You can now calculate the carbon footprint of your visit to Monaco

05/05/2023

A new CO2 footprint calculator by Visit Monaco has been designed to help tourists make more eco-informed choices about travelling to, from and around the Principality.

This simple-to-use tool takes only minutes to complete. Users input the dates they plan to travel, the number of those in the group, where they came from, what mode of transport they came by, whether they plan to stay overnight, and how they intend to get around once in town. The tool then gives an estimate of what kind of footprint is generated based on the information given.

For example, a single person coming from Beaulieu-sur-Mer travelling by train for a day trip and moving about the Principality on foot will generate roughly 296g of C02, whereas three people from the same start point but travelling by helicopter and then taking a taxi to their destination will generate a much higher 79.59kg per person.

The results are shared immediately on the website and can also be sent out in an email for later review. The tool then provides personalised tips to help make trips more sustainable.

PART OF CLIMATE AND ENERGY PLAN

The calculator is the latest in the government’s arsenal of tools aimed at a bigger picture carbon neutrality agenda.

It’s just one of a great number of schemes that fall under Monaco’s Climate and Energy Plan, which aims to: “Combat climate change and adapt the territory to these changes, with an approach based on sustainable development… The aim is to build a territory that is resilient, robust and adapted, to the benefit of the population and its businesses.”

The first white paper released in 2017 had a list of points to hit in order to achieve sustainability goals. According to Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux, Director of the Mission for the Energy Transition, who spoke in January at the annual Energy Transition Meeting, “50 out of the 88 actions indicated in 2017 have already been implemented or are currently ongoing”.

It’s a clear sign that Monaco is well on track to reach its ambitious goals.

To calculate your carbon footprint, click on the link here.

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Photo source: Pixabay

Beefbar voted the world’s top steak house

by: Stephanie Horsman

04/05/2023

Riccardo Giraudi’s Beefbar has been voted the ‘World’s best steak house with multiple locations’ in a new ranking of the finest steak restaurants around the globe.

Beefbar has been a staple of the Monaco foodie scene since it was opened by Riccardo Giraudi back in 2005. The concept was simple: to serve up the best beef in a variety of ways, including tartare, burgers and steaks, but also to expand and think outside the box into street food and ethnic options.

Its elegant atmosphere and location on Fontvieille’s port put it a cut above other steak houses, and soon the concept had expanded. Today, Beefbar boasts 32 locations and franchises in cities around the world, such as London, Paris, Milan, Athens and Dubai.

TOP STEAK HOUSE

Now, the newly released World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants has officially recognised Beefbar as the number one steak restaurant with multiple locations. Between 700 and 800 restaurants were assessed before the results were in, and though the competition was stiff, Beefbar stood out.

“I am touched and honoured to receive such an award,” said owner Riccardo Giraudi. “After two decades of hard work to make Beefbar an international, global destination, all my gratitude goes to all our team members, on all continents, because they are the ones who made this possible.”

In the individual restaurant listings, the London branch of Le Petit Beefbar was ranked 39 out of 100 of top steak houses globally. It was the brand’s highest solo restaurant ranking position.

The Beefbar journey continues, with a new location set to open in June on the Greek island of Santorini.

Read Monaco Life’s exclusive interview with Riccardo Giraudi here:

Interview: Restaurant guru Riccardo Giraudi

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Photo courtesy of Beefbar Monaco

Monaco to host Financial Times’ Business of Luxury Summit

by: Elsa Carpenter

04/05/2023

The Principality of Monaco: a place where the worlds of luxury and business meet seamlessly. So where better for the Financial Times to hold its annual Business of Luxury Summit?

Set to take place later this month, from 21st to 23rd May at a variety of locations across the Principality, the Financial Times’ Business of Luxury Summit brings together leading executives, policymakers and entrepreneurs from across the luxury sector.

“High stakes luxury” is the tagline, an exploration of how the sector can continue to grow against a global backdrop of geopolitical and economical turmoil as well as meeting changing consumer demands and sustainability regulations is the objective.

The future of luxury

Over the course of two days, a plethora of big names will lead keynote speeches. Chaired by the Financial Times’ Fashion Editor Lauren Indvik, the multi-purpose event will see the likes of Prada Executive Director Lorenzo Bertelli discuss sustainability issues and Chloé CEO Riccardo Bellini talk about the rebirth of the brand in a new era. Diane von Furstenberg will look back on her impressive career, whilst a panel featuring Mulberry’s Thierry Andretta, Kerling’s Marie-Claire Daveu, SYKY’s Alice Delahunt and Bernstein analyst Luca Sola will consider “The Long View” of the luxury sector.

Topics such as watches, menswear, beauty, millennials, technology, trends and how to get shoppers back into stores will all have their place among the many conferences and roundtables, which can be experienced in-person and digitally for those not able to make the trip.

A gala dinner at Monte-Carlo Sporting will take place on Monday 22nd May; an intimate event ideal for networking and exchange with eminent figures of the luxury world.

Physical passes cost €4,099 while “digital delegates” can gain access to the talks as well as a networking and community area for €399.

For more information, please click here.

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.

Photo of FT HTSI Editor Jo Ellison and Vogue Editor Edward Enninful courtesy of the Financial Times

Drought: “State of natural disaster” declared in 150 Riviera towns

by: Stephanie Horsman

04/05/2023

47 towns in the Alpes-Maritimes and 103 more in the Var have been declared as “natural disaster” areas by the French government due to the extent damages incurred by the extreme drought in 2022.

The drought conditions in the region are wreaking havoc on more than just crops. The severity of the situation has also caused problems in people’s homes and properties in the forms of massive fissures, landslides and cracks in homes caused by earth movements brought on by the intense drought of last year.

This has left homeowners in a state of flux with regard to making insurance claims. Many insurance providers will cover a government-declared natural disaster, but the state must first put out a decree declaring such a situation exists.

This is precisely what has now occurred for some 47 towns in the Alpes-Maritimes and 103 in the Var. The list of places recognised as being in a “state of natural disaster” was published in the Official Journal on 3rd May.

But this list of municipalities is not the end. Another is expected in the coming weeks, adding several more towns, including Nice, that were excluded in this round.

Those that feature in the first list have 30 days to submit a claim with their insurers. Dates for any damage incurred are specific to each location, so make sure to check carefully before formally declaring.

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Photo source: Lisa Dubois for Unsplash

Entertainment under the stars at Marina di Ventimiglia this summer

by: Stephanie Horsman

04/05/2023

Three live shows are to take place in July, proving the Marina di Ventimiglia is the place to be for cool Italian entertainment on hot summer nights.

A stone’s throw from Monaco, Cala del Forte’s Marina di Ventimiglia is turning into a sought-after hotspot for events.

The Marina Development Corporation has lined up three exciting live performances under the title of “Marina di Ventimiglia – Events Under the Stars” for July; each set to be a fun-filled night of music and comedy tinged with irrepressible Italian hospitality.

SINGING, DANCING AND LAUGHS

Events Under the Stars kicks off on 1st July at 9pm with Mario Biondi, the charming crooner who will be playing his get-up-and-move-those-hips hits as well as debuting some new material from his upcoming release. His tunes are reminiscent of another era, when music was joyful and life was uncomplicated, and his voice has a Barry White edge that is sure make the ladies, and maybe even some of the guys, swoon. To top it off, most of his songs are in English, which is a bonus for those who like a catchy tune they can sing along with.

On 7th July at 9.30pm, iconic singer-songwriter-actress Fiorella Mannoia will perform. She has been a staple of the Italian entertainment scene since, at the age of 13, she was a stuntwoman on the film “Non cantare, spara!”. She will be showcasing her new tour, Luce, with jazz pianist Danilo Rea on a candlelit stage, evoking a powerful and sultry sense of romanticism to match the melodies the duo will present.

Finally, on 8th July at 9.30pm, in a complete shifting of gears, comedian and cabaret artist Antonio Ornano will hit the stage for a stand-up called Anthology that will have audiences rolling in the aisles.

MAKING ITS MARK

The Marina is no stranger to hosting events, having already put on a series of “high-level cultural and food and wine events” as well as the successful food photography exhibition by Steve Curry.

The area is part of the city’s urban regeneration project that has already seen significant development of the waterfront, including the state-of-the-art Monaco-linked port of Cala del Forte, restaurants, spas, hotels and residential housing.

This new promotion will carry on in the same tradition of bringing high quality events to the region. Tickets for the concerts range from €30 to €50, and from €15 to €25 for the stand-up show. To secure a spot or for more information, email info@mdc.tl.

SEE ALSO:

The ribbon is cut at Cala del Forte

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.

Photo source Cala del Forte

The history of Karl Lagerfeld and La Vigie

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/05/2023

Did you know that Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved home La Vigie, neighbouring Monaco, was actually a gift to him by Prince Rainer III in exchange for a promise to be fulfilled?

The works of legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld were the theme of this year’s storied Met Gala, showing his legacy lives on in people’s hearts and minds.

Many people know that the Chanel frontman spent a full decade of his life in a Belle Epoque mansion in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, on the border of Monaco, built by Sir William Ingram in 1902 called La Vigie. What most may not know was that it was gifted, not purchased, to him on the promise that he would return it to its former glory.

GIFT TO THE KAISER FROM THE PRINCE

In 1986, Lagerfeld saw and fell in love with the beautiful, but fading, beauty of La Vigie. He already had close ties with the Princely family – Princess Caroline was one of his muses – and when it became known that he was enamoured of the house, Prince Rainier III made the decision to gift it to him on the condition that he would renovate it extensively.

True to his word, Lagerfeld poured an estimated €12.7 million into La Vigie, not only restoring it, but filling it with gorgeous objets d’art, sumptuous furnishings, rich fabrics and incredible art.

The 600 square metre three-storey villa boasts six bedrooms, four bathrooms and two dressing rooms as well as a billiard room and a library. There is also a terrace of 237 square metres that offers unparalleled sea views, adjoining the garden that houses an outdoor jacuzzi.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

After his death in 2019, Sotheby’s France was asked to auction off the contents of three of his residences, including La Vigie.

More than 1,000 bidders registered for the sale, which took place in December 2021. At that auction, nearly 600 objects, including original illustrations, personal effects, mid-century décor and artworks by Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons, brought in just over €12 million. It had been estimated to meet €3 million.

Today the villa is used by SBM as a venue for intimate private events.

Click on the photos below to see more: