Riviera RT Magazine September 2015 by Riviera Press

Issue 160/September 2015 - 3,00 E

seeseemore, more,do domore, more,know knowmore more

World-class canyoning: Explore Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sublime gorges

REGATTA FEVER! The Voiles de St Tropez

MONACO YACHT SHOW: Silver anniversary special

RARE VULTURE

chicks released into the wild

WELCOME 02

I’

Editorial by Sarah Harvey

m delighted to share three pieces of good news with you this month. Firstly Riviera RT Magazine (formerly The Riviera Times) now has a new publisher. Sébastien Fraisse, a successful entrepreneur on the Côte d’Azur, is taking our media publications into the future. A new generation has come into power, promising a sustainable assurance for moving forwards, reinforcing the solid foundations and sterling reputation built up over 23 years by Petra Hall and her team. To find out more about the young Frenchman’s vision, read the article to the right of this. Secondly, we’re getting a major boost for the development of our digital publications, without neglecting the quality of our printed editions. We can’t wait to show you our rebooted website – launching very soon – which will make the experience of finding out

what’s going on in your region even more pleasurable. It will be optimised for mobile phones and we’re even unveiling a new app, so you can catch up on the latest news, features and events from across the Riviera while you’re on the go. Also, there will be renewed impetus to improve the punctuality of deliveries for our subscribers. Thirdly, with all the new features, your familiar editorial team remains completely intact. We’ll continue to deliver quality news and features online, daily, as well as in our monthly publications. For questions and requests you can, as ever, contact us by phone or email. Yes, it’s a pity that the former title had to be changed for legal reasons. But the fundamentals remain. At our heart are professionally-written and researched articles about the unique Riviera, which we all love.

In this issue OUTDOORS

REPORTAGE

Exploring Provence’s sublime canyons Release of rare vulture chicks TROPEZ

Thrilling Voiles de St Tropez regatta MONACO

GOURMET

Monaco Yacht Show special 50 years of Italian family-style dining BUSINESS

Interview with Valbonne Mayor Marc Daunis EVENTS

What’s hot and where to go this September

24 26

R T- N E W S

D E S I G N & C O N C E P T B Y K O N N Y S T R AU S S

Cover photo:Dick Holthuis

Catch up on all the latest news and updates from across the Riviera

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Photo: Elisabeth Rossolin

INSIDE RIVIERA PRESS 03

ébastien Fraisse, you are the new publisher of Riviera RT Magazine and our sister publications Riviera -Das Magazin and The Best Of the Riviera. I’ve appreciated the work of Petra Hall and her team for several years. Petra Hall has created something wonderful with the newspapers The Riviera Times and the Riviera Côte d’Azur Zeitung. Now my company, DataCorp had the opportunity to sustainably secure the future of the new, very high-quality magazines. You are very successful in the IT sector with your companies. Will the print editions continue to exist? Although I have been working in the IT field, I love paper publications and therefore the magazines will continue to appear in print. But the time is long overdue for these publications to be developed professionally in the digital realm too. The media

Sébastien Fraisse the new publisher of Riviera Press industry on the Côte d’Azur, and also around the world, has no other choice than to move with the times. What exactly are you doing? We are just about to redesign the respective websites. We are also working on apps, so soon everyone will be able to access information researched by our native-speaking journalists on their mobile phones. I want to offer our readers the same service as major media outlets. But as I said, the printed magazines should not be neglected! On the contrary: my desire is to increase the number of pages and hence, develop the product. Lately, there have been some problems with deliveries... We are changing the dates of delivery, and are now working with a distribution company in northern France. It will probably still take a little while, but I am very confident that this problem will soon be solved. Of course, we still depend on the French and foreign postal service. You are now the head of three companies with 45 employees. Do you still have time for your personal life? I have a firm principle: From Monday to Friday, I work very hard – I put in a 200% effort. The weekend belongs to my wife and our three children. Then I also participate in sports, such as triathlons, and in the winter, snowboarding and skiing. In addition, I devour every publication that deals with my industry, and academia. What are your philosophies in life? Performance, innovation, striving for perfection, originality: These are some of my principles. In addition, mutual respect in my

private and professional life is more important for me than anything material: I’m very concerned about human ethics. I asked my wife to reprimand me if I don’t stick to these principles! In any relationship, whether it’s my family or professional, I give everything. But also, I’m going to admit this: If someone betrays me, I don’t give second chances. My biggest wish is to be happy and healthy. And fortunately I am so far.

BIOGRAPHY

Sébastien Fraisse was born in Strasbourg in 1977. At the age of four years old his family moved to the Côte d’Azur. He is married and has three children. Fraisse’s professional career began in the commercial sector in one of the largest enterprise resource planning companies in France. As director for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, he was instrumental in the development of the group and so perfected his knowledge in the field of profit centre management and new technologies. In 2011, Fraisse founded his own company under the name Data Corp, with headquarters in the technology park near Antibes, Sophia-Antipolis. Along with its Asteria branch in Monaco, Data Corp delivers customized IT solutions to companies of all sizes, as well as consultations on all aspects of business management and high-tech services such as cloud computing. In 2015 Fraisse founded the company, Riviera Press, based in Villeneuve-Loubet, and since 1 August has been publisher of Riviera RT Magazine (formerly The Riviera Times), Riviera - Das Magazine (formerly Riviera Zeitung) and The Best Of The Riviera. Overall, his businesses have 45 employees.

OUTDOORS 04

No valley too deep…

Slide, scramble, hike, climb or swim: get exploring the region’s canyons! From the acclaimed Gorges du Verdon to the less well-known Gorges du Loup, ‘canyoning’ is the ultimate way for tourists, expats and locals alike to discover their secrets. BY SARAH HARVEY

he sublime waters of the Gorges du Verdon in the Var are recognised around the world for their spectacular beauty: Soaring, honey-coloured cliff faces contrast sharply with the incandescent turquoise rivers and lakes flowing through them. These stunning canyons are one of the reasons The Telegraph newspaper recently ranked the Var as Number One in its list of the ‘Top 30 destination in Europe to see before you die’ (ahead of the Sistine Chapel and Gaudí’s Barcelona). It singled out the “aquamarine waters” of the Verdon and the “soul-stirring lavender fields” as the principle reasons for bestowing the accolade. Every summer, visitors come in their millions to marvel at Provence’s magnificent canyons. Besides the world-famous Verdon nature reserve, the area is riddled with countless other gorges too, which may be lower profile, but are still absolute gems. For example, the Gorges du Loup (Wolf Canyons) which lies within easy reach of Nice. But how do all these visitors tend to explore the canyons? By shooting over the rapids on canoes; hiking along the walking tracks, abseiling down the rock faces…Some of the bravest even follow the ‘via ferrata’ (‘iron road’ climbing routes) at Digneles-bains and Puget Théniers near Castellane. There are so many ways to explore the spectacular rivers, caves, rock faces and trails. However, one of the most enjoyable ways, which encompasses all of the best methods of traversing a gorge, is

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OUTDOORS 05 ‘canyoning’. For anyone unfamiliar with the activity, canyoning is a way of travelling through canyons using a variety of techniques; they can include walking, scrambling, swimming, sliding and jumping. Unlike with abseiling or bungee-jumping, it’s not an activity only for adrenaline junkies. In fact, young children right up to adults in their 60s and 70s frequently join canyoning trips. On organised canyoning tours, the jumps tend to be small so all levels of ability can handle them. The bigger jumps are optional. Of course, a certain amount of technical jumps, technical climbs and abseiling can be included in canyoning, but novices like myself tend to prefer entry-level excursions, not least because I don’t have a great head for heights! Departures usually start from one of the charming historic villages, such as Aups or Rougon, which are so common in the region, yet still make the hearts of non-natives like myself swoon. We slowly walked out of the village of La Palud sur Verdon into the hinterland towards Baudan Bau canyon… The historical sightseeing and hiking boxes on my to-do list are both ticked before its even time for lunch!… The anticipation gradually builds as we make our way along the tracks past the wild rosemary and mimosa trees. Then the scene changes as we find ourselves at an access point to this ‘easy’ canyon. There it is: the aquamarine water is bubbling through the canyon, our excitement is tangible - this is what we came here for. The sound of our enthusiastic voices bounces off the sides of the cliff walls as we make our way through the narrow entrance of the gorge. We begin by hiking directly alongside the river – the rocks have been smoothed by the flow of water over the millennia and the river is low because it’s been a hot, dry summer. After a short abseiling lesson, we progress along the gorge, which begins to narrow as I become even more aware of the imposing cliff faces either side of me. What then follows is a brief abseil down a short stretch of rock, followed by a series of slides, small jumps, scrambles, and a swim. Nothing too terrifying – all aspects of it are carefully balanced on the right side of fun. And for me, the experience of sliding down the river-bed where the stream runs over a short drop is nothing short of the joy I experienced when I discovered waterslides for the first time! Admittedly; a bit bumpier, and much shorter than a flume at a water park - but the same feeling of exhilaration is there; with the added feeling of accomplishment at the end of the canyoning trip. Of course, plenty of people exploring the gorges of Provence are much braver than I, and many of them take canyoning to more challenging levels. For example, Yann Leenhardt, a software developer from Nice, is a canyoning enthusiast. Like many people living and working in the area, Yann tends to go canyoning at the weekend with friends or on organised canyoning tours, which can cost as little as €45. “I had my first canyoning session with professional equipment

“Around Nice is one of the best places for doing canyoning in Europe!”

five years ago at a CouchSurfing event [online travel and social community],” said Yann. “The thing I like best about it: I love being in the wild and going to places you wouldn’t normally go; heading ‘off-road’. “I have had a few cuts and bruises over the years, and some of the jumps are a bit scary, but I’m relatively careful,” said Yann. “There are plenty of easy spots for beginners, so I’d tell anyone who has never been before just to dive into it, and give it a try!” Julien Jacquier is a professional canyoning expert who regularly takes tourists, expats and locals on excursions with his company, Canyon Côte d’Azur. French locals account for a quarter of his customers, while about 5% are expats. Tourists make up the majority (70%). However, Julien has noticed since he started his business four years ago, after relocating from Chamonix, that there has recently been an increase in the number of expats getting involved in canyoning. “We’ve got more and more foreigners joining,” he said. “People from eight years to 70 years old can do it. In an easy canyon, you can just do the jumps and the waterslide if you want to, it is very gentle, and nothing is obligatory,” he added. Julien first began canyoning with friends many years ago. He then obtained a diploma in climbing and as a canyoning guide, in order to ensure he was trained the correct techniques. “With canyoning you can see such amazing places, the natural environment is so beautiful. There is the power of the water, and in the summer it’s refreshing to be in the river…the people who come with us love it,” he said. According to Julien, the canyoning sites within easy reach of the Côte d’Azur are world-class. “Around Nice is one of the best places for doing canyoning in Europe!” he said. “We know all the spots to show the people, and are really helpful because we know all of the places perfectly - the jumps, the hazardous parts. We’ve got good gear, we try to do a good job and give them a warm welcome,

Alberto Balbi

Some of the best canyoning sites in the region: SITE

GOOD FOR:

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

Baudan Baou Gorges du Loup Cramassouri St Auban Riolan Maglia Lance

Waterslides, jumps, swimming Many jumps and waterslides Proximity to Nice, canoeing 12m waterfall slide, varied terrain Long canyon, slides, jumps, abseiling Technical jumps, abseiling, sublime setting 1,600m descent, jumps, abseiling

Easy Easy Easy Medium Medium Medium-Hard Hard

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and we take pictures to give them a souvenir.” Which brings me on to the risks: Only recently a woman was evacuated by helicopter from Courmes after injuring herself during a canyoning jaunt. Fortunately she only suffered from a dislocated shoulder. So on balance, how safe is canyoning? “If you are on your own it’s dangerous,” said Julien. “But we know the canyons very well and we know the flow of water (many accidents happen when there is too much flow), and we also know the right rope techniques to use too. I had only one small accident in eight years of guiding, so it is not so dangerous if you follow the safety rules,” he said. “It’s a nice way to do an outdoor activity and to discover amazing places - even for locals, who can discover new places they never knew were there.”

REPORTAGE 06 1

Gateway to freedom

Roman and Herculis give hope for a once nearly-extinct species We meet two bearded vultures as they arrive at their new home in the maritime Alps. Riv iera RT Magazine was on hand to obser ve the last time this species will be released into the wild from this spot. BY AILA STÖCKMANN

hey appear to be somewhat the worse for wear, packed into their plastic transportation boxes. Roman, the smaller of the two vulture babies, gives particular cause for concern: He is lying on his back, legs stretched in the air. It’s the beginning of summer, and the crowd of curious nature-lovers who have turned out especially to observe the release of these bearded vultures into the Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime adjacent to Mercantour are asked politely but firmly to keep their distance. Roman could do without any more stress. The two young, shaggy brown-feathered animals have had a long journey. They have been travelling in the trunk of a van from the Ostrava Zoo in the Czech Republic; over two days they have traversed Europe in temperatures of more than 30 degrees. But finally paradise is within reach for this pair of vultures: Today, these captive-bred birds are being released into the wild. They will nest high up on a rocky slope at the Nature Park in Piedmont. From there they will fledge within the next two months.

Last specimen was shot in 1913

Roman and Herculis are bearded vultures. They are among almost 200 young birds of their kind which were released over the past 30 years by the European-wide Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) into the Alps. Since 1993, 50 of these were re-established in the Mercantour National Park on the French side, and the connected Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime in Italy.

