Riviera Insider - July/August 2017 by Riviera Press

Monaco Enter the Forbidden City

cuisine du soLeiL Sunshine dining on the Côte d’Azur

scuLpture Venet Foundation in Le Muy

LifestyLe The finest swimming pools of the region

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# 173 JulY / augusT 2017 4,90 € The

english-language

magazine

for

The

french

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monaco

since

2002

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EDITORIAL By petra HaLL

“you don’t look like a terrorist…” The security man at a big supermarket doesn’t even glance at my bag, which I have opened willingly. “Nice,” I think, but then suddenly worry. “And what if, one day, his knowledge of human nature doesn’t work?” I have a feeling that the security checks in Nice depend on current events. Right after a horrifying attack in Paris, London or Munich, they increase for some days. But, in spite of the present state of emergency in France, the attention ebbs away quickly. Human? yes, but it’s also perilous. One year ago, on July 14th, the Promenade des Anglais was the theatre of an unforgettable bloodcurdling tragedy, where 86 innocent victims from all over the world lost their lives. Since then, Nice has focused its efforts on making the beachfront and the greater city safer. Read more on page 18.

In this issue, we also want to show you how courageous Nice is and how much people do believe in its lifestyle and culture. The cloud of Bastille Day last year remains but: “We are standing proud and alive,” say its citizens. Nice is abuzz and thriving, and you can discover just a few of its summer events on pages 32 and 35 – exhibitions at the MAMAC and Musée Chagall – as well as the Nice Jazz Festival and new business opportunities on page 42. We wish you a safe and laid-back summer. Enjoy! The Riviera Insider team &

tHe teaM

ELSA CARPENTER

JAMES ROLLAND

CAROLE HéBERT

DOMINIQUE FREULON

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AILA STöCKMANN

VINCENT ARTUS

KARINE BALAGNy

MICHEL GOMIZ

25 years ago, petra Hall (Riviera Insider’s editor-inchief) founded the newspaper Riviera Côte d’Azur Zeitung in German, which was followed by The Riviera Times in 2003. These titles have now blossomed under the names Riviera Insider and RivieraZeit into attractive, contemporary magazines. The goal from the beginning was to provide readers with exciting, informative and unique insights from the Mediterranean written by professional mother-tongue journalists. Petra Hall has become an institution in the south of France and Monaco's media landscape. elsa carpenter (editor of Riviera Insider) joined the team in spring 2016 with fresh ideas and a modern vision for the magazine. Having worked as a journalist in the south of France for many years - some of you may recognise her name - 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.

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. 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. Karine Balagny (marketing) loves the international flair of the company. After several years of living in the USA, and thanks to her experience in sales and events, the native of Normandy has found her dream position in our multi-cultural publishing house.

aila stöckmann (editor of RivieraZeit) has been divulging her passion for and her knowledge of the Côte d’Azur with our readers for more than ten years. The German born mother-of-two loves the region, the sun, the beautiful landscape and – obviously – the German language magazine RivieraZeit.

dominique freulon (communication & PR), 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.

James rolland (Managing Director) is an experienced entrepreneur with an extensive career background in the US and France. The Parisian is excited to be joining Riviera Press and become acquainted with our unique leadership. James is a passionate musician and amateur chef.

Michel Gomiz (communication & PR) lives for his profession. For 23 years he has been working as a media consultant for fashion, jewellery and other luxury items between the Côte d’Azur and Paris. One of his hidden talents is playing the drums.

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issue #173 SEE MORE, DO MORE, KNOW MORE

conTenTs

The Hotlist Top news & trends

10 Unknown Monaco

Cover photo ELSA: THE ONLy ORGANIC RESTAURANT TO OWN A MICHELIN STAR © DR

Land extension reaches new stage

Antibes An interview with Director of Tourism for Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Philippe Baute

Photo THE SWIMMING POOL OF HOTEL CAP EDEN ROC © DR

50 Lifestyle

Grasse Two dynasties, two legends: La Cité Interdite

Golf de Saint Donat in Grasse

12 Monaco

Golf

The latest news & events from the capital of perfume

La piscine: the finest swimming pools in the region

16 Saint Tropez Nice One year on

Byblos Hotel: a mid-century milestone

24 Forty years of friendship: Georges Braque & Henri Laurens exhibition

25 Culture A priceless collection at the Venet Foundation

Report When and where? The Ligne Nouvelle Provence-Côte d’Azur

62 Events See more, do more, known more this July & August

26 A little Picasso, anyone?

Riviera Press event

We celebrate 25 years of our sister magazine, RivieraZeit at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Sisley, the Impressionist

30 L’école de Nice at the MAMAC

32 Chagall: hewn from stone

34 Cuisine du Soleil Organic Elsa in Monaco

66 Community Mimosa: a community against cancer

76 A race to the finish at the Riviera Water Bike Challenge

Antibes’ Nacional

40 Originality & local inspiration at La Chèvre d’Or

Expat Focus The Riviera Woman: Anna Fill

la Terrasse du Plaza, in the heart of Nice’s carré d’Or quartier, boasts a panoramic view of Old Nice and the Promenade du Paillon from its lounge-bar rooftop terrace. in summer, as in winter, la Terrasse du Plaza’s restaurant offers a true voyage for the senses. enjoy a lunch facing the Mediterranean Sea as chef Olivier boeuf cooks up a gastronomic experience with fresh produce. in the relaxing lounge area, tapas plates as served alongside drinks from the bar. every Tuesday and Thursday from June to September, la Terrasse du Plaza hosts live entertainment soirées with a DJ. la Terrasse du Plaza has entered its summer season and is now open from 10.30am until 12.30am: join us all day long on the rooftop for lunch, dinner

OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND OPeNiNg liVe DJ eVeNiNg: 4th May from 7pm to 12.30am luNch: 12pm to 3pm DiNNeR: 7pm to 10.30pm (April to October) lOuNge bAR: 10.30am to 12.30am

and drinks. With warm days come warm nights and as the weather hots up, la Terrasse du Plaza will be releasing its new lunch and evening menus with seasonal flavours and exceptional fresh produce. in the lounge area, our bartenders will be mixing up a brand-new cocktail list. Where better to taste their newest creations than escaping above the city for the wonderful view? From our chef, Olivier boeuf: Sea bream, John Dory, Sole, Turbot and grouper for fresh fish served whole, oven-roasted or in a salt crust, and prepared directed before our guests. Meat is also honoured by our in-house chef, who provides a delectable range of aged beef - Aubrac, charolais, Simmental, limousin – in cuts such as a prime rib and entrecote.

LA TERRASSE DU PLAZA Panoramic Rooftop

| 1 2 Av e n u e d e Ve rd u n , N i c e | 0 4 9 3 1 6 7 5 9 2 | w w w. l a t e r r a s s e d u p l a z a . f r

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Seborga re-elects its prince RIVIERA INSIDER CHATS WITH FIRST LADY NINA MENEGATTO

Winning the trust of the people for the second time, at the end of April this year, 129 of 325 inhabitants voted for 38-yearold contractor Marcello Menegatto, officially known as Marcello I. 42 votes went to his only opponent, English journalist and radio DJ Mark Dezzani. “Of course we are very happy that the people have re-elected my husband in such numbers,” says Nina Menegatto, who, as a multi-lingual foreign minister, has made a great contribution herself to the prince’s successes and won much support from Seborga’s citizens. “Seven years ago, it was our goal to improve Seborga’s infrastructure,” she explains. “Marcello has opened a restaurant – Marcellino’s – a hairdressing salon and a construction company. His dream, however, was and still is to open a four or five-star hotel. Through international contacts made during our time at boarding school – we attended the same institution – my husband found investors from the Orient who bought the property in question at the end of 2015. Now we are working on the construction side of the project. Unfortunately, we will have to rely of Italian bureaucracy rather than Seborgian...” “We are also actively promoting Seborga abroad and, last year, visited

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India with our ministerial council. In 2015, we opened our representative office in Washington. This year, the Coronation of Marcello will be displayed to the public as well as our new ministers on 20th August,” Nina adds, extending a welcome to all Riviera Insider readers to join them for the National Holiday. “We do everything we can to ensure that Seborga evolves and develops. As far as independence is concerned, our lawyers continue working diligently at the highest level.” Since the 1960s, a group of charismatic mimosa farmers, led by Giorgio Carbone (who died in November 2009), have been working to prove by means of historical documents that the little Principality of Seborga above Bordighera is independent of Italy. Carbone’s argument for Seborga’s right to be an independent nation is based on the claim that when the territory was sold in 1729 to the Savoy dynasty, the new owners failed to register the sale, placing Seborga in a ‘legal twilight zone’. Therefore, it does not belong to the Italian state under international law. Carbone was renamed Giorgio I, Principe di Seborga in 1993. The same year, he proclaimed the status of the Principality of Seborga, appointed a government, minted coins and even issued passports. His belief was further supported in 1995 when an informal referendum was held and the vast majority of Seborgans voted in favour of the principality's constitution (with just four people casting their ballot in favour of joining Italy). 

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Blue Flag beaches DISCOVER SITES ACROSS THE REGION WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS ECO-LABEL Our stretch of the Mediterranean has performed well in the 2017 Blue Flag awards. On the French Riviera, 82 beaches and eight marinas have achieved certification while across the border, 57 beaches and 14 ports in Liguria now fly the prestigious ecofriendly flag.

ALPES-MARITIMES Beaches: Cap d’Ail (Pissarelles, Mala); Nice (Centenaire, Coco Beach, Magnan, Saint-Hélène); Antibes (Les Groules, Fontonne Est, Fontonne Ouest, Square Gould, Pont Dulys, Antibes-les Pins Est, Antibes-les-Pins Ouest, Garoupe Ouest, La Salis, Grande Plage Juan-les-Pins, Gallice, Marineland, Fort Carré); Cannes (Bijou, Chantiers Navals, Trou Roubine, Font de Veyre, Gare Marchandises, Gazagnaire, Midi, Moure Rouge, Riou Plage de la Nadine, Rochers de la Bocca, Saint Georges, Sud Aviation); Mandelieu La Napoule (Plage du Sable d’Or) PorTs: Port de Plaisance de Cap d’Ail; Port de Marina Baie des Anges; Port Vauban; Port Camille Rayon du Golfe Juan; Port Pierre Canto; Port de La Napoule

VAR Beaches: Hyères (Almanarre Nord, La Bergerie, Port Pothuau); La Croix Valmer (Gigaro, La Douane); La Londe

les Maures (L’Argentière, Miramar, Tamaris); Toulon (Anse Mistral, Les Pins Centre, Lido, Source Ouest); La-Seyne-surMer (Sablettes Centre, Sablette Est); Le Lavandou (Batailler Poste de Secours, La Fossette, Lavandou ville, Saint-Clair, Aiguebelle, Cavalière, Pramousquier); Le Pradet (Les Bonnettes, La Garonne, Le Monaco, Les Oursinières, Le Pin de Galle); Rayol Canadel sur Mer (Plage Rayol Ouest, Plage Canadel Est, Plage Canadel Ouest, Plage Rayol Est, Pramousquier Est); Saint-Cyrsur-Mer (Les Lecques Saint-Come Ouest); SaintMandrier-sur-Mer (La Coudoulière, La Vieille, Saint Asile, Touring Club, Le Canon); Sainte-Maxime (Garonnette, Les Eléphants, La Croisette, La Nartelle, Centre-Ville); SixFours-les-Plages (Bonnegrace Poste de secours, Bonnegrace le Manuella, Plage du Cros, La Coudoulière, Le Rayolet, Les Charmettes) PorTs: Nouveau Port des Lecques; Port de Bormes les Mimosas; Port de La Coudoulière; Port de la Madrague; Port de Plaisance de Bandol; Port de Plaisance de Santa Lucia; Port de Plaisance les Marines de Cogolin; Port de Plaisance Saint-Pierre des Embiez; Port du Lavandou; Port Fréjus; Port Saint-Pierre de Hyères les Palmiers; Port San Peïre des Issambres; Ports de La Londe; Saint-Raphaël Vieux Port; Vieux Port des Lecques de Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer

(U Nostromu – Prima Punta, Baia delle Vele) PorTs: Sanremo; Santo Stefano al Mare; San Lorenzo al Mare

SAVONA Beaches: Ceriale (Littoral); Borghetto (Santo Spirito Littoral); Loano (Spiaggia Levante Porto, Spiaggia di Ponente); Pietra Ligure (Ponente); Finale Ligure (Spiaggia di Malpasso, Baia dei Saraceni, Finalmarina, Finalpia, Spiaggia del Porto, Varigotti, Castelletto San Donato); Noli (Capo Noli, Zona Vittoria, Zona Anita-Chiariventi); Spotorno (Lido); Bergeggi (Il Faro, Villaggio del Sole); Savona (Fornaci); Albissola Marina (Lido); Albisola Superiore (Lido); Celle Ligure (Levante, Ponente); Varazze (Arrestra, Ponente Teiro, Levante Teiro, Piani d’Invrea) PorTs: Andora; Alassio; Loano; Savona; Celle Ligure; Varazze

GENOA Beaches: Camogli (Spiaggia Camogli Centro – Levante, San Fruttuoso); Santa Margherita Ligure (Scogliera Pagana, Punta Pedale, Paraggi, Zona Milite Ignoto); Chiavari (Zona Gli Scogli); Lavagna (Lungomare); Moneglia (Centrale, La Secca, Levante) PorTs: Rapallo; Chiavari

LA SPEZIA Beaches: Framura (Fornaci); Bonassola; Levanto (Ghiararo, Spiaggia Est La Pietra); Lerici (Venere Azzurra, Lido, San Giorgio, Eco del Mare, Fiascherino, Baia Blu, Colombo); Ameglia (Fiumaretta) PorTs: Portovenere; La Spezia (Porto Mirabello, Porto Lotti)

GAINING CERTIFICATION The Blue Flag label is recognised around the world as a signifier of a responsible and clean resort. It is, however, a relatively expensive and arduous task to gain certification, meaning that many municipalities are put off by the red (or blue in this case) tape. Since 1987, the Blue Flag programme has been operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) based in Denmark. It monitors the quality and cleanliness of beaches and marinas, awarding the flag to resorts that meet its strict criteria of hygiene, water quality, environmental management, traffic management, and waste separation. For the complete Blue Flag list, please visit www.blueflag.global.

IMPERIA Beaches: Bordighera (Capo Sant’Ampelio Zona Ovest, Capo Sant’Ampelio Zona Est); Taggia (Arma di Taggia); Santo Stefano al Mare (Baia Azzurra, Il Vascello); San Lorenzo al Mare JulY / augusT 2017

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Development in Cannes proJect 1 BASTIDE ROUGE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

West of the city centre in the Cannes-laBocca neighbourhood, activity is bubbling at the Bastide Rouge technopole and university campus. It will provide a new place of learning for some 1,000 students in the fields of: journalism and communication; tourism and yachting; and cinema, screenwriting, video game creation and sound engineering. The complex will also include offices and conference facilities for businesses, a student residence of 140 beds, a cafeteria and a longawaited 12-room multiplex cinema. It is the flagship project for city mayor David Lisnard, who has spoken passionately about the new development since 2014, saying it will bring together and inspire a whole generation of media savvy students and young companies. Now it is beginning to take the shape of architect Charles Gulizzi, who beat some 85 other applicants to win the contract. With over 6,000m² of space (3,000m² of which will be dedicated to research and training), the building is designed in a modern style. Large glass fronts and asymmetrical shapes make the building look futuristic – an inspiring ambience for the creative minds who will start here in 2019. 

proJect 2 BOCCACABANA

If you hear a little of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana in the name of this new development, then the concept shouldn’t be too hard to follow. Also taking place on the western edge of Cannes, BoccaCabana aims to revitalise a narrow and relatively unattractive stretch of road between the city’s old port and Mandelieu. From dusty and traffic-chocked to promenades under palm trees, broad footpaths and cycle lanes, fitness zones, playgrounds, beach extensions and renovations, better public transport links to Cannes’ city centre, improved parking facilities, increased CCTV surveillance… This 5.2km section is to be totally revamped with a greener and more environmentally-friendly approach. Mayor David Lisnard has responded to residents’ concerns that the seafront will become another expensive area - like La Croisette - by publicly stating: “The Boccassien coast must retain its soul. We will respect the area’s identity and maintain its reputation as a popular and affordable destination. I say it clearly: there will be no Croisette in La Bocca. I am very attached to our public beaches and there will not be a single new centimetre of private concessions on the Boulevard du Midi.” 

Tour de France 2017 MARSEILLE ON THE ROUTE

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On 22nd July, for the first time, Marseille will host a 22.5km-long individual time trial for the most prestigious cycling race in the world: the Tour de France. The Orange Vélodrome of Marseille will be the starting and ending point of the segment, which is also the penultimate challenge before the finish line on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The cyclists will ride through the city’s most beautiful assets: passing by the beaches of the coastline, Avenue du Prado, the Borély park, the Corniche Kennedy then around the Old Port before climbing to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, descending towards the Corniche again, and finally returning on the Prado back to the Orange Velodrome. Numerous festive, sporting and musical animations will take place in the forecourt of the Orange Vélodrome.  www.marseille.fr

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An ephemeral boutique CHANEL COLLABORATES WITH LA MISTRALÉE

For the seventh year running, fashion legend Chanel has opened a seasonal store at the La Mistralée townhouse in the heart of Saint Tropez. The high-spec boutique, which will remain in place until 2nd October, has been sumptuously designed to reflect Parisian taste and décor with a classic monochrome palette, red brick accents and luxurious finishings. It will display a range of apparel, fine and high jewellery, shoes and accessories, and the new J12 and BOy-FRIEND watch collections. 

Panamas & St. Tropez MAISON MICHEL

Acclaimed French milliner, Maison Michel, has also opened a temporary boutique in Saint Tropez. Offering a wide collection of fedoras and hats, both functional and incredibly decorative, the statement accessory is sure to make a sensational impression on the streets of the glamourous city. From straw to lightweight felt and the distinguishable pinched sides of the brim and traditional colours, Panama Saint Tropez will give an effortlessly chic, but still youthful vibe to any summer outfit. 

