Riviera Insider - January/February 2019 by Riviera Press

GRASSE UNESCO World Heritage status

EDUCATION Our special on international and bilingual schools

MONACO The Principality’s new frontier: Space

ART Inside La Colombe d’Or’s art collection

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# 182 JanuarY / feBruarY 2019 4,90 € The

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EDITORIAL By NICOLE RUSKELL

The air has turned chilly and frost awaits us in the morning, but thankfully we have the sunshine as a constant companion and the temperate climate of the French Riviera. I never used to like winter, but here I am always in awe of the beauty surrounding us. How incredible is it to drive along the shore of the Mediterranean, palm trees on the left and the snow-capped Alps in the distance? At a time when a deep chill has set-in across the north, the hillsides of the Côte d’Azur come alive with bright yellow. From Menton to Mandelieu, February is filled with mimosa and citrus festivals, flower battles and imaginative Carnival parades (see p. 40). It’s also a great time for car lovers, as Monaco hosts the Salon d’Automobile, the season opener of the Rally, the Rallye Historique and an expo of the Prince’s rare Ferrari collection (all on p. 20).

We start each year with our education special, profiling a selection of international and bilingual schools across the PACA region (p. 60). This year we look at parenting for the Digital Age, exploring new teaching methods and discusisng the good and bad sides of technology. There have been some significant news stories since our last issue, from the ongoing Brexit negotiations (p. 9) to the centenary of Armistice Day (p. 44), to Grasse winning UNESCO status (p. 12). The most impactful story to us all has definitely been the Gilets Jaunes protests. We asked a French journalist to shed light on how it started, why they protest, and what they still want (p. 10). Whether you love to hit slopes or bask in the winter sun, get out and enjoy this amazing place we live in. From all of us at Riviera Press, we wish you a wonderful 2019!

THE TEAM

BICH LECOURT

CAROLE HéBERT

FRANÇOISE MULLER

PATRICE SAINT-LEGER

PETRA HALL

VINCENT ARTUS

DOMINIQUE FREULON

DANIEL NARO

Nicole Ruskell (editor) discovered her passion for journalism and its ability to connect people while working as the editorial director for academic journals. She has a Masters degree in journalism and over 10 years’ experience in publishing. The California native has worked throughout the French Riviera and Liguria, and is committed to well-being and organic principles. Bich Lecourt (managing director) was born in Antibes. Since completing her PhD in Economics, she has worked in Sophia Antipolis so is well-acquainted with the business ecosystem and atmosphere of the French Riviera. From architecture to interior design and décor, Bich likes discovering new parts of the region and enjoying the quintessential Côte d’Azur lifestyle. Petra Hall (founder) established the newspaper Riviera-Côte d’Azur Zeitung (now RivieraZeit) in German 26 years ago. It was followed by The Riviera Times, a magazine that has blossomed into Riviera Insider, in 2003. Her goal was always to provide readers with exciting, informative and unique insights written by professional mother-tongue journalists. She has become an institution in the south of France and Monaco's media landscape in her own right. Carole Hébert (secretary) is the heart and soul of the team. Besides dealing with accounting, subscription management and reader concerns, this native of northern France has a knack with numbers and always ensures everything in the office is ticking over perfectly.

Vincent Artus (art director) has a gift for transforming visions and ideas into reality. The Niçois creative talent has as a penchant for clean lines and playing with white space for optimum effect and has brought a fresh, stylish look to our publication. The multi-talented creative is also a photographer and videographer. Françoise Muller (sales & marketing) is originally from Dijon, but has been living and working on the Côte d'Azur since 1993. For 14 years, she has thrived on her work in the communications and marketing industry, and is now an enthusiastic member of our team. Her hobbies include literature and sports. Dominique Freulon (events & distribution), who was born in Paris and has been living on the Côte d'Azur for 15 years, puts maximum energy and dynamism into working in our marketing department. She is a true 'people person' and has always been an admirer of our magazines. Her hobbies are travelling in faraway countries and literature. Patrice Saint-Léger (sales & marketing) has been working in the communications sector for more than ten years. After studying business administration and entrepreneurship, our Cannes-born publicist discovered his passion in the advertising business. During his free time, his interests lie in sports and nature. Daniel Naro (sales & marketing) nearly became a professional footballer in his northern French home of Metz. Plan B was the insurance industry, but 25 years later, he sought the sun and found it on the Côte d'Azur. After re-launching his career in the media, he recently joined the professional Riviera Press team. JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

CONTENTS

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Art & Culture A living galery: La Colombe d’Or’s art collection

34 The Hotlist News from the region

6 Elsa Carpenter (editor-in-chief) has worked as a journalist in the south of France for many years, and brings her modern vision for the media to our magazines. She is deeply invested in the culture and lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur, and is keen to share her passion for the region with our readers.

La Diacosmie: Behind the scenes of Nice Opera

36 Events

Les Gilets Jaunes Understanding the crisis

Winter Festivals

40 What’s on the agenda?

42 Saving History Grasse granted UNESCO World Heritage Status

History 100th Anniversary of the Armistice

44 Unknown Monaco

Issue #182 SEE MORE, DO MORE, kNOW MORE

Space: Monaco’s Final Frontier

22 Gourmet kitchen’s Fabrik Nice

Cover ‘Mimosa Nice’ Thomas Lemaire Photographe d’Art

Sport

Eco Are we running out of fish?

élodie Lorandi

Business & Finance The Riviera Bussiness Club Business Person of the Year Awards

Revolution Food Truck

SPECIAL Education a 18 page dossier on schools

60 Positive Education

62 Parenting in the Digital Age

64 Montessori Schools: What makes them different?

68 Bilingual Schools

70 Universities

74 Community Nice-Vile Station voted the most beautiful

100 employees in 7 years 40 designated roles www.asteria.mc

Join a growing business Do you have the right profile?

iengineer engineering and software development

project manager Websites

4 rue des LiLas | ViLLa Le dĂ´me 98000 monaco +33 825 590 589

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Winter Festivals! THE FRENCH RIVIERA WINTER BURSTS WITH YELLOW CHEER

January and February can be the dreariest of months, right in the depths of winter. Throughout northern Europe, a deep chill has set-in, people stay indoors to hide from the cold and sunshine is but daydream for many. Fortunately for us, the French Riviera offers a more temperate climate and bright sunshine almost every day. Not only can we still enjoy the outdoors, but thanks to our microclimate, the region comes alive with vibrant yellow mimosas, citrus fruits galore and little violets for all sorts of delicacies. It’s certainly cause for celebration and we do it with vigour! From flower battles to crazy Carnival floats to a fantasy world built of lemons, winter is the busiest season for cheerful festivals and parades. See page 40 for the list of the biggest festivals celebrating life in the middle of winter. 

Get ﬁt for the New Year! NEW FITLANE LOCATIONS OPENING THROUGHOUT THE REGION

The New Year brings the inevitable ‘New Years Resolutions’ and although everyone has their own list of things they want to change or accomplish this year, getting fit is on most people’s list. The good news is that now more and more people can work towards that goal with several new Fitlane locations. In November, the Antibes location opened in the new Olympie Shopping Centre on Voie Marie Fischer and several new locations are opening soon. January welcomes both Fréjus and Nice Madeleine; Nice Riquier opens in February; Grasse and Saint Laurent du Var will open in April. So whether you’re wanting to shed some of the holiday kilos that snuck up (how in the world did it happen??) or you want to get yourself fit for numerous other reasons, there are more and more gyms opening, making it easier to workout (read: less excuses).  © Alexander Demyanenko / Shutterstock.com

I go, you go, Ouigo to Paris! NEW DEPARTURES FOR PARIS ON THE DISCOUNT TGV

France’s rail company, SNCF Group, has expanded their low-cost TGV service, Ouigo, to new stations in the Côte d’Azur. As of December, travellers can board the express train to Paris from Cannes, and Antibes and Nice stations. Called ‘the blue and pink TGV’ Ouigo offers low-cost and cheap last-minute fares to Paris, with tickets as low €19. Travel time from Antibes station to Gare de Lyon in Paris is around five and a half hours. Similar to low-cost airlines, there is a baggage limit and they require boarding 30 minutes prior to departure. Ouigo can be a great option for students studying in Paris or here in the Côte d’Azur and find the cost to travel back and forth somewhat limiting. Board the train, get your work done and enjoy your trip. Tickets can be booked at www.ouigo.com. © SNCF Emeric Fohlen

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Sales & the City Across France, the annual January sales give us a chance to pick up some great deals at our favourites shops. Cannes is a particularly great shopping destination, from the haute couture of the Croisette, to the numerous shops on rue d’Antibes and étasUnis. The city is celebrating the 2019 winter sales with a week-long shopping festival. 11th - 13th Januarywill be a festive week-end for shoppers with several events, including fashion shows, games, live music and other surprises to discover. After an immensely successful run for New Year’s Eve, the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret will return to the Palais des Festivals for two evenings to present its ‘Forever Crazy’ show on 11th and 12th January at 8:00 pm. Rue d’Antibes will be pedestrian only and eight car parks in the city centre will offer a special all-day rate of €5 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. On Sunday 13th January, over 100 shops will remain open. France’s official winter sales run from 9th January to 19th February.

CANNES GOES ALL-OUT FOR THE JANUARY SALES

Mimosa coﬀee morning RAISE A TO HELP PEOPLE WITH CANCER

The local cancer charity Mimosa Matters is starting a new tradition this year with World Cancer Day Coffee Mornings. They welcome people to host their own cake and coffee fund raisers on 4th February at their workplace, a school, or in their neigh-

bourhood. Widely popular in the Uk, these local gatherings are a great way to be social, meet new people and raise money for a good cause. Mimosa supports local cancer organisations in the Alpes-Maritimes region to benefit cancer research and family assistance. If you would like to host a coffee morning, register at www.mimosamatters.org..  JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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Jane Birkin sings Gainsbourg There are few British women who have made such an iconic impression on French culture as Jane Birkin. Her love affair with Serge Gainsbourg and their subsequent musical hits are carved in French history. Best known for his sensual and sultry jazz compositions, Gainsbourg was classically trained and often borrowed from the great composers Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Dvořák and others, thus leaving their mark on several of his pieces. On 16th February, 25 years after the death of Gainsbourg, the Cannes Orchestra is celebrating this with ‘Birkin/Gainsbourg Le Symphonique’, featuring Jane Birkin, accompanied by the Cannes orchestra, directed by Didier Benetti, artistic direction by Philippe Lerichomme and piano arrangement by Nobuyuki Nakajima. Be transported back in time with Jane Birkin's sweet voice, as she sings the emblematic texts of the vanished poet-singer. 16th February at 8:30 pm, Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals.  www.palaisdesfestivals.com

THE CANNES ORCHESTRA PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE MUSICAL COUPLE

Jane Birkin © Carole Bellaiche

The Beach Boys, live! THE CREATORS OF AMERICAN SURF CULTURE RETURN TO MONACO

For lovers of classic 1960’s American rock music, a chance of a lifetime is coming to Monaco this summer! Part of the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival, The Beach Boys will perform a charity dinner show at the Sporting Monte-Carlo’s Salles des étoiles on 13th July in support of Fight Aids Night. Considered the founders of American surf culture, their hit songs have been stuck in people’s heads for over half a century. Songs like ‘Surfin’ USA’, ‘kokomo’ and ‘Surfer Girl’ are only a few of their mega-hits. In fact, The Beach Boys have been topping charts for nearly fifty years, listed consistently in the Top 10 of Billboard’s 200 list for 49 years straight. Not even the Beatles have can compete with that! In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine put their 1966 album ‘Pet Sounds’ at #2 on their 500 best albums of all time list and named ‘Good Vibrations’ the #1 song of the century. If you never thought you would be able to see this iconic band perform live, this concert is not to be missed.  www.montecarlosbm.com

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Countdown to Brexit Our political columnist gives his opinion on the impending split

Prime Minister Theresa May plunged The Johnson family have turned out to be a pure reflection of the Britain into a new chapter of political splintered Brexit Britain, or at least of Brexit England. absurdity by suddenly postponing the Boris, the most vociferous, wrote two columns for The Daily Telegraph as the Brexit campaign began in 2016, one arguing in favour of remaining parliamentary vote on her final deal to and the other in favour of Brexit. He finally published the pro-Brexit piece leave the European Union, a deal that and threw his lot in with the Leave campaign. pleases no one, neither the Brexiteers Stanley, the father, once worked for the European Commission in determined to go nor the Remainers Brussels and was then a Conservative member of the European hoping to stay. Parliament. In 2016, he backed Remain but later said he had changed his May instantly set off on a tour of mind when he witnessed the hostility that he thought Brussels was European capitals to seek support for showing to Britain as the Brexit talks dragged on. more talks. She got short shrift in Berlin Rachel, a newspaper columnist and television where Chancellor Angela Merkel told her the presenter, angered her traditionally Contime for negotiation was over. Then May servative family by announcing last year that rushed back to London to face down she was joining the Liberal Democrats, the parliamentarians in her own Conservative centrist party that unequivocally backs EU Party who had forced a vote on her leadership. membership. She won with a handsome majority and, Within a week of Jo’s resignation, another four under party rules, cannot be brought to ministers, including Dominic Raab, the second account again until next December. Brexit negotiator to fall on his sword, had gone After the referendum sealing Britain’s exit as well. Another quit at the end of November. from the European Union in June 2016, And no one believed that May’s plan would get almost every week in Westminster seemed a parliamentary majority. On 10 December, a to follow the same tedious pattern: it would day before the vote was scheduled--and facing start with talk of a breakthrough with certain defeat--May decided to delay, bringing Brussels, and it would end with news of little howls of protest, even accusations of or no progress—until the last two months of cowardice. 2018. May’s blueprint was approved at a special The turning point came on the second Friday summit in Brussels just after Jo Johnson’s of November when a government minister resignation. The other 27 EU leaders signed off quit the cabinet in protest at May’s deal. Paris-based Julian Nundy, has been with relief, insisting that there could be no The minister in question “put the interests of a journalist for more than 40 years, further discussion before the cutoff date for the country ahead of his political career,” his on staﬀ at reuters, Newsweek, the leaving on 29 March. sister, Rachel Johnson, tweeted. Her brother international Herald Tribune, The Enter Philip Hamilton, Chancellor of the Jo, until then transport minister, was independent and Bloomberg News Exchequer. In his role in charge of the British “honourable and principled,” she said. and as a correspondent in Moscow, economy, Hamilton said that all of the exit Compliments of this nature are scarce when Paris, Brussels, Beirut and Cairo. options would leave Britain poorer than judging the behaviour of modern British He has covered international remaining in the EU. Of course, he said loyally, politicians; Rachel had no such praise for her conﬂict and revolutions across the of those options, May’s plan was the best. more notorious brother, Boris Johnson, when Middle east throughout the 1970s The Bank of England warned that Brexit could he quit as foreign secretary four months and 80s. in Paris, he covers harm the economy even more than the 2008 earlier. domestic politics, including the financial crash. Brexiteers, who came up with Jo, a member of the Conservatives’ Remain referendum to approve the the slogan “Project Fear” during the faction that opposed Britain’s departure from Maastricht Treaty. referendum campaign to ridicule Brexit the EU, said he could not back May’s plan for naysayers, branded the new warnings “Project Brexit that would lead to “a choice between Hysteria.” two deeply unattractive outcomes, vassalage May’s struggle was to persuade her own party and the opposition that and chaos.” May’s project that she was about to take to Brussels, they had to come alongside to avert a debacle which could leave Britain he continued, represented “a failure of British statecraft on a scale open to a no-deal Brexit with untold consequences. An alternative would unseen since the Suez crisis” of 1956, widely considered a critical be to take the issue back to the voters, an option that she repeatedly moment of decline in Britain’s role as a world power. rejected. Jo Johnson, an elegant, discreet and courteous one-time Financial Times correspondent, is very different in both style and conviction Still, three former prime ministers led calls for a new referendum, but, from the noisy, tousle-haired Boris, the most prominent leader of after 30 months of political frenzy in which the surprises have all been the Brexit campaign. mediocre, there was little reason to hope for anything positive. 

HAVOC OR CHAOS?

JULIAN NUNDY

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The “gilets jaunes” protests

Feeling the squeeze The “mouvement des gilets jaunes” has been making French headlines The ‘gilets jaunes’ movement is a crisis caused by a widespread since November. The simple lack of purchasing power, a lack of any sense of wealth fluorescent yellow roadside safety distribution and a general denunciation of economic reforms seen vest has now become the emblem as favouring the wealthy. Macron’s decision to suppress a wealth of the resentment felt towards the tax (‘l’impôt sur la fortune’), which only applied to people who government by a significant owned net assets of over €1.3 million had already made him number of French citizens. unpopular with the working class. Like many civil protests, the movement was born spontaneously The INSEE, the French National Institute for Statistics and on social networks, spreading swiftly and unexpectedly. It is said Economic Studies, has revealed that between 2008 and 2016 tax to have started with an online petition by a woman asking the and social reforms have translated into an average loss of €500 government to backtrack on its recent tax increases on fuel. of disposable income in French households, with middle and lower Between April and November, the petition gathered 800,000 income families being the most affected (67%). There are other signatures. measures that need to be factored in as well. The increase in the The protests, however, are believed to have been triggered by a number of speed radar cameras, the lowering of the speed limit Facebook campaign launched by a Parisian lorry driver, calling to to 80 km/h on rural roads and the hardening of requirements on block all roads in and around Paris and to gather in front of the vehicles passing the ‘Controle Technique’ have all hit rural workers Elysée palace on 17 November. The event and those who live in distant small towns much registered more than 200,000 “interested” people harder as their car is a necessity, not a luxury. by the following day. Word spread on social media In short, the ‘gilets jaunes’ are for the most part IN THE ALPESand the event was quickly duplicated to many workers, retired people and self-employed who MARITIMES REGION, regional versions. whose incomes have stagnated to subsistence A FEW HUNDRED level and who see the ruling class as cut off from "GILETS JAUNES" The fuel tax crisis their reality. BLOCkED THE A8 Diesel prices increased 16% in 2018, from an A protest in four acts average of €1.24 to €1.48 per litre, reaching an MOTORWAY AT THE average peak of €1.53 in October. This is largely As the government held its position on the tax ANTIBES ENTRANCE, due to the wholesale price of oil that rose by more increase, a second national protest called “Act 2” PARALYZING than 20% in the first half of 2018, but it isn’t the was organised on 24 November. It gathered TRAFFIC FOR HOURS sole reason. between 150,000 and 200,000 demonstrators In January 2018, as part of the government’s new across the country. Around 8,000 took to the ON AN ALREADY environmental tax system for the “ecological streets in Paris, 5,000 of which congregated on BUSY SATURDAY. transition,” 7.6 cents were added per litre of diesel the Champs-Elysées were violence broke out and 3.9 cents per litre of petrol. Then taxes were between protesters and the police, who due to increase again in January 2019 by another prevented them from marching to the Place de la 6.4 cents for diesel and 2.9 cents on petrol. Concorde by the use of tear gas and water On Saturday, 17 November the first protest attracted over 300,000 cannons. people in more than 2,000 sites across France, with the blocking In the last days of November, the 'gilets jaunes' spokesperson sent of roads and fuel stations, go-slow operations, “blinding of radars”, a statement to media and deputies with a list of 40 demands to protest marches and the occupation of roundabouts. be presented at the National Assembly. Along with proposals on In the Alpes-Maritimes region, a few hundred "gilets jaunes" housing, taxes, health, education, and public finances, they blocked the A8 motorway at the Antibes entrance, paralyzing requested an increase of the net minimum wage from €1,153.82 traffic for hours on an already busy Saturday. Protests continued to €1,300 per month and heavier taxes on big international the following day. Access to the A8 motorway was blocked all day companies such as Google or Amazon by linking corporate taxes to benefits. Another demand was for the automatic indexation of Sunday by an impressive number of motorcyclists, wearing their wages, retirement pensions and social allowances against yellow vests. inflation and for a maximum salary of €15,000. All demands were Social discontent quickly mushroomed over the next few weeks, rejected or deemed inadmissible by Macron’s deputies. into a wider demonstration of anger and frustration against the ‘Act 3’ was organised on 1st December, which witnessed an political ruling class and particularly towards President Emmanuel escalation to unprecedented levels of violence. More than 130,000 Macron who has been nicknamed the “President of the Rich”. people demonstrated across France. In Paris, despite the majority The ‘gilet jaune’ unrest is not solely linked to the fluctuation of of protesters being peaceful, the protests quickly turned into fiery petrol prices; it was the final spark that ignited the flames of riots and violent clashes with the police. Buildings, cars and city social unrest that had been waiting to happen for months--if not bins were set on fire, restaurants and shop fronts were smashed years. The anger felt by the protesters seems to be rooted much in one of Paris’s most exclusive areas and national monuments deeper.

UNDERSTANDING THE YELLOW VEST MOVEMENT

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‘Vive la France’ by Anon. Attribution: Sharealike 4,0 generic © CC by SA 4,0

were vandalized. By the end of the day about 400 people had been arrested. According to authorities, far-right and far-left groups had infiltrated the protest but many of those arrested were regular yellow vests. In Nice, access to the airport was blocked by the protesters and their number grew so large that police had to use tear-gas to repel them. Following the riots in Paris and in other cities, surveys of public opinion stated that while 81% of French people condemned the use of violence, 72% of them still sympathised with the Yellow Vests’ protest and 90% felt that the government had proven unable to handle the crisis. An attempted truce On 4 December Prime Minister Edouard Philippe finally announced a six-month freeze on the next planned increases in fuel, gas and electricity prices. Hours later, the government stated that the fuel tax rise would be definitively dropped from the 2019 budget. However, the movement has grown to reflect such a wide range of grievances that many of the “gilets jaunes” decided to dismiss these concessions as too little too late and called for another day of action on 8 December: ‘Act 4’.

Anticipating a repeat of the previous weekend’s violence, authorities decided to close popular tourist destinations like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay to prevent further damage. Stores and businesses on the Champs-Elysées were also requested to shut down. Twelve armoured vehicles and 89,000 police officers were deployed across the country, including 8,000 in Paris alone. On Saturday 8 December, about 125,000 demonstrators took to the streets across France. Violent clashes broke out in the capital and other major towns but most riots were contained thanks to the security forces changing their strategy from defensive to offensive and the early arrests of suspected casseurs. More than 1,700 people were arrested that day. By early December, according to the government, the movement had led to a loss of 15 to 25 % of turnover in mass distribution and 40% of retail turnover as the most violent protests had happened during what are usually the busiest shopping days before Christmas. At the time of writing, four people have lost their lives and hundreds had been injured in what is seen as the worst unrest to hit France since the student uprisings of May 1968. 

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PAYS DE GR ASSE

Savoir-Faire

By NICOLE RUSKELL

Grasse Perfumes win World Heritage status

n Wednesday 28 November, UNESCO announced that the Savoir-Faire of perfume making in the Pays de Grasse is an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. After a three-year decision process, the World Heritage Committee of the UN Cultural Organization finally recognized three aspects of perfumery in Grasse by including it in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. The list includes three things: the cultivation of fragrant plants, the knowledge of raw materials and their transformation and the art of composing a fragrance. As soon as the decision became public, comJanuarY / feBruarY 2019

ments of “joy” spread quickly across social media, led by Grasse Mayor, Jérôme Viaud. He tweeted: ‘Historical event and JOY for an entire territory! Savoir-faire of perfume in the Pays de Grasse inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.’ This milestone is not only important for the recognition of centuries-old knowledge, but it also gives an economic boost to the region and helps give strong protection to the land. The Association Patrimoine Vivant du Pays de Grasse has been working for about ten years on the application. The ‘art of perfumery from Grasse’ was declared a French cultural heritage

in 2014 and the application was then submitted to UNESCO at the beginning of 2015. Nadia Bédar, who began the campaign a decade ago and finally submitted the application to UNESCO, said: “This process of applying for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity that I proposed in 2008 to the territory of Grasse, to its practitioners, and to then-mayor Jean-Pierre Leleux, was part of the living history of the women and men who bring this art, this savoir-faire and savoir-être to the people.” Thanking everyone involved, from the French ambassadors to UNESCO to two Grasse Mayors, she continued: “all the local authorities, associations, inhabitants of the Pays de Grasse, cultural actors, and above all our craftsmen, we have cultivated this candidature together which we believe is at the service of humanity and its cultural diversity.” According to Olivier Maure, an expert in natural materials and a member of the Association du Patrimoine Vivant du Pays de Grasse, making

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this application made it possible to strengthen the bond between local perfume professionals. He remarked: "We realized that we were travelling all over the world but we didn't even know some of our producers who are right next door." He believes that the UNESCO label will make perfume manufacturers more ‘responsible,’ helping to continue the fascinating story of Grasse and uniting it with today’s technology to connect all producers, large and small.

The heritage of perfume Grasse, the once world-famous cite of perfume production, where kings and queens personally sent for their fragrance was close to losing their métier to history. Competition from cheaper flower production regions in North Africa and the rise of synthetic products had threatened the essence of what made Grasse the perfume capital of the world. Over the past decade, technology has transformed the perfume industry, leading to massproduced fragrance made with synthetic ingredients and some cheaply produced flower essences. This made perfume production much cheaper and also gave it a longer shelf life--at the expense of its quality. Without demand for Grasse’s pure flower essence, the market continued to dwindle, squeezing what little livelihood flower farmers had left. Throughout this modern abandon of artisan made ingredients, every perfumer in the world has known that scents produced in Grasse have a quality far superior to any other market. A few perfume brands knew they needed to support Grasse. Chanel, for example, has always sourced ingredients from Grasse. Since 1987, the fashion house has been working to preserve the flower fields and the savoir-faire of the perfume makers. Dior has also recently contracted with farmers in Grasse to buy the harvest of several hectares of jasmine.

saving grasse land For 70 years, Grasse and its surrounding areas have long been under intense pressure to develop the highly-valued French Riviera land. Agricultural zoning, which is considered to have zero commercial value, was seen as a waste of prime property. Over the last few decades, more and more of the ancient flower fields have been developed into large box stores and sprawling villas. At the beginning of the 20th century, nearly 2,000 hectares were cultivated in the Pays de Grasse: 800 ha of jasmine, 700 ha of roses, 65 ha of tuberose, and many crops of orange trees, violets, verbena, mint and more. Data from Prodarom, the national union of aromatic product manufacturers, shows a stark difference in production numbers: between 1900 and 1923, the jasmine harvest flourished from 200 tonnes to 1,300 tonnes. In 1939, Grasse produced 1,600 tonnes of rose Centifolia and 2,000 tonnes of jasmine. But by the 1970s, the numbers had plummeted. Only 300 tonnes of jasmine were produced in 1971. By 2017, barely 50 hectares of flower fields remained, producing

80 tonnes of rose and 11.5 tonnes of jasmine. Grasse’s perfume production was dwindling into oblivion. Grasse Town Hall has been working with the Chamber of Agriculture to restore land to perfume crops and facilitate the installation of young farmers. This is the spirit of the new Local Urban Development Plan. They are making it easier for the city of Grasse to fight for their land, fight for the workers and fight for their heritage. Working since mid-2014, Nathalie Campana, Deputy Director General of Urban Planning of Grasse, said that interest has come back to Grasse: “It is a real sector of economic development. Perfumers who bought rose and jasmine in North Africa are now returning to the Grasse brand, for the terroir, for the quality aspect and for less mass production.” Grasse Mayor Viaud feels very strongly about protecting the remaining agriculture land and trying to win back land from developers. Several initiatives were put forward, including projects to help young farmers buy land and start their own flower farm (one example of this is detailed in the following pages).