Around 50 more bearded vultures, which came from various zoos and breeding centres, were later released in Andalusia and the French Cévennes. More will follow eventually, although not for the time-being, in the south of France and Piedmont. Europe’s largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to 285cm, was completely extinct in the Alps until the reintroduction programme began. The last specimen, with characteristic rust-red plumage on its head, neck and belly, was shot in 1913 by a hunter in Aosta, northern Italy. “Bearded vultures play a unique role in the ecosystem of the mountain,” said VCF Director, José Tavares, emphasising the importance of the programme. These large birds are at the very top of the food chain: 80 to 90 percent of their daily menu consists of the bones of dead wildlife. The strong stomachs of the birds decomposes the nutrient-rich bones. To crush large chunks of up to two kilos, the bearded vultures drop bones through the air onto rocks - a unique behaviour amongst the three remaining species of European vulture. They also do a great service to nature: The thorough removal of animal carcasses prevents the spread of disease. Therefore vultures are seen as a key species in the European mountains. If a keystone species becomes extinct, it has a serious impact on the food chain and throws the whole ecosystem out of balance. Founded in 1986, the aim of the VCF is to repopulate the southern mountains with indigenous vultures, and to build a population large enough that the majestic bird will be able to survive and breed on its own. And it seems to be on the

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right track. José Tavares said, “So far we’ve had some fantastic achievements! We could stop now, because the demographics are adequate, but in order to have a better genetic diversity we will continue.”

The Prince Albert Foundation funded the reintroduction

Which brings us back to the story of Roman and Herculis again. Both of these chicks were born in February, and now under a project sponsored by the Foundation of Prince Albert II of Monaco are being released on the Italian side of the Mercantour National Park, the Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime. €80,000-90,000 is the rough cost of sponsoring a six kilo bird such as this, almost fully grown but not ready for mating for a long time. Included in the cost, amongst other things, is the lengthy breeding programme facilitated by the ‘parents’, which may take up to nine years. Prince Albert II of Monaco’s foundation funded these two new additions to the Mediterranean ecosystem and also selected the names: The larger of the two vultures, Herculis, is named after the well-known athletics event in the Principality. His new friend, Roman, after a neighbourhood in Monaco.

Within sight of the 3,000m high peak of Cime du Gélas

Meanwhile, the two young vultures are arriving at their new home near San Giacomo di Entracque, within sight of the 3,000m high peak of Cime du Gélas; more than 100 walkers

Photo: Aila Stöckmann

Photo: Bruno Berthémy/VCF

REPORTAGE 07

Visiting an old acquaintance

By the end of July the two bearded vultures had settled in well by all appearances; Roman has recovered well. Both birds were fitted with GPS transmitters and by mid August had fledged, although they will continue to spend the majority of their time together, at least for the first year. The first big surprise occurred just one day after their entry into their new nest: Paolo Peila, a 13-year-old male bearded vulture (which was also reintroduced as a chick in the Alpes-Maritimes) had been flying solo through the mountains when he decided to pay Roman and Herculis a visit. Since then, their ‘uncle’ has regularly checked in on the youngsters and perhaps will help to show them the way to the wide world of freedom.

Photo: Aila Stöckmann

1) An adult bearded vulture 2-3) The two young vultures being transported on foot 4) Newly moved in: Roman and Herculis in their cave. 5) Zoologist Adela Obracajova

Bearded Vulture Bearded vultures are the rarest vultures in Europe. Along with the griffon vulture, black vulture and Egyptian vulture they are found mainly in southern Europe although the bearded vulture is found in higher mountain areas above the treeline (1,500 – 3,000m). What is striking about it is the red ring around its eyes, and in adults the plumage is reddish in colour, which comes from bathing in mud containing iron oxide. Today the bearded vulture is found in the Alps, the Cevennes and the Pyrenees as well as Corsica, Crete and in Central Asian countries. It weighs around seven kilograms with a wingspan of up to 2.85m and a body length of 1.10m. The life expectancy is 30 to 40 years. Sexual maturity of bearded vultures only starts at about nine years; mates live in solid partnerships and re-use their old nests. The name ‘bearded vulture’ comes from the bristling feathers between its beak and neck, giving it the appearance of having a beard. Hatchlings are grey, bearded vultures do not get their final adult plumage until between five and seven years of ages. Males and females are virtually indistinguishable. There are usually two eggs laid in February every three years - only one of the hatchlings usually survives – so that when the snow melts in March, the spring weather exposes carcasses for the chick. Young vultures produced from captive breeding programmes have good chances of growing up into adults.

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Photo: Aila Stöckmann

follow in their wake. From here on it is impassable: The birds are put in boxes and are now being proudly carried on the backs of the chosen few who transport them up to their clifftop perch. The crowd of onlookers must stay below. For around 30 minutes they continue travelling up the steep hill, then finally reach the nest site, at an altitude of around 1,550m. The birds are released into their new quarters, and Roman, the weaker of the two bearded vultures, stands on his feet. The relief of the staff from the Natural Park, representatives of the Prince Albert Foundation and the caretakers from Ostrau is tangible. Was it hard for them to let their wards go? “No!” says the zoologist, Adela Obracajova, who is responsible for raptors in Ostrava. “I am just glad that they are here now, and everything has worked out so far!” For her too, it was a special mission, because neither of the two young birds were born in Ostrava. Herculis first saw the light of day in Berlin Zoo, while the smaller vulture, Roman, was born in a breeding centre near Barcelona. The latter was the third chick in a brood - a rarity! But he was not accepted by his parents, and his adoptive parents also rejected him. Only in Ostrava Zoo did he finally find a vulture couple that accepted him. Today, Roman and Herculis have fledged, but continue to use their nest and are starting to discover their new environment. They are being observed by animal welfare activists from a tent on the slope opposite. Details of what they eat and when, when they began to beat their wings for the first time, and how they behave in their new environment are all being logged. For now they are discreetly being given food and water in their nest.

Vulture Conservation Foundation Thanks to the international reintroduction programme of

the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), launched in 1986, today there are 33 bearded vulture pairs in the Alps, including three in the Mercantour National Park in southern France. Several individuals have been born into freedom in the south of France. Solo bearded vultures are not included in the statistics. 153 bearded vultures are currently found throughout Europe in 38 zoos and five other centres, all of which are cooperating with the VCF. The VCF had reintroduced 235 bearded vultures by the end of last year, 188 in the Alps, 31 in Andalusia and 16 in the Cevennes. Next year, young bearded vultures will be introduced to Corsica, and later, to the Balkans.

www.4vultures.org

SAINT TROPEZ 08

Les Voiles: Regatta fever!

Saint-Tropez invites you to the yachting season finale Classic and modern yachts cruise into town for the electrifying “Voiles de Saint-Tropez” from 26 September to 4 October. You don’t need to be a sailor to be gripped by regatta fever!

PHOTOS & TEXT BY GERHARD STANDOP

pproaching Saint-Tropez from the water at the end of September is similar to trying to navigate through the crowds of tourists in the streets during peak season. Numerous sailing yachts and motor boats are at anchor in the picturesque former fishing village. Rather like a slalom skier, skippers have to weave around the many boats and finally queue up in a long line of boats at the harbour entrance, looking for a berth. Anyone arriving without registration or not participating in the regatta will be politely rejected: It is all systems go at the busy launch of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez! Every year as the town begins to empty of tourists, the harbour and bay is transformed for the grand season finale. Hundreds of yachts - whether super-modern sailboats with hulls and sails made of carbon, or centuries-old beauties made of wood with bare-polished brass fittings: All the big names in sailing take part, alongside those just joining in for the fun of it. For a closer view of the yachts in the harbour, people can see the boats if they moor directly at Quai d’Honneur, where the crew can sample some beer, and prepare the boats for the next regatta. Right next door, within shouting distance of the Capitainerie is the sailors’ village: a popular meeting point

of sailors and visitors alike for the week. There’s a central bar with refreshments. And whether you’re hunting for clothes, binoculars, watches, sailing knives or aerial photos of sailing yachts – the venue offers plenty of possibilities. The races always start on a Monday. If you are lucky enough to have secured a spot on one of the numerous boats attending the regatta, you can follow the races from very close-up – and the best views of the start, finish and exciting sailing manoeuvres are guaranteed! Thursday is reserve day. If the wind has been favourable, and was neither too strong nor too weak, special races are held. On this “Challenge Day” sailing boats are pitted against each other in pairs. They head to the harbour entrance, in the direction of “Club 55” on Pampelonne beach. Participants set off every five minutes. Another highlight of “Challenge Day” is the “Centenaire Cup” for the collection of yachts aged more than a hundred years old, which is growing steadily each year. Back on dry land, a special jamboree evening is held for crews: During the carnival-like parade on the harbour, crews dress in funny costumes. It’s been said that for some participants it’s more important to have the funniest costume than to win the race…

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Also not to be missed is a visit to the boules competition between the crews on Wednesday, 1 October, which will be held on the Place des Lices from 6pm. The Voiles de Saint-Tropez, running this year from 26 September to 4 October, with its unique flair, is a must-see experience! And should you ever feel as though you have seen enough of the races, you have countless cafes and places in which to relax in peace and quiet, or to explore at your leisure.

www.standop.net/voiles

SAINT TROPEZ 09

Sailing events on the Côte d’Azur 23rd – 26th September

CANNES YACHTING-FESTIVAL For six days, the focus of the Old Port and Port Pierre Canto will be all about boats - more than 500 will be in attendance. Admission: 15 euros, free for children under 12 years. www.cannesyachtingfestival.com

M O N ACO MONACO YACHT SHOW The world’s biggest luxury yacht fair is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Leading companies present luxury vessels and mega-yachts in Port Hercule. From 10am to 6.30pm daily. www.monacoyachtshow.com

9th – 13th September

26th – 27th September

M O N ACO MONACO CLASSIC WEEK The Belle Epoque is one of the special guests at this festival, where old sailing yachts and motor boats from days gone by will be pitted against each-other. Admission is free. www.yacht-club-monaco.mc

12th September

MARSEILLE DUO SAIL SAILING REGATTA No less than 31 boats took part last year in this regatta, in the beautiful waters surrounding Marseille. www.cntl-marseille.com

26th September – 4th October

ANTIBES 6 HOURS IN ANTIBES This regatta consists of two circuits. Spectators can cheer on the vessels from the Bay of Salis between 11am and 5pm. www.sr-antibes.fr

S A I N T- T R O P E Z LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ For one week, some of the best modern and classic yachts in t he world compete in the magnificent Gulf of Saint-Tropez for the ultimate prize (see the adjacent article). Award ceremony on 4th October. www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr

15th – 20th September

26th September

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER TROPHÉE PASQUI Traditional yachts sail across the bay of Villefranche and Nice’s Bay of Angels in various regattas. Also featuring entertainment and live music. www.tropheepasqui.com

17th – 20th September

MARSEILLE JURI’S CUP SAILING REGATTA A three-day regatta with a one-day symposium; issues relating to the marinas will be discussed. The theme of this year’s seminar is «Sport and the public maritime areas: On the water, in the ports and on the beaches».» www.juriscup.com

20th – 27th September

CANNES REGATES ROYALES – TROPHÉE PANERAI The most beautiful classic yachts in the world, including dragon boats, sailing in the Bay of Cannes. www.regatesroyales.com

FRÉJUS ROGER MARGUERITE SAILING REGATTA This boat competition is organised by Fréjus Yacht Club. It runs from 2pm. www.ycfrejus.fr

4th October

MARSEILLE VIRE-VIRE Since 1984 the Société Nautique de Marseille’s sailing regatta has been a popular family-friendly event, making a passion for all things nautical accessible to everyone. Admission is free. www.lanautique.com

10th – 11th October

S A I N T- R A P H A E L BANANA’S CUP Organised by the Sailing Regatta Club Nautique de SaintRaphael, a fun day for all in the waters surrounding the laidback seaside town . www.cnsr.fr

Spectacular Terre Blanche

gainst a stunning backdrop sits the five-star Terre Blanche resort, nestled in an outstanding nature reserve. As a member of the “Leading Hotels of the World” group, this exceptional 750-acre luxury destination is the only one of its kind in the region. Created in the spirit of a Provençal-style village, the resort is not simply content with being a 5-star hotel offering 115 suites and villas. It also indulges its guests with four restaurants including a gastronomic dining venue, two of the most prestigious golf courses in Europe and a stunning 3,200 sqm spa. Amidst the peaceful gardens, the Terre Blanche Spa is an outstanding experience in itself. Bathed in natural daylight, the Greco-Roman décor provides the ultimate environment for relaxation and showcases 14 treatments rooms. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of tailor-made massages and treatments by anti-aging specialist Ivo Pitanguy and Carita. It also features saunas, jacuzzis, a fitness room, a hair salon and two heated pools as well as a tea house, where guests can admire the tree-lined terrace. A temple dedicated to wellness invigorating the body and mind ….

A timeless escape!

www.terre-blanche.com SEPTEMBER

2015

ADVERTORIAL

8th – 13th September

MONACO YACHT SHOW 10

Floating Luxury

More megayachts than ever before at the 25th Monaco Yacht Show Every big name is the superyacht business descends on the Principality once a year. And each September we invite our readers on board with us to experience the Monaco Yacht Show ...

he world’s biggest shipbuilders and industry players aren’t stopping for a second to rest on their laurels in 2015 – they are all heading to the Principality to bring their latest innovations to the world’s most magnificent industry event. The four-day Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) experience will include no less than 40 world premieres: Boats that have never been revealed to the public before. A total of 121 superyachts will be moored at Monaco’s main port, Port Hercule; more than ever before in previous years, and this time including even more of the largest vessels. While the quay which usually separates the port and the open sea is usually reserved for cruise ships, during the course of the show it has been set aside exclusively to display a few of the biggest yachts, over 100 metres long. Regular visitors to the exhibition might have to reorientate themselves with the layout, because due to works in the northern port, the actual event has been relocated to the southern part of the quays. While the big tent "Parvis Piscine" retains its usual place by the swimming pool as well as the "Darse Sud" marquee right next-door; the former "Darse Nord" structure has been relocated to the Quai Antoine Ier, the square between the former Yacht Club and Stars’n’Bars. More than 500 exhibitors are showcased in the tents yachts designers, maker of luxury goods, ship brokers and more. They will present the latest innovations and trade

deals at the show. And as per tradition, the team of Riviera RT Magazine will also be on hand to meet our loyal readers on our own stand, QP 57. The yachts – which by the way have an average length of about 40 metres – will be as usual mainly found in the northern port area. Visitors won’t have to walk too far when traversing from one quay to the next, since shuttle boats are being laid on from the central Quai de l’Hirondelle (by the new Yacht Club) – ferrying visitors to five different piers. But the atmosphere itself of the MYS, filled with enthusiastic wandering visitors; the snatches of countless languages filling the air; the frenetic activity and excitement – it’s difficult to put into words. There’s only one solution: stop by and see for yourself!