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monaco

The fuTure face of monaco

UNKNOWN MONACO

Ambitious land extension project enters new phase By eLsa carpenter

it’s a two billion euro project that will forever change the topography of the Principality of Monaco. 60,000m² of new land is to be added to its borders as the nation seeks to ﬁnd a solution to the growing needs of a demanding population. riviera insider met with the director of the government’s Urbanisation en Mer branch, Jean-Luc Nguyen, to learn more about the project and its impact on the environmental and social landscape. ith more than 38,000 people living in a country barely larger than the Vatican City, making it the most densely populated nation in the world, Monaco has been forced to look again to the sea for an answer to its housing crisis some four decades after its last land extension project. Now focusing on the eastern side of the principality, the Monegasque government gave Bouygues Construction a mandate to build a sixhectare development in the waters off the Grimaldi Forum and Avenue Princesse Grace at the end of last year, and work has begun in earnest. “The extension project was born out of a demand for luxury residences in the principality,” says Jean-Luc Nguyen, the government’s director of its Urbanisation en Mer department. In total, some 120 apartments will be built in five

“THE ExTENSION PROJECT WAS BORN OUT OF A DEMAND FOR LUxURy RESIDENCES IN THE PRINCIPALITy,”

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Top photo THE PROJECT HAS PROVISIONED FOR 10 PRIVATE VILLAS AS WELL AS APARTMENTS AND SMALLER HOMES © Valode & Pistre Top right photo THE 30-BERTH PORT © Valode & Pistre Right photo REGIS ADELINE (R) AND JEAN-LUC NGUYEN © Monaco Matin Bottom right photo POOLS AND GARDENS FOR THE LUCKY FEW © Valode & Pistre

separate blocks – each of a slightly different height that increases the closer the buildings are to the port area – as well as 10 private villas (seven with a direct sea view and another three positioned just behind) and five smaller maisons. Unlike in most Monegasque residential developments, there will be no social accommodation provided here: it is a purely private development. Many of the properties will have their own private swimming pools and generous gardens, which could be argued as the ultimate rare luxuries in a place that has made its name as the home of the world’s wealthiest people. In addition to these über luxe properties, the development will feature a 30-yacht port with a flagship building designed by Centre Georges Pompidou architect Renzo Pianoand and bordered on all sides by boutiques and shops that will provide a commercial hub for the largely green, public space. An 18-metre high colline (an artificial hill) will act as partpublic park area and part-extension of the Grimaldi Forum while two promenades will follow the boundaries of the development: one along the existing Japanese gardens and one tracing the seaside edge of the extension. There are also plans to build a 600space underground carpark that will be reached from the roundabout that currently links Boulevard Larvotto and Avenue Princesse Grace. Jean-Luc Nguyen

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explains that the new eco neighbourhood will be entirely pedestrianised, although owners of the seafront apartment blocks and private villa complexes will have access to parking via an underground road that extends from the roundabout. The Monegasque government itself is making no financial investment in the two billion euro-project (one billion will be swallowed by the construction of the platform, while the other billion will go towards buildings, infrastructure and its vast architect and engineering fees), but it will ultimately profit in several ways once the project is completed: taxes gained through the purchase of properties, commercial taxes on the businesses who set up in the new neighbourhood, and through the ownership of the newly formed land. The project is in the middle of a dredging phase as tonnes of silt are scrapped away from the sea floor to expose the bed rock. In the next few months, this will be covered by a several-metre high gravel base, which in turn provides a foundation for the 18 concrete caissons (chambers that will create a sturdy boundary between the sea and the development). In autumn this year, construction of the trapezium-shaped, 26metre high caissons will begin in the port of Marseille before they are floated two at a time by sea to the site - a journey that takes several days. The first caissons

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are expected to be in place in spring 2018 with the final blocks in place during the first half of 2019. Once they are secured and backfilled with rock to ensure stability – both against the sea and land-based risks such as earthquakes – Bouygues Construction will then start filling the water-logged interior space with sand and pumping out any remaining water. Creating a habitat for Monaco’s rich biodiversity is a crucial element of the project. The caissons themselves will be partially clad in rough concrete panels with a pH of eight or nine (typically, concrete has a pH13) to encourage marine life to colonise the walls. Other artificial habitats will be added at the base and top of the caissons. Regarding energy, Nguyen explains that around 50% of all energy required by the extension’s properties will be produced on-site: “Rainwater for watering plants and the fountains, using the temperature of the sea to regulate the buildings in the summer and winter, solar panels on the roofs… We conducted thorough studies into sun and wind patterns so we know exactly where to place these technologies.” The extension is situated between the Spélugues coral reef to the west and the Larvotto reserve to the east, and both could be detrimentally affected by the project. “We aren’t arrogant enough to say that the development will have no affect on the environment,” says a sincere Nguyen, “but we will be doing everything we can to limit this.” Efforts include suspended underwater barriers latitudinally and the relocation of species such as Monaco’s impressive noble pen shells (also known as fan mussels), which can grow up to 1m, and its fields of Posidonia Oceanica seagrass. Both have already been successfully transported en masse to the Larvotto reserve.

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monacorePorT

Even the unusual shape of the extension has been guided by ecological principles; its curved eastern edge allows the continuation of water currents sweeping into Larvotto. This was a major flaw of the proposed 2007 land extension, which was to be in the same place, but larger, and cut off these essential currents. Following the competition of the project - “By 2025, hopefully!” - Nguyen says that extensive clean-up works will be performed in both the reef and the reserve to ensure Monaco’s marine biodiversity is given every chance to grow and develop alongside the development. But the land extension is controversial for reasons beyond environmental concerns; there has been no public consultation regarding its construction and there will be no compensation for home owners and businesses who will lose their coveted sea views when the new properties go up. “Situations like this are hardly normal in Monaco,” says Nguyen of the land extension, “and there is no system for renumeration, financial or otherwise. This is a project that responds to a specific need. The population is increasing all the time and that is thanks to Monaco’s attractiveness. If people living here are against the project – something that will encourage the attractiveness of the principality – then they are against the development of Monaco.” Despite the lack of public consultation regarding the land extension – there are no figures to tell us how many people are in support of the project – Nguyen explains that the government has communicated with residents and the nation’s French neighbours throughout the planning process. “If you are not a specialist in this subject, then it can all seem quite alarming. This is one of the reasons for the opaque barrier [along the existing sea wall]. One JulY / augusT 2017

Top photo ALTHOUGH THERE WILL BE NO DIRECT SEA ACCESS, RESIDENTS WILL OWN STUNNING VIEWS © Valode & Pistre Photo NGUYEN IS PICTURED ON THE LEFT WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE © Direction de la Communication

boat was recently excavating the large rocks at the bottom of the wall and it was getting full and very low in the water… I had phone calls asking if it was going to sink right there even though it was safe.” The barrier, which will be in place for at least another five years, is the main method employed to reduce noise pollution for local residents and businesses. While land extensions might not be a frequent occurrence in the principality, it does have a good level of experience when compared to other nations: around 20% of its 2km² has been taken from the sea in areas including Fontvieille, Sporting and the Larvotto beaches. The land extension in Fontvieille, which took place four decades ago, remains the most modern large-scale example. “In many ways, this project is very similar and uses similar techniques [to Fontvieille], but it also very different in terms of environmental awareness,” explains Nguyen. “We travelled around the world to find out about innovative construction techniques,” he continues, “and we haven’t found anywhere that will bring together the same level of environmental awareness as here. Safe construction and protecting the environment are our key objectives, but it will be a complex process for the next four years. Once the platform is built, the project will then move on to a more classical style of development.” It is not yet known what the new quartier will be called. At the moment, the development is being referred to as Anse de Portier with names for streets and squares like Place de Basse or Place de Haute, which do little to reflect the intended environmentallyfriendly identity of the project. This will come in time and Nguyen puts a date of mid-2020 as the time when interest in the project’s real estate will begin. There are no numbers available yet with regards to the estimated prices of these multi-million euro addresses, but they are sure to be unlike anything even this privileged postcode has seen before. 

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monaco

enTer The forBidden ciTY By eLsa carpenter

in China, power was not formed with words like at the Greek agora, the roman forum or in Western democracy… in China, power was formed with the brush.

 Right photo AN ASTRONOMY INSTRUMENT IN GOLD-PLATED COPPER (1736-1795) © The Palace Museum  Far right photo A PAINTING ATTRIBUTED TO FRENCHMAN JEAN-DENIS ATTIRET © Musée des Beaux Arts de Dole, cl. Jean-Loup Mathieu

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he name Grimaldi is inexplicably tied to Monaco. In 1395, descendants of a 12th century Genoese statesman took control of the principality and it has remained in their hands ever since. On the other side of the world and 250 years later, a similar attempt to seize power was taking place as the Qing dynasty swept through China. It took them over four decades to conquer the country, from the mid-17th century onwards, but the 150-year reign was a period of great stability for the ever-growing nation. “The Qing dynasty were builders, bureaucrats, artists, scientists… They built modern China,” says exhibition

curator and Honorary General Curator of Heritage Jean-Paul Desroches. “They had a new approach, a new dynamic.” The Qings heritage was somewhat at odds with Chinese culture at the time. They had semi-nomadic roots while the rest of China was invested in agriculture. But despite their differences, the Qing epoch was a golden period for China and its people in terms of culture, art and the pursuit of knowledge. The Grimaldi Forum’s summer exhibition, La Cité Interdite, takes visitors on a tour of the Forbidden City, which was first built in 1420s and remained the imperial palace throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Of the 250 paintings and artefacts that feature in the exhibition, 200 have been sourced from the Forbidden City palace itself and many have never been seen before outside of China. The remaining works have been provided by some of the world’s most prestigious institutions such as the Louvre and the Musée des Arts de l’Asie in Paris, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, and the British Library and Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Desroches first presented a China-themed exhibition in Monaco back in 2001 with China, the Century of the First Emperor. This time it is the Qings (1644-1911), their home and their heritage who have piqued his interest. “The Forbidden City is at the heart of the Beijing, which

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is at the heart of China, which — in turn — is at the heart of the world for the Chinese people,” says Desroches. “We want to immerse visitors in the world of the Forbidden City.” The Beijing palace, which can be explored in depth at the exhibition, is a replica of the skies, with the emperor as the polar star and the rest of the world moving around him. The Chinese were famous for their astronomy — the exhibition includes the first documented map of the solar system by Chinese hands and dates from the early Tang dynasty — but it was during the time of the Qing that this art truly flourished. Struggling to secure support from the Chinese elite, who thought of the Qings in the early days as uncultured invaders, Jesuit scholars and artists were invited to work at court and assist the Chinese in further developing their expertise. Their Western influence and breath of knowledge revolutionised China. The second Qing emperor, Kangxi (1662-1722), was particularly welcoming of the Jesuits and was a proficient mathematic and intellectual himself. He was also an accomplished musician and had a teacher called Grimaldi – although it isn’t know if this family was directly related to the sovereign family of Monaco! One wool and silk painting from the early 8th century and a feature at the exhibition is believed to have been painted by a Frenchman and depicts Emperor Kangxi listening to German astronomer Adam Schall. The annual calendar was established by Schall and his Flemish successor, astronomer Ferdinand Verbiest. Another notable Westerner to infiltrate Chinese culture was Frenchman Jean-Denis Attiret who was trained in Rome then sent to China. Works attributed to him include an oil painting of a concubine dating from 1750-60. At over 2.5 metres tall, the Hongli Hunting Deer silk painting is one of the largest pieces to be included in the exhibition, but it is also one of the most telling. Emperor Qianlong, who is depicted in the painting, was

“THE QING DyNASTy WERE BUILDERS, BUREAUCRATS, ARTISTS, SCIENTISTS… THEy BUILT MODERN CHINA.”

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the fourth and most prolific Qing emperor, and was in many ways entirely assimilated with Chinese cultural norms. This stylised artwork of unknown origin, however, reveals that Qianlong was still very much in touch with his Manchu Mongolian ancestry and every autumn would participate in great, traditional stag hunts. Perhaps one such successful hunt resulted in the construction of the beautiful antler throne that features in the exhibition. From calligraphy, sketches and paintings to furniture and pieces of ceremonial dress, which are extremely rare finds and each piece may only have been worn once, twice or even three times in its lifetime, the exhibition is designed to be wholly immersive. As Desroches explains, it was envisioned as a place where the visitor is transported to the realm of Qing and the vast Forbidden City, which measures an astonishing 72 hectares. The exhibition is taking place from 14th July to 10th September. Tickets can be reserved online for 5€.  www.grimaldiforum.com

LES PRINCES ET PRINCESSES DE MONACO Beijing hosts grimaldi exhibition

 Top left photo THE SOURCE OF RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS BY WANG JIAN (1644-1911) © The Palace Museum

 Top right photo A SATIN CEREMONIAL DRESS WITH DETAILED DECORATION AND VIBRANT COLOUR © The Palace Museum

as part of the bi-lateral project between the Principality of Monaco and China, between September and December 2018, the Forbidden City in Beijing will host a historical and cultural exhibition entitled Les Princes et Princesses de Monaco. a history of the Grimaldi dynasty, from its italian roots origins to the marriage and children of Prince albert ii and Princess Charlene, the exhibition will reveal the story of Monaco sovereign family to a brand new audience. Key themes will include: religious and ceremonial sites; family origins from the 13th to 17th century; the ‘French’ centuries from 17th to 19th century; the invention of Monte Carlo (19th and 20th century); legendary marriages over the last 120 years; and iconic sovereign locations such as the Cour d’Honneur in the Palais Princier.

JulY / augusT 2017

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nice

nice: one Year on On 14th July 2016, 86 people lost their lives and many hundreds more were seriously injured in an incomprehensible terrorist attack on the Promenade des anglais. Despite this, one year on, the city and its residents have proved beyond doubt that Nice is still ‘standing proud and alive’.

A DAy OF COMMEMORATION Programme for 14th July 2017 9am to 8pm Citizens will be invited to lay a coloured plaque on the Quai des états-Unis to form a message chosen by the survivors and families of the victims. 10am An interfaith ceremony will be held at the Villa Masséna by invitation of the Alpes-Maritimes Fraternité. A moment of reflection will be observed before the temporary memorial dedicated to the victims. 4pm President Emmanuel Macron is expected to give an official address in Place Masséna. 6pm A parade honouring the emergency services – police, medics, firefighters – and the Red Cross will take place in Place Masséna. 8pm Live drone footage of the message set out on the Quai des états-Unis will be showed on a big screen. 9.30pm A concert will be given by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice, the city’s choirs and an artist chosen by the Promenade des Anglais association, which represents the families of the victims, in the Promenade du Paillon gardens. 10.55pm The families of the victims will be invited onto the beach in Nice to release 86 lanterns into the sky. 

A TEMPORARy MEMORIAL At the Villa Masséna early one year after the terrorist attack on the Promenade des Anglais, a temporary memorial has been erected in the peaceful gardens of the Villa Masséna in Nice. A fountain, first used for the commemoration of the 14th July victims last October at Castle Hill, now serves as the main piece of the memorial that sits on top of a circular pedestal engraved with the identity and ages of the 86 victims. This space will welcome all visitors who wish to honour their memory until the creation

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RENEWED SECURITy On the Promenade des Anglais

of the final memorial. The ultimate project will be installed on the Promenade des Anglais as requested by the ‘Promenade des Anges’ association, an alliance created by families of the victims. The exact location of the monument still remains unknown, however the association has already outlined a clear mission for the future museum/memorial centre: the edifice will not only offer a space for reflection for relatives of victims, but also serve a larger cause as a centre devoted to the fight against terrorism and radicalisation. CD 

onstruction teams have continued working around the clock to try and complete the new security systems along 4km of the Promenade des Anglais, predominantly in zones close to the city centre. The works in the area between Ponchettes and Boulevard Gambetta were terminated in June and it is hoped that the Lenval-Gambetta section will also be finished by 10th July. From anti-intrusion steel cabling to road blocks and wider separations behind pedestrians, cyclists and road users, the investment in both pre-mentioned sections is estimated to cost over 18€. It is expected that work on the further two sections will continue into 2019. 

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anTiBes

Knowing Your limiTs An interview with the Director of Tourism for Antibes Juan-les-Pins By eLsa carpenter

Philippe Baute has headed antibes’ tourism oﬃce since 1999, but after almost two decades in the same job, his enthusiasm for his work, profession and city only seems to have grown. it is, he says, his greatest happiness. rom the Drôme region that he grew up in to Lyon for his studies, Brittany for his first professional job and Dijon for a taste of management, 53-yearold Philippe Baute has criss-crossed France before reaching the tourism office of Antibes Juan-les-Pins. That’s not to say, however, that he doesn’t have an international outlook. As an 11-year-old schoolboy, Philippe was put in an ‘experimental’ bi-lingual class in which he studied exclusively in German for seven hours a week. “For the first two years, I never saw a word of German,” he explains, “it was all about listening and speaking.” But it appears to have worked for Philippe, who says his level of language was far greater than any other students who had studied in a more traditional manner: “I have no idea why they stopped teaching like that!” He also picked up English, although the differences between the two languages - despite their similarities - couldn't have been more remarkable. “English is easy to pick up at the beginning, but becomes very difficult

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once you progress into more complex language while German is quite the opposite,” he rationalises. After studying Applied Foreign Languages at university, a new Master’s degree in tourism was launched at exactly the right time for Philippe: “It was one of many moments I have struck lucky in my life. I just had the personality and disposition for tourism.” Almost immediately after leaving university, Philippe saw an advert for a marketing and promotions assistant in the Brittany tourism office. The criteria for the role was that the applicant should speak English or German at a native level, but (and as you will come to learn) Frenchman Philippe thought he would try anyway. In 1989, he beat all the candidates who had met the requirements and moved to northern France. By 1994, he was working in Dijon – “Another city, another experience...” – as Assistant Director of the Tourism Office and five years later, he arrived in Antibes. “The job post asked for someone who had already been a director and had organised events - I had done neither,” he says. Nevertheless, Jean Leonetti, the then and current mayor of Antibes, awarded him the role. A good boss knows when to delegate. Traditionally, the director of tourism had been in charge of everything

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to do with the Jazz à Juan festival, for example, but Philippe chose to share out the responsibility of choosing artists with professionals in the field. The quality of the acts was of high importance to him as he had grown up seeing his father watching Jazz à Juan on the television. Philippe himself managed the marketing of the world-renowned event, developing a visual identity for the festival and promoting it on a world stage. It certainly seems to have been a successful formula: “By the end of May this year, we had already sold 10,000 tickets online to people in 32 countries around the world.” 70% of spectators are not from the region and 20% of those are from abroad. “We even have people coming from places like New Zealand and you can’t get further away than that,” he laughs. “Jazz provides a window to the US market in particular; if they know jazz, they know Juan. Jazz à Juan is a sort of patrimoine vivante, a living cultural asset. It’s about so much more than making money.” Antibes is the oldest city on the Côte d’Azur, but Philippe is realistic about its status among the other great towns of the region. “Antibes is in the second ‘wave’ of destinations, but often becomes a favourite with people who frequently vacation in the south of France. The lifestyle here is very good and it has this authenticity and a discreet charm,” he says with clear passion. “Over the past 20 to 25 years, we have pursued the same strategy: always innovating and working hard to attract a new clientele, but without ever falling into the trap of trying to be ‘too big’.” Unlike other locations on the coast, such as Monaco,

Jazz à Juan is a sort of patrimoine vivante, a living cultural asset...

