March 2025 - Page 8 of 31

Bucharest gets a taste of Monaco as Sass’ Café makes a grand entrance

25/03/2025

A Monegasque institution has just landed in the heart of Bucharest, as the legendary Sass’ Café expands its footprint beyond the Mediterranean, bringing its unmistakable Monaco glamour to Romania’s newly restored Corinthia Hotel.

Following a successful seasonal pop-up in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Sass’ Restaurant & Lounge has unveiled its first European outpost outside the Principality, and the buzz is already building. Nestled inside the landmark Corinthia Bucharest, the venue is a visual and atmospheric escape, transporting guests straight to Monaco with every sumptuous detail.

*The Corinthia hotel in Bucharest has just undergone an incredible renovation*

Designed by G&M Design, the interior is a bold homage to the original Sass’ Café, blending baroque extravagance with playful modernity. The signature burgundy, black, and gold palette is layered with rich velvet, leopard print, and leather textures, creating an ambiance that is both decadent and irresistibly stylish.

“Sass’ Bucharest captures the spirit of Monaco, but with a twist that’s uniquely its own,” say the designers. A fresh splash of green exclusive to this location adds a vibrant edge to the familiar aesthetic, infusing the space with energy and warmth.

As day turns to night, the lounge evolves into a vibrant social hub, where live music and DJ sets bring the buzz of the Riviera to Bucharest. It’s the kind of seamless day-to-night transition that Sass’ is famous for — a place where lunch turns into dinner, and dinner turns into dancing.

“It is an honour to be partnering on this project with Corinthia Hotels, a major actor in the luxury hospitality industry,” says Samy Sass, who has led the brand’s evolution since taking over from his parents, founders Salvador and Yolande Sass, in the 1990s. “We share a vision of creating an experience that’s not just about dining, but about transporting people to a place of elegance, celebration and joy.”

*It wouldn’t be Sass’ Café without Salvador on the plate*

The Corinthia Bucharest, which opened this month after an ambitious restoration of the historic Grand Hôtel du Boulevard, provides the perfect stage. With just 30 exclusive suites and a focus on exceptional service, the hotel mirrors the refined intimacy of Sass’ Café itself — where every detail matters and every guest is part of the story.

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 provided

Carlo app introduces new €3,000 annual spending limit per business

by: Stephanie Horsman

25/03/2025

Monaco’s popular cashback app, Carlo, is getting a policy revamp from 1st April, when a yearly spending cap of €3,000 at each partnered business will be brought into effect. The move, says the government, is being made as a way to “ensure the sustainability of the programme”. Here’s what it means for you.

Established in July 2019 by entrepreneur Antoine Bahri, Carlo was designed to bolster Monaco’s local economy by rewarding app users with 5% cashback on purchases made at affiliated merchants, which include a diverse range of goods and services, such as restaurants, retail stores, food shops and wellness centres.

The app has since built a robust community, collaborating with approximately 900 retailers in the Principality, Aix-en-Provence and Bordeaux to amass over 86,000 users.

Now, according to a newsletter sent to users on 24th March, Carlo is set to implement a change in policy that will go into effect on 1st April, whereby a €3,000 annual spending limit per business will be placed on subscribers. When users near their spending limit at particular merchants, they will receive an automatic notification alerting them of the remaining amount they will be able to spend.

“This decision was made as part of an optimisation of public funding, to allow more users to benefit from the programme while ensuring its impact on Monegasque commerce,” reads the company statement. “In practice, this measure will affect less than 9% of users, and the vast majority of you will continue to use Carlo as usual, without any impact.”

To find out more about the app and how it works, click here.

Read related:

How to use the Carlo app and what are the benefits?

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: Carlo App

€85 trillion deposit of white hydrogen discovered in northeastern France

by: Stephanie Horsman

25/03/2025

In a surprise discovery, scientists have identified an enormous deposit of white hydrogen beneath the town of Folschviller in northeastern France. The find, which could be worth close to €85 trillion, has the potential to reshape the nation’s emission-free energy strategies for decades to come.

White hydrogen is being touted as the clean energy source of the future. It can be burned like fossil fuels but doesn’t produce the same unwanted carbon dioxide – the only byproducts it creates are water and heat, making it an incredibly promising and affordable option.

A huge deposit of the natural gas was recently discovered 1.25 kilometres beneath the small town of Folschviller in the Moselle department of the Grand Est by scientists from the GeoRessources laboratory and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) who were originally looking for methane when they stumbled across the reserve. The find is estimated to contain 46 million tonnes of white hydrogen.

With a projected value of approximately €84.6 trillion, it is equivalent to more than half of the world’s annual grey hydrogen production but is crucially without the associated environmental concerns. Unlike grey hydrogen that is derived from fossil fuels or green hydrogen, which is generated using renewable energy, white hydrogen is a naturally occurring element that does not require energy-intensive processing.