MONACO YACHT SHOW 2015 23rd-26th September, daily 10am to 6.30pm Port Hercule - Main entrance: Quai Antoine Ier www.monacoyachtshow.com Riviera RT Magazine stand: QP 57 Riviera RT Magazine has been a proud media partner of the Monaco Yacht Show for 14 years. In the spirit of our longterm partnership and ongoing collaboration, subscribers can request 2 free tickets to the Monaco Yacht Show with our compliments.

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Dear readers,

Things evolve. Always. This September, the Monaco Yacht Show is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The show has been flourishing alongside the growing luxury yachting market to become the world’s leading superyachting event. Things evolve. This year, the MYS will deliver an unprecedented new configuration, 20% of the total exhibition area having changed, and a record-breaking 121 superyachts will be on display in the water. Things evolve. And we are proud that around 90% of the 500 exhibiting companies renew their participation every year; some of them have never even missed a show since its creation in 1991. Their loyal presence is testimony to their faith into the show. Similarly, this is reflected in the strong and sincere links developed with Petra Hall and her editorial team and our long-standing relationship with Riviera Press. Things evolve. We’re happy with the new impetus given by Riviera Press to the regional news publications with the rebranding of Riviera Zeitung and Riviera Times to Riviera DAS Magazin and Riviera RT Magazine. Consequently, we’re delighted to continue informing you about this year’s MYS in your favourite magazine. Things evolve. Always. For the better.

Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director Monaco Yacht Show

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ince 2005, luxury brands and independent craftsmen - supported from day one by Prince Albert II of Monaco - have collaborated on “Only Watch” with one common goal in mind: supporting research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. And this edition of the unique event, in aid of the ‘Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies’, will be launched in Monaco for the first time ever, at none other than the MYS. Duchenne is one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophy. It usually affects boys in early childhood; men with the condition typically only live into their 20s or 30s. The idea to organise the event in aid of the ‘Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies’ was the brainchild of former MYS CEO, Luc Pettavino, whose son suffers from Duchenne. So far, the biennial auction of several highly sought-after designer watches has generated more than €15 million for the charity, and has contributed to significant advances in research over the plast 10 years. This success was driven by the sincere commitment of all the CEOs, their teams and many partners, who were all united by their concern for helping this noble cause. One hundred per cent of the money was ploughed into research for the as-yet incurable Duchenne muscular dystrophy. And this time, in 2015, 44 unique watches will go under the hammer for the good cause. But what is new about this sixth edition of "Only Watch" is that the auction won’t take place at the start of the Swiss watch week in Geneva in November. Instead it will be this month at the Monaco Yacht Show. During the MYS the individual timepieces will be unveiled to the public before being conveyed around the world to Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, London and Geneva. The collection flies to China to be unveiled to aficionados in Hong Kong (2-5 October) and in Beijing at the Salone Monaco in Parkview Green (9-12 October). The American clientele will also have a chance to admire the watches in New York (17-20 October, Phillips offices) before they reach London (24-27 October, Phillips offices). The collection will finally be displayed in Geneva (5-7 November). The 44 exclusive timepieces were donated by designers from renowned houses such as Blancpain, Chopard, Piaget and Zenith. Experts, donors and collectors from around the world have provided the unique pieces free of charge. Only Watch 2015 is organised by ‘Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies’, Monaco Yacht Show and Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo. To this day, scientists and clinicians working on Duchenne muscular dystrophy agree that exon skipping (a form of RNA-splicing used to cause cells to ‘skip’ over faulty or misaligned sections of genetic code, leading to a truncated, but still functional, protein despite the genetic mutation) seems to give the best chance of success. As we approach an important milestone, the research team still requires more funds to facilitate progress. “Only Watch” will continue to support them in their research, which not only gives hope for the future but also delivers concrete results.

“Only Watch”

Auction of unique timepieces in Monaco

For the sixth time, some of the world’s foremost watch designers have teamed up with MYS for a good cause. Their unique products will be exhibited in Monaco during the show.

“ONLY WATCH” AT THE MYS 23 – 26 September 10am to 6.30pm Port Hercule, “Parvis Piscine” tent - Stand QP 27 AUCTION: 7 November, 3pm La Réserve Genève Hotel & Spa, Geneva www.onlywatch.com

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MONACO YACHT SHOW 12

Permission to board!

Sneak-preview of some of the yachts at MYS

Meet ‘M/Y Ann G’ – a sleek new 50m full-custom motoryacht which has made her debut this summer after some vigorous testing by Heesen Yachts in the North Sea!

resh from her ‘baptism’ in the chilly waters of the North Sea, M/Y Ann G will be arriving in the somewhat milder climes of the Mediterranean for the Monaco Yacht Show. Ann G’s full-displacement steel hull was created by Heesen’s in-house team of naval architects and engineers. The construction of this unique vessel was project managed by Arcon Yachts. A company spokesman said: “Ann G’s owner is a client with strong vision and high expectations. We are very pleased with the result as Ann G is the quintessence of customisation and superb attention to detail; she is a muscular yet sleek motoryacht that will make heads turn wherever she goes!” Clifford Denn was selected by the owner to draw the exterior profile of his unique Heesen, which reflects the strong individuality of her owner while keeping the family-feeling that characterises all yachts delivered by Heesen. The client’s brief was for a yacht with a “powerful and aggressive personality, incorporating complex and extremely refined design elements into the exterior lines”. Award-winning designers Raymond Langton and team created the bold interiors of Ann G. The interior design is characterised by rich Macassar ebony, accented with stainless steel features to exude

a luxurious, refined atmosphere with warming touches of backlit white onyx and soft tactile leather. In addition, a striking first-impression for those stepping on board is created by a bespoke Art Deco style chandelier extending over two decks, framed by the elegant open-tread stairs. The owner’s suite, located forward on the main deck, features a private office, large full-beam bedroom and bathroom flanked by his and hers dressing rooms. The bedroom is accented with fabric artwork and an intricate deco motif inlaid into the foot of the bed, with geometric stone mosaic artwork in the bathroom. The guest accommodation continues the contemporary Art Deco theme. On the bridge deck, the sky lounge has an informal, intimate atmosphere with the Macassar architecture of the room contrasting with parchment wall panels and opulent fabrics, framed with windows on three sides offering panoramic views of the seascapes beyond. The lower deck beach club is the most contemporary in style – a multi-purpose space dedicated to relaxation, with space for gym equipment, steam room, bar and seating area. The main woods in this area are elm panelling and teak flooring, to create a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

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Pick of the yachts

Three of the hottest vessels this year at MYS

Photo: Elisabeth Rossolin

MADAME KATE –A STAR IN THE LIMELIGHT Madame Kate is a 60m Amels Limited Edition 199 yacht. She was launched in early 2015 as the second yacht in the 199 range. She is a sister ship to the yacht, Event, both designed by Tim Heywood Design. Madame Kate is 60m (197ft) in length and can accommodate 12 guests and 15 crew. The yacht features a new pearl effect paint system, which not only sparkles and shimmers in sunlight, but also at night due to an elaborate lighting system fitted above and below the waterline. The interior accommodates 12 guests in six cabins: The full-beam master suite is on the main deck, two VIP rooms are on the bridge deck and a double and two twins are on the lower deck.

The flying yacht

Monaco 2050: Vasily Klyukin and his vision of the future

hen we met him last year, he had just bought a ticket into space for €1.2 million. Evidently he has developed a passion for flying; because now the designer, banker and architect Vasily Klyukin is making headlines again with this latest idea. The Russian, who lives in Monaco, has just unveiled his latest vision of the future: a flying yacht. “I have this project called ‘Monaco 2050’,” says Klyukin, “because by 2050 this boat will be on the market, and I will obviously be presenting it to the public at the most prestigious yacht show in the world, the Monaco Yacht Show. The upper deck is part yacht, part aircraft. It takes off with the help of embedded wing propellers, and thus becomes a

kind of helicopter,” he explains. “But helicopter on a yacht is no longer anything new, and also you can’t cross the Atlantic in one. However, with my design, jet engines take over at between 1,000 to 2,000 metres above sea level. When I think about it actually, the construction could be started now” says Klyukin with a mischievous smile, adding: “The future is incredibly exciting much more exciting than digging around in the past.”

Visit us at our stand RIVIERA PRESS QP57 and enjoy a glass of wine from the Domaine de l’Anglade!

SILVERFAST – 77 METRES OF LUXURY SILVER FAST is the fourth and most recent superyacht built by Australia’s premier luxury yacht builder, Silveryachts. She is the most advanced, eco-fuel efficient vessel in the ground-breaking silver series. Designed by Espen Oeino, Silver Fast retains the super-sleek contours and unique hull lines of her much-prized predecessors but with a striking new dark silver paint.

KISS – ELEGANCE AND COMFORT Feadship launched the 46.4m (152.3ft) tri-deck motoryacht, KISS on Saturday 14 February in a ceremony that made the most of the Valentine’s Day spirit. She has a cruising speed of 14 knots and a maximum speed of 16 knots. KISS also boasts a sun deck with Jacuzzi and a transom swim platform with swim ladder and underwater platform. The capacious main-deck suite occupies the forward section of the superstructure with spectacular sea views thanks to the glazed bulwarks.

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Mamma’s home cooking

The Lanteri family sets a trend...

The Ristorante Terme above Pigna has remained true to its origins, offering excellent value for money for nearly 53 years. The half-hour drive from Ventimiglia up through the Nervia Valley is always worthwhile. Petra Hall (editor in chief RT Magazine) reveals one of her favorite restaurants.

usually like to keep my favourite haunts to myself but on this occasion I am making an exception. For many years I’ve been a regular guest at the Ristorante Pigna, and each time I feel like I have arrived home. There are numerous reasons for this: the breath-taking views of the beautiful landscape which you can enjoy while eating under the pergola, the positive energy of this area, with its thousand-year history, but also the calm yet friendly reception from senior Silvio and his son, Claudio. And the ample menu, with its delicious Ligurian specialties which thank God has remained unchanged for as long as I can remember; the prices as well. Mamma Gloria has been responsible for the quality of the dishes for decades. It is she who decides on the kitchen plan in the morning, does the shopping and then decides on the filling for the ravioli accordingly.

She has never been trained as a chef, but taught herself everything. Her proud son Claudio said: “Mum cooks at home. Nothing fancy, just simple food. The customers obviously love the taste, most of them dip our homemade bread into the bowls to salvage the last remnants of the sauce.” Papà Silvio used to work in the Star Hotel Gino in Camporosso, but in 1962 decided together with the chef to open a new restaurant with a hotel operation. The choice fell on Pigna, which has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries because of the curative properties of its sulphur springs. He found and purchased a small hotel with a restaurant very close to the source of the springs. That was 40 years before a luxury hotel with a similar name took its place nearby. But we won’t get into that now. The two business partners split after five years and

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GOURMET 15

Gloria took over the reins in the kitchen without batting an eyelid. One of the restaurant’s basic principles has always been – since long before issues of sustainability became mainstream - all products must come from the immediate vicinity. The goat meat is delivered from Isolabona, the white beans from Pigna, the rabbit from Apricale. And the porcini the most delicious I’ve ever eaten - are brought from the nearby forests, if the climatic conditions are conducive to a harvest. Numerous international gastronomic guides have applauded Ristorante Pigna. Claudio Lanteri’s explanation: “Today, people are looking more and more for the authentic taste of yesteryear”. Without even knowing it, the native family of Sanremo has got it just right: they have always relied on the traditions of their homeland.

Large menu or (if available) Porcini menu is €30 per person: 8 appetizers, 2 starters, one main course, dessert selection - Small menu €22: starter, main course, dessert selection Bottle of wine from €13 1-3) Specialties sourced from the local area and a breath-taking view of the valley: What more could the heart desire? 4) Family: Silvio, Gloria and Claudio Lanteri (from l. to r.)run the show with the same consistent quality and Ligurian charm ...

Grape expectations ‘Optimum conditions’ for superb 2015 vintage

At numerous vineyards across the region, the wine harvest in full swing and experts are predicting one of the best vintages yet, particularly for rosé.

It began in mid to late August and the ‘vendanges’ 2015 is expected to continue to run right through to mid-September at some of the cooler vineyards sites. These estimations, naturally, are subject to change, but currently Provence’s winemakers say they are looking forward to building on the region’s ever-increasing success with another high quality vintage. Some experts have suggested the harvest seems to be starting a few days earlier each year. While not everyone is in agreement, all and sundry do agree on one thing: 2015 looks set to be another superb vintage. And the Provence Wine Council (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence) is predicting the 2015 yield is likely to surpass some of the best wines produced in the region in recent years! The organisation represents the ‘Côtes de Provence’, including the site-specific ‘terroir’ demoninations of ‘Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire’, ‘Côtes de Provence Fréjus’ and ‘Côtes de

Provence La Londe’. It also represents ‘Coteaux d’Aix-enProvence’ and ‘Coteaux Varois en Provence’ appellations ; 96% of the total volume of Provence ‘Appellation d’Origine Contrôlées’. In a recent statement, the group said: “The 2015 vintage will surpass the quality of the good vintages the region has enjoyed over the last few years. “While yields are expected to be slightly lower than those of the 2014 vintage, which was an abundant year, the region’s grapes are in excellent health, and phenolic maturation is progressing promisingly.” Indeed, in terms of volume, the harvest in Provence could be slightly lower than in 2014, although last year there was an exceptionally generous bumper crop. Predicted yields suggest it will be closer to the volumes harvested in 2011 or 2012 – during 2012 136 million bottles were produced. To explain the reasons, let’s take a retrospective look at the

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weather report! Winter 2014-2015 was fairly mild and rainy, allowing good reserves of groundwater to build up, which was crucial for nourishing the vines during the dry conditions that followed in spring and summer 2015. Aside from two rainy episodes in late April and mid-June, spring and summer was filled with long, clear sunny days. July was particularly hot, with temperatures often peaking at 38c and 40c. By the end of the month, there had been a few scattered storms, but it was mainly a dry and windy end to the month as the mistral swept in. This magical combination of a hot, dry summer accompanied by windy spells and localised storms is a pattern that has historically created optimum conditions for producing Provence rosé.

