Louis Ducruet has given the world a unique glimpse of “the happiest day of his life”, posting a video of his marriage to Marie Chevallier on social media. The son of Princess Stephanie tied the knot with his long-time love in July, but it is clear the couple is still full of emotion five months in.
27-year old Louis Ducruet married 27-year-old Marie Chevallier on 27th July in a fittingly elaborate wedding in Monaco, surrounded by friends and family.
On Monday 30th December, Louis Ducruet published a short video on his Instagram featuring highlights of the day. It includes the couple’s arrival at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and Marie in her stunning white dress with enormously long train, the ceremony, and all the fun of the after party. They are surrounded by their loved ones: the family of the bride, their friends, and the family of the groom including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, Princess Stephanie and her former husband Daniel Ducruet… rare images of the parents of Louis and Pauline, who divorced in 1996.
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“Remembering the best day of this 2019 year! Surrounded by family and friends ❤️ Excited to start this new year with the person I’m proud to call my wife ❤️ I love you”, Prince Albert’s nephew wrote in a caption on the video. The bride, who also shared the video, posted a similar message: “Before jumping into 2020, all I can think about is how amazing this year has been to us ❤️ I love you my soulmate.”
The happy couple also welcomed a new member to their family in 2019: Pancake, a gorgeous dog pictured in a matching Christmas jumper in the couple’s holiday post.
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Top photo: Screenshot of Louis and Marie Ducruet’s wedding video posted on Instagram
From 1st January 2020, a number of single use plastic products will be banned in Monaco, including cups and plates. It is the latest step in the government’s plan to have the Principality completely free of single-use plastics within a decade.
“The Principality is resolutely part of an approach to prohibit the use of all single-use plastics,” said Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister for Equipment, the Environment and Town Planning. “This is obvious in view of the impact that plastics have and the danger the pose to the environment, in particular for marine fauna, knowing that the vast majority of plastic micro-waste is discharged into the sea.”
The following items will no longer be available in Monaco in 2020: cotton swabs, plastic cups, plastic cutlery and disposable plastic plates. The move follows the banning of single-use plastic bags in 2016 and plastic straws and plastic mixers in January 2019.
“Fighting single-use plastics also means reducing the greenhouse gases that are generated by their manufacture, transport and disposal,” added Ms Gramaglia. “These concerns, combining biodiversity protection, climate change and improving the quality of life, are at the heart of the action of the Department of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning.”
In a concerted effort to change plastic consumption in Monaco, the Government established a ‘Monaco Waste Prevention and Management Plan’ in 2016, with the aim of meeting its ‘Zero single-use plastic waste by 2030’ policy.
The ambitious objective is in line with European policies and, according to the government, “can be achieved by implementing regulatory provisions and an action plan to support the various players involved and ensure everyone is supported in the transition process.”
The biggest entities to feel the impact of these changes – traders and restaurateurs – will have specific support from the government, including assistance in finding substitutions for prohibited items.
They will also receive a ‘Committed Commerce’ label or a ‘Committed Restaurant’ label if they achieve three objectives: a reduction in plastic tableware use and disposable packaging; a reduction in food waste; and compliance with local and ethical standards.
The government will also distribute information to businesses early in the shedding light on the authorised materials and recommended practices. These sheets will also include single-use items for which there are no restrictions yet, such as plastic bottles and food containers.
Jazmin Grace Grimaldi has released a new song with her rocker boyfriend Ian Mellencamp.
Prince Albert’s daughter released the duet, titled Thankful, on Monday 16th December with her longtime beau.
The holiday song features the pair singing about how thankful they are for eachother’s love. “All I need is your love on this Christmas morning,” sings 27-year-old Jazmin in her sultry jazz style.
The artwork for the song is a black and white photograph of Jazmin and her 33-year-old boyfriend cuddling.
Ian Mellencamp is the nephew of famed singer songwriter John Mellencamp. The musician and former Calvin Klein model released a new album in November titled Romance in D.
Meanwhile, Jazmin released her first single titled Fearless in October.
There’s a new face on the Rock, Portuguese-Australian restaurateur John Contente. With his French chef in the kitchen, this pair is delivering the ultimate French comfort food in a family-style restaurant, far from the hustle and bustle of Monte Carlo.
In an interview with Monaco Life, John talks about why, in just three short months, Le Petit Bar has become such a hit with the locals.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us how you came to be a restaurant owner at the Rock?
John Contente: I was born in Portugal and raised in Australia. I went travelling in my 20s and met a girl in London who was from the south of France. We both moved there in 2005, and my first position involved opening a Four Seasons in Provence, now known as Terre Blanche. As you can imagine, it was a rude awakening coming from London to Provence, so I left that position and started working as a waiter at The Pacific and, once I learned French, I got picked up by Sass Café where I stayed for a few years. Then, The Pacific called me back to take over as manager, so I remained there for about three years, before heading over to the Fairmont and eventually the Italian restaurant Pulcinella for five years. An opportunity to take over Le Petit Bar came along, and after waiting three months for authorisation, we opened in early September 2019.
Why did you feel the need to open your own restaurant?
