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Grand Prix: All the closures and diversions you need to know about

by: Elsa Carpenter
24/05/2023

Knowing how to navigate your way into, or around, the Monaco Grand Prix circuit is vital as the Principality hosts its biggest event of the year. 

An event like the Grand Prix, particularly given the urban setting of Monaco’s famous race track, is going to necessitate some disruption. Here’s everything you need to know about the diversions and closures ahead of kick-off on Friday 26th May. 

Partial and total road closures 

Vehicles will be prevented from accessing the following roads during official events, with closures beginning between 6am and 11.30am depending on the programme of the day: 

Quai des États-Unis, Route de la Piscine, Jules Soccal jetty, Darse Sud, Boulevard Albert Ier, Place du Casino, Avenue des Citronniers (up to the entrance of the Métropole), Avenue Princesse Grace (from Avenue des Spélugues to Boulevard Louis II), Avenue J.F. Kennedy, Boulevard Louis II, Avenue de la Madone (between its intersection with Avenue des Spélugues and Avenue de Grande-Bretagne), Avenue de Monte-Carlo, Avenue d’Ostende, Avenue des Spélugues, Quai Albert Ier, Avenue de la Quarantaine, Avenue de la Costa (between No.3 and Avenue d’Ostende), Rue Grimaldi (between Place Sainte-Dévote and Rue Princesse Florestine), Boulevard du Larvotto (between the Auréglia and Grande-Bretagne roundabouts as well as between Rue du Portier and the Auréglia roundabout) and the Rocher Albert Ier and Rocher Noghès tunnels 

Avenue des Papalins, between No. 13 and No.39, and Avenue Albert II will be entirely closed for the duration of the Grand Prix. They will reopen at midnight on the final day of racing. 

The Rocher Antoine Ier tunnel has been closed since Friday 19th May and will remain so until Tuesday 30th May at 6pm.  

Pedestrians and public transport affected 

Pedestrians will be prohibited from accessing Avenue de la Costa (between No.3 and Avenue d’Ostende) on the same days and at the same times as drivers.

Boulevard du Larvotto (between Rue du Portier and Rue Louis Auréglia), Avenue de la Porte Neuve, Rue des Remparts, Terrasse du Ministère d’État and the Saint-Dévote and Costa staircases will also be similarly affected unless the pedestrian has a ticket to the Grand Prix or an official document allowing them access.  

It is also forbidden to enter the grandstand areas on foot until the huge structures have been fully dismantled, which is expected to be completed by Sunday 18th June.  

Click here to see the timetables and deviations in place for the Compagnie Autobus de Monaco bus network during the Grand Prix. 

grand prix closures diversions
Officials will be working on removing any offending street parkers from Monaco roads in the run-up to the Grand Prix. Photo by Monaco Life

Limitations on the Rock 

On Saturday 27th May, from 7am to the end of racing, and on Sunday 28th May, from 6am to the closure of the event, the one-way system on the Rock, or Monaco-Ville, will be closed. This will affect the following roads: 

Avenue des Pins, Place de la Visitation, Rue Princesse Marie de Lorraine, Rue Philibert Florence, Rue des Remparts, Place du Palais, Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro and Avenue Saint-Martin 

From 5.30am on Saturday 27th May to the end of action the following day, vehicles with a registration plate from outside of Monaco will be banned from using the Avenue de la Porte Neuve.  

Little to no street parking 

Parking on Monaco’s streets will be by-and-large prohibited during the Grand Prix and, in some cases, the days that follow. A complete list of areas where parking is banned can be found here.  

Monabike and electric charging points 

The following electric vehicle charging points will be out of action until Tuesday 30th May: 

Rue Grimaldi, Rue Notari, Rue Louis Auréglia, Rue Princesse Florestine, Quai des États-Unis, Avenue de la Madone, Avenue de la Quarantaine and Boulevard d’Italie 

These Monabike stations will also be closed until Tuesday 30th May: 

Place Sainte-Dévote, Sauvaigo, Parking des Pêcheurs and Place d’Armes 

Those at Darse Nord and the Yacht Club will be shut down until Wednesday 31st May.  

More disruption to come after the Grand Prix 

The Quai des États-Unis, Route de la Piscine and Avenue J.F. Kennedy will be off limits to drivers from 8.30pm on Sunday 28th May until 8pm on Tuesday 30th May. A one-way system will also be in place for much of Port Hercules until Sunday 18th June as workers take down the grandstands.  

Access to Quai Antoine Ier will be impossible during the Grand Prix event, extending until Sunday 4th June for the section between Route de la Piscine and No.14.  

These areas will also be affected on Wednesday 24th May as final preparations take place.

 

Read more:

A guide to getting to and from Monaco during the Grand Prix

How Monaco’s most famous Grand Prix corners got their names

 

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Photos by Monaco Life

 

Top athletes set to compete at Herculis this summer

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/05/2023
herculis

The Herculis EBS races are back in July and, this year, the roster is filled with world record holding athletes looking to better their times at the Stade Louis II. 

Every summer, the Herculis EBS races attract some of the world’s biggest track and field names to the Stade Louis II to compete, often for world records. Here are just a few of the standout runners expected at this summer’s event.  

FAITH KIPYEGON 

The 1,500m women’s race is Kenyan Faith Kipyegon’s for the taking. Last year at Herculis, she missed out on the world record by a slim, and heart-breaking, three-tenths of a second. She will have her chance at redemption this summer as she looks to beat her own personal best for the year as well as perhaps take over that world record spot.  

EMMANUEL KORIR 

Another Kenyan, Emmanuel Korir, has established himself as the King of the 800m, having taken home the gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the World Championships in Oregon the following year. He is no stranger to the Monaco track, having raced in the 800m and 1,000m in the last two editions. Hopes are high for his success this summer.  

5,000M HAS STIFF COMPETITION 

In the 5,000m, the competition will be stiff, but a few names stand out. One is Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, who became World Champion last February and is looking to cross the finish line first again. He will get a serious run for his money from Ethiopian Behiru Aregawi, a world record holder in the 5,000m and the winner of the Wanda Diamond League in 2021 for the 5,000m. Also one to watch is France’s Jimmy Gressier, who has twice been European record holder in the 5,000m, in 2020 and 2023.  

In addition to these races, there are also other exciting track and field events like the javelin throw, long jump, high jump, pole jump and lots of other running races.  

The Herculis EBS is being held on 21st July and tickets are going for as low as €15. To reserve a spot or 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 Faith Kipyegon by Dan Vernon  

Monte-Carlo Fashion Week ends on awards high

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/05/2023
monte-carlo fashion week

Monte-Carlo Fashion Week’s 10th edition has come and gone with international fashion insiders, exciting local designers and top buyers all coming together to focus on creativity and sustainability.

True to the ethos of the Principality, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week (MCFW) presents not just gorgeous designer clothing and accessories, but ones that have sustainable, ethical and environmental standards at their hearts.  

The 10th edition of the event, which was first created in 2013 by the president and founder of the Monegasque Chamber of Fashion, Federica Nardoni Spinetta, was a stand-out example.

Under the High Patronage of Princess Charlene and supported by the Monaco mairie, government and Tourism and Congress Department, it welcomed a plethora of high profile designers and speakers that included the likes of Benoît-Louis Vuitton, Corporate Director of Louis Vuitton, and Carlo D’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, who also walked away with the MCFW Ethical Business Award. 

In addition to players in the fashion world, the event, which ran from 17th to 21st May, also had a bit of star power in the form of American actress Kelly Rutherford, best known for her role as Lily Van Der Woodsen in the hit series Gossip Girl, who attended the awards ceremony at the end of MCFW. 

Runaways at The Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection

All throughout, runway shows of designers’ latest collections were held at HSH The Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection.

Simone Guidarelli opened MCFW with his exclusive collection, followed by Nardoni Spinetta’s own brand Beach & Cashmere Monaco, which was accompanied by shoes from Von Lowenstein. Other Monegasque names such as Marlea Monte-Carlo, FITME Monte-Carlo and Crisoni also presented their latest creations.

MCFW  attracted a number of international designers and artists too, amongst them Laura Spreti and Collini Milano from Italy, British brand Velvet Pink Banana, India’s Runa Ray in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Japanese Mami Okano and Brazilian artist Marcos Marin and Diana Mara.

Italian brand Genny, led by Sara Cavazza Facchini, closed the catwalk with a grande finale under the Grande Verrière du Grimaldi Forum.

 

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Yacht Club de Monaco: a hub for discussion and pop-ups

Down on Port Hercules, the Yacht Club de Monaco hosted various conferences and pop-up boutiques from brands such as Thalie Paris, Flavia Fleming, Nicolò Tonetto, Ika Butoni, Ushak, Hemcael, Inessa Creations and Leslie Monte-Carlo, as well as several of the labels that featured in the catwalk shows.

The winners of MCFW 2023

The final night revealed the winners of this year’s MCFW accolades and seven exceptional companies were recognised for their achievements. 

Fausto Puglisi from Roberto Cavalli was the recipient of the Legacy Award, whilst Sara Cavazza Facchini, Artistic Director at Genny, took home the Made-in-Italy Award, and Matteo Ward, CEEO and co-founder of WRAD, was granted the Positive Change Award.

Carlo d’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, was presented with the Ethical Business Award, Fashion Channel came away with the Visionary Award, Soya Chartier clinched the Made-in-Monaco Award, and finally, Beste was handed the Ethical Circularity Award. 

“We are very satisfied with the course of Fashion Week and [are] proud to support international designers and fashion personalities by offering them the Principality of Monaco as a prestigious showcase to the world to present their collections and to give them a platform to discuss the importance of sustainable and circular fashion,” said MCFW’s founder, Nardoni Spinetta, after the closure of this year’s stellar event. 

Click on the images below to see more:

 

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Photos above: Collection by Marcos Marin and Diana Mara, photo by Monaco Life

A guide to getting to and from Monaco during the Grand Prix

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/05/2023
monaco grand prix guide

Travelling in and out of the Principality during the Monaco Grand Prix can be relatively seamless, if planned ahead. 

The Grand Prix is the biggest event of the year hosted in Monaco, closing off roads and car parks and limiting access in certain areas of the Principality. For motorsports fans and businesses in Monaco, it’s a small price to pay for welcoming such an emblematic and iconic race.  

But there are some knock-on effects for travel. Even getting into the Principality can be difficult during the event, so here’s our advice on how to achieve a smooth arrival and departure from this headline occasion. 

Flying in 

Taking just seven minutes from helipad to helipad, flying into the Principality via one of the many helicopter services available from Nice Côte d’Azur is without doubt the quickest and most stress-free way to get to the action.  

It can take as long as two hours to cover the same distance by car or taxi during the Grand Prix so swapping traffic jams for scenic views is a great option if you’ve got the cash. Single seats start at around €350, but do increase in price for the big race day on Sunday 28th May, and even more so if you choose to charter your own private flight.  

Taking public transport 

Travelling in by train or bus is the preferred option for many motorsports pilgrims.  

The train journey from Nice to Monaco takes around 20 minutes. On Sunday 28th May, trains will depart every 15 minutes for so and cost less than €5. But queues on the platforms aren’t uncommon, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time on either side to reach your destination on time.  

The last train back to Nice on the nights of Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May is scheduled for 11.53pm: ideal if you decide to stay late in the Principality to soak up the atmosphere.  

While the bus might take longer than the train, especially given the extra vehicles and congestion on the road during the event, it is still a viable alternative to driving in yourself and struggling to find a parking space.  

There are a variety of routes available, such as the Ligne Express 80 from Nice Airport, the 602 from the Vauban bus station in Nice to the Casino in Monaco or the 607 from Nice’s Square Normandie Niemen to Place d’Armes. There’s also a night bus, the 601, which runs between Menton and Nice via the Principality. This service runs from Thursday through to Saturday, but there is unfortunately no such service on Sunday.  

Taxis and similar services

Travelling to and from Monaco via a taxi or similar ride-hailing service like Uber or Bolt is another option, but is perhaps not as straightforward as one might think.

As it stands, Monaco-registered taxis are only able to pick up passengers from within the Principality. There is no agreement in place allowing them to collect passengers from French territory. Drivers from over the border in France are permitted to collect and drop off passengers inside Monaco, but only if they have obtained an official vignette. Just 320 of these exist currently, putting the taxi and similar services system under high demand, with prices that reflect those pressures.

 

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Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

Government action: Monaco news round-up

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/05/2023
monaco government

The launch of a new water management plan, foreign language scholarships and a raft of new ambassadors arrive in the Principality: here’s the weekly Monaco government news round-up.  

GAMERDINGER REPRESENTING MONACO IN INDIA 

Didier Gamerdinger (pictured above) has been assigned as the latest Ambassador for Monaco to India. He presented his Letters of Credence to President Droupadi Murmu at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on 11th May.  

During his trip, Gamerdinger met with heads of the Western Europe Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and several regional players from the worlds of investment, energy transition, culture and university education. 

NEW AMBASSADORS ARRIVE 

On 17th May, the Principality welcomed four new ambassadors. After presenting their Letters of Credence to Prince Albert II, Marie-Catherine Caruso-Ravera, Monaco’s Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations and representing the Government Counsellor-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, held a luncheon at the Hermitage Hotel for the newcomers.  

New ambassadors to Monaco (left to right): Bojana Kondic-Panic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Unnar Orradottir Ramette from Iceland, Jan Theophile Versteeg from the Netherlands, and Asim Iftikhar Ahmad of Pakistan. Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department

The incoming diplomats are Bojana Kondic-Panic from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland’s Unnar Orradottir Ramette, Jan Theophile Versteeg from the Netherlands and Asim Iftikhar Ahmad from Pakistan. 

WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

The government has adopted a system to ensure “the rational use of water resources” as the Principality faces up to drought conditions this summer and potentially beyond. Made up of four alert levels ranging from vigilance to crisis, the plan was developed to significantly reduce water use, prolong reserves and delay the necessity of using emergency crisis measures.  

A breakdown of the measures can be found here. 

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS MADE EASY 

The government has rolled out a new online system for Monegasque students to apply for foreign language scholarships via the monguichet.mc portal under the education section.  

To be eligible, the pupil must be: enrolled in a Monaco-based secondary or higher education establishment; and of Monegasque nationality, a spouse of a Monegasque or of foreign nationality dependent on a Monegasque, a foreign nationality or an orphan dependent on a state employee, or of foreign nationality residing in Monaco for at least 10 years.

The chosen language must already be on the curriculum of a state or private school in the Principality, and applications must be submitted no later than 31st July 2023 to be considered. For more information on the programme, please click here. 

 

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Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department

ACM targets Monaco GP superyachts to generate more money for F1

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/05/2023
gp superyachts

In an effort to increase revenue from the Monaco Grand Prix, the Automobile Club of Monaco will be charging a new fee of up to €300 per yacht guest; a move that will likely generate millions in extra revenue for the owners of F1.

The future of the Monaco Grand Prix very publicly hung in the balance until August 2022, when it was confirmed that the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) had signed a three-year deal to remain on the Formula One calendar until 2025.

Among the reported issues was the excessive fees demanded by Liberty Media Corporation, an American mass media company that acquired the Formula One Group in 2016 and has spearheaded newcomers like the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix.

Now, in an effort to boost revenues from the Monaco Grand Prix and meet its contract renewal obligations, the ACM is targeting Monaco’s luxury yachting sector.

In an official communication by the ACM, seen by Monaco Life, organisers of events on yachts have been informed that: “For the 2023 and future editions of the F1 Grand Prix de Monaco and Formula E, the terms of the new F1 Promoter Agreement and the rising client demand, particularly from the F1 Teams and F1 Global Partners, have obliged ACM Direction to introduce a much stricter approach to the Port Access/Viewing Pass.”

New fees being applied at the Monaco Grand Prix

With the iconic Monaco Grand Prix circuit located right next to the water, a defining aspect of this prestigious race are the superyachts that line the harbour. Given their locations, however, most yachts do not provide direct views of the F1 race track.

Previously, only grandstand tickets were required for people leaving the yachts and entering the circuit to view the race. A significant berth fee also applies to the vessels.

Now, each vessel allocated a berth in the port during the Grand Prix must apply additionally for viewing passes for each of their registered guests during the racing period. Crew and suppliers must also have passes, however these will be free.

Different wrist bands will be allocated for hospitality “day” guests on each day of the event.

In Zone 1, the fee is 310€ per person, in Zone 2, the fee is 200€.

Monaco is home to some of most sought-after berths in the world. Considering the number of yachts that Monaco can accommodate during the GP, the revenue generated from this new system is likely to be significant.

As reported by Monaco Life, the largest yacht this year will be Octopus, the 126-metre behemoth formerly owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Increased checks

According to the ACM, “port checks will be made systematically during the event to ensure all guests are in possession of an ACM Access/Viewing pass. Security checks will be operational all around the circuit.”

The Monaco Grand Prix will be held from Friday 25th to Sunday 28th May.

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 Photo by Monaco Life