The world’s biggest circus festival – the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo – will celebrate its 45th anniversary with a breath-taking display at the iconic Big Top in Fontvieille.
After a forced pause of two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the circus festival is returning from 20th to 29th January 2023 for a joyous and excitement-filled celebration.
Some of the unmissable artists set to participate in the anniversary celebrations include Peter Marvey, a world-famous magician who will amaze the audience with mind-blowing illusions, and an American artist on the tallest unicycle in the world… It’s 8.8 metres high! The festival is also welcoming back the Cassellys, the award-winning German family who proudly present a sensational three-person horseback routine, as well as acclaimed juggler Kris Kremo, who this year returns with his son for a unique and synchronised juggling performance.
The 10-day affair will also combine with the 10th edition of the New Generation Festival, which champions young and emerging talents from the circus world.
The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo was born in 1974 thanks to Prince Rainier III, a passionate lover of circus art. In a bid to support the traditions of the circus and its families, he created the now-famous festival. This love for the circus was also shared by his daughter, Princess Stéphanie, who in 2005 was named President of the world’s largest circus festival. Passing the passion on through the generations, Stéphanie and her daughter Pauline Ducruet then created New Generation in 2012.
Ticket prices start at €20 euros, with a discount for children under 12 years, and are available to purchase now. You can reserve your place in person, by phone, or online.
Children from across the Principality rejoiced last week as the Monaco mairie held its three-day Arbres de Noël gift-giving event with one very special visitor…
Organised by the Mairie de Monaco and taking place each December, the event themes each of the three evenings around a beautifully decorated tree. Created specifically for the children of the Principality, it has evolved into a much-loved Christmas festivity, and this year’s event from Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th December was particularly special, as it marked the end of a two-year hiatus following the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Welcomed by an impressive crowd of nearly 800 delighted children in total, Santa Claus made his much-awaited entrance accompanied by his elf helpers and a mountain of gifts with which to shower the awaiting youngsters.
Following the same process as in previous years, the first day saw the youngest children welcomed by Santa to the Nativity Scene Christmas Tree, followed by the Town Christmas Tree for older children on the second day. Finally, the children of mairie staff enjoyed the closing event.
The festivities were lovingly and carefully prepared by the Seniors and Social Action Service and the Early Childhood and Family Service of the town hall, with no detail left forgotten.
The result, as always, was a warm and joyful atmosphere with colourful Christmas decorations and an alley of fir trees as well as the familiar entertainment that families have come to expect and love.
Every child left with their hands filled with a gift, their bellies filled with popcorn and pancakes, and their hearts filled with the joyful Christmas spirit.
Photo source: Mairie de Monaco/Ed Wright
Manuel de Vasconcelos: “I would not have changed this life for anything”
For just over a decade, Manuel de Vasconcelos has headed Le Meridien Beach Plaza in Monaco, overseeing some of its most important changes and marking its 50th anniversary with staff, clients and Prince Albert this September.
Now, he is preparing to hand over his general manager badge because “the perfect time to retire is before you have to”.
Monaco Life caught up with the Portuguese native to talk about how Le Meridien has changed over the years, and what is in store for both their futures.
Monaco Life: The Larvotto district has seen an enormous amount of development over the years. How different is this area now compared to when you started at Le Meridien in 2012?
Manuel de Vasconcelos: The change is incredible. It was empty here, there was nothing. The Larvotto beach now looks fantastic, the new promenade, it’s all so much nicer. Before, we had absolutely no choice of restaurants, there really was nothing. Now there are plenty of things opening, and the new Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort Beach is lovely too.
What brought you to Monaco?
This was my first Le Meridien. Previously, I was the general manager at the Prince de Galles in Paris, a Luxury Collection Hotel. I was there for the €100 million renovation, and before that I was in San Sebastien at the Maria Christina, also in the Luxury Collection, so I had several years with Luxury Collection before coming here to Le Meridien.