The new plan With the UNESCO status, agricultural land receives an added boost to value, thereby making it easier to protect the land. Fields for growing perfume plants are to receive better protection with the possibility of blocking land for young farmers and by encouraging perfume companies to sign long-term contracts that ensure farmers can make a living from their crops. This will also give farmers a boost to assert themselves against other production locations and synthetic perfumes. Before the decision, Mayor Viaud had already reserved land for transforming into flower

crops marking 70 hectares for agricultural appropriation. He said: "We will reintroduce 70 hectares of perfume plants so that the Pays de Grasse will once again welcome the centifolia rose, jasmine, tuberose, all the plants that are the pride of the city of Grasse." With UNESCO’s decision, that number could very well grow. A new plan has been put in place to requalify 21% of the territory, place freezes on new building permits and reclassify open land as ‘natural zones.’ It multiplies agricultural land five-fold, freeing up nearly a hundred hectares

“PAYS DE GRASSE WILL ONCE AGAIN WELCOME THE CENTIFOLIA ROSE, JASMINE, TUBEROSE, ALL THE PLANTS THAT ARE THE PRIDE OF THE CITY OF GRASSE.” -GRASSE MAYOR

of land already destined for urbanization. In total, these agricultural areas have increased from 178 to 928 hectares, 70 of which are already designated for perfume plants. Mayor Viaud is thrilled with the decision, not only for the economic support it will give his city, but for a much more intangible reason-the pride of being from Grasse. He stated: ‘It is an incredible honour to be the Mayor of a town whose primary wealth comes from the land and the people who cultivate it; the Mayor of a town known worldwide for the expertise of its perfume creators; the Mayor of a town where legendary fragrances were born, in the greatest secret of perfume artists.’  JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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MAURIN PISANI AND HIS PARTNER ANNE CALUZIO CAN FULFILL THEIR DREAM OF JASMINE CULTIVATION - THANKS TO A NEW KIND OF INVESTMENT COOPERATIVE. © A. S.

Princess Jasmine A new future for an extraordinary fragrance By AILA STöCKMANN

The first jasmine plants have already been planted by the young farmers this summer, delicate white flowers already appeared in autumn. The harvest is due for its premiere next summer. © A.S.

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The happiness of a young couple and an entire region: how Grasse and its environs are keeping their unique cultural heritage alive.

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Banks usually flat-out refuse projects such as the one the young future farmers presented. However, SAFER PACA (Société d'Aménagement Foncier et d'Etablissement Rural) was convinced by the young farmers' project. The association is a kind of charitable helper for the acquisition of agricultural land, which finances its projects through the sale of company shares to municipalities, but also to private companies.

a dream comes true

Dior perfumer François Demachy (M.), here at the opening ceremony of the Domaine de la Colle Blanche, guarantees the two young farmers the purchase of their complete jasmine harvest © A.S.

he joy on their faces is contagious on this autumn morning. Maurin Pisani (34) and his partner Anne Caluzio (32) welcome guests from all over the region to celebrate the opening of their Domaine de la Colle Blanche. Here, on almost one hectare of land overlooking the hills of Grasse, the young couple will grow jasmine, one of the most precious flowers of Grasse. The scent of the blossoms will then transform into the perfumes of Dior. What sounds so logical and imperative for this region is in reality a small miracle. Only with great financial support and staying power have Maurin and Anne have been able to start the farm of their dreams. As young people on the Côte d'Azur, it is almost unthinkable to obtain an area of land sufficiently large to make the production of this flower profitable. On the other hand, it takes courageous people who believe in the survival of an industry that once made the city great. The two up-and-coming farmers owe their luck above all to a chance encounter. Six years ago, Maurin Pisani tells us, he and his girlfriend, who actually worked in finance, started working regularly for Carole Biancalana as seasonal workers. Jasmine is cultivated on her Domaine de Manon, now in its fourth generation, a few kilometres from their plot, also in the Grasse district of Plascassier. Along with tuberose and centifolia rose, jasmine is the flower of Grasse. Anne and Maurin were enthusiastically introduced by Carole to the secrets that make the cultivation of this stubborn, fragrant plant possible in the first place.

an idea blossoms One day, Carole asked the pair: "Don't you want to grow your own jasmine?" She recounts. The dedicated flower specialist founded the Association Fleurs d'exception du Pays de Grasse in 2006. "At that time, there were hardly any perfume plants left in the area; farmers like us were on the verge of disappearing completely. It was clear to me that if we wanted to make a difference and attract big names, it would only work by joining forces and working together." The success of her initiative proved her right. About five years ago, the houses of both Dior and Vuitton settled in the middle of the perfume city . Dior’s perfumer, François Demachy, a Grass native, is also present in these hills diagonally opposite old town this morning. He, ‘the nose Demachy,’ got to know and appreciate Maurin and Anne during his regular visits to Carole’s fields and in the meantime assured them with a contract to take all the yields of their jasmine harvest. The fragrance, which is produced in local laboratories not far from here, is mainly found in two perfumes, as he tells us: Miss Dior and the brand's newst perfume, Joy. After Dior mentioned four years ago that there was a need for more jasmine flowers from Grasse, Maurin and his girlfriend set out to find some terrain of their own. "In vain," recalls Marin, "it was simply too expensive." At the end of last year, they came across a vacant site on the slopes above Grasse-LePlan - the plain where fragrance manufacturer sits next to fragrance manufacturer.

The two passionate jasmine growers now rule over almost one hectare of land, thanks to the willingness of all sides to end up as stakeholders. The small jasmine sticks already stand on about one third of the area; the remaining area will be planted next spring. Finally, from July, Anne and Maurin will harvest flowers on a large scale at the edge of Grasse and will then be responsible for one, if not the largest, jasmine cultivation areas in the region. There's no question about it, the two of them have a lot of work to do. "For me, jasmine is the princess of fragrant plants," says Carole. "I call it the princess because it is so sensitive. It doesn't like wind or frost, it doesn't like too dry or too wet. At the same time it is absolutely extraordinary, full of fragrance and as generous as it is sophisticated - simply an incomparable plant!" Maurin and Anne know that the future will not be a walk in the park. Jasmine blooms for three to four months, which is great for the yield, but also means they have to hire 20 to 25 seasonal workers seven days a week for three to four months to pick the flowers. From November, when the flowers are finished, the soil and plants have to be prepared for the next season. Nevertheless, the two of them are optimistic about the future. They know about the many helpers they have behind them and for the time being feel "in seventh heaven", as Maurin enthuses. Everyone who experienced them on this day is convinced of this. 

LESS CEMENT, MORE FLOWERS The town of Grasse has recently adapted its land-use plan to give a future to the cultivation of aromatic plants and other local agricultural products. Grasse currently has 178 hectares of agricultural land. This area has now been extended by 70 hectares, previously considered urban zones, and will eventually be increased to 928 hectares in total.

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43rd International Circus Festival Princess Stéphanie of Monaco ﬁghts to keep tradition One of the oldest forms of public entertainment, the circus has been delighting families for centuries. Monaco’s International Circus Festival has been bringing together the world’s best circuses for decades and honouring them for their amazing feats. In 1974, Prince Rainier III developed the festival to celebrate the art and culture of the circus, culminating in awards for the most talented performers. The best of the best requires not only innate talent but also a rigorous schedule of training and performing all while touring the world. This festival celebrates the complex work that goes into these shows by awarding the best acts in acrobatics, comedy, and animals. Animals have long been a part of the circus and have captivated children since the beginning.

While circus animals have become a controversial topic, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, who has been the MC of the festival since she was a child, considers animals a traditional part of the circus

family and should be celebrated as part of their heritage. She takes animal welfare very seriously and wants to ensure animal welfare while keeping animals in the circus as a traditional heritage. Through the festival, Princess Stéphanie is committed to protecting this tradition and continuing to awe children and families with these spectacular shows. On Saturday, 19th January from 3 pm to 4 pm, there will be ‘open doors’ to the animal acts offering the public to see the animals themselves. The Monaco International Circus Festival runs from 17th to 27th January, culminating in the Golden Clown prize for the best acts in comedy, acrobatics and animals. Immediately following, from 2nd to 3rd February, is the 8th annual New Generation Circus, awarding the best young performers.  www.montecarlofestival.com

Monacair Rare mollusc turns 30 species Monaco’s helicopter service to expand horizons ounded in 1988, Monacair offers transfer services between Monaco heliport and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France, as well as helicopter tours of the French Riviera and private flight charters to all destinations within a radius of 500km of Monaco. Now 30 years in the business, they are ready for new horizons, with an ambition to become an airline. Flights to and from Nice Airport take just seven minutes. The speed and convenience of this flight has led Monacair to operate up to 48 transfers per day, with a helicopter departing every 15 minutes between 8:30 am and 8 pm. This enables residents and visitors to benefit from what can be considered as Monaco’s own airline service. Monacair’s partnerships with airlines are key to the helicopter company’s success with this route. Working with airlines allow customers to leave Monaco only one hour before their flight at the airport. Passengers originating in Monaco can obtain their boarding pass to their final destination, have their luggage checked-in and enjoy a direct transfer to the boarding gate. They intend to build on this success by nurturing partnerships with more airlines. It has partnerships with Air France, British Airways, kLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Air Corsica. Damien Mazaudier, CEO, says that the transfer service has turned Monacair into an ambassador for the Principality. In a press release, Mr Mazaudier stated: “Our airlines partners are extremely satisfied with Monacair’s transfer service. It allows them to add a new country to their service offer while providing an unforgettable pre- and post-flight VIP experience. Other airlines are starting to understand what it implies in terms of customer loyalty, which is why we are rapidly expanding partnerships within this industry.” 

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Grand nacre © AgnèsDiot

Epidemic threatens clams oncern about noble clams: The giant clams of the species Pinna nobilis, living in the sea off the Monegasque coast have been dying recently in large numbers. According to the Monaco Environmental Protection Agency, they are threatened by novel parasites that first appeared around the Balearic Islands at the end of 2016 and caused mass deaths of the mullusc, which can grow up to 1.20 metres in size. The Environmental Agency is in contact with Spanish and French scientists, with whose help everything is trying to be done to preserve the species. Individual species have already been transferred to deeper waters because the parasite appears to be less active in cooler water. The noble or also large clam belongs to the largest mussel species worldwide. Its range extends over the entire Mediterranean Sea, where it usually lives in sandy seagrass meadows close to the coast in water depths of three to ten metres. The shelled animals are stuck upright with their tips in the sediment, one to two thirds of the shell protruding visibly. The mollusc can live for up to 25 years and is a protected species, filters plankton out of the water. It needs clean water, good lighting conditions and a steady, light current. 

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The Pompiers of WWI A commemorative statue honours the fallen n 4th December, a day of festivities was organized by the Monaco Fire Brigade to honour their patron, Saint Barbe. A religious ceremony was held at St. Nicholas, presided over by Father Penzo, Chaplain of the Forces Publique, was celebrated in the presence of the National Authorities and leaders of the clergy. The religious service was accompanied by the organist Franck Barbut and the voices of soprano Manuela Zulberti and tenor Massimo Laguardia. In the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Minister of State and the French Ambassador to Monaco, a bronze statue of a firefighter was presented in homage to the Fire Brigade of the Principality. The statue represented the Mone-

gasque firefighters killed in the First World War and was placed near the Fontvieille barracks in the Place du Campanin. The statue was commissioned by the initiative

No FinishLine

of Colonel Tony Varo, former Chief of the Corps and current Senior Commander of the Forces Publiques, with the support of the Société pour la Gestion des Droits d'Auteurs (SOGEDA) and the Urban Planning Department. The Monegasque sculptor who made statue, Blaise Devissi, generously donated it. The life-size statue depicts a firefighter leaving for the front. Giving one last look towards the barracks, as he heads to France. Holding his rifle in his left hand, heputs down his fire fighter's jacket and helmet with his right hand. At his feet, lay his axe. The plaque bearing the names of the fourteen Monegasque firefighters who died for France during World War I, previously in the courtyard of the Condamine barracks, was moved to sit aside the new statue. 

Eight photovoltaic parks

The last lap with Amara Sy and the Princesse de Hanovre © NFL

Despite bad weather, NFL still broke records he 19th edition of the immensely successful charity race came to a close after a difficult few days due to stormy weather. But spirits were high and fun was had by all who participated. The winners were welcomed by Princesse Alexandra de Hanover, AS Monaco basketball star Amara Sy (named godfather of the 2018 NFL) and representatives of the Princely Government and the National Council. Sponsors, donors, and support from Prince Albert II see that 1€ for every km covered is donated to Children & Future, a charity providing aid for sick and disadvantaged children. Since its inception in 1999, No Finish Line Monaco has had raised millions of euros for charity projects around the world. In 2018, they were looking to reach a goal of 444,444 km, but due to the massive storm on 16th November, part of the course was damaged and had to be closed. The pouring rain proved quite an obstacle for participants, even though many pushed-on through miserable weather conditions. In the end, they weren't able to reach their goal, but considering the odds, they still broke records. They had a record number of participants (14,278) and the most kilometres covered by a team on the circuit (27,512 km), which broke the 2014 record of 22,030 km. In the individual men's category, The Prince's Cup (awarded to the person who covered the most kilometres) was awarded to Didier Sessegolo for 900 km. He has already won the NFL four times. In the individual women's category, The Prince's Cup went to Mimi Chevillon with 843 km, broking her own record of 819 km. She has also won the NFL for the last three years. The first place team was Collège Charles III with 27,512 km. 

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New solar power plant for Monaco n another major step toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, Monaco Energies Renouvelables (MER) announced the purchase of eight photovoltaic parks in the south of France. Together, these parks will provide a production capacity of 46,000 MWh per year, which is equivalent to around 9% of Monaco’s power consumption. The Gouvernement Princier along with the Société Monégasque de l’Electricité et du Gaz (SMEG), created MER at the end of 2017 to management the acquisition of renewable energy projects beyond the principality’s borders. Since June 2017, the government created incentives to install solar panels on rooftops and setup an online platform where residents can identify their solar panels and their energy production. Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Government advisor and Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Planning, stated: ‘MER is bringing Monaco’s objective of becoming one of the first states to get their electric energy production from 100% green sources. Today we are interested in the development of photovoltaic power plants, just as we are equally interested in the possibility of integrating hydroelectric, biofuel, and wind power to manage our costs of providing energy.’

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siam 2019 Monaco’s ultimate car show or the third time the Salon International d’Automobile Monaco, the international car show of Monaco, will take place from 28th February to 3rd March at the Quai Albert Ier. Under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, this salon is one of the world’s biggest and most important shows for rare and luxury cars. Turning the Principality into a playground for car aficionados, the show features the latest prototypes and technical developments, exquisite luxury cars, and even race cars. Launched in 2018, the presence of Venturi, SMP Racing, BR Engineering

and Tecno Monte-Carlo, motor sport will be highlighted with a new area dedicated to teams and sponsors. This year’s show focuses on environmentally friendly alternatives with the newest innovations in green transport, especially electric other innovative hybrid vehicles. Four different pavilions are transformed into different themes, offering visitors several car worlds to explore. The cars on display in the principality can be tested during the entire duration of the fair. Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, admission €15 euros, free for under 10.  www.salonautomonaco.com

monTe-carlo rallY Tearing up the Alpes-Maritimes!

he 87th edition of the Rallye Automobile MonteCarlo takes place from 22nd to 27th January and is the season opener for the FIA World Rally Championship. For the sixth year in a row, this famous mountain race will start off high in the mountains of Gap, 311 km away and will conclude in Monaco on the day of Saint Devote, the patron saint of the Principality. The official start is scheduled for Thursday 24th January at 19:17 from the Place Desmichels. During this first nocturnal leg, there will be two special stages of 41.35 kilometres. Drivers will battle for the best time through the windy and treacherous terrain of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the HautesAlpes regions. Friday 25th January, heading South-West of Gap, the 2nd day of the race will take place in Drôme and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence for a total of 125.12 kilometres. On the 3rd day, Saturday 26th January, drivers double loop back through Gap with a total of 93.38 km before the remaining drivers finally make their way to the principality in the early evening. The race concludes on Sunday January 27th, day of Saint Devote, with four timed events in the back country of the AlpesMaritimes.  www.acm.mc

exposiTion ferrari The Prince’s priceless collection he Collection de SAS Prince de Monaco is exhibiting their impressive collection of rare and vintage Ferraris. Around 50 of the rarest models will be on display, including a 1960 246 F1: the last model made with a front engine; a 1962 250 GTO: considered the most mythic sports car ever (and also the most expensive car in the world); a 1991 F40: the last ‘super car’ made by Enzo Ferrari and

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numerous others. They also have the F1 Ferrari of 1989 on view, which won the Grand Prix of Brazil, Hungary and Portugal. The Exposition Ferrari is a collection to make Enzo proud, don’t miss the opportunity to see these rare pieces. On until 15th March at the Terrasses de Fontvieille.  www.mtcc.mc

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SPACE:

Monaco’s ﬁnal frontier a Monegasque in space; a commercial space station, and going to Mars...these were the topics discussed by a recent panel of NaSa astronauts in Monaco. By NICOLE RUSKELL

nasa’s 60Th anniversarY Monaco hosts US astronauts

Her Excellency, Maguy Maccario Doyle, the Ambassador of Monaco to the United States (L) and Mesut Ciceker, Director of EMEA Region of Lockheed Martin (R) © Embassy of Monaco Washington DC

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ast year marked the 60th anniversary of NASA, the American space agency. To honour the occasion, the Embassy of Monaco to the United States, with the high patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, hosted the second edition of ‘Pioneers and Innovators of Our Time,’ a special gathering of experts in air and space technology. The two-day event took place from 21st to 23rd November at the Prince Rainier III Audi-

torium, where a panel of seasoned astronauts met with journalists, esteemed members of the community, and several classes from local schools. A press conference with the panel of astronauts is held on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving day for the Americans. Her Excellency, Maguy Maccario Doyle, the Ambassador of Monaco to the United States welcomes guests and the panel of astronauts, members of the crew of the Columbia Space mission and one of the first women in space. The curriculum vitae of the panel is impressive--but so are their personalities. The smart, fascinating panel was also genuinely kind, humble and funny. Through entertaining banter, the astronauts and scientists revealed incredible things about the future. The first question posed kicked off a lively discussion about the future of space travel. “I would love to go to Mars!” says Captain Robert Gibson, former US naval officer, test pilot, aeronautical engineer and retired NASA astronaut. He crewed the Columbia, Atlantis and Endeavour space shuttles. “But I think they might tell me I’m too old,” he says with a laugh. Then in a more serious tone, he informs the audience: “Our young people today will have the chance to go. Within the next 15-20 years, we will have someone on Mars. What an experience that would be.” He leans forward and asks the woman on the panel if she would go. Dr Margaret Seddon is one of the first women on NASA’s space programme and one of six women who flew to space on the Columbia in 1985. She is also Captain Gibson’s wife. “No,” she replies matter-of-factly. “I am quite

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“It’s important to point out the important and critical role that Monaco plays in preserving and protecting the planet. That is a huge part of what NASA does in their Earth science mission projects, one of the most important parts of NASA’s portfolio.” NASA’s earth sciences department has partnerships with over 120 countries and more than 800 active agreements.

The international space station

Légende à remplacer ©D.R.

The crew of the Columbia Shuttle Mission ©NASA

happy to stay back here on the ground.” Jokes are tossed around between the panel, all of whom are long-time friends and shuttle crew. The astronaut couple has three kids, the only kids in the world with both parents as astronauts. They tell us they used to call the Gibson’s kids ‘astrotots’. “I want to go to Mars!” chimes in Dr George Nelson, physicist, astronomer, and mission specialist on the Columbia mission. “But at my age, he continues, “I would plan on only going one way.” Mr Guy Beutelshies, Vice President of Commercial and civil space for Lockheed Martin states dryly: “I have never been to space. But NASA and Lockheed Martin are building the next crew vehicle, Orion, which is designed to go farther than astronauts have ever gone before. To the moon and eventually to Mars and safely home again. I’ve gone and actually seen the capsule and I’ve always thought I should just sneak in there and at least pretend that I was going!”

saving the blue planet When asked how being in space changed them, Dr Seddon quickly replied that the view of the Earth from space is like nothing else. “I think being able to see the earth from that altitude, you realise how connected it is to everything. You’ll see a sandstorm in Africa and then you’ll come back around you see that sand is out over the Atlantic. Then you do another orbit and you see that it’s dropping dust on your car in Houston, Texas.” The destruction is visible too: “You can see what man has done to the planet and the fact that we have to take better care of it. You can see things in the ocean, where ships have dumped oil, you can see many things that aren’t good for the earth. And it gives you a feeling that we need to protect it.” The panel praised Monaco for its environmental initiatives and fierce planet protections it puts in place. General Charles Bolden, former NASA Administrator, Major-general of the US Marine Corps and NASA astronaut said:

For twenty years, numerous nations have worked together to support the ISS. The space station has been a mainstay for space travel and an easy way for astronauts to do extended research just outside the reaches of Earth’s gravity. “The ISS celebrated its 20th anniversary two days ago and for 18 of those years, there has been somebody living aboard,” said Captain Michael Lopez-Alegria, three-time shuttle mission crew and ISS visitor. “kids today have never lived a day of their lives without having somebody in space. That’s remarkable.” He described the immense proportions of this floating station: with 1000 cubic metres of interior volume it is bigger than a football field and weighs 420 tonnes. It has been a peaceful collaboration between all the nations involved, but he revealed that it’s becoming obsolete. “The ISS is a really incredible feat of engineering, but it’s going to end someday--probably within the next decade.” NASA spends a large portion of its budget on keeping up ISS and now they want to start looking beyond ‘lower-Earth orbit.’ Captain Lopez-Alegria continued with an amazing revelation: “We’ve been going to orbit now for 60+ years and we’re pretty good at it. NASA and the other agencies would like to let other companies take up residence there, in lowerearth orbit, and have an economy.” There it is-the ISS is being handed over to private commercial companies. But the biggest announcement was yet to come... 

Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon was a special guest ©Embassy of Monaco Washington DC

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monegasques head To space

ASTRONAUTS MEET WITH MONACO STUDENTS Several groups of students from the principality had the chance to meet with the astronauts, ask them questions and get free goodies, including signed pictures of the Columbia mission, and information about space programmes.

n 22 November, history was made yet again in the principqlity, as Monaco’s Space Systems Institute (SSI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Axiom Space to train Monaco citizens (or residents) as professional astronauts and fly them on an orbital space mission. The landmark agreement was announced by Axiom’s Captain Michael Lopez-Alegria, an astronaut on three NASA shuttle missions and one ISS mission. He said: “Yesterday, we signed an agreement to investigate the possibility of training a Monaco citizen or resident to fly to space, either as a professional or as a tourist for missions that last for ten days, or even longer. So this is really the beginning of the possibility to have somebody wearing the flag of Monaco in space. Which would be wonderful.” According to Dr Ilhami Aygun, President & CEO SSI, a Monegasque astronaut will be able to bring the Monaco colours to space by 2025. That would make the Principality the 19th nation to send an astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS). Axiom Space CEO Michael T. Suffredini, who managed the ISS program at NASA from 2005 to 2015, said their unique ability to build ‘indigenous astronaut selection and training capability’ to NASA standards will accelerate the development of Monaco’s plans for human spaceflight and space research. Once trained, Monaco’s future astronauts will be eligible for official assignment to ISS missions. The MOU agreement additionally covers the possibility

that the mission will instead fly to an Axiom Station. Dr Ilhami Aygun, President & CEO SSI, said: “In addition to being an honour for our company, this collaboration is a great step for Monaco to further establish its role in the international space community. Axiom is composed of all the great people who contributed to the success of the ISS missions, and now that human spaceflights tend towards privately trained astronauts, we are proud to contribute to such a prestigious project with the DNA of Monaco”. The two companies also agreed to study the long-term possibilities of ‘space tourism’ in Monaco and a potential “Monaco Space Module” to be attached to the Axiom Space Station--which is set to be constructed onto the ISS and later separated to operate independently. This will be the world’s first commercial space station. Fans of the ‘Star-Trek’ series can certainly imagine this is the first step to a future of intergalactic space stations. The tagline of the cult science-fiction series no longer seems so fictional. The expansion of Monaco’s space activities into human spaceflight is aimed at conducting fruitful experiments and data collection in Earth orbit, and fostering public enthusiasm for space, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Dr Aygun further revealed that they are planning to have a Monaco Module on the Space Station that can be used for scientific purposes, but also for space tourists with a Monaco Tourism touch. “Monaco is the centre of luxury tourism,” he said, “so it makes sense to choose Monaco as the first place to send travellers to space. We will see how it develops. It will be a very good opportunity for young people to become candidates and trained as a professional or as a tourist,” he said.

ABOVE AND BEYOND an advanced screening of Oscarnominated filmmaker rory Kennedy’s documentary 'above & Beyond: NaSa's Journey to Tomorrow' was shown to an audience of local students, and general public. The film covers the work carried out by NaSa on earth and throughout our galaxy and looking at what’s to come, with the next generation of telescopes, prototypes of spacecraft planned for Mars and the organisation of technical missions to better understand space. The film was followed by a panel discussion with the astronauts and autograph signing for the kids. Panel (L-R): Jean-François Clervoy, Guy Beutelschies, General Charles Bolden, Dr Margaret Seddon, Dr George “Pinky” Nelson and Captain Robert Gibson ©Embassy of Monaco Washington DC

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would be missions with experiments in the life sciences. They were looking at how humans adapt [to space] and how to keep humans healthy for longer and longer periods of time. They took all of us because of our different expertise. “Pinky” was an astronomer and Sally Ride was an astrophysicist, and Judy Resnick was an engineer. They wanted a cadre of people that they could select from if there was an upcoming flight where their expertise would be useful.

There’s a bigger push now to get girls into sTem classes at a young age. what can we do to make sure we encourage girls in the sciences?

