French runner Jimmy Gressier has made history for the second time at the Monaco Run, retaking his European 5km record from Yemaneberhan Crippa in Sunday’s race.
Gressier returned to the track where his initial European record of 13:18 was set. Crippa had since beaten that record, although Gressier’s time still remained a French record.
The Frenchman’s chances of achieving his objective and taking his record back seemed to be hampered, with train strikes meaning he only arrived in the Principality at 11pm the night before the race. However, if preparations were sub-optimal, it certainly didn’t show on Sunday. The Boulogne-sur-Mer native ran a 13:12, beating his initial record, set at the Monaco Run in 2020, and in doing so reclaiming the European record.
In the Women’s 5km, Mirriam Chebet (15:40) came out on top, finishing comfortably ahead of the competition. Meanwhile, in the 10km races, Yohan Le Berre (29:52) won the Men’s race, whilst Zuzana Gejdosova’s 36:50 earned her the top step of the podium in the Women’s race.
Over the course of the two days, almost 2,000 runners participated in the event, which this year obtained the World Athletics Label – a validation of the increasing popularity and professionalism of the event.
If you’re still looking for a special gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day, the upcoming wines and spirits auction at the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo could be the perfect solution.
From 10am on Tuesday 14th February, the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo – or the Monte-Carlo Auction House – will be hosting its annual Valentine’s Day auction so whether you’re after a bottle to share with your better half tomorrow night or a case of something rare to commemorate the occasion and store away for another day, there’s almost certainly going to be a label among the 304 lots to tempt you.
Lovers of Italian wine will delight to see the likes of vintage Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino for very pocket-friendly prices as well as the multi-bottle offerings, such as 12 Dolcetto di Neive that are estimated to go for between €180 and €240.
French favourites like Châteauneuf-du-Pape are listed too, like the lot of five Beaucastel 2014, which is expected to sell for €300 to €350.
Champagne will be the choice of many on Tuesday night so why not try your hand at bidding for the very special 18-litre Moët & Chandon featuring a photograph of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, tagged up for between €800 and €1,000.
Quality spirits are well-represented too, from a 1900 Sempé Armagnac (€500 to €600) and The Macallan 1945 Pure Highland Malt (€12,000 to €15,000).
Bids are being taken in person and by telephone, and eager bidders can preview the full catalogue by clicking here for the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo website.
One was a hotspot in the 1960s and the other has been Monaco’s best-kept secret since 1952, but both Maona and Club La Vigie have been cleverly reimagined for the Principality’s 2023 summer season. Here’s what to expect.
MAONA
Maona, the portmanteau of two of Monaco’s most famous denizens, Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis, harks back to the heady days of Monaco in the 1960s and 1970s when the Principality’s reputation as the most glamourous place on Earth was at its zenith. Famous residents Onassis, the wildly wealthy Greek shipping magnate, and his long-time mistress, Callas, the famed opera singer, opened the joint venture in 1962: Ma for Maria and Ona for Onassis. Carefree and irreverent, the nightclub embodied the times.
Now, in 2023, near the very site of the original and overlooking the Mediterranean, a modern version of the club is about to hit the scene in the form of a Monaco first: a cabaret under the stars.
Enjoy cabaret under the stars this summer at Maona. Photo by SBM
The food will be a collection of past and present, featuring family recipes culled from SBM staffers, their parents and even their grandparents. Dishes include favourites such as gambas with pastis, tagliatelle with capon and marjoram-lemon sauce and classic summery desserts like peach melba.
The cocktail menu is inspired with vintage vermouths, Monaco orange-infused drinks and other interesting combinations.
Entertainment will run from 7pm to 2am with a pianist, a DJ and a diva taking it in turns to amuse and delight the crowds. A VIP space will be available, seating 12 guests, and designed with a nod to Josephine Baker.
CLUB LA VIGIE
From 2nd June, La Pointe de la Vigie will be turned into a private club every day from noon to 8pm.
In an unspoilt natural setting on the seafront, Club La Vigie will be “the” place for festive afternoons and sunsets. The space will combine, say SBM, “a beach club feel at the water’s edge with Mediterranean food, creative cocktails and cutting-edge musical programming”.
It will also feature the best-kept secret at Monte-Carlo Beach since 1952: five bungalows tucked away among the pines, rechristened ‘Love Nests’ for those who like a bit of privacy. Access will be by boat, with a shuttle offering easy access to Maona to continue the evening in style.
Club La Vigie to become a private club with access by boat. Photo by SBM
Love and hate in the French Revolution set the scene for the four sold-out Andrea Chénier performances this month at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.
Leave it to the Italians to create the seminal opera about the French Revolution. First seen at La Scala in Milan in March 1896, with music written by Umberto Giordano and the libretto by Luigi Illica, Andrea Chénier tells the sad tale of the daughter of a countess, Maddalena de Coigny, who falls in love with Andrea Chénier, a poet and French patriot during the Revolution.
Andrea offers her protection, only to find a rival in former servant Carlo, who now holds a position of power and threatens to not only derail their romance, but to eliminate the competition by having Andrea condemned.
Renowned tenor Jonas Kaufmann is taking on the title role alongside Maria Agresta as Maddalena. This piece is one he is well-suited for as a seasoned performer who has taken on other challenging parts such as Don José in Carmen and Cavaradossi in Tosca.
“I think playing a historical character is fantastic, because you have access to a lot of background information that you can incorporate into your interpretation,” said Kaufmann of the role. “In addition, the role of Andrea Chénier is very rewarding musically and vocally, it is in my eyes an absolute masterpiece. And it is an opera through which many great tenors of the past have become immortal, notably Franco Corelli. In this regard, it is always a special honour for me to be able to sing this ‘tenor opera’.”
Andrea Chénier, a co-production with the Teatro Comunale Bologna and directed by Pier Francesco Maestrini, is playing sold-out shows on 19th, 21st, 23rd and 25th February, with a Gala performance being held on 21st.
The Carnival of Nice begins this Friday and it’s going to be a big one as the city’s favourite winter event celebrates its 150th official anniversary, but it’s been around a lot longer than that…
Every February for two weeks, the streets of Nice are transformed into vibrant, colourful spaces filled with thousands of dancers, floats and music. This year, the party begins on Friday 10th and runs until Sunday 26th February, when a huge closing ceremony – free of charge for whoever wants to share in the celebrations – will take place.
The theme in 2023 is the King of the World’s Treasures and alongside the king and his queen, countless legends will be honoured with a float, such as Medusa, the Gardens of Babylon and Pachamama.
A history of the Nice Carnival
The Carnival we recognise today came about thanks to one Andriot Saëtone who set about establishing a festival committee in early 1873 and organised a vast show of processions and entertainers with the carnival’s celebrated creator Alexis Mossa, the first in a longline of “ymagiers”. But that’s centuries later than the true origins.
A painting depicting Andriot Saëtone’s 1873 carnival in Nice. Photo source: Carnaval de Nice
As far back as 1294, Charles of Anjou, the Count of Provence, mentionned visting the city of Nice to revel in its “joyous days of Carnival”. By the 1830s, this had become a major feature for the Niçois populace, and Charles-Félix, the then King of Piedmont-Sardinia was honoured with a dedicated carnival event on the Cours Saleya during his winter séjour in the city.
One of the Carnival’s longest traditions is the ‘Berner Lou Paillassou’, which symbolises the erasing of worries from the past year by tossing a puppet up into the air with a bedsheet. Those who have experienced this tradition in recent years include figurines of Donald Trump, Jacques Chirac and Gérard Depardieu.
Nice Carnival in 1860. Photo source: Carnaval de Nice
Best for families
The day-time shows are the best choices for families. The first – and the Anniversary Parade of the festival – takes place on Saturday 11th at 2.30pm. A series of afternoon Flower Parades that are around an hour-and-a-half in length are organised over the next fortnight.
A Flower Parade along the Promenade des Anglais. Photo source: Carnaval de Nice
Evening shows
Also known as the Carnival Parade of Lights, you must try to make one of these night-time corsos, which are held at 8.30pm every Saturday and Tuesday during the carnival. This is a real sound-and-lights experience, with dance troupes leading the festooned procession around the Albert I Gardens near Place Masséna.
Lou Queernaval: France’s first gay carnival
Did you know that the Carnival of Nice holds the title of hosting the first gay carnival in France? This popular event was launched back in 2015 to promote the values of sharing and inclusion. It’s totally free to attend and is held in Place Masséna, featuring over 150 volunteers from the city’s LGBTQIA+ community. Click here for more information.
How to buy tickets to the Nice Carnival
Tickets can be purchased in-person at the ticket office on the Promenade du Paillon, near the mirrored water feature, everyday from 10am to 6pm. A separate ticket office on the Quai des Etats will be open several hours before each parade too. Online ticketing is also possible via the official website.
A Parade of Lights in Place Masséna. Photo source: Carnaval de Nice
The Monaco Run, the annual two-day racing event taking place on Quai Albert Ier, attracts everyone from world-class athletes to weekend warriors and families looking for a bit of fun and exercise. To sweeten the pot, Pink Ribbon Monaco will also be joining with their famous five-kilometre walk to bring awareness and raise funds for breast cancer.
The Monaco Run returns to Port Hercule on 11th and 12th February with five separate events made for young and old.
The 1,000-metre races will take place on Saturday in a succession of races depending on age. Children and adults can both take part in this fast-paced run, with the first race kicking off at 2pm on the Quai Albert Ier. This a free event, but all runners must be signed up beforehand.
Sunday features the five-kilometre run at 10am. The race will start from Port Hercule before heading to Monte Carlo Bay, passing through the famous F1 Grand Prix tunnel and then onto Larvotto. This race, though not long in duration, has seen many records broken, including a world record set by Joshua Cheptegei in 2020.
For a bit more of a trial, the 10-kilometre run is hugely popular, and starts at the same time and place as the five, only participants are challenged to do the course twice. This race too will have professional runners taking place, looking to set records and beat personal bests.
Sunday also is host day to the City Trail race, which this year can be done in a timed 12-kilometre race or as an untimed seven-kilometre fun run-style event. This unique race takes runners through Monaco’s parks and backstreets as well as past monuments and places of interest such as the Palace and the Oceanographic Museum. The race has an early 8am start.
Last but not least, Pink Ribbon Monaco’s five-kilometre walk has a 10am start from Port Hercule where participants are asked to get their pink on for a good cause. This easy walk for all was created by Pink Ribbon’s founder Natasha Frost-Savio in 2011, and has grown to the premiere breast cancer awareness event in Monaco.
To be a part of Pink Ribbon, register online. To register for any other of the Monaco Run events, visit the website.
