destinations are ready to go, thanks to decent snowfall in November and a bit of help from artificial snowmakers.
Preparations are in full swing at Auron, where snow cannons have been working around the clock to cover the station’s slopes with a layer of artificial snow. By opening day, snow groomers will have smoothed out 20 to 50 centimetres of man-made powder.
Auron boasts 430 snow cannons, a significant asset for early-season openings, especially when natural snowfall is limited.
In comments made to France 3, Pascal Lequenne, the director of Auron’s tourist office, acknowledged the need for adaptations due to climate change, saying, “We’ve already started to diversify our activities and events throughout the year, but for now, the resort’s economy still revolves mainly around skiing in winter.”
Isola 2000, another major resort in the region, is also set to open on 7th December. The resort has been actively engaging with potential visitors via social media over the last few weeks, sharing videos and updates to generate excitement.
Meanwhile, the Valdeblore-La Colmiane resort will partially open its slopes on 7th and 8th December, with full daily operations set to begin during the Christmas holidays.
To stay up to date on the latest at all the local ski stations, click here.
AS Monaco bounced back from back-to-back defeats to register a timely victory against Toulouse (2-0) at the Stade Louis II on Saturday and close the gap on Ligue 1 leaders PSG.
Despite strong performances against Benfica and Marseille, the results made for difficult reading from a Monaco point-of-view. The defeats saw them drop down the table in the Champions League and Ligue 1, with the late defeat to OM seeing them overtaken by their opponents on the night, albeit only on goal difference.
“The results left us a bit unsatisfied but I’m not concerned about the performances,” said Adi Hütter ahead of Saturday’s match. Against Toulouse, Monaco put in the performance and had the result to match.
Patience was required from Monaco who were wasteful in the first half. George Ilenikhena was brought into the line-up to get the goals. Whilst he had the chances to put the game to bed, he showed a level of profligacy that has characterised Breel Embolo’s game in recent weeks.
Monaco suffer double injury blow pre-match
Ilenikhena’s lobbed effort early on struck the post and before half-time, he would go on to hit the bar and shoot just wide from a strong position. He could have had a hat-trick, instead, Monaco went into the break with the scores level.
However, it didn’t stay that way for long. Lamine Camara was the leading figure in a re-moulded midfield. Both Soungoutou Magassa and Denis Zakaria withdrew just before the game, the latter doing so a matter a minutes before kick-off. Camara was always likely to start, however, he had to quickly build an on-field rapport with Eliot Matazo, who has featured infrequently in recent months.
It was Camara’s excellent in-swinging free-kick that found Wilfried Singo at the back post to open the scoring. Once ahead, Monaco didn’t look like ceding their advantage with Singo and Co. providing the security at the back to contain the Toulouse forward line, which remained uncharacteristically quiet. Le TéFéCé had won four of their last five matches coming into this one but their performance was subdued.
One goal looked to be enough but Embolo doubled Les Monégasques’ advantage late on with a calmly taken chipped header. “We deserved this victory. We dominated this game from start to finish, especially in the second half,” analysed Hütter post-match.
Monaco-PSG tantalisingly poised
It is a result that sees the gap to PSG closed to five points after Les Parisiens slipped up against Auxerre earlier in the weekend. The match against PSG, at the Stade Louis II on 18th December is now tantalisingly poised; win it, and Monaco will once again be firmly thrust into the title conversation.
Before that, however, there is a date with Arsenal to look forward to. “Arsenal are one of the best teams at the moment, with a fantastic squad. It is basically impossible to entirely defend against them, but we aren’t going there to play in a defensive block, we are going there to play the best game possible,” said Hütter, previewing Wednesday’s game at the Emirates. Saturday’s victory means that they head to London full of confidence.
The stunning Mareterra development is not only reshaping the coastline of the Principality but also redefining architectural excellence. Designed to balance luxury living with environmental sustainability, this six-hectare eco-district is a masterpiece born from the collaboration between some of the world’s most acclaimed architects and designers.