RIVIERA LIVING BUSINESS 1918

Favourable conditions to purchase Riviera home

British take top ranking in foreign buyers market

E n g e l & Vo l k e r s C a n n e s – A nt i b e s – C ap Fe r r at C E O, B e at r i x E i k e l , w r it e s f or Riv i e ra RT Mag a z in e a b out t h e prop e r t y m a r k e t on t h e Fre n c h R i v i e r a .

Amazing villa for sale in Cannes by Engel & Völkers Cannes. Ref. W-020SOF. Details on www.engelvoelkers.com/Cannes

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Splendid Californian-style villa for sale in Cannes by Engel & Völkers Cannes. Ref. W-021WJK. Details on www.engelvoelkers.com/Cannes

he French Riviera is one of the most exclusive and highly sought-after locations in the world, with international prestige and a well-established reputation. It is the home of the global elite, who choose to invest in residential properties here either as a second home or as an investment. It is in the biggest firms in major cities such as London, Paris and Moscow that their money is earned, so it can be spent accordingly in places such as the small enclaves along the coastline or tucked away amongst the peaceful countryside. The French Riviera embodies the epitome of this trend – its timeless allure attracts the rich and famous of the world. Wealthy home buyers who already own property elsewhere choose to buy either additional real estate or property investments in the region, or both. Outstanding events such as the Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix and numerous musical events and cultural highlights offer an incomparable lifestyle; combined with the pleasant climate, superb beaches, plentiful marinas, golf courses and other sporting activities. In addition, there are vibrant cities with high-quality shops and varied and lively nightlife. Younger members of the ultra-rich demographic in particular are attracted to the authenticity of the French Riviera, which emerging resorts elsewhere fail to offer. The lifestyle is also attractive to families. International schools, a safe environment and the international airport in Nice offering regular flights to destinations worldwide creates a steady demand from wealthy families.

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The affluent clientele focuses on the French Riviera’s premier locations, such as Cap Ferrat, Monaco, Antibes and Saint Tropez, which are by far the priciest areas, followed by Cannes, Mougins, Cap d’Ail and Beausoleil. The villas on the French Riviera are the most expensive in France; the apartments are the second costliest after Paris. But due to the global financial crisis, even prices on the French Riviera have fallen somewhat since their last peak in 2011 at an average of 9.5%. Political rhetoric, media headlines about taxes on wealth and a faltering domestic economy have slowed down and scaled back the market in prime locations. In Cap Ferrat and Saint Tropez, the sharpest decrease (69% and 54%) has been observed, and is, undeniably, largely due to the severely depleted number of Russian buyers. Despite the decline in sales, prices have remained relatively stable, especially at the top end of the sector. Typically when a property is considered to be a long-term investment, sales constraints are scarce. Although the market remains somewhat despondent, a new tax framework for resident taxpayers, extremely low interest rates and a more favourable Euro is offering ideal conditions for buyers. Recently the number of buyers purchasing properties in Pounds Sterling on the French Riviera has risen to 34%, thus forming the largest share, followed by Russians, whose share has declined to 30%. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have also triggered wealthy clients with a second home in Paris or London to also search for a property on the French Riviera, which offers a ‘safe harbour’.

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Citizenship by investment

Examining the appeal of dual or multiple citizenship

As anticipation mounts ahead of the Global Citizen Forum in Monaco, the issue of ‘global citizenship’ takes centre stage: Managing Director of CS Global Partners, Micha-Rose Emmett, explains more ab out t he concept and w hy s o many p e ople are acquir ing cit iz enships of premier count r ies in retur n for t heir foreig n invest ment.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Safety and security is one of the biggest reasons for clients to invest in a second or multiple citizenship, as well as ease of access. “We have lots clients who require the ability to have free access to countries without the requirement for a visa – this enables ease of business and the luxury of a weekend of shopping in London. It’s very important,” said Emmett. “Like with Monaco, many of our clients are also interested in low-tax or no-tax destinations.” Indeed, St Kitts & Nevis, Dominica (the Commonwealth) and Grenada, all located in the Eastern Caribbean, are amongst the most popular destinations for clients seeking

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citizenship by investment. When you become a citizen of the Caribbean you are joining the Caricom, which means you can reside on one of the other Caricom islands as a citizen for example as a citizen of St Kitts & Nevis, you could move to Barbados, similar to the freedom of movement within the European Union for EU citizens.

‘THE MONACO OF THE CARIBBEAN’

Citizenship by investment accounts for 30% of the GDP in St Kitts and Nevis, which is a very significant proportion of its economy. Clients obtaining citizenship in the Caribbean through foreign investment are also entitled to bring children and dependents - that includes adult children up to 25 years of age, and parents aged over 65. Each of the applicants undergoes very high levels of due diligence by the governments to ensure only the best applicants are granted citizenship of the country. In the same way the clients are seeking the opportunity for a second citizenship, the respective governments require the economic benefits of the investments into the country. “The philanthropic contribution, the SIDF, starting at $250,000USD is the investment required for citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis. In Dominica an applicant can apply for citizenship for a contribution of $100, 000 USD and in Grenada it is $200, 000 USD for a family. This is a small investment considering the lifetime return.” “There’s also something to be said for being part of a Commonwealth community, where The Queen is the head of state. Also with the islands conveniently positioned between South and North America, there are a myriad of opportunities with the Caribbean as the gateway for business.” “There are only 55,000 people in St Kitts and Nevis, which allows a lot of opportunities for development of business on the island. And let’s not forget it’s absolutely beautiful! We’ve seen some fantastic investment opportunities in the Caribbean: St Kitts is going to become ‘the Monaco of the Caribbean’. When we see these projects blossoming and blooming it’s wonderful to be part of it and to contribute to the governments of these countries,” concluded Emmett.

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or many people the word ‘citizenship’ is tied to a ‘national identity’ – something determined by the geographical location of your birth, parentage and ethnicity. The legal interpretation of ‘citizenship’ relates to the bond between an individual and a nation state: individuals are usually conferred protection by the state in return for abiding by the laws and obligations of the state. Therefore, citizens can obtain a second citizenship from another country – or even multiple countries - as long as they meet the criteria set by the country’s government. And one of the options for obtaining citizenship is ‘citizenship by financial investment’ – and this is where CS Global Partners comes in. CS Global Partners is a leading international legal advisory firm specializing in citizenship and residence solutions. “We are a group of dynamic, forward-thinking individuals; most of us have a legal background but the team also has ex-

pertise in global investments, government advisory, banking and property - we’re an eclectic group of individuals, with over 11 languages spoken in our London office,” said Managing Director, Micha-Rose Emmett. The concept of citizenship by investment was born in St Kitts and Nevis in 1984. The government brought in legislation which allowed people to become a citizen of the country in return for a substantial investment. St Kitts and Nevis is not only one of CS Global’s most popular citizenship programmes but it is also the market leader. The St Kitts and Nevis programme has become a blueprint for other countries. “We have clients from everywhere – every single continent in the world – because they know it’s important to diversify their citizenship or residence – any smart investor and businessperson always ensures that they have options,” said Emmett, who added that the company has observed an increase in inquiries from people living on the French Riviera. “We have noticed an interest from more and more individuals on the ground in the Riviera. This is due to the effect of globalisation and also the realization that life can instantly change in one’s country: whether you’re from Europe, South Africa or China, having global citizenship is an investment in you and your family’s future, and opportunity to explore new horizons. In the same way as you would diversify your investment portfolio HNWI’s are diversifying their citizenship and residence options.”

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2 3

Club Vivanova Summer White Party Networking club’s season of events

More than 100 guests attended Club Vivanova’s glamorous White Party on 7 August, organized by the international business networking and premium wine club at Modjo in Port Fontvieille, Monaco.

uests were able to experience fine wines and a sushi bar, accompanied by a DJ playing through the night. Featured wines were the zesty Two Brothers Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Woodlands Chardonnay and the highlyacclaimed Rewen Estate Malbec. To complete the gourmet experience, an exclusive sushi-bar served fresh seafood, meat and vegetarian specialities throughout the night. It was followed up with the Exclusive New World Gourmet Wine Dinner and Contemporary Art Show at Golf Country Club Cannes Mougins on 29 August. Club Vivanova teamed up with the Galerie d’Art Lifetime and other luxury partners for an evening of fine wine, gourmet cuisine and contemporary art. Guests were offered a wonderful threecourse gourmet dinner paired with New World wines. The evening included an art exhibition with partner Galerie d’Art

Lifetime showcasing the artist Jane Sager. The next event will be the Vivanova Nights Traditional Cheese & Wine Party at Modjo Monaco on 4 September. The degustation party will feature premium wines from the diverse viticultural regions of the New World. An educational wine tasting, led by Bradley Mitton, will offer a comparison of regionally diverse wines from different climates and wine-growing regions. The tutored tasting will also serve as a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of wine production and appreciation; such as evaluating wine, viticultural and winemaking practices, cellaring wine and pairing food with wines. Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend Club Vivanova events, but early reservations are recommended. Visit www.clubvivanova.com or email booking@clubvivanova.com.

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1) Bradley Mitton (Club Vivanova Founder) and Irina Saldo 2) Maycka Delgado, Justine Fitosova, Alex Duve, Daniela Popescu 3)The White Party . Love, Peace and Music 4) Christophe Gallas (Modjo Manager), Bradley Mitton and Darryl Tombleson (Vitamin Vodka)

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Global minds Monte Carlo

Bay Hotel will host the gathering of the world’s intelligentsia

The Global Citizen Forum opens up international debate on creating a ‘global citizen tax’ their identity as a citizen of a particular nation. The concept behind it, often used in political philosophy, is that one’s identity transcends geographical borders, instead seeing oneself as part of a much larger universal human community, where we are all one in a symbiotic relationship. Arton himself is indeed a fine example of a ‘global citizen’ – not just in terms of his philosophy but also quite literally: the Armenian-born financial advisory firm CEO has a colourful heritage, which gives him a unique insight: “For somebody whose family has relocated for generations, we have personally have experienced the limitations in life from the only thing that is outside of our control: the place where we are born and nationality at birth,” explained Arton. “I have made a point to devote my life and career to breaking this predestination, and limitations, by providing solutions to people to become global citizens. “I am Armenian born in Bulgaria, grew up in Africa and Europe, was educated in Canada and today live between the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean states – which I advise how to attract foreign investment trough global citizen programmes”. The impressive line-up of speakers was selected in order not only to have exciting exchange of ideas but to create a ‘call to action’ and to turn the focus of the world’s media onto the issue. “We have gathered the best experts in each field and these most respected celebrities who are helping causes with their reach. We are presenting the Global Citizen awards to Kofi Annan and George Clooney ’s father Nick for their achievements

‘Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital and Founder & President of the Global Citizen Forum’

in the humanitarian and refugee crises over the years in Africa,” Arton added. Now back to the topic of the 2015 symposium: “Last year we discussed education, each year there is a main subject - this year it is immigration,” said Arton. “We hope that this event will create a real call to action for the industry participants and government officials who will convert the proposed Global Citizen Tax into reality. The idea is to impose a levy of 1 to 5% on the wealthy migrants who are investing over €6 billion per year in Europe to create an emergency fund for the refugees. It could raise €250 million per year. This is a very simple and easy way to save lives, and we as industry leaders owe it to the world to make an impact on the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War.” Arton likened himself to feeling somewhat like a modern-day Robin Hood. “You can change everything, but not the place you were born. With his event, I’d like to link people that share the same dreams but not the same means,” he added, in reference to the vast economic disparity between the world’s richest and poorest countries.

AMONGST THE SPEAKERS AT THIS EVENT ARE SOME GLOBAL LEADERS AND VISIONARIES. THEY INCLUDE: 1-KOFI ANNAN 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Founder and Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation 2-JOSE MANUEL BARROSO Prime Minister of Portugal (2002-2004) and 11th President of the European Commission (2009-2014) 1

3-ROBIN SHARMA Canadian author, speaker, leadership expert and former litigation lawyer. 4-JOHN PRENDERGAST is a human rights activist and best-selling author who has worked for peace in Africa for 30 years

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Global Citizen Forum, Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, October 8-9 www.globalcitizenforum.org With the event spanning over two days, delegates will have the exclusive chance to meet and network with government representatives, industry specialists, legal and financial professionals and high net worth individuals from around the world. Through carefully planned presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions, the Forum’s aim is to give a voice to all stakeholders.

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ofi Annan, Irina B okova, Jose Manuel Barroso, John Prendergast, Robin Sharma: Some of the brightest minds and most influential leaders, strategists and commentators of today will descend on Monaco for this international event like no other – the Global Citizen Forum. Its aim: “To inspire change, provoke innovation, encourage evolution and empower results”. Across the local and international community, leaders, government officials, policy advisors, financial and legal professionals, migration advisers, real estate developers, celebrities and high net worth individuals are being drawn together in one place, for two days, between 8 and 9 October. To elaborate a little more on this unique event: Attendees will be invited to engage in highly relevant discussions about what it means to be a Global Citizen, covering challenges, opportunities, trends and forecasts. It features a gala evening, presentations, panel discussions and break-out sessions, with world-class performances from the global elite. Monaco competed to host this year’s event, which will be on the theme of migration. “There are 300 participants expected - 500 for the gala evening,” said CEO of Arton Capital and the Founder & Chairman of the Global Citizen Forum, Armand Arton. “This will be a gathering of global leaders to shape debate about what we like to call ‘global citizenship’.” According to Arton, many people today consider themselves to be ‘global citizens’. In broad terms, this applies to those who typically place their identity with a “global community” above

TRAVEL 22

Lufthansa First Class Symbol of perfection Refinement, serenity, exclusivity. The new Lufthansa First Class invites the most demanding passengers to experience incomparable luxury and comfort in the air and on the ground. Welcome aboard.

he First Class Terminal in Frankfurt

In Frankfurt, First Class passengers starting their journey here have their own dedicated Lufthansa First Class Terminal, more like a luxury hotel than an airport terminal. On the Airbus A380, First Class passengers sit in a separate area with just eight seats on the upper deck; in the new Boeing 747-8 they sit in an equally private and secluded space at the front of the plane. The ambience on board is peaceful, luxurious and particularly refined. The on board entertainment is a worldwide reference. State-of-the-art sound insulation ensures total peace and quiet in the cabin, a humidifying system replicates ground air conditions. The new First Class seat turns into a completely flat bed, with a revolutionary mattress that is exceptionally restful for the back and legs. Lastly, real bathrooms with separate toilets and dressing rooms are provided on board and passengers are supplied with an amenity kit, a pair of pyjamas and many other details that help make the new Lufthansa First Class truly exclusive.

5-star travel

Lufthansa is the only European airline to have been awarded a 5-star ranking by Skytrax, the recognised evaluator of airline products and services the world over. Skytrax has also commended the cabin crews for constantly improving the quality of services over the last 12 months.

Culinary pleasures

To match this on board comfort, the First Class menus are devised by internationally renowned Michelin starred chefs such as Anne-Sophie Pic, Marc Haeberlin, David Bouley and Thomas Keller. Drawing inspiration from internationally renowned gourmet restaurants, Lufthansa upholds its tradition of serving outstanding food on board. And to accompany these delicious dishes, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest sommeliers, Markus Del Monego, chooses the finest wines for the Vinothek Discoveries selection. Last but not least, the best caviars and coffees are naturally also served.

Free limousine service for passengers from/to Nice

For any flight booked on Lufthansa First Class, a Limousine Service with driver (with our partner Elite Rent-a-Car) to/from Nice airport will be free! Please contact your travel agency for more information.

Lufthansa First Class Exclusive with Lufthansa Private Jet

Discover the ultimate travel experience to your final destination with Lufthansa Private Jet. Extreme flexibility - book Lufthansa Private Jet at short notice to more than 1,000 destinations in Europe and North America.

SEPTEMBER

2015

Read all about Lufthansa First Class and all about Lufthansa Private Jet

at www.lh.com

ADVERTORIAL

TRAVEL 23

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2015

BUSINESS 24

Sophia way of life

Valbonne : Provencal roots, international heart Riv ie ra RT Mag a z ine chats to mayor of Valbonne and PACA senator Marc Daunis about the unique commune, where the past meets the f utu re, i n har mony w it h a v i br a nt e x p at c om mu n it y.

iviera RT Magazine: Valbonne is one of the most international villages on the Riviera, with many residents coming from Northern Europe (UK, Germany, Belgium, Scandinavia ...). What role do they play in the daily life of your commune? Marc Daunis: We do not keep statistics...but the expat population is actually quite apparent from looking and listening as you stroll through the streets...This is probably the charm of our village, but there’s also the strong international appeal of the Technopole. We welcome people from around the world, who find lots of enticing career opportunities in Valbonne Sophia Antipolis - and a quality of life envied by many, it seems! Does having a large expat population create any issues - or is it seen as an advantage to the community - or both? It is obviously an advantage! There are over 60 nationalities in our community, from every continent! So we have an open spirit and a beautiful energy. We are enriched by our cultural, economic and social exchanges. This is evident, for example, in the crèches where the young children are immersed in this multicultural environment. The same goes for the University, or at SKEMA – the largest business school in France, where this diversity is seen as a strength which attracts students. We will never lose our heritage and cultural traditions, but rather will gladly share it with newcomers. It is an ongoing cultural exchange, which has become quite normal in Valbonne. I love the French language, but am happy to describe it as the ‘Sophia Way of Life’. Is there much integration/interaction between the French and the foreigners? Of course; firstly, in the professional world, links are forged every day amongst all the nationalities. We participate in an international exchange - Sophia’s trademark - which explains the dynamism of our environment. This kind of interaction is also prominent at the school, which brings children and families from around the world together, besides offering plenty of other opportunities that enable us to strengthen our sense of belonging to a community. We celebrate traditional holidays and organise cultural activities throughout the year - a collaboration of 30

BY AILA STÖCKMANN associations. It can be clearly seen during the Fest’inval, an event which brings together all the cultures and takes place every year in September. Do the European Union citizens use their right to vote during the municipal elections? Or do they seem to not care too much about community life? It is important to remember that a European Union voter may vote in France for two types of elections: municipal, but also European. In Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, we counted on 1 August 2015 no less than 211 voters from other EU countries on the municipal voting register and 193 nonFrench EU citizens registered for the European elections. This number is growing, but I would like there to be more. We are facing enormous economic, social and ecological challenges. It is the responsibility of elected officials, certainly, but it is important for our citizens to speak, act and be involved. Regarding the privatisation of the airport: were you against it? If so, why? As senator, I strongly intervened on this crucial issue. At the core of the argument is the principle of working in the best interests of our country and our region. I refused to sit back and ignore it. That is why as a politician I have suggested a number of amendments. The first was to ensure a thorough consultation with elected representatives, professional organisations and local communities, and to preserve close links with the airports outside Paris - Nice airport is the second busiest in France after Charles-de-Gaulle. We must keep a dialogue going with everyone. The second critical issue is in the details of the tender. For example, the purchase of shares by employees as well as citizens should be encouraged, and real power should be given to local officials and staff to get involved in the selection process. My third demand is to prohibit any parties domiciled in tax havens, or controlled directly or indirectly by such entities, from becoming candidates for the tender. In the coming months, we will decide on the future governance of the airport. I’m working with the minister, Emmanuel Macron, and his colleagues on this. I was

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2015

elected to represent the first technology park in Europe; the airport was and continues to be crucial to its development. It’s September already. What else is coming up in Valbonne Sophia Antipolis? One of the priorities of my mandate was to create 420 homeownership units. We are launching a big operation to build 250 homes on the outskirts of Sofia. This new housing is essential. Another important issue is the Concerted Development Zone (CAZ) Clausonnes. Preliminary work has already been completed. The construction phase will begin at the end of 2016, upon obtaining administrative approval, and it will be completed in 2019. It is an exemplary project which is fully compliant with sustainable development principles. With public services, offices, community facilities and shops, it will provide 1,200 jobs, plus close to 2,000 during the construction phase. There’s also the further development of technology park, as we start to implement guidelines for Sophia, moving towards 2030. Finally, there’s the closing of BERMOND, which resumes its course after a temporary parenthesis: it was necessary to complete some studies following the discovery of underground corridors. Which of your future projects for Sophia Antipolis are you proudest of? There is our campaign for the ‘French Tech’ name, and we have grand aspirations for the future of the IDEX JEDI project. We want to enable employees of Texas, Samsung or Nvidia to follow the path to employment here in Sophia. It is my greatest pride. But beyond that, I must add that our community is much more than just Sophia alone, and it offers a thousand and one other items of interest. The Watty operation, launched a few months ago, educates our citizens on how to save energy. But the ultimate project for our future would probably just be to keep our soul - that of a French town with Provencal roots, open to the world but grounded in its history. In short, to remain faithful to the motto of our City: “Here the future is found in its roots!”.

BUSINESS 25

The future of finance is transparency Interview with

Werner Peyer, CEO of Compagnie Monégasque de Banque (CMB)

BY PETRA HALL

orldwide, there has long been a crisis of confidence in banks. How does the Compagnie Monégasque de Banque remain credible? The lack of confidence is partly due to the economic crisis of 2008 and was largely brought about by the banks themselves. Unfortunately, most have learnt little from it. The CMB has established four core values six years ago. In first place is the customer’s needs, followed by respect for diversity, aspiring for innovation and competence, and compliance with all rules. We expect our employees to ask themselves at every turn whether they are in harmony with our principles. Only in this way can trust be built. Can you expand on that? Maintaining cultural diversity and addressing the various needs of a clientele are of great importance, particularly in the international context of the Côte d’Azur. Three months after they join CMB, we ask new employees to honestly share with us what they find good and bad about the company. This is a wonderful resource. The number of employees has risen from 150 to 200 – and each receives additional training, one in five in the area of leadership. Personally, I see myself as a coordinator of these energy flows, which ultimately benefits the customer. High professional competence is necessary for thinking innovatively. The CMB is, for example, Monaco’s first bank to provide online payment services. And what about the rules? We strive to be a bank that is always in line with the rules. Be it the requirements of regulatory bodies such as the Banque de France and Monegasque institutions, or the so called ‘zero defect tolerance’ internal rules. The company is aiming at complying strictly with both. Therefore, our in-house rules aim at strict compliance while, at the same time, they are designed to increase the efficiency of our services for our clients. Internal must help us to satisfy our clients expectations. What are the benefits of being a Monegasque bank and, in general, having headquarters in the Principality? We are in a privileged position because we are the only local Monegasque bank. Therefore, the decision-making processes are short, since decisions are taken locally. Our customers are often wary of global financial institutions; they are looking for a bank with a strong customer focus, financial expertise and high capital solidity, such as the CMB.The banking centre of Monaco has 33 institutions

within a highly competitive two square kilometre radius much to the customer’s benefit. The Monegasque government also provides stability, as does the legal system and public safety. The fact that there is no government debt in the Principality means that there are no additional taxes, as in some European countries. Monaco also scores points for not inflicting capital gains tax or withholding tax on revenue. What is the current situation with regards to Monegasque banks required to share information? To put it bluntly… the accusation of money laundering is slander by other banking centres. For a few years now, Monaco has been on the white list of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The future in the finance business is transparency. From 2018, the automatic exchange of information will come into force and will finally make any kind of tax evasion impossible. People are often unsure as to how to invest their money. Do you have any tips? Don’t limit yourself to euros – diversify. The CMB handles investments that are stable and non-volatile. CMB’s commitment to the community lies not only in the financial sector… As a Monegasque bank we engage in consultation with the government in areas of culture, sustainability and education. Therefore, we are partners of the Grimaldi Forum, the Hotel Management School, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Prince Albert II Foundation for the Solar Impulse project - always preserving our four core values. So the keyword here is ‘expansion’… We see ourselves as ambassadors of the Principality. In this sense, the CMB opened an office in London, just b ehind Bu ck ing ham Pa l ace, in Ju ne. We specialise in working with foreigners living in the UK. In Monaco, our institution is a depository bank, London has a consultancy function. In the future, we plan to establish further locations in Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid and Istanbul, where our shareholders, the renowned Milan Mediobanca SpA, already has a presence.

W E R N E R

P E Y E R

Biography Born in 1954 in Zurich, Werner Peyer studied at the University of Zurich to become a teacher in languages and started working in the industry in 1976 for three years. In 1981, he also obtained his degree in languages (French, German, English), and history. He then opted for a career in banking, joining the Credit Suisse group in 1981 and staying until 1997, developing private banking business in South Africa, Gibraltar and Geneva. Later, he joined Coutts Bank for five years running their private banking operations out of London. In 2002, he entered UBS AG and held the position of group vice chairman. Since March 2010, he has been the CEO of Compagnie Monégasque de Banque. Werner Peyer is a dedicated banker and has wide interests in different fields such as contemporary art, music and sports. He is very passionate about protecting the environment and is proud to be an active member of the ‘Association des amis du Musée’ of the Monaco Oceanographic Museum. He is also vice president of the ‘Club Allemand International’.

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2015

EVENTS 26

French Events 4th September

M O N ACO VIVANOVA NIGHTS TRADITIONAL CHEESE AND WINE PARTY Will take place at MODJO Monaco at 7.30pm. Four premium new world wines and educational tasting. €40 per person, fully inclusive. Reservations: booking@clubvivanova.com www.clubvivanova.com/events/modjomonaco-04sep2015 CANNES “THE STAR OF SHAKESPEARE” World-famous French opera singer, Robert Alagna, sings at the Palais in Cannes in honour of William Shakespeare. 8:30pm. Tickets from €35. www.cannes-destination.fr

4th-6th September

NICE HISTORIC CAR RALLY Nice Automobile Club enters its 19th round with its legendary three-day car race. At 12.30pm, the engines are started on the Place Massena. www.nicetourisme.com

5th-6th September

BAGNOLS-EN-FORÊT “FÊTE DE LA SAINT-ANTOINE” Saturday - ball with music from the band, Trio Cap d’Azur, on the Place de la Marie. Sunday - mass at 11am in the Ste-Anne chapel followed by a supper. Tel. 04 94 40 64 68

6th September

M O N TAU R O U X CONCERT BY ROSAMUNDE STRING QUARTET In the beautiful chapel of St. Barthelemy, string quartet, Rosamunde, by Franz Schubert will be giving a concert. Admission €20 or €5 for students. www.paysdefayence.com TO U R R E T T E S - S U R- LO U P CRAFTS SHOW Porcelain and pottery exhibited in the streets of the village. www.tourrettessurloup.com MOUANS SARTOUX GOURMET MARKET Farmers from the region present their products on the town hall square. www.mouans-sartoux.com

6th September-5th October

8th-19th September

BEAULIEU-SUR-MER BEAULIEU CLASSIC FESTIVAL BEAULIEU CLASSIC FESTIVAL Five concerts extended by a dinner or cocktail reception with the artists. This 8th edition will highlight the artistic links between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the Principality of Monaco. The program includes violinist, Charlie Siem, who is both a highly-skilled musician and a model for Hugo Boss. www.beaulieuclassicfestival.com

10th-13th September

VALBONNE ARTISTS’ GATHERING Gallery owners, artists and craftsmen come together in the Espace du Pré des Arts. Every year from 10.30am-7pm. Tel. 04 93 34 65 65

11th September

CAGNES-SUR-MER JAZZ AT THE CASTLE Pannonica saxophonist quartet bring the castle to life. 9pm on the Palace Square. Tel. 04 93 22 19 25

11th-12th September

ROQUEBILLIERE 3E RALLY DE LA VESUBIE Classic cars race 130,385km through the Alpes-Maritimes. Tel. 04 93 03 51 60

11th-13th September

VIDAUBAN “FETE LOCALE” Three-day festival in the city centre with various concerts. Admission free. Tel. 04 94 73 10 28