“Our research suggests that natural hydrogen could be far more abundant than previously thought,” said GeoRessources scientist Dr. Jacques Pironon in comments to Euro Weekly News. “If we can find efficient ways to extract and use it, we may have a powerful new tool in the fight against climate change.”

Hydrogen in various forms is already an essential component in industries such as chemical production and fertiliser manufacturing, and its role is set to expand into sectors like steel production. Additionally, it serves as an effective means of storing electricity generated from renewable sources through a process called power-to-gas (PtG) or hydrogen storage, which involves converting excess electrical energy into hydrogen gas, ensuring a stable supply when solar and wind power are insufficient.

The high cost of green hydrogen production—€5 per kilo versus €0.50 for white hydrogen—and the CO₂ pollution associated with grey hydrogen have long posed challenges, but white hydrogen presents a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative.

As such, the Folschviller discovery is expected to spur further geological explorations for white hydrogen reserves, potentially transforming the domestic and global energy market by reducing dependence on fossil fuels for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

However, there are challenges to consider. Further research is needed to address certain issues associated with this type of hydrogen. Concerns include a lack of data on what happens if leaks occur into the atmosphere, as there is a possibility that white hydrogen could reduce the concentration of molecules that destroy greenhouse gases in the open air, thus counteracting its environmental benefits.

Another issue is accessibility. Most natural hydrogen stores are believed to be in difficult-to-reach offshore locations, but promising deposits—aside from France’s—have been discovered in Australia, Eastern Europe, Oman, Spain, the US and Mali in West Africa, offering a glimmer of hope on this front.

White hydrogen also takes up a large amount of space in gas form and requires a temperature of -253°C to be liquefied, which could turn out to be prohibitively expensive.

Despite these obstacles, white hydrogen could be the game-changer the world has been looking for, offering a clean and inexpensive solution to the current energy challenges faced by people across the globe.

Read related:

Solar power overtakes coal in EU energy mix as renewables surge

Photo source: Mairie de Folschviller

EasyJet announces new summer flights to Santorini and southern Italy from Nice

by: Stephanie Horsman

25/03/2025

Summer travel from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport just got more exciting with the announcement of two new easyJet routes to the Greek island paradise of Santorini and the Calabrian hotspot of Lamezia Terme, launching this June.

Starting 23rd June, easyJet will introduce twice-weekly flights to Lamezia Terme, a gateway to Calabria’s famously beautiful beaches and authentic southern Italian charm. Flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays. Then, on 25th June, the Greek island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea will join the network, with flights on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The new destinations are additions to the schedule announced by the airline in November 2024, which also included a seasonal route between Nice and Düsseldorf, set to launch on 24th June. The four-times-weekly service, running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, will make business and leisure travel links between the Côte d’Azur and western Germany easier—and quite affordable too—with tickets for this route available from €38 one-way.

SANTORINI DREAMING

Admired for its dramatic landscapes and stunning sea views, Santorini is a top choice for travellers heading to Greece. Visitors can explore the charming cliffside villages of Oia and Fira, known for their iconic whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches, before stopping off at a local taverna for authentic fresh cuisine.

The island’s volcanic origins have also created stunning beaches, such as the striking Red Beach and Perissa’s black sand shores. Wine lovers will enjoy sampling the island’s distinctive Assyrtiko wines at one of its many wineries, while history buffs can visit the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, a well-preserved Minoan city. Fares to this captivating Greek isle start at €38 one-way.

LAMEZIA TERME: A LESSER-KNOWN GEM

Lamezia Terme offers a blend of history and nature, as well as easy access to pristine coastlines, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore southern Italy’s lesser-known regions.

The city itself boasts several historical sites, including the 11th-century Norman-Swabian Castle, the Bastion of the Knights of Malta and the Lamentino Archaeological Museum, while nature lovers will appreciate the nearby Sila National Park, home to lush forests, mountain lakes and abundant wildlife. Prices for this route begin at €40.

With 4.6 million passengers choosing to fly with easyJet from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in 2023, the airline has become the leading operator at the airport. Over the winter 2024/25 season, easyJet introduced new routes to Madrid, Strasbourg and Lanzarote, further increasing year-round connectivity for travellers.

For more information on these and other easyJet destinations from Nice, click here.

Read related:

Planning a UK trip? Monégasque travellers will need new entry pass from April 2025

Photo credit: Aleksandar Pasaric, Pexels

Cave O Vin, the automated wine dispenser bringing bottles to French roadsides

by: Niki Borisova

24/03/2025

An Aix-en-Provence-based company called Espace Drive has revealed its new self-service wine vending machine, Cave O Vin, which offers producers a space to sell directly to consumers via secure, refrigerated lockers around the clock.