It has always been a dream of mine since I started working in this industry – to either have my own bar or restaurant. Here, I have both!
Why the Rock?
To be perfectly honest with you, I had only been to the Rock twice for weddings and that was it. But the price was right and the opportunity was there. I was convinced by friends and family to go ahead with it, and when I thought about it – that everything down in Monaco was way out of my price range – I thought why not start up here and see where it takes me?
What was your idea when you took over this restaurant?
My chef Jean-Marc Troussard and I have worked together before, and he wanted to come on this journey with me. His specialty is French food, so we are offering the sort of dishes that people grew up eating, but that you don’t necessarily see in restaurants anymore, like
Blanquette de Veau and sausages with lentils. It is comfort food in a very relaxed environment. We don’t want to work in ties and be too serious, we want people to come up here and feel like they are going home – to their parent’s house for a roast chicken on a Sunday. Obviously, the chef puts his little spin on the dishes but he is also staying true to the classics.
How have you found the response from customers?
Very good. For example, our plate of the day today – roast beef with caramelised shallots and roast potatoes – sold out within the hour. Our prices are also very good, probably too good to be honest. But it is the beginning. We want to get through the winter and see how it goes, and see what our market is for the coming season. We want people to come and try it, like it and enjoy their experience.
At this time of year, you must rely a lot on the day trade and the locals?
Yes, people who work in the Mairie and the Palace come in for lunch, while residents of the Rock come in mainly at night. The previous owner only opened for breakfast and lunch, so the locals were all very surprised and happy to have another option to dine in the evening.
Can you tell us about the produce you use at Le Petit Bar?
Everything is seasonal. What you see here is what you get. We can’t store anything for long periods because we don’t have the facilities, so customers are basically eating everything that is delivered in the morning. Our produce is locally sourced, fresh, and mostly organic. There are only two of us working, so everything here is made by hand. The chef even prepares his own brioche to make the dessert.
It’s an open kitchen so there’s nothing to hide here. It really is like going to your family’s house for dinner…
You can sit here and have a chat with the chef while he is cooking. Some people ask him what they should eat that day, and he will explain what came in that morning and how he is preparing it. The guests love it. That’s what makes the charm of this place, because even if you eat by yourself, there is a show going on behind you in the kitchen.
Can you tell us about the wines you have here?
I change the menu regularly because I want people to try as many different things as possible from Europe and Australia. I have a white and red from Margaret River, Australia, and I also have a white and red from Portugal. All the rest are French wines because it is a French kitchen, but I do want to put my own influence in the menu. We have a gin that’s made in Valbonne, so we also try to have local alcohol too.
How many people can you fit in here?
12 outside and 21 inside, so it’s very cosy and manageable for the two us.
What is your vision for Le Petit Bar?
To be one of the go-to places on the Rock. If you want to eat good, fresh, homemade food, then this should be your number one place to go. Apart from the gastronomic restaurant 50 metres away, the rest of the eateries here are tourist traps – pizza, pasta, sandwiches. We do real food in a laid back, family-friendly atmosphere.
Why should people come to the Rock at night?
For the experience. The Rock at night is completely different to Monte Carlo, which is so busy. There are no cars here and no scooters after 10pm. It is perfect for a romantic night out or a quiet dinner with family and friends. You feel very calm and relaxed up here.
Princess Charlene spent a day in Abu Dhabi to support Monegasque race car driver Charles Leclerc for the last race of the Formula 1 season.
The Princess and the driver met briefly before the race, which was held at the YAs Marina Circuit, where she was able to convey her admiration for his achievements and his excellent season.
She also took advantage of her time there to meet with Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) regarding future actions pertaining to road safety, specifically under the framework of the FIA High Level Road Safety Panel, which the Princess has been a member of since 2018.
Leclerc came in third place that day, and fourth in the season standings overall, surpassing his Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel.
Smartly decked out in a charcoal grey one piece suit with gold necklaces adorned with her nearly-five-year-old twins’ names, she looked stunning and quite relaxed, despite her hectic schedule.
In a rare interview, the former Olympian turned Princess recently opened up to French publication Point de Vue explaining that she was quite a hands-on type of parent, which leaves her often exhausted and fulfilled in equal measure. She also expressed her pride in the way they very supportively behave with one another, the fact that they speak fluently in both French and English and their flexibility with regard to travel and time spent abroad with both their parents.
After the race, Princess Charlene returned home to the Principality.
The Monaco Economic Board, together with 12 Monegasque entities, recently headed to Shanghai for the China International Import Expo. Two deals were signed and the foundation was laid for further possible collaborations.
Monaco Life spoke to Monaco Invest Director Justin Highman about the mission and how China is fast becoming a viable business option for the Principality.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us how the Monaco Economic Board became interested in theChina International Import Expo?
Justin Highman: The expo we attended was the 2nd edition, held in Shanghai at the initiative of President Xi Jinping himself, who wanted an exhibition in China that regroups all of the foreign entities that wish to trade into China. There are already many expos all over the country, but he thought to bring them all into one major annual event.
It went ahead under the guidance of Monaco’s Ambassador to China H.E. Catherine Fautrier, who also happened to be the chief instigator of President Xi’s state visit in March and the very successful trade mission in September 2019.