Left photo PHILIPPE BAUTE IS PICTURED CLOSE TO THE FAMOUS PINEDE GOULD, THE LOCATION OF THE JAZZ FESTIVAL Right photo THE PICTURESQUE OLD TOWN OF ANTIBES

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Nice and Cannes, Antibes simply doesn’t have the capacity to accommodate thousands of tourists arriving on cruises each day. The city is brimming with residents and yachtsmen and women. Antibes might not want to welcome the super cruises, but the vessels it does receive have plenty of spending power (with 200-800 passengers aboard). Port Vauban is arguably the most well-known port in the Mediterranean and is a mecca for luxury yachting. Hotels too are kept relatively small. “you have to know your limits,” he explains, “we could make it bigger, but we don’t want Antibes to lose its personality.” It is a policy that bore fruit: Antibes has one of the most stable records of tourism in the region. “There are parts of Antibes that are entirely British,” Philippe laughs, “and around 22% of all visitors are from the UK.” This is followed by a strong American presence as well as Scandinavian, an audience Philippe and his team have worked hard to attract, and Russian. It also growing in popularity with Australians and New Zealanders, something Philippe was surprised to learn during a business trip to Auckland, where he quickly discovered that Antibes is a name almost all Kiwis know. “All I knew of Antibes when I came here in 1999 were the holidays I spent running around the old town with a friend and his family,” he says with a smile. “After 18 years, I do think about taking my career abroad somewhere, but it’s not often that you find yourself living in a place as beautiful as this.” 

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grasse

almosT, BuT noT quiTe, forgoTTen Exhibition: Alexandre Evariste Fragonard By aiLa stöcKMann

Again like his father, Alexandre expressed an enthusiasm for contemporary Flemish and Dutch styles. He has been largely forgotten, as the museum’s curator, Olivier Quiquempois, notes. Grasse itself has one of the most extensive collections of his art and throughout the 20th century bought up his works. Many have been buried in the archives of the city for years — a stroke of luck for the current exhibition. Numerous pieces on display have never been seen by the public, such as studies of the ceiling paintings in the Louvre. 

alexandre evariste fragonard: une collection grassoise from 1st July to 1st october at the Villa Musée fragonard open daily from 1pm to 7pm admission 2€ (including access to the Musée d’art et d’Histoire de provence

 Left photo

ALEXANDRE EVARISTE FRAGONARD - UNE COLLECTION GRASSOISE: OPEN FROM 1ST JULY TO 1ST OCTOBER AT THE VILLA MUSEE FRAGONARD  Top photo

A SELF PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDRE EVARISTE FRAGONARD DATING FROM 1810-1820

A FESTIVAL OF STORIES le Temps des contes ragonard is a well-known name in Grasse — if not the most famous — and everyone will recognise it as a prestigious perfumer brand in the region. But not all know that the family name goes back to the city’s celebrated son, artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard. A painter and sketcher who was born in Grasse in 1732, JeanHonoré was one of the most important artists in 18th century France and he is revered in his hometown even though he only spent a few years there. On to his son, Alexandre Evariste Fragonard, to whom the Villa Musée Fragonard is devoting a summer exhibition on the edge of the old town. An artist like his father, Alexandre was also born in Grasse (1780-1850) and exhibited his first works at the Paris Salon at the age of 13. The painter, sculptor and decorator soon broke away from his Neoclassical beginnings and turned to Romanticism, which is reflected in his choice of motifs.

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Discover fairy tales for the young and old between 24th and 29th July as 12 storytellers and musicians enchant their audiences in the perfumed settings of the Pays de Grasse. From Pégomas to Séranon, Spéracèdes, Mouans-Sartoux, Saint Cézaire sur Siagne and Grasse itself, reading sessions based on the theme ‘À la source’. Libraries and theatres in the municipalities will also host events. Readings will be given at 6pm and 9pm from Monday to Friday and at 10am and 11am on Saturday. www.paysdegrasse.fr

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grasse

Expertise label] stands for excellence and international renown.” The perfume industry is the largest employer in Grasse and the surrounding area with an estimated 5,000 jobs for 110 companies. Total sales in 2016 amounted to 2.4 billion euros. A new cultivation zone for plants and the recent move of two of the most important luxury perfume houses in France back to the city shows how increasingly aware Grasse has become of its traditions. 13 companies have jointly developed the concept of the brand including Perfumeries Fragonard and the Robertet Group as well as the University of Nice Côte d’Azur. Among its goals of promotion, the label hopes to attract more companies and partners, create new jobs and assist the affiliated industries in facing the challenges of the 21st century together. Those who want to become a member must suit three criteria: to be based in the historical area of perfume production; to work on the continuous development of savoir-faire and education; and finally to support local producers of plants and flowers. 

grasse exPerTise Local ingenuity & passion By aiLa stöcKMann

The city now has its own local equivalent to ‘Made in France’ — Grasse expertise — which was launched in the world capital of perfume in June.

ART IN THE HINTERLAND Thorenc d’art

rom cultivators of flowers to perfumers, manufacturers, designers, teachers and researchers, Grasse and its nearby neighbours have a unique and combined expertise in the field of fragrance. Now they have their own label, which reflects the heritage of the community with a stylised drop of perfume. “The perfume industries are the DNA of the Pays de Grasse,” said Mayor Jérôme Viaud, who presented the new brand, “and we are very proud of that. [The Grasse

 Top photo PRESIDENT OF THE GRASSE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION JACQUES PAIN (RIGHT) AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 13 CO-FOUNDERS PRESENTED THE GRASSE EXPERTISE LABEL IN A FORMER PERFUME FACTORY (TODAY’S ESPACE JACQUES-LOUIS LIONS).

Creative in all its facets, the Pays de Grasse has organised a day focused on art in the area of Thorenc on 8th July. in the streets and squares of the region, contemporary art, sculptures, theatre, dance and readings are to be hosted while other interactive activities have also been laid on. Fancy trying your hand at the art of tagging and graﬃti or would like to dabble in watercolour or craft a dreamcatcher? Participation is free and all courses last around one hour. Thorenc d’Art From 10am to 11pm Workshops in the both the mornings and afternoons www.paysdegrasse.fr

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sainT TroPez

A legend of Saint Tropez n 1967, billionaire Jean-Prosper GayPara (who already owned two hotels in Beirut including the Excelsior and its Les Caves du Roy nightclub) purchased the hotel with a view to creating a link between the Middle East and Côte d’Azur by creating ‘a palace of 1,001 Arabian Nights’. He baptised the hotel Byblos — the name of one of the oldest cities in Lebanon and the place that birthed the legends of Adonis and Aphrodite — and is the man to thank for the establishment’s unique décor. But Lebanese Gay-Para wouldn’t get to enjoy his mythical paradise for long. The Six-Day War in his native country caused him to sell the establishment just a few months after its grandiose opening party in May 1967 to Sylvain Floriat, whose descendants have continued to enjoy the many long and beautiful seasons that have followed. It is his great grandson, Antoine Chevanne, who manages the group today. In the last five decades, the hotel, which won the coveted Palace status in 2012, has changed a lot although much has also stayed the same. The colours are vibrant, yet the style is traditional. The number of rooms has been in constant flux: 60 became 96 then retreated to 91 as trends turned in favour of larger, more open spaces. Even the famous Caves du Roy, the address of many Saint Tropez nights and parties, has had to succumb to these fashions and remove, under new architect plans, its celebrated luminous columns, which have lit up the faces of many a well-known personality. From Brigitte Bardot — an essential figure in the history of the peninsular and also one of Gay-Para’s reasons for heading to Saint Tropez — to Liz Taylor and Richard Burton; Mike Jagger, who came here for his wedding to Bianca and invited guests such as the Beatles, Eddie Barclay and his ‘band’; Naomi Campbell; Grace Jones; Elton John; Bruce Willis… you’d need a whole book to write down the names of the guests who have holidayed at this luxury hotel. Even if they didn’t actually stay at the hotel, many others came to shoot movies here, such as Louis de Funès. But parties and soirées are not all the hotel has become known for — its restaurants are also deserving of a mention. The B, which bears the signature of Alain Ducasse and owns a relaxed location alongside the swimming pool, and Rivea a little further down, whose contemporary decor and large outdoor terrace allow chef Sylvain Maillard the opportunity to feature the Mediterranean on his menus, are attractions in their own right. In the same spirit of discovery, guests today will also delight in the Lebanese spa room from the 17th century, which was transported stone by stone from a palace in Beirut, as well as the extraordinary suite with stones from Jerusalem and Mashrabiya artistry for spa treatments by Sisley and for couples. Will you be there to celebrate Byblos’ 50th anniversary at the Summer Party on 17th July? 

BYBlos: half a cenTurY on By Bernard Van de KercKHoVe & eLsa carpenter

Photo 1 MIKE JAGGER © Claude Dronsart Photo 2 BRIGITTE BARDOT © Méditerranée Photo Photo 3 GRACE JONES © Edward Quinn Jones Top photo ANTOINE CHEVANNE JulY / augusT 2017

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sainT TroPez

forTY Years of friendshiP Georges Braque & Henri Laurens at the Musée Annonciade By eLsa carpenter

Right photo THE MUSEE ANNONCIADE Lower left photo HENRI LAURENS’ TETE DE FEMME (1917) © Hélène Bailly Gallery, Paris Far right photo GEORGES BRAQUE’S ATELIER VI (1950-51) © Fondation Maeght

he summer exhibition at Saint Tropez’s Musée Annonciade celebrates the works and lives of two the 20th century’s greatest French artists: Georges Braque (1882-1963) and Henri Laurens (1885-1954). Not only did the pair share creative talent and artistic vision, but they also experienced a profound friendship that endured from their 20s through to their deaths and a reputation for being quiet men in a world of over-thetop characters. They both had similar starts in life too, one as a stonemason, the other as a painter and decorator. Despite now being known for his role in the development of Cubism, Braque’s work at the time was largely eclipsed by his contemporary, the charismatic Picasso, due to his reserved nature. Meanwhile, Laurens had partially withdrawn from society following the traumatic amputation of his leg. From their meeting in 1911, the two artists had parallel, but also distinct trajectories in their work. They experimented with space and rhythm, played with form and materials, and pursued simplification and purification in their sculptures. In the years before, during and shortly after WWI, Braque introduced Laurens to some of the greatest contemporary artists — Picasso, Max Jacob, Reverdy, Matisse, Derain, Gris, Léger, Modigliani… — and the latter seemed to pick up

the Cubism baton from Braque, developing the concept with inspiration from nature-driven Cézanne. It was in this period too that the duo embarked on a series of papier collé productions, the first of their kind, such as Lauren's Tête de Femme, which is on display at the exhibition. By the 1920s, the men has begun to break away from Cubism and their works from this era were of a more harmonious nature, with curvaceous female nudes such as in Laurens’ Nue Couchée à la Draperie (1927) and Femme à l’éventail (1919), and Braque’s celebrated Les Canéphores (1922). As Laurens expanded further into sculpture in the 1930s, Braques also experienced a period of fluid transformation: “I'm clumsy with drawing. Each time I start one, it ends in a table with hatching, shadows and ornamentations.” Some eventually became paintings, such as Grande Nature Morte Brune (1930). The second world war brought with it a period of withdrawal and restraint for the friends, and their work from this time is characterised by austerity and sober tonalities. For Braque, the occupation era is bleak with greys and dark browns dominating his paintings: Le Pain (1941), Le Poêle (1942-1943) and Les Poissons Noirs (1942). “I am very sensitive to the surrounding atmosphere,” he remarked in 1942. For Laurens, his sculptures seem to be almost tortured souls devoid of the energy and plumpness of previous works. With peace returned to France and to the world, the last years of their lives are marked by tranquility and memorable motifs from their younger years. Braque’s works feature musical instruments, easels and vases. In his Ateliers series (1949-1956), Braque lays his life experiences bare in complex and labyrinths-like compositions: “I fold around the centre,” he said. Laurens continued his quest for perfect form and produced exceptional pieces, such as L’Archange and La Lune (both 1946). Almost 70 diverse works from the two amis await your discovery at the Musée Annonciade this summer. until 8th october open every day from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm admission 6€ JulY / augusT 2017

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a Priceless collecTion Bernar Venet: from sculptor to curator By saraH Hyde

Top left photo JAMES TURRELL’S ELLIPTIC ECLIPTIC © Fred Eric Chavaroche Main photo BERNAR VENET’S EFFONDREMENT © Jerome Cavaliere Below left photo BERNAR VENET © Steve Benisty New York Top right photo INSIDE THE MILL © Antoine Baralhe Paris JulY / augusT 2017

established as a foundation by conceptual artist Bernar venet in 2014, the sculpture park in Le Muy is the result of a life’s work and is a haven for those who love contemporary art and sculpture. The collection reads like a ‘who’s who’ of modern talent and our handsome host himself is one of France’s most important living sculptors.

ernar Venet has been active since the 1960s, not only creating powerful works, but also collecting and exchanging his pieces with fellow artists. This concept of sharing has enabled him to build an enviable collection that includes works by Frank Stella, Dan Flavin, Sol LeWitt, César Baldaccini, Christo, Daniel Buren, Tony Smith, Richard Serra and Donald Judd to name just a few. What makes this collection so special is that Venet has made the selection and curated the pieces, and he has done so with incredible elegance of mind. Only a

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talented collector and artist would have the confidence to choose these pieces at the time that he obtained them. In hindsight, the collection reads like a dream list, but it is important to remember that Venet is part of an avant-garde movement; he could not have predicted the art market and had to rely on his own taste and ability. It is a rare treat to see such a magnificent private collection in a context such as this. The four-hectare site combines a pre-Revolution water mill, which houses Venet’s stunning domestic collection, with contemporary and industrial art spaces. The garden setting makes the works feel much more available and light-hearted. There is no sense of a strict line and cordon between the visitor and the works so you can enjoy the art on your own terms. It is, perhaps in this respect, a little bit like how the Peggy Guggenheim collection in Venice was when Ms Guggenheim was still in residence. Every summer, the Venet Foundation hosts a temporary exhibition and this year's show is Pedestrian Spaces by Fred Sandback. Sandback’s work explores the transition from two to three dimensions through the mind's eye. Imaginary, three-dimensional structures are created using coloured cord to build up lines in the

“THERE IS NO SENSE OF A STRICT LINE AND CORDON BETWEEN THE VISITOR AND THE WORKS; yOU CAN ENJOy THE ART ON yOUR OWN TERMS.”

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gallery space. your mind is then left to construct the structure between the lines. Asking clever questions about presence and absence is James Turrell’s beautiful Prana from 1998, which is shown in the gallery next door (Prana means life-breath in Sanskrit). This work ingeniously achieves the exact opposite, again using the mind's eye, but this time with a beautiful pink-coloured light. What appears to be twodimensional is in fact much deeper. As you get closer to the work, you can almost fall into the rose loveliness of the piece, once again entering a new dimension. Out in the sculpture park, the most important piece by far is Frank Stella’s Chapel, which follows on from the grand tradition of the Rothko Chapel and is built in pavilion form, linking these very contemporary works with classical gardens. Other outstanding pieces include James Turrell’s Elliptic Ecliptic and Venet’s wonderful bridge, which, when crossed at the speed of a golf cart as I do on my tour, contains many peep holes that offer tantalising flashes of the green mill pond and house. Presenting a fragmented vision of the past through this modernist framing device — perhaps playing with the idea of movement as the dots join together — is great fun. Personal favourites include The Labyrinth by Robert Morris (2012); a very tight maze made out of hard wire fences, the kind that are used for crowd control. It is a harsh metaphor for life that is considerably softened by its context. The most recent addition, Something Green by Larry Bell (2017), questions and delights the spectator in equal measure by placing large green glass cubes in the countryside. Inside the gorgeous mill house, which is the artist’s winter home, the collection takes your breath away. There is a Donald Judd bedroom and works include Robert Motherwell, Frank Stella, Carl Andre, Jasper Johns… The names fall casually off the tongue of my guide, but this collection is priceless and being able to visit it is a genuine privilege. The Venet Foundation seems to float between the present and a romantic past. Are there echoes of other great French pleasure gardens here? Perhaps Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon or Monet’s Giverny? Guided visits to the Venet Foundation are offered on Thursday afternoons and all day Friday during the summer by appointment only (entrance 10€).  www.venetfoundation.org

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From Chagall and Botero to up-andcoming artists, this gallery tucked away in the principality quickens the pulse of every art collector. By aLfred tHuM

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a liTTle Picasso, anYone? Opera Gallery: a modern art market in Monaco’s Carré d’Or

eople stop involuntarily as they walk past the gallery. Each window features an eye-catching piece of art including, until recently, a life-size wooden sculpture by Manolo Valdés of Spanish Queen Mariana de Austria that is loosely based on a painting by Velasquez from 1652-53. The queen was a real obsession of Valdés, who created numerous, sometimes larger-than-life sculptures of this royal personage using materials from wood to bronze, but always featuring a protruding hairstyle in the Baroque style and a crinoline that reaches to the floor. Attractions such as these are important for Opera Gallery, which has branches across the world and is well-established in the art industry. The gallery is accessed via a narrow frontage comprising the entrance door and three tall, thin windows, but it opens up into a surprisingly spacious interior (the gallery is over three floors in total). The Black Room is located on the top floor and is the most impressive space in the entire gallery, with well-known artists such as Renoir and Botero on display. This space is also sometimes used for solo exhibitions, when the entire gallery is dedicated to the presentation of a single artist. An exhibition of work by the Swiss painter Andy Denzler is set to continue until 8th July.

Top left photo THE BLACK ROOM Top right photo ANDY DENZLER, KURT, 57TH STREET (2016) Bottom right photo PICASSO’S TETE DE FEMME Far right photo DAMIEN SIMONELLI WITH A BOTERO PIECE

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Denzler is a figurative artist with a distinctive technique. His large-format paintings show figures with blurred contours that take on a somewhat shadow-like effect, achieved by scraping a blade across wet paint. Denzler’s work has already been exhibited at other branches of Opera Gallery and has attracted interest from collectors. www.operagallery.com/monaco

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visitors are always assured of a warm and friendly welcome from gallery director Damien Simonelli, who has worked at Opera Gallery for many years. Simonelli talks to riviera insider aboute the Opera Galley’s history and business model. Why is it called Opera Gallery? Gilles Dyan, who is still president of the group, founded the first gallery in Singapore. The second gallery was then established in the Opera district of Paris. There could also be some association with the Italian word ‘opera’, which can be translated as ‘work of art’. What is the business model of the gallery? A key strategy is to open galleries where the collectors are, such as in important financial centres of the world. Paris, London, New york, Singapore and Hong Kong are all centres of high finance as well as art. In addition, we seek locations close to upmarket centres such as Monaco, and choose districts with established well-known brands such as the Carré d’Or. Are art collectors mostly private individuals or do they also include companies? The majority are private collectors. Companies tend to be those that work in the area of interior design – in private residences, restaurants and offices. How is your artist portfolio put together? Is there a preference for young, emerging artists or artists who are well-established and have considerable market value? Our artists are divided into two segments. One includes the major recognised masters of the late 19th and 20th centuries such as Renoir, Chagall and Picasso, as well as other wellknown and important artists including Soulages, Dubuffet, Calder, Kusama, Fontana, Georg Baselitz and Manolo Valdés. The other segment covers young artists who are bringing new approaches to the market, and who we believe in and want to support.

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BeTween arT & commerce the group’s galleries across the world? That is often the case. For example, Andy Denzler is exhibiting in Monaco this summer, but his first exhibition took place in Geneva in 2015, followed by New york at the beginning of 2016. Does the response to individual artists vary in different parts of the world? Collectors have very different reactions to artwork. Before organising a solo exhibition, we test an artist by presenting them in strategic locations such as the Black Room or in the display windows. How do you establish contact with asyet unknown artists? Our employees follow the art scene and devote their time to discovering new talent. At the same time, young artists themselves also make contact with us in order to present their work personally. Who decides if an artist should be included in the gallery programme? At the beginning of the year, a committee of directors makes a selection from a list of artists who have applied to one of the group’s galleries around the world. This is a hugely difficult task as it requires an assessment of the artistic and market potential of each artist. The committee can, of course, rely on the impressions gained by the gallery that proposed a particular artist. Group director Gilles Dyan has the final say. Between each committee decision, what do you do in the meantime if you are very interested in a particular artist? We can gain a first-hand impression of the artist by getting to know their work and atelier through direct viewings. In addition, we can bring a selection of work into the depot and seek initial feedback from art collectors. Do you take work on commission or do you buy paintings? We sign a contract with the artist that provides for a sale. Are your shows organised as touring exhibitions that make the rounds of

Who determines the market value of an artist? The market value of the recognised masters is determined in auctions at major auction houses such as Sotheby’s or Christie’s. For emerging artists, it depends on the quality of the artistic research, the distinctive character of their artistic style, the reputation they have already built up and the number and significance of exhibitions. How important is it to have mutual trust between gallery and art collector? We attach great importance to supporting the collector over the long-term and building up a relationship of trust, regardless of whether they themselves are experts or not. This is the primary task of our gallery. How risky is an investment in art? Art collectors with large budgets are able to invest in the major, recognised masters whose value is guaranteed. The risk is greater with emerging artists, although prices are much lower. The gallery is of course unable to provide any guarantee of value retention, but its international reputation helps the young artist to reach a larger audience and acquire a good position on the art market. Art collectors include people who are passionate about art, as well as those who are more interested in art as an investment. Those with an interest in the investment side can satisfy their desire to speculate by setting aside a smaller part of their budget to buy work by young, aspiring artists.  JulY / augusT 2017

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en Plein air Sisley, the Impressionist By saraH Hyde

“Of all the impressionist painters, alfred Sisley has been described as being the most pure.” he new exhibition — Sisley, l’Impressionniste — at the Hôtel de Caumont in Aix-en-Provence provides sixty canvases by the artist for our consideration. This is the first exhibition dedicated to the artist in France since 2002 and the works have been carefully chosen by independent curator and expert Maryanne Stevens. What makes this exhibition particularly interesting is that the pictures have been brought together from all over the world, including many pieces from private collections that are previously unseen. This is a substantial exhibition, providing clear insight not only into the artistic development of Sisley, but also his relationship with Impressionism. The display firmly establishes Sisley’s faithful adherence to the ideals of this movement, long after other members of the group had moved on. Although Impressionism is one of the best-known

JulY / augusT 2017

Top left photo BOUGIVAL (1876) © Cincinnati Art Museum, John J. Emery Fund. Top right photo L’INONDATION ̀ A PORT MARLY (1872) © Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington Lower right photo ROUTE DE LOUVECIENNES - EFFET DE NEIGE (1874) © 2016 Museum Barberini

periods in art history, the Impressionist movement only officially lasted 13 years, starting in 1873. The term Impressionist was given to this radical break away movement by Louis Leroy, a critic for Le Charivari. It is believed to be inspired by Leroy’s harsh comments on Claude Monet's painting Sunrise (1873) when the critic stated that ‘the picture only gave an impression of an art work’. Was it with a quiet satisfaction that, by 1877, the group adopted the name and went on to become one of the most important artistic movements in history, long after the name Leroy has been forgotten?

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Alfred Sisley, the Impressionist in question at this exhibition, appears to be one of those slightly mysterious international figures from the 19th century, a little like Henry James or Whistler. He was a Francophile, but he was not French, a stateless artistic soul. Born in 1839 to wealthy English parents in Paris, he was sent to England aged 19 to begin his commercial training. Sisley returned four years later, uttering the single phrase that no parent of their status ever wanted to hear: he was enrolled to study painting with Charles Gleyre in 1862. Fortunately for us, he made that difficult decision, and luckily for him, he joined a studio where Renoir, Monet and Bazille — founders of the Impressionist movement — were to be found. Through Maryanne Stevens’ selection, we are able to observe how Sisley became an Impressionist. Originally influenced by Corot and Courbet, Sisley painted well-known scenes of the Seine Basin, an area described by the curator as the ‘theatre of Impressionism’. At this stage, Sisley's work echoes that of his better-known contemporaries, Monet and Renoir. Painting by painting, we are able to observe how Sisley's palette and composition changed. He is influenced by Pissarro; slowly, his brush work becomes looser, his palette slowly changes; he embraces the soft pinks and mauves of Monet. What remains consistent and unique is Sisley’s love of nature, especially in his depiction of water and sky. In 1874, just after the first Impressionist exhibition, Sisley travelled to London. Jean-Baptiste Faure, the celebrated baritone, acted as patron and the artist painted in the area close to Hampton Court, producing fourteen canvases. Art historian Kenneth

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The exhibition runs until 15th October adult tickets are 14€

www.caumontcentredart.com

Top left photo ́ EGLISE ̀ A MORET (1893) © Fondation Calvet Top right photo LE PONT DE MORET (1888) © Photo: Minneapolis Institute of Art Lower right photo ̀ A SAINT MAMME ̀S: CONFLUENCE DU LOING ET DU CANAL DU LOING, (1892) © Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona (2016) / Photo : Jordi Calveras

Clark has described these pictures as ‘the perfect moment of Impressionism’. Returning to France, Sisley remained true the movement, working en plein air, observing nature. He rarely painted figures, focusing on the sky and the reflections of the sky in the water, living humbly. After the financial disaster of the Franco-Prussian war, Sislely moved with his family to the west of Paris, resisting the urge to infuse his work with drama or stray too far from what he saw. His compositional devices are certainly worth looking out for, each work usually employs some kind of pathway or route for the spectators eye, whether it's a path or a river to follow. In a final twist, one of the most beautiful works in the show is the a painting of Penarth, a town close to Cardiff in South Wales. Sisley travelled to the Welsh capital in 1897, during a time in which he married his long-term partner Eugénie Lesouezec, the mother of his two children. This romance-filled work is rose-tinted and glorious. It is certainly one of the exhibition’s highlights.  JulY / augusT 2017

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MAMAC’s summer exhibition By Mia coLLeran

“CONTEMPORARy ART WOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME HISTORy WITHOUT THE EVENTS AND ENCOUNTERS THAT TOOK PLACE IN NICE.”

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maKing The modern marvellous

Contemporary art gallery MaMaC on Place Yves Klein is honouring Nice’s heritage in a summer exhibition directed by Jean-Jaques aillagon and run in conjunction with the famous Centre Pompidou, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Paris. he very first exhibition to open at the Centre Pompidou was a retrospective look on what’s known today as L'école de Nice, an artist movement carried by a group of artistic individuals, namely yves Klein – master of the all things blue – and poet Claude Pascal). The School of Nice was first formed in 1947 and some seven decades years later, their impact on Nice’s artistic landscape and influence on the art world as a whole has been phenomenal. At the opening of the exhibition in 1977 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, museum director Pontus Hulten wrote: “Contemporary art would not have the same history without the events and encounters that took place in Nice.”

Main photo MARTIAL RAYSSE: SOUDAIN L'ÉTÉ DERNIER, 1963 © Centre Pompidou, MNAMCCI/Philippe Migeat/Dist. RMN-GP © ADAGP, Paris, 2017 Right photo YVES KLEIN: ANTHROPOMÉTRIE (ANT 84), 1960 © Succession Yves Klein c/o ADAGP, Paris, 2017

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Today’s multi-sensory exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain has gathered photographs, archival documents, paintings, collages, sculptures and installations from the L'école de Nice era with contributions from museums, municipal institutions and private art collectors across France and Europe, not to mention the iconic Centre Pompidou. The influence of yves Klein and Claude Pascal brought Nice out of Paris’s shadow and into its own light. This summer (the exhibition runs until 22nd October), the MAMAC explores the charismatic personalities, Niçois traditions, and the cultural and geographical specifications that all influenced and established the contemporary art movement. In 1967, Jean-Jaques Lévêque described noted: “L'école de Nice tends to define the modern as marvellous.” The exhibition runs from 23rd June until 22nd October and entry is 8€ for adults or free for children under 18 years old and students.  www.mamac-nice.org

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VALBONNE SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS 12TH TO 20TH AUGUST

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hewn from sTone Chagall: trading colour for form By saraH Hyde

DEUX TÊTES À LA MAIN (1964) © Benoît Coignard © Adagp, Paris, 2017

ADAM ET EVE (1953) © Benoît Coignard © Adagp, Paris, 2017

arc Chagall is an artist we think we know. When someone mentions his name, certain images will come to mind — floating figures in the sky, perhaps a married couple, a goat, a bouquet, a brightly coloured fiddler, a cockerel, a village… We see this artist as brightly coloured dreamscapes. The fact that Chagall lived locally and depicted Vence and St Paul de Vence so beautifully makes him even more special. However, the current exhibition at Musée Marc Chagall in Nice, which is open until 28th August, provides a rare opportunity to reconsider this artist

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through his sculpture work. When trying to understand the work of Chagall, it is important to consider his incredible life. The artist was the eldest son of a family of Hasidic Jews from the small town of Vitebsk in Belarus, a sect of the Jewish faith that reveres a Lurianic version of the Kabbalah. All of the sudden, the magical dreamscapes, village scenes and repetitive themes of the Old Testament make perfect sense. Having become a successful artist in Paris, Chagall had to endure two world wars, one revolution, an escape to America and the loss of his beloved first wife Bella, just as he learnt of the atrocities of the Holocaust. It is unsurprising that, after the war, he wanted to return to the south of France and escape it all. Upon his arrival, he began his collaboration with the great gallerist Aimé Maeght. Chagall was looking for ways other than painting to express himself. He created brilliant stained glass (some of which can been seen at the museum), mosaics and ceramics. In 1951, Chagall embarked on sculpture. This involved thinking in an entirely different way, learning how to carve art works out of stone using a reductive method and foregoing perhaps one of his most vital artistic tools, colour. This was a bold challenge for an artist who is

best known as a colourist and was once described by Picasso in the following terms: “When Henri Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what colour really is.” It is intriguing to consider whether this loss of colour is balanced out by the achievement of three-dimensional form. Without the punch of colour, Chagall had to find an another way to give his work power. He seems to have found this through Primitivism and by giving his works an immediate emotional resonance. It is very interesting to compare the sculptures to the paintings. His marble Bathsheba is all curves; there is no mistaking what drew David to her. The strong physical connection between the couple is obvious in the 1962 marble sculpture David et Bethsabée. In the sculptures, we find familiar motifs: birds, animals, bouquets and particularly love. Anniversaire (1968) refers to a 1915 painting of the same name, which celebrates Chagall's wedding to his first wife and great love, Bella. In Deux Nus (1953), Adam and Eve are melded together, their hair is conjoined. Although they are hewn from stone, it is almost as if they have been formed together and revealed by the artist as the marble was chipped away.  www.musees-nationaux-alpesmaritimes.fr

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Monaco’s signature summer music festival has long attracted global names and a global audience. Pair the decadence of its venues with the principality’s taste for exclusive experiences and you’ll get just a small idea of how incredible MonteCarlo Sporting Summer can be…

When? The festival is taking place throughout July and until 20th August.

Where? Both the Salle des étoiles and the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo will be hosting live performances and magnificent sit-down dinners as part of the festival.

Who? Who isn’t playing at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer this year! From Thrift Shop artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (15th July) to soul songstress Joss Stone (24th July), legendary American musician George Benson (29th July), Italy’s Andrea Bocelli (4th August), fun-loving funk and blues band Kool & The Gang (5th August), The Cranberries (8th August), Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson (10th August) and Michael Bolton with Songs of Cinema (14th August), this is an extraordinary line-up that’s well-befitting of its location. www.montecarlolive.com

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Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival

Jazz à Juan

Vive la musique! The summer calendar in the Côte d’azur is all about music, and music in every single form! With dozens of amazing musical events planned here in the south of France and in Monaco, riviera insider has picked out some of the biggest acts that will be playing in the next few months.

Since 1960, this iconic festival has been a pillar of expression for the jazz industry of yesteryear and today. Created in homage to Sidney Bechet, who loved Antibes and its stimulating setting, the festival continues to bring in the great names in jazz as well as many contemporary and legendary artists.

When? From 15th to 23rd July.

Where? The venue itself has become as wellknown as the festival itself. The Pinède Gould in Juan-les-

Pins is a stunning waterfront location in amongst the pine trees that have given Antibes’ little sister its name.

Who? While jazz is the principle theme, it isn’t religious in its genre. Johnny Gallagher & the Boxtie Band play alongside Buddy Guy (16th July), before household names such as Tom Jones (17th July), Macy Gray (19th July), Gregory Porter (also 19th July), Sting (20th July with special guest Joe Sumner), Archie Shepp (21st July), Jamie Cullum (22nd July) and the Blind Boys of Alabama (23rd July) take the stage. www.jazzajuan.com

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EXTRA DATES Jazz Festival Saint Raphaël 4th to 11th July Nuits du Sud Vence 6th to 29th July Les Nuits de Robinson Mandelieu 8th July to 25th august

Festival de Musique de Menton

Festival Pantiero Cannes 12th to 13th July

Nice Jazz Festival The world’s first dedicated jazz festival was birthed in the city of Nice and offers, each summer, an eclectic choice of artists and personalities. The mother-festival of all jazz performances is an experience not to be missed.

When? From 17th to 21st July.

Where? Two stages are planned for the event: the Théâtre de Verdure, nestled beneath the pine trees and facing the Mediterranean Sea, and the vibrant Place Masséna.

Who? A carefully crafted programme of dozens of bands and more than 200 musicians is to be expected including big jazz favorites like Grammy award winner Herbie Hancock and De La Soul live band (17th July); Ibrahim Maalouf (18th July); Mary J. Blige, Chinese Man and the legendary Johnny O’Neal Trio (19th July); and IAM and Deluxe (20th July). www.nicejazzfestival.fr

Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique Cannes 13th July to 24th august Nuits Musicales du Suquet Cannes 19th to 23rd July Les Concerts du Cloître Nice 19th July to 12th august Festival de Musique de Chambre Saint-Paul-de-Vence 20th to 28th July Concours International de Feux d'Artiﬁce Monaco 22nd July to 12th august Les Nuits Guitares Beaulieu 27th to 29th July Jazz à Domergue Cannes 3rd to 6th august Les Plages Électroniques Cannes 10th to 12th august

This spectacular classical music experience returns with performances by the world’s most gifted virtuosos in Menton’s enchanting landscapes. Pure bliss…

When? From 29th July to 13th August.

Where? The festival will be composed of three series of concerts: ‘Les Grands Interprètes’ located in the Baroque setting of the Saint Michel Basilica; concerts at 6pm in the Musée Jean Cocteau; and free performances on the Esplanade Francis Palmero and Square des états-Unis.

Who? This year’s ambitious programme will present: revered French violinist Renaud Capuçon and equally talented violinists Edgar Moreau and David Kadouch (31st July); pianists Christian Zacharias (1st August) and Nelson Freire (12th August); and an exclusive performance by Juan Jose Mosalini (4th August) for the tango concert ‘Noche de Tango’. Many surprises are to be expected at the Jean Cocteau museum: refreshing interpretations of Kit Armstrong (31st July); Trio Busch (6th August); and Israeli pianist Iddo Bar-Shaï (9th August). www.festival-musique-menton.fr

JulY / augusT 2017

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organic, whaT else!? Michelin-star chef Paolo Sari on his battle to promote organic food

Right photo ALL 158 INGREDIENTS MUST HAVE ORGANIC CERTIFICATION © D.R. Far right photo PAOLO SARI WITH PRINCE ALBERT IN HIS HERB GARDEN IN ROQUEBRUNE-CAPMARTIN © D.R. Lower right photo FRESHLY CAUGHT FISH AT ELSA THANKS TO AN EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH MONACOS'S ONLY FISHERMAN, ERIC RINALDI © D.R.

in 2014, venetian Paolo Sari and his restaurant elsa at Monte Carlo Beach was the ﬁrst 100% organic restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star for its exquisitely delicious cuisine. Today it is still the only one. He pours his heart out to Petra Hall.

aolo, three years ago the Michelin Guide awarded you the first star for a 100% organic restaurant. At the time you were in seventh heaven, how do you feel now? I have come back to earth with a bump. At the time, I thought the Michelin star would open many doors; that more and more people would finally realise that organic food is not a fad, but the only way to live. It is disappointing to see how few people realise this. I thought the battle would be easier. Much more effort is required if we are to convince people how important it is to eat healthy food. For example, no agriculture ministry publicises the fact that chemical fertilisers can cause cancer.

and so, for example, we have led people back to enjoying the authentic taste of tomatoes, zucchini, herbs and strawberries.

Have you noticed any changes in awareness among your guests over the last three years? Up to a point, but not to the extent I expected. People are deaf to the problem. They make passionate speeches about how we must save the oceans, but strangely enough, they don’t think about eating healthily. However, I must also point out that in the past, people just came to the Monte Carlo Beach. Today they come to eat at Elsa and many have become regulars. If you have a beach cabana, you can order your meal from Elsa. We only serve what is in season JulY / augusT 2017

“I AM NOT JUST AN ORGANIC CHEF, I AM ORGANIC!”