Dr Margaret Rhea Seddon ©Embassy of Monaco Washington DC

q&a wiTh rhea seddon Dr Margaret ‘Rhea’ Seddon was one of the first women admitted to NASA’s space programme in 1977, one of the first women in space aboard the Discovery Space Shuttle in 1985 and became the Payload Commander of her third mission, Columbia in 1993. She is a medical doctor and trained surgeon, and used her medical expertise research the physiologic effects of space travel and zerogravity. In 2015, Dr Seddon was inducted in the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.

how did you go from working in the emergency room to joining the space programme? It had always been in the back of my mind that I would love to fly in space one day. But of course, [at the time] you had to be a man and a test pilot and you had to be between 5’6 and 5’10 (167 - 177 cm). I was never going to be any of those things. So I chose the profession that I intended to spend the rest of my life in. When I was finishing my surgery training, I found out that for the first time they were going to take a class of astronauts to fly in the space shuttle and for the first time they were accepting applications from women and minorities. They began accepting applications in 1977 and the classes started in 1978. So I thought, if I’m ever going to do this, I’ve got to apply now. You never know

when opportunities like that will come along, but you seize the moment.

so was it just a leap of faith? It was! When you apply for NASA, they bring you down for a physical and they interview you, but they also give you some information about what they’re going to do. They told us we would start flying in 1978 or ‘79 and that we would fly 50 flights a year. So I thought, well, I could try that, do a couple shuttle flights and then come back to my surgery residency. Of course, the shuttle didn’t fly until 1985. So it took a long time before I was in line to fly. I was going to go back to med school, but I married an active astronaut, so that changed things. In the meantime, I met my husband (astronaut Robert Gibson) and we had our first child in 1982. I only planned on spending a few years with NASA and I ended up spending 19 years with them.

was nasa interesting in your medical experience from the beginning, or did that develop as you worked with them? When they took the shuttle astronauts, we knew they were taking us for our expertise in the scientific field. They couldn’t guarantee that we would fly on a flight that would use that expertise, but they knew that there

I think parents do that. My father told me I could be anything I wanted. It’s very important for parents to encourage their children to explore and think of what they might do. I like the saying ‘If you can see one, you can be one.” And that’s one of the reasons I go out and talk to young people. Because I think that little girls have a vision of what an astronaut looks like or sounds like, or what kind of person they are...and then they see me. I can remember going on a field trip with one of my sons in 3rd or 4th grade, and the teacher told the kids I was going to go to the Space. One of the kids said: ‘but she looks just like somebody’s mom.’ I think kids have this vision of ‘well I can’t do that’ but if they see the person, that changes.

do you think schools having speakers visit is a good way to teach them? Absolutely. And the teachers are wonderful by having the students apply what they learn to something that they can understand. Like dehydrated food, or planning a science experiment and getting the results. It’s the fun of science that needs to be taught--it shouldn’t just be something you read about in a book. It has to be hands-on and you get more and more involved in the actual science as go along. Science can be fun and I think we need to let girls know that. When you look at the first six women astronauts, we ran the gambit from a very athletic person to me on the other end, who was a Southern Belle. And you can be any of those things and still have a wonderful career [in science]. I love to tell people that you can be part of the Space Program without being an astronaut. There are plenty of women involved in the programme, from dieticians to medical doctors, women in Mission Control monitoring the engines or the electric power. There were women doing all sorts of things for NASA who feel like they are part of something bigger. It’s an amazing place to work.  JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

GOURMET

TExT & PHOTOS by SUSANNE ALTwEGER-MINET

Roberto Ferro runs his restaurant according to clear ideas: zero emissions, zero waste

Tavernazero

WHERE TRADITION MEETS MODERN VALUES

Eating Liguria The restaurant, which has been open for five years, has a contemporary spirit and its customers can feast with a clear conscience. Committed to sustainability, Roberto explains what matters to him: "The term sustainability stands above everything else. For us, this means using products exclusively from the local environment. We save transport routes and thereby carbon dioxide. Plastic and cardboard are strictly frowned upon. By paying attention to the best quality and of course freshness, we underline the regional character of our cuisine, which is close to our hearts". He carefully sources his meat from responsibly kept animals, directly from providers in the region, therefore saving the torturous animal transport. Preservatives are forbidden. At every table setting is written the main principles of sustainability, a memento for the guests. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think this is a place for pretentious greens or snobby hipsters. The outstanding quality of the food and their family friendly environment fills the house twice a day and is especially popular with the locals. Their menu offers some rather unusual dishes for Liguria. For example, spare ribs with rosemary potatoes, accompanied by a homemade barbecue sauce. Far superior to any supermarket products, Americans especially will enjoy nostalgia with these flavours. The smoked salmon pickled in a

house marinade, sliced thinly in Japanese style, served on small slates is another refreshing addition to an Italian menu. In the winter, the menu also includes more hearty dishes, such as the traditional pasta with sausage. Those who prefer not to eat meat are well served with fish dishes. The gently grilled pesce spada with seasonal vegetables still firm to the bite creates a special treat for the palate. And we know that the eyes feast as well, so they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be disappointed with the visually inviting and light Mediterranean plates. The menu is small with changing dishes of the day. Open daily at lunchtime and in the evening, the prices are moderate. I was particularly impressed by the child-friendliness of the restaurant. The bambini receive a balloon immediately and a child's seat for the littlest ones is pushed up unasked. It is also allowed to bring dogs with you. For the last year there has also been the modern bar opposite called "Buco". It is ideal for an aperitif or a nightcap and you will also find the recommended desserts for the taverna. A restaurant for the whole family that, thanks to the motto "don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food", easily spans the arc from traditional to modern. ď ¸ Tavernazero 39 Via Milano, Diano Marina (IM)

ating at Tavernazero is fun all year round. In the summer you sit out in the pedestrian zone enjoying the open air; in winter you sit snugly inside the crowded interior, whose tables are styled from recycled scaffolding pipes. Functional folding chairs are placed all around and simple light bulbs hang from wire mesh casting a soft light. Owner Roberto Ferro emphasises a cohesive overall concept in the design, represented in the name Tavernazero: zero emission, zero waste. Not typical Ligurian, but delicious: BBQ spareribs with rosemary potatoes at the Tavernazero

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

GOURMET

eating out in Liguria can easily be an experience in itself. From the village pizzeria to the chic restaurant, you will always ﬁnd something special. Here we look at two restaurants with an individual touch and completely diﬀerent concepts: First, Tavernazero in Diano Marina, a modern restaurant with unusual dishes and a focus on sustainability; then we take you to the traditional Osteria Da Puppo in albenga, which has earned itself quite a reputation for its famous Farinata, Liguria’s version of socca (which is originally Ligurian).

Standing in line is part of the game here: no reservations

Puppo Farinata

A LOCAL INSTITUTION

s we strolled through Albenga, our our belliles started to growl. Instead of the town’s famous towers, our attention was drawn to menus. While studying one menu intensly but indecisively, a friendly gentleman patted me on the shoulder and said: "If you really want to eat well, turn down the next street". Said, done. After all, a local must know best. As we headed down Via Torlaro we were greeted by a long queue of people. The crowd seemed patient and cheerful, chatting and texting. These hungry people of all ages stood in front of an inconspicuous door. Almost like a private club, the door would open a crack, two names were called and people disappeared inside. I concluded that one must first register their name inside. The large letters on the awning clearly indicate what is special about it: farinata. Inside, a simply furnished restaurant with a vaulted ceiling and a large open-kitchen dining room with a mix of small tables and traditional large tables where customers sit

together. Our names had been noted: we were told 20 minutes but then we made good progress. We were assigned two seats at a larger table and asked at the same moment what we wanted to order. I asked for a recommendation. Surprised, the waitress gazed at me like the eighth wonder of the world. What had I done wrong? Were there only regulars here? Yes, for the most part. At least the knowledgeable customer knows what he wants as soon as he passes by the wonderfully fragrant farinata. It is presented in a pan at least one metre in diameter but despite the large size, the tray is usually empty because the chickpea flatbread is sliced and tossed on the plates in a flash. It is eaten as a starter or main course. Single portion sizes start at around three euros. "What size would you like the Farinata to be?" To be on the safe side, I order two small portions. The two ladies at our table had the medium-sized portion and passed straight to a frittura mista, which would have been enough for a family of four! For the main course, we chose grilled salsiccia, grilled fish skewers and housestyle artichokes, as well as a salad. And so it came, the best farinata I had ever eaten. Loose and fluffy inside, the crust

golden brown and crispy, scented with rosemary. Every bite was a revelation! Farinata is considered to be one of the oldest Ligurian dishes. Legend has it that Roman legionnaires prepared it on their shields. Perhaps that is why the pans are shaped as they are. When the restaurant begins to empty around 3 p.m., managing director Stefano finds time for a quick chat. The Osteria has been in business since 1956 and like its family-style concept, they only advertise by word of mouth. In fact, the daily queue of people speaks for itself and is at the same time their trademark. Reservations are not accepted. I want to know what his secret is for the best Farinata: "None at all", Stefano says modestly, "maybe the homemade mixture." He cites delicious chickpea flour, the oven that always needs exactly the right temperature to ensure that the crust is crispy but not burnt, and of course the dedicated man at the helm, his "Specialista" Abdul from Morocco. If you are fan of farinata, make the trek to Puppo Farinata. You will need little patience to get through the queue but it will certainly be worth it!  Puppo Farinata 20 Via Torlaro, Albenga (SV)

Farinata is the Italian version of French socca, made from chickpea flour, water and olive oil

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

GOURMET

Kitchen’s Fabrik Chef Romain Fayas’ new participatory kitchen oﬀers fun group dinners in Nice By NICOLE RUSKELL

Chefs Jérémy Gaspard and Romain Fayas

hen looking for a great evening to share with friends, either for a birthday, anniversary or company function, kitchen’s Fabrik is the newest and most fun place to book. Classically trained in Toulouse, Chef Romain Fayas has worked in some of the top restaurants in the Côte d’Azur, including La Réserve in Beaulieu. He spent a few years as a yacht chef before opening Arômes House, an organic, private chef and catering business and last year he added kitchen’s Frabrik to the mix. Together with Chef Jérémy Gaspard, they welcome groups of six or more to partake in hands-on dinners where Romain teaches top chef techniques and tips on how to prepare amazing dishes. But don’t expect a classroom environment--this educational dinner is hands-on and thoroughly entertaining. Customers can participate as much or as little as they please, and all enjoy an expertly created full-service meal with wine. Riviera Insider took part in a special group dinner for journalists, giving us a taste of the kitchen's unique dining experience. The rustic, reclaimed and recycled interior is warm, stylish, and reflects the eco-conscious ethos, which extends to the local, organic food offered. Romain sources the best quality ingredients from as close as possible, including sustainable meats, wildcaught fish, organic produce from the local Marché de la Liberation, and biodynamic wine. We are each given denim aprons and our workstations await us with cutting boards and a selection of knives. Chef Romain describes our menu for the evening: a Peruvian inspired meal of fresh coconut lime ceviche, followed by seared beef with chimichurri sauce, roasted sweet potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. For dessert, a chocolate crème with a carob caramel topping. This is Romain’s creation for the evening, but emphasises that the menu is dictated by the client. “We share the kitchen with whatever cuisine the client is interested in, whether Italian, North African, Spanish, Asian or whatever.”

Kitchen’s Fabrik is located at 77 ave. Henry Dunant in Nice’s Saint Maurice neighbourhood. They oﬀer a variety of classes and meals for groups of six or more, including an after-work aperitif from €39; a three-course dinner with wine from €79; a vegetarian cooking class from €79; family cooking classes from €59 and more. They speak english and provide recipes for the dishes created.

We enjoy a prepared amuse bouche of a creamy beet puree as Romain explains ceviche and how the thinly sliced raw fish will ‘cook’ in the lime juice while we prepare the ingredients. We all take part in cutting, chopping and slicing while Romain teaches us how to debone a fish. His demonstration appears easy—a clear case of being so good at something that it seems effortless. First up, I’m invited to ‘try my hand’ at deboning--an excellent opportunity to learn something that I would never otherwise try on my own. Feeling for the sharp tip of the bone, just as he had explained, I confidently place the tip of the industrialsized tweezers at the top of the bone and pull upward. SNAP! The little bone wouldn’t budge. Trying again, with more determination, I repeat the steps, squeezing harder on the tweezers. SNAP! “Wow, it’s a lot harder than it looks,” I say, slightly bewildered at my inability to pull out a toothpick-sized bone from a fish filet. Romain gives a few tips, which include twisting while pulling. Several more piercing snaps announce my failed attempts. I summon the strongest grip I can muster and pull out one bone. Perhaps it is best I stick to writing. We take turns experiencing the different steps, including slicing the fish sashimi-style with a flexible blade. We then dutifully deposit all our chopped ingredients: onions, coriander, baby corn, chilli pepper, ginger, and pomegranates into small containers, anxious to see how this will turn into marinated ceviche. Explaining every step as he assembles the dish, we are engaged, attentive and having an all-around good time. Jeremy works furiously in the background, organising, cleaning, preparing and sautéeing. We have a front-row view of the action as Romain plates 12 generous dishes of ceviche. We move over to the beautifully set dining table, which is still in the kitchen, keeping us involved throughout the meal. Our active participation ended after the first course, as we enjoyed eating and talking. The ceviche held the conversation for a while as we discussed the ingredients and steps that went into it. There was a marked difference in our interest of the dish because we knew how it was prepared and we helped make it. We passed around extra sauce, a spicy mixture of lime juice, coriander, chilli pepper, and lime zest. Some discussed the technique of slicing the chillies without the extrahot pith and others discussed the infused coconut ‘whipped cream’ that cooled the fire of the sauce.. The simple act of preparing the first course together united us in a way that wouldn’t happen at a traditional restaurant. 

Lime coriander ceviche

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

Revolution Food Trucks Mobile, delicious, Vietnamese street food.

Cindy Kawak

By NICOLE RUSKELL

new Vietnamese street food truck has set-up in various locations around Sophia Antipolis, offering steaming hot dishes that will fill your belly with warm, savoury goodness. It may be hard to find them initially, but just follow your nose to the wafting scent of freshly sautéed shrimp, chicken or tofu. Their menu is small but mighty, just like the little red truck it’s made in; and the “buns” they turn out will satisfy the biggest hunger. The “buns,” or noodle bowls (€9.50), offer a large serving of rice vermicelli, with choice of freshly sautéed lemongrass chicken, sesame soy shrimp or lemon soy tofu and come topped with fresh julienned vegetables, coriander and crunchy peanuts. The “Banh Mi”, a Franco-Vietnamese fusion sandwich (€6.50) mixes the best of both worlds: chicken marinated with lemongrass; chive omelette or aubergines in soy sauce. They offer an unusual palate change from what you get at the boulanger. The inspiration behind this fun new food truck is Cindy kawak, who was born in Nice and grew up in Cannes. In her twenties, she was travelling the world and made a stop in Vietnam to stay with friendsand help in their restaurant for a few weeks. She stayed seven years. With a story familiar to local expats, Cindy describes how she was absolutely taken with Vietnam—the culture, the landscape and even more so the food. Cindy found Vietnam such a different, exotic and warm place; she stayed, running some of the top international restaurants in the country. Cindy says met incredible people, learned a new way of living, and filled her senses with the sights, sounds and smells of her adopted home. After seven years, she felt the urge to return home. “I wanted to come back to Europe, but I was so in love with Vietnam. Street food is really a part of the culture, so I came up with the Revolution Food concept.” Together with two partners, she planned her food truck start-up.

GOURMET

Cindy returned to France in March 2018 and on 1st October the fire-red Revolution Food truck opened its doors. “I was really excited to work in Sophia,” she tells Riviera Insider, picking the tech centre for its international community and the number of foreign workers and students. Cindy says she brought her own touch to their menu, blending classic Vietnamese dishes with a French twist to the ingredients. “We’re starting small but not losing the quality.” She also makes sure to source local products when she can, and sells local artisan products like Blue Coast beer, brewed in Nice. “Local products will always be better than something shipped across the world—even if the taste is not exactly the same. We want to keep it fun, fresh food.” In addition to their great dishes, they have some unique items not to miss: ‘tra da’ a homemade green ice-tea made with lemon, cinnamon and ginger (€3.50/bottle), ‘ca phe sua da’, a chilled coffee with sweet condensed milk served with ice, and ‘Marou’ a special Franco-Vietnamese artisan chocolate grown and manufactured in Vietnam. So far business is going well, selling out almost every day. They have different locations around SophiaAntipolis and can be rented for private events. Find their locations on their website: www.revolutionfoodtrucks.com 

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

GOURMET

LEWIS LONGMAN

Originally from sleepy Suﬀolk, Lewis Longman moved to Cannes three years ago in the search of something meaningful to ﬁll the predictable void of post-graduate life. Between the ubiquitous palm trees of the sunsoaked Côte d’azur and the terraces of its numerous restaurants, he thinks he has found that something...

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

La Vieille Auberge a hot, gooey Tartiﬂette to get you through the winter

n the midst of the deep winter months there’s a paradoxical warmth in the air. Whether it’s the intoxicating vapours of vin chaud lingering in the frosty sky, a log fire kicking out a nostalgic heat or the pungent smell of nutty gruyere creeping from under the kitchen door. Don’t let the absence of crisply burnt Brits strutting along the seafront fool you summer may be gone, but the infectious warmth of winter and all that’s edible which comes with it, is here. Up high in the mountains behind Grasse, a world away from the hustle and bustle down below, sits La Vieille Auberge. Squeezed at the bottom of a yellow stoned building, with sporadic windows pressed into the old wall above, and an ornate and pokey square in front, this little restaurant in Gréolières is the perfect place for a winter’s lunch, and seems as synonymous with the season as snow itself. In the winter months, when the terrace is nothing but an empty stone canvas of memories from warmer times, inside La Vieille Auberge is a petite yet lively restaurant with all the diners tucked in together, in a jungle of tables and chairs.

The small and snug restaurant dishes out hearty meals such as wild boar stew, petits farcis, magret de canard, and the irrefutable nonpareil of winter cuisine, the tartiflette. Pure hedonism in a dish, La Vieille Auberge’s Tartiflette is a tribute to comfort cuisine. With the smell of melted reblochon and smoked lardons wafting through the restaurant, and gooey strings of cheese hanging carelessly off a fork, one can be forgiven for not being particularly bothered about the return of summer. There’s something inherently mesmerising when it comes to melted cheese. Perhaps it’s the colour - a rich golden brown mix of all that’s good, perhaps it’s the nostalgia it evokes in most people who have fond memories, like myself, of good old-fashioned cheese on toast as a child. Whatever it is, La Vieille Auberge’s Tartiflette gets it spot on. And if the indulgent mix of cheese, bacon and potatoes has not left you overwhelmed with a sense of guilt and self-loathing (as such rich food so often can), their moist and spongy raspberry and almond clafoutis is the perfect finale to the cheesy winter feast. While the restaurant offers a lovely terrace in the heart of the picturesque village, this place really thrives in the winter, their customers grateful for its warmth and conviviality. La Vieille Auberge is a perfect reminder that the French Riviera and its surrounding villages do not just thrive in the scorching Mediterranean summer, they offer so much in the crisp months of winter as well. Being just 20 minutes down the road from Gréolières-Les-Neiges, it is the perfect place to stop and recuperate following a day on the slopes. After trying the delicious Tartiflette, I think I may just have to take up skiing.  7 Place Pierre Merle Gréolières Tel. 04 93 59 03 02

riviera

ART & CULTURE

New book on Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles A portrait of one of the greatest art collecting couples of the 20th century

Patrons of art in the twentieth century but it also discusses their approach to patronage. The list of artists from whom they not only bought work but also entertained reads like the ‘who’s who’ of the twentieth century, accentuated by stories of the drama and intrigue of their very human lives. It is a must read for any serious art lover and a vital addition to the library of anyone who is interested in the history of the region or would like to understand grand patronage.  3

1 Photo 1 Charles et Marie-Laure de Noailles, Barcelone, 1929 © Photomaton Private Collection

Photo 2 Villa Noailles Vue de la piscine, 1928 Planche du portfolio "Terrasses et Jardins", L'Art International d'Aujourd'hui N°4 © Photomaton Private Collection

Photo 3 Charles de Noailles et Salvador Dalí, Hyères, February 1930 From Marie-Laure de Noailles’ photo album © Marie-Laure de Noailles

ontinuing on the theme of collecting, one of the most fascinating art books to be published recently is “Charles et Marie-Laure de Noailles, Mécènes du XX Siècle.” This book will be of particular interest to local readers, as these were the original owners of Villa Noailles in Hyères. Although currently only available in French--publication in English will put this story firmly on the global art history curriculum--this catalogue of art clearly shows how serious the de Noailles’ contribution was to twentieth century art. The magnificently illustrated publication is clearly a labour of love by the museum’s curator, Stéphane Boudin-Lestienne. For those who enjoyed the article about Villa Noailles in the August/September 2017 issue, it was just a taste of the feast that is contained within their book. Remarkably, Stéphane discovered this house derelict and in the hands of the local municipality when he was a teenager and bringing the house back to its glory has become his life's work. While the exquisite collection created by Charles and Marie-Laure has long since been dispersed, making it almost impossible to show in its entirety, it is at least re-joined and fully documented in this substantial volume. The publication not only systematically explores the major role of Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles as

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

ART & CULTURE

t is impossible to write about the important art collections in the region without including that of La Colombe d’Or, which is the stuff of dreams. This small golden hotel (built with stone brought from Aixen-Provence) is nestled in the beautiful village of St-Paul-de-Vence and is a corner stone of the history of art in the south of France. Behind its thick, wooden and brass door lay the private and elegant world of beautiful art and beautiful people. In the summer, trying to get a table at the famed restaurant is nearly impossible, with the phrase “I am sorry we are fully booked” seemingly on repeat. But once you pass through the doorway, you are transformed from an outsider to an insider – and everything makes perfect sense. Throughout the property, both indoors and out, incredible pieces of contemporary artwork adorn the walls, accent the grounds and are tucked into corners. Just like the vines that frame the windows, the art has grown with the property, becoming a living gallery. During the Second World War, the bar and hotel became integral to the cultural life in the Riviera when artists flocked to the southern “free zone,” the unoccupied area of France. After the war, St Paul became synonymous with the French post-war art scene. A major supporter of this was Aimé Maeght, a visionary art dealer who not only opened France’s first contemporary art foundation in St Paul, but also created many studios for working artists to visit and spend time in the picturesque village. These artists needed to eat and La Colombe d’Or was where they enjoyed lunches and dinners in a convivial

Sculpture by Alexander Calder© La Colombe d’Or

A living gallery The art collection of La Colombe d’Or By SARAH HYDE

La Colombe d’Or Hotel is a quintessential piece of the riviera’s art history. The artwork it has acquired over the years have become part of the hotel itself. riviera insider speaks with Madame Daniele roux about their collection and their ongoing commitment to art. JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

Painting by Pierre Bonnard © La Colombe d’Or

riviera

Terrace fresco by Fernand Léger © La Colombe d’Or

Green Apple by Hans Hedberg © La Colombe d’Or

environment, building a relationship with the owner, Paul Roux. It seems remarkable to think that this small village was, in its heyday, one of the cultural epicentres of the world. “You know, the whole thing with this art collection is that it was completely natural. Paul Roux, my husband’s grandfather may have been a genius. He was completely natural with the artists, he had fabulous taste and created this special atmosphere by instinct,” says Madame Daniele Roux, wife of François, the third generation of the family to manage the hotel. “Of course not all the art was given to us— we did buy some of the pictures from Aimé Maeght when he had his gallery in Cannes.

We bought the Bonnard and the two Braques from them but things really took off when Jacques Prévert brought a home in the village. He knew wonderful people and everybody came.” The names of the most famous artists of the twentieth century roll of her tongue: Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Braque, Léger… they come as naturally to her as family friends— which of course they were. “Alexander Calder just loved my mother-inlaw, so although he did not live here he was always giving her presents—which accounts for the huge sculpture over the swimming pool. The Maeght workshops also brought an influx of artists to the St Paul. It became the place to come to.”

ART & CULTURE

When I ask Madame Roux if she collects art or artists, she giggles and says: “well, the walls are full but I think that [artists] like to come here and keep coming back because of the unique atmosphere; we make them feel like part of the family.” Madame Roux is both charming and discreet— although she does let me know that Damien Hirst has dined at La Colombe d’Or several times. She also mentions that she is yet to get a Tracy Emin sketch, to which I probe if she would like one: “Yes,” she replies, “why not?” Despite the illustrious past, Madame Roux admits that many stories never made it to her: “When people ask me what stories I know—I don't know everything—so I say I imagine the walls could talk.” However, she does share “one very good story” with us: “In 1959, all of the artwork from the dining room was stolen—we did not have an alarm system and they took things right out of the windows. It was a devastating moment in our history and at the time we had a big Chagall. It was too large to get through the window so the robbers left it. Chagall came the next day and he was furious that his picture had been left behind!” Her giggle is infectious. “Of course my husband’s father got all the pictures back within six months—he made it his business to do so. He had to pay a ransom. I think it had something to do with a mafioso.” When we discuss how they acquire art, she explains: “we can’t always do the same exchanges that my husband’s grandfather used to do; the world has become much more strict about these things. But I am always adding to the collection. I am currently including French artists and have made recent additions of Gérard Traquandi, Robert Combas and Jean-Charles Blais. These were gifts and yes, of course artists want to join the collection; perhaps in a way it is taking their place in art history.” One of their most significant recent additions is the Sean Scully by the swimming pool: “I met him at a party in Paris. I think he liked me because I was the only person who could speak English. He is a very special person and when he came to visit, I said: Sean, I have this big blank wall by the swimming pool and he wanted to give me the work. It was wonderful.” Despite her insouciance, Madame Roux is a committed art collector and passionate about choosing the right pieces of art. “I like to go to the workshops of the artists and visit them. I need to spend some time and feel the work,” she says. Of course, even to a great collector there are the fish that got away: “Oh I really like Peter Doig—some of his work is just magical. And when I was in London I was working in the same print studio as David Hockney and he was just throwing [prints] away! I really regret that.”  JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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ART & CULTURE

dance. On 23rd January, MUCEM Marseille is opening a major show, ‘Shall We Dance,’ exploring dance through three main components: body, space and time. If you are visiting with family, explore some of the brilliant workshops that have been arranged by the museum. While visiting the city, make sure to look out for La Marseillaise, Jean Nouvel’s new red, white and blue skyscraper which was completed this past autumn. Marseille is fast becoming quite a centre for art and in 2020 the city will be hosting Manifesta, the European Nomadic Biennial celebrating contemporary art. The importance of dance is also being explored at MAMAC in Nice with their exhibition ‘Inventing Dance: in and around Judson, New York, 1959-1970’ (until 17th February). This short-lived dance companywas hugely influential in the history and development of post-modern dancewith luminariessuch as John Cage and Merce Cunningham heavily involved. MAMAC’s main exhibition of Bernar Venet has been extended until March and any of the exhibitions that opened in December will continue through to spring.

