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Month: January 2025

Football: Adi Hütter extends contract until 2027, Monaco lose to PSG

by: Elsa Carpenter
06/01/2025
Adi Hütter

Adi Hütter has confirmed that he has signed a contract extension with AS Monaco, ensuring the experienced Austrian will remain Head Coach until the end of the 2027 season. The announcement came over the weekend, just one day before a cruel defeat for Les Rouge et Blanc at the hands of PSG in the Trophée des Champions.

Hütter joined AS Monaco in July 2023 on an initial two-year contract, succeeding Belgian coach Philippe Clement. Over the past 18 months, the 54-year-old Austrian has managed the team in just over 60 professional fixtures, achieving an impressive victory rate of nearly 60%.

In a statement released on 4th January, AS Monaco highlighted Hütter’s “resolutely forward-looking game” and praised the former international midfielder for nurturing young talents developed at the club, including Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Soungoutou Magassa.

Trophée des Champions

Celebrations surrounding Hütter’s contract extension were short-lived, as AS Monaco suffered a disappointing defeat the day after the announcement in the French Trophée des Champions.

Monaco faced Paris Saint-Germain for the second time in less than a month. After a bitter 2-4 loss at home in the Stade Louis II in mid-December, Hütter was optimistic about overcoming their Parisian rivals, but it wasn’t to be.

See more: Football: Monaco’s Ligue 1 title hopes dealt big blow by PSG

Both teams created numerous chances. AS Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Köhn was heroic early on, deflecting Désiré Doué’s shot onto the crossbar in the ninth minute and making key saves against Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha throughout the game.

Monaco responded with strong efforts, including Maghnes Akliouche’s curling shot and Takumi Minamino’s near-post strike, both of which tested PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The second half started with a flurry of activity. Eliesse Ben Seghir came close to breaking the deadlock, while Vanderson struck the post. Köhn continued his stellar performance, making crucial saves against Achraf Hakimi and Gonçalo Ramos. However, Monaco’s resilience was undone in stoppage time, with Dembélé scoring in the 92nd minute to secure a 1-0 victory in Doha for PSG.

“We have to be honest, Paris had many more chances than us, but we had a game plan that the team tried to respect, so I want to congratulate them for that,” admitted Hütter post-match. “You can imagine that every player was sad in the locker room after losing in the last moments because it was a big blow for us. We must now raise our heads and think about the next match against Nantes. In any case, I think that tonight the spectators saw a very good match.”

AS Monaco will resume their Ligue 1 campaign with an away game against Nantes on 10th January.

 

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: AS Monaco

Two new French Riviera hotels rated among the best in the world by Luxury Travel Intelligence

by: Niki Borisova
06/01/2025

Two standout French Riviera hotels, one in Nice and the second in Saint-Tropez, have earned top spots on the prestigious list of the Luxury Travel Awards, highlighting the world’s best new luxury openings for 2024.

Two hotels on the Côte d’Azur have made it into the Top 15 on Luxury Travel Intelligence’s (LTI) list of the world’s best new luxury hotels for 2024.

Saint-Tropez’s Arev, ranked 15th, boasts 50 elegantly designed rooms and suites, a fine dining experience at The Strand Restaurant and an exceptional cocktail menu at Q’s Bar. Adding to its charm is the intimate Arev Spa, a tranquil retreat in one of the Côte d’Azur’s most glamorous locales.

In Nice, Hôtel du Couvent, ranked 14th, has been a decade in the making. Once an abandoned convent, it has been transformed into a stunning oasis in the heart of the Old Town. The property blends heritage charm with modern comforts, providing a truly unique stay in one of the Riviera’s most vibrant cities.

The awards also spotlighted the Cheval Blanc Seychelles, named the best new luxury hotel of 2024 by LTI’s Luxury Travel Awards.

The magnificent property has ties to the French Riviera through its sibling property, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez. The iconic Riviera retreat, originally opened in 1936, underwent extensive renovations under LVMH ownership and was reopened in 2019. It features 30 exquisite rooms, a private beach, a Guerlain spa and the famous La Vague d’Or, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Arnaud Donckele.

Other winners from around the world included luxury openings in London, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.