What do you do to raise awareness of the environment? A lot! In 2015, I founded the non-profit Bio Chef Global Spirit. Among other things, the aim is to promote organic cultivation within a radius of about 100km with our Orto initiative that supports organic farmers and organise events that promote respect for nature. We also want to encourage hotels, restaurants, schools and institutions like the hospital in Monaco to take courses on organic produce. With this in mind, we are hosting the third annual La Route du Goût Rendezvous. It runs from 12th to 15th October and offers a lively programme of activities promoting healthy eating and generally saving the planet. It is being held under the patronage of Prince Albert II. You are clearly on the same wavelength. Have there been discussions between you and Prince Albert on the subject? yes, we see each other often. I recently collected him from his home in the country at Mont Agel and we went together to my four-hectare organic vegetable and herb garden, which has an orchard attached to it above Roquebrune Cap Martin. First we picked tomatoes and then made fresh pasta. What is your philosophy in life? First of all, I am not just an organic chef, I am organic! With my heart and soul too. My maxim for life is: respect nature and you respect yourself. For me, it is almost sacrilege to chop up vegetables, so I leave them pretty much intact and use plenty of raw produce.

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What does being certified organic mean to you on a day-to-day basis? I must be able to present an organic certificate for each individual ingredient, every product. Be it for the 158 ingredients we use in the kitchen, the 33 vineyards from where we select our wines or the 22 farmers who supply our vegetables, fruit and olive oil. All are local and regional products, from Albenga in Italy to Saint-Jeannet in France. Also, our meat and fish must meet a whole list of criteria. We bake organic bread twice a day – a crazy undertaking for my 75 colleagues, but we are all passionate about it down to the last detail! Our motto: excellence and no compromises – or not at all. As far as fish is concerned, I believe you have something new to report? yes, we have recently signed an exclusive partnership with Monaco’s one remaining fisherman, Eric Rinaldi. Only he offers locally caught fish. We also work with 24 Ligurian fishermen. What has influenced you in your career? I once visited a monastery on an island between Korea and Japan. The biological age of the monks was 30 years fewer than their real age. Everything they did was guided by love and respect. The love with which they treated the earth was given back to them by nature. It went far beyond healthy eating. I found everything that is important to me in that place. 

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if i was to give this restaurant in the heart of antibes’ old town a tagline, it would have to be ‘cuisine sous le soleil’. Nacional specialises in high quality meats, but it also has a robust Mediterranean menu bursting with flavours of the region: truffles, fresh fish, burratas, and — of course — rosé.

NACIONAL IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN ANTIBES, WHICH CAN BE RARE TO FIND IN A CITY DOMINATED BY SMALL, DARK SPACES

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cuisine du soleil

BeneaTh an oPen sKY Nacional Beef & Wine By eLsa carpenter

ocated in Place Nationale of Antibes’ vieille ville, the Restaurant Nacional has a modest, even humble, entrance. Beyond its covered terrace extends an ample indoor dining area with dusky lighting and rough stone walls before you arrive at the main event: a vast open space beneath an open sky. Above the tables and chairs, vines creep along a fluid metal structure and in the centre of the patio, a beautiful stone fountain is adorned with brass taps and organic glass ornaments. Richly-coloured terracotta walls and leafy green verdure only add to the classically Mediterranean décor. Nacional has made its name on the back of its extensive and diverse hand-selected wines (many of which you won’t find elsewhere in the port city) and its gourmet selection of meat, from Galician to aged Irish beef and Ibérico de Bellota, a pork from pigs nourished by a foraged and acorn-based diet. The restaurant has even been known to offer Wagyu, that fabled marbled beef, on certain occasions. Here, however, you will find something to suit every palate. The cuisine is simple, as good ‘cuisine du soleil’ should be. Starters include the likes of foie gras mi-cuit in a Sauternes wine (16€) and mature French and Italian cheeses accompanied by charcuterie (14€). We have

a preference for the gambas in a light and pleasantly crunchy batter (14€), but would recommend the Grand Plateau de Tapas à Partager (45€) if you are dining in a large group. For a meat-focused restaurant, you would, of course, expect a strong carte des viandes: Galician fillet of beef (45€), Rossini (38€), a rack of lamb with a full-bodied jus (28€), and a moist caramelised pork rib plate (22€) to name just a few. A menu featuring specialty beef is also available. For fish: a risotto with asparagus cream topped with pan-fried sea bass (27€) or the lightly cooked scallops with a sumptuous truffle mass and mushrooms fried with parsley (29€). A range of pizzas (such as the Pêcheur with calamari, mussels, fresh tomato, lime and mizuna on a squid ink base) and burgers are also on offer for a less refined, but nonetheless tasty, meal. The wine list offers the best of France and the Côtesde-Provence, and we are happy to leave the choice largely in the hands of the server. We have been regular visitors to this restaurant for sometime now and have never been disappointed by its cuisine or service (in fluent English), although its setting could possibly make up for it even if we were. It is a breath of fresh air in Antibes, which can be rare to find in a city dominated by small, dark spaces and tourist-targeted menus, and comes highly recommended if you are looking to dine al fresco in a memorable locale. 

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localiTY reinTerPreTed Arnaud Faye and originality at La Chèvre d'Or By aiLa stöcKMann

As a chef accustomed to colder climes, Faye had to explore the ‘cuisine du soleil’ of the south so he departed to explore the area between the Mercantour mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea, from the Collines de Bellet vineyards in Nice to Piedmont in Italy. He met with local producers, chose the best produce he could find and began composing new — and different — dishes inspired by his surroundings. “The Mediterranean-style of cuisine was, at its roots, nothing but a poor person’s kitchen,” says the 40-year-old. He did not hesitate to reinterpret typical local dishes: “Everyone likes Pissaladière or Socca!” At the moment, his amuse bouches that precede each menu are typically Niçois such as the Pan Bagnat or Soupe au Pistou, but presented in a surprisingly innovative way. The Pois Chiche dish (pictured) is ennobled with giant prawns, octopus and anise. Fleurs de courgettes are also on the menu as are typical fish from the region combined with lemon from Menton or sometimes with liquorice. Guests appreciate the rabbit dish with smoked squid the most and General Manager of the hotel Thierry Naidu reveals how his skepticism has been transformed: “And to think at first that we were unsure whether to put it on the menu at all!” For dessert, there is no way past the signature dessert of equally gifted chef patissier Julien Dugourd: the Vision d'un Citron de Pays with basil and mascarpone. Dugourd and Faye have known each other for a long time and are the perfect team. Their good humour translating into their sunny creations. Faye has not long fallen to the allure of ‘cuisine du soleil’, hut here, between mountains and sky, his menus unfold more taste and flavour than could be achieved anywhere else. 

a new chef who is daring to do something diﬀerent: reconsider ingredients traditionally viewed as ‘peasant’ food.

ourmands of the region know only too well the secrets of La Chèvre d’Or — the golden goat — a two Michelin star restaurant in Èze, between Nice and Monaco. Perched high on a hill in the medieval old town, guests sit high above the sea and experience an almost deity-like state as one delicacy is served after the next. For a year now, chef Arnaud Faye has been writing the menu of the restaurant at this five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and he has successfully mastered his number one goal: to keep the second Michelin star of the restaurant.

Lunch menu from 85€ evening menu: 240€ (main courses from 68€) JulY / augusT 2017

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from Thailand To The riviera Forget the classic scoop and waﬄe cone… in the old town of Nice, 24-yearolds adrien rosenpick and Jeremy akouka have a whole new ice cream concept! JulY / augusT 2017

The Rolling Company By eLsa carpenter

he temperature has hit 34°C by the time we reach The Rolling Company’s new boutique on a quaint street of the vieille ville and I’m grateful for not only the refreshing ice cream that greets us, but also a bit of shade in the searing heat. Parisian Adrien Rosenpick and Jeremy Akouka from Cannes don’t seem bothered by the weather, however. This is perfect for business.

“We saw the rolling technique while we were on holiday in Thailand,” explains Adrien, “and had been thinking about starting a company together after we finished our master’s degrees at the European Business School in Paris. No one else in France was doing the rolling technique - we’re the very first!” unique to france The base product – a mixture of cream, milk and sugar – is made by a laitier, a dairy producer. Due to its short shelf-life, The Rolling Company’s desserts are fresh and largely free of the preservatives you’d usually find in other shop-bought ice creams. The fruity flavours added to the frozen cream mix are 90% pure fruit: low in sugar and rich in natural goodness. After a brief trial with a machine made in China – “The quality of the equipment just didn’t live up to our expectations…” – Adrien and Jeremy contacted a specialist frigoriste in France, who set about redesigning and building two bespoke machines. They are the first of their kind in the country, something the lads are very proud to tell Riviera Insider. All that can be seen of the equipment is a flat metal dish roughly 40cm in diameter. This is chilled to -30°C, which quickly freezes the creamy base and transforms it into ice cream in under a minute. fresh & flavoursome Customers choose their flavours from a board behind the counter and these are added straight to the mixture as it’s cooling on the dish. you can find a video of the action on our Facebook page! Adrien makes us a fragrant raspberry and apricot ice cream, smoothing out the colourful mixture before moving on to the trademark rolling technique. He adds a sprinkling of praline nuts and a squirt of Chantilly cream – delicious in the hot sun! Other combinations include: Oreo and chocolate (one of their biggest sellers and presented with a handful of mini Oreos on top of the rolls); exotic mango, passion fruit, pineapple and coconut; banana and Kinder Bueno; pear; blueberries… They’ve tried to step away from traditional ice cream flavours and tell me that they spent the week before our rendez-vous experimenting with everything from lemon and fresh mint leaves (Jeremy’s favourite) to champagne and truffles. Whatever your personal preference and regardless how many toppings you add, the price remains the same at 4.50€. The recent good weather of May and June has been ideal for the young businessmen: “We’ve only been open for the last three months, but we’re pleased with how it’s worked so far. We’ve had queues around the corner on some weekends!” They already have plans to expand The Rolling Company – first to Toulon in 2018 then Saint Raphaël and Paris – with their concept being to encourage others to pick up the franchise and take the rolling technique across France. The duo are part of the Instagram generation and are typically media savvy – take a look at @therollingcompany_ to find out more about their tasty and creative treats!  7 rue du Marché, nice

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The Beach of reference Plage Beau Rivage

cessful season under the Mediterranean sun (and make a hearty 5,000€ contribution to the Association Française des Victimes contre le Terrorisme). Today, after a period of renovations led by architect Florian Roméo, the beach presents a luxurious and contemporary concept to its clients. It’s one imparted with high levels of service, a new canapé eatery – Le Beachstraw – to compliment the main restaurant as well as a langoustine pool, VIP private beach experience, and a chic and understated atmosphere. Chef Laurent Oriti-Niosi’s cuisine focuses on exclusively fresh produce and is served both indoor and out all year long. By night, Plage Beau Rivage’s lounge zone is transformed into an alfresco entertainment venue with special soirées organised throughout the week. The beach has also positioned itself as the ideal setting for private events (500 covers in the restaurant and as well as space for up to 1,200 people for cocktail events). In line with its stylish new appearance, Plage Beau Rivage has collaborated with a number of local artists such as Patrick Frega, who created the signature blue chair sculpture at the entrance of the

Photo THE PRIME SEAFRONT LOCATION HAS MADE 107 QUAI DES ETATS-UNIS THE BEACH OF REFERENCE IN NICE

beach, and urban Nice-based street artist OTOM, who has taken the same subject, but created a series of unique frescos and murals. The private beach is open until October from 9am to 6pm; the year-round restaurant from 12pm to 4pm and 7pm to 10.30pm; and the lounge bar from 10am to midnight. www.plagenicebeaurivage.com

A secret from Provence to discover And shAre

Maison Jonquier 16 Rue Nationale 83190 Ollioules TEL : 09 54 15 08 64 www.nougat-jonquier.fr

DE 1885 À AUJOURD’HUI,

WAnt to leArn more About our crAft ? COME AND MAKE YOUR NOUGAT DURING OUR WORKSHOP

Call + 33 9 54 15 08 64

UNE HISTOIRE QUI S’ÉCRIT DE

Free Visit of the Nougat factory on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10.30 am,2.30 pm, 4.00 pm

G É N É R AT I O N E N G É N É R AT I O N …

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he prime location of this private beach and restaurant has long made it an essential stop for residents and tourists – it was, in fact, the first place I visited when I moved here – but it has now coupled location with sophistication to ensured that 107 Quai des états-Unis is the beach of reference in the city. The story of Plage Beau Rivage goes back to 1860, when it was first built in front of the hotel of the same name. It became a state concession in the 1950s before being bought by a Niçois hotelier group in 2005 and coming under the management of director Antoine Attia. He established an extensive investment programme for the beach – some 30% of profits per year – but in 2010, when the vast majority of his plans were completed, a freak storm destroyed the beachfront address. Never ones to be disheartened, Attia and his staff picked themselves up and began anew. Even the Promenade des Anglais terror attack in 2016 did little to dampen their drive and in autumn last year, Plage Beau Rivage beat all odds to experience a suc-

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luxurY caTering À la Helen Traiteur an interview with eric-Helen Louis, the president of the region’s leading gourmet caterer, Helen Traiteur. elen Traiteur has recently opened a new office in Cannes and is among the list of prefered suppliers at the Palais des Festivals. Why Cannes, after Monaco in 2012? For three main reasons: to continue our commercial development in the French Riviera; to be closer to our customers; and to achieve a listing at the Palais des Festivals, a place we have worked closely with over the years (in addition to the Palais des Congrès of Nice, Monaco and Antibes-Juan-les-Pins). Arnaud Louis, my son and also the third generation of the family, is now in charge of our new office in Cannes.

How are you different from other caterers in the region? The best thing would be to ask our clients! We listen to their needs and provide as much of a personalised service as we can. We are very committed to Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development. Having certifications such as the ISO9001 and — soon — ISO20121 has helped us establish a flawless organisation that is constantly challenging itself. The objective of our work is the satisfaction of our clients and the continuous improvement of our services. What is your involvement in the Pacte National de la Lutte Contre le Gaspillage Alimentaire? Our team shares many values and fighting against food waste is one of them. Until three years ago, we weren’t able to legally give away any of our excess. Myself, when I was the president of Traiteur de France and Guillaume Garot, deputy, signed the pact which put in motion an enormous evolution of legislation, and established a network of agreements in the region with charitable associations. If we are catering at an event and realise that the number of guests isn’t what was expected, our trained service staff will speak with the client and ask whether an association can be contacted for the surplus. We’ll then prepare and load a vehicle with the food — the association only has to come and collect it. By 2016, we gave away more than 600 meals and we’re already at 540 for 2017. It’s really something we’re very proud of. 

How would you describe your cuisine? 50% of the gala menu and 90% of cocktail party menus change from one year to the next. We don’t just have one kitchen, but several because the expectations of our clients can be very different according to their nationality, style of event, the time of year and the atmosphere they are trying to create. Our cuisine is tied to the region and we use as much local produce as possible — it must be colourful and tasty!

You have collaborated at events in the most beautiful parts of the region, like the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. What makes a venue? Working with so many places of prestige and having meaningful relationships with the venues brings us a real happiness. It would be too hard to list my favourites! That said, we can also create a sumptuous reception in a tent or a shed — it’s the magic of the event that makes it. JulY / augusT 2017

PUBLI

Who are your clients? We have 85% corporate and 15% private clients. Of course, the clientele is often Anglo-Saxon, French or Russia, but it’s extremely varied.

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Riviera Insider brings you the latest collections and timepieces from horology’s greatest names.

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Hour of femininity

iT’s Time

BLANCPAIN

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Baselworld 2017 was the stage for the launch of eight new Blancpain designed watches, but this interchangeable Date Moon Phases model caught our eye the most. Presented in a wooden box with five alternative straps to match your mood and outfit (red, midnight blue and sky blue alligator leather, white ostrich leather and black satin), this Villeret collection piece features a bezel adorned with 48 full-cut diamonds, a stainless steel case and a matt white dial with leaf-shaped hands. The sapphire moon on the dial honours the links between watchmaking and astrology, but it is also a playful acknowledgment of the brand’s 18th century heritage. If you look closely, you’ll find a beauty spot on the smile of the moon’s smiling mouth. In the era when Blancpain was founded, this was a sign of a fun-loving, teasing attitude. 

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Queen of Naples

BREGUET Inspired by the very first wristwatch that A. L. Breguet designed for Caroline Murat in 1810, the Reine de Naples trio (Princesse 8965, 8918 and 8928) is the epitome of femininity and boldness. The Princesse edition showcased here features a cambered 18-carat rose gold casing, bezel with 83 brilliant-cut diamonds, a naturally clear white mother-of-pearl dial, open-tipped rose gold hands, and water resistance to 30m. It is available with: an alligator leather strap including a gold folding clasp set with 29 brilliant-cut diamonds or with a rose gold bracelet set and 104 brilliant-cut diamonds. 

Flying the ﬂag

OMEGA As a partner of the Emirates Team New Zealand at the annual America’s Cup for over two decades, OMEGA is officially tasked with providing each crew member with a timepiece that reflects the precision, accuracy and pioneering spirit of the globally renowned team. For the 2017 edition of the race, this watch was the limited edition Speedmaster X-33. “Given that nothing is ever taken onboard an America's Cup yacht that isn't absolutely essential, the X-33 [had] to prove itself as a useful piece of equipment, not just during the race, but in the crucial moments before it begins. Sporting a mix of analogue and digital functions, the X-33 included an ingenious Regatta function and a series of alarms (each with their own recognisable ringing sequence) to give the crew audible cues so they can concentrate fully on preparation. Once the race begins, the X-33 can then be used to measure progress,” says OMEGA of the new addition to its collection. It is cased in Grade 2 brushed titanium with a black dial featuring blue rings and white transferred markings, and cut outs for digital readings. In a nod to Kiwi culture, the ceramic-titanium mix bezel includes a star at 60 seconds as well as the 15, 30 and 45 second positions; a reference to the Southern Cross on the New Zealand flag.  JulY / augusT 2017

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Sleek & sculptural

ECCO Chic and exemplary comfort have been ECCO’s master principles since 1963. From Strasbourg to Paris, one of the world’s leading shoe manufacturers – ECCO – has opened a new boutique on Rue de la Liberté in Nice. Of the new collection, the stand-out design is a fine leather heeledsandal. Delicate and refined in its design yet sturdy and comfortable to wear, this versatile ally to your wardrobe will perfectly frame the curve of your foot and offer support and elegance to your posture. The model comes in different colours, from subtle grey to classic black and neutral tones. 

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Urban youth

LIU JO The focal piece from Italian fashion brand Liu Joâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-winter collection is a marked break from classic stripes, rosebud pinks, onyx blacks and cherry reds of the season with an extrovertist strapless dress. A statement cut, sprinkled with red mouth prints perfectly accessorised with oversized statement jewellery, it defines the waist and elongates the silhouette. The asymmetry of the design offers a playful yet intricate look found nowhere else. www.liujo.com ď Ž

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golf

T e e i n g

o f f

o n

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GOLF CORRESPONDENT RAIMUND THEOBALD

golf de sainT donaT in grasse “a golf course? Here?” were our collective thoughts as we headed behind the town of Mouans-Sartoux on the route de Cannes towards Grasse. Yet in this densely populated place, there is still plenty of space for the Saint Donat golf club.

riends from Switzerland, with whom we are playing on this day, explained the directions to us. Simple as they may be – find the Golf de Saint Donat sign – there is still much exploring to do when we get there. Arriving is only the first phase. It is quite unbelievable that such a large golf course can find a home in the middle of a bustling residential area. However, as we later discover, a multitude of vegetation in the form of forest, bushes and copses is concealed in the hilly landscape. Next to the golf course, there are also other sports facilities and the local tennis courts. The golf course itself occupies an extensive area with a clubhouse, exercise facilities and a variety of

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parking places: it makes a good impression. Having arrived on the terrace, a beautiful view of a large pond with a villa property in the background opens up before us. Beyond that and everything else is hidden from view, we can only see a narrow Par 3 on the left and a portion of the 18th hole. Our initial plans are to take the course on foot, but our friend counsels the buggy: “Later in the day, it can feel quite mountainous.” I am glad we followed his advice. After the first two holes, we already found ourselves heading uphill. The greens undulate in this hilly terrain. When you can combine fitness and endurance with gameplay, all while enjoying the landscape, you know this will be a good day on the course.

From a sporting point of view, the course is a challenge and not only for high and medium handicappers. For the longhitter, several perhaps unwelcome surprises await at many holes. The Par 5 tracks are short, the Par 4s (except for two tracks of over 300 metres) are tricky. With each hole, the golfer has to adapt to the changing requirements of the course. Golfing like this could not be a more interesting or scenic experience: the pace is fast and the setting is sublime. Along with the many other people playing on this fine day, we decide to end four and a half hours of golfing in the sun on the wonderful terrace. All in all a great golfing day. We’ll even let the grumpy welcome by a few staff members and the slightly unpleasant smell in the locker room and the toilets of the clubhouse slide. These small problems should be given more attention by club management – a little motivation and perfume would work miracles here! 

Born in 1956 and a passionate golfer since 1992, raimund is a lover of France in all its forms: the people, the food and wine, the culture, and most importantly Provence and Côte d'azur.

GOLF DE SAINT DONAT 270 Route de Cannes 06130 Grasse +33 (0)4 93 09 76 60 Restaurant La Closerie +33 (0)4 93 09 76 67 www.golfsaintdonat.com

The course

118 hole Par 71 Lengths from various discounts: 5705m white 5267m yellow 4784m blue 4342m red Driving range, putting & chipping greens Clubhouse, restaurant with nice terrace & well stocked Proshop. Green fee for 18 holes: 80€ Buggy: 40€ electric caddy: 15€ Manual caddy: 5€ Open all year

Marie-Christine,

In Provence • www.aumerade.com Please drink responsibly. Consume in moderation.

The true nature of rosé

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la Piscine Let’s take a dip By eLsa carpenter

Whether for the clear blue skies or the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean, it’s not without reason that this part of the world is called the Côte d’azur. But if you’ve tired of the sand and salt of the beaches, grab your towel and head to one of these stunning swimming pools. after you!

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coastal cool

1. five seas Hotel, cannes With a 13m stainless steel infinity pool surrounded by turquoise walls and a beautiful Brazilian teak deck, this five-star pool offers the ultimate escape from city life. Charming features include its exceptional views of the 19th century Notre-Dame de Bon Voyage church and the roofs of Le Suquet neighbourhood.

5. Hôtel royal riviera, cap ferrat We’ll take a side order of gourmet with this one, please! The Royal Riviera’s ample outdoor pool is within metres of two excellent restaurants - Jasmin Grill & Lounge and La Table du Royal by chefs Bruno Le Bolch and Alain Parodi - as well as the well-stocked Pool Bar, open throughout the summer from 10.30am to 6pm.

2. nikki Beach, Monaco From dawn till dusk (and often vice versa), the panoramic rooftop pool of the Fairmont bathes under the light of 300 days of sun a year. From its generous asymmetric 15m x 7m pool and luxury loungers, guests can soak up exclusive views of the famous Grand Prix hairpin bend and the Monte-Carlo opera house and casino.

6. Hôtel du cap-eden-roc, antibes Perhaps the most iconic swimming pool of the French Riviera, this idyllic infinity pool has welcomed countless famous faces into its waters since hotelier Antoine Sella carved it out of basalt rock in 1914. While it doesn’t have the size of other pools on this list, it certainly has the views: from Juan-les-Pins to the Lérins Islands and the Estérel mountains. This is one photogenic destination.

rural resorts 3. Le Mas candille, Mougins Nestled in amongst eight hectares of exquisite Provençal olive groves and cypress trees, this five-star 18th century bastide has not one, not two, but three inviting pools as well as two jacuzzi areas, a sauna and a fitness suite. La Pergola 14.5m x 13m infinity pool and the hydrotherapy pool are strictly reserved for adults, although children are welcomed at Le Mas pool under parental supervision.

7. cap estel, Èze Perched above the Mediterranean on a privately-owned peninsular, there is likely no other place in the region with the privacy of Cap Estel’s outdoor saltwater infinity pool… Simply sublime!

4. terre Blanche, tourrettes Mythical natural views are in abundance at this awardwinning relaxation and golfing retreat. Measuring a staggering 40m x 15m, the setting and views of the outdoor heated infinity pool will truly take your breath away. Add to this an architecturally inspired indoor pool and outdoor vitality spa pool (plus a kids pool), and there’s no reason to go anywhere else in the hills this summer. JulY / augusT 2017

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8. Monte carlo Bay, Monaco Heaven lives outdoors at this Société des Bains de Mer resort at the eastern edge of the principality with cascading waterfalls, a sandy-bottom lagoon (the first of its kind in Europe), an outdoor infinity pool, pergolas, bridges and exotic gardens.

Pools with a view 9. Villa Belrose, saint tropez Often described as a wellness and beauty retreat with an à la carte attitude, the palatial Villa Belrose’s extensive list of treatments and spa facilities is well-complimented by its glorious 25m x 12m swimming pool, 300m² lounger area and quaint Le Petit Belrose pool restaurant by chef Pietro Volontè. It offers immaculate views of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez from its Classicalstyle terrace. 10. tiara yaktsa, théoule Oh, the enchanting Estérel mountains! Found just below the hotel’s ‘Garden of Eden’, the Tiara yaktsa’s 18m² pool is enclosed on three sides by the region’s famous red rocks and lush foliage. The bright blue of the pool stands out against the rusty background and signature lavender accents of the hotel to make for an address that seems at once exotic and innately Mediterranean. JulY / augusT 2017

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“i like wine and i like good company” summer wiTh cluB vivanova our guests to network, enjoy gourmet food and fine wines, let their hair down, relax and meet a great group of interesting and international party-people. “The key to the success of our Club Vivanova events is the care we take in execution: everything from the moment we release the invitations up to the moment the last clients leave the event. We run pre- and post-promotional event campaigns; work with some of the most trusted and leading loca-

radley Mitton, the driven and dynamic founder of Club Vivanova, runs luxury wine events at five-star locations spanning across continental Europe. During the summer, Club Vivanova concentrates their events in the south of France and Monaco, where the rich and famous celebrate in style. Over a glass of his New Zealand Sliding Hill Sauvignon Blanc,

Bradley tells us why this is going to be the sexiest summer ever. “This summer is going to be sensational for our Club Vivanova members and event attendees. The region turns into a frenzy of parties all the way from Monaco to Saint Tropez and we have carefully planned four diverse and exceptional events at world-class locations. It’s an opportunity for

“i like Bradley, i like wine and i like good company. Put those ingredients together and you’ve got Club vivanova” – club member tions on the Riviera and with an array of international corporate business partners; and the events are managed meticulously with the guests’ best interests at heart. We are without doubt the best at

this on the Riviera and we are growing in numbers at every event. As our members state: we are not a club, we are a community. Club Vivanova drives this concept forward with passion and enthusiasm — come and join us and see for yourself.” And we will!  1st July Grand Hyatt Hôtel Martinez, Cannes Summer gala party with gourmet wine dinner, fashion art exhibition and live entertainment 6th July Tiffany & Co. Boutique, Nice Champagne & diamonds presentation 20th July Château de la Chèvre d’Or, Èze Premium rosé degustation party 4th august Amber Summer, Le Meridien Hotel Monte-Carlo, Monaco Chilled Out wine party

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summer z.nighTs Zplage at the Martinez he sun might be going down, but the action has only just begun! During July and August, the Grand Hyatt Martinez’s private beach – Zplage – is hosting a range of non-stop exclusive evenings and entertainment soirées right on the Croisette’s golden sand. Resident DJ Maggy Smiss will be playing all the great summer tunes of 2017 each night of the week from 6pm to late; this five-star address becomes the place to be during Cannes’ famous fireworks festival ) 13th, 21st and 29th July as well as 7th, 15th and 24th August); and musicians from across the genres will perform at highlycoveted Z.Night dinner shows on special nights throughout the summer. Artists and acts include the likes of crooner Henrick Solera, Sonny Axell (rhythm and blues, soul), Galactica Band (international hits), Myriam Abel, Max Corfini & The Punti di Vista (funk)… To complete your night under

the stars, Zplage has launched a brand new cocktail menu with sharing cocktails like the Flamingo Rosa –Elyx vodka with Campari, exotic fruit liqueur, lemon and ginger – starting at 60€ for 0.5l and served in a show-stopping copper flamingo. If you prefer non-alcoholic or something more traditional, smoothies and other cocktails are available from 15€, such as the Cucumber Martini (Beefeater gin with basil, cucumber, ginger, sugar and lime) or the Kiwi Slim juice (kiwi, celery, apple and spinach). www.cannesmartinez.grand. hyatt.com

Creativity & community rom open air cinema to festivals, concerts, exhibitions and festivals, the picturesque town of Valbonne has really turned up the heat on this summer’s activities. Best of all: almost all of the events organised by the mairie are free of charge and open to everyone. From 5th to 9th July, the community festival of Rue(z) & Vous will entertain and astound spectators of all ages with acrobatic and street acts at over a dozen performances around the local area. The creative spirit continues on 13th and 14th July as Valbonne celebrates France’s national day. Music and an al fresco ball are planned for the evening of the 13th in the Place des Arcades before more solemn commemorations are held at the Place de l’église the following day at 11am. Boules fanatics can join in with JulY / augusT 2017

Arlette Gruss returns to the south of France he Arlette Gruss circus is one of the most popular circus’ in France and this year, it will spend six weeks touring the French Riviera. The circus was first created in 1985 by Madame Arlette Gruss (1930-2006) and seven generations of Gruss’ have kept the circus running through the years, with each yearly show more exciting and inventive than the last. Today the Circus Gruss holds a special place in the hearts of many French families and is known for its universal appeal to all ages in the family. Each performance is a futuristic imagining of the circus, complete with acrobats, clowns and animals. This year’s shows start with the lines: Once upon a time, there was a sumptuous jewel case in red and white where the circus was reinvented … There will be fairies, ele-

summer in valbonne f

once upon a time…

competitive play from 29th July to 15th August or join in with traditional dancing and gastronomy at the Fête la Saint Roch from 14th to 16th August. The famous Arlette Gruss circus arrives in town on 12th August for eight days and the Big Top will be set up in Pré de la Vignasse. Tours of the circus’ zoo are also available and reservations are recommended. With around 10 different exhibitions taking place over the next few months, Valbonne in 2017 is a dream destination for culture, art and excitement. Whether you want to study calligraphy, shop in rustic Provençal markets (every Friday from 8am to 2pm) or enjoy a film beneath the stars (Babysitting 2 at 9.30pm on 25th July and The Jungle Book at 9.30pm on 28th July), there is something for all here! www.tourisme-valbonne.com

phants, tigers and lionesses, hypnotists and jugglers. This year’s performance promises new improvements to the circus with electronic ticketing, new costumes and high-tech lighting, which will all create a more thrilling and immersive circus experience. The circus itself occupies 2,700m2 when set up and even has a zoo! Gilbert Gruss, the current director of the circus famously quoted Picasso when asked about his circus saying, “Everything I can imagine can one day become real.” The circus will visit Saint Tropez, Fréjus, Cabris, Hyères, Valbonne and finally back to Fréjus again from 15th July until 30thAugust. Tickets range from 15€ to 35€ and can be bought online at www.circus-gruss.com.

You are what you eat Nutrition in accordance with natural laws ach of us has a certain physical and mental constitution (Dosha), which distinguishes us from others. If we know our own nature, we can consciously influence these energy principles and balance the interaction of the three Doshas: Vata, Pittaand Kapha. The Doshas are composed of the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. VATA (space/air) is responsible for movement in the body; PITTA (fire/water) ensures optimal metabolism and digestion; and

KAPHA (earth/water) stands for a structuring, stabilising principle. According to Ayurveda, typespecific diet is the key to holistic wellbeing. Everything we absorb using the senses, what we eat and what we experience permeates the levels of positivity and negativity. If the balance is ‘out of balance’, we can restore it through deliberate and conscious actions. For example, try to only eat ingredients that are freshly and carefully prepared. Discover your Dosha: www.anahataflow.eu

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The ulTimaTe wedding venue Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

dens for the ceremony. The fountains and sheer length of the garden pools, with the pergola at the end, are an exquisite backdrop for the bride and groom when they say ‘I do’! Being able to have the cocktail hour and dinner outside is magical. With the warm Côte d’Azur weather and beauty of the villa lit up at night, we often have wedding guests say: “This is the best wedding I’ve ever been to!” Twinkling lights in the distance, the Mediterranean Sea blowing a warm breeze up through the gardens and music playing up to the heavens… This location a real fairytale setting! Who are your main clients here? Our clients are generally Americans or of multicultural nationalities: French marrying Chinese, but living in LA; English marrying German, but living in Dubai; Indian marrying Bulgarian, but living in NyC… What trends are you noticing in 2017? Definitely a lot more champagne/gold tones in the styling and décor, clean lines and modern simplicity. Understated elegance is highly sought after by our American couples! 

s one of the most magical settings of the French Riviera, it’s no wonder that the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild has become a favourite among international couples seeking a location beyond reproach. To find out more, Riviera Insider speaks to wedding planner Monica Delevaux of Haute Wedding. How would you describe the Villa ephrussi de rothschild?

It is a unique gem nestled atop a very prestigious peninsula on the French Riviera. Guests are mesmerised the moment they arrive! The architecture and gardens are breathtaking. Many wedding guests have never experienced such an exclusive venue in their home countries. The views overlooking the Villefranche bay are postcard perfect with luxury yachts dotting the azure waters. Our guests often enjoy a cool welcome refreshment drink here with a string quartet playing before moving to the main gar© By Morlotti Studio

JulY / augusT 2017

indian summers

lifesTYle

ôtel Royal-Riviera has launched the new season of its Indian-inspired restaurant Jasmin Grill & Lounge. Together, chefs Bruno le Bolch and Alain Parodi have infused dining at this luxury five-star resort with a whole new flavour by transforming the former pergola into a stunning, waterfront terrace complete with Tandoori oven. The new terrace area will take guests on a voyage from the scintillating waters of the Riviera below, down the Silk Road to India. The Jasmin Grill & Lounge menu offers diners an exciting blend of authentic Indian cuisine – scampi with ginger, chilli, turmeric, coconut and lime; rose langoustine in a lemongrass curry; tandoori freerange chicken; or garam massala lamb cutlets – and contemporary Mediterranean dishes. Jasmin Grill & Lounge is the ideal space to relax with all the luxuries of this five-star resort within easy reach: a heated swimming pool, a private beach and the renowned Thalgo wellness centre. New : DJ Live evenings every Thursday with DJ Mr Jaz – Starting from 6:30pm 

Tandoori spice at the Jasmin Grill & Lounge

Hôtel Royal-Riviera 3, AV. JEAN MONNET, 06230 ST-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT ROYAL-RIVIERA.COM open eVery day non stop serVice froM LuncH to dinner

JulY / augusT 2017

PUBLI

riviera

Business & finance

new measures again for furnished renTals

he French government has launched further measures to regulate furnished rentals. More and more landlords are using the services of private rental websites for short-term rentals and the French authorities want to control this rapid development. Since 1st January 2017, landlords must pay the contributions to the RSI (Social Regime of Independents) on their rental income as soon as the annual turnover is beyond 23,000€. If landlords offer shortterm accommodation or if one of the household members already has a furnished rental/s, this must also be registered as a ‘professional’ activity. Under the amount of 23,000€, the annual rental amount is liable to social contributions (15.5%) since 1st January 2016, but the Social Security Financing Act for 2017 allows, in certain cases, to derogate from the RSI new obligation by opting for affiliation to the general social security scheme if the annual gross rental income does not exceed 82,800€. But

before choosing this scheme, it is important to check the advantages and disadvantages of declaring under the most tax-efficient regime. To avoid landlords ‘forgetting’ to declare their rental income via platforms such as Airbnb, persons concerned will have to report to the French tax authorities all revenues realised by their clients from 1st January 2019, as well as the name of the owner and personal details of the owner. In some locations, such as Paris (cities of more than 200,000 inhabitants or towns of more than 50,000 inhabitants) landlords will also have to make a declaration in the local mairie. Generally speaking, from 1st January 2017, all revenues from furnished rentals will be subjected to the BIC tax regime (industrial and commercial profits). In the future, controls by the French tax authorities will be strengthened and it is important to ensure you are up-to-date if you rent your house or apartment legally and wish to avoid penalties. 

a connecTed fuTure

BnBKeYs

Lufthansa to invest 500 million euros in personalised digital oﬀers

A new property management solution for homeowners in the French Riviera

Whether above the clouds or on the ground, all realms of the Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS and Eurowings are set to benefit from a long-term project of digital investment. Lufthansa became the first airline to offer internet access on its long-haul commercial flights back in 2003. Again in 2010, it was the first to provide broadband on intercontinental flights. Today Lufthansa is offering passengers on its short and mediumhaul flight aircraft WiFi technology with unlimited surfing and streaming across Europe. Lufthansa passengers will be able to connect to the WiFi network from their own devices on a progressive tariff of three, seven and twelve euros per flight (respectively: FlyNet Message, FlyNet Surf and FlyNet Stream). Austrian Airlines will also offer the same service, albeit under the slightly different name of myAustrian. SWISS also proposes internet access with SWISS Connect, 3 packs of available data on board Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A330-300 aircrafts at an all-in-price of between 8€ and 36€. The full long haul SWISS fleet will be equipped with internet on all three classes by the end of 2018. The introduction of these services on medium and short haul flights is also

f Airbnb seems too informal, but a management company seems too strict, recent start-up Bnb-keys could be your solution. Launched at the start of this year in Vallauris and is now offering its services in English online, Bnbkeys allows homeowners to rent out their properties short-term without the hassle of managing client demands. For holidaymakers, the fledgling company pro-vides a fivestar welcome service with 24/7 assistance. Riviera Insider speaks to co-founder Charles Semmel.