The agenda

The Maeght Foundation is currently without an artistic director, so Adrien Maeght invited the eminent art critic Henri-François Debailleux to curate their latest exhibit, ‘The spirit of a collection: Donations,’ highlighting the amazing pieces donated to the foundation over the years. Visiting is always magical, especially in winter this is well worth a visit. By SARAH HYDE

Exciting events & exhibitions from across the region Photo 1 Boucheron necklace, collier, époque 1930 © Artcurial

Photo 2 Mucem exposition

After the fireworks fall from the sky and the new year begins in earnest, art lovers have plenty to look forward to in 2019. At the Monaco Yacht Club, all that glitters probably is gold - or silver - or diamonds. Art Curiel is hosting its annual Monaco sales with a collection of fine jewellery and vintage Hermès. Why not try on some of the fabulous jewellery? Viewing is open from 21 to 25 January from 11 am to 6 pm. Although many of the fabulous private foundations in the region are closed for the winter, there are exhibitions to see. Those who are passionate about design can go to Château La Coste to see Jean Prouve while art lovers can see ‘Per kirkeby: Matter is light.’ The cooler weather is also the perfect time to take their art trail, which remarkably includes the work ‘Foxes’ by Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M. For those who fancy the bright lights of the city, Marseille has a lot to offer this winter, especially if you love to

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

Malmaison in Cannes there is showing a very interesting selection of work from the collection of La Fondation des Treilles with pieces by de Brauner, Giacometti, Léger and Matta. The eagle-eyed among you will know that this is the collection of Anne Gruner Schlumberger – elder sister of Dominique de Menil, co-founder of the Menil Collection in Texas. If there was any competitive spirit between the Schlumberger sisters, these pieces will surely be exceptional. Finally, further afield at the Tate London, one of our most beloved South of France artists Bonnard will be getting a major exhibition, ‘The colour of memory,’ which opens on 23rd January.

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A new lease on life

Photo 1

auren kearns has been a ceramic artist for 45 years. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Lauren was taken by the beauty of working with clay from a young age. She pursued her BFA at the kansas City Art Insitute, her MFA at the University of Oregon, a residency at the Archie Bray Foundation and entered what she describes as the ‘macho’ world of ceramics. At the time, there weren’t many women in the field and teaching jobs were almost exclusively held for men. So when she was hired to teach at a college, she was thrilled. Lauren loved teaching almost as much as ceramics, feeling inspired by “teaching people to reach their creative heights,” as she puts it. Unfortunately, arts education is notoriously under-funded in the US, leading to budget cuts and programme cancellations. Lauren moved from one adjunct position to another, from Washington to California and finally became the Executive Director of the Carbondale Clay Center in Colorado. Between teaching, working in the studio and handling the bureaucratic duties, Lauren was working constantly. She didn’t have time for a social life and felt isolated in the community. “I did what I loved, so I didn’t think about my

overall situation,” she explains. It took a concerted intervention from family to tell Lauren to take a break and go on sabbatical. She had known of a short residency programme in Vallauris from her time at the Clay Center and she signed up with little knowledge of the small Riviera town. “It opened a whole new world to me,” she says, reflecting on her trip. From her first day, she met wonderful people, who introduced her to more wonderful people. Her month-long residency programme came to a quick end, but it had been a whirlwind of action. Back teaching in Colorado, she was changed; everything had changed. She applied for a French visa and returned to Vallauris for six months. It didn’t’ take long to know she wanted to stay and start a project of her own. “Everyone was so nice and went out of their way to welcome me, show me new things and connect me with other artists. People never did that for me before.” In her first month, she was introduced to Pierrot Bruzzi, one of the most well-respected ceramic artists of Vallauris. Instead of having her observe him make the traditional jars as they did in ancient times, he invited her to join him in making the ancient jar. He also invited her to paint the jar, which is now on the street in Vallauris, near the école des Baux Arts. At 66 years old, it was a courageous leap of faith, but one that she felt right about. “There’s a fine line between courage and desperation,” she admits. She had never felt so alive and welcomed before--not returning wasn’t even an option for her. She was granted a carte de séjour as an artist of renown and sold her house to start her project. Within a few months, she has set-up her programme with a large studio in Saint-Raphaël, new equipment and visiting artist lectures arranged until the end of 2020. “Everything has fallen into place; I’ve never experienced anything like it!” Beginning January 2019, the International Artist Residency Exchange (IARE) welcomes artists of all types and levels, focusing on nurturing the artist’s cultural exchange with the region. The studio offers all the necessary equipment for ceramics, but also has space for painting, exhibiting and lectures. She welcomes anyone wishing to have an experience in the South of France, network with other artists or like her, just get away for a bit. Lauren is now living life to the fullest, goes dancing at the weekend and glows when speaking about her programme. What would be retirement for most, has become her new lease on life. 

A trip to Vallauris changed the life of an American ceramic artist

ART & CULTURE

Painted jar made with Pierrot Bruzzi in Vallauris © D.R.

Photo 2 Lauren Kearns © D.R.

Photo 3 Coral leaves platter © D.R.

Photo 4 Lutos bowl © D.R.

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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ART & CULTURE

La Diacosmie Behind the scenes of Nice Opera By NICOLE RUSKELL L’Opéra de Nice puts on spectacular shows every season. Their impeccable sets easily transport audiences into the stories performed. riviera insider goes behind the scenes to learn how they create these beautiful shows.

rom the outside, La Diacosmie looks like just another industrial building. In fact, it’s easy to drive right past its classic 1980s box warehouse look, blending into the scenery of industrial stores and well-gated schools. However, this enormous and very rare building houses the cultural and artistic centre of Nice. La Diacosmie is perhaps one of the best set production and theatre rehearsal centres in the world. Most opera houses rely on outside contractors for set building, but thanks to its 22,000 square metres, everything is kept in-house. Add to that being owned by the city of Nice, costs stay down as well. Riviera Insider met with Caroline Constantin, Director of Production and Maxime Artigues,

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

head of sponsorship, to take a tour through this impressive facility. We start in a small conference room in the front, where set design sketches for the upcoming performance of ‘Don Giovanni’ are scattered on the table. Named after Diakosmos, Greek for ‘décor,’ the building was opened in 1987 as an easier place for constructing the sets and allowing large trucks to deliver goods. At the time, Caroline explains, the Sainte Marguerite area of Nice was nothing but open fields. The very site of the building “was nothing but rows of artichokes and chard,” says Caroline. Today the area is a busy centre with large box stores, schools and university housing; the typical result of urban sprawl. “Nice has come to us,” she said as we talk about how

much the area has built up since. A multi-functional building, La Diacosmie stores every set for Nice Opéra for five years before it is reused, or recycled. Although, Maxime says, “each set is so specifically made, we usually can’t reuse it.” Sporting an old-fashioned handlebar moustache, Maxime is clearly a lover of history. He shows an old black and white photograph of builders creating an opera set. The scene is easily 100 years old. He points out a long tool in one man’s hand, saying “We still use some of the same tools today. I’ll show you when we get to the workshop.” With that, we embark on a whirlwind tour, starting in the biggest room, at 300 square metres with 15 metre ceilings. This is the main construction room where the large sets are built. Caroline explains the process and incredible amount of organisation that goes into preparing each production. Every piece, from the wood structures to the painted backdrops to the costumes are all made on-site. “The savoir-faire of the craftsmen,” says Maxime, “makes it a living show.” Pre-fabricated sets, 3D-printing and cheap material have threatened the industry’s artisan craftsmen. Nice Opéra is committed to supporting carpenters, set builders, painters, prop-makers and seamstresses. Over 350 people work to together to create the sets. Heading across the vast space, tiny doors slowly become large double doors as we approach. The next room, perhaps half the size

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of the first is the set rehearsal room. The room is empty but just outside another set of doors, movers are in the process of bringing in finished pieces of an upcoming ballet set. This is the ‘dress rehearsal’ version for the set builders. The entire set will be assembled in this room, the actors and the dancers, all present to rehearse on it before its transfers to the opera house. They produce five operas and three ballets per season, staggering the performances so that the ballet can rehearse while the opera is playing and vice-versa. Massive metal crates are being wheeled in so we rush out, stopping briefly to see the small ballet rehearsal room. This room, Maxime explains, has a tilted floor to prepare the dancers for the stage. They cannot dance on this all the time, but need to prepare before performance for the slight incline of the stage. Up an industrial lift and down a grate stairwell, we zig-zag our way through the massive maze of rooms, workshops and studios. Entering the rehearsal floor, the sound of the

orchestra practicing could be heard as soon we the stairwell door opened. If anyone wants to ‘feel’ the arts, this is the place. From ballet, orchestra and choir rehearsal, alongside the sewing machines of costume production, the painting of set drops, and the jig-saws cutting wood for the set itself, there is more art going on at any given moment at La Diacosmie than possibly anywhere else. We peak our head in to the men’s ballet studio, a hot room filled with dancers working the steps to something Latin… but before there is time to figure it out we are off again, popping in to the orchestra studio, the source of the lovely music filling the halls. Each room is an epicentre of specialists working their craft. Further down the hall the music changes to a choral harmony as we pass the choir room. Back in the industrial lift. The floors are a blur at this point, but when the doors open we are on a very quiet floor. This is the costume production and warehouse floor. A few seamstresses are working away on sewing machines, some 19th

ART & CULTURE

century dresses already on the mannequins. Down the hall is the warehouse, a spectacular collection of over 9,000 costumes from some of history’s greatest operas. We say hello to the lone woman on guard, and peruse up and down aisle after aisle of costumes. Maxime has some fun fitting some gladiator shin guards from the shelves of helmets, masks and body armour. The giggles continue in the next room, the prop room—a place where just about anyone could get lost for hours. Caroline laughs at Maxime’s playful interlude. “This room is definitely a favourite,” she says. “Having fun keeps everyone happy and it helps them stay creative!” We head to another floor of creation. Entering an immense space, brightly lit by an entire wall of windows, Maxime rushes over to find a floor paintbrush to demonstrate the very same tool shown in the old photograph. It’s striking and beautiful the pride he takes in this. Many people, especially in the arts, strive to be the most modern or cutting edge. But here, the savoir-faire of traditional craftsmanship is celebrated. The metre-long paintbrush with an angled head is an indispensable tool for painting backdrop scenery. A metal footbridge traverses the expansive room, allowing the artist to climb up and get a bird’s eye view of her work. Maxime takes us up to the top to show the difference in perspective. In effect, the large, blurry images that were just at our feet transform into a clear forest backdrop after climbing up several metres above. This workshop is so vast that is houses several areas in one. The far wall by the entrance is lined with wood-working machines. These serve the ‘structures’ area, where numerous trees are under construction. Rows of naked trees are still awaiting the leaves and fruit to transform them into the orange grove for the upcoming ‘Don Giovanni.’ The rest of the space is for the backdrop painting. Numerous areas are marked off on the floor to delineate which backdrops go where. Downstairs, the ballet is preparing their final rehearsals, while upstairs, the set for the next opera is in production. Caroline runs a tight ship, keeping things constantly rotating and staying on track. “There’s always an evolution,” she says. The newest project for La Diacosmie is their very own theatre. The new Salle Vladimir Jedrinsky put on its first show, ‘Le Cas Jekyll’ on 7th December. Caroline says the new venture is their way to bring theatre to their own neighbourhood. She is passionate about sharing the work they do with children and students, perhaps to inspire them to create with the same passion of the artisans of La Diacosmie.  La Diacosmie 8 avenue Claude Debussy, Nice JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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a classic winter

ART & CULTURE lorenzaccio The dance company Pietragalla – Derouault presents this highly physical, creative and modern interpretation of a story set in hectic and libertine Florence of the 16th century, which comes to life in a teeming digital setting where 3D images intensify movements and project us into multiple places.

Where?

We are giving away a pair of tickets to see La harpe au sommet on 8th February. For details, visit the Competitions section on our website: www.riviera-press.fr

Grand Auditorium

When

les Jumeaux vénitiens ‘The Venetian Twins’ Tonino and Zanetto were separated at birth and grew up in different worlds. Carlo Goldoni’s 18th century Italian comedy unfolds when the twins are both called to Venice for their arranged marriages. Suitable for children over 12 and adults.

Where Théâtre Debussy

When 10th February – 4pm

When

Birkin / gainsbourg le symphonique A concert honouring the poetic French genius and classical influence of Serge Gainsbourg and his romance with Jane Birkin, who will be singing accompanied by the Cannes Orchestra.

20th January – 5pm Break the floor international Solo duels or confrontations of bands, the international hip-hop dance elite meets in Cannes to express their talent. This year’s theme is disability - where the body lacks, creativity, passion and the strength of the heart more than compensate. Suitable for children over 4 and adults.

Where Grand Auditorium

When 16th February – 8.30pm

www.palaisdesfestivals.com

Orchestre de Cannes

Where? Théâtre La Licorne Cannes-la-Bocca

When 19th January – 8.30pm

www.orchestre-cannes.com

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

Where

27th January – 4pm Grand Auditorium Palais des © Festivals David Fray Paolo Roversi Warner Classics

summer Time When the 17th century music meets 20th century music, it gives a unique concert where Vivaldi and Haendel happily meet Gershwin and Porter in a magnificent and original musical bridge.

TicKeT giveawaY!

Palais des Festivals Cannes

quatuor pour la fin du temps A prisoner sent to the Görlitz stalag, Olivier Messiaen was inspired by the hallucinations caused by his extreme conditions of detention. He composed this famous quartet for piano, violin, cello and clarinet, the instruments of the musicians who shared his life during captivity. Before the concert, Elena Gallo discusses keys to understand the work.

Where? Théâtre Alexandre III

When 22nd January – 7pm

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Opéra de Nice don giovanni Mozart’s treasured opera, a dramma giocoso, shows the ups and downs of human nature, the pain and the passion, while playfully entertaining. Sung in Italian with French subtitles.

la carrière du libertin Stravinsky’s opera, “The Rake’s Progress,” follows Tom Rackwell, who leaves the countryside and his fiancé for London and the Libertine lifestyle of the big city. Sung in English with French subtitles.

When

18th to 24th January

1st to 5th March

www.opera-nice.org

Trio Baïkail To celebrate the Russian New Year, the trio "Baïkail" makes us dream and move to the sound of Russian melodies from Tchaïkovsky to Shostakovich by way by Rachmaninoff, Volivov and Chalov.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Where? Théâtre Debussy Palais des Festivals

When 8th February – 8.30pm

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Where? la harpe au sommet Emmanuel Ceysson was appointed first principal harp of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris at the age of 22 and has been the first principal harp of the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Orchestra of New York since 2015. That says a lot about the genius of this exceptional musician who seduces an entire room from the very first notes he plays.

ART & CULTURE

love in all its states The young Lyon ensemble Libera Me invites us to revisit early medieval music in a contemporary interpretation. Playing the recorder and the harpsichord with a soprano, the trio will approach the theme of love from fine medieval banter to passionate love.

Where? Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

When 16th February – 6.30pm

When 12th January – 6.30pm

www.villa-ephrussi.com

Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo classical concert ‘Grande saison: Histoires d’eaux’ conducted by Eivind Aadland, OPMC plays works by Antonin Dvořák, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johannes Brahms with Louis Lortie on piano.

Where? Auditorium Rainier III Monaco

When? 13th January – 6pm

www.opmc.mc

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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ART & CULTURE

fesTivals Carnival de Nice

www.nicecarnaval.com © BTWImages

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

What? The biggest carnival in France and one of the most famous in the world comes back with its share of magic, colours and scents. This year’s theme of the carnival will be the “king of Cinema”. Day and night parades, flower battles

and all around wackiness! Be part of this crazy and beautiful event in Nice.

Where? Promenade des Anglais & Place Masséna

When? 16th February to 3rd March

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ART & CULTURE

Mandelieu-la-Napoule Mimosa Festival What? Created in 1931, the Mimosa Festival has become an essential event during which we celebrate the bright yellow flower that has been the symbol for the city and more broadly for the French Riviera. In reference to "Marco Polo’s travels" - this year’s theme - golden floats will be accompanied by many musicians, street artists, troops and machinery to take the visitors in-

side the adventures of the famous explorer. Also, don’t miss the election of the ‘Queen of Mimosa’ on Saturday 23rd February at the Expo Congress Centre (free admission).

Where? Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Promenade du bord de mer

When 20th to 27th February

www.ot-mandelieu.fr

From 2017 festival theme ‘Broadway’ © Ville de Menton

What? What would the French Riviera be like without its famous and tasty lemons? Before enjoying them as a delicious tart, the city of Menton invites us to celebrate its iconic fruit in a unique event which attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year. For 15 days visitors can admire the gigantic citrus struc-

tures, made into fabulous and creative scenes. The 2019 theme is "Fantastic Worlds." Don’t miss the outof-this-world parades, the Artisan salon or the Orchid Festival with its unforgettable scents.

Where? Along the Promenade du Soleil and in the Jardin Biovès.

Menton Lemon Festival

When? 16th February to 3rd March

www.fete-du-citron.com

Bormes-Les-Mimosas Flower Parade What? The “Corso Fleuri” is a grand parade of floats covered in over 80,000 bright and beautiful flowers (mimosa, white heather, windflowers, carnations etc.) that run through the streets of

the village. Children up to 10 free

What?

Where?

This mountain-top village has been celebrating its symbol flower since 1952. The weekend programme includes a market of local specialties, culinary treats made with violets, live music and more. Full programme online.

Village médiéval

When? 2nd to 3rd March

TourrettesSur-Loup Violet Festival

Where? In the village

When 24th February Parade at 2.30pm.

www.tourrettessurloup.com www.corso-ﬂeuri-bormes.com

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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EVENTS

france

10TH FEBRUARY

exhiBiTions

20TH JANUARY

CANNES “les Jumeaux véneTiens” ‘The Venetian Twins’ Tonino and Zanetto were separated at birth and grew up in different worlds. Carlo Goldoni’s 18th century Italian comedy unfolds when the twins are both called to Venice for their arranged marriages. 4pm show. Théâtre Debussy. www.palaisdesfestivals.com

UNTIL 15TH JANUARY

CANNES lorenzoaccio Dance company Pietragalla – Derouault present this highly physical, creative and modern interpretation of a story set in 16th century Florence. Part of the 100% Family shows. 5pm. Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals. www.palaisdesfestivals.com

26TH JANUARY CANNES anT sTreeT (in english) Oliver Micevski's theatre company presents the Cannes premiere of Roland Schimmelpfennig’s Cuban fantasia of a family gripped by a miracle and a neighbourhood unsure of its future, seduced by dreams of the past. Part of the 70 years Jubilee of the International Theater Institute/UNESCO network. Théâtre de Cannes - Alexandre III. Tel. +33 04 97 06 44 90

29TH – 31ST JANUARY CANNES inTo daYs – cannes inTernaTional Tourism & Innovation days trade show celebrates everything tourism, showcasing the newest the innovations in the industry. Palais des Festivals et des Conges. www.into-days.com

1ST – 3RD FEBRUARY

22ND TO 24TH FEBRUARY CANNES inTernaTional gaming fesTival The 33rd “Festival International des Jeux” features the newest and most popular games on the market today. Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 10 am – 7 pm. Free entry. www.festivaldesjeuxcannes.com

2ND MARCH CANNES mY ladies rocK Dance Groupe émile Dubois and Companie Jean-Claude Gallotta tells the story of the great women of Rock’n’roll and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated world. Rage, revolt, provocation and sometimes craziness is all told through dance. 8:30pm at the Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals. www.palaisdesfestivals.com

1ST MARCH

CANNES congrès TricaTel/BerTrand BurgalaT A three-day creative congress with concerts, stories and expositions of international artists including writers, musicians, composers, singers and more. www.palaisdesfestivals.com

Golfe-Juan napoleon i landing A re-enactment of the landing of Napoleon I in Golfe-Juan with old rigging, actors, Napoleonic troops, weapons and campaign equipment. There are conferences, exhibitions, soldiers on the beach and shop staff dress up in costume. Other events in town to celebrate. www.vallauris-golfe-juan.fr

9TH FEBRUARY

2ND TO 3RD MARCH

CANNES le cirque phénix Top acrobats of the Beijing circus will be performing an exceptional show. Directed by Alain M. Pacherie. Part of the 100% Family program, from ages 6+. Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals. www.palaisdesfestivals.com

TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP violeT fesTival This mountain-top village has been celebrating its symbol flower since 1952. The weekend programme includes a market of local specialties, culinary treats made with violets, live music and more. www.tourrettessurloup.com

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

SAINT-TROPEZ “des animaux eT des sTars” The Musée de la gendarmerie et du cinéma de Saint-Tropez shows snapshots of stars and their fourlegged favourites. The photographer Edward Quinn captured Grace kelly, Prince Rainier III, Pablo Picasso, Brigitte Bardot and many others with his camera. 2 Place Blanqui. www.ville-sainttropez.fr

UNTIL 27TH JANUARY NICE "Topographies" Photo exhibition of Berenice Abbott. This important photographer was educated by Man Ray in the 1920s and is an outstanding portraitist, known mainly for her documentary photographs of architectural changes. Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre. Open daily except Mondays from 11am to 6pm, 1, Place Pierre Gautier. www.museephotographie.nice.fr

NICE "BeaTe eT serge Klarsfeld, les comBaTs de la mémoire (1968-1978)" The theme of this exhibition is the struggle of Beate and Serge klarsfeld against forgetting, repressing and covering up the Holocaust. The couple brought numerous Nazi henchmen to court. In the Musée Masséna, 65, rue de France. www.nice.fr

UNTIL 31ST JANUARY SAINT-TROPEZ "regards sur van dongen" Works by the famous painter who was a contemporary of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Musée de l'Annonciade, 2 Place Georges Grammont. www.saint-tropez.fr

14TH FEBRARY– 26TH MAY NICE phoTo exhiBiTion Works by the French war photographer Christine Spengler. Since 1970 she has been

photographing and reporting on conflicts, especially from the point of view of war victims. Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre 1, place Pierre Gautier. www.museephotographie.nice.fr

UNTIL 24TH FEBRUARY CANNES “de Brauner á giacomeTTi eT de léger á maTTa” Exhibition worth seeing for art lovers. Masterpieces by great artists from the Fondation des Treilles can be admired at the Centre d'art La Malmaison, 47 La Croisette. www.cannes.com

UNTIL 4TH MARCH BIOT “sTéphane couTurier To fernand léger” An in situ dialogue highlighting the rich thematic and graphic correspondence between the paintings of Léger and the photographic work of Couturier. Musée national Fernand Léger. www.biot-tourisme.com

UNTIL 5TH MARCH NICE "hisToire de Briques" Unusual exhibition about the world in Napoleonic times: palaces, monuments, battles ... all reconstructed with Lego bricks. Musée Masséna, 65 rue de France. Free entry for residents of Nice, otherwise 10 euros per person. www.nice.fr

UNTIL 24TH MARCH AIX-EN-PROVENCE chagall du noir eT Blanc á la couleur Chagall: From black and white to colour looks at the artist’s work between the 1920s and 1930s after learning engraving in Berlin. The show features more than 100 pieces in several techniques. Hotel de Caumont Centre d’Art. www.caumontcentredart.com

UNTIL 7TH APRIL BIOT “glass is BioTiful” French and international glass artists show their works in the Salle d'expositions municipales. Free admission. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. www.biot-tourisme.com

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EVENTS

UNTIL 14TH JUNE 2019

13TH JANUARY

7TH - 10TH FEBRUARY

5TH TO 9TH FEBRUARY

CANNES “enfance cannoise : quelle hisToire?” This exhibition tells the story of the child's condition in Cannes, through national developments, from ancient times onwards. Espace Calmette, quartier République, 18 rue du Dr Calmette. www.cannes.fr

classical concerT Série Grande Saison: The Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo conducted by Eivind Aadland plays works by Antonin Dvořák, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johannes Brahms with Louis Lortie, piano. Auditorium Rainier III: 5pm presentation of André Peyrègne, concert at 6pm. www.opmc.mc

primo cup sailing race Marking the official start of the yachting season, 800 sailors come from 15 nations to race for the Credit Suisse Trophy. www.yachtclubdemonaco.mc

SAN REMO 69Th fesTival di san remo Italy’s largest and most popular music contest. The top stars in music and budding amateurs flock to the Ligurian city to compete for the year’s hit song. Teatro Ariston San Remo. www.sanremo.rai.it

17TH TO 27TH JANUARY

"l'arT préhisTorique eT proTohisTorique" Founded by Prince Albert I in 1902. Tickets give you have access to the museum, the Exotic Garden, and the Grotto l'Observatoire. Musée d'Anthropologie préhistorique, 56 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique www.map-mc.org

23RD FEBRUARY

UNTIL 15TH MARCH

UNTIL 24TH FEBRUARY

exposiTion ferrari The Collection de SAS Prince de Monaco is exhibiting their impressive collection of rare and vintage Ferraris. Terrasses de Fontvieille www.mtcc.mc

GENOA “fulvio roiTer: phoTographY 1948-2007” About 150 pictures of the famous Venetian. Tuesdays to Sundays 10am-7pm. Loggia degli Abati, Palazzo Ducale. www.palazzoducale.genova.it

UNTIL 6

JUNE

ST PAUL DE VENCE The spiriT of a collecTion: Donations Featuring the impressive works from the vast collection of the Fondation Maeght. 10am – 6pm. www.fondation-maeght.com

UNTIL 9TH JUNE LE CANNET “Bonnard en noir eT en couleur” Musée Bonnard revisits their collection through the artist’s use of colour and monochromatic paintings. Many works will be displayed for the first time in public, some from private collections. Tue through Sunday, 10am – 6pm. Musée Bonnard. www.lecannet-tourisme.fr

inTernaTional circus fesTival Organised and presented by Princess Stephanie, it is the most prestigious circus event in the world. The best acts from across the globe compete for the Clown d’Or, or ‘Golden Clown’ award. www.montecarlofestival.mc

TO 27 JANUARY TH

monTe-carlo rallY The 87th edition is the season opener for the International World Rally Championship starts off in Gap, 311 km away and the final day will conclude in Monaco on the day of Saint Devote, the patron saint of Monaco. www.acm.mc

exhiBiTions UNTIL 31ST JANUARY

liguria

monaco

26TH JANUARY

11TH - 13TH JANUARY

10TH JANUARY

Burns’ nighT supper The British Association of Monaco is celebrating the old Bard with a dinner in style at the Cafe de Paris. www.bam-monaco.org

GENOA swan laKe BalleT Performed by the Teatro Astana Opera ensemble. Teatro Carlo Felice www.carlofelicegenova.it

paT Kalla & le super moJo live sessions Pat kalla is a Lyonais musician, singer and storyteller. Together with "Super Mojo disco" this show plays High-Life, the Makossa, Angolan Music, Afrobeat, AfroDisco and more. Part of an anti-crisis society project. Grimaldi Forum: 6:30pm Apéromix, show at 8:30 pm. Free admission +377 9999 2020