12th September

CAGNES-SUR-MER OPEN DAY Every second Saturday of the month, 15 artists show their studios. Ten different places: Villa Solidor, Espace Solidor, Château-Musée, Poterie Terraïo, Atelier JM, Atelier Sébastien Ehrmann, Atelier Esty, Maison Commune and Galerie Laureen Thomas. www.cagnes-tourisme.com

15th-20th September

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER TROPHÉE PASQUI Gathering of beautiful and traditional yachts with entertainment and live music. www.tropheepasqui.com

18th September

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER ART SHOW Artists from Villefranche display their work for one month in the Sainte-Elisabeth chapel. www.villefranche-sur-mer.fr

NICE ENSEMBLE BAROQUE DE NICE Baroque concert by twelve violinists. From Tartini to Bach. 8.30pm in the Sainte-Reparate cathedral. www.ensemblebaroquedenice.com

8th-13th September

18th-20th September

CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL Gathering of luxurious yachts and prestigious yachting companies for six days at the port. €15 or free for children under 12. Double ticket: €28. www.cannesyachtingfestival.com

MOUGINS GASTRONOMIE FESTIVAL The small town is transformed into an outdoor theatre of taste. From 10am-8pm. www.lesetoilesdemougins.com

VALBONNE “FEST’IN‘VAL” 80 different nationalities will be honoured with film, theatre and music. See interview with the mayor on page 20. www.ville-valbonne.fr/Fest-inVal

20th-27th September

CANNES SAILING REGATTA The most beautiful yachts in the world will be in the bay and in the old Cannes Harbour. www.regatesroyales.com

21st September

M O N ACO 6TH WALK IN FAVOUR OF THE FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE L’Association Monégasque pour la Recherche sur la Maladie d’Alzheimer (AMPA) invites you to participate in the World Day of the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. 12am – meet at the Place du Palais. Walk from 12:15-1:15pm followed by a light meal for free at Fort Antoine for all the participants.The walk will be formally started by Monegasque Minister of the State, SEM Michel Roger. Tel. 06 08 21 98 32

23rd-26th September

M O N ACO 25TH MONACO YACHT SHOW One of the most prestigious yacht shows in the world. Leading companies will present luxury and mega yachts in Port Hercule and major yachting companies and manufacturers etc. will attend. 10am-6:30pm. *Riviera RT Magazine subscribers can obtain free tickets for the value of €150 each. www.monacoyachtshow.com

24th-25th September

M O N ACO “SOUND OF MUSIC” Multilingual play at the Théâtre du Gymnase-Bernardines French, German, English, Italian and Dutch subtitles. A light-hearted musical. Tickets from €8. www.lestheatres.net

25th-27th September

S A I N T- J E A N - C A P - F E R R A T “SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT LEGENDES” International motor show attracting hundreds of classic car enthusiasts every year. 9.30am-6pm. www.saintjeancapferrat-legendes.com

26th-27th September

SALERNES AMERICAN FESTIVAL US cars, Harleys, country music, bike shows and more. Free admission. From 9am. Tel.06 80 46 30 62

29th September

ESCALET COASTAL PATH HIKE 9km hike to the lighthouse along the beautiful coastline of Escalet. Medium difficulty level. Leaves 9am from the beach. Registration required. Tel. 04 98 12 64 00

EVENTS 27 1st October

BEAULIEU-SUR-MER MAURANE IN CONCERT Beaulieu sur Mer Casino presents “Maurane in Concert” with her new show, “Toujours aussi scène” . Accompanied by four musicians, she will perform her new songs as well as her greatest hits. Concert at 9pm. Tickets are €40. Reservations: 04 92 00 60 00. Optional dinner before the show for €25 with a menu consisting of a starter, main course and dessert (drinks excluded). Reservations: 04 92 00 60 06. www.casinodebeaulieusurmer.com

2nd-4th October

MOUANS SARTOUX 28TH BOOK FESTIVAL One of the leading book fairs in the South of France. 10am-7pm. Free admission for under 18s and students, otherwise €4 (3 days). www.lefestivaldulivre.fr

Until 7th September

LAIGUEGLIA “FESTA PATRONALE DI SAN MATTEO” Patronal festival in honour of St. Matthew. There will be polenta, wild boar and other rural specialties and music. Starts 8pm with fireworks over the sea at 10pm.

Until 13th September

20th September

BIOT “RECYCLE YOUR STREET” The streets of Biot invite you to marvel at the now booming “StreetArt.” Various artists present their works under the motto “recycling.” www.biot-tourisme.com

DIANO MARINA & SAN BARTOLOMEO AL MARE “4° RADUNO FIAT 500” 4th meeting of the Fiat 500 in the Gulf of Diano. All day. www.club500golfodianese.it

Until 14th September

B A DA LU CCO “FESTIVAL DELLO STOCCAFISSO” The traditional stockfish festival in Argentina Valley. Piazza Cavour.

CAGNES-SUR-MER “EQUITA 06”RIDING EVENT Demonstrations of equestrian disciplines, pony baptisms, horse shows and much more. 10am-5pm. www.cde06.ﬀe.com

MENTON “OEUVRES MODERNES 1900 – 1939. COLLECTION WAKEFIELD-MORI” The Musée des Beaux-Arts – Palais Carnolès displays the modern art collection donated to the State by Charles WakefieldMori in 1939 and kept in Menton from 1961. Charles Wakefield-Mori was curator of the Palace of Monaco and founder of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts in Monaco, as well as an art dealer and collector. www.menton.fr/OEuvres-Modernes-1900-1939

9th-11th October

12th-18th September

4th October

M O N ACO CHOCOLATE FAIR Different shows and peculiarities around the theme of chocolate. Friday 2pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-7pm. 9€ (children under 12 years free). www.salonduchocolat-monaco.com

6th-25th October

CAGNES-SUR-MER HORSE SHOW 90 international competitions within two weeks. www.cagnes-tourisme.com

Exhibitions Until 6th September

VALBONNE 31 ANTIQUES FAIR There will be 50 exhibits from different eras in the Espace du Pré des Arts. 10:30am-7:30pm and Friday until 9:30pm. Admission: €5. www.antiquaires-valbonne.com

3rd-6th September

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER ANTIQUES SHOW Art Tentation will display luxury antiques in the fortress of Villefranche-sur-Mer. There will be several galleries and numerous professional artists present. Great for collectors, bargain hunters and lovers of art. One will find a wide range of valuable furniture, jewelry and paintings etc. www.art-tentation.com

19th-21st September

VALLAURIS PABLO PICASSO “La guerre et la paix”. Two great works by a master of the art of seeing at the Musée National Pablo Picasso. www.musees-nationaux-alpesmaritimes.fr

S A I N T- J E A N - C A P - F E R R A T FINE ARTS BY THE SEA Exhibition in the series, “Académie des Beaux-Arts.” Contemporary art in Neptune at the marina. 2nd edition. www.saintjeancapferrat-tourisme.fr

Until 20th September

CANNES “NILS-UDO SUR L’EAU” German pioneer of “Land Art” presents some of his paintings and photographs in the Musée de la Mer. 10am-5:45pm. Entrance: €6.50. Tel. 04 93 38 55 26

Until 21st September

NICE MARC CHAGALL AND THE BAY OF ANGELS Provides a unique insight into the relationship between Marc Chagall and Nice. Admission: €10. www.musee-chagall.fr

Italian Events Until 15th September

C A R PA S I O “UN GIORNO IN VALLATA AL PROFUMO DI LAVANDA” Every day, various activities in the Lavender Museum of Carpasio at 10am. Registration required. Tel. 327 4590272 - info@museodellalavanda.it

18th September

LAIGUEGLIA “FESTIVAL INTERNAZIONALE ORGANISTICO” 17th International Organ Festival.

20-21st September

PIETRA LIGURE “DOLCISSIMA PIETRA” Exhibition, sale and tasting of sweet specialties from different Italian regions. Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 10am-8pm.

27th-28th September

DIANO MARINA DIANO LATIN MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 Music festival and Latin American dance. Molo delle Tartarughe. Saturday 9:30pm-12pm and Sunday 6pm-8pm.

30th September-5th October GENOA “SALONE NAUTICO” Nautical fair. www.ﬁera.ge.it

Until 27th December

D O LC E ACQ UA “VISITA GUIDATA DEL BORGO” Guided tour through the Old Town followed by tasting of Ligurian wine, “Rossese” in the Enoteca Regionale della Liguria. €10 per person. Reservation required. Tel. 0184 229507

Every second Sunday of the month

D O LC E D O “MERCATINO DEL PRODOTTO BIOLOGICO” Biomarket with producers from around the world.

Every third Sunday of the month

TAG G I A “MERCATINO D’ANTIQUARIO” Antique market.

ALBENGA “MERCATINO D’ANTIQUARIO” Antique market. In the historic centre and on the Piazza San Michele.

Keeping you up to date with all the important news and information concerning your community. From interesting news in brief and details on the latest government initiatives, to helpful classifieds and recommended restaurants, we bring you the fine points to make

your life easier in the French Riviera and Monaco.

HEADLINES

RECOMMEND

COMMUNITY

CLASSIFIEDS

35 28

HEADLINES 29

ALGAE THREAT TO CÔTE D’AZUR BEACH

THE GROWTH OF THE TOXIC ALGAE KNOWN AS OSTREOPSIS IS BEING CLOSELY MONITERED IN THE BAY OF VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER. It first arrived on the shores of the Côte d’Azur in 1972 and has spread continuously for the past 15 years. L’observatoire océanologique de Villefrache-sur-Mer (OOV) and the municipality of the town are equally concerned about this unwanted species of algae so Villefrance-sur-Mer has had to launch a counter-attack against the threat of Ostreopsis. Deputy director of the OOV and French representative of an international project monitoring Ostreopsis, Rodolphe Lemée, told French newspaper Nice-Matin, “This is a microscopic algae, which can cause skin and eye irritation, fever and respiratory problems.” “It thrives in high temperatures and in light, so, therefore, in shallow water. In case of large concentration, the unicellular algae can form water flowers on the surface or a brown felting felting on the bottom, on the rocks and macroalgae. Lemée adds, however, “The algae usually only causes minor injuries with reversible effects. Additionally, just a few days each summer meet all the conditions for it to become a real risk.” For three years, the City of Villefranche-sur-Mer has been financing a project to collect samples of Ostreopsis carried out in the harbour by the OOV. “If there is some here, it is probably present all along the coast. This study has implications for the whole region,” said Lemée. Environment assistant, Anne Rainaud, added, “Towns must take measures proportionate to the scientific risk assessment. “We are nearly all in agreement that we should mark areas with deep widespread Ostreopsis.

We must work on sampling methods for this purpose because it is more consistent but more complicated than on the surface.” This surface sampling is validated by the scientific community and the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and used as an indicator, when it comes to informing towns of the steps tthey should take to tackle the problem.

LA TURBIE transforms into Ancient Rome

THE TROPHÉE D’AUGUSTE IN THE TOWN OF LA TURBIE WILL TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AND BECOME A ROMAN SETTLEMENT ON 20 SEPTEMBER. It will host an unforgettable historical reconstruction with shows, activities, workshops, food and trinkets to buy. After the great success of its events in 2012 and 2013, which attracted over 3700 visitors, the ‘Friends of the Trophy’in partnership with the town of La Turbie and the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, will offer yet another opportunity to journey back to the Roman times. This year, some new features – a legionnaire camp, workshops about civil Roman life, a firing line and an armament stand – will be added to the event, which will make the Roman reconstruction even more atmospheric and interactive. The Legio VI Ferrata Association will create a legionnaire camp and deliver the workshops; visitors can try out a variety of legionnaire and Roman gladiator weaponary and there will be an archery stand available so that people can test their dexterity and concentration safely. All day, there will be opportunities to participate in pottery workshops, Roman games and sewing classes run by the ‘Friends of the Trophy’, to visit historical shop, Acta-Archéo and an interactive museum and to go on Trophy tours. A Roman lunch will be available at 12.30pm at the Oliveraie du Trophée d’Auguste restaurant with reservation. The event runs from 10am-6pm. Bookings can be made up until 15 September via email. For more information or to make a lunch reservation: Tel: 04 93 41 21 15 or info@ville-la-turbie.fr

MCDONALD’S APOLOGISES after homeless ban

THE MCDONALD’S GROUP HAS APOLOGISED AFTER AN INTERNAL MEMO WAS EXPOSED WHICH DIRECTED EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY’S HYÈRES FRANCHISE “NOT TO GIVE FOOD TO VAGRANTS”. The move was made in August following a “serious incident” at the branch in the Var in July involving two rough sleepers. The ‘policy’ of the Var fast food outlet, which was not sanctioned by McDonald’s global

headquarters, has now been dropped. McDonald’s has also now disconnected the official Twitter account of the Var branch following criticism online, stating “Refusing to serve the homeless or disadvantaged is by no means a McDonald’s policy”. McDonald’s has released a statement on the issue, which said: “After a serious incident involving two homeless people on the evening of 25 July in front of the McDonald’s restaurant in Hyères, the restaurant issued instructions to prevent such incidents from reoccurring and to safeguard the security of its customers. “The method and delivery has proved awkward; the restaurant management has therefore retracted the instructions. “McDonald’s would like to join the restaurant franchise to apologise to anyone that was offended by this order and would like to point out that McDonald’s objective is to serve all customers without discrimination and that although the action was taken in response to an incident, it in no way reflects the spirit of our brand.”

‘URGENTACTION’ on marine pollution

WITH THE BEACHES AND UNDERWATER WORLD BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE REGION, PLANS ARE BEING PUT IN MOTION TO IMPLEMENT A DEPARTMENT-WIDE SYSTEM TO ENSURE THEIR PROTECTION FROM POLLUTION. Municipalities such as Cannes spend €150,000 annually on cleaning the seabed in order to help maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem, but many others have no such programme in place. The amount of underwater pollution peaks each summer due to high volumes of commercial and private vessels and tourists. A large quantity of waste is left at sea, which upsets the fragile balance of the ecosystem. Aside from Cannes, several other municipalities also have structures in place to deal with the problem. They include Théoulesur-Mer, which spends €600 per week on cleaning the seabed. In 2014, more than 42 tonnes of waste were collected from the sub-aquatic environs of Théoule, while Nice, which also has a scheme, collected 100 tonnes at a cost of €250,000. And Marseille is set to mobilise nearly €220million through its’ “Bay Agreement” which makes the cleaning up of pollution a priority. Yet many communities still have no guidelines. As such, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the World Ocean Network’s spokesperson for the Ocean, Maud Fontenoy, has teamed up with Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur MP, Christian Estrosi, to commit to initiating a seabed conservation plan for the entire region. “The seabed is a treasure that we must preserve,” said Estrosi.