JulY / augusT 2017

being envisaged. Customers travelling with Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines can use their credit card or PayPal to pay for FlyNet, in the near future they will be able to make their purchases using their air miles. When travelling with SWISS passengers can pay for FlyNet with their credit card. In addition to these WiFi-focused developments, Lufthansa Group will be investing 500 million euros in the development and improvement of its personalised digital offers between now and 2020. For example, in-flight customers can download some 250 publications such as newspapers, magazines and eJournals (across the Lufthansa Group, monthly downloads currently stand at over 200,000). “At Lufthansa, digitalisation is much more than just developing new apps,” says Member of the Executive Board of the Lufthansa Group and responsible for the Hub Airlines Harry Hohmeister. “We offer our clients state-of-the-art technology to respond to their requests and provide them with the best possible support for their journeys. It isn’t just about major innovations – it’s also about all the little things that make travelling with us more pleasant, more comfortable and more personalised.” www.lufthansagroup.com

What kind of services does Bnbkeys provide? Bnbkeys offers two formulas: a customised service with a fixed price or a management service formula with a 15% fee on the rental price (the cheapest rates on the market) with all taxes includ-ed as well as fees for the creation of publicity such as a professional photographer and digital property assessment, and cleaning. We don’t charge our clients any sign-up or ‘engagement’ fees either. What is your network? We are represented across the Côte d’Azur, in all major

destinations from Saint Tropez to Monaco. In just six months, we have added 50 properties to our books, from villas to houses, apartments and yachts. Who are your clients? Our clients are predominately holidaymakers from France, the UK, the USA, Middle East, Italy and Germany. We also have many business travellers and have a dedicated corporate section on our website’s booking pages. Where do you advertise available properties? On our website, but also on competitors’ websites like Airbnb, TripAdvisor and Abritel. We also run active social media sites and a regular newsletter. Before Bnbkeys, what was your experience in the field of real estate? My co-founder Julien Real spent two years studying in the US. He created Bnbkeys after working in the luxury concierge service for five years. I studied international relations in Paris and Germa-ny, then spent five years working in international and luxury real estate with Engel & Völkers in Cannes. www.bnbkeys.com

BENJAMIN A. KERGUENO AVOCAT LL.M

Nice - London

CONNECTING LEGAL CULTURES

attorney-counsel.com Riviera Office 28 rue Gioffredo 06000 Nice T : +33 (0)4 93 13 33 66

London Office 88 Kingsway WC2B 6AA London T: +44 0203 755 5316 benjamin.kergueno@attorney-counsel.com

Homeowners in France: should you pay the 3% tax?

All legal entities that — directly, indirectly or through an intermediary entity — hold one or more properties situated in France must pay an annual tax equal to 3% of the property market value. This applies to entities such as French and Monaco SCIs as well as entities like trusts and fiduciaries of all kind and jurisdiction, and mainstream entities such as an English LLC, a German Gmbh or a Luxembourgian Soparfi. The legal entities concerned must complete and submit the form N°2746 (which contains all the following required information: location, description and value of the properties owned as of January 1st, names and addresses of all shareholders, and the number of shares held by each of them) to the French Tax Authorities (Service des Impôts des Entreprises) by May 16th each year. It is only in providing such information that those entities will not be taxable. Failure to comply with the obligation will activate the payment of the tax and penalties will be applied. I regularly encounter foreign clients who are overwhelmed by the situation and ask me for advice because the Tax Administration called for retrospective payments going back six years for the 3% tax. What I do for them, with great pleasure, allows a relationship without misunderstanding. I am bilingual in English and French, and am proud to build bridges with foreign legal cultures and assist foreigners in understanding how French tax works. Should you wish to receive advice on your situation or determine if you are taxable in France and to what extent, please do not hesitate to contact me. My first advice is often free of charge and I will be happy to counsel you with the relevant information so that you can enjoy your vacation on the Riviera with the calm and serenity that inspires the azure sky of the French Riviera.

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when and where? The Ligne Nouvelle Provence-Côte d’Azur Over 150 years after the current railway was laid, the region could be about to sign oﬀ on plans for a brand new track. By aiLa stöcKMann & eLsa carpenter

he Côte d’Azur has a serious problem: there is so much traffic that it has begun to infringe on the quality of life here. A railway project promises a remedy in the long run, but politics and public opinion are slowing down its chances before it has even begun. The south of France is the most under-served region in the country in terms of train travel. Plans to build a new TGV line between Nice and Marseille have been in the discussion phase for decades, but there has been little progress. Since the current route between Nice and Ventimiglia was opened back in 1860, not much has been done to modernise the two-track line, which is forced to handle all areas of transport: local, long distance and freight. In the middle of the 19th century, around 1.6 million people lived in the region. Today that figure is more than three times as many – and that doesn’t count the many millions of tourists who vacation here each year. This equated to some 2.6 billion train

JulY / augusT 2017

FACTS & FIGURES

On average, commuters in the alpes-Maritimes spend 53 minutes in their car every day (national average: 43 minutes) and travel 22km (national average: 35km) 60% say the journey makes them stressed and tired Over a year, this works out at 25 working days spent in the car every year as the worst train service in France, one in six Ter trains is late and one in 20 is cancelled The route between Marseille and Menton is the busiest in the country with over 280 trains a day on the track rail travel is expected to increase by 15% by 2025

journeys in 2015 and a growing population of around 18,500 each year. Over the years, Riviera Insider has reported on the many different routes a new line could take. Perhaps it would go through the perfume fields of Grasse or cut a path into the vineyards of the Var… All have been rejected for one reason or another. Since 2011, the general consensus has been that two different courses will be needed - a high speed TGV and an urban TER - to combat the ever-growing issue of traffic and air pollution in the French Riviera. routes & complications The current plan indicates a second inland line that will compliment the coastal route we already have. However, in recent months it has become apparent that both of these tracks will be managed by the slower TER utility rather than a Ligne de Grande Vitesse (similar to the TGV). The change has been driven by the need for improved localised service for commuters. Planners have introduced the idea of more train stations and stops, with widespread use of tunnels to reduce the impact on the landscape. The project has been divided up into stages: Priority 1 routes between 2022 and 2030 (for the most urgent locations such as the Alpes-Maritimes and Marseille); Priority 2 between 2030 and 2050 (for Aubagne, Toulon and the Siagne region in the Alpes-Maritimes); and Priority 3 thereafter for links in the east of the Var and the Nice-Italy route. It is simply impossible to extend or add to the existing track in most places: its course passes through areas of outstanding natural beauty and many are just a stone’s throw from the sea. The track is forced around obstacles such as the Estérel mountains and squeezed through dense, inner-city areas. It also fails to serve a number of sites that are in desperate need of alleviation, such as the chronically gridlocked Sophia Antipolis technology park. For the Alpes-Maritimes, the prevailing plan is to build an additional track just back from the coast: leaving from Nice Airport and travelling through VilleneuveLoubet or Biot to serve Sophia Antipolis and perhaps Vallauris before ultimately syncing up with the Cannes-Grasse line. Despite it providing a solution to frustrating road traffic, all of these areas are heavily populated. Residents are outraged at the idea of a railway passing right by their front doors. Even Chanel has entered into the fray, arguing that a route taking an aqueduct above Pégomas in the Siagne valley will damage the flower fields that the perfume industry has depended on for hundreds of years. It is, however, worth noting that such a route won’t be tackled until at least 2030. Controversy is aplenty too with regards to the location of a Sophia Antipolis station. Mougins’ mayor Richard Galy was initially interested in housing it, but has now changed tack. It could have gone in the heart of the technology park, in the Les Bouillides district, but this was also rejected. Biot is totally against it. The Le Fugueiret quartier is looking the most likely – at least for now. 

Superyacht Distribution Your distribution specialist for international press on the CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Azur

In the many years since Lee Rampton founded Superyacht Distribution, he has come to know the French Riviera like the back of his hand. Together with a reliable service team, Superyacht Distribution delivers luxury magazines to prestigious hotels, megayachts, high class events and strategic distribution points across the region and beyond. Superyacht Distribution can also organise and perform express delivery of special goods on demand.

For more information:

lee@superyacht-distribution.com

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Until 20th August monaco sporting summer festival See pages 36-37. montecarlolive.com Until 22nd September cagnes sur mer Jazz au château The majestic castle of Cagnes sur Mer hosts a series of concerts every Friday. Place du Château Haut de Cagnes. 9pm. Free. cagnes-sur-mer.fr Until 15th January 2018 saint Tropez Mythe de saint-tropez A photography exhibition of the quintessential sex symbol of the French Riviera: Brigitte Bardot. Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma. 4€. sainttropeztourisme.com 1st July to 30th August alassio riviera Music festival A concert series featuring: Abba Dream, BeatBox, Double Trouble & Davide Shorty, Zen Garden, Francesco Gabbani, Fiorella Mannoia, Africa Unite, Divina tape, Gino Paoli, Danilo Rea and Franco Fasano, Gli Oronero. Piazza Partigiani. 9pm. alassio.eu 2nd July to 7th August Provençal festival the town squares, churches and theatres of Provence will come alive with classical music from some of the world’s finest young musicians. Free. provencalfestival.com 5th to 9th July valbonne rue(z) &Vous With music, clown tricks, circus performances, musical theatre and fire art, Rue(z) et Vous promises to be exceptional. tourisme-valbonne.com 6th to 29th July vence Les nuits du sud A key event on the French Riviera and open to all music genres of the world. Julian Marley, Olivia Ruiz, The Original Blues Brothers Band, Julian Perretta and many more. Place du Grand Palais. 8.30pm. From 16€. nuitsdusud.com 7th July villeneuve loubet Holi run côte d’azur A 5km race followed by vibrant JulY / augusT 2017

powder battles. Villeneuve Loubet Parking La Figuière. 8.30pm. holirun.net 7th July to 27th August genoa estate spettacolare Sumptuous summer program of Porto Antico with movies, music, dance and theatre for all tastes. Piazza delle Feste and Arena del mare. visitgenoa.it 7th July to 25th August cogolin terre-Mer festival From land to sea, Cogolin will offer a festival of colourful musical events including the Aud’show, which will pay a tribute to Celine Dion. 9.30pm. Free. golfe-saint-tropez-information.com 8th July cannes Viva Maïa Gala A tribute to ballet dancer Maïa Plissetskaïa; the event celebrates the spirit of the emblematic ballerina by combining technique and drama. Palais des Festivals. 9pm. From 10€. cannes-destination.com 8th July to 24th August Borgio verezzi festival teatrale Since 1967, the open-air theatre of Liguria has traditionally offered a variety of refreshing performances. Piazza Sant'Agostino in Verezzi. 9.30 pm. festivalverezzi.it 11th to 15th July monaco dirty dancing the Musical Enjoyed by millions of spectators around the world, this new British production will recreate the cult movie. Grimaldi Forum. 8.30pm. cotedazur-tourisme.com 11th July to 22nd August mougins Les nocturnes Performances every Tuesday with artists such as: Mysteretrio Quartet, Awek, Eric Frerejacques, Les Moldaves and Heidi Brunner. Place des Patriotes Mougins Village. 9pm. Free. mougins.fr 12th July to 28th August cervo festival internazionale di Musica da camera A traditional chamber music festival with high-calibre musicians. Oratorio Santa Caterina

or Parco del Ciapà. 9.30 pm cervofestival.com

Garnier. 8pm. From 21€. balletsdemontecarlo.com

14th to 23rd July Juan les Pins Jazz à Juan See pages 39-37. jazzajuan.com

20th to 22th July saint Tropez prestige properties Group classic Former famous tennis players will play a friendly tournament. Port of Saint-Tropez. 30€. radiosaintebaume.com

14th July to 10th September monaco La cité interdite The Grimaldi Forum presents: The Forbidden City in Monaco – The Courtly Life of the Emperors and Empresses of China exhibition. Espace Ravel. 10am to 8pm. 5€. visitmonaco.com 15th July cannes Kungs The young French DJ and producer from Toulon, Number 1 in 45 countries, will set the dancefloor ablaze with his electro show. Palais des Festivals. From 25€. cannes-destination.com Until July 16th genoa amedeo Modigliani e il suo stile Exhibition of works by the great artist from Livorno, Modigliani, for the first time in the Palazzo Ducale. palazzoducale.genova.it 16th July monaco Monte-carlo philharmonic orchestra A symphonic concert by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kazuki yamada with Véronique Gens, soprano. On the programme: Hector Berlioz and Nikolai RimskyKorsakov. Palais Princier Cour d'Honneur. 9.30 pm. opmc.mc 17th to 21st July nice nice Jazz festival See pages 36-37. nicejazzfestival.fr 18th July to 22nd August alassio Liguria in Musica Chamber concert series. Former Anglican Church. 9.15 pm. alassio.eu 19th to 21st July monaco Les Ballets de Monte-carlo A show choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jeroen Verbruggen and performed by the Compagnie des Ballets de MonteCarlo. Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Salle

20th July nice celine dion Celine Dion is celebrating 30 years of her career with a new tour all over Europe. Stade Allianz Riviera. 8.30pm. From 73€. cotedazur-tourisme.com 20th July monaco Monte-carlo philharmonic orchestra A symphonic concert by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Juraj Valcuha. On the programme: Richard Strauss, Don Juan and Anton Webern, Serge Prokofiev and Maurice Ravel. Palais Princier Cour d'Honneur. 9.30pm. opmc.mc 21st July monaco Meeting international d'athletisme The world’s greatest athletes will meet in Monaco. Stade Louis II. 7pm. From 10€. monaco.diamondleague.com 22nd July saint Tropez roberto alagna Tenor Roberto Alagna will perform his new album Malèna, which features Sicilian and Neapolitan songs. Citadelle de Saint-Tropez. 9pm. From 65€. robertoalagna.net 23rd July monaco Monte-carlo philharmonic orchestra A symphonic concert by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tomàš Netopil with Julian Rachlin, violin. On the programme: Zdeněk Fibich, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Antonin Dvořák. Palais Princier Cour d'Honneur. 9.30pm. opmc.mc 23rd July nice ironman The athletes will start from the

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Plage du Centenaire, swimming 3.8km in the Baie de Nice. The bike route is a real jewel, leading the athletes into the heart of the back country of Nice and through the picturesque villages. The running section will take place on the Promenade des Anglais. ironmannice.com 27th to 29th July Beaulieu sur mer Les nuits des Guitares Experience Les Nuits des Guitares in the magnificent setting of the Jardin de l'Olivaie. cotedazur-tourisme.com 28th July monaco red cross Gala The Red Cross Gala with French artist Christine and The Queens. Sporting Monte-Carlo Salle des Etoiles. 8.30pm. montecarlolive.com 29th July to 3rd August San Bartolomeo al Mare Rovere d'Oro Music competition with nightly concerts. Cemetery Madonna delle Rovere. 9pm. roveredoro.org 29th July to 7th August ventimiglia agosto Medievale A great medieval festival with markets, competitions, games and parades. Old Town Ventimiglia Alta. enteagostomedievale.it 28th to 30th July nice tour de france à la Voile The mythical tour of France onboard trimaran sailing boats will come to a close in the Port of Nice. tourvoile.fr 29th to 30th July eze fête Médievale The medieval celebration of Eze will take you back to the time where troubadours roamed the streets and knights rescued damsels in distress. Old town. eze-tourisme.com

Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kazuki yamada with Daishin Kashimoto, violin. On the programme: Camille Saint-Saëns and Albert Roussel. Palais Princier Cour d'Honneur. 9.30pm. opmc.mc 1st August monaco sporting summer festival A show with Italian singer Zucchero. Sporting Monte-Carlo, Salle des Etoiles. 8.30pm. 300€. montecarlolive.com 1st to 4th August mougins Le classique The festival will be held in the privileged and intimate setting of the Notre-Dame-de-Vie chapel, attracting both music lovers and novices. Chapelle Notre-Dame-deVie. 9pm. From 20€. mougins.fr 3rd to 6th August cannes Jazz à domergue Jazz enthusiasts will enjoy: Fred Nardin, Malia, Dmitry Baevsky and Eric Séva.Villa Domergue. From 10€. cannes-destination.com

Monte-Carlo, Salle Garnier. 8.30pm. 200€. montecarlolive.com 9th August mougins Ladies Jazz orchestra In the pure tradition of the great American orchestras, this big band will play the works of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and many others, as well as a little Brazilian music! Eco’Park. 9pm. Free. mougins.fr 10th August saint Tropez delices sonores A unique outdoor clubbing event featuring Breakbot & Irfane, Joris Delacroix, and Miguel Campbell. Citadelle de Saint-Tropez. 7pm to 2am. 60€. delices-sonores.com 10th August monaco sporting summer festival A show with Roger Hodgson the legendary band he formed with Rick Davies in 1969. Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Salle Garnier. 8.30pm. 100€. montecarlolive.com

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16th to 20th August monaco Legally Blonde: the Musical The cast of Legally Blonde: the Musical will offer five exceptional performances.Opéra de MonteCarlo, Salle Garnier. 8.30pm. 80€. montecarlolive.com 21st to 27th August nice cyclo sportive A prestigious cycling race held between Nice and Geneva. hauteroute.org 23rd to 27th August cannes festival de l’art russe The festival for the Russian arts will host the Choir Piatnitsky of Moscow bringing together the best dancers, singers, and musicians of 30 Russian regions. Palais des Festivals. 8.30pm. From 10€. cannes-destination.com 25th to 27th August nice ultra-trail Breathtaking landscapes will pave the way of the Ultra-trail hike from Nice to the Mercantour. ultratrail06.com

4th August cagnes sur mer Jazz au château Discover Swallow, a soul/jazz group, who combines gospel and rhythm and blues music. Place du Château. 9pm. Free. cagnes-sur-mer.fr 6th August monaco Monte-carlo philharmonic orchestra A symphonic concert by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Marc Albrecht with David Guerrier, trumpet. On the programme: Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ludwig Van Beethoven. Palais Princier, Cour d'Honneur. 9.30pm. opmc.mc

29th July to 13th August menton 68th festival de Musique de Menton See pages 36-37. festival-musique-menton.fr

7th August monaco sporting summer festival A show with Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti. Sporting Monte-Carlo, Salle des Etoiles. 8.30pm. 400€. montecarlolive.com

30th July monaco Monte-carlo philharmonic orchestra A symphonic concert by the

8th August monaco sporting summer festival A show with legendary Irish rock band The Cranberries. Opéra de JulY / augusT 2017

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riviera Press celeBraTes

25 years of Riviera Zeit(ung) Photos: MeGHann stanLey

The unique place, the cheerful mood of 200 happy guests, the spell of a Mediterranean full moon night… Magical! No other word can describe better our fabulous 25th birthday party at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild last June. In 1992, our editor-in-chief, Petra Hall, founded our German sister magazine under the title Riviera Côte d’Azur Zeitung, which in 2015 was taken over by Riviera Press and became RivieraZeit. Ten years after the creation of RZ, in 2003, newspaper The Riviera Times was born, now Riviera Insider. Staying alive in the often rude press scenery of the

Côte d’Azur needs a lot of motivation, determination and savoirfaire. So the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild was the worthy location to value our efforts over the last quarter century. In the words of the German Honorary Consul of Nice, Gerd O. Ziegenfeuter: “Not everything was easy in this success story. That’s why we are so grateful today that the German and the English communities still have these precious sources of information.” During the event, Petra Hall expressed her big gratefulness towards all the loyal partners and readers, which made this adventure possible.