10TH - 13TH JANUARY sailing regaTTa Monaco Optimist Team Race, Bay of Monaco, organized by Yacht Club de Monaco. www.yacht-club-monaco.mc

11TH JANUARY "5 à 7 avec aznavour" Homage to the great singer, Compagnie Musicale Y.G., Théâtre des Variétés, 8 p.m. Phone +377 93 25 67 83

26TH & 27TH JANUARY "sainTe-dévoTe" Various celebrations for Saint Devote, the patron saint of the Princely Family, the Principality and the Diocese of Monaco. Mass, procession, burning of the symbolic barque in the square of the church of Sainte-Dévote and fireworks. Phone +377 93 30 87 70

-8

15TH JANUARY GENOA “de andré canTa de andré” The son of the renowned folk singer sings the ‘The best of’ his father’s songs. Teatro Carlo Felice www.carlofelicegenova.it

26TH JANUARY

FEBRUARY

cavendish vi Bridge TournamenT Bridge players and fans can partake in the international tournament of Bridge, held at the Hotel Meridien. www.cavendish.bridgemonaco.com

LA MORTOLA "The marvels of clarence BicKnell" Documentary film and discussion of Clarence's botany and art with experts Alessandro Bartoli, Daniela Gandolfi, Mauro Mariotti, Carolyn Hanbury.Hanbury Gardens. www.clarencebicknell.com

Genova “paolo conTe: 50 anni di azzurro” An intimate concert with one of Italy’s jazz greats. Teatro Carlo Felice. www.carlofelicegenova.it

UNTIL 3RD MARCH GENOA “da moneT á Bacon” Masterpieces from the Johannesburg Art Gallery. Over 60 works from some of the world’s biggest artists, including Monet, Bacon, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, Lichtenstein and Warhol. Palazzo Ducale. www.palazzoducale.genova.it

UNTIL 19TH MARCH GENOA “paganini rocKsTar: incandescenTe come Jimi Hendrix” Multimedia exhibition about the artist Paganini. Palazzo Ducale, Appartamento del Doge. www.paganinirockstar.it

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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HISTORY

Lest we forget The 100th anniversary of the Armistice in Nice By NICOLE RUSKELL

he Great War. Not great because it was good--great for the sheer size of the battles; great for the introduction of chemical weapons and flamethrowers; great for the number of lives lost; great for the devastating impression it left on the world. Between 1914 and 1918, 9.5 million people died in battle and another 21 million were

Armistice ceremony in Nice ÂŠ Nicole Ruskell

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

American Expeditionary Forces: A pile of shoes which have been worn out by the U.S. Army. St. Pierre-des-Corps, France, March 10, 1918. U.S. Army Photograph. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. (2017/01/06)

injured or maimed. These numbers don’t take into account the children who died of malnutrition, hundreds of thousands of battlefield horses and numerous other collateral losses of life. It was a war that left deeper emotional wounds than anything else, leaving people to hope never to experience another war; ‘la ders des ders’ the French said, the ‘last of the last’ for human bloodshed. At 11 am on 11th November 1918, the Armistice treaty was signed in Compiègne, ending the warfare between the Germany and the Allied forces. In a time before mobile news alerts and television, church bells rang out across France, playing ‘cessez le feu’ to announce the cease fire. With the little strength left, people danced in the streets and the Marseillaise was played in town squares. Peace was certainly cause to celebrate but after so many years of war, nearly every nation had been brought to its knees. Across Europe, the once picturesque countryside had become scenes of treacherous death, scorched earth and mass burial grounds. People were starving and governments were broke. There wasn’t much to celebrate other than peace itself. Over the last decade, despite our promise never to forget, Armistice Day celebrations have come and gone with ever decreasing public participation. Most people directly affected by WWI have passed away and time has done its work to mend the battlefields. Trenches that were once muddy scenes of death are now covered with lush green plants and vibrant flowers. It is difficult for today’s generation to fully understand the gravity of the war and the scars that it left. Perhaps if not for Britain’s strict adherence to wearing poppies for remembrance, even more people would forget.

HISTORY

By HD Girdwood (1878-1964). Courtesy of the Library of Congress #04154

‘We need to understand how man came to such an extreme,’ says Richard kiss, technical advisor for French military affairs. He was in charge of the Grasse town hall’s memorial celebrations and believes that remembering the First World War is as important now than ever. ‘Peace is fragile, we know that well. The centenary of the Great War is the opportunity to honour our ancestors, reflect on our history and teach the young generations about it.’ Sunday, 11th November 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the Armistice treaty. Ceremonies, exhibitions and parades took place across France. Paris welcomed numerous heads of state to mark the event, which began after a history-making visit to Compiègne with French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel. The first German leader to visit the site since WWII, Merkel walked with Macron to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier to lay a wreath and unveiled a commemorative plaque to the Franco-German reconciliation. Here on the Riviera, celebrations took place in every city and village. The city of Nice held a series of memorial events and a full-costume parade down Avenue Jean Médecin. Immediately following, a large ceremony was held at the Fallen Soldiers memorial, the Monument aux Morts Rauba Capeù. A small crowd gathered in the unusually cold and drizzly weather. All ages were present, from the very old to the very young, some wearing the names of their ancestors who died in the war, some wearing red poppies, some the ‘petite bleuet’ for French soldiers. An enormous French flag was delicately draped across the monument carved into the mountainside. The ceremony involved songs from

the military band and choir, speeches from governmental departments, and Military generals. Each speech was followed by a wreath lying. In a statement about the ceremony, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said: ‘[These soldiers] were prepared to die for their country, for freedom, for the republic. Amongst them, there were numerous Niçois and Azuréens who fought with bravery. They gave their lives for us and we owe them a great deal of gratitude. We celebrate the victory, but above all, a rediscovered peace and a Europe that is finally unified after so many tears and wars with each other.” At the end of the day, from 5:30 to 9:30pm, residents were invited to pay homage to the fallen soldiers by placing flowers at the monument. 

French Soldiers using flame throwers on the German trench.

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

L IFESTYLE

To your health Shaking oﬀ the sugar! ince pies, chocolates, mulled wine, cocktails, chutneys and Christmas pudding… The holidays are filled with gatherings of family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and while we all enjoy the indulgence of the festive season, come January we often feel the effects of sugar overload. Our blood sugar level has a wild ride during all this feasting and it can not only lead to bulge in our waistline but also fatigue, irritability, lack of concentration and increased hunger/craving for more sugary satisfaction! According to various estimations, the average person may double or even triple their daily calorie consumption over the Christmas holidays and extra calories are often from sugary foods and alcoholic beverages. These “simple sugars” cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly and boost energy levels, yet effects are often short lived with cravings for even more sugar to regain the “sugar high”. Sugar can stimulate the pleasure centres of the brain in the same way drugs do, making it addictive and for some, hard to give up. Those lacking a sweet tooth may feel they are exempt, but popular carbohydrates such as white baguette, pasta and rice are quickly converted to glucose and push blood sugar levels up just as rapidly as some desserts. Even breakfast cereals can contain as much as 35g of sugar per 100g! Yogurt, which is perceived as a healthy food, can be tricky—many flavoured brands contain 10-13g/100g compared with a natural yogurt which averages 5g/100g (1). Those with difficulties balancing blood sugar levels may rely upon a number of stimulants to pick up from fatigue, such as coffee, alcohol, tobacco, or fast, sugary snacks. Stimulants act in a similar way to sugar giving a quick ‘high’ by stimulating the adrenal glands to release sugar into the blood stream. This is then followed by a ‘low’ energy drop.

The cycle that risks insulin resistance The quicker that blood sugar rises, the faster the hormone insulin is released. Insulin is responsible for normalising blood glucose (sugar) levels by packing away excess glucose from the blood stream and into the cells for energy. This regulation becomes imbalanced with long-term excess sugar intake. Simply put, if

we keep bombarding the body with sugar there is either an over production of insulin or the cells become immune to insulin. These are contributing factors to insulin resistance and Type II diabetes. There are several symptoms associated with blood sugar balance issues. These include some of the following: Needing more than 8 hours of sleep Hard to rise refreshed in the morning Needing coffee or tea to get you going in the morning (and perhaps throughout the day) Mood swings Heavy sweating regularly during the day Energy dips Fatigue Cravings for sweets

nuTrienT and foods for Blood sugar Balance: VITAMIN C

Seasonal citrus fruits: oranges, clementines, satsumas, apples.

B-COMPLEx Involved in energy regulation

Eggs, game, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast.

CHROMIUM enhances action of insulin

Egg yolk, brewer’s yeast, fruit, whole grains and nuts, cinnamon!

MAGNESIUM optimal levels support blood sugar levels

Fish, lentils, nuts & seeds, dried fruits and green leafy vegetables.

ZINC improves cell health and assists with insulin binding to cells.

Richest food source: Oysters, liver, brewer’s yeast, eggs, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms.

what breaks the cycle? To regain control of your waistline, improve energy levels and your mood post party season, avoid confectionary and processed biscuits, cakes, and chocolates. But also be aware of the hidden sugars in undiluted fruit juices, carbonated soft drinks, condiments like ketchup, chutneys, canned foods such as tinned tomatoes and flavoured yogurts. Instead, a few simple additions to your meal can help break the up and down blood sugar cycle. Increase the intake of dietary fibre (both soluble and insoluble) from seasonal fruit and vegetables. Adults should aim to eat seven portions of vegetables daily and children four portions. A whole apple is less disrupting to blood sugar than apple juice since fibre slows down the release of fruit sugars into the blood stream. Make sure to eat protein with each meal. Protein can come from several sources such as lean chicken and turkey, white fish, oily fish (tuna, mackerel, herrings, pilchards, sardines, salmon), eggs, natural yoghurt, cottage cheese, feta, and mozzarella. Vegan sources of protein include pulses and beans such as lentils and chickpeas, brewer’s yeast, nuts, and seeds (especially chia and hemp). Also include mono-unsaturated oils such as olive oil, omega-3 fats from oily fish, linseeds, hemp seeds and snack on unsalted/unroasted nuts and seeds. Finally, don’t forget to exercise! Weight bearing exercise in particular will improve insulin sensitivity and support blood sugar levels. 

*The Sugar Free Challenge: Christine is running a ten-day sugar detox programme from 14-24 January. Email christinekjeldbjerg@gmail.com for more information. JanuarY / feBruarY 2018

Christine Kjeldbjerg

FOR OUR READERS: Christine Kjeldbjerg has a BSc in nutritional therapy, an MSc in personalised nutrition and is a Pilates & Xtend Barre instructor. Originally from Berkshire in the UK, Christine has been living in the riviera for 12 years. She has a busy ﬁtness and health coaching business in Grasse and runs various educational workshops. www.ck-health.com

riviera

The importance of self-care n our increasingly connected world, people are more ‘on the go’ and on the hook for instantly responding to the demands of emails, messages, social media posts and work and family demands. Studies on these ‘external intrusions’ have shown the average adult lives in a constant state of distraction. All these stresses and distractions can have a disastrous effect on your sleep patterns as well. And if you’re not sleeping well at night, it makes everything else worse. So what can we do about it? Self-care. It has become a buzzword lately, but the simple act of ‘turning off’ and giving ourselves some attention - even if just for several minutes - can have profound benefits on our overall wellness. Among the jet-set business crowd, Arianna Huffington was the first to speak openly about the need for ‘self-care’. In her book, “Thrive,” she speaks particularly about women running themselves ragged by constantly putting the needs of others first. “Self-care is not a luxury,” says kate Percival, founder and CEO of Grace Belgravia, a private women’s club in London.

kate splits her time between Monaco and London and has shared with Riviera Insider that she would love to find a suitable location for a Grace club in the Principality. Despite the luxurious surroundings of Monaco, kate says Grace’s mission is to get people to acknowledge that looking after yourself is not a luxury. “No matter if you are a CEO or a mum, your stress is equally valid.” When asked why women have such a hard time putting their needs first, kate speaks from experience: “We’re wired not to fail and not to let people down. We want to please and be loved: we please our kids, our partners, our nannies…We easily flip-flop to suit other’s needs and keep everything running smoothly.” She describes her club as a ‘haven’ that supports and nurtures the varied needs of women. Sure, they offer yoga and meditation classes, personal trainers and a full spa--what makes Grace unique is in addition to those things, they have a full-service integrative medical centre and healthy restaurant. Functional MDs, homoeopaths, nutritionists and numerous other specialists can all be found under the same roof. It’s like a one-stop shop for body and soul. The private club environment allows women to

New Clinical Hypnotherapy school in Nice olution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapy Training school is opening its first European location in Nice centre. ‘Solution Focused Hypnotherapy’ uses neuroscience to understand how the brain reacts and stores experiences, which has been invaluable in learning the effects of stress, depression, addiction and even selfsabotaging behaviour. The new location will be run by Julie May and Lisa Williams, Clinical Hypnotherapists, Senior Lecturers and Supervisors in Hypnotherapy. They chose Nice for their first European school because of its central location, easy transport system, the international community and its year-round climate. “We are so excited to bring the school to Nice and share this amazing science,” Julie May told Riviera Insider. This “evidence-based therapy” has shed light on

how people experience and remember their life. According to Julie, recent brain studies have shown that recounting or reliving traumatic experiences do not help a person overcome the trauma, but rather lights up the same areas of the brain that originally experienced the trauma. In contrast to standard Psychotherapy where the patient recounts their past experiences, their ‘Solution Focused’ model does not need the patient to tell their story. Instead, they focus on how the patient would like to be, teaching them to rewire the brain by creating and reinforcing positive neuro pathways. Their system teaches people of all ages (including children) to train themselves into calm and positive thinking. “When we train someone to think about what they want their life to be, the brain actually lights up new pathways,” says Julie. “It’s absolutely amazing to see the way the brain works.” Solution Focused Hypnotherapy has proven very

HEALTH & WELLNESS

pop-in any time of the day to rest and relax. Whether to sit and read a book without the kids distracting, or have a luncheon in the organic restaurant, she strives to offer a true, modern-day sanctuary. “Self-care is at the heart of what we do. We want to empower women by feeling great about themselves.” 

Kate Percival, CEO of Grace Belgravia

successful in dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, smoking, and many other debilitating states. It has also been very useful in helping children deal with school stresses, including bullying and suicidal thoughts. Their Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Practitioner Training School is open to everyone. Courses are taught in English at the Hotel Nice Riviera, near Place Massena, and run two days a month for ten months. Students who complete the training course are professionally qualified with a Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, recognised worldwide.  For more information on the course, visit www.cphtnice.com

Julie May and Lisa williams, lecturers at CPHT Nice

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

L IFESTYLE

Mimosa Masquerade Ball Charity gala raises money for cancer

(L-R): Ellie Goblet D'Alviella (Mimosa Committee), Gérard Van den Bulcke (Director of la Ligue Contre le Cancer), Sara Parks (Mimosa Committee), Eugénie Clayon (Assistant Director of la Ligue Contre le Cancer) and Juliette Clarkin (Mimosa Committee)

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

imosa Matters is a local Anglophone cancer charity whose mission is to fund awareness, support, and research so that one day we are free from cancer. It’s a lofty goal, but they are well on their way to making a dent. What separates Mimosa from classic cancer charities is their commitment to local services and their emphasis on the support of patients and families struck by the disease. Their community-focused charity events have made them widely popular throughout the Riviera. Established in 2013 by eight expat women who wanted to give back to their community, Mimosa has since grown into one of the largest volunteer charities in the Alpes-Maritimes. Despite how much they’ve grown, they remain volunteer-run, organising events between work and family life. They don’t have high-paid board members or large operating overhead. This means your donations actually go to helping people with cancer. Community spirit is one of the main pillars of the organisation, and that has also been their recipe for success. Within the expat community, Mimosa has become almost a household name. Juliette Clarkin, one of the founding committee members, tells Riviera Insider: “Over the past few years we have been so lucky to have such a wonderful community rallying around us - supporting us - and now this year, hosting their own events and expanding the community!” Numerous little fundraisers organised by individuals across the Côte d’Azur, including bake sales, book sales, clothing drives and Christmas fairs have led to larger events such as the Nice-Cannes Marathon, one of their most successful fundraising events. This year they had over 150 ‘Mimosa runners’ sign up. In only five years, these events have helped Mimosa raise €250,000. They are acutely aware this was only possible with the generosity of the local community. Another reason Mimosa is so popular is their commitment to keeping funds local. Juliette reveals a shocking statistic: “Eight thousand people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the Alpes-Maritimes,” she said. “We want to help as many people as we can and we want to keep the money local.” Mimosa donates to a few different cancer support services throughout PACA. La Ligue contre le cancer is one of the main organisations they support, having helped fund the Espace Ligue in Antibes. This unique walk-in centre offers support to cancer patients and their families, completely free of charge. They also fund prevention awareness campaigns and support CSG06 (Cancer Support Group 06), an English-speaking organisation that provides counsellors and active listeners to help patients and families process the enormous emotional burden and fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

riviera

L IFESTYLE

supporting kids Tragically, children are not immune to cancer. In April 2016, Mimosa introduced a fundraiser specifically for children, the kid’s Fun Run. This fun event is open to children from the ages of five to fifteen and proceeds benefit paediatric cancer centres. The children are so happy to be involved in the cause, many even bring their ‘piggy bank’ money as a contribution. Yet another popular event with the community, last year’s kid’s Fun Run had 250 participants and raised €10,000 for the paediatric oncology unit at L’Archet Hospital in Nice. or 2019, they are continuing to grow with more individual fundraisers, such as their new Coffee Morning on World Cancer Awareness Day (4th February) and large organised events, including the kid’s Fun Run (28th April), Mimosa Golf Day (4th May), Mimosa Cycle Challenge (October) and the Nice-Cannes Marathon (November).

The annual ball Their biggest event of the year, however, is the annual black-tie ball, a chance to spend a glamorous and entertaining evening while raising serious funds. This year they are pulling out all the stops for a truly magical evening with all the glitter and glamour befitting the French Riviera. Their masquerade ball will add whimsical fun and a dash of flair for a truly extravagant evening. Held on 30th March at the historic Hotel Negresco in Nice, the ball will commence with a champagne reception, followed by an exquisite three-course dinner prepared by Virginie Basselot, Negresco’s new Michelin Star Chef. Live entertainment will dazzle guests throughout the evening, culminating in the highlight of every charity gala: the auctions. Local companies donate impressive gifts for the event. Past gifts have included weekend getaways by private jet, original artwork and prestigious golf club memberships. Auctioneer Lucy Crapper will be flying from London to officiate the auction. The evening wraps up with a live DJ, transforming the event into Nightclub Mimosa to dance until the wee hours of the morning. All the funds raised from the event will go directly to a local cancer support organisation. Tickets are now on sale for individuals and VIP table reservations through their website.  www.mimosamatters.org.

if you would like to support their cause by becoming a sponsor of the event or donating something for the auction, contact info@mimosametters.org.

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

L IFESTYLE

DS Automobiles From boldness comes excellence rederic Wehbe, DS Expert is very proud to represent the DS Automobiles brand in the Côte d'Azur during a new year. A premium French brand since 2014, DS Automobiles stands out through four characteristics: style & design, attention to detail & refinement, driving pleasure and a multitude of new on-board technologies. DS Automobiles has two big announcements for 2019: First, the DS 7 Crossback E-TENSE 4X4. The DS 7 Crossback is already the star of the DS Store in Antibes and currently available for a 24-hour trial period. This SUV has already impressed customers in the Alpes-Maritimes with its charisma and presence. However, this new plug-in hybrid version coming in spring 2019, takes the vehicle to a new level of driving pleasure. While it currently peaks at 180 HP in diesel and 225 HP in petrol, the E-Tense will be equipped with a rechargeable hybrid engine giving it 300 HP in cumulative power, 450 Nm of torque, 7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, and a fourwheel drive mode thanks to the second electric motor installed on the rear axle. The rest of the description will delight ecology enthusiasts since with its 13.6 kWh battery, the DS7 Crossback ETense will also be able to travel 50 km (and 135 km/h) in 100% electric mode, with only about 49

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

3 by the presence of the shark fin. Here again, the DS 3 Crossback is original, following in the footsteps of the DS 7 Crossback. On the equipment and technology side, DS seems to want to hit hard with the DS3 Crossback since it will offer equipment worthy of the upper echelon. To name a few, buyers of this SUV will be able to enjoy heated and massaging seats (made with high-density foam), a Focal audio system, advanced insulation, flush door handles, and a wide range of autonomous driving aids. Finally, let yourself be surprised by the magic of the door handles, which unfold only when you need them. The DS 3 Crossback also offers a wide choice of customization: nine body colours, three roof colours and six interior ambiances. Not to mention the many options! DS Store invites readers to discover their new store of more than 380m2 at 1945 Route de Grasse in Antibes. Frederic Wehbe will be happy to take you on a journey into the DS Automotive world. 

ERRATUM: g/km CO2 emissions. The second big news of 2019: the official launch of the New SUV DS 3 Crossback in April. Already on the market, this new SUV is the new icon of High Tech. On the specs: differentiating aesthetics, high-end technologies and electrification. In addition to its dynamic style, it will continue to mark its aesthetic filiation with the DS

Correction: in our last article, we mentioned "Peugeot DS". The DS automobiles brand is part of the PSa group (as well as Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, vauxhall and Free2Move) but it represents a completely diﬀerent market and thus another clientele. DS Store antibes is a premium brand in its own right. riviera Press asks DS automobiles to excuse us for this error.

riviera

Are we running out of ﬁsh? By PETRA HALL

Fish stocks in the Mediterranean have fallen dramatically over the last 20 years. a conference in Nice about our disappearing ﬁsh sparked a heated debate, but through the shocking ﬁgures, there was also a ray of hope and a call for people to become ‘responsible consumers’. ho would have thought that fish could be such an explosive topic! At a recent conference of the Centre de Découverte du Monde Marin* (CDDM) in Nice, there was much to discuss and many conflicting sides of the problem. The President of the Centre, which is dedicated to discovering and protecting the underwater world, invited competent speakers, including Paolo Guidetti, Director of the ECOMERS Laboratory at Nice Sophia-Antipolis University, Jean-Michel Cottalorda, marine biologist, and Denis Genovese, President of the Fisheries Committee 06. They

all presented facts and figures on the topic "Will we soon no longer have fish on our plates?” For millions of people, the oceans are a vital source of food. Worldwide, 130 million tons of fish are officially caught each year, four per cent of that in the Mediterranean. In France today, 300,000 people work in the fishing industry. Over the past 50 years, global demand for fish has doubled, and the estimated figures for illegal fishing are appalling: 10 to 25 million tonnes of fish worth 10 to 20 billion dollars! Another alarming fact is that fish stocks (not only) in the Mediterranean have fallen dramatically in the last two decades. The seas are therefore being mercilessly exploited, despite numerous control bodies, especially in Europe. Overfishing leads to the extinction of countless species and damages both the ecosystem and biodiversity. Ninety percent of the Mediterranean Sea is affected by this problem, and 40 percent of the fish in the northeast Atlantic are in danger. According to statistics, 23 per cent of fish caught in Europe are thrown back into the sea because they are too small. Most do not survive. Over 40 species of fish, including sharks and

ECO

rays, run the risk of disappearing completely from the Mediterranean over the next few years. After the red fin tuna, which has long since been banned from Monaco's menu, swordfish has only been allowed to be caught in certain quantities since 2017. The problem: who really keeps track? And who controls the countless recreational fishermen whose catches, according to Guidetti, account for more than ten per cent of the global yield - and that trend is rising. In the Alpes-Maritimes alone, recreational fishermen account for 70 per cent of the catch, according to the researcher. Not to mention the number of unreported cases. In the ProvenceAlpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region there are still 900 professional fishermen today. They are controlled by the fishing association - in contrast to recreational fishermen. The speakers agree: a law to regulate this "sport" is urgently needed. From the audience comes a strong opposition, obviously from hobby fishermen present. The discussion is conducted with vehement southern temperament. It does not change the worrying situation of fishing. Nevertheless, there is some good news: "The grouper is back", says marine biologist Jean-Michel Cottalorda. "And when it comes back, the ecosystem will be right." In the 1980s it was almost non-existent in the Mediterranean. Today, according to Cottalorda, up to 200 fish can be spotted in a single dive - but only in protected marine zones such as the Embiez archipelago. Outside there are at most five or six fish, of which there are over 80 different species and which can grow up to one metre in size. "Unfortunately, too many hunters still poach under water, and extremely rare species may have disappeared forever." The return of the "mérou" is therefore only a small ray of hope, which cannot distract from the threatening situation of fish stocks in the Mediterranean and worldwide. Man's greed is immense. So will we soon no longer have fish on our plates? Scientists cannot give a clear answer to this anxious question, but they acknowledge the importance of Mediterranean fishing for the cultural identity of the area, among other things. "It is also up to the consumer which type of fish he chooses," Guidetti said. Responsible shopping may only be a drop in the ocean, but at the very least it is a start.  *The Centre de Découverte du Monde Marin was founded in 1991 by a group of passionate divers in Nice.

Don't want to give up fish, but don't want to further support conventional fishing practices? visit www.wwf.eu for a wealth of information on current eU policies and how to make sustainable decisions for buying fish.

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

riviera

SPORT

Élodie Lorandi Olympic medallist gives back to disabled children

tand that there is a life after the hospital and that their disability or illness does not define them. I want to encourage them to make their dreams come true. We are all human beings and what counts is not what you see from the outside but what we carry in our hearts. what are your dreams today? From a sporting standpoint, I want to go a long way in rowing. My goal is to participate in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. I also dream of starting a family. 

Fréderic Gallet, Éodie Lorandi, Grégory Berben of the Sourire & Partage association © LOIC B.

his Antiboise is one of the most successful athletes in France. As a Paralympic swimmer, she won more titles than all her colleagues in the Hexagon. She has recently finished her swimming career, but still remains a top athlete: She is now rowing - and with great success. She and her team have already won a bronze medal at the World Championships last September. At the same time, élodie is the co-founder and representative of "Sourire et Partage," a charitable organization for disabled or seriously ill children and their families. Riviera Insider’s Catharina Jäckel spoke with the inspiring athlete about her motivation, her successes and her dreams.