Known as Cave O Vin, the automated system could soon become a common sight along French roadsides. Developed in response to logistical and legal barriers faced by wine producers, the machines offer a low-maintenance way for winemakers to sell directly to consumers without the expense of staff or a traditional shop space.

The dispensers are modular, refrigerated lockers that allow buyers to place an order online and collect bottles by scanning a QR code. Age verification is required via a photo ID upload before a transaction can be processed. The lockers offer optimal storage conditions with temperature-controlled compartments—typically set at 14°C for reds, and adjustable to 8 to 10°C for whites and sparkling wines. Units range in capacity from 60 to 1,000 bottles and can be installed in supermarkets, wine cellars, hotel forecourts, public squares or on roadsides.

According to Connexion France, authorisation from local mayors will be required before producers can install a machine, which can be automatically shut down in areas where alcohol sales are governed by time restrictions.

See more: ‘’It’s only the beginning’’: French Riviera town imposes early evening alcohol ban in select areas

Espace Drive, a subsidiary of the Altéor Group, first began designing automated vending systems for items such as cheese, charcuterie and fresh produce.

“We were approached by vineyards to see if we could do the same for wines,” Stéphany Bonnard, General Director of Altéor, is quoted by Connexion France. “Having a shop on-site requires hiring someone to manage it. This way, no one has to be on-site all the time.”

*Cave O Vin units offer temperature-controlled storage for up to 1,000 bottles, designed for easy installation in public and retail spaces. Photo source: Espace Drive LinkedIn.*

The project emerged in response to France’s Evin Law, which prohibits conventional drive-through alcohol sales.

“We had to find a workaround,” added Bonnard in her comments, before noting that Espace Drive’s in-house design team developed both the software and secure mechanisms required for compliance.

Unlike traditional points of sale, Cave O Vin units operate autonomously and are managed through a digital interface. Producers can monitor stock levels in real time, set up access parameters and offer a click-and-collect experience without being physically present.

“It’s a practical and premium solution for distributing bottles outside regular opening hours,” says a company spokesperson.

Some French winegrowers are already experimenting with the new system, which is based on a rental model that costs vineyards approximately €1,230 per month per machine.

Could this be the future of wine sales in France?

Photo source: Cave O Vin

Local newspaper journalists launch strike action

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

24/03/2025

Monaco-Matin, Nice-Matin and Var-Matin newspapers did not appear on newsstands or online on Friday 21st March, as editorial staff launched a strike to protest what they call deteriorating working conditions. It marks the second stoppage for the media this month.

After their initial strike on 13th March, and a general assembly vote on 18th March, journalists at the region’s largest media company near-unanimously approved strike action after unsuccessful negotiations with management. Approximately 50 staff members gathered at midday outside the company’s headquarters in Nice, with demonstrators displaying banners denouncing more than 80 departures since Xavier Niel’s acquisition of the newspaper group in 2019.

According to Strategies, several employees entered management offices in an attempt to voice their concerns. Meanwhile, Rodolphe Peté, SNJ union delegate, said there were ‘’quite strong testimonies about working conditions and the level of exhaustion’’. A parallel demonstration was organised at the group’s Toulon office.

The editorial staff’s central demands, as revealed by Rodolphe Peté in a social media post, include immediate reinforcements, permanent contracts for precarious workers, and the establishment of minimum staffing levels to enable future growth.

Management acknowledges challenges

In response to the demonstrations, Simon Perrot, CEO of Nice-Matin Group, acknowledged the company’s financial difficulties, telling AFP that the newspapers are ‘’losing money’’. He confirmed that 30 editorial department staff departed last year, but emphasized all were voluntary separations.

He indicated the company is seeking a balance between necessary cost-cutting measures and maintaining journalistic quality. Management has proposed a two-month consultation period to establish a new organisational structure and has pledged to announce immediate reinforcements for the most severely affected departments, France bleu reports.

The editorial representatives have called on management “to finally become aware of the unease among journalists of our three newspapers,” according to RCF Radio, stating that leadership has failed to recognise “the extent or urgency” of the situation.

As of publication of this article, no agreement has been reached between management and journalists.

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

Bucharest gets a taste of Monaco as Sass’ Café makes a grand entrance

Carlo app introduces new €3,000 annual spending limit per business

€85 trillion deposit of white hydrogen discovered in northeastern France

EasyJet announces new summer flights to Santorini and southern Italy from Nice

SANTORINI DREAMING

LAMEZIA TERME: A LESSER-KNOWN GEM

Cave O Vin, the automated wine dispenser bringing bottles to French roadsides

Local newspaper journalists launch strike action

Management acknowledges challenges

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