Read related:

Monte-Carlo SBM reveals name of new Courchevel hotel and international brand

 

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: Arev, Saint-Tropez

New British restaurant Marlow set to open in Mareterra this January

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/01/2025

Mareterra will be inaugurating its first restaurant – Marlow – on 16th January. The eagerly awaited venue promises to blend English charm with Mediterranean sophistication, offering a fresh addition to the Principality’s dining scene.

Located in the heart of Mareterra, Monaco’s innovative six-hectare district reclaimed from the sea that was inaugurated on 4th December, Marlow will bring a vibrant atmosphere to the area’s luxury residences and high-end amenities. The restaurant will feature a spacious 300 sq.m interior and a 100 sq.m terrace, designed to accommodate everything from leisurely breakfasts to festive evenings.

See also – The mighty Mareterra: Prince Albert II inaugurates “his vision” of sustainable urban development

Marlow’s design will reflect the vision of acclaimed Franco-Mexican designer Hugo Toro, who is known for his work in Paris and London. The interior will showcase natural materials, warm tones, light marble, and inviting furnishings, all centered around a striking bar. Details such as art books and biographies of English lords will add a unique and whimsical touch to the space.

The restaurant will be led by Bryan Gaillard, an experienced restaurateur who honed his craft in some of London’s most prestigious venues. Under his guidance, Marlow will serve an enticing menu featuring English breakfasts, indulgent Sunday brunches, and Anglo-Saxon specialties such as lobster rolls paired with champagne. Guests will also have the option of Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a takeaway service for enjoying Marlow’s cuisine on the go.

Afternoon tea, complete with cozy armchairs and fine pastries, will be a highlight of the experience, while evenings will focus on expertly crafted cocktails, aged whiskies, and a refined dinner menu.

See also – Mareterra revealed: The story behind Monaco’s bold architecture

Marlow is the latest restaurant to join Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s (SBM) extensive portfolio. The company also plans to open 99 Sushi in the new Mareterra district.

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 Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

See also: 

Monte-Carlo SBM reveals name of new Courchevel hotel and international brand

Energy-efficient light replacements continue in Monaco’s Dorsale tunnels

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/01/2025

In line with its commitments to establishing greener infrastructure, the Monaco Government will continue its extensive lighting replacement and modernisation project in tunnels across Monaco throughout 2025. The works will require a series of closures and diversion routes, with three tunnels set to close to the public for a month starting on 6th January.

Since 2021, the Urban Development Directorate of Monaco (DAU), which operates under the Department of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning, has been systematically replacing outdated fluorescent and sodium lamps in the Principality’s tunnels with advanced LED lighting systems.

These LED lights are significantly more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable, boasting lifespans of 80,000 to 100,000 hours. This upgrade will dramatically reduce energy consumption and minimise the need for frequent replacements, as the new equipment requires renewal only once every decade.

Following the successful completion of lighting upgrades in the Sainte-Dévote-Débarcadère and Digue tunnels, the DAU is extending its campaign to the entire Dorsale underground network. To carry out this work, various tunnels will be closed on a rolling schedule between 9.30pm and 6am, based on a set calendar from 6th January to 4th August.

The first phase, running from 6th January to 5th February, will involve the closures of the Rocher Nice tunnel under the Rocher, the Rocher tunnel and the Canton tunnel.

The second phase, scheduled from 10th February to 28th February, will see the closure of the Colle, Dorsale, Hélios, Fontvieille descent and Rocher Nice tunnel under the Rocher.

The final phase, taking place between 16th June and 4th August, will include the closure of the Dorsale tunnel, Canton tunnel (T2ter) and Larvotto tunnel.

 

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: Monaco Communications Department

Prince Albert sends condolences to President Biden in wake of horrific NYE attack in New Orleans

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/01/2025

A deadly New Year’s Eve attack on the American city of New Orleans, in which 14 were killed and dozens more injured, has prompted Prince Albert II of Monaco to send the outgoing US President Joe Biden a touching letter of condolence.

In the early hours of New Year’s Day, festive celebrations in New Orleans turned into a scene of terror when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas resident and US Army veteran, drove a Ford F-150 rental truck into a crowd of revellers. 14 people were killed and dozens more were injured in what the FBI is calling a “premeditated and evil act”.

