Prestige - French Riviera Lifestyle - Issue 1 by Paul Harwood

F r e n c h

R i v i e r a

L i f e s t y l e Winter 2009

www.prestige-magazine.com

www.next.co.uk

c o n t e n t s Fast Forward to 2010 Take a peek at what spring fashion has in store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Black to Basics New little black dresses and accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Life in Miniature Interview with jewellery designer Miss Bibi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Makeup Trends The key looks for winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Location, Location, Location Wedding venues on the Cote d’Azur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Paradise Untouched This issues chosen international holiday destination. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Recipe Page Brought to you by Les Bacchanales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Winter Warmers Hot drink recipes to keep you cosy this winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Edit ors Letter W

elcome to the very first issue of Prestige, a lifestyle magazine that is complimentary and distributed on the French Riviera catering for the International resident and visitor who speaks English. At Prestige our aim is to help you uncover the true French Riviera famous for its beauty, fashion, wine, glamorous lifestyle, prestigious brands and hidden treasures.

Prestige is here to enrich your life or holiday by keeping you up to date with what is happening now and in the future. We will offer a mix of light and topical editorial, seasonal information, fashion, beauty, travel - both local and international, local businesses and much more. At Prestige we want you to feel part of the magazine, so if you have an event you would like us to attend and possibly cover, a story that you feel we may be interested in, a new service you would like us to try, a special place that you have discovered or any feedback you would like to give then please email me at rachael@prestige-magazine.com

Prestige Recommends Finds along the way of places we recommend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

If you ever miss a copy of Prestige or if you would like to keep up to date with life on the French Riviera then don’t forget you can visit our website…

Buying a Property & French Mortgages A guide to buying on the French Riviera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

www.prestige-magazine.com

How to Choose an Interior Designer Tips on choosing the right designer for you. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Head for the Hills Mercantour Parc & local ski resorts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Fine & Dandy A look at the men’s fashion trends for 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Gadget Fanatics The latest must have hi-tech gizmos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 In the Mood for a good read? Prestige catches up with author Stephen Clarke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

And finally… I would like to say a huge thank you to my fiancé, family and friends for all their support, and my staff who have been involved with the launch of Prestige. And most importantly, to all the advertisers who took a leap of faith with a new magazine. Thank you! Happy holidays and a happy and prosperous

Rachael

New Year to you all!

Contacts Please email us in the first instance stating what you would like us to call or email you back about and please state your full contact details on the email. Editor/Sales (English): rachael@prestige-magazine.com Publicite/Sales (French): clarisse@prestige-magazine.com Editorial: prestigeeditorial@ymail.com Contributing writers: Alex Barrie, Laura Porter, Dreane Toffoli & Louise Alexandra Designer: Paul Harwood www.prestige-magazine.com Please note: Reproduction of the contents of this magazine in whole or in part is not permitted without prior consent of the publisher. The publisher accepts no liability under any circumstances should any of the magazines contents be incorrect.

New Collection One exclusive dream

Specialists in ESSILOR Contact lenses Large range of designer glasses & sunglasses on display 9, rue Cassini - 06300 Nice (2 minutes from the Port or Place Garibaldi) Tel: 04 93 26 46 91 - manildo.optique@orange.fr Christian Dior - ChloĂŠ - Emporio Armani - Ray-Ban - Sonia Rykiel - Dolce & Gabbana - Roberto Cavalli - Vera Wang - Vintage Glasses

fastforward... to fashion spring 2010 Draping

Kenzo

Modernist

Sonia Rykiel

Sculpture

Antonio Berardi 6

Escada

Sonia Rykiel

Tailored

Antonio Berardi

Escada

Kenzo

pring 2010 is all about timeless fashion. With the current economic climate as it is, fashion is moving away from shortlived trends and women want to invest in high-quality pieces that are classics, a” future-heirloom”, or a limited edition. Classics and collectibles have staying power.

Sweatpants will become elegant enough to wear with blazers or with a soft leather jacket. It is this mix of hard and soft elements that will give us a new, altogether modernist look. It will be sculpture, with volume and experimental fabrics that will bring fashion into the future.

As throwaway fashion becomes less important, there will be more of a focus on the clothing itself. Dominating the catwalks will be Silhouette, structured jackets, and tailoring, hourglass shapes, draping, twisting and ruching will feature heavily on garments.

Sweatpants

Escada

Silhouette

Sonia Rykiel

Timeless

Escada

Stockists Antonio Berardi Cannes - 55, Croisette - Tel: 0493 990 842 St Tropez - Boutique MY @ 6, Rue Francois Sibilli - Tel: 0494 448 888 Escada Nice - 8, Avenue De Verdun - Tel: 0493 822 428 Cannes - 62, La Croisette - Tel: 0493 940 101 St Tropez - Place de la Garonne - Tel: 0494 554 344 Kenzo Nice - Galaries Lafayette, 6, Avenue Jean Medecin Tel: 0492 173 636 St Laurent-du-var - Galaries Lafayette, Cap 3000 Tel: 0493 148 212 Monaco - CC Le Metropole, 17, Avenue des Spelugues Tel: 00377 9770 8200 Cannes - 65, Rue d’Antibes - Tel: 0493 995 454 Sonia Rykiel Nice - 3, Rue Paradis - Tel: 0493 878 287 Cannes - 52, La Croisette, 6 Rue Amouretti - Tel : 0492 989 661 Yves Saint Laurent Monaco - Avenue Des Beaux-Arts 9800 - Tel: 00377 93 25 01 32 Cannes - 65 La Croisette 06400 - Tel: 0493 38 39 15

Escada

Yves Saint Laurent 7

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ACTE UN I acte.un@gmail.com

Black t o Basics S

ome times it can be the most basic of buys

has stayed loyal to us ever since, although it has gone

and other times the most extravagant but it is the

through many changes it still remains chic, elegant

little black dress that is the one basic item that no woman

and classic. It is the answer to every

can live without. Taking the fashion world by storm in the 1920s it

Add Jewels…

Add Colour…

“What should I wear…” question.

Add Headpieces…

Add Flowers…

Add Sparkle…

bodice tops, off the shoulder and simple beaded classics

Accessorize, 79, Rue d'Antibes Cannes - Tel: 0493 68 62 24

styles. If you already have your black dress then get

Accessorize - Nice Etoile, 30 Avenue Jean Medecin, Nice

ready to revamp it with Accessorize’s latest Christmas range.

Tel: 0493 85 43 14

Add a few dazzling accessories to create a whole new look for you

Clothes available on-line only - www.monsoon.co.uk

and your faithful friend.

*Stock may vary from store to store

onsoon brings the little black dress right up to date with

Accessorize 79 Rue d'Antibes, Cannes - Tel: 04 93 68 62 24 Accessorize - Nice Etoile 30 Avenue Jean Medecin, Nice - Tel: 04 93 85 43 14

interview with

By Dreane Toffoli

onaco-based designer Miss Bibi (Brigitte Giraudi) started creating her miniature jewellery range in 2006 after being inspired by the world of childhood and nostalgia. Brigette attended Villa Arson, Centres National D'Arts School in Nice and Saint Martins School of art in London, where she studied 3D Illustration and Stop Frame Animation. Brigette later went on to work making models of miniature sets for animation movies and worked with Biba, Jalouse as well as working on the creation of Milk Magazine. Then one day, her love of all things mini transpired into tiny jewellery objects for us to wear. Her first collection ‘INTRIG’ took its inspiration from the famous detective game Cluedo. Each piece pays homage to a dark but glamorous world from killer earrings, sexy murder rings to dangerous necklaces, all perfect for anyone with a dark sense of humour. The latest collection made from silver and some plated in gold see quirky, cool pieces like matches, measuring tape rings to pasta-shaped cufflinks. It’s amazing that something so miniature has made such a huge impact on the International jewellery circuit, proving that the best things in life really do come in small packages! What made you decide to create jewellery? All my illustrations were not like drawings but were much more like scenes of daily life that I put in miniature, so the concept to create miniature jewellery just seemed a natural progression Where do you get your inspiration? My inspiration came from my childhood and it transposes into that of the adult world, like the Barbie shoes we all had when we were little girls, it’s now a ring in one of my collections. Also my mother is English and that’s why I have drawn on the Victorian era for my design of the miniature models. The Agatha Christies ‘murder mystery’ theme and Cluedo inspired my earlier pieces and the machete was another childhood memory as my father was a butcher. Currently my young memories are present in my creations but less figurative designs will emerge in the future. Does that mean you are working on new projects? Actually yes, I m expanding my miniatures range, I did miniature items in the doll’s house collection, like mirrors, chairs and picture frames. I am also thinking about using other techniques like folding objects and I want to use different materials. I have started to work with gold and diamonds it s very interesting, I would like to use porcelain too it is something really sweet, a complete opposite to metal and silver. You will also see some pieces inspired by original size items like the matchstick ring. What does the future hold for Miss Bibi? I have a new shop that is opening at the start of 2010 in the gardens of the "Palais Royal” in Paris, it’s a big challenge but I’m extremely happy, it’s a place where I can show all my jewellery and little sculptures. And finally… What restaurants would you recommend to Prestige readers? If your visiting Monaco then The Beef & Bar and Avenue 31 are both great but my latest discovery is Mas Provencal in Eze, its a lovely restaurant, it is well worth a visit.

Miss Bibi showroom le park palace, entree EDF, 2 impasse de la fontaine, 98000 Monaco Tel: 00377 97 98 18 28, or buy online at: www.missbibi.com 13

key makeup trends for winter 2009/2010

vamp it up

he weather may be getting cooler but things are certainly getting hot when it comes to winter 2009/2010 make up. Taking the beauty and fashion world by storm and the biggest trend showing on the runway was the revamp of the 80s makeup colours. Rush out and buy blue eyeshadow and bold purple hues, overall the look of makeup is back meaning full foundation coverage and flawless looking skin. Lips are going from one extreme to another, from the bold red lip to the natural nude lip. Defined eyes were also one of the main focus trends in beauty, big lashes, and lining the eyes are key for this winter.

The modern vamp makeup trend is based on a bold smoky eye makeup that can be spiced up with some purple eye shadow and bold red lips. Creating the look can be tricky; it calls for careful application and you knowing when enough is enough. Don’t go over the top with both eyes and lips so opt for emphasising only one of them. You decide if you prefer to seduce with blood red lips, or hypnotise with dark and mysterious eyes.

defined eyes

80s

The defined eye and the winged eyeliner look will carry you through to spring/summer 2010 as displayed on the catwalks by all the major designers.

Love it or hate it the 80’s electric look has made a return, blues and purples shades are most popular and guess what… it’s paired with red lipstick.

Application Start with a totally bare eyelid to create the base for the winged eye. If your hand is not steady enough to use a brush applicator, opt for a liner pen, which will be slightly firmer, allowing you a more precise line. Pull your skin taught at the outer edge and start at the inner eye and work outwards, keeping close to your lash line. Go over the same line again until you have built up the intensity that you want. Keep the line thinner towards the inside of the eye and make it thicker towards the outer edge, ensuring that you follow your natural eye shape. When you pull the eyeliner line out to create your wing, sweep it in the direction of the top of your ear. Complete the look by brushing eyeshadow underneath your bottom lashes from the inner eye to the outer edge and following the wing and adding lots of mascara.

