Photos: Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie sign off on Prince Rainier III commemorative stamps

stamps prince rainier

Prince Albert II and Princess Stéphanie have visited a postage stamp printing works in the Dordogne to see firsthand the stamps that are being produced as part of the commemorations for the centenary of Prince Rainier III.

On Monday 17th April, Prince Albert and his sister Princess Stéphanie, the president of the Prince Rainier III Commemoration Committee, travelled to the commune of Boulazac, near Périgueux in the Dordogne, where Philaposte is headquartered. It is here where the postage stamps for the Principality are produced.

After being welcomed by Prefect of the Dordogne Jean-Sébastien Lamontagne, they accepted an invitation by La Poste to witness the different stages and techniques that go into creating the commemorative stamps, including intaglio, heliogravure and offset.

The pair also signed the proofs for several stamps, in particular the series evoking the “Builder Prince” and the father of the 1962 constitution.

After lunch in the presence of the Monegasque delegation and executives from La Poste, Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie undertook a quick tour of the Saint-Front cathedral, led by the rector.

Click on the gallery below to see more images. All photos credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Palais Princier de Monaco

 

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Monet in Full Light: Grimaldi Forum exhibit to feature a never-before-seen piece

monet grimaldi forum

This summer’s big exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum will showcase Monet’s work like you’ve never seen it before.  

For even casual admirers of French impressionist Claude Monet, the Grimaldi Forum’s summer exhibit will be a can’t-miss event. Roughly 100 of his paintings gathered from all over the world in a 3,000-metre space is already a once in a lifetime experience, but add in the fact that one of the works will be on display for the first time ever, and it’s bound to be a sure-fire hit.  

Running from 8th July to 3rd September, the exhibit coincides with the 140th anniversary of Monet’s first visit to Monaco and the French Riviera, and will follow the path of his career and life during his years in the region.  

MASTERPIECES ON DISPLAY 

The collection will include several of his masterpieces that have rarely been show together at other retrospectives. They will be a displayed in an interesting way, blending timelines and themes; curator and art historian Marianne Mathieu is aiming to give visitors a clearer picture and deeper insight into Monet’s artistic path through his work.  

“Monet’s work is very coherent. From his youth in Le Havre to the last paintings in Giverny, the painter does not try to paint a motif, but rather a moment; Monet does not paint a landscape, but an atmosphere,” Matthieu said of the artist in Bon Vivant Magazine. “On the Riviera, between 1883 and 1888, this means maturity; Monet discovers himself as the painter of the series.” 

MONACO AND THE RIVIERA 

It was during his time on the Riviera with fellow impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir that he became obsessed with the now-famous light of the region. His old palette, better suited to the north where he lived, was thrown out the window in favour of the softer colours of his paintings of this period are known for.  

SOURCED FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD 

The paintings displayed will come from several sources, with nearly half being on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet. Others will come from private collections, including that of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, as well as major international institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Denver Art Museum, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, the Museum Barberini in Potsdam, the Von der Heydt-Museum in Wuppertal and the Fondation Beyeler in Basel. 

Pre-sale tickets are only €7 if purchased before 30th June. The price thereafter is €14. For more information and to book, 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: Villas at Bordighera, 1884, Oil on canvas, 61×74 cm – Hasso Plattner Collection

Saint George’s Day dinner and celebrations in Monaco

saint george monaco

The British Association of Monaco is getting warmed up for the Coronation of King Charles with a patriotic evening commemorating Saint George later this month. 

The BAM is extending an invitation to members and non-members of the association alike to join in with celebrations of Saint George’s Day, Monaco-style, on Monday 24th April.  

The gourmet evening at Caffé Milano on Port Hercule will begin at 7.30pm and be punctuated with a delicious dinner before a quiz on Shakespeare – did you know that it’s his birthday the day before? – and saints.  

The event costs €75 for members and €80 for non-members.  

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 source: Caffé Milano / Facebook

Michael Schumacher’s Benetton to go on sale at this year’s Top Marques

Lamborghini Koenigsegg

A Benetton driven by Michael Schumacher during his first and second Grand Prix victories will go on sale at the 2023 Top Marques alongside a first-ever auction of exclusively Ferrari models.

Supercars as well as rare collectors pieces will be available to buy or rent during Top Marques 2023, which is taking place at the Grimaldi Forum between 7th and 11th June. The latest Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche models will all be on display during the event, but the most exciting news about this year’s schedule is the inclusion, for the first ever time, of an auction.

It is being organised by Monaco Car Auctions for 8th June and will include exclusively Ferrari models.

Nods to the past and eyes to the future

The event will also welcome 60 sports cars from the 20th century, including a Benetton driven by Michael Schumacher during his first and second Grand Prix victories.

There will also be space at the event for some of the latest innovations in the automobile world. The MC One, an electric flying car, will be on display, as will the MH2, a hydrogen supercar.

Away from the tarmac, there will be a 100-metre all-electric submarine by U-Boat Worx while Venturi’s electric rover FLEX will also be on display ahead of its transportation to the Moon in 2026.

 

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Photo of Lamborghini Koenigsegg by Carage

Club Suisse de Monaco: “Can Switzerland remain neutral?”

club suisse de monaco

A geopolitical conundrum and a foundation of modern Swiss principles, the nation’s enduring neutrality is going under the lens at a special Club Suisse de Monaco dinner with humanitarian Alexandre Liebeskind in May. 

On Wednesday 17th May at 7pm in the Restaurant Horizon of the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, Swiss national Alexandre Liebeskind will be drawing on his own experiences in the world of peacemaking and diplomacy to take on the complicated subject of Switzerland’s neutrality, exploring “the threats, opportunities and realities around the confederation staying neutral”. 

“Originally imposed after Napoleon’s wars, Switzerland’s neutrality evolved as the country realised it had more to contribute to humanity by acting as an impartial intermediary than by joining wars,” writes the Club Suisse de Monaco on its website, “but the very notion of neutrality is challenged whenever global powers deem they are leading just wars… Now, with the war in Ukraine polarising world powers, neutrality is seen as veiled sympathy for Russia by NATO and its allies… As the conflict comes closer to home, neutrality is again being challenged within Switzerland itself. Some consider it cowardice. Others see it as vital – or contrary – to the nation’s interest.” 

As “there is no absolute truth in ethical dilemmas”, a question-and-answer session will complement Liebeskind’s discourse on the topic.  

Andreas Maager, the Consul General of Switzerland in Marseille, will be attending the event, which is open to members and non-members alike for €145, including a three-course meal.  

For further 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.   

 

Photos courtesy of Club Suisse de Monaco

Mel C, Fatman Scoop and Goodboys to headline Amber Lounge after parties

amber lounge

Just a handful of tickets remain for the three days and nights of Amber Lounge events that, for 20 years, have dominated as the to-go after parties for Formula 1 drivers and Grand Prix fans alike.  

It was in Monaco that the concept of Amber Lounge first saw the light. Now two decades on and with a fresh new team and vision, the signature “After Party” host is organising up a storm of stellar events from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May.  

The action kicks off on the Friday aboard a luxury 30-metre yacht moored on the Tabac corner of the famous circuit. Guests at this €650 per person experience will enjoy the adrenaline of a race just getting warmed up alongside an all-open day and Mediterranean buffet lunch. 

amber lounge yacht
Guests on the Amber Lounge yacht can enjoy the racing all weekend long. Photo: Amber Lounge

Things will heat up further as the sun sets with a series of DJ performances from stars such as DJ Tom Jagger, DJ PHB and English house band the Goodboys.  

The yacht will remain in place throughout the weekend of racing, although prices increase to €3,500 per person for prime track viewing on the Sunday.  

Luxe take on clubbing at the Grimaldi Forum

Saturday and Sunday will see the party brand take over the Grimaldi Forum for two wild nights of world class entertainment and VIP appearances. Fatman Scoop, a longtime Amber Lounge figure head performer, will provide the soundtrack for Saturday night in addition to another set from the Goodboys. Tickets are in short supply and start at €600.

Formerly known as Sporty Spice, Melanie C will be in the house on Sunday for an exclusive DJ set. Tickets for Sunday begin at €800 per person.  

Amber Lounge has described the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix as “bigger and better than ever before”, while Kimi Räikkönen has enthused the quality of its after parties as “only place to celebrate with friends and team members”.  

“Every Formula One driver has Amber Lounge on speed dial after a race,” says the racing icon.

 

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.   

 

Photos courtesy of Amber Lounge