The partners of the soiree: Belisol, Les Chiens Guides d’Aveugles, Comptoir du Caviar, Villeroy & Boch, Domaine Rabiega, Lalique, L.Raphael, Nougat Jonquier, Hotel Royal Riviera, Helen, Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez, ARE, and Château d’Estoublon.

JulY / augusT 2017

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(1) Riviera Press partner Vincent Wambersie (l) & Alexandre Marloye (r) from Belisol with Mrs. and Mr Lawson (2) James Rolland & Riviera Press publisher SĂŠbastien Fraisse (r) (3) CMB CEO Werner Peyer & his wife (4) L-R: Karl Vanis, president of the German Club of Monaco, editor-in-chief and founder Petra Hall, German Honorary Consul Gerd O. Ziegenfeuter, Nice councillor Christiane Amiel and SAP Labs director Hanno Klausmeier (5) Riviera Insider lawyer Benjamin Kergueno & his wife (6) Liliane Rouach & husband, Manufacture de Monaco (7) Isabelle Beunardeau & CĂŠline Cornutello (r) from Sixt JulY / augusT 2017

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(1) Mayotte, 8 months old, working for the federation Les Chiens Guides d’Aveugles (2) Monaco yacht Show director Gaelle Tallarida & husband (3) Guillaume Puig, director of the Hôtel de la Vague in St Paul, with his wife (4) International University of Monaco: Diana Nyerges (in the middle) with Audrey Valle & Alina Lawrenz (5) Mathieu Mercier & friend, Planet of Finance (6) Charles Semmel (l) & Julien Real, Open Properties (7) Riviera Press partner: Les Chiens Guides d’Aveugles with guide dog Mayotte, trainer Thierry Martin (l), Petra Hall and President Christian Carnimolla (f.l.) (8) Hervé Zorgniotti, communication director of the Grimaldi Forum & his wife JulY / augusT 2017

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(1) Mike Blackmann, LV Riviera Spa, won the first price: a magnificent vase from Lalique, presented by Giselle Saint Pierre, director of Lalique Cannes (2) Thomas MundHoym, Bureau Européen d’Assurances, receives a voucher for the L.Raphael Spa in Cannes from director Virginie Lebrun. Left: Audrey Avenel (3) Gérard Delhomez, Mayor of Peymeinade (in the middle), is pleased about twelve bottles of Rabiega wine! Left: Jean-Sébastien Nève (4) Raffle! Sascha Melein of Classic Communication presents high quality olive oil from the Château d’Estoublon (5) Hotel Royal Riviera’s director of sales & marketing Sophie Valette (in the middle) with winner of a weekend stay at the hotel Monika Steininger (l) and Audrey Avenel, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (6) Sabine Renner (l) from Grand Hyatt Hôtel Martinez in Cannes with a winner of two nights in the legendary hotel (7) A beautiful jewellery set was won by Joachim Strautmann, CMB, and presented by Danielle Devreese & Geoffrey Gomiz (l), Zeades Monte-Carlo (8) A precious bone china service from Villeroy & Boch for Ana Botanovic, Piaget Monte-Carlo JulY / augusT 2017

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a communiTY againsT cancer 01

The Mimosa Ball in association with YPI By eLsa carpenter Photos HannaH B. WaLKer

t was with genuine pleasure that I attended the annual Mimosa Ball in association with yPI, on behalf of Riviera Insider, at the Royal Mougins Golf Resort on Saturday 13th May. And what an inspirational and moving evening it was! The not-for-profit Mimosa concept is one of community and reaching out to others. Through their combined personal loss and suffering, this team of eight expat women has come together in their free time, fitting it around family life and their careers, to raise awareness and funds for victims of cancer and their families across the Côte d’Azur. “The evening was a great success and resulted in 36,000€ being made,” said the team following the event. “These funds will be donated to La Ligue contre le Cancer to continue the funding of their vital drop-in centres and also to Cancer Support Group 06 (CSG06) to continue their massively supportive work in the Anglophone community in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var regions. Both of these charities are at the frontline of cancer care and do an untold amount of work in our community, assisting cancer patients on a daily basis. A percentage of the evening’s funds will also be used to develop a social media awareness campaign about cancer so that prevention and early detection are clearly understood. As with everything, education starts at home.” Aside from the fantastic welcome, luxurious location and exciting auction event — Mimosa certainly knows how to throw a party — it truly was an honour to be there supporting such a wonderful cause. Congratulations to the Mimosa team and we all at Riviera Insider wish you the very best of luck in your fundraising activities and continued fight against cancer. mimosamatters.org

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THE EVENING WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND RESULTED IN 36,000€ BEING MADE

ABOUT MIMOSA MATTERS To learn more about Mimosa Matters, the work they do and their upcoming charity events, please visit the riviera insider website and search ‘Mimosa: a community against cancer’.

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Photo 01 ELLIE GOBLET D'ALVIELLA & SARA PARKS WITH ANGELA ANDERSON FROM CSG06 / Photo 02 SOPHIE JAMES, CAMILLA TREVELYAN-DALEY, SARA PARKS, GEMMA BISHOP, RUTH JIGGINS, ELLIE GOBLET D'ALVIELLA, JULIETTE CLARKIN & MARILEN KENNINGO / Photo 03 THE EVENT UNITED PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS & NATIONALITIES / Photo 04 GUESTS INCLUDING LUCY CRAPPER (S.R), AUCTIONEER FOR THE EVENING / Photo 05 ELLIE GOBLET D'ALVIELLA & JULIETTE CLARKIN WITH DELEGATES FROM LA LIGUE CONTRE LE CANCER / Photo 06 MIMOSA AGNIESKA HANCOCK & ANISSA PERKINS (MIMOSA BOARD MEMBER) / Photo 07 MIMOSA YPI SPONSORS OF THE EVENING / Photo 08 GUESTS ENJOYED THE CALMNING ATMOSPHERE & STUNNING VIEWS / Photo 09 MIMOSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MEL & ALEX IGNATIEFF FROM EMPORIUM DU VIN PRIZE GIVER

JulY / augusT 2017

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voisins voices British embassy launches newsletter for expats in France oisins Voices, a quarterly newsletter for British expats living in France, was launched by the British Embassy in Paris earlier this year. The online publication was created in response to feedback from the British community requesting better communication of activities and issues that may affect them. The first two-page edition, published in

April, features an article on its front page about the embassy’s Les Voisins campaign — a story-sharing website where French and British alike can discuss their expat experiences. The campaign itself is designed to celebrate Franco-British relations and was launched in March this year by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their first official visit to Paris. Other topics included: Brexit (the triggering

of Article 50 and what it means for Brits abroad); how to register to vote for the General Elections; and where to best access information dedicated to consular services. The back page of the newsletter also reported on the British Embassy Tour, which highlighted Ambassador Ed Llewellyn and his team’s recent visits to meet the British communities living in and around Rennes, Bordeaux, Lille, Aix-en-Provence and Marseilles. “We hope the newsletter will benefit expats in the south, as well as all over France, and would welcome any comments or suggestions” said a British Embassy spokesperson. Voisins Voices will issue roughly four times a year and can be found on gov.uk. CD

language learning with confidence at iS aix-en-Provence, the teachers focus on providing students with the necessary tools and expertise to go out and use their new language conﬁdently in everyday life. riviera insider speaks to school director anna Diaz to ﬁnd out more. how would you describe your approach to language learning? It is primarily focused on communication. Learning a language requires learning to communicate in different contexts, such as a conversational or professional environment. We teach our students to speak in French, but also give them the skills to understand oral and written French. From grammar to vocabulary, we provide the necessary tools to allow competent communication and imbue the student with the confidence to go out and use their French in everyday situations. Our style of teaching is very active: the teachers are there to guide and encourage, giving JulY / augusT 2017

students the resources they need to apply their learning outside of the classroom. Of course, it is essential that students feel comfortable while learning and practicing at the school; we strive to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where all students’ needs and objectives are met. We also pride ourselves on our high quality classes and ability to teach small groups.

who makes up your student body? Our classrooms are very diverse, but we specialise in adult education. The average age of our students on the General French course is 42 and students come from around the world and all walks of life. Some come to learn purely for the love of France and Provence as they might be second homeowners here or regular visitors who appreciate the culture, gastronomy and beauty of the region. Others hope to perfect their French skills or to prepare for an exam. As such, we offer several types of courses intensive, short or long-term, with or without leisure activists - to meet this varied demand. We also offer tailor made stays for closed groups such as schools, universities or professionals like journalists. We work with well-renowned and prestigious schools like ACS Hilllingdon in the UK, Princeton University and Emerson College in the US or

THE SCHOOL IS SET AGAINST A RURAL BACKGROUND WITH EXCELLENT CONNECTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE AREA

the Swedish National Association for Journalists SJF and the Linnéuniversitetet also in Sweden for programmes that can be anything from one week to one semester.

is aix-en-Provence has an incredible setting and location. what type of activities do you offer students hoping to experience the city and the region? We offer a different programme every fortnight with our partners, who propose numerous excursions here in Aix-enProvence and further afield, such as in Arles, Avignon, the Luberon, Marseille, Cassis and the Calanques, Pont du Gard, and the Camargue. These activities might be cooking classes or wine tastings, hiking or pétanque! On request, we can organise things like horse riding, golf and painting courses. We also host events with a linguistic theme at the institute, for example: debates, informal meetings over a coffee with French speakers and additional tutoring. EC www.is-aix.com

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riP sir roger moore Funeral of the longest serving 007 held in Monaco

n the early hours of 23rd May, the death of silver screen legend Sir Roger Moore was announced by his three children – Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian – at the age of 89 following ‘a short, but brave battle with cancer’. “With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated. We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF, which he considered to be his greatest

achievement,” said his children by third wife, Italian Luisa Mattioli, in a statement released on Twitter. “The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year… The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.” Their touching tribute to the man who is known around the globe as the ‘quintessential Englishman’ concluded: “Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people. Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina [Tholstrup, Moore’s fourth wife] at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father’s wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco.” The seven times James Bond – the role’s longest serving actor in the franchise’s history – left the UK in 1978 and moved to Switzerland, later becoming a resident of Monaco. Moore reportedly met his fourth and surviving Swedish

wife Kristina Tholstrup in the early 1990s at a dinner party in the principality. Following his separation from the mother of his children in 1993 and their subsequent divorce in 2000, Moore married millionaire Tholstrup in 2002 and they set-up home together in their luxury Larvotto apartment. Prince Albert II, a friend of Moore’s, formally appointed him as Goodwill Ambassador in June 2012, a title granted to those who contribute to ‘publicising and promoting the principality all over the world’. Moore once stated: “[Monaco is] very much my home. There’s an amazing social life here — it’s a part of living in Monaco and Monte Carlo that will always be exciting.” He was often quoted complimenting Monaco’s excellent quality of life and its security. 

JulY / augusT 2017

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Riviera Water Bike Challenge

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a race To The finish

By eLsa carpenter

PRINCESS CHARLENE: “I HAVE BEEN SO TOUCHED BY THE SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED FOR THE RIVIERA WATER BIKE CHALLENGE”

Photo 1 PRINCE ALBERT ON THE START LINE © Axel Bastello / Palais Princier Photo 2 L-R: FOUNDATION AMBASSADOR TERENCE PARKIN, PRINCESS CHARLENE, PRINCE ALBERT AND GARETH WITTSTOCK (BROTHER OF PRINCESS CHARLENE) © Eric Mathon / Palais Princier Photo 3 PRINCE ALBERT AND CHRISTIAN ESTROSI ARE PICTURED WITH ALL RIVIERA WATER BIKE PARTICIPANTS © Eric Mathon / Palais Princier Photo 4 PRINCE ALBERT CALLED FOR A MINUTE’S SILENCE TO HONOUR LONDON BRIDGE VICTIMS PRIOR TO THE RACE © Eric Mathon / Palais Princier Photo 5 THE PRINCE PICTURED ALONGSIDE PAULA RADCLIFFE © Eric Mathon / Palais Princier

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t was the perfect French Riviera day for the inaugural Riviera Water Bike Challenge – the first water relay race of its kind – on 4th June. After an address by Nice mayor Christian Estrosi and Monaco’s Prince Albert II, the latter of whom called for a minute’s silence in commemoration of the London Bridge terror attack that has occurred just the day before, 10 teams set off on a 21km course from Plage Beau Rivage to the yacht Club de Monaco. Organised by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the event attracted numerous sports personalities and celebrities such as: free diver extraordinaire Pierre Frolla; Formula I’s Mika Häkkinen, Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard; American surfer Garrett McNamara; English rugby player Dan Luger; and British runner Paula Radcliffe. Prince Albert led the charge into the water as the teams (each made up of five members) leapt on to their Schiller S1-C water bikes and headed for the first changeover just off Cap Ferrat. The race was ultimately won – with seconds to spare – by the Fondation François-xavier Mora team that was captained by South Africans Percy Montgomery (rugby) and Ryk Neethling (swimming), who was later made an ambassador for Princess Charlene’s foundation. The Monaco Police team came in a quick second place followed by the Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club. “I have been so touched by the support we have received for the Riviera Water Bike Challenge,” said Princess Charlene. “Sport has the power to change lives. We have the most beautiful coastline and it's wonderful to see our principality hosting this race for such a worthwhile cause. To see so many athletes from across the world, representing such a variety of disciplines, partnering with members of our community like this to support my foundation and enable us to build the first aquatic rescue centre in Burkina Faso is a triumph. Together we will save lives – one person, one family, one community at a time.” 

JulY / augusT 2017

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exPaT focus: anna fill

 RIVIERA INSIDER CATCHES UP WITH THE REGION’S VERy OWN RIVIERA WOMAN: ANNA FILL, A FORMER DJ AND PRESENTER LIVING JUST OVER THE ITALIAN BORDER.

hat first brought you to the french riviera? I recall, after the 9/11 tragedy, flights for just about everywhere were so cheap to encourage people to fly again. At the time, I took various trips around Italy and then, on one journey, I came to Nice and stayed in Menton. It was November and the climate was still quite mild at 17C, which was absolutely glorious for someone coming from the UK! Then there was the light, the bright colours of the sea and the mountains, and it was this that inspired me and motivated me to consider moving to the area. I already spoke French and, being close to Italy, I knew my Italian would come in use. My mother is Italian and having already spent a fair bit of time in Italy, I always hoped I would one day have a home in Italy. Menton, being on the border to Italy, seemed the perfect compromise. A few years later, I did actually make the hop over the

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border to Italy. Now, within half an hour of where I live, I have the choice of spending time on the coast in Italy or popping back over the border into France or into Monaco. Sometimes I do all three in one day! It’s crazy, but fantastic. I try to remind myself frequently of just how fortunate we are, living here, in the region. where did the idea for The riviera woman come from? The Riviera Woman was born out of a passion and need to connect with people. I had observed the publications in circulation, which were doing a fine job. I knew I could never compete with print and so I opted for an online publication and created a niche by featuring only women. I had met so many artists, writers and really interesting women doing fantastic things and I believed I could create something original. I always wanted to use my previous skills and passions for interviewing

people. I missed doing radio and having an audience as a DJ and presenter, so using very basic equipment, I started doing video interviews, which were fun and these featured on The Riviera Woman. what is The riviera woman's mission? I am the editor and producer of The Riviera Woman, and through the website we can help to raise the online presence of individuals and companies. I suppose the mission is for The Riviera Woman to represent real women doing fabulous things and to give women a voice. We do also feature men too... Just in case there is a man reading this thinking otherwise! Of course, we cover articles that are just as relevant to men as women. Occasionally, following the release of the newsletter, which is sent out on the first of each month, I do receive emails from male readers, which is lovely and the food and recipe section actually has some men experimenting in the kitchen. Another mission is for women to connect and build a new network for themselves, especially when just arriving in the area. It can be quite daunting not knowing anyone and through The Riviera Woman, we try and put people in touch with networks close to where they are living. The Riviera covers a large area and those in Cannes may not find it easy getting to Monaco or vice versa. The Riviera Woman celebrates 10 years this year and through the website, we have met so many incredible people and attended events that have inspired us to do the best we can. We are certainly motivated to continue. you can visit our website — www.therivierawoman.com — or email me on anna@therivierwoman.com, I would love to hear from you! where in the region do you like to spend summer days? Easy.... Right here! And especially with friends. We are fortunate to have so much choice... We can stroll along the promenade or take a walk in the hills and when feeling energetic, we partake in a hike in the mountains.,, Oh and how lovely it is to have an Apéro watching the sun go down! Bliss, bliss and more bliss! I also run an expat group called Vivaitalia Club and hold various Apéros on the Italian side of the Riviera: www.vivaitalia.club.

Publishing Director SEBASTIEN FRAISSE s.fraisse@riviera-press.fr Managing Director JAMES ROLLAND j.rolland@riviera-press.fr Editor-in-chief PETRA HALL p.hall@riviera-press.fr Editor ELSA CARPENTER e.carpenter@riviera-press.fr Contributors Sarah Hyde, Mia Colleran, Claire Davis, Aila Stöckmann, Alfred Thum, Anne Morris, Raimund Theobald, Claire Lathbury Creative Director VINCENT ARTUS vincent.artus@wanadoo.fr Advertising & PR KARINE BALAGNy Tel: +33 (0)4 97 00 11 29 marketing@riviera-press.fr Advertising & PR DOMINIQUE FREULON Tel: +33 (0)4 97 00 11 22 d.freulon@riviera-press.fr Advertising & PR PATRICE SAINT-LEGER Tel: +33 (0)4 93 27 60 00 p.saintleger@riviera-press.fr Secretary CAROLE HEBERT contact@riviera-press.fr Distribution SUPERyACHT DISTRIBUTION 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. © 2017 - by Riviera Press s.a.r.l.

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