Riviera Insider: Élodie, after more than twelve years at the top your sport, three Paralympic Games participations and 39 international medals, you ended your career as a swimmer and proved yourself to be a strong rower. How do you feel about that? élodie Lorandi: I am very proud of my successes, especially my gold medal at the Paralympic Games in London in 400 metres freestyle and my

The 2019 Laureus Awards The best in sport JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

World Champion title in 2006. But I am now ready for a new chapter. I have the opportunity to train as a team rower. We share success, but also pain during hard training sessions. The fact that I was able to win a bronze medal at the World Championships makes me incredibly happy. You have accomplished so much despite your disability. where do you get your motivation and strength? Originally I started swimming as a rehabilitation measure. When I was little, my left leg regressed due to a rare disease. Many children made fun of me. I wanted to prove to them that I could still swim faster. When I noticed that I could actually achieve a lot in disabled sports, I was additionally motivated. My parents, my late grandfather and my trainer Régis Gautier have always supported me. what inspired you to start the organisation "Sourire et Partage" and how do you help the children? I have been able to do well and I have achieved a lot despite my disability. That's what I want to tell the children in the hospital. They need to unders-

he 18th edition of the Laureus World Sport Awards will be held in Monaco again this year. The international recognition of the best players in sport draws the biggest names together for a good cause. The Laureus Sport for Good project supports projects around the world that help spread peace, fight poverty and battle neighbourhood violence as well. This year they are supporting 150 projects across 40 countries, staying true to Nelson Mandela’s founding creed that “sport has the power to change the world.” An avid believer in the power of sport for good, Prince Albert II

This association helps children with disabilities and serious illness by bringing smiles into their lives. They achieve this through organising celebrity visits to hospitals, bringing children to sporting events to meet the players, and more. They also organise local fundraising events throughout the year to raise money for families with disabilities. Their agenda includes: >every month, personalities visit the children's bedside at L’archet hospital’s paediatric oncology department. >Private meetings with children and stars are organised throughout the year. >They provide financial assistance to help families go to hospitals in different regions, to find accommodation, to buy a wig, etc. >They organize 5 major events throughout the year, including: Lenval Christmas, beach soccer, captains of the heart, and more than 150 small local events. Make sure to follow the Sourir & Partage association on their Facebook page.

continues his unwavering support of the award. Last year’s Laureus Awards broke more records for Roger Federer, who took home his 5th and 6th statuettes for Best Sportsman and Best Comeback. Federer said: “This is a very special moment for me. Everyone knows how highly I value my Laureus Awards, so to win another would have been wonderful, but to win two is a truly unique honour.” Serena Williams won Best Sportswoman, her 5th award, making her the most decorated female athlete at Laureus. Find out who this year’s winners are on Monday, 18th February at Sporting Monte Carlo’s Salle des Etoiles. 

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riviera

ART & CULTURE

Riviera Business Club 2018 Business Person of the Year awards international business owners of the Côte d’azur came to Cannes for the annual gala celebrating local entrepreneurs. By NICOLE RUSKELL

he Riviera Business Club hosted its annual Business Person of the Year Awards this past November at the Radisson Blu in Cannes. Now in its 20th year, the award recognises excellence in local internationally run businesses. Awards go to the best established business and the best start-up business from those nominatd by the community. The annual awards gala is “one of the hottest places to be for business owners,” says Riviera Business Club President, George kasiliyake. Since he took over as president in 2013, the RBC has become very popular among local business owners and proves to be a source of support for running a business in France. The evening started with excited chatter amongst guests as they mingled during the champagne reception. The ceremony kicked off with an energetic welcome from Sarah Lycett and Cassandra Tanti, who were the MCs of the evening. They gave a warm welcome to guests and introduced the panel of judges, including the Chairperson John Francois Boutin, Director of Development and Member of the Management Board of Tournaire and Mergers & Acquisitions; élodie Carsalade of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Nice Côte d'Azur (CCI); Sylvain Pages of Edhec Business School; Thady Nolan of Ma Nolan's Pubs (2014 winner) and our own Petra

RBC Award jury L-R : Thady Nolan, Élodie Carsalade, John Francois Boutin, Petra Hall and Sylvain Pages © Riviera Business Club

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Hall, founder of Riviera Insider. George thanked the guests for attending and for continuing to make the RBC a successful and useful business club. As the first course of dinner was served, nominees were introduced, starting with Niamh Cogan, President and Sales & Marketing Director of Nunii Laboratoire, Bradley Mitton of Club Vivanova and Mitton Wines, Simon Crann of Nice Homes, Julien Birkenkamp of Sarl Edec and Antonio Barona, Founder and CEO of Vertech Group. The evening progressed quickly as all were enjoying the company, the dinner and the lovely music of Penny Mac, who can play an impressive number of instruments. The winners of the 2017 awards were called the stage, to share their experience since winning. Antonia Beauvoisin-Brown of kidooland said she was “blown away” by how much the experience helped her business by putting her own goals into perspective. She added: “The visibility was amazing; it gave all of us an oomph and profit is up!” 2017 Start-up winner, Barbara Baselgate of Badaboom had similar remarks. Just in time for the dessert course, the winners were announced, the truly sweetest part of the evening. RBC President George kasiliyake took the floor to open the envelopes. And the winner is…

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Antonio Barona, Founder and CEO of Vertech Group. Originally from Columbia, Antonio is a Civil Engineer, with a Master’s in Construction Materials and Project Management and graduated from the executive general management program at Harvard Business School. He is the founder of several companies across Europe and a local foundation, Léna. Antonio also lectures at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis on their master’s in environmental sciences. Vertech Group is an international environmental engineering company based in Nice. They lead organisations towards sustainable profitability with a science-based tech approach, helping clients to become greener. They do this by minimizing a company’s negative environmental impacts and promoting innovation, circular economy principles and social responsibility. Antonio accepted the trophy from Christophe Gerbier, Directeur d’Entreprises et Territoires, at Nice CCI. With a cool, calm demeanour, he thanked the RBC and the jury. “After so many years of hard work, this really means a lot to me and my colleagues.” Discussing the difficulties of starting a business, let alone a business in a country other than your own, he joked: “It’s not even my own continent! I don’t know how to thank you enough.” Applause was plentiful as George prepared to give the next award.

Best start-up of the year went to Niamh Cogan of Nunii Laboratoire. Based in Grasse, Nunii is a biomedical research laboratory specialising in skin pigmentation and the development of dermo-cosmetic treatments. Nunii has already been credited as an innovative project by the Europe and Regional council of the Ministry of Research. They have created a unique, patented complex of active ingredients, which help regulate the production of skin melanin, providing a safer and less aggressive skin lightening treatment than those on the market today. Filled with joy and a bit of shock, Niamh accepted the trophy from Isabelle Graniou Marniquet of Edhec Business School. She thanked the jury, the RBC and most of all, her business partner. She invited him to the floor to accept the award with her as she said “We are two, really—I couldn’t have done it without him!” She explained how they initially started “with love money”—the money given to them by friends and family; but when she searched for investors, she always had meetings with men. “Come on girls,” she said, “we need some female Angel Investors!” Since its commercial launch in 2018, there has been incredible demand for Nunii products. According to RBC’s website, Nunii is on route to become the benchmark reference in aesthetic skin pigmentation treat-

ART & CULTURE

Award winners, Niamh Cogan and Antonio Barona © Riviera Business Club

ments worldwide. Their strong double digit growth and expansion is set to continue and the company has many new products with exclusive molecules ready to be launched soon. The ceremony quickly wrapped up and George thanked everyone involved for putting on a great show, saying: “It’s not just an evening of drinks, it really is hard work!” The evening wasn’t over, however, as the Nolan’s planned an all-night after party at their pub in Cannes. 

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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BUSINESS

CMB and the artistic world Supporting the arts and the community

french emploYmenT law know your rights before signing By ZOUBAïDA BOUZOU, ISEGORIA CONSEILS

nce the decision is taken to work in France, you need to be informed on all the conditions that will prevail. We published an article a few issues ago (July/August 2018) on how to be in compliance with Immigration, tax rules and international employment law. That article focused on whether or not you need a visa or permit to work in France. Continuing from there, we look at the questions to consider related to contractual labour law. If you are ready to live and work in France, it is important to plan; especially if what is expected is a permanent contract and not temporary work. Many companies publish their openings on their website and it is easy to collect the most relevant information regarding the job description and to review employee benefits the company offers. The first important question is the nature of the contract: there are different types of contracts under French law. The two main types are the fixed-term CDD (“contrat à durée déterminée”) for a maximum of 18 months (in principle, as there are exceptions) and the open-ended CDI (“contrat à durée indéterminée”). The “contrat à durée déterminée” terminates at the end of the contractual period, which is different for the “contrat à durée indéterminée”. The latter can be terminated by resignation, mutual consent or dismissal. In the case of dismissal, a very strict procedure must be followed and the reasons for dismissal must be specifically defined in substance and in writing. Your rights as a foreigner It is important to have a careful look before signing a contract and not to fear asking questions you might have if you don’t understand a provision. An extra check can help to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The French Labour Code (“Code du Travail”) stipulates that some provisions are required and must be agreed by the employee (such as the place of work, the title, grade, nature or category of the work, the start date and the working hours). For example, the written employment contract must be written in French but when the employee is a foreigner, it is mandatory to have at his request a translation of the contract. In case of discrepancy, only the text written in the language of the foreign employee can be invoked against the latter (article L1221-3 of the Labour Code). Any part of a labour contract that does not meet the standards laid down by law is invalid. In fact, any stipulation contradicting the legal norms shall be void. A legal professional can provide impartial guidance before signing a contract and if necessary can defend your rights when an issue arises.  www.iselegal.com

 zoubaïda Bouzou, lawyer 12 Avenue Malausséna 06000 Nice Tel.: +33 (0)9 83 57 28 00 isegoria.conseils@gmail.com JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

‘Défilé’ (2017) - 97 x 147cm - Acrylic, By Natalie Vassil © DR

‘La Flâneuse’ By Daphné du Barry currently on display at the bank © DR

or several years now, Compagnie Monégasque de Banque (CMB) has been supporting projects in the arts. In addition to acquiring new art for their now substantial art collection, they help enable young talent to reach their potential, develop exchanges between amateurs and internationally renowned artists and help collectors find experts in the field. Since 2016, CMB has actively participated in the "Open des Artistes" organized each year by Daniel Boeri of L'Entrepôt Gallery. Werner Peyer, CEO of CMB, is one of the members of the jury that awards the annual" Jury Prize". He says: "CMB is delighted to contribute to the emergence of young talents while expressing its commitment to the Principality.” Also in 2016, on the occasion of the Bank's 40th anniversary, CMB enlisted the help of students from the école Supérieure d'Arts Plastiques de Monaco. Two works were selected from 20 projects by the students to be reproduced in fine porcelain by the Manufacture de Porcelaine de Monaco. The students whose works were chosen were supported financially by CMB to help them get started in their lives as artists. Last summer, CMB began hosting exhibitions in the lobby of its building on Avenue de la Costa. They have since shown two female artists. In early June it was Nathalie Vassil, whose paintings express the entire range of human emotions. Before blossoming fully into painting, Nathalie had a career in international finance. In October, it was Daphné du Barry's turn to exhibit her bronze sculptures. "Flâneuse" at the top of the steps by the Bank's entrance invites everyone to enter CMB. Being interested in Art means being interested in diversity, one of the essential values of CMB. Art is an eclectic world and opens up new perspectives. It is a way of offering our audiences a new perspective on reality. Commitment: CMB is a Monegasque institution that is very involved in the local fabric and thus contributes to the Principality's influence through its historical partnerships. It supports the Grimaldi Forum, and is also the official partner of the OPMC (Orchestre Philharmonic de Monte-Carlo). In October 2018, they accompanied the orchestra to Switzerland, where they toured a quality programme featuring Verdi, Bruch and Beethoven. "Through these various actions, CMB continues its commitment to the artistic and cultural community initiated long ago. All these actions contribute to creating a real link with our customers and partners. We create exchanges that go beyond our business and this reinforces our desire to remain a people-oriented bank on a very personal scale," said Mr Peyer. 

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L IFESTYLE

Blevins Franks Guide Get the most out of living in France here are many attractions and advantages to living in France. However, there are some drawbacks too, such as unfamiliar local bureaucracy and a complex tax regime. To get the best out of living here, your financial planning should be specifically set up to work well and provide advantages in France, while taking your family’s situation into account. You need to understand how the various French taxes impact you and how you can use the rules to your advantage. French succession law, with its forced heirship regime, is unfamiliar for Uk nationals. Learn how this can impact your family and what your options are to avoid it. Establish what the best savings and investment

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

strategy is for you now and look at how all the options for your Uk pension funds would work in France. The ‘Blevins Franks Guide to Living in France’ has been written to provide Uk nationals with the key information they need regarding tax and wealth management in France. It is useful whether you are in the planning stages of moving here, are a new arrival or have been living here a while, or if you own a French holiday home. It is also helpful for those returning to the Uk. Now in its 9th edition, it has 25 chapters (over 300 pages) covering a range of topics, including: purchasing French property, income tax and social charges, property wealth tax, succession tax, pensions, QROPS and QNUPS, avoiding Uk capital gains tax, your Uk home while living in France, Uk inheritance tax and much more.

Blevins Franks has been providing specialist advice to British expatriates for decades. The ‘Blevins Franks Guide to Living in France’ is based on our vast experience and deep understanding of expatriates’ financial planning needs. It is updated every couple of years, but we also regularly publish a range of guides which are available to download from our website. To receive regular updates, you can also register for our eNewsletter. The book is available at the English Book Centre in Valbonne, the Antibes Book Shop and from the “News/Books” section on our website. For further information please contact our Valbonne office on 04 93 00 17 83 or france@blevinsfranks.com. keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks’ News page at www.blevinsfranks.com 

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BUSINESS

La Compagnie New business-only airline ﬂies direct to Newark new airline is setting out to attract more American business in the Côte d’Azur. La Compagnie will be offering all-business flights direct between Nice and Newark airports. Promising ‘seats offered exclusively in business at an attractive price,’ the French start-up looks to be creating a particular niche for itself. David Lisnard, President of the Regional Tourism Committee for the Côte d’Azur is ‘delighted’ a successful French start-up has demonstrated its confidence in the economic potential of the Côte d'Azur. He believes the prospect of more direct flights to North America will mean an increase in tourism for 2019. In a press release, Mr Lisnard stated: ‘This significant increase in direct air service between the Côte d'Azur and the United States is an excellent new addition to the daily flight between Nice and New York (JFk) operated by Delta Air Lines in

conjunction with Air France... Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport is the first platform outside Paris to benefit from this offer to New York Newark.’ The tourism board’s recent release of official 2018 statistics showed significant investment from American tourists during their stay in the region. The United States recorded one of the strongest increases of commercial accommodation among foreigners in 2018 with a 15% rise (the highest of foreign visitors). Americans also were found to have spent the most during their stay, with an average of €160 per day or €1,100 per stay. The new direct line proposed by La Compagnie provides up to five flights per week,

totalling 16,000 additional seats over the season. The all-business class flights will encourage continued development of the American market, which is essential for Côte d'Azur tourism professionals. Mr Lisnard pledged the full support of the region and the direction of the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to ensure the success of the new transatlantic flight. He concluded: ‘I wish Christian Vernet, Chief Executive Officer, and Jean-Charles Perino, co-founder of La Compagnie complete success to allow them to quickly consider annualising this flight for the benefit of the entire Côte d'Azur France economy.’ 

Estrosi in London A friendly visit to the UK capitol

n an effort to strengthen relations with London, Nice Mayor and President of the Nice Cote d'Azur Metropolitan area and the PACA region travelled to the British capital on Wednesday, 28 November along with his Deputy Mayor and head of Tourism and International Relations, Rudy Salles. In a press conference for British journalists and tourism professionals, the pair presented the many attractions our region offers, from hotel facilities to cultural and sporting events.They also presented figures from the 2018 tourist season and plans for further development in 2019, including the inauguration of the new Office de Tourisme Métropolitain. Estrosi said at the meeting: “Great Britain is one of the oldest partners of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area. It has contributed to its history and to the dynamics of its economy, particularly in the tourism sector.” They were hosted for lunch by His Excellency Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Ambassador of France to Great Britain, during which they discussed Franco-British relations, particularly

L-R : Richard Gianotti, Directeur des Sécurités et de la Police Municipale de la Ville de Nice ; Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur and Rudy Salles, Deputy Mayor of Nice

concerning the impending Brexit and its impact on British residents in France. Estrosi then headed to New Scotland Yard for a meeting with the counter-terrorism representatives of the Greater London Metropolitan Police. It was an opportunity to share experiences on crisis management and urban security in dealing

with terror attacks. They also discussed preventive measures implemented on both the British side and the Nice Cote d'Azur Metropolis. The meeting was seen to have strengthened ties with the police services of Greater London and those of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area. JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

A school special for the Digital Age n 1985, the film ‘Back to the Future’ gave us a look into the futuristic world of 2015. From self-tying trainers to hover boards and flying cars, it was a classic Hollywood future. We are still a long way from flying cars that run on household rubbish, but we do have the Internet—something unimaginable to 1985 writers. The tools we have literally at our fingertips are amazing and it’s still only the beginning. Technology moves forward exponentially and parents today have no idea what their children’s lives will be like in 30 years. The generation in school now likely faces a workplace with robots, jobs completed by artificial intelligence and commercial space travel. This is an exciting future, but we are learning as we go about safety, privacy and the need to protect and teach kids from the dangers and pitfalls of the internet. Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope, YouTube...the Internet is filled with social media, unlimited videos and online gaming platforms—many of which children understand better than their parents. Nevertheless, children are more susceptible to things like cyberbullying and gaming addiction. In ‘Parenting in the Digital Age’ we look at what two local schools are doing to help teach parents about this new world. Before we worry about technology though, we have to build a good relationship with our kids and know how to pick the right school for them. We start our School Special with a look at ‘Positive Education,’ a new technique being taught in nurseries that aims to connect parent and child for a closer and more nurturing bond. Then we get some recommendations on choosing the right school and what factors to take into consideration. Montessori schools are increasing in popularity, which is interesting because their principles are based on tech-free building blocks. They are gaining in popularity because parents are pleased with how well children learn and develop in Montessori schools. So what makes them so different? We cover the biggest differences, and also take a look at the woman who started it: Dr Maria Montessori. Perhaps one of the most important boxes to tick for the international community is whether a school is bilingual. While most of the schools we feature are bilingual, we look at at a few who explain why being multi-lingual is important for the workplace of the future. Most of the schools we feature are bilingual, which is great for the kids, but what about the older kids or even the parents that didn’t get the opportunity to grow up bilingual? We feature several language schools for learning French, English, or other languages for all ages, including a Provencal getaway for the really big kids. Finally, if your child is heading off to university soon, they don’t have to go to the Uk for their BBA or MBA in English. We have multiple highly rated business schools right here on the Cote d’Azur that teach in English. Don’t miss the sneak peek of the new UCA Creativity Hub being built in Cannes. This gorgeous campus will offer film, journalism, production, dance and other creative degree programmes. Like everything else in this beautiful region of ours, there is so much on offer. Our list is not exhaustive, of course, but we hope to have given a wide range of options no matter what age, teaching style or type of school you are interested in. 

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

POSITIVE EDUCATION How nursery schools are connecting parents and children By PETRA HALL Parenting is no walk in the park. in fact, 70 per cent of all parents experience daily conﬂicts with their children. a new trend called ‘Positive education’ is taking hold in nursery schools that help ensure both parents and children get a better, more emotionally stable start. By PETRA HALL

applying ‘positive education’

good upbringing has always been a headache for parents, and the definition of it has changed constantly over time. Well educated: Does that mean obedience? Adapted? Free of fear? Self-confident? Child rearing has never been as complex as it is today. The world is changing at a rapid pace and pedagogy must not lag behind. A recent event on "Positive Education" at the MAMAC in Nice showed how great the interest in the issue is, and just how many parents are uncertain of the best way forward. In the congress hall there was no space left. Parents, teachers, kindergarten teachers and social workers - they are all confronted daily with problems that can manifest themselves at an early age and which they often face helplessly. For this reason, the organiser of the evening, people&baby, a company founded in 2004, relies on professionally run crèches for the very young. In France, where mothers - whether JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

emotional balance of parents and carers.” For example, the little ones learn very early to express their emotions and how to cope with them. New in the corporate strategy: In 2017, bilingual nurseries (Spanish, Italian, English and German) were opened in Paris, of particular interest to foreign parents. This offer will soon be extended to Sophia-Antipolis. It is well known how important the first years of life are for later development. But how can the pressure of society, in which most children already own their own mobile phone at the age of eight or even earlier and are often uncontrolled on the web, be countered? A very young representative of Radio Pitchoun, a radio station between Menton and Toulon for children between three and twelve years of age, enters the stage. He speaks of a "networked childhood" and surprises with numbers: One to six-year-olds spend an average of 4.37 hours per week on the Internet or mobile phones; over 50 per cent of 11 to 18year-olds are registered on one or more social media sites; and 58 per cent publish photos of themselves, family and friends. As an antidote, the eloquent man speaks of providing media without a screen, of educationally valuable and controlled content as well as intelligent and moderate use of the Web. Easier said than done. The overall result of the evening is informative. The audience learns that there are about one million billion synapses in the child's brain (contact points between nerve cells) - ten times as many as all Internet connections worldwide put together. What an educator should never forget: All interactions with the child, both negative and positive, leave a trace and form the foundation for further development. Children feel things that adults do not feel. Their emotionally controlled brain needs empathy and comfort, because they are not yet able to control themselves.

feeling guilty or not - are usually back at work soon after birth, the company has found a gap in the market that it is constantly expanding. Today, the company has 330 day-care centres throughout the country (30 of them in the PACA region), where a total of 3,850 employees care for 9,000 children every day. Through emergency care and the cooperation with now 600 companies and 80 municipal administrations, everyday life is simplified and parents' stress is reduced--which in turn benefits the child. Sustainability, organic nutrition and above all the concept of the child’s well-being are among the ingredients for people&baby’s recipe for success. "We make it possible for the child to discover this diverse world in complete safety, confidently and cheerfully," explains cofounder Odile Broglin. “Their well-being, the awakening of all their senses and their individual development are particularly close to our hearts. Equally important, however, is the

Statistics report 70 per cent of all parents experience daily conflicts with their children and often doubt their competence as educators. Working on one's own story and ignoring the myth of the perfect mother or father helps in many cases. Children need selfconfidence, not perfection. Also one should not be too hard on oneself and ignore the inevitable judgements of others. To compare one's children with others is of no use. Every child is different and has his/her own rhythm. Positive education is an exchange of communication and the art of listening without constant nagging and reproach. It uses an interplay of rules and boundaries, the transgression of which must have consequences. Positive education is also mutual trust, solidarity, motivation and compassion. And if your wonderful child does get your blood pumping, there is one tip that works pretty well: leave the room for a moment and drink a large glass of water.. 

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David Johnson, Director of International School of Nice

THE SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE Selecting the right school for your child By DAVID JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF NICE

he question of how to go about choosing the right school for your child is one that I find myself discussing on a daily basis with parents who come to visit the school. I have always felt that it is a highly individual matter, involving a wide range of family factors. Parents should consider several factors for picking the right school: Which language(s) are spoken at home? Do your future plans involve transitioning to another country? If so, finding a new school with a similar curriculum could be important. What aspirations do you have for higher education: does the school have a solid track record of getting students into the universities you would like your child to attend? Does the school provide a safe learning environment, and is there a campus that will ensure that external distractions do not encroach on learning? Does the school provide a wide range of sports programmes and exchanges with students in other international schools? Above all, the most important consideration is whether your child will develop a love for learning with the program and school environment. This is crucial because it is the love of learning that leads to students becoming lifelong learners, leading to a skill set necessary to adapt to the changing world of work and career

SCHOOL SPECIAL

paths. As Guy Berger, the LinkedIn economist observes: “A college degree used to slot you into a 40-year career. Now it's just an entry-level point to your first job." Our new and ever-changing economy needs people able to learn new skills and develop new competencies. The International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes instil a lifelong passion for learning through putting the student at the centre of an inquiry-based learning process. By developing the skill of posing meaningful questions in the Primary Years Programme, the student becomes actively engaged in her/his own education. Alec Peterson, the first IB Director General once stated: "IB programmes have always challenged students to excel not only in their studies but also in their personal growth. The IB aims to inspire a lifelong quest for learning hallmarked by enthusiasm and empathy. What is of paramount importance is not what is learned but learning how to learn.” So in choosing a school to prepare your child for the future do not hesitate to ask the most important question: “Is learning taking place in a way that the students love to learn and will continue as lifelong learners?” 

international school of nice 15 Avenue Claude Debussy, 06200 Nice +33 (0)4 93 21 04 00 www.isn-nice.com

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

PARENTING IN THE DIGITAL AGE Technology is wonderful, but today’s parents never faced growing up with their lives posted permanently to World Wide Web. Schools are now teaching parents about the web and why it is important to be vigilant. By NICOLE RUSKELL

varied. The only way we can hope to ensure [students’] safety is by dialogue – lessons like PHSE (personal health and social education), can aboard new issues relating to eSafety with motivational speakers, films etc. We can make sure we teach it and hope we do enough to provide the children with the information they need to stay safe.” The Director of ISM, Francis Gianni, tells us: “We prepare students to communicate effectively, to be skillful and safe users of digital technology; to use data honestly and with social responsibility in our ever-changing world."

‘screen Time’ Tablets are one of the most amazing inventions of out time. We can do so much with them. However, their effects on very young children can be potentionally dangerous. The founders of our Digital Age, including Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs, highly restricted their children’s use of technology. Even the designer of the iPad, Jonathan Ive, refused to let his young children use one. The reasons are many, but the biggest threat is to babies, as touch screens can interfere with early brain and fine motor skill development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends strict limits to children’s screen time and urges no screen time before two years. Both Mougins School and ISM agree on the need to protect the youngest children from too much screen time. Headmaster Hickmore recommends that small children should only use tablets in public spaces in the home and not to let children take the tablet into their room. Even older children should be restricted on screen time, he says, and suggests parents install an internet shutdown device to avoid overnight gaming.

cyberbullying

n the midst of the Digital Age, our lives our now interconnected with the World Wide Web, a limitless source of knowledge and instant global connection. Expat families have it better than ever; able to see their loved ones back home with two taps of a finger and update friends on social media with precious moments with the kids. While this seems like a utopia of interaction, there is a downside to all this digital technology: the health and safety of young children can easily become compromised on the Internet. Parents today have learned to utilise digital technology, but they don’t necessarily understand the pitfalls. We spoke with Mougins JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

School and the International School of Monaco (ISM) about how they protect students and teach parents about the digital world our children are growing up in. From classroom lectures to recorded podcasts, both schools are making great efforts to bring parents into the discussion. Brian Hickmore, Headmaster of Mougins School says that preparing students for the high-tech world can be difficult because technology is advancing so rapidly. He welcomes the new technology, but is careful for his students’ safety: “More and more lessons involve technology, making teaching and learning exciting and

Bullying has always existed in schools and many parents pass-off this new digital version as just another way kids are mean. But cyberbullying is not just a digital version of what happens in schools. According to Headmaster Hickmore, cyberbullying reaches a different level of “nastiness” because the person is not face to face with their victim. The anonymity allows them to use stronger language, post a more embarrassing photograph or go beyond the level they otherwise would—and the audience is much larger. An embarrassing moment in school could be shared with entire student body (humiliating as that may seem), but cyberbullying has an unlimited audience, picking up momentum as an incident turns ‘viral.’ This has had detrimental effects, even leading to some children to take their own life out of shame. “Parents need to understand cyberbullying and talk to their children on a regular basis about their use of social media,” says Headmaster Hickmore. He stresses that parents need to stay vigilant with what their adoles-

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cents are posting. Mougins School teaches students the importance of careful posting of photographs on social media how the law prohibits posting pictures of someone without their permission. “It takes a while to sink in,” he says, “but we have noticed some change in behaviour.” ISM has a very strict “Acceptable use” policy for online posting and a “powerful filtering system” in the school. “We have our own definition of ‘digital citizenship,’ says ISM Director Gianni. “In the Secondary School, we encourage students to 'T.H.I.N.k' before posting on social media. This means: Is the post True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and kind?” They also practice what they preach: “We try to lead by example, always asking permission before posting any pictures of our students in our publications or on our website.”