One day, my boss asked me if I wanted to come to Monaco and I said “Would I!?”. I had had enough of the renovation works and a year and a half of hotel closure, so I told him that it was a great idea. Paris is a fantastic city, you can never get tired of Paris, but I was missing the sea and the sun. Monaco also has the auto-racing, and I love cars, so that’s how I came here.
In September, Le Meridien celebrated its 50th birthday, and you threw a wonderful party by the swimming pools attended by HSH Prince Albert…
Yes, it was a lovely party. Prince Albert was actually here when they opened the hotel in 1972, he was 14-years-old then, so he has very fond memories of this hotel.
How much change have you seen in this hotel during your time here?
Over the past 11 years, I have overseen the renovation of pretty much everything, from the lobby to the restaurant, every room, the restaurant terraces, we have done everything.
The walls of Le Meridien are owned by the State of Monaco, while the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) is the tenant, and the brand is the property of Marriott International. What does the future look like for this hotel?
We have a contract with SBM until September 2023, which we are expecting to be renewed as it has been two times already, and we are waiting for the announcement any moment of an extension, which everyone has told me verbally would happen in around two to three years. So that is part of the hotel’s future.
Can you give us more detail about the extension? Will the hotel be renovated or demolished and rebuilt?
They are both options, but nothing has been decided yet. I have heard about a lot of projects, from the more conservative to some crazy ones presented to the Palace over the past years. This is not new, we have been talking about this for up to 10 years now, so everything has been presented, but so far nothing has been decided.
I know the contract with SBM will be extended, but I don’t know what will happen next. I think there will be a big renovation of the hotel, and I believe it deserves it. It is the only hotel in Monaco to have a private beach. It has such a unique location – the panorama, the scenery. I think it is one of the best places in town, so it deserves the attention.
I only know that the building will remain a hotel and that the government wants to keep it at four stars.
Le Meridien, photo by Monaco Life
What are some of the highlights of your years here as GM?
There have been so many. The life of a hotelier is never monotonous, things change every day. There are always funny stories and memories made. I remember working with the architect for all the renovation works that we have done, all the floors, the restaurant and the bar. The creation of the lobby where we do art exhibitions now has changed the feeling of this area immensely. Entering a hotel lobby can often feel very cold, but I think we managed to create a warm ambiance, and the fact that we regularly change the exhibitions helps to create an involvement with the city, it gives people something to talk about, but essentially it feels warmer. I was looking for something to put in the centre of the lobby since I arrived, and the sculpture of the big fist is just perfect.
I remember creating the revolving doors because every time you opened the door, the heat or the cold would come in.
We changed all the windows in the rooms because we were having complaints about street noise. So, it is something you don’t see but it was one of the most important things we changed at the beginning. Then we changed the elevators because they were stopping on every second floor.
We started Sunset on the Beach during the Monaco Grand Prix, from 11am to midnight, which became a huge event that was taken to other places in the world. We had the Amber Lounge here for many years.
And the various partnerships we have had for the summer restaurant, which is now L’Intempo by Sergi Arola, a great Spanish chef who embraces the concept of sharing.
It must be fun working in a hotel… There is always something changing, evolving, meeting new people…
It’s wonderful, I would not change this life for anything. When I was a kid, I thought I wanted to be an ambassador, to work in diplomacy, because I always had this feeling of travelling and meeting people. Things didn’t work out because of the Portuguese revolution and universities went on strike at the time, so in the end I entered into hotels and it’s been fantastic.
What do you think has been the key to the success of Le Meridien?
The biggest thing we have is the people. People are the most important thing in this business. I spend most of my time with people, be it guests or staff. This hotel has had some staff stay for decades. Our room service waiter retired only after 42 years on the job. The head concierge Raymond Viano was here since the opening in 1972, we celebrated his 70th birthday in the lobby. Others have worked here for 30, 35 years, and these are the people that give this place soul. My job in this chair is to guide the hotel through the new trends that guests expect, but to make sure it keeps its soul, and I think we have managed to do that quite well. And we will continue to keep that homely feeling here at Le Meridien.
What’s next for you?
Well, I will be doing a soft handover in the new year to the new general manager. Then, for me personally I have plenty of things I want to do. I am very happy with my job, but it is important to do other things in life. That’s why I am retiring before I have to, it is the best time to do it. Now is the time to enjoy other things in life.
As a hotel manager, you don’t have time for a lot of things, so I want read a lot more, play golf, travel – there are so many things I want to do. I know that some people who retire feel depressed because they are missing the adrenaline or something from the job, but I don’t think I will have that problem. I have so many things that I want to do, I just want there to be enough time to do it all!
Over the weekend, dozens of Fiat 500s drove through the streets of the Principality, delighting fans of this legendary little car.
On Saturday 17th December, the Club Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo organised its annual Christmas Parade. Accompanied by Santa Claus and decorated in festive finery – from garlands and ribbons to lights and stuffed toys – the fleet of iconic vehicles toured the streets of Monaco, waving at spectators and passers-by.
The procession came to a stop in the Place du Casino for photographs and Sant Claus handed out treats from the Chocolaterie de Monaco, who had prepared a special selection for the event.
“I can only thank all the members of the Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo Club,” said Massimo Peleson, President of the Club, with a smile. “Our members were exceptional. A big congratulations to them for their superb achievement and a big thank you to all the members of the Club.”
Photo source: Club Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo
“Honour, loyalty and dedication”: Les Carabiniers du Prince
Discover the rich history of Monaco’s Carabiniers, an elite and prestigious unit with a “very specific mission to serve the Princely family”, through a photographic exhibition at the Monte-Carlo station.
Open to the public until 16th February 2023 and found platform-level at the Monte-Carlo train station, the Les Carabiniers du Prince exhibition displays a dozen photographs taken between 1890 and 2022 in chronological order.
It offers a unique insight into this historic military unit; one with a close and intimate link to that of the Principality and its leading family.
The force’s motto, since its founding in 1817, has been “Honour, loyalty and dedication”, and in the words of Commander Martial Pied, the head of Monaco’s Palace Guards, the carabiniers hold a role enshrined in “commitment, sharing and community life, selflessness and zeal”.
“With a company of 124 men, the Palace Guards operate as an independent unit,” he says. “The rich diversity of our men and their numerous special skills mean that the Palace Guards are highly responsive and adaptable, carrying out many daily tasks, from protocol assignments to the protection of property and the [Princely] family.”
For further backstory on the guards and how Les Carabiniers du Prince came to hold their position, please visit the official website by clicking here.
Photo source: Monaco Communications Department
Michel Boeri named Grand Officer in the Order of Grimaldi
One of Monaco’s most recognised names in motorsport, Michel Boeri, has been honoured as a Grand Officer in the Order of Grimaldi by Prince Albert, in recognition of his dedication and service to the Principality.
The Order of Grimaldi was established in 1954 to “distinguish and reward people who have contributed to the prestige of the Principality” and includes five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.
On Thursday 15th December, Michel Boeri was presented the honour of Grand Officer by Prince Albert at the Palace, as a token of thanks and acknowledgment of “an exceptional career in the service of the general interest and international outreach of the Principality”, according to a press release.
Between the years of 1972 to 2003, Michel Boeri was a member of the National Council where, amongst other roles, he was Chair of the Foreign Relations Commission. This role was then followed by a move to the Crown Council in 2006, where he was then made President in 2018 – a position that he still holds today.
While Michel Boeri has dedicated over 50 years of his life to service and contributions to the Principality, he is perhaps just as well-known for his high-ranking roles in the world of motorsport. These include President of the Automobile Club of Monaco, President of the Senate for the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Vice-President of the World Motor Sport Council.
The long-held positions resulted in a number of “very high responsibilities in the world of motorsport” such as the Monaco Grand Prix or the Monte-Carlo Rally. Through these and his service to Monegasque institutions, Michel Boeri has contributed to “shape a model of excellence in the image of the Principality”.
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