A commemorative visit to Paris and the Yvelines in memory of Prince Albert I by Monaco’s reigning sovereign, Prince Albert II, included a private tour of the Maison Zola-Musée Dreyfus in Médan in acknowledgement of his great-grandfather’s ardent support of the two prodigious men.
Prince Albert II spent much of last week touring sites in the French capital that had a close personal connection to his namesake, Prince Albert I (1848-1922), from his former Parisian home on 10 Avenue du President Wilson to the Academy of Sciences.
The final day of the centenary celebrations of his great-grandfather took place in the Yvelines, to the west of Paris, on Wednesday 7th December. Here, Prince Albert II was cordially welcomed to the département by local dignitaries such as Prefect Jean-Jacques Brot and the mayor of Médan, Karine Kauffmann.
The ultimate destination of this part of the trip was the Maison Zola-Musée Dreyfus, which was Emile Zola’s home for more than two decades and the place where he wrote some of his greatest works. It also houses a museum exhibit dedicated to the Dreyfus Affair, which rocked France at the highest level towards the end of the 1800s.
At the fully restored property, Prince Albert II met with Martine Le Blond-Zola, the great-granddaughter of the writer and the vice-president of the Maison Zola-Musée Dreyfus association, as well as Charles Dreyfus, the grandson of Alfred Dreyfus and the association’s vice-president. The scientific director of the museum, Philippe Oriol, and Vincent Duclert, a historian who specialises in the Dreyfus Affair, gave Prince Albert II an in-depth tour and were able to shed new light on the fascinating role his ancestor played in the exoneration of wronged Alfred Dreyfus.
From the early days of the scandal, Prince Albert showed himself to be an ardent supporter of Dreyfus. His backing extended to Zola, following the latter’s well-known open letter, “J’accuse!”, which called on the upper echelons of the French government to free the unlawfully jailed Dreyfus.
Prince Albert I was the only contemporary head of state to speak out against Dreyfus’s imprisonment and reached out to Zola after the publishing of the letter, writing, “Your statement contains the most wonderful sentiments that a soul could express. It honours humanity, it adds a ray of light to the glory of France. For all those who admire independence and sincerity in patriotism, you have risen higher than the renown of your talent.”
To round off the proud and cultural moment, Prince Albert II was treated to a lunch in the billiard room of the historic home.
Photos credit: Axel Bastello, Palais Princier de Monaco
A Classic Christmas: free choral concerts in Monaco
For a more traditional Christmas experience, why not attend one of Monaco’s classical concerts? Monaco Life presents free choral events taking place in the Principality this December.
The magic of Christmas is taking over Monaco and the countdown is on for the Big Day. In the lead-up, take a journey across three different locations and celebrate the birth of Christ at four different classical performances, where beautiful choral voices pair with tradition.
This Wednesday 14th December, join the students of the Rainier III Academy at their free Christmas concert held at the Rainier III Auditorium from 8 pm. The concert is free to attend, however guests must register their attendance online via the Monaco Town Hall. To register and for more information, visit the website located here.
For the next performance, we move to the impressive stage set at the Monaco Cathedral. Since 2011, the Department of Cultural Affairs has been organising annual Baroque performances in collaboration with the Diocese of Monaco. Directed by Jean-Sébastien Beauvais and with the promise to take the audience on a “musical journey close to the wonders of Christmas where the figure of the Virgin Mary and the woman intersect”, the Surge Propera! concert by the La Chambre ensemble this Friday 16th December at 8pm will include key musical works by some of the great masters of the Renaissance including Roland de Lassus, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestine. No prior registration is necessary.
Also taking place at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco, but this time on Sunday 28th December at 6pm, our third performance sees the ethereal voices of the Monaco Boys Choir complemented by the talented musicians of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. Directed by Peter Szüts and Pierre Debat, the concert promises to deliver nine stunning performances of classical scores composed by masters such as Mozart, Handel, and Bach and performed by some of the most talented artists in Monaco. The Monaco Boys Choir will also be performing at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at the Cathedral. Further details can be found here.
Photo source: Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco/Facebook
Golden Foot: Will it be Messi’s turn to win the prestigious award?
While the eyes of the footballing world are still firmly fixed on the World Cup in Qatar, Monaco is getting ready to host the Golden Foot, with Lionel Messi among the nominees to succeed Mohamed Salah.
The World Cup only concludes 18th December, but just three days later, the stars of the sport will descend on the Principality, with one of those stars making a literal mark in history by having their foot printed on the Promenade des Champions in Monaco.
The 20th edition of the award, to be held in the Grimaldi Forum on 21st December, was moved to later in the year due to the ongoing tournament in Qatar. Initially an event that was held in early November, it was moved to late November in 2021 (the winners are pictured above) in order to coincide with the awarding of the Ballon d’Or in Paris. Now to late December in 2022.
Legends of the game such as Juan Sebastien Veron will be present at the event as will Turkey manager Fatih Térim, with the work of both individuals set to be recognised. The largest question remains: who will succeed Salah as the winner of the prestigious Golden Foot award?
As always, there is a star-studded list of nominees. Miraculously, Messi has never won the award. Voting for the winner has now closed and therefore the outcome of his World Cup campaign with Argentina won’t be a factor in deciding whether he finally gets his hand – or foot – on the award.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is also considered to be a favourite. The Frenchman won the 2022 Ballon d’Or after a string of incredible performances that guided his team to the Champions League title.
Harry Kane, Gareth Bale, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mané and many others are also nominated for the award.
Photo source: Golden Foot
Photos: Monaco’s Princes and Princesses prep tortoises for transfer to Africa
Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella have celebrated their 8th birthday in style with work helping to transfer Monaco’s endangered tortoises to West Africa and a multi-themed birthday party.
On Saturday 10th December, the twins and their parents Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were invited to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco to help in the transportation of 46 young turtles for travel to the Turtle Village of Noflaye, in Senegal, as part of a population reinforcement project. This was the first part of a three-year programme to return the tortoises to the wild.
The Oceanographic Museum has housed several African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata), the third largest land tortoise in the world, since 2012. Seven specimens were offered by the former Malian President, Amadou Toumani Touré, to Prince Albert II of Monaco during an official trip. These tortoises, from a breeding centre in Mali, were then entrusted to Robert Calcagno, general director of the Oceanographic Institute, to raise awareness among visitors about the protection of this endangered species. The herbivorous reptiles had taken up residence in the L’île aux Tortues, a space specially designed for them on the panoramic terrace of the Museum, where they have since evolved in an 80m² landscaped enclosure.
“Protecting animal species, both on land and at sea, and making them known to the general public is a major challenge for the future,” explained Robert Calcagno. “Having these spurred tortoises, an animal now threatened, has enabled their reproduction while raising awareness among visitors of their need for preservation.”
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene took part in the “packaging” of the tortoises for travel, photo courtesy Oceanographic Institute of Monaco
Several have given birth to 49 juvenile tortoises and, now the enclosure is not large enough to accommodate them all, the Oceanographic Institute has joined forces with the African Institute for the Study and Protection of Turtles (African Chelonian Institute – ACI), which has set up a population reinforcement program for 46 of them.
The tortoises will first be received by the Centre for the Protection of Turtles in Senegal – Village des Tortues, before being introduced into the Koyli Alpha Nature Reserve in the northwest of the country where they will be monitored for two years.
Prince Jacques decorating the transport crate, photo courtesy Oceanographic Institute of Monaco
Tomas Diagne, a world-renowned turtle expert and winner of the Rolex Prize for Entrepreneurship in 1998, has been working for more than 30 years to save these endangered species in Senegal and West Africa. “This operation is exemplary in our eyes because in Africa, turtles are almost always exported to supply international trade. It is therefore a rare and beneficial exception to see them return to strengthen already weakened wild populations,” said Tomas Diagne.
After a first stage of “conditioning” at the Oceanographic Museum, during which the 46 juveniles were placed in a set of six specially designed crates, the tortoises were transported from Monaco to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, and eventually to Dakar.
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella celebrated their 8th birthday with their parents on 10th December. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace
On Saturday evening, the twins celebrated their birthday together with their parents Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.
A photo shared by the Palace shows a game theme for the little prince, complete with Mario and Sonic birthday cake, and a Japanese theme for the little princess, who looked adorable dressed up in traditional Japanese costume.
Click on the gallery below to see more photos…
All photos courtesy Oceanographic Institute of Monaco
Prince Albert: “”None of us will be able to save the world alone”
Prince Albert II of Monaco has made a two-day visit to Athens as guest of honour and keynote speaker at the Economist’s sustainability summit and gala dinner.
Monaco’s Head of State was welcomed to the Greek capital on 30th November and 1st December at the Divani Apollon Palace and Thalasso for the 6th Sustainability Summit for south-east Europe and the Mediterranean, organised by the Economist.
During his speech on the environment and climate change, the Prince highlighted the actions people must take, on many levels, to safeguard the environment: protecting the marine ecosystem, farming practices that utilise technological solutions while respecting the environment and humanity, the green transition of tourism, and reducing the carbon footprint of transport.
In the discussion that followed, Prince Albert referenced the circular economy of Astypalaia and how it should be implemented on a larger scale, as well as the shift of Formula One to electromobility.
“None of us will be able to save the world alone. And perhaps we won’t be able to do so all together either. But collectively we can bring about genuine change in several areas; areas that are important enough to transform our future,” said Prince Albert in closing the two-day conference.
Prince Albert II of Monaco with John Andrews from the Economist and Dr. Vassili Apostolopoulos, Honorary Consul of Monaco to the Hellenic Republic.
His Serene Highness was accompanied throughout by the Honorary Consul of Monaco to the Hellenic Republic, Dr. Vassili G. Apostolopoulos, while the Monaco Consulate in Greece was among the supporters of the conference.
Topics addressed during the summit included nuclear energy as a solution to rising energy prices, Europe’s reaction to the refugee crisis, and inequalities in a post-pandemic working environment.
Photo above: Prince Albert II of Monaco with Dr. Vassili Apostolopoulos, Honorary Consul of Monaco to the Hellenic Republic at the Consulate’s stand at the Economist Sustainability Summit
Les Bordes Estate launches second round of luxury home sales in Loire Valley
Les Bordes Estate has launched the second round of sales of Cour du Baron, a collection of luxury residences within one of the most exceptional, family-friendly private communities in the world.
Kings, queens, dukes and aristocrats have lived in Loire Valley castles since the 9th century; it has the longest wine route in all of France with vineyards stretching along the Loire River between Nantes and Sancerre, and black truffles flourish at the feet of ancient oak and hazelnut trees, much to the delight of local gastronomic chefs.
Now, there is a new Loire Valley luxury in the making.
Established in 1987 by Baron Marcel Bich, Les Bordes Estate is a majestic, 1,400-acre property situated in the mythical Sologne Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is just 90 minutes from Paris.
Golf enthusiasts will know the name Les Bordes Estate thanks to the private golf club. It is one of the most acclaimed private facilities in the world and features two championship courses and a par three course designed by world-renowned golf course architects. They’re ranked in the Top 10 in continental Europe, and the New Course was recently included in Golf magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World.
Les Bordes Golf Course. Photo credit Kevin Diss
But fewer have perhaps heard of the residences that are currently under construction here: Cour du Baron. In 2018, London-based RoundShield Partners assumed control of Les Bordes Estate with the aim of invigorating new life into the historic site. Their vision includes this string of unique single-family residences designed by renowned architecture firm Michaelis Boyd. They are between 170 and 550-square metre homes with spacious indoor-outdoor floorplans, up to seven bedrooms and some with private pool, on estate sites ranging from 1.5 to over 2 hectares.