Mareterra is a bold statement in urban development, combining private residences, public spaces and innovative engineering. With over three hectares dedicated to public areas, the development invites residents and visitors to immerse themselves in a harmonious blend of nature and contemporary design. Behind the project’s architectural brilliance lies a carefully curated team of visionaries, including Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Valode & Pistre Architectes, whose contributions coalesce into a unified aesthetic that speaks of Monaco’s maritime and Mediterranean identity.
Le Renzo is the most visible and dominant structure in all of Matererra. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life
Le Renzo: an architectural centrepiece
At the heart of this transformative project lies Le Renzo, a monumental structure designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), which commands attention as the most prominent feature of the district. It’s ship-like silhouette embodies the maritime theme that flows through Mareterra. Designed to blend with its surroundings while making a bold statement, the building stretches 125 metres in length, rises 60 metres high and extends 28 meters deep.
“The design incorporates four vertical voids – three used for access, like elevators and stairs, and one that serves as a path cutting the building in two. This allows natural light to penetrate through and opens up views of the sea and horizon,” explained Erik Volz from RPBW, the firm that was also responsible for the nearby Larvotto promenade redesign.
Le Renzo achieves a sense of fragmentation through its varying heights, harmonising with the ascending hillside in the background and helping to maintain a sea view inland.
The balconies were included to add a horizontality to the facade, balancing the vertical elements.
Volz added, “Each balcony extends about three metres and contributes to the fragmented appearance of the building, which was a key design choice to integrate with the surrounding environment.”
The unique design gives the impression that the building is floating above the water, while providing views of the horizon and allowing light to penetrate through the structure. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life
The floating effect
The engineering behind Le Renzo is as impressive as its visual appeal.
“The buildings rest on a complex foundation system,” explained Volz. “Although there’s a belt of caissons nearby, the buildings themselves are not directly on them. Instead, they are supported by piles that extend about 70 metres down to the rock. This ensures stability, with the piles transferring the load securely to the bedrock. Between the basements and the rock layer, there’s roughly 60 metres of space filled with sand and other materials. This setup underwent years of rigorous studies and testing, particularly to address seismic activity and water levels.”
As for the cantilevers, they enhance the building’s floating effect. The ends of the structure are cantilevered symmetrically, creating a gesture towards the sea and the surroundings. These are supported by concrete walls approximately 30 meters high, which naturally distribute the load. The design was carefully engineered to achieve both the aesthetic and structural balance.
The metal, aluminium and glass facade is designed to withstand the harsh marine elements. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life
A structure designed for its landscape
Every element of Le Renzo was designed with its coastal location in mind, including the materials chosen for its construction.
“The building uses a combination of metal and concrete. The main framework is metal to reduce the visual heaviness of such a large structure. To balance this, the balconies are supported by vertical members that hold glass panels, creating a harmony between the horizontal lines of the balconies and the vertical fragments of the structure,” explained Volz.
In a marine environment, durability is paramount, and Le Renzo was built to withstand the elements.
“We chose aluminium for its resilience and lightweight properties. The colour is a mix of blue, white and grey, designed to change subtly with the weather and lighting. In summer, it appears bright and light, while on cloudy days, it can take on glassy or pinkish tones. The paint is high-quality and long-lasting, maintaining its appearance despite exposure to the elements,” Volz noted.
The space was designed to withstand the harsh marine elements. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life
An inviting space for all
One of the guiding principles behind Le Renzo’s design was to create a space that felt accessible and welcoming, maintaining Monaco’s connection to the sea.
“We felt an enormous amount of responsibility to get it right,” said Joost Moolhuijzen, Partner Director of RPBW. “It is the only building you really look at in the Mareterra district, and we knew we were taking something away from the view, so we we had to give something back.”
Preserving visibility and access was high on the priority list for the architectural firm, which is behind a number of iconic buildings, including İstanbul Modern in Istanbul (2022).
“We wanted to keep that original connection with the view of the sea, and you can still see the sea through the building, you can also still see the horizon when you walk along Boulevard Louis II. That was very important for us,” said Moolhuijzen. “To be honest, we really love designing projects by the sea.”
