A preview of the upcoming Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2023/24 season

2023/24 ballets de monte-carlo

Exciting dance events, timeless classics and tributes to a Prince will be the hallmarks of the 2023/24 season at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Here’s a teaser of what’s to come.  

After a series of performances in iconic venues this autumn, such as the Lugano Arte e Cultura in Switerland and the Teatro Grande in Brescia, both of Roméo et Juliette, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s 2023/24 home season will be fast approaching.  

It all kicks off with the Monaco Dance Forum, a dedicated space for artistic expression that will welcome professional dancers and interested members of the public alike.  

Taking place over four days, from 14th to 17th December, the schedule features workshops and masterclasses, exhibitions, talks and conferences. 

A creation by 6e Sens and Dk-BEL entitled C’est Beau, which includes performances by dancers with disabilities, will open the event, followed by much-awaited repeat performances of Sol Invictus, the production from Hervé Koubi that rocked at F(ê)tes de la Danse in Casino Square in July, on 15th and 16th December. A film screening of Otto Preminger’s Carmen Jones will round out the events at the Grimaldi Forum on 17th December.

Sol Invictus, the production from the Hervé Koubi troupe that stormed the F(ê)tes de la Danse in July, will be back this December. Photo credit: Alice Blangero

PRINCE RAINIER III CENTENARY 

Next up, from 20th to 23rd December, the Ballet’s Artistic Director Jean-Christophe Maillot will be debuting a new rendition of L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, the 1925 Ravel/Colette collaboration conceived in Monaco. It was a favourite of Prince Rainier III and will thus be a fitting tribute to the late Sovereign as Monaco wraps up commemorations of what would have been his 100th year.   

The story is comic and follows 21 scenes that run at a rather frantic pace to narrate the adventures of a capricious child who sees the objects and animals he mistreats come to life and take revenge. 

The spectacle will unite the talents of an impressive 240 artists representing not just Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, but also the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, the Chœur de l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo and the Académie Rainier III.  

Preceding L’Enfant et les Sortilèges will be a performance of George Balanchine’s La Valse as another special nod to Prince Rainier. Balanchine was a personal friend of both the Prince and Princess Grace, and the work he created here was dear to all.  

CARMEN 

Johan Inger will take up the torch for the end of year celebrations with his version of the classic ballet Carmen. From 30th December to 4th January, excluding New Year’s Day, the ballet that received the 2016 Prix Benois de la Danse will be performed by La Compagnie alongside musicians from Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo in the Salle des Princes. 

COMING IN 2024 

Then the troupe will hit the road for a series of performances, including Roméo et Juliette, Cendrillon, LAC and Coppél-i.A., in theatres across France, Italy, the US, Poland, Hungary, Germany and Spain.  

After a quick break, Les Ballets will return home from 24th to 28th April for a number of renditions of To the Point(e) at the Grimaldi Forum. Described as “three works that exploit the potential of these academically trained dancers while keeping an eye on modernity”, the audience can expect Within the Golden Hour by Christopher Wheeldon, Vers un Pays Sage by Jean-Christophe Maillot and Autodance by Sharon Eyal to be on the programme. 

The season will come to a conclusion with the traditional Gala de l’Académie Princesse Grace on 21st and 22nd June, where the talented young dancers of the prestigious ballet school that bears her name will get a chance to show off what they have learned over the school year as well as to perform in front of a live audience.  

For more information, please click here.

 

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Photo credit: Alice Blangero / Ls Ballets de Monte-Carlo

Oceanographic Museum set to welcome millionth visitor to the Polar Mission

At some point during the coming school holidays, the one millionth visitor will cross the threshold of the Polar Mission at Monaco’s Musée Océanographique. Will it be you? 

For over a year now, the Polar Mission has been wowing visitors at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Now the vast exhibition, which covers five spaces within the iconic museum, is set to welcome its one millionth visitor, a major landmark for this immersive and utterly fascinating experience.  

This interactive space within the Polar Mission exhibit is always a hit with children, and the young at heart. Photo credit: Musée Océanographique

That one luck visitor, who is expected to enter through the grand doors of the establishment sometime between 21st October and 5th November, will gain VIP entry to the museum, get a free guided tour and be offered ”numerous” gifts to take home. 

The museum is marking the occasion with the installation of a digitised petition-type system that will allow willing visitors to back the creation of three protected marine zones in the Antarctic: one in the east near Adelie Land, another in the west along the Antarctic peninsula and a third In the Weddell Sea. It will remain in place until the end of 2024. 

If accepted, the three zones will add to two others already in operation, including the protected area in the Ross Sea, which covers 2.09km2 and received the support of Prince Albert II in 2016.  

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 

The museum has a packed programme planned for the upcoming holidays, from a special Polar Mission-theme games booklet that will turn kids into mini reporters to the virtual reality Immerseave 360º experience that features the journey of a sperm whale through the Tubbataha National Park.  

For the price of €38, families can get up close and personal with animals of the Mediterranean coastline, learning what they eat, how they fit into the overall ecosystem and how they get around. This attraction runs every day between 10.30am and 5pm from the entry hall.  

Learn more about the coastline of the Mediterranean and the creatures that live there with this interactive family experience. Photo credit: Musée Océanographique

For the adventurous, there is also a fun escape room set-up taking visitors back in time to the laboratory boat of Prince Albert I, the Princess Alice II. Players must solve a puzzle, decipher codes and plan a strategy to avoid a shipwreck. The escape room is open from 11am to 5pm.  

Finally, there’s the collaborative photography exhibition by Greg Lecoeur and Océano Monaco entitled ‘Poles: Fragile Worlds’, which highlights the beauty and fragility of the polar regions. The exhibit only runs until 5th November, so make sure to check it out before it ends. 

For tickets and more information, visit the website here.

 

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Photo credit: Musée Océanographique

‘Leading Hotel in Monaco’ prize amongst four impressive new awards for the Hôtel Métropole

From a near-perfect score in the Condé Nast Reader’s Choice Awards to being crowned ‘Best Spa in Monaco’, here’s everything you need to know about the new accolades won by the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo.

The Hôtel Métropole has long been recognised as an exceptional establishment that exudes elegance and refinement, but 2023 will go down in the history of the hotel as a particularly exemplary year.  

In the last few weeks, the five-star hotel has been rewarded with not one, not even two, but three international accolades from well-respected hospitality industry entities. They are, according to General Manager Serge Ethuin, “a testament to the dedication and passion” of an “exceptional team”. 

“[The] Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, a beacon of luxury and refinement in the world of hospitality and an iconic establishment nestled in the heart of Monte-Carlo, is thrilled to announce its remarkable achievement of multiple prestigious awards in 2023, solidifying its status as a world-class destination for discerning travellers,” he says. “We are truly honoured to be recognised by these prestigious organisations.” 

THE BIG THREE 

First up, the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards gave the Métropole the impressive third spot in its ranking of hotels in the south of France and Monaco with a near-perfect score of 98.32/100.  

Among the compliments for the hotel’s impeccable “pedigree” and heritage, the Condé Nast Awards also made mention of the Métropole “excellent” food options, with a particular reference to Chef Takeo Yamazaki’s Yoshi, and “top-notch” spa.  

Yoshi, the Japanese-style restaurant by Chef Takeo Yamazaki. Photo credit: Bernard Touillon

It is this latter feature that helped the Hôtel Métropole clinch its second award: the World Spa Award’s Best Spa in Monaco prize for its dedication to offering up top of the line service and wellness experiences. 

Finally, the World Travel Awards named the Métropole as Monaco’s Leading Hotel for 2023 as well as Monaco’s Leading Hotel Suite for 2023 for its breath-taking Carré d’Or suite. The Carré d’Or’s epic views, sumptuous amenities and top-shelf service sealed the deal.  

“These awards underscore the hotel’s unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of guest experience, from elegant accommodations to impeccable service,” concludes Ethuin. “The Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo has consistently been a symbol of luxury, elegance and world-class hospitality. The hotel’s commitment to delivering the highest standards of service, combined with its luxurious accommodations, exquisite dining options and state-of-the-art amenities, has made it a top choice for travellers seeking a memorable and sumptuous experience.” 

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Photos courtesy of the Hôtel Métropole

Photos: Two Roya Valley villages join Prince Albert’s Grimaldi heritage network

Piène-Haute and Olivetta San Michele, two villages astride the French-Italian border in the Roya Valley, have been welcomed into the Grimaldi Historic Sites network that traces the reach of Monaco’s dynastic family.  

After a recent trip to Calabria, Monaco’s Sovereign has been on the road again on a mission to admit new municipalities into the Grimaldi Historic Sites community, a network of more than 125 places across France and Italy that have historic links to the Grimaldi family.  

Piène-Haute 

Prince Albert II of Monaco spent the morning of Monday 9th October in Piène-Haute, an Alpes-Maritimes village belonging to the commune of Breil-sur-Roya and found around an hour north of Monaco. There he unveiled a sign officially marking the commune as part of the network, before he set off to visit the Saint-Marc church. Prince Albert then took part in a ceremony in the town square, rubbing shoulders with locals, much to their delight.  

Piène-Haute’s history is long and curious. In 1500, King of France Louis XII named Jean II Grimaldi, the then-Lord of Monaco, as the Governor of Penna and Ventimiglia. This lasted until 1523, when his brother Lucien Grimaldi, who had assumed the title of Lord of Monaco, was assassinated by his nephew Barthélemy Doria, the Lord of Dolceacqua. 