The previous trade missions in China we did were good but the response was not as positive as in September when we accompanied HSH Prince Albert’s state visit to Beijing and we had a number of MEB members sign contracts. It was then that we felt that something was happening with our Chinese counterparts, the national Chamber of Commerce, and even more so when President Xi Jinping visited Monaco in March this year. So, the Ambassador said we simply must try our hardest to do this show as the Chinese were very willing for us to be there and give us a lot of support.
H.E. Catherine Fautrier, Monaco’s Ambassador to China, and Justin Highman, Monaco Invest Director, with some participants from the Monegasque delegation in the Monaco Pavilion. Credit DR
What did Monaco’s participation look like?
We had a great delegation representing many sectors of the diversified Monegasque economy with 12 different entities – Aton Green Energy, AS Monaco, Cosmetics and Capillaries Monaco, GPS Monaco, l’Orangerie, Mazza Real Estate, Monacobor, Therascience, Carthage Heritage, ABTS & Partners, and Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and us – in a well-designed area of 136 m² to present the Principality’s know-how and economic assets.
We showed promotional films of HSH Prince Albert, of the economy, of tourism, of SBM’s hotels, of Monaco under different angles… which really attracted people. Each company from Monaco also had their own booth within our pavilion with a screen to show their corporate film as well as an area for meetings, then at the centre we had a larger meeting area for more significant delegations.
We had a number of visits from Chinese buyers, distribution agents and traders who were looking to buy foreign quality goods and who were very attracted to the ‘Monaco’ brand. The two cosmetics companies, in particular, did very well.
This exhibition is enormous, we are talking over 400,000 square metres, with a total of 181 countries, regions and international organisations represented, and 3,800 companies taking part in the exhibition. The number of registered buyers and other professional visitors exceeded 500,000.
Monaco Invest Director Justin Highman promoting the Principality’s advantages to a Chinese audience. Credit DR
So how did you make Monaco stand out?
We were in the ‘Country Pavilion’ with about 90 pavilions of roughly the same size and everyone walked through the different countries to learn more about them and their products. We were bordered with Brazil, Costa Rica, Portugal, and France was not too far away. But everyone was attracted to the Monaco stand – we had a picture of the meeting between HSH Prince Albert II and President Xi Jinping that they all wanted to see. And surprisingly football was also a huge attraction, so we were lucky to have AS Monaco Football Club with us. In fact, many stands were using football as a drawcard – Spain had football shirts and Portugal had a goal where you could kick a football into it.
That’s when you know of the significance of the new initiatives of MEB’s CEO Guillaume Rose. His idea of going beyond economy and selling the attractiveness of other aspects like sports, science or culture – the Opera de Monte-Carlo, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Scientific Centre of Monaco – it makes sense. All the other countries are doing it because it brings you the right kind of prospects, the right kind of people – and that is the heads of companies. They are attracted by a more holistic view, by other things rather than just the economy.
We also represented Monaco’s interests in ecology and the environment with a renewable energy company named Aton Green Energy. By the way, Beijing and Shanghai are very much already down the green energy route with electric taxis, buses and bikes so the renewable energy sector is a concrete opportunity in Asia.
Monaco Economic Board Members Rendez-Vous. Credit MEB/ CARTE BLANCE
What was the response from the businesses who participated?
While there were some issues, notably accessibility to the site because there were so many people coming in every day, as well as the language barrier, our latest satisfaction survey from participants indicates that everyone was very positive about the experience.
They felt that they really gauged the size of the market and the potential of Chinese buyers. When you consider that you could meet people who represent a network of 350 spas or 350 opticians for example, suffice to say that just one out of the hundreds of people we saw over the five days represents so much business, compared to anywhere else in the world.
Clearly, the potential is huge – 1.4 four billion is just the internal market of China, meanwhile many Chinese companies have assets and subsidiaries all over Asia. So, if you find a long-term and reliable partner at this expo, you could potentially thrive in China but also Asia.
Signature of an agreement between Frimo and Baiyang, witnessed by H.E. Catherine Fautrier, Monaco’s Ambassador to China. Credit DR
Two companies in particular signed deals during the trip, can you tell us about that?
Mirco Albisetti, CEO of the meat export-import company Frimo, sold part of his company to a Chinese entity, Baiyang. He likened this as the second significant signature with a Chinese company after the Monaco Telecom – Huawei deal. Meanwhile, Therascience Comestics signed an agreement with China Comfort Group Chong Qing & Slow Loo, an entity in Chongqingto to distribute its products within the city, which represents over 10 million people.
That’s why participants were so happy with the trip. They were so thankful that the Ambassador and the MEB wanted to do this because they wouldn’t have done it on their own. China is just so big, and many companies feel out of their depth.
The aim of the MEB is to help generate business for our members locally, with our neighbours and internationally. Because at the end of the day, the more businesses that is generated, the more that is invested into the Monaco economy. And if we can help in any way, shape or form, then we have done the job and we are happy!
Read more about the MEB in our Part 2 interview with Justin Highman coming soon.
Top photo: Justin Highman, Director of Monaco Invest