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2015

Opinion

By Riviera RT Magazine Editor SARAH HARVEY

JOINED-UP PLAN NEEDED TO FIGHT MOSQUITO VIRUS THREAT

ecently the High Council for Public Health has warned of a ‘real’ risk of an exotic virus being transferred by mosquitoes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Experts predict it’s only a matter of time before zika virus, which originates from Uganda, is transmitted within the department. Rather like dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya, zika virus is spread by Southeast Asian ‘tiger mosquitoes’, which have invaded 20 French departments since the 1990s. Symptoms of all four tropical diseases include fever, muscle pain and skin rash – or even possible neurological complications. I recently moved to France from the Maldives and Sri Lanka, where I saw more than 20 good friends struck down by dengue and chikungunya. I remember one expat contracted dengue immediately on arrival and spent the next 6 weeks bedbound before relapsing a few weeks later. He left the country and never came back after that. So having seen the pale faces of my friends when they were laid low, I know mosquito-borne diseases are no joke. And the zika fever warning comes on top of projections suggesting if zika doesn’t make an appearance first, it will be dengue fever or chikungunya (the latter broke out in Italy in 2007). So I’m somewhat surprised to find that there isn’t a consistent plan across all the municipalities to tackle the issue. While my intention isn’t to frighten anyone, I don’t think many would disagree with my point that surely preemptive steps are better than waiting until the first case is reported before taking action. Certain communes are being proactive, such as in Vence, where a new bylaw introduced this summer requires all residents help reduce the tiger mosquito population by taking steps such as emptying containers of stagnant water. Likewise, in Nice, the coastal area is subject to an action-plan. Such vigilance pays off: I’ve witnessed it in the Maldives, where the resorts in one atoll teamed up to reduce the mosquito population though non-chemical means. In counterpoint to this is the capital city, Male’, where dengue is on the rise since the municipality stopped systematic mosquito ‘fogging’ and allowed careless construction companies to let building sites fill up with stagnant water. Back in France, the High Council for Public Health recommends precautions to avoid bites, and that suspected cases should be quarantined at home with closed windows to prevent the contamination of new mosquitoes. All 20 departments known to host tiger mosquitoes are being closely monitored.

HEADLINES 30 example, which is deteriorating at a great speed, the preferred option is to change the route slightly and shift users onto a tarmac track. The file will be delivered to the local authorities. Additionally, a survey of visitor numbers to the mountain range, conducted by the Alpine Club, has received nearly 1,000 responses.

JUAN-LESPINS: Ice-cream capital ESTÉREL MOUNTAINS “neglected and under-utilised”

CO-FOUNDER OF THE FRENCH ALPINE CLUB OF THE ESTÉREL and member of the group, ‘The Estérel for All’, Christian Chabert, believes that the Estérel mountain range in the Var region is currently “abandoned, dangerous and under-exploited”. He claims tourist offices highlight the merits of the mountain range, but fail to provide maps of walking trails, which are not being maintained or sufficiently signposted. Chabert uses an analogy to explain the problem: “It’s like when a shopkeeper doesn’t put the value of a precious item in the window.” According to Chabert, the problems are extensive; “The Estérel mountains are poorly maintained - many paths are literally abandoned and it is even dangerous in several places. It is also severly lacking signage. And it is under-exploited! “It is a beautiful landscape that could attract many more hikers who are respectful of the environment, and it’s a waste. Because nothing is being done, many trails are suffering continuous degradation.” Over 100 areas need attending to, from nonexistent signage to footpaths eroding and becoming hazardous. “The path that leads up to Saint-Honorat chapel is becoming increasingly dangerous,” claims Chabert. With other members of the group, ‘The Estérel for all’, Chabert has helped to compile a file listing all the ‘black spots’ that have been identified on the mountain range, which sits between Mandelieu and Cannes to the east and Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus to the west. In the document, the team used different colours to represent the various types of work that needs to be done on the damaged trails. “We have classified all the black spots and put them into different categories. There are areas that require no more than a few strokes of an axe to clear the way, and there are those that require a lot of funding for repair work.” Instead of restoring the Hermes trail, for

USERS OF TRAVEL WEBSITE TRIPADVISOR HAVE VOTED FOR THE 10 BEST ICE-CREAM PARLOURS IN FRANCE FOR 2015. NO LESS THAN FOUR WITHIN THE CÔTE D’AZUR REGION TARE PLACED WITHIN THE TOP TEN. Glacerie Papilla ice-cream parlour in Juan-les-Pins, near Antibes, has been voted the best in France for 2015. Everything at the popular venue is made either on the day or the day before it is sold, and the sorbets are made purely from fruit. The café is owned by an Italian family who have been developing their expertise for more than 20 years. It is followed, at number four, by the Arlequin Gelati in Nice. This ice-cream parlour was ranked in a similar position in the same contest last year. An ice-cream parlour in Old Nice, Gelateria Azzurro, was voted sixth. Nice’s Gelateria Meraviglia, located in rue Pairolière and also in rue Massena, came eighth in the rankings. Notably, there is no trace of the famous Fenocchio café (in Place Rossetti) in the rankings. This may be surprising to some, because it is the oldest in Nice and probably also the most well-known in the area due to its location in the heart of the old town. TripAdvisor’s ice-cream rankings: 1. GLACERIE PAPILLA, 18 rue Dr. Dautheville, Juan-les-Pins 4. GLACERIE ARLEQUIN GELATI, 9 Malaussena Avenue, Nice 6. GELATERIA AZZURRO, 1 rue Sainte Reparate, Nice 8. GELATERIA MERAVIGLIA, 8 rue Pairolière and 39 rue Massena, Nice

THE VAR Top destination in Europe

THE TURQUOISE WATERS OF THE GORGES DU VERDON AND THE “SOUL-STIRRING” LAVENDER FIELDS HAVE WON OVER THE TELEGRAPH’S JOURNALISTS: The Var region - described as “the most beautiful part of Provence” - has taken first place in the British broadsheet’s rankings of the ‘Top 30 places to see in Europe before you die’. According to the article, the beauty of the Var surpasses the magnificent buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí in

SEPTEMBER

Barcelona - voted second place - and the spectacular details of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, in third place. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul and the Northern Lights, which can be best-observed in Scandinavia or Iceland, are situated at 11th and 12th place respectively, and the Red Square in Moscow took 14th place. Amidst such stuff competition, some may say the Var’s victory is quite an achievement... “Clusters of stone houses form tiny villages hidden between the weft and warp of winding roads in the Haut-Var, where you can expect good food, better scenery, fewer crowds and a taste of the real Provencal life that brought Peter Mayle (author of A Year in Provence) here in the first place,” writes journalist, Lizzie Porter, in the article. Provence is one of the 20 destinations in France that the government has chosen to concentrate on enhancing its attractiveness in order to compete on an international level with global tourist attractions.

BREAST CANCER Charity race

THE EIGHTH FOULÉE DES GAZELLES RUN WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN TOULON ON 13 SEPTEMBER - A FRIENDLY AND RELAXED RACE, FOR WOMEN ONLY. It was eight years ago in 2007 that Marc Vernet and his team of volunteers organised the first Foulée des Gazelles. “The number of participants was 250,” recalls president of the event, Marc Vernet. “The number of registrants grows each year and I hope that we will reach 3,000 participants in 2015!” This year, the meeting place will be on the beaches of Mourillon. The course is set to run through and alongside these beautiful beaches for 7.5km. “This is a race of joy and pleasure, it is open to all over 16.” said Vernet. Registration costs €14 until 6 September. From 7 to 12 September, registration will cost €17. You can register online or by downloading the registration form available on the website and sending it by post to: Gymnase Municipal, 43 Rue de la Roseraie, 83000 Toulon. It will not be possible to register online on the day of the race. For more information visit www.lafouleedesgazelles.com, call 06 12 90 05 82 or email contact@lafouleedesgazelles.com.

HOMOSEXUAL UNIONS from 2017

THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS SOUGHT TO ACCELERATE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN MONACO REGARDING SAME-SEX UNIONS IN AUGUST It follows a European Court of Human Rights recommendation on July 21 that all European countries establish a legal framework civil unions.

2015

The court announced that the total absence of civil unions as an option for homosexuals in many European countries (including Monaco) contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the “right to respect for private and family life”. It condemned Italy for having no legal framework for homosexuals. Monaco, also a member country, currently does not have one either. The possible introduction of civil partnerships in Monaco was also raised in 2012. The Union des Monégasques (UDM) included the matter in its campaign programme and filed a proposal for a law on a cohabitation agreement”. Nevertheless, no advancements have been made since then. Jean-Louis Grinda of the National Council (President of the Commission d’Environnement et Cadre de vie) in Monaco, said, “If our text had been studied back in 2013, it would certainly have been transformed into a bill by this point. “It refers to a contract – not marriage – which allows two people living together to be recognised in their rights. It is a shame that the obligation applies today from the outside, in this case by the European Court of Human Rights, when the text has been ready for more than two years. We will write a letter to Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo (President of the Commission des Droits de la Femme et de la Famille) and our President to ask them to open this file.” Today, 23 countries that are members of the European Court of Human Rights currently do not recognise homosexual unions. President of the Commission des Droits de la Femme et de la Famille, Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo, said, “We wanted to give ourselves time for reflection. “I’ve always been in favour of the text; the subject is important. The President of the National Council told me to put the bill into study in 2016. In late 2015 I’ll start a dialogue with the authorities that link directly to it. Once it is adopted by the Committee, we will put it into action in 2017. There are still some sceptics elected from the majority on this issue.” In 2013, Archbishop of Monaco, Monsignor Bernard Barsi, commented on the issue, “This is a civil and a social law. If it were to be passed, it would not change anything for the Church.”

HEADLINES 31 PEOPLE 31

LACK OF POLITICAL WILL?

Excessive speeds and alcohol are major contributors to road deaths; the government is being criticised for ‘complacency’

he worst road accident in the AlpesMaritimes so far this year occurred on the Promenade des Anglais, Nice, on 5 August: Three young Azuréens lost their lives and one was injured. The four friends began their evening at an apartment in Cagnes-sur-Mer before deciding to drive to a nightclub in Nice at around 1am. At 2am, their BMW driving at 180km/h - collided with a street light and knocked it over, before careering off the road. The vehicle ended up wrapped around a tree. Two of the occupants, Vanina, 19, and Bryan, 35, were killed instantly. The 24-yearold driver, Pierre, had to be cut out of the

vehicle and died of his injuries the next day. The sole surviving passenger was treated for less severe injuries. Investigators ruled excessive speed was a major factor, but are yet to determine if alcohol also played a role. Nationally, the number of road deaths is on the rise. In this area alone, the recent fatal accident is one of just many. Another collision took place in January, when a 64-year-old pensioner was killed by a car as she crossed the Promenade des Anglais. When examined on a wider perspective, these crashes are part of a shocking national trend. According to figures released by the National Observatory for Road Safety in August,

‘SLEEPING GAS’ BURGLARY WARNING Security expert says use of gas is becoming common in home invasions

Residents are being warned about the potentially ‘fatal’ use of gas in burglaries on the Riviera following the robbery of F1 driver

ne night during the peak of the high season, the British Grand Prix driver, Jenson Button, was on holiday in St Tropez with his wife Jessica and friends when the villa they were staying in was attacked by burglars. Rather than confronting the occupants with weapons, instead they released sleeping gas into the air conditioning system. The gas rendered them unconscious. When they came to, they

found their villa and belongings had been rifled through by the burglars, who had escaped with approximately €400,000 worth of goods. Security specialist, Gareth Nesbit, from SRX Security, provides security solutions for high net worth private clients and companies across the Riviera, as well as around the world. He told Riviera RT Magazine he was not surprised by the incident, and warned there could

the number of people dying on the roads in July jumped by almost 20% compared with July 2014. There were 360 fatalities; 58 more than during the same period the previous year. The government is being strongly criticised by experts from the National Road Safety Council (NSRC) and other road safety associations for failing to adequately tackle the issue. In response, Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, announced on August 10 that an interdepartmental road safety council assembly - the first since 2011 - will be held this month (September). Further pressure was put on the government by ‘Le Monde’ newspaper’s publication of a report by the General Inspectorate denouncing a “lack of political will” to work on reducing the number of road deaths. “Governance of road safety policy has weakened in recent years,” it said, adding, “the interdepartmental panel seems backwards.” Over the first seven months of 2015 there was an increase in national road deaths of 3.8% (1,918 fatalities) compared with the January-July 2014. It’s interesting to note that in the age range of 18-24 years, there has been a 9% increase in fatalities, but also in the group aged 65 years and over the number is also rising sharply: 21% more deaths in the first seven months of 2015. However, cyclical factors have had an impact on the figures: Road mortalities increased across the European Union as a whole by 7% in July compared to July 1014. It has been

suggested the sunny weather was conducive to driving, combined with a very low fuel prices and an increase in the number of ‘staycations’ (holidays by the French in France: up 18.8%), which resulted in a larger than normal volume of traffic using the roads. The interior minister has made assurances that “tough” and “preventative” measures will be reinforced and that “new steps” will follow the interdepartmental committee meeting. 26 measures - 19 of which are already in force have already been announced by the minister in an attempt to reduce the number of national road deaths to less than 2,000 per year in 2020 - against 3,388 in 2014. The plan, which includes a ban on hands-free kits and headsets while driving and passing the authorised rate to 0.2 g of alcohol per litre of blood for learner drivers, has however been called “insufficient” by road safety experts. “This isn’t strong enough to change the road mortality rates,” said Philippe Lauwick, chairman of the “Alcohol, drugs, speed” committee of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC). The NRSC said it regrets the Government’s failure to reduce the speed limit from 90 to 80 km/h on dual carriageways; a measure capable of saving (according to their studies) 350 - 400 lives per year. The suggestion has provoked hostility from associations including the League of Drivers, which represents 40 million motorists.

be fatal consequences in the future. “Not only does the gas give perpetrators free reign to raid houses, it is also an extremely dangerous tactic,” Nesbit said. “The gas is an anaesthetic like that which you would find in a hospital but the difference is that dosage is not controlled by burglars according to symptoms, as it would be for a patient in a medical environment, and this can lead to severe consequences for the victims. “I said at the start of the summer that someone would die during a burglary from this sort of gas. It sits high on our list of priorities to consider the issue of use of such gas in burglaries because it is occurring more and more frequently in the region.” Nesbit revealed he is aware of a similar incident that happened recently near Nice, in which a Russian family were gassed and burgled, during which time the victim man had his watch taken off his wrist while he was sleeping. Additionally,

a friend of one of his clients was targeted with gas in 2012. The security specialist said the gas can only legally be sold within the medical industry but, worryingly, it is also available on the black market. Often the anaesthetic is obtained by thieves through connections in the medical profession, and counterfeit versions copied by manufacturers are often produced in countries such as China. Fortunately no one was harmed during the incident; however, a spokesman has said those involved were “clearly shocked” by what happened. Button and his wife, who live in Monaco, were renting the seaside villa from when the burglary occurred on 6 August. The items that the perpetrators left with included Button’s wife’s engagement ring. The police have also confirmed that this is a growing problem in the region.