In the years that followed, the third brother Augustin became Lord of Monaco and he seized, for a time, all of the Doria “fiefs”, including the previously lost Penna. 

In 1862, Penna was changed to the more Italian Piena, then in 1947, due to changes in the French-Italian border, the hamlet of Piena became Piène, and became attached to the commune of Breil-sur-Roya. 

Olivetta San Michele 

Later in the day, Prince Albert hopped over the border into Italy and to the pretty village of Olivetta San Michele. A sign officially designating the commune a member of the Grimaldi Historic Sites group was unveiled, and Monaco’s Prince met with local dignitaries and members of the public during a special reception held in his honour. 

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Photo credits: Palais Princier de Monaco / Michael Alesi / Rémy Masséglia

Café de Paris to finally reopen in mid-November

café de paris

After a long and much-anticipated wait, Monaco’s legendary Café de Paris will reopen its doors in mid-November, just in time for the holiday season.  

The renovation project was originally scheduled to last a little over a year, but delays and unforeseen complications have added more than a few months to the original deadline.  

Thankfully, fans of this timeless address won’t have to wait much longer as Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) CEO Stéphane Valeri has confirmed that the works will be completed imminently and that, in a matter of weeks, the refurbished Café de Paris will once again be serving customers at its prime location on the Place du Casino. 

NEW LOOK, NEW MENU

The €55 million refurbishment and renovations, which have necessitated a complete closure of the historic eatery since March 2022, have been extensive.

The brasserie on the ground level will be complemented by a cosy yet upmarket space on the first floor for patrons looking for a more intimate setting, and the menu has been expanded too. It will reportedly offer twice the number of dishes as the previous one, so guests have even more to choose from.  

“It’s an impressive war machine to turn this iconic restaurant into a magical venue that absolutely has to be visited and is a must-do when people come to the Place du Casino,” said Valeri at a press conference on 27th September. “The deadlines we announced have been confirmed: the work will be completed by the end of October.”  

At this point, the Café de Paris’ temporary sojourn in the Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris, just across the square in the Monte-Carlo neighbourhood, will come to an end. Staff will then be given two weeks to come up to speed with the new Café de Paris and its revised layout.  

AMAZONICO AND SHOPS 

But the Café de Paris isn’t the only awaited opening at this address. Amazonico, the restaurant that has made waves in Madrid, London and Dubai, is coming to the Principality, with an expected opening in April 2024. The eatery will feature a massive 1,000m2 terrace and Latin American-inspired cuisine. 

“The restaurant will bring a very lively feel to the exceptional terraces, with an incredible, breath-taking view of the Place du Casino,” said Valeri of the soon-to-be-opened rooftop eatery.  

There are also seven shops in the complex set to open periodically throughout 2024, with final construction works due to be finished in the spring, though some eager retailers will start receiving customers as early as January. 

  

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Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM

 

Photos: What will Nice’s Ligne 5 tramway look like?

nice ligne 5

Plans for Nice’s fifth and final tramway line between Nice and Drap via La Trinité have been revealed. Here’s what the public transport project will eventually look like. 

When the first tramway line was commissioned at the end of 2007, it changed the way the people of Nice were able to get around. 

The Ligne 1 was later followed by an east-west route that vastly improved cross-city travel, and then came the Saint Isidore tramline, the Ligne 3, which was completed in 2019 and helped to further connect once disparate parts of the city in a cohesive way.  

The final two lines, 4 and 5, are now in the planning stages, and will round out the network. 

Ligne 4 will sync Nice up with its neighbours in Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer via 7.1km of new tracks and over a dozen extra stations while Ligne 5 will take the public transport network up into the Paillon Valley, stopping off in Saint-André-de-la-Roche, La Trinité and Drap. 

Images of what this latter route – a deadline for which has been set for the far-off year of 2040 – have recently been shared online by the mayor of the city, Christian Estrosi, and provide a clear picture of how the tramline will connect with these areas.  

THE LINE 

Ligne 5 will extend from the station of the future Palais des Arts et de la Culture, formerly the Palais des Expositions, in Nice to the Mairie de Drap, some 7.5km away. The proposed route came about as the result of public opinion surveys as well as careful consideration by urban planners. 

The route will be able to transport 45,900 passengers daily, says Estrosi, via a system of trams that will be running every eight minutes.

Environmental concerns are high on the list of priorities for the planners, who have been asked to minimise negative impacts on the local environment wherever possible. As such, a “green corridor” measuring 28,000m2 will be planted along the route, as well as 1,400 trees. A cycling path will also run the length of the tramway. 

For more information, please click here.

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Photo credits: Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis