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€100 for new carpoolers as of New Year

by: Jessica Tatam
30/12/2022

As part of plans to boost the number of commuter rideshares, France is launching a financial bonus scheme for drivers, and it’s easy to apply.  

How does getting paid to help cut emissions and wasted time stuck in unnecessary traffic sound? From January 2023, drivers who offer a lift to co-workers via a recognised lift-sharing platform could be in line for a €100 bonus under France’s Daily Carpooling Plan, which is aimed at regular short-distance commuters.  

“The bonus is intended to promote carpooling,” says Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Energy Transition. “In addition to the positive climate effects of this measure, it is a response to the increase in fuel prices.” 

The government, which will set aside €150 million for the plan over the next four years, estimates that carpooling currently represents just 3% of home-to-work journeys. With the launch of the new action plan, it is hoped that the figure will increase from 900,000 to 3,000,000 by 2027. Calculations by the Ministry for Transport suggest this would signify a 4.5 million tonne reduction to CO2 emissions each year as well as a considerable curtailment in the levels of traffic that bring cities to a standstill every day. 

How does the scheme work?

The €100 bonus will be paid in two instalments: an initial €25 once the first rideshare is completed and the remaining €75 following a further nine trips that must take place within the next three months.  

It is available to all first-time carpool drivers who offer a ride to colleagues and other local commuters using one of the many rideshare platforms available across the country (the official list of platforms that have signed up to the scheme can be found here).  

All carpool journeys of less than 80 km will be eligible. A valid driving licence is, of course, required.  

For further information, please click here.

 

 

Photo source: Nabeel Syed for Unsplash

Early spring festivals for the whole family

by: Elsa Carpenter
29/12/2022

With the New Year fast approaching, Monaco Life picks out some of the region’s best family-friendly festivals for early 2023. 

Monte-Carlo Circus Festival 

First up for family attractions is the incredible Monte-Carlo Circus Festival, which is the biggest of its kind in the world! The breath-taking display is back after a Covid hiatus and will be celebrating its 45th anniversary in the Fontvieille Big Top from 20th to 29th January. A great number of international acts, from magicians and unicyclists to horseback riders and jugglers, are also returning to the spotlight. Don’t forget the New Generation side event, which champions young and emerging talents from the industry. For more information, please click here.  

Nice’s famous Carnival 

From 10th to 26th February, the streets of Nice will come alive with parades, dance troupes and music for the annual carnival event. With this year’s theme of King of World Treasures, the crowd can expect a particularly vibrant show. It’s also officially 150 years since the tradition of the carnival began in Nice, starting back in 1873, so it’s a momentous occasion in the history of this beloved festival that is famed for its colossal structures still made by artisans in the city. A special anniversary parade has been programmed for Saturday 11th February – book tickets now for your chance to attend!  

Menton’s Fête du Citron 

The lemon festival, as it’s widely known, is an iconic event on the French Riviera and regularly attracts over 200,000 people, young and old. Due to be held from 11th to 26th February with the quirky theme of rock and opera, the festival holds both day and night-time parades through the decorated streets and gardens of this seaside town. Side events include the spectacular orchid market and crafts fair. A Pink Floyd-inspired night on Saturday 18th February, entitled The Dark Side of the Moon, is set to be a highlight of the festival. Here’s the link to tickets and the programme. 

Festival International de Jeux in Cannes 

From 24th to 26th February, Cannes’ famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès will become the epicentre of the international games industry, with exhibits from studios, publishers, authors, illustrators and professional gamers. Over 45,000m2 of traditional and classic games will be on show, including new releases and some premieres as well as videogames and simulation games. The industry event takes place over a full week, but the general public are invited in for the closing days of the festival, allowing keen gamers opportunities to meet their favourite creators and players. Please click here for more information.

 

 

Photo source: Carnaval de Nice/Facebook

Smart Yacht Rendezvous: An event uniting sustainability and innovation in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter
29/12/2022
la belle classe

Yachts, a symbol of luxury synonymous with Monaco, but also one that can clash with the Principality’s drive for sustainability. The upcoming Smart Yacht Rendezvous seeks to change that juxtaposition.    

The first ever edition of Smart Yacht Rendezvous (SYR) is set to take place at the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) between 23rd and 24th March 2023, slotting neatly into the wider Monaco Ocean Week.

The concept seeks to highlight the need for sustainability-focused innovation at each stage of a yacht’s life cycle, from the research and development phase to construction, maintenance, retrofits and, ultimately, disassembly. 

Organiser Monaco Marina Management (M3), itself an environmentally-aware yachting consultancy based in the Principality, hopes the networking event will help bring owners and players from yachting together so that the challenges of remaking the industry can be discovered and discussed in a balanced forum.  

“It is imperative to involve the entire ecosystem to make it more virtuous by encouraging exchanges and bringing on innovations that can effect major changes to the industry. Today it’s a priority,” said Jose Marco Casellini, the CEO of M3, in announcing the event. “We started with infrastructures, the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, and logic dictates that we continue with yachts as the two are inextricably linked.”  

The SYR comes on the heels of two successful editions of the Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, also held at the YCM, the third of which is being planned for 24th and 25th September 2023.  

“Monaco is not only the capital of luxury yachting, but most importantly, the capital of sustainable yachting,” Prince Albert II and also the president of the YCM has said.  

It is a sentiment echoed by Bernard d’Alessandri, the president of Cluster Yachting Monaco and the general secretary of the YCM: “For many years, the Yacht Club de Monaco and its president, Prince Albert II, have supported any action promoting sustainability in the yachting world. We need to act together and fast. YCM is a platform to present tangible solutions that can make a difference.” 

Tickets are now available for the event and cost €500, including access to all roundtable events and networking sessions. 

For more information, please visit the website. 

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Major overhaul of PACA TER trains in the works

by: Jessica Tatam
29/12/2022
train nice ter

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region has announced a grand plan to renovate and modernise its TER rail network with the goal of increasing comfort and environmental performance.  

Within the 2023-2028 budget, €30 million has been set aside for the project: a “large-scale operation” to update 60 trains and thus improve comfort for passengers and reduce emissions.  

The first stage of the renovation plans will focus on modernising the 29 trains that operate between the Alps and the west of the region, focusing on optimum comfort internally and the installation of particle filters to improve environmental performance. These works will take place in the period from 2024 to 2030. 

The second overhaul will take place as part of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) project. The concept will bring innovative technology to the 31 trains and signal service on the Marseille-Ventimiglia line, resulting in a higher level of service and reduced overall costs.  

“Our ambition is to strengthen the positioning of our region as an innovative and exemplary territory in the implementation of the Climate Plan, without forgetting of course the well-being of our inhabitants,” explained Muselier. “For us, it is essential that regional transport be accessible to all, with modern equipment that respects the environment”.  

In line with its aim of providing accessible transport, the region has also announced that it would cover the majority of the anticipated cost increase to transport for 2023, with only €6 million, of €30 million in total, being passed onto users.  

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Monaco in mourning after death of former Archbishop Barsi

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/12/2022

Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Barsi, who served Monaco for two decades, has died after suffering a severe heart attack on Christmas eve.

It was announced on Wednesday evening by the current Archbishop that 80-year-old Barsi had died in Nice.

Bernard Barsi suffered a heart attack on Christmas Eve after celebrating mass for the inmates of the Nice prison. He passed away on Wednesday 28th December at around 5pm at the L’Archet Hospital in Nice surrounded by his family.

“It is with great emotion that we give thanks to God for the life of Archbishop Bernard Barsi”, said Archbishop Dominique-Marie David, who succeeded him in 2020, in a public statement. “He who has worked for so many years for the proclamation of the Gospel in Monaco.”

Details of the funeral are yet to be revealed.

Archbishop Barsi was very close to the Princely family, most notably conducting the funeral of Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 2005, the wedding of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock in July 2011, and baptising Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella in May 2015.

 

 

Photo source: Diocese of Monaco

Prince Albert to found Académie de la Mer with full support from PACA region

by: Elsa Carpenter
28/12/2022

Pioneered by Prince Albert, a project to build an Académie de la Mer has been given unequivocal support by the PACA region, heralding a new age of collaboration and partnership.

The recent Act V of Mediterranean of the Future, a major conference involving European Mediterranean territories and stakeholders who come together to address the negative effects of climate change, was the scene for the announcement.

President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region Renaud Muselier and Prince Albert had met to discuss the broad spectrum of issues related to climate change in the Mediterranean and, more specifically, the marine zone that borders southern France and the Principality, but it was the Monaco sovereign’s plans to found an educational institution – the Académie de la Mer – that proved to be the biggest highlight of the event.

The concept is a place of learning that focuses on three key areas: maritime law, international relations on issues related to the oceans and the sea, and major environmental themes.

The PACA region has thrown its support behind the plans, with Muselier complimenting the Principality for its efforts and insight on ecological issues in the Mediterranean.

“If there is one state that is ahead in the maritime field, it is the Principality of Monaco,” he said. “For more than a century, it has been equipping itself with infrastructure, tools and major institutions. As the pilot region for ecological planning in France, committed to a 100% climate-focused approach that is unique in Europe, I am keen for the [PACA] region to support this absolutely essential initiative.”

Prince Albert also shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “I am delighted by the PACA region’s support for this project, the value of which must be viewed in light of the challenges that the Mediterranean, like all the other seas and oceans, will have to face in the future.”

The inspiring project is yet to be formalised, but the two men will meet again in March, this time in Monaco and during Oceans Week, to hash out the details and determine how exactly the PACA region will contribute to its design as well as the role it will play in the future institution.

 

 

Photo source: Monaco Communications Department