Looks like you need to go grab yourself a red lippy ladies!

Model wears Sonia Rykiel

13 rue Grand Cavalier 06600 ANTIBES Tel: 04.93.34.59.34

22 rue de la Buffa 06000 NICE Tel: 04.93.88.05.08

C.cial Nice Etoile 24 Avenue Jean MĂŠdecin 06600 NICE Tel: 04.93.80.05.99

15 Boulevard des Moulins 98000 MONACO Tel: 00.377.92.16.77.88

Nicea Mariage

20 avenue de la RĂŠpublique - 06300 Nice Tel: 04 93 89 14 66 www.nicea-mariage.com Open Tuesday to Saturday 10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 19h00 Monday by appointment only

Dress pictured: Rina

Revann

Hairdresser & Make-Up Artist • Professionals with 15 and 30 years of experience • Specialist in wedding hair and make-up • Hair & make-up in the comfort of your own home or at your wedding venue • Complete makeovers • Hair extensions • Manicure & nail extensions • All of the products we use are from the ‘COLOR CARAMEL’ range and are BIO 91 Avenue de Nice, 06800 Cros de Cagnes

Tel: 04 93 31 35 45 www.coiffeur-maquilleur-revann.fr

Le Comptoir des Barbiers T r a d itiona l B a r be r & H ai r d r esse r A hair salon exclusively reserved for men, combining relaxation with beauty, where the treatment & techniques are specifically designed for men. At Comptoir des Barbiers we practice the ancient art of traditional shaving using essential oils to prepare the skin as well as the hair. Using a faithful badger brush to apply foam, we then carry out two shaves with a razor knife, necessary for a close shave, of course not forgetting the hot towel and the relaxing massaging seat.

Gift Ideas

Other Prices

44 Euros - Shampoo, cut, blow dry & traditional shave

Shampoo, cut & dry - 22 Euros

69 Euros - Shampoo, scalp massage whilst in a massage chair, cut, and blow dry, traditional shave & hand treatment

Traditional Shave - 25 Euros

Opening Hours

Other services available:

Tuesday - Thursday: 9h to 12h30 & 2h to 18h30 Friday & Saturday: 9h to 18h30

Cutting . Restyling . Colouring

Appointments recommended

Hand Treatment - 20 Euros

We use American Crew a complete care range formulated for men.

4, Rue Cassini – 06300 Nice – Tel: 04 93 54 27 89 www.comptoirdesbarbiers.com 17

Patisserie - Caterers - Confectioner

Specialist in Wedding Cakes Caterers for Special Events Le Péché Mignon – 41 Rue Bonaparte – Nice – 04 93 89 75 56 www.peche-mignon-nice.com

YVES G. PIAGET - A LIVING LEGEND Jessica Alba wearing limelight ring pictured with Philippe Leopold Metzger, CEO of Piaget

worthy descendant of the famous watchmaking dynasty, and currently Chairman of Piaget SA, Yves G. Piaget likes

to refer to himself as the “keeper of the temple”. Alec Baldwin showing off his Piaget watch

Born in 1942, Yves G. Piaget hails from La Côte-aux-Fées, the cradle of Piaget watches. He pursued scientific studies, earning a degree in watchmaking engineering from the University of Neuchâtel and graduating as a Gemmologist from the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) in Los Angeles. Representing the 4th generation of an illustrious line, Yves G. Piaget has masterminded several innovations that have proved to be landmarks in the history of Piaget, and indeed that of the watch industry as a whole. In the 60s, the company produced the very first ultra-thin quartz movement, making it possible to craft extremely beautiful Haute Joaillerie watches. This world first was a natural extension of a tradition cultivated by Piaget, already recognised as the specialist of ultra-thin watches. Subsequently, it further established its technological and

Neyo wearing a Piaget Altiplano Skeleton

creative genius, broadening its renown to reach leadership status in “watch fashion”. Throughout his career, Yves. G. Piaget has been a tireless traveller who has succeeded in spreading the brand’s fame to the four corners of the earth. While preserving its moderate size that is so conducive to ensuring the personal touch, along with its fundamental Haute Horlogerie philosophy, he gave the company a whole new dimension in 1998 through its merger with the Richemont Group. The firm is now headed by Philippe Léopold-Metzger, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Piaget SA.

Anne Hattaway wears Piaget earrings

Synonymous with “genuine luxury”, the name of Yves G. Piaget is a perpetual source of inspiration the world over. Because he enshrines style, elegance and emotion. Because he is a fascinating individual, driven by a number of passions: for new technologies, for equestrian sports, for the rose that bears his name… And because the very mention of the man appears to invite distinctions. Decorated with the Grande Médaille d’Argent de la Ville de Paris, he was subsequently appointed Commandeur de l’Ordre National de Côte d’Ivoire by President Félix Houphouet-Boigny, before receiving the insignia of an Officier de l’Ordre de St-Charles from the hands of His Serene Highness, Rainier III of Monaco. © Piaget, all rights reserved

Eric Roberts & Micky Rourke wearing Piaget

tel/fax : +33(0)4 92 13 20 90 mobile : +33(0)6 09 36 54 03 email: esty@esty.net web: www.esty.net

Au LoUis d’Or

Engagement & Wedding Rings - Watches - Clocks - Repairs 43, Avenue de la République - 06300 Nice Tel: 04 93 55 04 37

Photo of Esty by Nelson Simoneau

Esty Grossman - Goldsmith 12, rue Dr. Michel Provençal 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

ntil a couple of months ago the closest I'd ever got to a diamond in my jewellery collection was a Cubic Zirconia. But after a long awaited recent proposal I’m now the proud owner of a diamond engagement ring. My partner was solely responsible for researching and choosing the ring and he’s become a bit of a diamond expert, putting my level of knowledge to shame. This got me thinking – we all know the saying 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' but how much do we really know about what makes diamonds so special?

A bit of background Let’s cover the complex bit first – Where do diamonds come from? A diamond is a crystal made up of carbon atoms. These carbon atoms originate deep in the ground (at depths of up to almost 200km in the Earth’s mantle) and exposure to heat and pressure over billions of years results in a process of crystallisation. Later volcanic activity, and the accompanying magna, brings the diamonds to the earth’s surface. Diamond deposits have been found all over the world and at present most diamonds come from mining activities in Africa, Russia and Australia. After rough diamonds have been mined the stones are sorted for commercial selling and then they’re cared for by skilled diamond cutters who create the beautiful pieces you see in jewellery stores. The word diamond comes from the ancient Greek word ‘adamas’ which means ‘unbreakable’ or ‘unalterable’. The history of diamonds dates back to over 3,000 years ago in India where diamonds were mined and used for decorative purposes. The popularity of diamonds has grew rapidly over history, particularly in the last 200 years due to the discovery of new diamonds deposits, improving cutting techniques and influential advertising campaigns. The unit of measurement for diamonds is the ‘carat’ – one carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. If this doesn’t mean anything then think of one carat as a nice sized diamond ring – anything bigger and the owner is a very lucky lady! What makes diamonds so special? Diamonds have long been regarded as timeless gemstones and a symbol of eternity and commitment. Most people regard diamonds as their favourite gemstones. This position is well deserved because diamonds are: ◆◆ Especially tough – they’re the hardest natural substance found on earth and so they’re extremely resistant to chips, scratches and extremes of temperature. The advertising slogan ‘diamonds are forever’ is true because a well looked after diamond can really last a lifetime. ◆◆ Very rare – don’t underestimate just how precious a diamond is. A huge 250 tons of ore are mined to produce just one carat of diamond (enough for one diamond ring).

◆◆ Many years in the making – the diamond deposits that are mined today were brought to the earth’s surface between 50 million and 2.5 billion years ago. So the stone around your neck or on your finger really is a piece of history. ◆◆ A solid investment – you’re unlikely to lose money when purchasing diamonds. Given that prices have increased over recent years you may even find that the value of your diamond increases over time. ◆◆ Versatile – diamonds are cut in many different ways – including round, pear, emerald and heart shaped. They also come in several different colours – from pink to white to yellow and blue. The most popular cut is the round brilliant cut and pink diamonds are the world’s most rare and valuable coloured diamond. Caring for diamonds If you’re the proud owner of diamonds then be sure to treat them with lots of tender, loving care. Firstly, diamonds should be cleaned regularly (once a month should be fine) to keep them bright by removing any effects of soaps and cosmetics. The easiest way to do this is to soak diamonds in warm water mixed with mild liquid detergent and then rinse and pat dry. Secondly, be careful when wearing your diamonds whilst doing housework or other tasks where a diamond could suffer a damaging blow – although diamonds are incredibly tough they’re not invincible. Thirdly, and finally it’s wise to take any jewellery that contains diamonds to a jeweller once a year to check the settings, because a loose setting can lead to a lost diamond. Hopefully you now understand a bit more about why diamonds are so highly regarded. The next time you see a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery don’t hesitate to complement the owner. And, if you’re not yet lucky enough to have a diamond in your jewellery collection then perhaps it’s time to treat yourself… Laura Porter

he Cote d’Azur boasts many beautiful venues to hold wedding celebrations, each having their own unique selling point. The venue

plays a very important role as it will be the backdrop for your happy day and captured on photo for you to look at for the rest of your lives. Handing over the organising on your special day to the professionals at these venues will guarantee that your dream day runs like clockwork. Here are just some of Prestige’s favourite locations for getting married.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild From May to October at the Villa Rothschild (St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat) you are able to hold your wedding reception in The French Garden, an enchanting backdrop for the perfect fairytale wedding. The garden, which covers more than 10,000m2 enjoys amazing views of the Mediterranean both east and west side and the garden, is full of palm trees, flowers and citrus fruits. The villa can accommodate for up to 300 people for a dinner party and up to 350 for a cocktail party. You can even give your guests a magnificent spectacle of an illuminated fountain display set to music. Contact: +33 (0) 4 93 76 44 01 or visit www.villa-ephrussi.com

Château Eza Perched on the edge of a hilltop village and with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean, Chateau Eze is a discreet venue serving Michelin-starred cuisine. The astonishing and tranquil beauty of Eze village sits over 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.

This 400 year old Chateau has 10 intimate rooms and suites and was the former residence to a Swedish Prince. Offering epic views over the Cote d'Azur from private balconies and terraces Château Eza is an exquisite venue for your reception. Contact: + 33 (0) 4 93 41 12 24 or visit www.chateaueza.com

Villa Kerylos

Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa Château Saint-Martin & Spa is set in an exceptional setting at in the heart of a 14-hectare park and it is a fortified building from Roman times. Overlooking the historical town of Vence it offers a unique perspective over the Mediterranean coastline and is situated between the sea and the mountains. The chateau has its very own Chapel ideal for intimate weddings, truly a unique, timeless and historical venue.

Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, the facades of Villa Kérylos are reflected in the blue waters of Beaulieu bay. It is regularly used for a film location and often taken over by major fashion and perfume houses for fashion shoots. This wonderful building is the reconstruction of an Ancient Greek villa; it is an enchanting setting in which to hold an elegant reception. The villa can cater for 40 guests up to a 100 either inside or outside of the villa and is available to book between May and October. Contact: +33 (0) 4 93 01 01 44 or visit www.villa-kerylos.com

Contact: + 33 (0)4 93 58 02 02 or visit www.chateau-st-martin.com

The Boscolo Exedra Located on a main boulevard in a prestigious historical building built in the early 20th century in Belle Époque style, this 5 star luxury hotel has just been beautifully restored. Its new appearance features period architectural spaces that seamlessly blend with audacious and elegant solutions of distinctly contemporary design. The Boscolo Exedra in Nice is a location par excellence for wedding receptions: the ideal venue for an elegant and exclusive ceremony Contact: +33 (0) 4 97 03 89 89 or visit www.boscolohotels.com

Le Mas d'Artigny & Spa A magnificent hotel set in an 8-hectare domain and situated on the heights of a forested hill facing Saint Paul de Vence and the Mediterranean Sea. A real oasis of greenery with all the colours and scents of Provence The Mistral room on the first floor (170 m2) can hold up to 150 people and it over hangs Vence village, for larger wedding receptions it is possible for the hotel to combine several rooms. Contact: +33 (0) 4 93 32 84 54 or visit www.mas-artigny.com 23

Paradise Unt ouched The Seychelles

he Seychelles islands are the oldest ocean islands on earth. Millions of years ago when the ancient, super-continent of Pangaea crumbled, a group of isles broke away and began to drift slowly across the ocean, 1000 miles from what is, today, the east coast of Africa. Seychelles is one of the world’s very last frontiers that promise adventure and breathtaking natural beauty still untouched by man. History

Location

It was the Portuguese navigator Juan de Nova who would make the first recorded landfall in the Seychelles in 1501, followed by the celebrated Vasco de Gama in the following year, bequeathing to them his name for all eternity – The Islands of the Admiral.

The Seychelles, with its population of 82,700 and with it’s 115 islands is set over 1.4 million square kilometres of turquoise Ocean and are located between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator. Of these 115 islands, there are 43 Inner Islands in all - 41 granitic and 2 coralline and a total of 72 coralline Outer Islands. The principal islands are Mahé, Praslin and la Digue and the coral islands, more numerous still, extend towards the shores of East Africa. Between 15–60 minutes in flying time from the principal island of Mahé, several select island getaways offer accommodation by way of stylish 5-star resorts, villa’s and private islands. The islands enjoy a glorious tropical climate all year round and the temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees, or rises above 31 degrees centigrade.

Phoenicians and Polynesians and the pirates sought temporary refuge among the islands’ myriad of secret coves and bays, but it was the French that settled with their slaves in 1772 and a few Malabar Indians which represents the cornerstone and the population of the islands today. The Seychelles remained in French hands until Napoleon’s defeat under the British, upon which the islands were formally ceded to Britain under the 1814 Treaty of Paris. It is here that the love for French traditions, customs and language were established and this is reflected in the architecture, language, music and Creole cuisine. Early on, Roman Catholicism was established as the dominant faith, a trend that continues to today, co-existing in harmony alongside the Protestant and smaller Hindu, Bahá’i and Muslim communities. In 1976, the Seychelles achieved independence from Britain and became an independent republic within the Commonwealth.

Island hopping is one of the favourite pastimes in the Seychelles; each island has its own characteristics, unique beaches, local customs, colours and flavours.

Getting there There are a number of international Airlines servicing the Seychelles, flying direct from approximately 21 destinations around the world. You can board a plane from any of the following countries, followed by the airlines servicing them:

Island hop by ferry, chartered boat, yacht, motorboat, airplane or helicopter the choice is yours. For those wishing to explore the islands’ walks and trails, there are many guided walks available where you can discover some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Seychelles is home to no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Vallée de Mai on Praslin where the wondrously shaped Coco-de-mer nut grows high on ancient palms and fabled Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, first seen by early Arab seafarers of the 9th century A.D. Aldabra has the world’s largest population of giant tortoises - numbering around 100,000 and one of the largest congregations of nesting green turtles in the Indian Ocean. If diving is more for you then you will be spoilt for choice, bursting with colour and diverse life, the worlds natural aquarium will be sure to take your breath away This is where your dreams really can become a reality, swim alongside whale sharks, mantas and dolphins in friendly, crystal-clear waters. Diving in and around Aldabra is superb, you are able to dive anywhere around the perimeter of the Atoll as well as the main channel as a drift dive by prior arrangement and the best time to go is October-April. Snorkelling the underwater world is just as rewarding and, anyone not tempted by the crystal water can always experience underwater life in a semisubmersible, glass-bottom boat ride or a fish-feeding excursion into one of the marine parks. So if you are seeking a luxury paradise to holiday, marry or honeymoon in, the Seychelles holds all the answers, the only question will be is which island will you choose to walk barefoot on.

From

Airline

Australia

Emirates Airline

Austria

Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways

France

Air France, Air Seychelles, Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways

Flight Times

9½ hrs

Germany

Condor Airline, Emirates Airline

9¾ hrs

Italy

Air Seychelles, Qatar Airways

8½ hrs 2½ hrs

Mauritius

Air Seychelles, Emirates Airline

Netherlands

Kenya Airways

Qatar

Qatar Airways

Reunion

Air Austral

South Africa Air Seychelles, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways Spain

Qatar Airways

Switzerland

Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways

9¾ hrs

UAE

Emirates Airline

4¼ hrs

Air France, Air Seychelles, Condor Airline, Emirates Airline, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways

10 hrs

USA

Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways

Visitors arriving in private aircrafts are welcomed at Mahé International Airport provided clearance permission is obtained from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) prior to arrival and that all relevant formalities are in order.

Island to Island There are many flights, ferries and charters travelling between the islands every day, getting to another island within the Seychelles is very easy.

Air Seychelles Air Seychelles flies about 20 trips between Mahé and Praslin every day that takes about 15 minutes across. They also service some of the other inner islands like Bird Island, Denis Island, Desroches and Alphonse Island. Tel: +248 38 1000

Island Development Company (IDC) The IDC offers daily flights to Desroches and Alphonse Island, as well as chartered flights to all other islands. They are the only company to offer flights to the furthest outer islands via Assumption Island. Tel: +248 22 46 40 • Email: idc@seychelles.sc

Helicopter Seychelles Helicopter Seychelles is a charter company that does island transfers, charters, excursions and scenic flights of almost all the inner islands. Tel: +248 38 58 58 • Email: res@helicopterseychelles.sc

Cat Cocos The Cat Cocos is a luxury ferry operating between Mahé and Praslin every day, twice a day. It makes the trip in about 45 minutes. Tel: +248 32 48 43 • Email:info@catcocos.com

Inter Island Ferry Services The Inter Island Ferry Services operates between Praslin and La Digue as well as covering some other routes. Tel: +248 23 23 29 • Email: iif@seychelles.net

Tourist Offices France Office Du Tourisme Des Seychelles, 18 Rue De Mogador – 75009, Paris Tel: +33 144 53 93 20 • Email:info@tourismeseychelles.com

United Kingdom Firstlink Tourism, Terminal House, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU Tel: +44 0207 333 0147 • Email: Seychelles@uksto.co.uk

Seychelles Seychelles Tourism Board, Po Box 1262, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles Tel: +248 671 300 • Email: info@seychelles.com

The Private Island F

our degrees south of the equator and located just 20 minutes from Mahe, Frégate is a Seychelles Island of outstanding natural beauty; with giant granite boulders rising from the powdery white sand of the beaches. Its isolated location and the density of its vegetation made it the ideal refuge for pirates in the 17th century. The author of James Bond, Ian Fleming, was so convinced from reading old maps that treasure was hidden on the island, he made it his home for almost two years in the quest to find the mysterious treasure. Life for you on Frégate is very relaxed and slow, just like the giant tortoises that inhabit the spectacular unspoiled island. Construction of the resort was subject to strict regulations to preserve and safeguard the environment of the island’s unique flora and fauna and this continues to be amongst Frégate’s main priorities. The renowned American interior design firm Wilson & Associates decorated the villas and one presidential villa so they blended with the surroundings and are positioned so that privacy is guaranteed. Two villas built, with the needs of families with children in mind, stand on sheltered meadows while the other villas are built into the cliffs. Two swimming pools stand proud below Frégate House, the spectacular 25m Active Pool and a romantic Relaxation Pool. A third plunge pool is located at the Rock Spa for guest use during treatments, and each villa is equipped with its own infinity pool. The seven dream beaches of Frégate are among the most beautiful in the world perfect for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and a variety of other water sports.

A first class service awaits you from the moment you arrive at Mahé International Airport, a representative who bypasses the lines will assist you with the passport control, the transfer arrangements and check-in procedures for Helicopter transfers and Seychelles / Air Seychelles flights. Another grand service that is offered to you is your very own certified private butler who attends all the villas and he is at your service all day long. Couple that with the exquisite views and you really can’t get any more perfect. The 13 1-bedroom villas have a living room, a large bedroom, two bathrooms, terrace, infinity pool, daybed and a dining pavilion. The hand carved wood; precious silk and Egyptian cotton create a luxury feel with a cosy atmosphere. Integrated glass walls in various rooms allow for a view of the ocean, the sky and the surrounding vegetation. The private sun terrace, with adjustable sunshade, beckons you to spend your days and evenings outside.

The two 2-bedroom villas and the Spa Villa have a second bedroom and have the same features as the first bedroom except that there are twin beds. The Spa Villa has a mini spa with a bathroom, which can also be converted into a second bedroom The Presidential Villa, Banyan Hill lies high above on the plateau of the eastern strip of Frégate Island and you can only reach it by a private path. The residence offers a stunning view over the ocean, the nearby beaches, the marina and the rest of this green island. The villa features a huge open living area, with an additional small TV lounge, adjacent there is a big terrace with a private pool, a fully equipped kitchen as well as 3 separate sleeping villas each for 2 persons which are located along the cliff. A chef and dedicated butlers will take care of you and your guests every wish. Dining on Frégate can be as intimate or as social as you wish it to be, share a drink with the other island castaways or dine in the romantic seclusion on your villa terrace, the tree house or on the beach where the realisation that you really have found paradise sinks in. Creole delicacies and international gourmet cuisine feature on both menus of the Frégate House restaurant and the restored 18th century Plantation House restaurant, where most of the fruit, vegetables, salads and herbs consumed on the island are homegrown. The wine cellar competes with the most famous hotel and restaurants in the world and Fregate are extremely proud of the variety of wines they have from all around the globe, from those all-important labels and vineyards. You can even request a wine tasting session with their wine expert or dine with up to 10 guests surrounded by the hundreds of bottles of wine, a real wine connoisseurs heaven.

Fregate’s Rock Spa is a haven of serenity, perched on a cliff-top plateau overlooking the sea surrounded by freshwater pools and cascading waterfalls. You can pamper yourself with the finest holistic treatments all inspired by the Seychelles. This sanctuary features an on-site apothecary allowing you to watch your treatment being produced from native ingredients. All treatments are carried out by trained therapists in the stunning spa gazebos or in the privacy of your villa. Afterwards, relax in the Zen garden, by the spa pool with a glass of cool coconut milk, champagne or tea with fresh lemongrass and enjoy the view from the spa’s stunning high point above the Indian Ocean. Frégate’s stunning natural beauty, soft tropical air and relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect destination for a paradise wedding. And with dedicated staff ready to co-ordinate every detail and fulfil even the most demanding wish, getting married on the island is a dream scenario from start to finish. Choose from a number of different romantic locations: the chapel, the beach, or in the tree house. A truly memorable experience and one you will cherish for years ahead. The island has its own marina with a fleet of boats – including kayaks, small sailboats, yachts, catamarans and motor yachts for deep-sea fishing and excursions. You can also arrange Scuba diving trips to view the breathtaking world that lives underwater. For further information on Fregate Island contact: The worldwide information & marketing office Tel: +49 (0) 69 86 00 42 980 • Fax: +49 (0) 69 86 00 42 981 E-mail: reservations@fregate.com or sales@fregate.com Website: www.fregate.com Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World Virtuoso Member

AUTUMN/WINTER

the source of well being H2bio is a beautiful brand that differentiates itself by the quality of its formulas & wealth of ingredients; Bioactive products protect the environment whilst still assuring a high quality product. We guarantee that an average of 75% of our ingredients are totally Bio, with some products containing 100% organic ingredients. 100% of the H2Bio product range has been conceived in France.

www.h2o-at-home.com

“I have no regrets. I wouldn’t have lived my life the way I did if I was going to worry about what people were going to say”. Ingrid Bergman’s unwavering belief in her personal choices changed Hollywood glamour forever. Natural beauty and talent made her one of the cinema’s timeless female icons. Montblanc pays tribute to an unconventional star, a woman of integrity and sophisticated elegance. – The Ingrid Bergman “La Donna” Edition. A refined mother-of-pearl style lacquer cap, featuring Ingrid Bergman’s signature, and a drop-shaped amethyst on the clip.

unforgettable.

Gossip... Its good for you! ’

ove it or hate it gossip is engrained in our daily interactions, and we’re sure that most of you would agree that there's nothing better than a good gossip. It bonds friends, eases those awkward moments at the office printer and passes time at the hairdressers.

Gossip can be broadly defined as individuals creating and spreading rumours about others not involved in the conversation. Until the 1800s 'gossip' meant a man who drank with friends and the camaraderie they shared, or a female who took part in the childbirth of a family member. Nowadays we know gossip as the verbal, print or electronic exchange of information; it’s based on speculation rather than fact and concerns the personal and private affairs of others not present. There are a couple of common beliefs associated with gossiping. Number one – Gossip is an unproductive and trivial way to spread information and can have negative consequences. Number two – Gossip is one sport that men have little interest in. But are these myths true? Myth 1: Gossip isn’t good for you We're all aware that a healthy diet and exercise is good for you. But there could be an easier and more enjoyable way to improve your health – regular gossiping. Research has discovered that women who regularly engage in gossip are healthier and happier. This is thought to be because gossiping increases levels of the hormone progesterone, which is known to reduce stress and anxiety. The research was conducted at the University and Michigan, where 160 female participants had their saliva tested for progesterone levels before being split into pairs. Half of the pairs were provided with stimulus questions that were designed to help them get to know each other better. The other half were asked to proof-read a research paper. Progesterone levels remained the same or even increased during the period for the pairs who 'bonded' over 20 minutes of chatting. By contrast levels of the hormone declined for the pairs who simply proof-read content.

Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and it performs key functions that include fighting against infection and reducing stress and anxiety. This finding that chatting can stimulate progesterone production suggests that gossiping has a role to play in good health and happiness. Next time you find yourself talking about Brad and Angelina or the latest office scandal don't feel guilty – it’s good for you! Consider gossip as an enjoyable way to improve your health that doesn't involve restricting chocolate intake or the treadmill! Myth 2: Men don’t gossip Men may believe that gossiping is reserved for females – a gender specific activity that they have no or little interest in. Many males would argue that they converse on a 'higher level' and they’re likely to call the dialogue they exchange with others ‘networking’, ‘shop talk’ or ‘educational discussion’. However another piece of recent research has discovered that males may actually spend even more time gossiping than females! The poll of 5000 people found that men spend an average of 76 minutes each day gossiping with friends or work colleagues compared to a figure of 52 minutes for females. This suggests that men enjoy a good scandal as much as women. The study also revealed that the favourite topics of conversation for males include the drunken antics of friends, who are the best looking female work colleagues, old school friends, sex and salaries. No surprises there. Women revealed that their most common gossip topics are other women; other people's sex lives and the weight gain of their friends. Interestingly the preferred location for males to gossip was found to be the office; by contrast women chose the surroundings of their own home. Next time your partner comes home late again complaining about his demanding workload challenge him to spend less time chatting and more time working! And invite yourself to that ‘boys only’ drinks session in the knowledge that you may be able to join in a good gossip session rather than be forced to watch the footie!

What does all this mean? Is there a simple explanation for why we gossip? And for who gossips more? Probably not, but let’s not spend too much time over-analysing what comes naturally to us. What we do know for certain is that gossip can calm us, unite us and entertain us. Be proud of your habit of gossiping and encourage others around you let themselves be momentarily distracted from the tasks of the day – in the knowledge that a gossip a day could keep the doctor away!

DO *Be careful of gossip at work You probably wont be able to avoid it but try to stay professional and neutral. *Know when to walk away Sometimes it is important to listen to gossip but if it starts turning nasty, make a polite excuse and get yourself out of there. *Think Gossip often begins with a slip of the tongue; so always take a little time to think before you start speaking.

DON’T *Make it up If you are going to start some gossip then make sure you get your facts right, there is no need to over tell the story, just keep to the truth. *Let it take over your life Keep gossip fun and don’t let it be an everyday occurrence, you can have too much of a good thing. *Give and not take If you start or participate in gossiping about someone else then don’t go on the warpath if one day you’re on the receiving end of gossip.

mother india InDIan rEsTauranT At Mother India we have put a great deal of thought into our menu and it is our combination of authentic, fresh ingredients, traditional Indian dishes and our friendly service that has people returning to us time and time again.

Mother India are always happy to cater for large groups and the beginning of 2010 will see us expanding, with the newly renovated lower level restaurant, which will be a fantastic venue for birthdays, special occasions and wedding receptions.

We enjoy seeing our regular customers but equally we like to welcome new faces which allows us to proudly present a truly mouth watering Indian experience.

We look forward to receiving you over the festive holidays!

★★ 3 course set menu from 16 euros per person ★★ Good range of wines, spirits & cocktails served ★★ Bollywood films playing on screen creating an authentic but subtle ambience

★★ Private parties can be catered for in our new spacious lower level restaurant from the beginning of the New Year ★★ All our dishes are prepared with low fat ingredients ★★ Kingfisher & Cobra beer

Mother India

rue Jules Gilly - Old Town - 06300 - Nice (seconds from the Cours Saleya)

Tel: 04 93 62 67 44

Auberge de Tourrettes

LÂ´Auberge de Tourrettes - 11, route de Grasse - 06140 Tourrettes Sur Loup - France Tel: +33 (0)4 93 59 30 05 - Fax : +33 (0)4 93 59 28 66 - E-mail :info@aubergedetourrettes.fr

www.aubergedetourrettes.fr

Happy Hour every evening 18h to 19h30 - 2nd glass of champagne 1⁄2 price Formule Zen 19€

Formule Champagne 27€

Formule Couple 49€

2 glasses of sparkling wine or still wine

2 glasses of Champagne advised by Julian, in keeping with the menu and your taste…

½ Bottle of Champagne of the moment

*** 3 Savoury Verrines *** 1 Plate of your choice *** 3 Sweet Verrines

*** 6 Savoury Verrines to share *** 2 Plates of your choice *** 6 Sweet Verrines to share

Over 80 different bottles of Champagne available Champagne by the glass served (choose from 8 different labels) Home made verrines, sushi & foie gras served daily Ideal for: Aperitifs - Romantic Evenings - Special Occasions Evenings with friends - Business Meetings - Private Events 10 rue de la Loge (just a few seconds walk from Place Rossetti & Place St François) - 06300 Nice Open: Tuesday to Saturday - 18h to Midnight

Tel: 04 93 80 87 37 - www.leffervescence-nice.com

19, rue Bonaparte (Place du Pin) - 06300 NICE - Tel: 04 92 04 22 09

www.restaurant-sapore.com - Reservations recommended

Never miss another copy again click ontoâ&#x20AC;Ś www.prestige-magazine.com 34

SAINT PIERRE (John Dory) STEAMED, VONGOLE (CLAMS) FROM LIGURE, HOKKAIDO SQUASH & PASSION FRUIT Ingredients for 4 people: • 1 good-sized Mediterranean Saint Pierre, approx. 1,200 gr • 24 clams or vongole from Ligure • 1 lemon • Bouquet garni with wild fennel • Salt • 600 gr Hokkaido squash • 2 tablespoons butter • 120 gr Squash seeds • 2 Passion fruit • 2 dl Squash seed oil • 2 green onion (shallots) • Salt and pepper

1. Have your fishmonger wash the Saint Pierre for you. Apportion the flesh in 4 pieces and salt lightly. 2. In a couscous maker, heat a little water with a bouquet garni and 2 slices of lemon. 3. Peel and cut up the squash in large pieces, place in a roasting pan and bake at 180 ° C with the butter and a little water. Cover with aluminium foil before putting in the oven and when nearly cooked remove the foil to allow the excess water to evaporate. 4. Place the pieces of Hokkaido squash in a food processor and mix. Put through a fine sieve or strainer and season with a little salt and lemon juice. Keep warm. 5. Roast the squash seeds and set aside. 6. Remove the pulp of the passion fruit & slice the shallots in thin strips on the diagonal. 7. Steam the pieces of Saint Pierre and the clams for 3-4 minutes. 8. Arrange the various elements in deep dishes, serve as pictured.

Christophe Dufau 247 avenue de Provence 06140 Vence +33(0)4 93 24 19 19 e: lesbacchanales06@orange.fr www.lesbacchanales.com

Food photography by Peter Collie Photo of Christophe by Clarysse

Irish Coffee

Ginger & Cranberry Tea

Chocolat à l’Ancienne

Ingredients:

Ingredients (4 servings):

◆◆ Fresh Strong Black Coffee ◆◆ 60 ml Irish Whiskey ◆◆ 1 tsp Brown Sugar, or to taste ◆◆ Double Cream

◆◆ 2 tea bags ◆◆ 2 cups hot water ◆◆ ½ cup ginger, fresh and thinly sliced ◆◆ ½ cup cranberries ◆◆ ½ cup cranberry juice ◆◆ Pinch of nutmeg

◆◆ 28 fl oz Whole Milk ◆◆ 7 oz Unsweetened Baking Chocolate ◆◆ 1 cup Crème Fraîche (or heavy cream) ◆◆ Third of a cup of Sugar ◆◆ Essence of Vanilla (optional) ◆◆ 2 tbsp. Cocoa Powder (for sprinkling on the top) ◆◆ 1½ cup of fresh or canned whipped cream (for top)

How to make it: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Whisk the cream until slightly thick. Gently warm a glass in hot water. Pour in the whiskey and sugar. Add the coffee filling the glass to within 12mm (½ inch) of the top. 5. Gently pour the cream onto the top of the coffee, using the back of a spoon to prevent splashing. 6. Do not stir.

How to make it: 1. Soak the tea, ginger and cranberries in the water for 15 minutes. 2. Strain and add nutmeg and cranberry juice. 3. Serve warm

How to make it: 1. Heat up the milk, cream, and sugar over a low flame and let it simmer, but don't let it boil. 2. Take off the heat and add chocolate (chopped into small pieces) and vanilla. Stir until chocolate melts and it becomes smooth. 3. Pour into mugs and serve with whipped cream and powdered cocoa.

Hot Toddy

Mulled Wine

Hot Cider Cup

Ingredients:

Ingredients (6 servings):

◆◆ 5 whole cloves ◆◆ 2 lemon slices ◆◆ 2 ounces whiskey ◆◆ 1 ounce fresh lemon juice ◆◆ 2 tbsp honey or syrup ◆◆ 2 ½ ounces hot water ◆◆ 1 cinnamon stick

◆◆ 1 bottle of medium to full bodied red wine – a cabernet sauvignon is good ◆◆ 1 cup water ◆◆ 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey ◆◆ 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger ◆◆ 1 sliced orange ◆◆ 1 sliced lemon ◆◆ 1 stick cinnamon ◆◆ 6-8 cloves ◆◆ 6-8 split cardamom pods

◆◆ 1 whole lemon cut in quarters ◆◆ ½ gallon of apple cider ◆◆ A 1-inch knob of fresh ginger ◆◆ 1 whole orange cut in quarters ◆◆ 1 or 2 (2") cinnamon sticks ◆◆ pinch of allspice (optional) ◆◆ 5 whole cloves

How to make it: 1. Skewer the cloves into the lemon slices 2. Add them to a heatproof glass along with the rest of the ingredients. 3. Add hot water and stir well.

How to make it: 1. Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat to simmering point over a very low heat stirring occasionally. 2. Don’t let it boil or the alcohol will evaporate. 3. Keep it just at simmering point for about 20 minutes. 4. Serve it warm in pre warmed sturdy glasses or metal goblets.

How to make it: 1. Combine ingredients in a non-aluminum saucepan. 2. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. 3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 4. Strain mixture and serve hot in mugs, or place in a punch bowl and let your guests help themselves.

Recommends P

restige Magazine, like the 3 million plus tourists that visit every year, loves discovering magical places on the French Riviera. Every issue, we will share with you just some that we have uncovered along the way whilst out and about.

*Please note that this feature is not paid for by the businesses and Prestige pay for all their purchases during their visits. The businesses do not know that Prestige is

L’ Efferverscence

Recommended for discovering verrines, ambiance and of course for the Champagne!

recommending them until after we have settled our bill. Sometimes we look like tourists happily snapping away and then we ask for their permission to feature them in Prestige, as we would like to recommend them to our readers.

This trendy little champagne bar & dinatoire is tucked away in Rue de la Loge in the Old Town of Nice. Serving over 80 different champagnes, fine wine, sushi, gourmet dishes and verrines. A verrine is a confection, originating from France, made by layering ingredients in a small glass; which can be either savoury or sweet, if you have never tried a verrine, we recommend that you do, they are delicious. Prestige recommends this for a romantic night out, a special occasion or for just a night of sheer indulgence and discovery. The owner Julien speaks wonderful English and is a delightful & professional host. L’Effervescence is open for New Year’s Eve celebrations, we think it’s the perfect place to see in 2010. 10 Rue de la Loge, Old Town, Nice (Just a 2 minute walk from Place Rossetti & Place St François) Open: Tuesdays - Saturday - 18h to midnight Tel: 04 93 80 87 37 - www.leffervescence-nice.com

L’Altra Bottiglia

Recommended for ambiance, wine & food Situated near the port, this restaurant was a great little find, they serve superb Italian food in a romantic and rich setting. The service is superb and the staff are very attentive and knowledgeable. This is a real chilled evening out; you can’t help but unwind in this restaurant with a fantastic bottle of wine (the choice is huge), beautifully presented food like risotto served with foie gras and fresh pastas and the desserts are to die for too. I would say one thing though (but it is not meant in a negative way) on the night we ate there we did have to wait a while in between courses, but as I said this is a really relaxed restaurant but each course was definitely worth waiting for. I would also recommend you make a reservation as they get very full and very rarely does a table become available during the evening. 28 Rue Cassini, 6300, Nice - Tel: 04 92 04 10 58

Glove Me

Recommended for presents & the huge choice of colours & designs Never again will you be stuck for a present or an unusual coloured pair of gloves to match your outfit. Glove Me specialises in gloves made from the finest leather, which are handmade by a specialist glove making family who have been making gloves for years but who now only make them for Glove Me. You will also find leather handbags in all shapes, colours and sizes as well as a good selection of belts. 5 Rue du Marché (2 minutes from Place du Palais) Tel: 04 93 79 75 63 - www.gloveme.it

Maison Auer

Recommended for scrumptious French handmade chocolates and traditional presents Talk about a kid in a sweet shop! The Auer family have been making chocolates and glazed fruits since 1890, so they truly are specialists in their area. There is a fantastic assortment of handmade chocolates, crystallised fruits and glazed, preserved fruits all set within surroundings that are in keeping with the quaint style of older years. A truly magical experience for any chocolate or fruit lover. 7 Rue St François de Paule, 06300 Nice Tel: 04-93-85-77-98 www.maison-auer.com

Le Pain à table

Recommended for traditional breakfasts, light lunches and a good meeting place. Situated on the Cours Saleya opposite the Nice Opera House, this typically continental coffee and teashop serves bread, pastries and salads as well as having a wide variety of gourmet jams, chocolates, oils and speciality drinks to buy. The huge pine tables make it an ideal place for a gathering of friends to catch up on gossip or for a light lunch with work colleagues. The Prestige team called in for a quick coffee break and were served by Fred, who made us feel very welcome and always had a smile on his face. 3 Rue Louis Gassin, 06300, Nice - Tel: 04 93 62 94 32

Caprice Vintage Shop

Recommended for one off vintage designer finds, retro furniture & décor, great prices. This is a real Aladdin’s cave in the heart of the old town of Nice, Karine the owner truly has a passion for all things old and a good eye for buying in vintage pieces that are right on trend for what is happening in the fashion world today. You will find women and men’s clothing dating from the 1950’s right up to 1980 as well as retro lights, TV’s, phones and mirrors. So if you fancy being a bit of a different ‘it girl’ then why not treat yourself to one of the many designer bags she has from Dior or Louis Vuitton (plus other makes). All the items are in very good or perfect condition. We recommend that if you see something that you like, buy it there and then, because they are one off pieces, once its gone, it’s gone! You should also make regular visits to Caprice as she has new stock arriving all the time. Karine also buys vintage and retro stock from you. 12 Rue Droite. 06300, Nice Tel: 09 60 48 85 95 - www.capricevintageshop.com 39

Distilleries Ideales

Recommended for the staff, cocktails & vibrant atmosphere. Located just off the Cours Saleya this pub is always busy and full of characters, you will always be guaranteed a good conversation with someone interesting. You can enjoy a plate of cold meats or cheeses with your drink for just €4.90 or crudités at €3.20. They serve 21 different cocktails and 7 beers as well as draught Guiness and Kilkenny. Wifi is free when you buy a drink so you can take your laptop with you, or chill out and watch some TV instead. They have a ‘Happy Hour’ from 6pm to 8pm and are open 10am - 12pm, 7days a week. The Distilleries Ideales will be closed on Christmas Eve but open on Christmas day for that all important Christmas pub drink after lunch. 24, Rue de la Prefecture, Old Town, Nice – 06300 Tel: 04 93 62 10 66

Resto Wine Notes

Recommended for excellent wine, great ambience and a good place for winding down after work. This moody wine bar has a big following of wine connoisseurs; they know that they will be guaranteed exceptionally good bottles of wine served in elegant goblets. Marietta, the owner of Resto Wine Notes is a true expert in wine and is a member of l’Association des Sommeliers d’Europe, which is an association of professionals who have all worked for many years in restaurants & hotels. Resto Wine Notes has over 40 different wines to choose from and, if you feel a bit out of you’re depth then don’t panic as Marietta is always on hand to recommend something that suits your palate. The restaurant is contemporary and cosy and serves delicious cuisine with live jazz and blues music every Thursday to Sunday evenings. Open every day 5pm to 12.30pm (closed Monday) 6 Rue sainte Réparate, 06300 Nice Tél: 04 93 53 09 79

Bienvenue

Recommended for great food, excellent value and friendly atmosphere Situated opposite the Gare Routiere on Avenue Jean Jaures is a really good restaurant that produces excellent value dishes all prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The venue is light and airy and the crisp white table cloths that adorn the tables, give you the first clue that your experience is going to be a good one. The menu offers a wide variety of meats, fish, pastas and risottos and they have two excellent three course set menus, one at €16 and the other at €29 both offering a good choice of starters, mains and desserts. This would be an excellent place for dining with a large group of friends or equally as perfect for couples. You will find the hosts and chef very friendly and they speak very good English. 5 Place Saint Francois, Old Town, Nice Tel: 04 93 79 84 40 - www.bien-venue.net

he Cote d’Azur has long been the preferred destination for many people wanting to invest in property. Buying a property abroad can be a little daunting but in France the process is very easy. If you have been peering longingly into an agents window then this article will help you to understand the buying process and hopefully bring you that little bit closer to owning a dream home or rental investment.

Buying a Property in France 1. Find a property and make an offer. If the offer is the full asking price as advertised, the vendor has to accept it. 2. Sign a Compromis de Vente or a Promesse d’Achat. Once this is signed by you and countersigned by the vendor, the vendor cannot pull out of the transaction or change the price. 3. Your Agent has to send a 7-day cooling off letter to you to allow you to think over your decision allowing you to pull out as this stage if you have changed your mind. No questions are asked. 4. If you are buying with cash, you transfer 10% of the purchase price to the Notaire and you have a no ‘get out clause’. If you are borrowing money against a property in the UK to purchase in France you are considered to be a cash buyer in France. If you are buying with a French mortgage then you also transfer 10% of the agreed purchase price to the Notaire but you have a ‘Clause Suspensive’ in the Compromis de Vente which relates to obtaining a mortgage. If you are not offered a French mortgage then the deal is nul and void and your 10% (less some administratives costs) are refunded. 5. If you are buying with a French mortgage you have approximately 45 days in total to obtain a mortgage offer. The mortgage offer is also sent to the Notaire. 6. During these 45 days the Notaire will be doing the necessary searches similar to a UK solicitor in order to transfer a clean title. However, a Notaire in France is not a solicitor in the same sense but a tax collector for the French government. This means that they can act for both parties and this does speed the process up. 7. Once the Notaire has all the necessary paperwork in place they will give the Sales Agent a date for the signing. Both parties can be present if they wish or you can sign proxies prior to the signing if your presence in France is likely to be a problem. However, proxies take quite some time to prepare and you must decide early on in the transaction if you wish to complete your purchase in this way. 8. Approximately 8-10 days before the agreed signing date, you must transfer your proportion or balance of the monies to the Notaire in order to complete the sale. In the case of a mortgage, the Notaire calls down the money from the mortgage company the week before the signing. 9. Signing a completion in France is quite an occasion and usually both the vendor and you are present together with the Sales Agent or negotiator. Title passes to you on the day of signing with all the keys to the property. You receive an ‘Attestation’ on the day of signing confirming your ownership of the property and you receive the deeds or ‘titres’ to the property within approximately 3 months once all the paperwork has been registered by the Notaire. The Notaire also holds a copy of the deeds for upto 100 years! Please note that the mortgage company does not hold the deeds to the property but you as the owner does. 10. The procedure from start to finish takes about 8 weeks for a cash purchase and about 10-12 weeks for a purchase with a mortgage. Alex Barrie 41

pplying for a French mortgage shouldn’t fill you with fear; after reading this article you will see that actually it is quite simple once you have the know-how. Our basic guide to French mortgages explains everything you need to know if you’re considering buying a property in France.

French Mortgages Raising a mortgage with a French bank is not difficult and there are a number of French mortgage companies and banks who will lend upto 70% of the purchase price and often over 20-25 years depending on age. HSBC and BNP Paribas are represented in Nice whilst there are other good French banks eager for your business such as Credit Foncier and Banque Patrimoine & Immobilier. Documents that you will need to apply for a French mortgage There are usually approximately 45 days from the date of the signing of the Compromis de Vente (offer to buy) to obtain an agreement for a mortgage. You have 10 of these days to get all your paperwork into the mortgage company so that they can work on the dossier and reply within another 21 days to the Agent/ Negotiator as to whether or not the bank is willing to finance their client’s purchase. It is best to get to work quickly once your offer has been accepted because the ‘Clause Suspensive’ in the Compromis de Vente is bound by this timescale and it is this clause that allows you a refund of your initial 10% deposit if the bank are unwilling to lend you the money to purchase. The mortgage company will usually ask for the following information: • Personal details – photocopy of passport or identity card. • Proof of deposit showing your contribution. • A utility bill from your main residence showing ownership. • 3 months’ receipts of rental if a tenant. • Income and personal assets - payslips for the last three months together with the most recent P60 if employed. Letter from employer setting out your professional status and length of service. • Proof of pension or any other income such as rentals. • For self-employed people, photocopies of the last 2 years’ certified balance sheets and last two years’ tax returns and the most recent assessment. • A bank reference from your main bank. • A summary of your assets. • A depreciation schedule of all loans. • The last 3 months bank statements showing expenses and income. • A copy of a signed and counter-signed Compromis de Vente, VEFA contract or Reservation contract if applicable (new build). • A completed Health Questionnaire. Alex Barrie 42

In France you have to be accepted by an Insurance Company who will cover the mortgage in case of death or incapacity to work. These insurance covers are very inexpensive compared to the other countries but you must answer a fairly detailed Health questionnaire. If you have large insurance cover elsewhere for death, sometimes this can be tapped into in more complex cases or the raising of a bond with an investment company attached to the bank for a client who is unable to be covered in the normal way. You would need to discuss this aspect with your mortgage advisor at the time of application if you were unsure of being covered. It is important that you discuss all the various options with a mortgage company who will give you the best advice.

Go-Nice - Quality Holiday Rentals & Sales 11 bis rue du Congres, 06000, Nice, France. Email: enquiries@go-nice.com Office: 00 33 (0) 4 93 87 71 80 www.go-nice.com

Rue de la Prefecture - Price: €370,000.00

A very modern open living apartment which offers a spacious and comfortable seating area, open plan American kitchen and dining area with open tread staircase to the mezzanine, which leads to the bedrooms. LOCATION - Nice - Old Town ADDRESS - 15 Rue de la Prefecture 06300 Nice BEDROOMS - Three good sized double bedrooms on the mezzanine floor.

Bathroom Upstairs there is a shower room with a double shower cubicle and w.c. and washhand basin and downstairs a smaller shower room with w.c. Both newly fitted.

SIZE - 89m2

Kitchen Generous American kitchen with white units, large American fridge/ freezer, oven hob and hood.

the NEIGHBOURHOOD In the very heart of the Old town and right opposite the Palais de Justice with its ochre walls and statuesque windows and doors. A stone’s throw from all the restaurants, bars and local shops and just minutes from the Cours Saleya. If you want to be in the centre of Old town life, this could not be a better location.

Amenities Rue de la Prefecture is the main artery to the centre of the Old town. The Palais de Justice square, the Cours Saleya and the Promenade des Anglais (and beach) are all within minutes. Easy access to the tramway and the Gare Thiers mainline station and the airport bus stop on Avenue Felix Faure. Great central location.

FLOOR/BUILDING Large airy apartment of 89m2 on two floors with large windows giving plenty of light. The apartment is accessed from the huge front door onto Rue de la Prefecture and then up a wide marble staircase to the 2nd floor.

Rates Taxe fonciere - €464 per annum Charges - €180 per month. Heating, hot water and electricity charged individually.

Living Area A very modern open space with a comfortable seating area, open plan American kitchen and dining area with open tread staircase to the mezzanine sleeping floor.

Go Nice is a fully registered French Real Estate company SARL (Carte Professionnelle 2298G) for Rentals (Gestion) and (Carte Professionnelle 5816T) for Sales (Transcation) Insured by CGAIM your money is safe and you are guaranteed a quality level of service in both property and professionalism.

An Eye For Design M

aybe you have purchased your dream home or your current one needs a revamp and maybe the thought of having to handle the stress of dealing with plumbers and decorators just fills you with dread. An interior designer might be the answer to all your prayers and help you achieve your desired finished look. Before you reach for the paintbrush and home furnishings catalogue, why not enlist an interior designer to help you?

What is an interior designer?

How to choose the right designer

An interior designer is a trained professional who plans and supervises the design of interior decoration and furnishings of homes, offices and other spaces. They often offer a full consultancy and project management service, as well as designonly. They draw up plans, source materials and furnishings; Can arrange subcontractors to carry out all the necessary work. They can supervise the whole process until the curtains have been hung and the sofa has been positioned so you can sit back and watch it all come together without lifting a finger.

■■The best way is through recommendations from friends, colleagues and relatives. If you’ve seen a design you like, try to find out who designed it. ■■Most designers will have a qualification in interior design, while this is important there are other factors to consider. A good designer will have a personal style that appeals to you, be adaptable and welcome your thoughts. ■■Try to find a local designer to keep costs down. Designers often charge for travel. But don’t base your decision just on cost as lower costs can mean a lower level of service. ■■Browse designers’ websites to view their finished work, learn more about the services they offer and fees. You could also ask to see their portfolio and get references from previous clients. ■■Make sure the designers clarify their fees structure. The first consultation is usually free of charge but fees vary after that. Some charge a fixed design fee for smaller projects and if the project is more complex or if the client is unsure what they want, the designer may charge monthly or hourly. ■■If you just want design-only find out if the designer offers this service as some designers will want you to sign up for the full service. ■■If the designer asks you a lot of detailed questions about yourself, your family and your lifestyle don’t be put off! The better the designer understands your needs and expectations, the easier it will be to meet them. Try to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve before you choose your designer.

The costs

If something goes wrong

How much you spend depends on the scope of the project, the quality of the materials used and the experience of the designer. Have your budget worked out before the designer starts making plans. It’s a good idea to have a contingency fund of 10-15% for any unexpected problems.

There shouldn’t be any problems if you’ve been actively involved. However, if you’re not happy tell the designer straight away. If the designer misunderstood you, they shouldn’t charge you for redesign. If you were not clear, or you changed your mind once the process had finished, you’ll probably have to pay for a redesign.

Make sure you‘re honest with your designer about your budget from the start. Setting spending limits from the start could mean fewer misunderstandings and less time wasted. Make sure you are realistic about your budget because costs can add up. Your designer will do their best to accommodate your needs. If your budget won’t stretch, don’t give up either. Your designer might be willing to spread the work over a longer period or try to find another way to achieve your desired look at a lower cost. ■■Meet regularly with your designer to go over ideas. If the project is complex, you might meet several times before the final plan is completed. The designer will produce detailed plans and samples, based on your expectations and their advice. ■■The designer should consult with you throughout the design stages, making sure you’re happy with everything, including any changes. Make sure you voice any fears or concerns, so the designer can make the necessary adjustments. ■■If you have asked the designer to implement the design, they will act as project manager, ordering all the items, furnishings and liaising with tradesmen but make sure you are involved, and the designer should keep you informed of progress.

Misunderstandings about costs cause the most problems. Some interior designers charge the recommended retail price on materials and furnishings, while others pass on discounts offered by the supplier. Make sure the designer has clarified their purchasing fees upfront and ask for written estimates before purchases are made. Not all suppliers deal directly with the public, so you might not be able to get that bargain without your designer’s help. If you feel the work carried out by a tradesperson is not up to scratch, you will usually have to take this up with them directly. The designer might have recommended them and supervised their work, but they don’t usually guarantee the work unless the designer hired the tradesperson themselves. Always talk to the designer first if you have any concerns with the service provided. Most designers would never want to leave a client unhappy at the end of a project. Laura Porter

Rue Collet, available to rent through www.nicepebbles.com

hether your purchase is a villa, apartment or studio, for personal use, investment or both, MB Design & Renovation offers a personal package taking all of the headache out of designing and renovating your property on the Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Azur. MB Design & Renovation work closely with all their clients to guarantee the finished result fulfils all the requirements. From managing the project, budget and by liasing and using only their trusted local sub-contractors and suppliers they ensure that they can deliver your dream property on budget and on time. Office: 00 33 (0)4 93 54 38 04 Mobile: 00 33 (0)6 98 25 17 46 Email: mb.designrenovation@yahoo.fr

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Absinthe Design has just opened a new showroom in the popular port area famous for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antique dealers. The showroom which is 170m2, has been created by the talented and design passionate, Nathalie Couadau who is an Interior designer and visual merchandiser. All the furniture is contemporary and design-led and just two of the exciting brands are DINES, a Spanish manufacturer and NORDIC DESIGN who are Scandinavian. Enchanting lights are brought to you by les FOURMIS BLEUES; and all are exclusive to the region and Absinthe. A winning combination of distinctive products and the use of unusual materials with different finishes, means that inspiration never lacks at Absinthe Design.

Showroom AD: 36, rue Catherine Segurane. 06300 Nice Tel: 04 97 19 19 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Email: absinthe-design@orange.fr

www.absinthedesign.fr

Head for the Hills by Alex Barrie

Mercantour Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alpes Maritimes

he Mercantour Park is one of the most popular of the French National Parks and was founded in 1979. It offers some 600 km of signposted footpaths and encompasses 28 villages. In the summer thousands of visitors walk its wide and varied tracks and visit its authentic mountain villages (some of which are perched high on the hilltops) whilst in winter a number of areas at the gateway to the Park have now respected reputations as good ski resorts. The main ski resorts are at Isola 2000 and Auron in the Haut Tinee and Valberg-Beuil in the Haut Cians. These ski resorts can be reached by bus daily during the season from the Gare Routiere in Nice. The bus network, TAM, offer special prices during the season which include journeys both ways with a ski pass. You can hire skis and boots in the villages themselves on arrival. Or if you wish to drive, all resorts are within a 2 hour journey one way. In the ski season there are two bus routes which cover Auron and Isola although you change at Isola Village to catch the shuttle bus up to the resort of Isola 2000 which is about a 20 minute journey. The buses start from the Nice Gare Routiere and pick up also at the airport and the SNCF mainline Gare Thiers in Nice. However, it is important to remember to book your tickets with the bus company at least the day before to avoid disappointment. The bus journey to all of these resorts goes through the most beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery with heart-stopping gorges, tumultuous water cascades originating from the high peaks of the surrounding mountains and winds its way at some points through tiny village hamlets which often appear to be completely deserted (but are not!). The larger villages have typical leafy village squares, distinctive church spires characteristic of the region and many colourful buildings with painted friezes which follow the Nicois/Italiante traditions. 50

Until 1945 the area of land above Isola village belonged to King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy who used it as his royal hunting ground. After the war and after the fascist, Mussolini, had been shot by partisans, King Victor Emmanuel was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Umberto in the hope of keeping the Italian monarchy in tact. He failed in this as Italy became a republic in 1946 and this parcel of land was given to France. The fortresses and supply roads around the area in these mountains bear testimony to the fighting on this frontier. Isola village, some 1100 metres lower down the valley was in rapid decline after the war with whole families moving into the towns for work but Olympic skier and British army officer, Peter Boumphrey, had seen the possibility for a ski resort in this bowl above the village and the local mayor at the time, Charles Romi, was anxious to rejuvenate Isola. But they needed a developer and eventually Peter Boumphrey persuaded Bernard Sunley Development Trust that the project was viable. The main problem had been the access roads which at that time were mere dirt tracks with avalanches and rockslides regularly blocking the roads in winter time. The Government, therefore, wanted to build a slightly longer but safer road which would serve Isola and another proposed ski resort called Azur 2000. This road was never built but as the Mayor of Isola wanted a new road to go through his village and Peter Boumphrey wanted the quicker route to Nice airport

for his would-be skiers and the developers did not want another ski resort in the same area, the original road was upgraded and the new proposed road scrapped, as was the Azur 2000 resort. The resort we now know as Isola 2000 was finished in the summer of 1971 and officially opened its doors to skiers in December of that year. It now boasts 120 km of pistes catering for alpine skiing, snow boarding and off-piste skiing with all the intrinsic lift systems to support it. The height of the mountains in the area (as the name suggests the ski station starts at 2000 metres), some of which reach over 3000 metres, means that there is a good chance of regular heavy snow during the winter months and snow canons provide additional snow if needed. The station itself is purpose built with a large number of chalets, apartment blocks and a considerable number of hotels both large and small. Many Nicois residents have bought apartments in Isola 2000 either for their own use both winter and summer (for the wonderful summer hiking) or as holiday rentals during the year. The station is well equipped with hire/ski wear shops and ski schools as well as a good general range of stores, restaurants and bars. The station is also well serviced by doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacies and it has its own Medical Centre for accidents on the slopes before transferring to a hospital in the nearby town of St. Etienne de Tinee. Helicopter and police services are also centred here to look after the large number of people who ski from this resort annually. The ski season runs from December 6th until the second fortnight in April (depending on snow conditions).

Isola 2000 Isola Village is well worth a visit as it is a pretty mountain village which relies mainly on the tourist trade both in winter and summer. So its churches and old fashioned village squares have been well protected and offer an insight into the mountain life of its people. In fact, many of the mountain villages bear little sign of modernisation exteriorly and some of the old photographs taken during the late 1800’s could easily be mistaken for current ones. The surrounding Mercantour Park offers the most rewarding and often challenging hiking, white water rafting, canoeing and winter sports to name but a few as well as a glorious historical testimony to bygone times and a more simple way of life. How to get there… By bus: Ligne TAM 750 Nice - Isola Village - Isola 2000 Tel : +33 (0) 4 93 85 92 60/+33 (0) 4 93 85 34 06 Ask for the ski bus which usually includes a day’s ski pass for €30 return. Website : www.santa-azur.fr Isola information: www.isola2000.com Isola Tourist Office, Isola 2000, Le Pelevos, 06420 Email : isola2000@stationsdumercantour.com By road: From Nice take the Digne/Grenoble road D6202, bear right on the D2205 towards Saint-Sauveur sur Tinee and St. Etienne de Tinee, continue to the village of Isola. In the village turn to the right on the D97 to Isola 2000 51

Mercantour Park – Alpes Maritimes Auron

Valberg

Unlike Isola 2000, this ski resort has evolved over the years around an existing community. It is about another 40 minutes on the bus from Isola village and the road turns off just before the beautiful mountain village of St. Etienne de Tinee (at 1140 metres altitude). If you want to stay here you can also access the ski slopes at Auron by the Pinatelle cable car. The ski station at Auron sits at 1600 metres. It was originally created in 1937 and offers visitors a wide range of ski slopes in a more traditional setting than Isola 2000. A good selection of ski shops both for hiring and buying as well as restaurants, bars, hotels and chalet accommodation can be found in the village itself. The chair and button lifts all start from the village so you can enjoy a good day’s skiing without having to stay overnight.

Last but not least is Valberg-Beuil ski resort at 1700 metres altitude. Up until the 1930s, the area around Valberg was high pasture grazing for sheep and the name Valberg originated from the ‘Vallon des Bergers’ which means ‘Valley of the Shepherds’. This station is reached by driving through either the Gorges du Cians or the Gorges de Daluis et Guillaumes, both spectacular scenery. Like Auron, Valberg has evolved around an existing community and offers good skiing in a traditional environment. There are 90 km of alpine skiing with ample ski lifts and the village itself supports the sport abundantly.

How to get there… By bus: Ligne TAM 740 Nice – St. Etienne de Tinee – Auron. Tel: +33 (0) 4 93 85 92 60/+33 (0) 4 93 85 34 06 Ask for the ski bus which usually includes a day’s ski pass for €30 return. Website: www.santa-azur.fr

How to get there… By bus: Ligne TAM 770 Nice-Beuil-Valberg. Telephone and website as Auron. Valberg information: www.valberg.com Valberg Tourist office: Place du Quartier, 06470 Valberg Tel: +33 (0) 4 93 23 24 25 Email: ot@valberg.com

Auron information: www.auron.com Auron Tourist Office, Grange Cossa, 06660 Auron Tel: +33 (0) 4 93 23 02 66 Email: auron@stationsdumercantour.com

By road: From Nice take the Digne/Grenoble road D6202 to Touet/ Var, Route D28 through the Gorges du Cians or the D2202 through the Gorges de Daluis et Guillaumes.

By road: From Nice take the Digne/Grenoble road D6202, bear right on the D2205 towards Saint-Sauveur sur Tinee and St. Etienne de Tinee. Before you reach the outskirts of St. Etienne de Tinee, take the signposted road D39 to Auron.

To get more information about any of these areas, just visit the Tourist Office on the Promenade des Anglais who have a wealth of brochures and information. Timetables for the TAM buses can be obtained from the Gare Routiere as well. Mercantour National Park – www.mercantour.eu

FROM 12th TO 28th FEBRUARY 2010 NICE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU +33 (0)892.707.407* / NICECARNAVAL.COM *0,34€/mn.

King of the Blue Planet

a d v e r t i s e

w i t h

u s

If you would like to promote your business product, service or event in the next issue of Prestige, please email Rachael or Clarisse in the first instance and we call or email you straight back . rachael@prestige-magazine.com - English speaking, or… clarisse@prestige-magazine.com - French speaking

Never miss another copy again click onto… www.prestige-magazine.com Don’t forget! Prestige want you to be part of the magazine, so if you have a story that you feel we may be interested in, an event you would like us to attend and possibly cover, a new service you would like us to try or a special place that you have discovered then we would welcome your feedback.

RaisingRiviera T

here are definite benefits in raising your child to speak more than one language, infact it has been proven that children who speak more than one language excel in language

and writing skills later in life. They also have better social, investigative and academic skills than children who haven’t been exposed to other languages. Little junior has lots to learn in his or hers first years of life, so another language really doesn't add much to their load.

Tips to make it easier ◆◆ The sooner you start, the better. Children are more receptive both neurologically and attitude-wise when they're younger. ◆◆ Ideally, everyone in the household and family should be supportive of the child learning and using another language, even if not everyone speaks the language. ◆◆ Don't get worried if the child mixes languages, this is quite common and it's temporary. Usually by age 4 or 5, it will all level out. ◆◆ Play games, read books and sing songs in the other language, but if they show signs of boredom or tiredness, then don’t push it. ◆◆ Watch programs (especially educational ones) and movies in another language. ◆◆ As your child grows they will start to show interest in other things, so why not mix it with learning. Whatever your child's new interest is, perhaps a favourite TV character, game or song, see if you can get it in both languages, they will begin to understand then that learning new languages doesn’t have to be boring. ◆◆ Why not label things in your house in the language you are teaching them and don’t forget that if your little one sees a dog in the street and points to it and says dog, then respond by smiling and saying “ yes that’s right dog, Chien (in french or your prefered language) Well done! ◆◆ Try to find a nanny or babysitter who speaks the other language and ask them to use that language when speaking to the child, and to encourage the child to use it as well. ◆◆ Introduce your child to playgroups with children who speak the other language or make sure they have some friends that they can practice and become acustomed to the sounds of the other language. ◆◆ Repeat common phrases in both languages, as children learn by repetition and example. Constant repetition of phrases in different languages will teach them that the words mean the same thing. This will make them more comfortable with speaking both languages, as they get older.

Contacts ABC International School An international private school for students aged 3-18 years Tel: 04 92 00 01 23 www.abc-school-international.com Azura Domicile An agency providing at home nannies & teachers. Tel: 06 11 46 12 42 www.azuradomicile.com Creche Municipale de Monte-Carlo A creche with bilingual staff Tel: 00377 97 97 70 22 Mougins School An international school offering a British curriculum from 3-18 years Tel: 04 93 90 15 47 www.mougins-school.com The Alphabet School An English, French bilingual primary school for students aged 3-12 years Tel: 04 97 10 01 91 Ecole Privee La Fontaine Kindergarten following the Montessori method Tel: 04 93 20 69 76 www.ecolelafontaine.com

◆◆ Make it a rule that the child must reply in the language in which they are spoken to. Another option is to set aside a day or half day a week when only a particular language can be used. ◆◆ It is recommended to expose your child to 30% of the second language during their waking hours, so talk as much as possible then. ◆◆ You could also look into getting a private teacher to give them extra lessons, even if your children are quite young, the tutor can just spend the time speaking to your children and playing games in the other language. ◆◆ If you begin teaching your child a second language and then end up not carrying on, don't feel too bad. As your child gets older, they will be able to pick up their second language much more easily than if they had had no exposure to it. Every little bit really does help with early language learning. ◆◆ There will probably come a time when the child is older that they don't want to speak the other language. How you decide to deal with this is dependent on your parenting style but try to persist without falling out. Complied by Louise Alexandra

Local Artists

he month of November saw some of the Cote d’Azur’s most talented photographers and artists display a collection of their works. The exhibition was held at The Centre D’affaires, Nice Airport, Terminal 1 allowing travellers time to view the photos whilst waiting for their flight. If you were one of the lucky ones who visited the exhibition, which was also open to the public, you will have been inspired by their creativity. For those of you who missed it, here is just a taste of some the artists work and their contact details should you require further information.

Bernard Polizzi - Photographer At the heart of his work is the way that the light plays with his subject; it is the true director. Ordinary daily reality is transformed into the extraordinary. Tel: +33 (0) 6 15 16 36 94 - Email: b.polizzi@d-clic.net - Web: http://expo.d-clic.net

Clarysse Giteau - Artist & Photographer

Hannaka - Artist & Photographer

It is Clarysse’s imagination coupled with her photography, that allows her to probe the soul of the person, objects and nature, exploring emotion and atmosphere and it is this that transpires into print.

The artist Hannaka has a diploma from the Beautiful Arts of Paris. She feels privileged to be able to express herself through photography. Experimenting with techniques using ink and resine, providing Hannaka with a very special finish.

Tel: +33 (0) 613 308 198 - Email: art.clarysse@gmail.com

Tel: +33 (0) 6 23 35 29 78 - Email: info@hannaka.fr - Web: www.hannaka.fr

Line Roquebrun - Amateur Photographer

Jean-Jacques Pangrazi - Photographer

After travelling to India, Burma, Laos and Vietnam with professional photographers, Line returned home and won the AGFA’s photographer award.

A freelance photographer living in Nice. Reports, portraits, images of events or beautiful places.

Tel: +33 (0) 622 573 864 - Email: r.hommet@wanadoo.fr

Tel: +33 (0) 6 98 01 03 15 - Email: jjp@eclatsdelumiere.com Web: www.eclatsdelumiere.com

Clarysse Artist & Photographer

Couloir du petit château - 70 x 50cm

En Chemin - 70 x 50cm

A l’endroit à l’envers! - 70 x 50cm

Clarysse Giteau, after living in Paris decided to move

While photographing remote landscapes or disused

to the Cote d’Azur, where the elements, light and

places, in black and white, she marks the intensity

nature have inspired the great artists. As a young girl

and gives them once again life. It is where the ugly

Clarysse was always attracted to design and painting,

becomes beautiful, and where the past, present and

but her passion for photography came later, notably

future become one.

during her travels around the world and now her camera never leaves her side.

L’inconnu mystére - 50 x 70cm

Contact: art.clarysse@gmail.com Tel: +33 (0) 613 308 198

Lichen 50 x 70cm

Original film scanned and mounted onto aluminum laminate, protected with an anti UV finish. Please call for prices.

Fine &Dandy Crombie

Sergio Rossi Bag & Shoes

Kenzo Belts

inter 09/10 sees men turning dandy, combining fashionable fantasy garments and English country clothes. Accessories are critical to their style, this is real grown up dressing for the men. Expect to see them accessorised to the max with a classic bag, cravat, hat, belt, chelsea boot, fob or pocket watch hung from their elegantly tailored waistcoat.

Key pieces ǷǷShort riding jackets, buttoned and fitted ǷǷMilitary coats: engraved buttons and double-breasted ǷǷTuxedo style jakets & fitted cuts ǷǷShort coats with little English checks, basket weaves or tweed ǷǷDuffle-coats ǷǷPrints: checks and flowers for hunting jackets, waistcoats and tapered pants

Definition The word dandy was a nickname for Parisian & British overly-groomed men living in the 18th & 19th centuries. 58

A. Lange & Sohne

Mont Blanc

Kenzo

Burberry

Kenzo Duffle Coat

Burberry Military Coat

Kenzo Hats & Scarves Crombie

Stockists Burberry 65 Boulevard de la Croisette 6400 - Cannes Tel: 04 93 94 92 20

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In the for a good read?

ased on Stephen Clarke’s own experiences and with names changed to “avoid embarrassment, possible legal action, and to prevent the author’s legs being broken by someone in a Yves Saint Laurent suit,” A Year in the Merde provides perfect entertainment for Francophiles and Francophobes alike. Literally a word of mouth success his book has now been published all over the world and has established Stephen Clarke as a best selling novelist. It all began in Paris, 2004 with a phone call to an English bookshop asking if they had a book called ‘A Year In The Merde’ by Paul West. The review in the subway newspaper had provoked such interest from the French they wanted to know what a British writer had written about them and why it was such a ‘laugh out loud’ read. After the bookshop owner finally traced the publishing company, Red Garage Books (Stephen’s own publishing company) he called them and to his delight got through to Paul West alias Stephen Clarke. Stephen originally printed just 200 copies for himself, to give to friends and perhaps if lucky, sell the odd one or two.

owner phoned again to ask him if he could bring some more books as he had sold out of the original 10 within an hour, and so it began, the word spread and the sales continued to grow locally. Later the British press got wind of Stephens’s local success and he started getting orders from Great Britain

The owner of the bookshop ordered ten copies of ‘A Year In The Merde’ and Stephen delivered them himself in a shopping caddy on a Saturday morning. Later that day the bookstore

Prestige caught up with Stephen in Nice to ask him about his latest novel ‘Dial M For Merde’, which finds Paul West getting into ‘deep merde’ in the South of France.

and as far away as Hong Kong. Within a few months a major publisher bought the rights and ‘A Year In The Merde’ was sold internationally. Stephen no longer has to do the deliveries with his grocery caddy and the book has now been translated into 20 plus languages, establishing Stephen as a best selling novelist and seeing him nominated for many book awards.

You can find Stephen’s books at your local English bookshop:

The Cat’s Whiskers

Relay Bookshop

30 rue Lamartine, 06000 Nice

Nice Airport – Terminal 2, Public zone

Tel: 04 93 80 02 66 • Tel: 04 93 99 40 08

Tel: 04 93 21 42 82

English Book Centre

Antibes Books

12 rue Alexis Julien, 06560 Valbonne

24 rue Aubernon, 06600 Antibes.

Tel: 04 93 12 21 42

Tel: 04 93 34 74 11 • Fax: 04 93 34 74 11

Prestige Question: How much of Paul West’s life in ‘A Year In The Merde’ actually happened in Stephen Clarke’s life?

I have had the books analysed by the INSL (Institut National des Statistiques Littéraires), a very serious department of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, and they tell me that my books are 64.3% true on average. That’s below the internationally recognized standard for an autobiography (which is 72%) but way above the threshold for politicians’ memoires which is 36% (or 21% in France). PQ: The French love your funny stories on your experiences in France and they are obviously comfortable laughing at themselves. If the book was to be reversed to a French man writing about his experience of living in Britain, do you think the concept would work as well and would the British see the funny side of it?

No, for two reasons. First, we Brits think that we’re the only ones who can criticize ourselves. If a foreigner does it, we think, who does he think he is, and ignore him. Secondly, the French first startered reading my books in English, and there’s no way you’ll get an average everyday Londoner or Mancunian to read a book in French. People say the French are arrogant and closed-minded, but I’ve found that the opposite is true. Well they can be arrogant, but not too arrogant to read my books, which is all I care about. PQ: Merde Happens is the third book in the life of Paul West. This funny novel sees him taking a road trip through America with his French girlfriend (Alexa) and his friend (Jake) who wants to sleep with a woman from every country and then write about them in his poems. What inspired you to take Paul on tour to America, did you actually do the trip and are Alexa and Jake based on real people?

My America publishers asked me to come to America. They thought America needed a bit of satire. Not hard-line anti-Bush viciousness, just gentle mockery of the way they are. And yes, I did the trip, in several stages, by car from New York down to Florida then west to LA (with a little plane hop in the middle). The rest of it is 64.3% true. PQ: Talk to the snail - ‘Ten Commandments for understanding the French (actually Stephen has done eleven commandments) is a humorous and essential read for surviving life in France. What would be the most recent twelfth commandment you would add?

I’d do a stand-alone commandment on the importance of saying “bonjour”. I realize

now that it’s even more important than I first said. When I use it to start any servicerelated conversation, I can actually see some Parisians thinking “oh no, he’s said bonjour, I’m going to have to be helpful now.” PQ: Your new book Dial M for Merde takes Paul West to the South of France what does he get up to there?

Paul visits my favourite parts of the South, mostly lesser-known places, and gets sucked into a spoof thriller (as the title suggests). He’s a bit of a gaffe artist, so I wanted him to think he’s playing at James Bond when in fact we realize he’s being used as a Bond girl by the glamorous Englishwoman, M, in the title. She even has a Bond-style name, Gloria Monday. PQ: If your books were made into a film, who would you like to cast as Paul and why?

I’m not sure. Ideally, I would go back in time to around 1989 and grab Hugh Grant. PQ: What does the future hold for Paul West?

I’ll have to ask his astrologer. And mine. I have a title and storyline for his next adventure, but I’m not sure exactly when I’ll start writing it. I’m working on a new book now, which isn’t a Paul West story, and should be out in early 2010. PQ: What are Stephen Clarke’s plans for today?

To have a swim. It’s very hot. PQ: You live in Paris, but what do you miss about Britain and how often do you go back?

I’ve been here for 15 years now. What I miss most are stand-up comedians. France doesn’t really do stand-up, whereas in the UK you can go and see some excellent comedians live, and in London it’s practically any night of the week.

pine forests, have a swim in clear, warm water, and then go for an excellent fresh seafood lunch at one of the restaurants right by the beach. PQ: What tips would you give to anyone moving to France?

Do it. But make sure you can afford it. Don’t bank (bank being the operative word) on exchange rates allowing you to live a lifestyle that can go down the toilet if money markets go wonky like they did last autumn. I’ve talked to lots of people who are having to sell up, at a loss, and go back to the lifestyle they wanted to leave behind, because they didn’t get their sums right. PQ: What do the French really think of the British?

Secretly they love us. The last chapter in Talk to the Snail is all about this. I say that the mutual love between the French and the Brits is the love that dare not speak its name. And now we have the tunnel, which is like a secret passageway between our two bedrooms, we can nip over to see each other any time we want and no one will know. PQ: If you could sum up France in five words, what would they be?

Don’t mess with my lifestyle. PQ: If you could sum up Britain in five words, what would they be?

Another glass of wine please. PQ: If someone was to write a 100% true account of Stephen Clarke’s life, what would the title of the book be and what would the summary read on the back of the book.

Lies, Lies and More Lies, Stephen Clarke’s no-holds-barred

PQ: The French have a reputation for being very amorous, could you tell us something to prove this is true or false?

Yes, I have several English women friends who have gone back to live in the UK because they got fed up with French men. It’s funny, because the word “amorous” doesn’t really contain any “amour”. PQ: Where is your favourite place in the South of France?

The Mediterranean Sea. If you want a more exact answer, the coastal path in Gigaro, near Saint Tropez, on a Thursday morning in midSeptember. There will be no one about, you can walk along the track through fragrant 65

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