Teaching parents ‘esafety’ Both schools offer lectures and workshops on cyber-security for parents. These not only inform but also reassure parents if they feel overwhelmed by the task of ‘gate keeping’ their child’s internet use. The head of ISM’s Middle School holds regular workshops for parents which have proved helpful and informative. Those who aren’t able to attend the lectures can download the talk by podcast. This past November, Mougins School brought in eSecurity specialist and digital parenting coach, Elizabeth Milovidov to speak with students and parents and opened the talk to the local community. An American born law professor, Elizabeth works with the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe as an independent expert on Children and Internet safety. She provides support to governments and associations for Online Child Protection, travels the world to lecture on Internet Safety and coaches both parents and educators on the best practices in the Digital Age. She points out that this is the first generation to parent in the Digital Age without any instruction or guidance from our own parents. “We need to teach ourselves,” she says. Headmaster Hickmore told Riviera Insider: “Elizabeth is an excellent motivational speaker and captured the children’s attention immediately. The Primary School children were extremely attentive to her strong guidance. The presentation to parents in the evening was also very well received – it was pitched at a different level without requiring any technical knowledge or training and presented the dangers the children face on a daily basis on their smartphones.” Both Mougins School and the International School of Monaco welcome technology and are very positive about the amazing changes it has brought to our lives. They also take the safety of their students very seriously. ISM told us: “Technology is here to stay; our children need these skills but it’s all about finding the right balance.” 

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TEACHING FOR THE DIGITAL AGE The International School of Monaco answers our questions about teaching students and parents. Monaco is committed to being a world leader in technology. How does ISM strike a balance between preparing students for the digital age while protecting students’ safety? excellent iT skills are essential for anyone entering the workplace or continuing education and our students start learning these skills right from the early years. For our youngest children, screen time is really limited and we encourage a love of books and reading ﬁrst. Further up the school technology has a more important place. in practical terms, this means that we teach students to behave responsibly and safely in the digital world. examples of this can be found in our Cyber-Bullying course activities taught in information Technology and Homeroom classes, as well as the 'action innocence' speakers who come to run special in-class sessions with students. What are some of the IT classes or special workshops that prepare students for the digital age? Students take coding classes in the Middle School and we have an enthusiastic robotics club. There is one to one iPad programme and a focus on digital citizenship. The “Big 6” is a trademarked model of six steps to go through when conducting any kind of research and helps students to distil what they really need from the overwhelming amount of information available on the internet. Older students learn about digital responsibility when they create their internal assessments and extended essays which must all be fully referenced, listing all research sources utilised, especially any sources they may have found online. Do you have lectures for teenagers on ‘eSafety’ or the risks of posting personal information and photographs online? it’s not just for teenagers these days! Children are using the internet, and devices

with games and apps, at an even earlier age. For many years we have worked closely with action innocence, a Monaco based charity helping to educate children and their parents on how to use the internet safely. They conduct workshops with our students each year and give wonderfully interesting presentations to our parents as well on how they can help ensure their children’s safe and responsible use of their devices, and how to control their screen time. Does ISM offer any lectures or speakers on online safety for parents? Yes, absolutely! in March one of our graduates working in cyber security came to talk to our parents on how to monitor your “digital footprint.” That is the trace you leave when using social media such as instagram and Facebook and goes beyond what we’d call internet safety; our security specialist also conducted workshops with our students. This is just as important for parents as it is for students. Our Head of Middle School, Mr James Wellings, recently conducted two interactive workshops with our parents, one on general internet safety and how to keep on top of developments, and a second workshop specifically dealing with online bullying. For those who couldn’t attend the workshops, we sent out a podcast with video to all parents. The comments afterwards were really positive. Soon we will be offering some “clinics” on how parents can set up their children’s devices for maximum safety and benefit.

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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IBS OF PROVENCE Preparing the adults of tomorrow

ccording to recent research quoted in the New York Times: “Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language…” (Sunday Review, “Why Bilinguals Are Smarter”, NYT - 2012/03/18). The benefits of bilingualism (according to the Cambridge ‘Excellence in Bilingual Education’ by Peeter Mehisto, 2012) are ‘’too numerous to list” but include greater control over information processing and greater metalinguistic awareness. It also increases the following: mental processing capacity; memory; mental flexibility; intercultural skills and even health. Not only is speaking another language useful in today’s global society, it has also been proven to increase intellectual capacity and possibly even deters dementia in old age. The international School of Provence (IBS), established in 1984, is an international bilingual school in Aix-en-Provence with over 750 students from more than 75 different nationalities, aged 2 to 18 years old. They offer a bilingual curriculum up until the class of 3ème, or year 10. At this age, students can choose between either the French BREVET/Baccalaureate curriculum or the International Curriculum (IGCSEs leading to the International Baccalaureate Diploma). Class sizes are limited to encourage teacher/pupil interaction, as well as the ability to provide an adapted pedagogy, which focuses on the individual student’s needs. IBS of Provence tries to take the best of all education systems, France included. Wendy Heinicken, Director of Admissions for IBS, tells Riviera Insider: “No one system is perfect, but it’s important to have a class size that is manageable for teachers, so our average class size is 16. Our focus is to provide a rigorous academic programme which includes pastoral care for the overall well-being of our students.” In 2017, they built a new 7,000 square metre campus. The large complex houses an academic building with new classrooms, a modern 400-seat amphitheatre, a sports building with a cross-fit training centre, golf simulator, yoga room and indoor gymnasium. The outside campus includes four new tennis courts (two synthetic clay and two hard courts), a 25meter swimming pool with pool house, football field, multi-sports field and even a radio station. “We believe that Sports and Creative Arts are important to the full development of the child, and that is why we offer a large range of sports and arts activities in our curriculum. There is a strong link of communication between parents, teachers, and staff, which is essential to responding to the needs of our students,” says Wendy.

provide additional languages at an earlier age; Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese and Russian from CM1, Global Politics for IB students and Global Perspectives for IGCSE students. They also offer Sports Science and Environmental Systems in the IB Program. These additional classes enrich their programme, but do not replace the core curriculum. They also cover internet and media use, nutritional guidelines, cyber-bullying and more in their student assemblies. IBS believes the role of a secondary school is to open minds, encourage the love of learning, and develop the confidence and well-being of its students. “At this stage children will not be deciding their careers paths, but our focus is to open their minds to a large range of possibilities and develop their skills and knowledge to allow them to follow any route they might endeavour.” IBS offers a University/Careers Day every year, bringing industry professionals to share their expertise through interviews, videos and interactive presentations. We also invite universities from around the world to present their institutions and programmes of study. The international aspect is a vital part of the school, as it provides the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom. According to educational research (Hayden and Thompson, 1996), ‘students in international schools value interaction with other cultures as one of the fundamental characteristics of their education, promoting the development of an ‘international attitude’. IBS students learn not only from their teachers, but also from their fellow classmates. This cultural interaction is an opportunity for student growth and understanding. 

THE INTERNATIONAL BILINGUAL SCHOOL OF PROVENCE (IBS) Domaine des Pins – aix-en-Provence 500 route de Bouc-Bel-air F-13080 Luynes Tel: +33 (0)4 42 240 340 Fax: +33 (0)4 42 240 981 www.ibsofprovence.com

Independant Day & Boarding School +75 Nationalities

The world of tomorrow A modern school provides a safe environment where students can thrive, both intellectually and socially. IBS believe sthat the love of learning is a lifelong gift and in order to create the desire to learn, students need to feel valued, encouraged and respected. The multicultural aspect of their school encourages tolerance and understanding of others, which they feel is essential in today’s globally connected world. “We offer multiple languages, as the world of tomorrow is a connected world: a global exchange where those who speak multiple languages have a clear advantage.” Wendy adds that students should also be well-rounded in their knowledge, both academically and culturally. IBS teaches skills of adaptability, tolerance, understanding, and the ability to embrace change which will be necessary in any career of the future. To futher this, they have recently developed innovative new classes and JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

www.ibsofprovence.com

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T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C H O O L O F M O N A C O BEAUT I FULLY SI TUATE D ON THE PORT OF MONACO, THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MONACO OFFERS : An internationally accredited bilingual programme where the focus is on students well-being and their learning. Excellent IGCSE and IB Diploma results which are well above the world average and facilitate entry to top universities. A wide range of extra-curricular activities in arts, music and sports which enhance and enrich the academic programmes. Modern, spacious facilities including a new Early Years building, a dedicated Science Centre and exceptional library/ media resources. To learn what ISM can do for your child, please contact : THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MONACO - 12 quai Antoine 1er - 98000 MONACO

Tel: + (377) 93 25 68 20 - admissions@ismonaco.com www.ismonaco.org JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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THE MONTESSORI METHOD What makes these schools so diﬀerent?

dren demonstrate. She explains that when children can choose the things they learn, they can achieve incredible heights. “We have two to three-year-olds that set the table for lunch, clean up after themselves, go to the bathroom on their own and help their parents as well. And we have 5-year-olds doing advanced addition. It’s incredible.” Like the children at Les Colibris, the students at My School are free to choose their work from the available curriculum, never told that something is too advanced or hard for them. This confidence and autonomy creates a focused environment where the children concentrate on what they’re doing and work quietly throughout the day. “Each day amazes me,” says katia. “When I walk into school and see happy children quietly working away, it’s just incredible.” 

WHO WAS MARIA MONTESSORI?

ontessori schools have been around since the early 1900s but today they are becoming more popular than ever. Parents are seeing the dramatic difference in the way young children respond to the autonomous learning style and are demanding more and more Montessori schools in their area. But what makes Montessori schools so different? One of the main differences in the Montessori style is that children are not seated in desks for the day. Instead, they are free to roam about the classroom, picking up things to ‘play’ with, which are specifically designed to teach to all different development stages. Each classroom is broken into learning areas: maths, geography, history, science, etc. and there is a range of learning levels within each area. The concept is that children are naturally drawn to their level of learning, moving on when they have mastered it. One could very easily expect a classroom where kids are left to wander and learn at their choosing to be a loud, raucous environment. Instead, the biggest surprise to visitors is how quiet the children are. Riviera Insider met with Gina Wattel, Pedagogy Director of Les Colibris école Montessori Bilingue in Sophia-Antipolis. The school was so quiet it seemed that the students weren’t in school that day but in fact it was filled with over 100 students from the ages of two to 12 years. “It’s because they’re concentrating!” says Gina. She explains that when children are truly interested and focused on what they’re doing, they are very quiet. Another major difference is each class is made up of three age groups: 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12. Because of the wide range of learning levels for JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

each child, the multiple ages work well with each other. Young students see what the older ones can do and strive to advance; the older children help the younger children by teaching them--which in turn improves their own understanding. This also creates a sense of caring amongst students, as opposed to competition. “The best way to learn something is to teach it”, says Gina. Many people who start Montessori schools do so because they feel the need to make a difference. katia Limoge Walicki, founder of My School Montessori in Cagnes-sur-Mer, saw her own children struggle in the rigid French system and vowed that she would one day offer an alternative. She spoke with Riviera Insider about her decision to quit her hectic life in business and open a school that nurtures children’s innate nature. "I have always had the impression of having a mission on earth," she says. She developed an ecological Montessori school, now in its second year, teaching the importance of environmental protection, plastic-free living and getting ‘back in touch with nature.’ “kids are so happy when they are out in the forest,” she says. “It gives them energy, happiness, they feel good and it helps them learn better and easier.” She has also seen nature help children connect with their parents in a deeper way. Getting in the habit of going for walks, or being out in nature together, katia explains, gives kids a chance to better connect with their parents— and parents with their kids. The most incredible change that katia has seen with the Montessori school system is the advanced learning and responsibility young chil-

Dr Maria Montessori was an italian physician and educator who lived from 1870 to1952. Her tireless work in learning about early child development through her own schools, casa dei bamDr Maria Montessori bini, made huge strides in education. By 1909, her methods were employed in schools across italy and Switzerland. Montessori schools then opened in argentina, China, Japan, Korea and the United States. in the Netherlands, her system was immensely popular and by the 1930s there were over 200 Dutch Montessori schools. Her system of education proved immensely successful in italy. in 1924, Mussolini created a government charter for the Montessori Society (of which he was named president). He then developed the Montessori teacher training programme in 1927. But after she gave several speeches on peace and education, Montessori and Mussolini locked heads and she refused to change her programme for his Fascist ideals. in 1932 she was under constant surveillance. She resigned from her own society and left italy. By 1936, Mussolini had erased all signs of Montessori. During her exile, she travelled extensively, bringing her system around the world. Today, Montessori Schools are very popular in northern europe, asia, Latin america and india.

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A HOLISTIC EDUCATION Les Colibris bilingual Montessori school in Sophia-antipolis welcomes children aged 2 to 12 years. Co-founder and Pedagogy Director, Georgina Wattel describes the Montessori principles. what is the peace table? montessori schools are becoming more popular. why do you think that is? Yes, it’s true. Ten years ago, France had about 50 Montessori schools. Now there are 250. I think parents are realising that kids need more from school and some even have negative experiences in the French school system. Montessori fits to every child. It’s becoming obvious that we need a different kind of education and parents are leading that change.

how is montessori different from traditional education? Maria Montessori observed children for a long time and she designed the [class] materials to nurture the child's development at each of the sensitive phases. With these materials, the classroom is a perfect place for a child to develop all their senses. They will develop emotionally, socially, academically...it’s a holistic education. We have seven styles of learning [visual, auditory, verbal, kinaesthetic, logical, social and solitary], the child is free to roam and discover which style suits them and to nurture their type of learning. We don’t make children sit and be quiet. Here they are free to move around to talk and negotiate with others. They engage with the material and feel happy about it. So we develop concentration, responsibility, freedom of choice, autonomy and they learn to love what they do. In their classroom, children do trash sorting, compost, they take care of their plants and they set the table for lunch. We have a big garden in the back with animals and they take care of them– feed and clean them. This is their world. When kids feel they are taking part in their own education, they respond differently.

In each classroom, they have a peace table to sit down and talk about it. We have the ‘baton de parole’ so whoever is holding it gets to speak. There are some rules: I speak in the first person; I speak about my feelings, and I say what I would like. And when they finish talking about it, they both hold the ‘bâton de parole’ and they say: “We declare peace”. All Maria Montessori did was for peace education because after two wars, the world was in terrible shape. Something had to change to avoid those things and this is what she created. We need peacemakers in life every day. 

ÉCOLE MONTESSORI BILINGUE LES COLIBRIS 3735 route des Dolines - 06410 Biot Sophia antipolis Tel. +33 (0)4 93 63 29 96 - www.ecole-montessori-colibris.com

how are children graded? We don’t have grades—we don’t need to mark things in red. The child is the only one grading himself every time and he will know if the material is not done well. Each week, they have one-on-one conferences with their teachers. We ask: Did you do your best work? Is it the way you want it to be? If yes, good for you. If not, why is it not the way you want? How did you spend your time? Children are so fantastic; they want to do well. They will try over and over and over until it’s good. And they don’t need a prize, or a number, because when they get it, their face lights up. This is the prize for them and it’s the best prize.

each classroom has a french teacher and an english teacher. how does that work? At the beginning, we just want them to adapt. It’s an immersion and it needs to start with the language the child is more comfortable with. Then, the other teacher will come and get to know the child. We try to limit one difficulty at a time for new students. Imagine a child that has just moved to the area; they changed countries, they changed language, they changed house--it’s a lot. So we let them adapt for a time and gradually they make the transition to the other language. Soon they learn to read and write and do maths in both languages.

The ideal environnment for children’s development from 0 to 12 years old, at school or bilingual workshops Un environnement idéal pour l’épanouissement des enfants de 0 à 12 ans, à l’école ou en ateliers bilingues

OPEthN DAaY y 11th

March 16 & M 1pm from 9am to

16 MARS ET RTES SAMEDIS PORTES OUVE AI DE 9 H À 13 H 11 M ACCRÉDITATIONS

ECOLE MONTESSORI LES COLIBRIS An education for life

3735 Route des Dolines - Biot Sophia Antipolis

+33 (0)4 93 63 29 96

www.ecole-montessori-colibris.com

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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EIB BILINGUAL SCHOOLS than 900 students of different nationalities and offer a fully bilingual learning environment for all, in which 50% of the courses are taught in French and the remaining 50% in English. This international ethic is reflected in the teaching staff, who also represent the global community and enable children to develop a global awareness of different cultures and languages at an early age. From the age of two, students receive bilingual instruction that uses both elements of the French national curriculum and English. Its comprehensive and multidisciplinary curriculum is complemented by a strong and diversified program of activities outside the classroom. After-school sports clubs include swimming (the Pégomas complex is located in a domain with access to a private swim-

Four schools serving the Riviera

es Ecoles Internationales Bilingues (EIB) is a network of four schools located on the French Riviera: Le Pain d'Epice in Nice for preschool and primary school children; Collège-Lycée Lafayette in Nice for children up to 18 years old; Le Pain de Sucre in Cagnes-sur-Mer for children in nursery and primary school; and Le Pain de Sucre 3 in Pégomas also for nursery and primary school. Together, the schools accommodate more

ming pool that can be used every day during the summer season), Judo, Zumba and dance. Artistic activities include choral singing in Italian, violin and piano instruction for children over 4 years of age and percussion. Language skills are also encouraged beyond English and French, and students can also study Chinese, and Italian in various schools. "Our students have a high level of education," says Mrs. Rosfelder, Founding Director of the ISB, "but it is also important to discover music, sports and cultural activities. Each year, a new project energizes all students to participate. The projects are very varied: theatrical, artistic, cultural... This year, the themes will be global citizens and ancient civilizations.” What unites the four institutions is their shared philosophy to create a balanced and caring environment in which children of all abilities can thrive. "Our goal is to teach our students empathy, respect and awareness so that they become tolerant, independent and open-minded," says Rosfelder. Responsibility, cooperation, curiosity and enthusiasm are other key qualities: essential concepts for building healthy minds. The mission of the International Bilingual Schools is to enable each child to develop academically and socially while preparing for an international future. Schools are open every day from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and visits to the school can be arranged by appointment. 

Give your kids an int ernat ional future!

Ecole Internationale Bilingue

“The school of success”

50 % french / 50% english Early learning Nursery Primary

Sport facilities Music Bilingual teaching : 50% french/50% English

EIB Nice - www.eibnice.fr

LE PAIN D’EPICE - 04 93 44 75 44

EIB Cagnes - www.eibcagnes.fr LE PAIN DE SUCRE - 04 93 73 70 41

International Secondary School

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

Lafayette - Nice

Open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm Get in touch to organize a visit Enrollment and visit by appointment

EIB Pégomas - www.eibpegomas.fr LE PAIN DE SUCRE 3 - 04 93 09 65 56

- www.c olle ge lyc e e la fay e tte .c om - 04 9 3 62 00 29

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LIVING A LANGUAGE Learn French naturally, quickly and eﬃciently: The "Univers des langues" in Cannes teaches with a pragmatic alternative method imported from business schools in england. Hubert Fort, who founded the language school over 20 years ago, explains how it works.

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In a relaxed atmosphere, we give students the realistic time they need to express themselves in the context that is relevant to them, and we are happy that they can react spontaneously in the new language after a short time. They are repeatedly stimulated to actively use the appropriate expressions in the appropriate context, also using different materials. As with learning a mother tongue, the student remains in contact with the language at home: he or she receives recordings of conversations from class, which include new expressions and priority structures. In this way the student experiences a real immersion in the language.

“OUR MOTIVATION COMES FROM THE ENTHUSIASM OF OUR STUDENTS, WHO REALISE THEY'RE MAkING PROGRESS.” -MARIE-PAULE CROSBIE, TEACHER OF FRENCH, GERMAN AND ENGLISH AT THE UNIVERS DES LANGUES

what are your plans for 2019?

Marie-Paule Crosbie (L) has been teaching at the language school for 16 years and Hubert Fort (R) founded "Univers des Langues" more than 20 years ago.

mr fort, what languages do you teach at your school? Apart from French for foreigners and the classic English, German, Italian and Spanish languages, we also teach Russian, Chinese and Arabic.

who are your students? We have a broad audience: our open, language-oriented approach motivates not only young people, but also older students up to the age of 90! -to learn to speak a language faster. Thanks to our certification as a training company, many of our students are entitled to state support - such as job seekers or employees in the context of further training. If needed, we can take care of the administrative side and work together with the employment office. We also prepare for the internationally recognised TOEIC test (Test Of English for

International Communication) which is very much in demand for companies. We offer companies both individual and small group courses on-site. Some of our clients include the Renault Retail Group in Grasse, Balitrand in Cannes, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the Institut Méditerranéen du Risque de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable (IMREDD) of the University of NiceSophia-Antipolis. Independent professionals such as doctors, accountants or people from the tourism industry often prefer one-to-one lessons, where we can focus more on their needs.

Companies have been booking us more and more recently. Of course, we also offer individual students a free assessment of their level, with a brief introduction to an optimising attitude for rapid language learning. All those interested receive a free trial lesson in which they can get an idea of our dynamic approach, which can only improve their learning method. With a limited number of lessons, even less experienced students can immerse themselves amazingly quickly in a new language! 

BOOK A FREE TRIAL LESSON! L’Univers des Langues 42 Boulevard Carnot - 06400 Cannes Tel. +33 (0)4 93 39 91 00 www.univers-langues.com

what are the unique features of your language school? Using natural, precise and simple techniques, we teach our students how to improve their receptiveness to foreign languages by paying more attention to them. JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

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KIDOOLAND A fun place to learn English

idooland Petite école Anglaise is a unique after-school English centre, teaching English to children of all ages. Founder Antonia Beauvoisin-Brown strongly believes in teaching to each child’s needs. She created kidooland as a safe learning environment where children’s creativity is nurtured. “Learning another language isn’t easy and it’s so important for kids to feel safe to practice,” she says. With a copy of Sir ken Robinson’s “You, your child and school” on her desk, she explained that she and her team are always studying new ways of teaching to inspire kids to love learning. “Every child is so unique; we’re constantly tweaking and working towards the best ways to engage our students. Our goal is to teach them without them feeling like they are studying or working.” An example of this type of education is learning subconsciously through doing. The curriculum alsoincludesobjectives such as democracy and good citizenship. These are reached through working in teams to build something, taking votes on what activity they would like to do for the lesson, and so on. So while they don’t sit down and read a book on civic responsibility, they work together, clean up after themselves and help each other—all in English. This creates an immersive environment, teaching the language and instilling the curriculum values. The other important factor in Antonia’s project was supporting parents. She knows first-hand the difficulties of being a busy parent. kidooland offers courses for all ages, with playgroups, early learning sessions and arts & crafts for the wee ‘kidoos’ and more advanced classes for adolescents, or ‘ados.’ They have even started group fitness classes like pilates

CREALANGUES French courses for adults

magine learning French in a 19th century monastery, tucked into the hills of Provence. Surrounded by hallowed stone walls and beautiful Provençal countryside, Crea-Langues is a unique French language school for adults that makes a full immersion language programme that feels like a getaway. Located near the beautiful village of Moustiers-SteMarie, between the Verdun Canyon and Lake Ste-Croix, it is surely an educational Provençal holiday. There are no drab classrooms in this school! The monastery features a cloister, courtyard, gardens, swimming pool, fitness area with sauna and a yoga deck. They created a unique immersion programme of living the language, where everyday activities are done in French, including reading the morning paper, eating meals and going into town—thus providing students with the most useful daily vocabulary. Courses can be done in one or two week sessions and include structured lessons, group outings, and linguistic workshops like ‘French cuisine’ and ‘French and yoga.’ Guest speakers are brought in from the community, offering the chance to learn and exchange with locals. This offers students opportunities to ‘take the plunge’ and gain confidence in speaking French. All levels are welcome, from complete beginner to advanced French. Each course has a maximum of 25 students, with a max of three to six students per group. Individual lessons are also available. Students enjoy their time so much that 25% return again. JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

and yoga in English for adults. So parents can bring their kids for English workshops or playtime and go get other things done—or stay to take an adult fitness class while the kids are busy. kidooland’s most popular programmes are the Wednesday, Saturday and holiday courses, designed to offer support for both kids and parents on days they aren’t in school. They offer full-day activities that teach and entertain in English. Early foundation classes prep young children for entering school, while Adoland, the camp for older kids gives interesting classes on a wide range of topics and life skills from maths and budgeting to writing styles and cooking. Career workshops teach students interviewing skills and how to write a CV. 

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SCHOOL, FUN AND BEACH Learn French at Campus International in Cannes By IRA SöHNGE

tudying vocabulary in the sun, eating a Pan Bagnat at the beach, learning French with nice people - a language trip should combine the pleasant with the useful. This is what the International Campus in Cannes (CiC) offers. The private institute was founded in 1931 by the poet Paul Valéry and has the reputation of being one of the most important language schools in France. People from all over the world come here, including of course Englishspeaking guests. The language school is located in the direction of Cannes-La Bocca, only the railway tracks separate it from the sandy beach. "Our location is simply fantastic, the city centre is just 15 minutes' walk away, and the sea is right on our doorstep," enthuses school principal Serge Bottin, who has been running the school for almost a year. Bottin has started to modernize the institute. He will certainly succeed in giving the school new impetus. When he talks about the school, he is full of enthusiasm and nothing escapes his watchful eyes. It is noticeable that he has many years of experience in hotel management. Service and cleanliness are fundamental for him. For Bottin, the school is not only a place of learning, but also a place to live. Students and teachers alike will find a friendly place to work. The classes and rooms are aesthetically pleasing and often have a fantastic

sea view. There is no rubbish lying around in the corridors or schoolyard. During the tour through the school, the director picks up paper tissues lying around and throws them away. He quickly empties an overcrowded trash can. "With the 'Campus 2030' project, I want to break new ground. It is important to me not only to impart the French language, but also the culture," he explains. The director wants to combine a well-founded language course with practical experience. "It is important to prepare the students for the job market or to offer interesting continuing education opportunities to working people. The opportunities in Cannes are fantastic." Whether with fashion, cinema and above all the hotel business and gastronomy, he still has many partnerships in mind. The school has developed a new concept for the growing demand for courses in "French for work." "In the morning there are three hours of lessons and then various options follow," says Muriel Farin, the pedagogical director. Students have free time or continue learning. Through direct contact with companies, a tailor-made course can be offered, such as the "language of fashion". In addition, there are various modules ranging from classic language instruc-

SCHOOL SPECIAL

tion to specific certificate preparation. A placement test determines the student’s language level. "In this way, we ensure that our students take a course that is tailored to their needs and that takes them further," explains Muriel. The group courses are small, with a maximum of 14 participants. Active speaking is very important in the classroom—and always in French. Muriel laughs heartily: "We are all native speakers and each of my colleagues can draw or pantomime every word!" In this way, students usually dare to speak freely. "The students should have fun and not be afraid of grammar. We do not torture them with tables of irregular verbs." Teaching does a lot, but encouragement does everything, wrote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The school is open all year round. There is also a school for journalists and a cartoon studio on campus. The CiC is the only institution of this kind in France, established on a campus where classrooms, accommodation, restaurants and leisure facilities are available on an area of 11,000 square metres. A team of more than 50 permanent employees takes care of the well-being of the students. There are over 20 fully equipped classrooms and a lounge. There is also a large dining room, a bistro with bar, a theatre and a beautiful old chapel. This chapel as well as the large shady terrace with sea view recalls the past of the facility. It was founded for sick children who wanted to relax in the good climate of the Riviera. 

CAMPUS INTERNATIONAL DE CANNES Campus international de Cannes 1 avenue du Docteur alexandre Pascal 06400 Cannes Tel. +33 (0)4 93 47 39 29 info@french-in-cannes.fr

Detailed information on the training program with all contents, dates and fees can be found on their website: www.french-in-cannes.com

Andreas Schweitzer (Head of Marketing), Philippe Masquelez, Muriel Farin (Pedagogical Director) and Director Serge Bottin (from left)

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

ADVERT

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MONACO 30 years of business excellence

he International University of Monaco (IUM) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2016. It is one of the only business school on the Riviera to offer all courses in English. The IUM shares the same values as the Principality, such as the quest for excellence and harmony, as well as a spirit of openness to the world. The University offers Bachelor, Master and MBA degree courses. The IUM has created over the past three decades, a strong international identity. Courses are taught by professors of different nationalities and the IUM campus welcomes students from all over the world, 20% of whom are French or Monegasque and the remaining 80% representing students coming from more than 60 countries. The University offers excellence-focused courses concentrating upon the sectors that are dominant in Monaco. After their Bachelor, students can choose between five Mas-

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

ter degrees in Luxury Management, Finance, Marketing of Luxury Goods & Services, Sport Business Management and International Management. At the same time, the MBA also relates to the Principality’s main activities including courses in Luxury, Finance, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Another aspect that places the University in harmony with Monaco’s particularities is the fact that the Business School is humansized and therefore, people-friendly – the Principality itself almost acts as a campus for the IUM. The 650 students benefit from personalized and high-quality guidance, with the university now acting at the heart of their networks, with strong links to the international business community, which is extremely prosperous, thanks to its smallsize and concentration of skill-sets. Indeed, as the course subjects are directly linked to the economic activities of the Principality, strong relationships are formed with

many different Monaco-based businesses. Professionals from the thousands of businesses in the Principality take part in the teaching programs at the IUM and students also do work placements and internships there. Always aiming to meet the needs of Monaco’s business, the IUM has recently developed 2 new specializations: one in Yachting in partnership with the Monaco Yacht Club and a sandwich program entitled “Monaco Banking & Financial Services” designed in conjunction with the Monaco Employment Service and different financial institutions of the Principality. Contributing to the spread the Monaco’s excellence image across the world whilst always being on a quest for excellence is the mission of the International University of Monaco, which is now well on its way to gaining the AACSB accreditation that distinguishes the most prestigious business schools worldwide. 

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

A GLOBAL DEGREE PROGRAMME SKEMA Business School oﬀers double degrees

world leader in the international Bachelor of Business Administration, SkEMA Business school’s BBA programme is 100% English taught and offers numerous specialisations, including their most popular: International Business and Luxury Brand Management. Their Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility specialisation was voted number one by Eduniversal ranking agency in 2017. One of the most unique programmes SkEMA offers is a double degree programme with an international institution. This is completed by spending the first two years at the SophiaAntipolis campus, then the third and fourth years are spent abroad at one of the 12 participating universities in the US, Canada, Uk or Australia. A few of these campuses include Hawaii Pacific University, California State University Fullerton, University of

Queensland Brisbane and more. At the end of the programme, the student will receive a degree from SkEMA and a degree from the international university. SkEMA postgraduate programmes include Masters of Science in Finance, Marketing, Business & Strategy, Executive MBA and several doctorate programmes. Tech and business are competitive fields that are always moving forward by leaps and bounds. Each year, SkEMA reviews their programmes to ensure they are teaching the most current information. This had led to respected reputation among top companies. SkEMA boasts an 87% employment rate for their graduates within only two months of graduation. After six months, the rate reaches 100%. They feel their fully bilingual graduates have that extra skill set that is in demand from international companies. Their career centre organises career days where representatives from major companies meet with students. These often bring opportunities for internships and recruitment. Prospective students can visit SkEMA’s Open Day on Saturday, 2nd February. 

SIX INTERNATIONAL CAMPUSES FOR A GLOBAL ECONOMY: -Sophia antipolis (France), the tech centre of europe -Suzhou (China), international business hub -raleigh, North Carolina (USa), tech research centre -Belo Horizonte (Brazil), commercial centre of Latin america

Januar / feBruar 2019

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

UCA CANNES CREATIVITY HUB New Cannes campus for ﬁlm and creative arts

he city of Cannes is making progress with their impressive new project, the Cannes Creativity Hub, bringing classes and degree programmes for university students from around the world. Associated with the Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), the new Creativity Hub is just that: a hub of creativity. In a unique cooperation with multiple universities, students will come from around the world to study film, pre and post production, dance, animation, game production, journalism and much more. Programmes are already in place with local universities: UCA, Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, SkEMA business School, EDHEC Business School, Conservatoire de Nice and many others. There are also programmes established with the University of California Los Angeles Theater Television and Film School in creative storytelling (in English); a Franco-German Master with the Berlin Film School in writing and scriptwriting for series; a Master’s programme with Technische Universität Berlin in Game Studies and a diploma in Sound Design and Composition Scriptwriting from the Côte d'Azur University. Other programmes include: University Diploma in Storytelling for TV Shows and Digital Series, in association with Vivendi/Canal+; Master's de-

DRIVEKIDZ New app to simplify school commutes

um, we're gonna be late for my football practice!” Between school, sports, playdates, and the endless other activities that kids go to, it can feel like you need a military organisation of your schedule. It would be so much easier if you could find someone to carpool with on some days, right? Marine Verdier, a mum in Grasse, has created a free app to just for this. DrivekidZ.com is a collaborative and secure platform for connecting parents in order to optimize regular or occasional transport for children and offer a solution to busy families. After its first year of testing, she has gotten the backing of the Grasse municipality and is creating a real buzz! Signing up on the website is simple—you can register in a few clicks. Indicate the routes you are looking for or those you are proposing, you find other parents with whom you get in touch with to get to know each other (the app emphasises safety and knowing the driver). Then you can enjoy the ease of shared journeys in complete serenity. And as a plus, carpooling is good for the environment. Save time, save money and help the planet!  www.drivekidz.com JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

gree in Journalism, International Journalism and Information Design; MAJIC course on Video Game Image and Creativity; Body in Motion and Communication with Rosella Hightower Dance School; PhD in Narrative and Creative Writing, as part of the EUR CRREATTES and the Institute for Artistic Research and Creativity. The new highly modern and green building is currently under construction and will offer large lecture theatres, classrooms, filming stages, audio and video editing rooms, a radio studio, recording studios, and a multi-channel mixing room. There will also be administrative premises, teachers' and researchers' offices, a student cafeteria, and student housing. The Cannes Creativity Hub will be open for the 2019 academic year. 

The ideal soluTion for shorT and long sTays!

located on 2400 hectares of reserved land between the sea and the mountains in the heart of sophia-antipolis, europe’s #1 technology park

Within walking distance or a short bus ride from the following campuses: POLYTECH - CIV - ATMAN - IDRAC SKEMA - EURECOM - IUT - MOURATOGLOU TENNIS ACADEMY. 30 mn to the beaches of antibes and Cannes, 20 km from nice international airport, 15 mn from Marineland

Furnished studios accommodate students, company interns, business and leisure clients

carrefour georges pompidou quartier garbejaire 06560 valbonne téléphone : 04 92 96 00 04

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SCHOOL SPECIAL

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES

Aix-en-Provence École Privée Val Saint André 19 Avenue Henri Malacrida 13100 Aix en Provence +33 (0)4 42 27 14 47 Écolevsa@hotmail.fr www.ecole-val-saint-andre.fr International Bilingual School of Provence 500 Petite Route de Bouc-Bel-Air 13080 Luynes/Aix +33 (0)4 42 24 03 40 www.ibsofprovence.com Antibes École Montessori d’Antibes: Terre Enfantine 732 Chemin des Eucalyptus 06160 Antibes Juan-les-Pins +33 (0)6 49 28 32 52 info@terre-enfantine.com www.terre-enfantine.com Little Philo School 55 Avenue de Cannes 06160 Antibes Juan-les-Pins +33 (0)7 81 94 52 99 contact@little-philo-school.com www.little-philo-school.com Beausoleil waldorf Kindergarten (École Maternelle Privée Internationale) 403 Avenue Prince Rainier III 06240 Beausoleil +33 (0)4 92 10 89 48 waldorfkindergarten@orange.fr www.steiner-lebeausoleil.org Biot Collège de l’Eganaude 3140 Route des Dolines 06410 Biot +33 (0)4 97 23 42 20 www.ac-nice.fr Cagnes-sur-Mer EIB International Bilingual School: Le Pain de Sucre 43 Chemin du Pain de Sucre 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer +33 (0)4 93 73 70 41 www.eibcagnes.fr

Manosque École Internationale 159 Avenue du D. Bernard Foussier 04100 Manosque +33 (0)4 92 74 23 11 www.ecole-internationale.ac-aixmarseille.fr

Pégomas EIB International Bilingual School: Le Pain de Sucre 3 1257 Route de Grasse 06580 Pégomas +33 (0)4 93 09 65 56 www.eibpegomas.fr

Monaco International School of Monaco 10-12 Quai Antoine Premier 98000 Monaco +377 93 25 68 20 www.ismonaco.org

Sophia-Antipolis Centre International de Valbonne 190 Rue Frédéric Mistral 06560 Sophia-Antipolis +33 (0)4 92 96 52 06 www.civfrance.com

Mougins École Saint Martin 841 Chemin de la Plaine 06250 Mougins +33 (0)4 93 75 51 31 www.ac-nice.fr Mougins School 615 Avenue Docteur Maurice 06251 Mougins +33 (0)4 93 90 15 47 information@mougins-school.com www.mougins-school.com Nice ABC School (nursery & primary) 72 Boulevard Carnot 06300 Nice ABC School (secondary) 12 Rue Gioffredo 06000 Nice +33 (0)4 92 00 01 23 contact@abcschool.fr www.abc-school-international.com EIB Collège-Lycée International La Fayette 10 Avenue Clémenceau 06000 Nice +33 (0)4 93 62 00 29 www.ecolesbilingues.com EIB International Bilingual School: Le Pain d’Epice 23 Boulevard Gambetta 06000 Nice +33 (0)4 93 44 75 44 www.eibnice.fr EVO’s School 11, rue Alphonse 1er 06200 Nice +33 06 64 31 26 20 www.evoschool.fr

My School Montessori 9 Chemin des Travails 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer +33 (0)6 13 05 34 95 www.myschoolmontessori.com

International School of Nice 15 Avenue Claude Debussy 06200 Nice +33 (0)4 93 21 04 00 www.isn-nice.com

Grasse Institut Fénelon 7 Avenue Yves Emmanuel Baudoin 06130 Grasse +33 (0)4 93 40 60 59 www.institut-fenelon.org

Montessori School Nice 312 Avenue de Fabron 06200 Nice +33 (0)6 14 74 53 05 contact@montessori-nice.fr www.montessori-nice.fr

École Bilingue Internationale Côte d’Azur (EBICA) 245 Route des Lucioles 06560 Sophia-Antipolis +33 (0)4 93 64 32 84 www.ebicaschool.com École Bilingue Montessori: Les Colibris 3735 Route des Dolines 06410 Biot/Sophia-Antipolis +33(0)4 93 63 29 96 info@colibrischool.fr www.colibrischool.fr École Elémentaire Sartoux 160 Promenade de la Bouillide 06560 Valbonne +33 (0)4 93 12 34 95 www.ac-nice.fr

Universities Marseille & Aix-en-Provence Université de la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille 58 Boulevard Charles Livon 13284 Marseille +33 (0)4 91 39 65 00 www.univ-amu.fr Monaco International University of Monaco 2 Avenue Albert II 98000 Monaco +377 97 98 69 86 www.monaco.edu

IAE Nice Graduate School of Management 24 Avenue des Diables Bleus 06300 Nice +33 (0)4 89 15 21 00 www.iae-france.fr IPAG Business School 4 Boulevard Carabacel 06000 Nice +33 (0)4 93 13 39 00 www.ipag.fr Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis 28 Avenue Valrose 06100 Nice +33 (0)4 92 07 60 60 www.unice.fr Sophia Antipolis IDRAC École Supérieure de Commerce 1200 Avenue Maurice Donat 06250 Mougins +33 (0)4 93 84 83 58 www.ecoles-idrac.com SKEMA Business School 60 Rue Dostoïevski 06902 Sophia Antipolis +33 (0)3 93 95 44 44 www.skema.edu EURECOM 2229 Route des Crêtes 06560 Sophia Antipolis +33 (0)4 93 00 81 00 www.eurecom.fr

Language Beaulieu-sur-Mer CeFoLiAc 5 Rue Gustave Eiffel 06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer +33 (0)4 93 54 32 25 www.cefoliac.com Cannes Univers de Langues 42 Boulevard Carnot 06400 Cannes +33 (0)9 70 35 07 66 www.univers-langues-cannes.com

Nice Centre International de Formation Européenne 10 Avenue des Fleurs 06000 Nice +33 (0)4 93 97 93 97 cife@cife.eu www.cife.eu

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie CREA-Langues Le Monastère de Ségriès Route de Riez 04360 Moustiers-Ste-Marie +33 (0)4 92 77 74 58 www.crealangues.com

EDHEC Business School 79 Boulevard René Cassin 06200 Nice +33 (0)4 93 18 99 66 www.edhec.edu

Vallauris Kidooland 1890 Chemin de Saint Bernard 06220 Vallauris +33 04 93 64 53 54 www.kidooland.com

Januar / feBruar 2019

This list is not exhaustive.

From nursery to secondary

riviera

COMMUNITY NEWS

Le plus beau !

Nice along with the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur have invested €15 million to revamp the area. Their goal is to make the station area a welcoming part of the city and improve infrastructure

and transport connections throughout. Mayor Christian Estrosi is pleased with the result, and invites residents to join him in January for the inauguration of the new and improved station.

Nice-Ville voted most beautiful station

competition launched by Gares et Connexions asked the internet to vote on their region’s most beautiful station. The winner from each region goes on to the national title of most beautiful gare in France for 2018. For the PACA region, the users voted Nice-Ville the most beautiful station up against Toulon, Marseille St Charles and the Avingon TGV station. Now Nice-Ville is in the running for the most beautiful in France. By 2020, Nice is expected to get 11 million travellers passing through the station. The City of

New Air France boutique A new ticket oﬃce concept ir France has just opened a brand new ticket office concept boutique in Nice centre. The welcoming space features a virtual reality experience, a new organisation of space and a “boutique” feel. Air France says their new ticket office puts the customer at the heart of an immersive experience with redesigned spaces to promote a ‘caring attitude.’ The office has a thematic organization, with a chic, modular and comfortable alcove for faceto-face meetings with agents; a boutique section, “Design by Air France,” with unique Air France products and accessories such as comfort kits, suitcases, travel bags, passport holders and baggage tags; the immersive area, “Travel by Air France,” is where the company's digital travel guide is projected, giving customers a view of their future destination. Air France’s goal with the office is to strike a balance between digital services and human presence. They blend the two by using a dedicated app to schedule appointments with an expert

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

travel advisor; self-service desks with digital tablets allow customers to book on their own with help if needed and the virtual reality experience lets customers discover new travel cabins and

destinations. Setting up an online profile enables staff to provide personalised tips for customers. The new office is located at 10, Avenue de Verdun in Nice. 

riviera

COMMUNITY NEWS

A night of firsts US Mid-term elections make history but give local expats mixed feelings History-making elections in the US have filled Congress with some overdue diversity, but local expats were left feeling a little flat. riviera insider’s Nicole ruskell attended the post-election gathering of the Nice chapter of US Democrats abroad. he US midterm elections on 7th November decided the seats for hundreds of congressmen, senators, state governors and judges. Many on the left were hoping for sweeping change after two years of the Trump administration. Results were still coming in at 7 pm as members and interested guests gathered at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church community centre in Nice. A surprisingly international crowd was present to learn the election results and discuss the outcome. Early results weren’t showing any signs of the highly anticipated ‘blue wave’. The Republicans had actually picked up a few more Senate seats, ensuring the GOP’s majority in the Senate. Several contested Senate seats and gubernatorial races were too close to call and likely headed for a recount. There was a tense feeling in the room as if many were still holding their breath. One of the biggest disappointments of the evening was the senate race in Texas, where the progressive candidate Beto O’Rourke showed incredible momentum against the ultra-conservative in-

cumbent, Ted Cruz, but ultimately lost. This was an important race for Democrats because one of Cruz’s main goals is to repeal Medicare, the only affordable healthcare the US provides for retired and disabled citizens. Joseph Voelker, the current president of the club, welcomed guests with a toast, and put words to the overlying feeling in the room: “It’s not as much as I had hoped for, but not as bad as I had feared,” he said. With that, the room raised their glasses to toast the successes. After the first glass of wine, tensions eased and smiles returned to people’s faces. “Scott Walker’s gone!” someone shouted as news alerts could be heard pinging around the room. The volume of excited chatter rose with the defeat of the ultra-conservative governor of Wisconsin. The club’s communications officer, Doc Curlin mirrored the president’s sentiment, admitting that he and his wife had “mixed feelings about the results.” Despite the disappointment felt for the loss of key elections, there was a buzz in the room about some of the incredible history-making elections (many of which would be decided days later). a night of firsts In some of the longest-held Republican seats, women democrats were winning. The first Native American women ever elected to Congress: Debra Haaland in New Mexico and Sharice Davids, the first Native American and openly gay woman in kansas; New York elected Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the country’s youngest congresswoman at 29 years old. Massachusets and Connecticut elected their first African American woman to Congress: Ayanna Pressley and Jahana Hayes, respectively. Texas elected their first Latina women to Congress: Veronica Escobar of El Paso and Sylvia

Garcia of Houston. The first two Muslim Congresswomen were elected in the Midwest: Ilhan Omar in Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib in Michigan. For the first time in history, the US Congress will have at least 100 women (out of 435). The elections were also a great boon for the LGBT community, some calling it a ‘rainbow wave’. In addition to the aforementioned, Colorado elected Jared Polis, the first openly gay man as governor in any state; Pennsylvania elected the very first African American LGBT state legislator, Malcolm kenyatta. kyrsten Sinema became the first female Senator of Arizona and the first openly bi-sexual senator in the US. Other firsts include women elected governor for the first time: Janet Mills in Maine and Republican kristi Noem in South Dakota. Another Republican woman, Marsha Blackburn, became Tennessee's first female Senator. All in all, Republicans gained two Senate seats, furthering their narrow majority (53 to 47), but they lost 39 seats in Congress, giving Democrats the majority rule. No matter the political side of the coin, it was a history-making election. 

Democrat’s Abroad communications officer, Doc Curlin and his wife

JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

COMMUNITY

riviera

Club Vivanova iT is more Than JusT a cluB, iT is a communiTY cluB vivanova’s upcoming evenTs: Thursday, 24th January

Thursday, 31st January

Held at the private bar of the exclusive club Thirty-Nine Monte Carlo, the evening will showcase a variety of speciality aperitif cocktails from the Scarpa Winery in Piemonte with selected amuse bouche and an open bar of premium aperitifs.

Horizon Deck, Fairmont Monte Carlo Club Vivanova’s Platinum Partner, Metabolic Balance is hosting an exclusive evening to meet the owner Rainer H. Keller and Managing Director Silvia Mischler and learn how they create individual nutrition plans. Followed by an organic wine tasting.

scarpa wine vermouth and sparkling Brut Terrace party

exclusive club member event

Recently nominated for the Riviera Business Club’s Business Person of the Year Award, Club Vivanova’s founder Bradley Mitton believes that working together makes you stronger. Their tagline: "For the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack," explains the motivation behind the club. The club specialises in building partnerships with leading international vendors to help build networking opportunities between business leaders in the region, including partners from the yachting, luxury car, interior design, health and vitality and international gastronomy industries. The club has also had a long-time press partnership with Riviera Insider. www.clubvivanova.com

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Bank transfer & direct debit information: Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur IBAN: FR76 1831 5100 0008 0067 1222 415 SWIFT/BIC: CEPAFRPP831

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COMMUNITY

expaT focus: antonia Beauvoisin-Brown

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Founder PETRA HALL p.hall@riviera-press.fr Publishing Director SEBASTIEN FRAISSE s.fraisse@riviera-press.fr

already spoke French and at the time it was very popular to move to the south of France, so I discussed it with my husband. I just thought: do you want to live in the same little box for the rest of our lives? We started with a holiday flat in Nice and then we moved here in 2005.

ntonia Beauvoisin-Brown and her husband Mark left English seaside city of Brighton nearly 15 years ago and they have never looked back. Swapping cold drizzling days stuck indoors for sun-drenched trips to the beach, rivers, waterfalls or just the average mid-winter workday, Antonia feels incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful area as the Riviera. But raising their kids to be bilingual in French schools proved more of a challenge than she expected. Antonia created a unique English-language school that teaches through fun activities, creative workshops and fullimmersion summer camps. kidooland has become so successful she was honoured with the Business Person of the Year award by the Riviera Business Club in 2017. She is the creator of the Cote d’Azur Living Facebook page, the go-to resource for Englishspeaking expats in the region and the Riviera Firefly podcast that features local business owners and all-around interesting people. Riviera Insider catches up with Antonia, fresh from a conference in Los Angeles for women entrepreneurs.

what brought you to the south of france? I’m a bit bohemian--I believe that life is too short and we should do what we love. My mum was an au pair in Nice in the 1960s, so I grew up with the most amazing stories of Nice with its discotheques and the Promenade des Anglais. I JanuarY / feBruarY 2019

what is your favourite thing about living here? The weather! It allows you to do so much. We’ve rented catamarans in the Med and done boat trips up the Gorges du Verdon. Things that are usually out of the budget in Britain are readily available here. And it’s the simple, day-to-day pleasures as well. My morning drive to work is so beautiful. To be able to be in the sunshine, with snow-covered mountains in the distance is amazing. I feel so lucky to be able to see such beauty every day. And I have fruit trees! We’ve got a sofa on the terrace and I sit there every Sunday morning, drinking my coffee and reading. It’s my special spot. I also love the fact that Italy is only a few hours’ drive. I can just pop to Italy at the weekend. You feel like you’re permanently on holiday. what is your favourite place in the region? Each place is so different. Cagnessur-Mer is completely different from Biot, which is completely different from Nice; it’s almost like being in different countries. Each town has its own characteristics and I love them all. But if I were to pick one place, it would be Valbonne, I just love Valbonne. how did you get the idea for Kidooland? In the Uk, there is something for kids on every corner. Here, in 2005, there wasn’t anything for kids or for meeting other mums. I saw a need. I didn’t see my daughter’s nursery school inspiring her and I had heard so many stories of kids being yelled at by teachers or mocked for their accents. I wanted to create a safe place where kids can enjoy learning and be creative. I looked into new ways of learning and teaching and

started classes and activities like mummy & me or kid’s yoga all in English. At the time we were trailblazing and some people thought it was weird, but now it’s so popular--the classes are the fullest ever. The idea is to create fun activities or workshops in English that are interactive and enjoyable for kids, instead of making them sit and study from a book. So they wind up learning without even realising it.

what prompted you to start the riviera firefly podcast? Well, it was really a response to the terror attack in Nice. Tourism just dropped and Americans especially were not coming to the south of France. I was spurred by the comments and complaints from business owners on the Côte d’Azur Living Facebook page and I thought a podcast would be a good way to get them known, share their stories and tell people what it’s really like here. And I’m surprised it has gone so well. We’ve had tens of thousands of downloads already, even though I’ve been too busy to keep a steady posting. But I’m just about to get season three interviews up, so there will be new content soon. You started the côte d’azur living facebook page, an indispensable group for englishspeaking expats. are you surprised at how popular it has become? I set it up in October 2010. It started off with a few of my friends and family members and in order to make the group useful I had to be in there creating discussions, sharing useful information and asking the members to invite their friends. It was very lonely for a while! Over time we celebrated little milestones like 100 members then 500 and then in 2015 when we hit the magic 1000 members which was when things started to snowball. Now it’s a go-to resource and we have over 9,000 members and get hundreds of new requests each week. 

Managing Director BICH LECOURT b.lecourt@riviera-press.fr Editor-in-Chief NICOLE RUSkELL n.ruskell@riviera-press.fr Contributors Elsa Carpenter, Sarah Hyde, Catharina Jäckel, Claire Lathbury, Lewis Longman, Julien Nundy & Aila Stöckmann Creative Director VINCENT ARTUS vincent.artus@wanadoo.fr Advertising & PR FRANCOISE MULLER Tel: +33 (0)4 97 00 11 29 f.muller@riviera-press.fr PATRICE SAINT-LEGER Tel: +33 (0)4 93 27 60 00 p.saintleger@riviera-press.fr DANIEL NARO Tel: +33 (0)4 93 27 60 00 d.naro@riviera-press.fr Distribution DOMINIQUE FREULON Tel: +33 (0)4 97 00 11 22 d.freulon@riviera-press.fr Secretary CAROLE HEBERT contact@riviera-press.fr Manuscripts and photos will not be returned unless previously agreed. Articles do not represent the opinion of the Editor. The publishing house is not responsible for the correct contents of ads. © 2015-2019 by Riviera Press s.a.r.l.

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