The building, therefore, enhances the experience of being at the waterfront.
“People can stroll along the seafront, relax under the building in the summer shade, feel the sea breeze and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s a space designed for everyone—residents, tourists, families with children—all can come and make use of the open area,” said Moolhuijzen.
A birdseye view of the Mareterra district, built on reclaimed land from the sea. Photo source: Mareterra
Elegant villas and townhouses: a community of luxury
Mareterra’s appeal extends beyond Le Renzo to its collection of exclusive villas and townhouses, designed by world-renowned architects such as Foster + Partners, Stefano Boeri Architetti and Tadao Ando. These properties look markedly different than Le Renzo, and even from each other, combining privacy with contemporary elegance.
Denis Valode of Valode & Pistre Architectes, who oversaw the overall layout of Mareterra, spoke about the collaborative process behind these residences: “We were responsible for drawing the entire ground plan, defining the shape and structure of the site. As operational architects, we handled a majority of the construction work, collaborating with other architects such as Renzo Piano, Stefano Boeri, Norman Foster and Antoine Predock. Each architect contributed their designs, which were carefully integrated into the overall ground plan we developed.”
Mareterra’s townhouses feature large patios and a different aesthetic than Le Renzo. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life
The 10 villas and four townhouses were designed with accessibility and usability in mind, offering a harmonious blend of privacy and connection to the wider Mareterra community.
“The public space spans three hectares and is fully accessible to everyone. It’s a pedestrian district, open to the public and largely free of cars. People can stroll around the port or along the seaside promenade, which stretches and curves over 750 metres,” Valode said.
These residences, explained Valode, are a balance of tradition and modernity.
“We focused on creating a contemporary architecture that reflects Mediterranean traditions, particularly in how we manage light and heat,” he said. “For example, we developed movable solar protection panels to control sunlight exposure. Large overhangs on balconies and terraces provide shade, and the buildings are often arranged around patios, which is a hallmark of Mediterranean design.”
Monaco’s urban landscape is an eclectic blend of architecture, showcasing influences from around the world and across the decades. Photo source: Mareterra
A legacy for Monaco’s future
Mareterra is a dynamic addition to Monaco’s ever-evolving urban landscape, contributing to a diverse blend of seaside architecture inspired by styles from around the globe. True to the Principality’s character, it embraces bold, innovative design while paying homage to the traditions of Mediterranean living. Love it or critique it, one thing is certain: Mareterra makes a striking architectural statement.
Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo has welcomed Ligne St Barth, a luxury French-Caribbean cosmetics brand, for an exclusive pop-up running until 20th January 2025. Known for its use of tropical ingredients and innovative skincare techniques, Ligne St Barth’s products and treatments transport users to the Caribbean, enriched with the scents of fresh fruit.
Founded in 1983 on the island of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, Ligne St Barth combines traditional Caribbean botanical knowledge with cutting-edge skincare science. The brand, famous for its aloe vera gel, avocado oil, and coconut oil, now offers over 40 products crafted with natural and locally sourced ingredients, such as annatto seeds, known for their natural sunscreen properties and provitamin A content.
Ligne St Barth at Thermes Marins in Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life
The pop-up at Thermes Marins invites visitors to indulge in Ligne St Barth’s signature treatments, which are steeped in tropical luxury. Guests can choose from detoxifying facials with green clay and pineapple, anti-aging treatments with passion fruit, or relaxing massages with coconut and avocado oils. Each session, ranging from 30 to 90 minutes, promises to rejuvenate skin while enveloping the senses in the aromas of the Caribbean.
This collaboration brings a unique blend of the tropics to Monaco’s wellness scene. Ligne St Barth’s treatments highlight the power of natural ingredients to pamper the body and soothe the soul, offering a luxurious escape from winter’s chill or a thoughtful gift this Christmas.
The Ligne St Barth pop-up will remain at Thermes Marins until January, providing a limited-time opportunity to experience the best of Caribbean-inspired skincare in the heart of Monaco.