Surrounded by lush forest landscape and situated along waterways, the Cour du Baron residences are being marketed to golf lovers – in fact 18 of the first 21 homes have been snapped up by Les Bordes Golf Club members – but the estate is also being billed as a lifestyle getaway for the whole family. There are endless activities here: fishing, horseback riding, archery, tennis, pickleball, bicycling, electric go-karting, a children’s playground, ziplining, a petting farm and more.
Les Bordes Estate horses
By 2025, there will also be a Six Senses Hotel Resort and Spa – a pioneer of sustainable hospitality – alongside a gastronomic restaurant, an organic kitchen garden and Earth Lab.
With the hotel situated metres from the estate, it will be the only fully-private, secure, gated community with its own golf course in Europe.
“We wanted to create a real lifestyle brand,” says Massimiliano ‘Max’ Binda, Chief Executive Officer of Les Bordes Estate. “It’s also both the security element and the fact that you want to be with like-minded people. We host and have as members, and we’ll have as owners, some extraordinary people that want to be with like-minded people in a safe and secure environment where they know they feel satisfied.”
Les Bordes Estate lake
The first 21 of 89 residences will be delivered by the end of 2023. The next 24 are now available for purchase, ranging from €1.5 to €6.5+ million, with a March 2024 move-in date. There are six different styles of homes, explains Max, most of them French countryside villas designed to blend in with their surroundings.
By next year, the largest residences will be released for sale, those on up to 10 acres of land that will allow you to keep horses, have your own private tennis court, recording studio, or perhaps a wine cellar.
The next phase will also see the addition of restaurants, a café and juice bar, organic farm, gym and Le Village with its own amphitheatre, serving as “a community gathering place for relaxation and socialisation”.
It’s an incredibly ambitious project, but at 1,400 acres, this estate can clearly have it all. There’s even a sandy “beach” and, eventually, an equestrian centre.
Les Bordes Estate Clubhouse
At just an hour and a half from France’s capital, Les Bordes Estate is looking to attract Parisians who wish to escape to the country on weekends, Europeans in need of a turnkey product, and “Americans who know this market well”, says Max, who brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the role of CEO.
There are no cars allowed on the estate after arrival, he explains, so it’s just pure serenity and a real feeling of escape.
“Once you come into the estate, there is a certain peacefulness that surrounds you. Our members feel very relaxed here, they have no worries whatsoever,” he says. “The idea is to build a community that is extremely family friendly. I would say 90% of our activities are for kids. We understand that we need to create offerings that really capture the interests of the entire family.”
A Cour du Baron villa
Luxury is accommodation that removes any inconvenience, and Les Bordes Estate has plenty of tech in the villas. Owners can call ahead and make sure their home is ready when they arrive; the estate can also manage holiday lettings to subsidise costs for owners if they wish.
It is literally a millionaire’s family playground and, in this post-Covid world where family time has jumped up the list of priorities, this opportunity has come at a unique time. According to the latest figures, homes designed for seasonal and/or recreational use that sold for €1 million or more increased nearly 25% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2022. We can only imagine what 2023 will bring.
If you would like to experience Les Bordes Estate and discover more about the Cour du Baron residences, Monaco Life is happy to announce a special rate for our readers. It includes:
Personalised Tour of Cour du Baron homesites and Les Bordes Estate
Onsite accommodation: Suite: $950/night, Premium Room: $590/night, Standard Room: $520/night
Special Monaco Life welcome amenity in your accommodation
Access to the Country Club facilities: equestrian, tennis, go-karting, fishing, cycling and swimming lake, and the Club House facilities
Access to the Wild Piglet par three golf course and a personalised tour of the championship golf courses by the Director of Golf
1-hour golf lesson with a Les Bordes Golf Club professional
This offer is valid now through the end of May 2023, subject to availability.
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