CCTV footage shows the white rental truck accelerating into the crowd in the area around Canal Street and Bourbon Street before crashing three blocks away near Conti Street. Jabbar exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with police before being shot dead.

A special dispatch from Monaco

In the wake of the attack, Prince Albert wrote directly to President Biden on 2nd January to express his “deep sorrow” upon hearing the news.

His letter to President Biden reads:

“It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that I learned of the tragic vehicle attack in New Orleans, which has claimed innocent lives and left many injured.

In these difficult times, I wish to extend, on behalf of my family and the people of Monaco, our heartfelt solidarity with the families of the victims, the injured and the American people as they face this devastating tragedy. Together, we stand united in grief and in our firm rejection of all acts of violence.

Let me assure you, Mr President, of my sincere condolences and the expression of my highest consideration.”

Monaco’s ties to America run deep, as both his mother Grace Kelly and previously Alice Heine, a New Orleans native married to Albert I, hailed from the USA.

Latest information from the FBI

The FBI has stated that an Islamic State (IS) flag was found in the vehicle used in the attack, but that investigators believe Jabbar was acting alone. Two makeshift explosive devices were found near the scene as well, possibly made at the New Orleans Airbnb rented by the perpetrator.

Jabbar reportedly made five videos before the event, one of which stated that he also had plans to harm his friends and family but was concerned the media would misinterpret the crime. His intention appears to have been to highlight the “war between believers and disbelievers”, with the murders being a secondary consideration.

Among those tragically killed were a former Princeton University American football player, an aspiring nurse, a young mother and a New York account executive.

Another explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas involving a Tesla Cybertruck has led the FBI to investigate potential links to the New Orleans incident. However, no links have been established so far according to the latest reports.

The attack has echoes of the attack in Nice in 2016 when Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a Tunisian national living in France, deliberately drove into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenade des Anglais, killing 86 and injuring 434. It remains one of the deadliest attacks on French soil outside of wartime.

 

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: Isawred, Unsplash

The Mediterranean mercury crisis: study reveals costly consequences of seafood contamination

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/01/2025
mercury contamination seafood

A groundbreaking study from the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and Côte d’Azur University has uncovered the shocking extent of methylmercury contamination in Mediterranean seafood, revealing the devastating dual threat to public health and livelihoods that could be costing the region more than €10 billion annually.

An alarming report led by Dr. Nathalie Hilmi, the head of Environmental Economics at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM), and Professor Marie-Yasmine Bottein, a biologist at Côte d’Azur University, has brought into sharp focus the dangers of dangerously high methylmercury (MeHg) levels in seafood found in local waters throughout the Mediterranean basin.

MeHg is a hazardous substance that accumulates in marine food chains, including those in the Mediterranean Sea. Long-term exposure, particularly through seafood consumption, poses significant risks to human health. Infants and developing children are especially vulnerable, as MeHg can cause neurological damage and developmental delays.

However, the impact goes beyond health. The report states that cognitive deficits caused by MeHg exposure could result in reduced productivity, costing Mediterranean economies dearly — and far beyond the more immediately visible or individual effects.

The study, which analysed seafood supply data, dietary surveys and mercury contamination levels, estimates that MeHg exposure costs Mediterranean countries over €10 billion annually due to reduced IQ and productivity losses.

Despite the Mediterranean diet’s reliance on seafood, the full scope of MeHg’s impact has remained chronically understudied, especially as global trade shifts consumption patterns.

One key insight from the research is the paradoxical role of the international seafood trade. Importing less contaminated seafood can lower local MeHg exposure, but it shifts the contamination burden to exporting regions, highlighting the need for global cooperation to ensure safe seafood practices and manage shared risks.

This study by CSM and Côte d’Azur University stands out for its interdisciplinary methodology, combining ecological, dietary, and economic data for a comprehensive view of MeHg’s effects. By linking seafood consumption directly to economic outcomes, the research underscores the high stakes of environmental and public health policies.

The findings call for urgent action to better regulate and monitor methylmercury levels in seafood. Without coordinated efforts, the health and economic costs of this invisible threat will continue to climb.

To read more about the report and its findings, click here.

Read related:

CSM joins team of scientists tracking threatened Antarctic emperor penguins

 

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: Egor Gordeev, Unsplash