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2015

WE RECOMMEND 32

Khmer in the French Riviera Thrill your tastebuds with ﬂavours from southeast Asia

Mr Bond, the storyteller

Klaus Lovgreen created a new app for children narrated by stars like Roger Moore & Joan Collins In many ways speed, greed and restlessness define modern times. In this context, the new project of Klaus Lovgreen, 46, is more than surprising. The successful entrepreneur and investor built his fortune during his younger years, chiefly through creating AME, the digital communication platform for companies in the Middle East. Some time later, he had the opportunity to sell his business model for an impressive profit so that now he only does things he finds enjoyable. For example, an app for kids, and - why not - for any age. “GivingTales” is an English language collection of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous fairy tales, lovingly animated by a team of Budapest illustrators and narrated by famous actors. 30 percent of the proceeds from downloads go directly to Unicef. During our meeting at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel, Lovgreen, who has lived with his wife in Monaco since 2009, explained the genesis of his idea. My first impressions of the Dane: friendly, humble, attentive - certainly not the kind of person to try to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. It was here, at this very same place, some time ago that he said to his friend, Christian Moore: “How about creating a beautiful digital fairytale with your father as the narrator?” Christian grabbed his cell phone and called the former “007”. The spontaneous response of “Mr Bond”: “Sure, I’m in! Please send me a list of people who can participate as well as me! “. And so it transpired that Sir Roger

Moore, Stephen Fry, Ewan McGregor and Dame Joan Collins came to record their voices, and also their distinctive personalities, for the project. “Because,” says Lovgreen, “if you produce something, it must be credible. Using teenagers as the narrators wouldn’t have had the same impact.” It’s certainly no coincidence that the famous Danish storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen, was selected first to be brought to life by GivingTales. Lovgreen’s childhood was undoubtedly influenced by these fairytales. In addition, Roger Moore is the Ambassador of the Andersen Foundation in Odense. Aside from The Bible, the works of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, no other author has been translated into more languages; Andersen’s famous tales, and their interpretations, continue to fascinate the young and old alike. If it proves successful, the app will next be taking a leap into the world of the Brothers Grimm. “We choose stories that everyone has heard before at least once in their life,” says Lovgreen, “such as ‘The Ugly Duckling’, a wonderful parable about bullying and self-confidence.” Likewise, Andersen’s messages are just as relevant today as they were 150 years ago. “For the time-being there will be twelve tales. Each story can be downloaded for $3.99; the first, narrated by Roger Moore (‘The Princess and the Pea’) is free. “I am so fascinated by this project, because it feels just right,” continues Lovgreen. “Today we are often bombarded with bad content on the internet. My i dea is educationally sound, especially since children these days have a limited attention span. And because if we lose our values, we lose ourselves.” BY PETRA HALL

SEPTEMBER

he true way to eat Cambodian, or Khmer, cuisine is to enjoy a number of different dishes, each plate offering the perfect balance of either sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or umami. Perhaps a spicy salad of green mango and chicken to start, followed by some prawn spring rolls, then beef skewers with a sauce of lemongrass and honey served with Cantonese rice, Thai green chicken curry, and prawns sautéed in garlic, salt and the famous Kampot pepper… the cuisine at Cambodgiana is certainly a thrill for your tastebuds. In fact, Khmer cuisine shares many similarities with the food of neighbouring Thailand – although less chilli, sugar and coconut cream are used. It is also very similar to neighbouring Vietnam while drawing on influences from Chinese and French cuisine – both powerful players in Cambodian history. Tumeric, Kampot pepper, star anise, galangal, ginger, lemon grass and kaffir lime…common flavours that deliver a delicious punch to each and every dish. A

CAMBODGIANA

23 chemin des Plaines Mouans Sartoux Tel: +33 92 92 17 26 contact@cambodgiana.fr www.cambodgiana.com

2015

must-try is the Yao hon – a banquet style hot pot accompanied by thin slices of beef, prawns, pork and langoustine tails. It’s the Cambodian version of a fondue and great entertainment while dining! The décor at Cambodgiana is authentic but modern, reminiscent of the famous Temple of Angkor Wat. Customers can choose from an extensive menu or lunch formulas from Tuesday to Sunday, excluding Saturday, starting at 24€.

WE RECOMMEND 33

Nice Baroque Ensemble

Sunbeams and shadows cast across Nice

talian artist, Caravaggio, was fascinated by it; Victor Hugo wrote a poem about it: light and shadow is an extremely popular and emotive subject in art. The contrast between black and white embodies the concepts of good and evil. Now this powerful theme is also being used by the artistic director of Nice Baroque Ensemble, Gilbert Bezzina, to weave some musical magic. The new programme is called “Des rayons et des ombres” (“Sunbeams and shadows”). It seemed like a miracle had occurred in the 17th Century when, for the first time, a humansized image flashed onto a screen in a small showroom. The Laterna Magica - the precursor of light projectors - made it possible to throw landscapes, portraits, and even whole stories onto a wall. This kind of unique spectacle will be recreated in Nice early next year for the modern-day audience to admire. Between January 15 and 17 at the Théâtre Francis Gag, the performance by the Nice Baroque Ensemble will feature symphonies by Bach and Telemann, accompanied by a ‘magic lantern show’, in the spirit of the days of yesteryear.

Then in April 2016, pianist, Vera Elliott, will tackle the theme of light and shadows with her presentation of “The volatile shadows”, which will feature works by Baroque composers not just from France but also from Germany: “It will be a Franco-German combination,” says conductor, Gilbert Bezzina. “Vera Elliott will play pieces both by the Frenchman, François Couperin, as well as compositions by Johann Jakob Froberger”. No international collaboration; but this time various string compositions led by François Fernandez, precedes these events, in winter 2015. Using a violin and a viola d’amore, Fernandez will perform Vivaldi at the Saint-Martin Church between 13 and 15 November. This creative musical line-up has blossomed from Nice’s twelve-member baroque ensemble, which was first created more than 30 years ago. Since then, the musicians have made it their mission to share their infectious passion for – and help to shed light on - the Baroque period, using historical instruments and demonstrations of traditional works. www.ensemblebaroquedenice.com

Jacques Gantié’s

Jacques Gantié is the author of the only regional restaurant guide Guide Gantié, which is available in French in hardcopy, and electronically in English. It contains hundreds of great insider tips.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

ARCHANGE Last summer Vanessa and Stéphane Léger arrived at the Old Port, Saint-Raphaël, from Bourgogne (‘Le Chassagne’ in Chassagne-Montrachet), and instantly adopted the Mediterranean spirit and flair.’ Archange’ comprises of a refined and contemporary restaurant on the first floor accompanied by a brasserie and terrace below. The ultra-modern complex rather resembles a docked yacht. Stéphane Léger has introduced some absolute gems to his menu including prime catches from the Thau lake poached in tartare or served with head of lobster and shellfish ‘gribiche’ sauce, and adorned with Saint-Jacques cockleshells; or Jerusalem artichokes and pig trotter, with very generous servings of Cantal pig belly, squid and spelt flour; as well as fresh classic lime soufflé with citrus fruits in

Grand-Marnier. His ambition is evident, the wine cellar is impressive; along with a lunch menu for €43 (‘l’esprit marin’). The glass ‘salon’ and terrace offer panoramic views of the port and bay. PLACE KENNEDY 83700. TEL: 04 94 55 74 38

TABLE D’EXCEPTION

GRANDE TABLE TABLE DE QUALITÉ COUP DE COEUR

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2015

COMMUNITY 34

INTERNATIONAL RIVIERA BUSINESS CLUB CLUB OF THE RIVIERA SEPTEMBER MEMBERSHIP BOOMING NEWS Due to popular demand, the Club has decided to increase the limit on membership from 120 to 150. A limit is maintained to enable us to ensure a better and more streamlined service to the members. Since our inauguration in December 2007 the club has kept growing steadily and as at 15th August 2015, our membership has reached 142 members from 36 different countries! New applications for membership are now being entertained until we reach the cap of 150.

Currently members of the International Club of the Riviera come from the following countries around the world: Argentina, Australia, Belgium Benin, Canada, China, Colombia Denmark, Finland, England, Ethiopia France , Germany, Holland, Iceland India, Ireland, Iran, Israel, Italy Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand Norway, Russia, Scotland, Senegal Seychelles, Spain, South Africa Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland Turkey, USA, Wales For more information visit: www.internationalclub.fr Tel: 04 93 72 11 89/07 89 03 20 07 info.internationalclub.fr.

THIS MONTH SEES THE RIVIERA BUSINESS CLUB LAUNCH THE ANNUAL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015 WITH NOMINATIONS OPENING ON 1 SEPTEMBER AND CLOSING ON 15 OCTOBER 2015. The Riviera Business Club Business Person of the Year Awards is the most prestigious awards scheme for entrepreneurs in the PACA region including the Principality of Monaco. It is supported by the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur, with representatives of the CCI, and Editor in Chief of the Riviera Press, Petra Hall, amongst others, on the Panel of Judges. There are two main awards - Business Person of the Year 2015 & Start Up of the Year 2015. Nominations close on 15 October 2015 after which the Panel of five Judges, chaired by Dorothy Foster of the Skema Business School, will evaluate and shortlist the nominees and then select the best five from each category, who will then be personally interviewed by the panel. The winner will be announced at the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony which will take place at the Marriott Riviera La Porte de Monaco on Thursday 3 December 2015, starting at 7p.m. The BPOY Awards has a long history and since its revival past winners have included Greg and Marion Haris of Côte d’Azur Villas (2013) and Thady Nolan of Ma Nolans (2015). As always, the Riviera RT Magazine (formerly The Riviera Times) is the Business Person of the Year Awards’ Print Media Sponsor and is actively promoting the event in the lead up to the award ceremony as well as giving wide post-event publicity to the winners and all nominees, a partnership which will also continue throughout 2016. For more details on nominations or to find out more about joining, visit www.rivierabusinessclub.fr, call 06 21 20 60 10 or write to info@rivierabusinessclub.fr

INTERNATIONS CONNETING EXPATS & LOCALS ACROSS THE RIVIERA THE SCENE WAS SET AT SUNSET ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF THE AC MARIOTT HOTEL IN PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS, NICE ON AUGUST 20: On arrival, the InterNations members were warmly greeted by the ‘ambassadors’ and

SEPTEMBER

given a drinks token to spend at the bar. Alongside the guests who had been swimming in the rooftop pool during the day, the InterNations attendees began to mingle and chat - American, British, Swedish, Italian and French, to name but a few, aged from 20 to over 60. Some had lived in the Riviera for decades, others; less than a week. More than 100 foreigners and French turned out especially for the social event, which is aimed at helping expats and locals alike make new friends, chat to people with similar interests and even do a spot of business networking. With about 1.8 million members in 390 cities around the world, InterNations is the largest global network and information site for people who live and work abroad. It was founded in Munich in 2007. Members simply create a profile online, then can choose if they want to interact with locals online, face-to-face or both. Other online services include country and city guides created by a team of professional writers, guest contributions about life abroad, and discussion forums to help members with topics such as local housing and job searching. To ensure the quality of the network, InterNations membership is by approval only. In Nice, the Internations community usually organizes two social events per month, which involves drinks and an opportunity to dance; the previous one was at Hi Beach. Further details can be found on www.internations.org

ADOPTION CORNER

NOISET IS A MAGNIFICENT CROSSBREED, AND HE’S NOW ALMOST FIVE YEARS OLD. So far, no-one has taken him for a walk, and he usually sits alone in the garden. His two owners separated and he hasn’t had a home since then. Noiset arrived at a rescue centre but without help from Joshi Second Chance would have been put to sleep within a few days. Noiset loves children, and even likes cats – he’s a very affectionate hound. When people come to see him, he always throws himself on his back, to show his friendliness. Noiset doesn’t want to remain part of the garden furniture, he wants to become a real part of a family. Who wants to give him a new home? Tel: +33 (0)4 94 96 89 19, +33 (0)6 43 06 19 60, +49 (0)172-45 55 033, www.joshi2.de

2015

CRUISE SHOW 2015

Exceptional itineraries, a wide selection of ships, companies and more new initiatives! High on the success of the six previous editions, Jet-Travel Monaco travel agency is organising another event with its sister company webcroisieres.com on Sunday, 11 October from 10am to 6pm at the Hotel Meridien Beach Plaza, with the biggest global players in the cruise business in attendance. This is an opportunity for insiders, the curious, (or even the cynics) to get an overview of the latest industry news and the many options for future holidays: Relaxation and discovery cruises, theme cruises, luxury cruises or novelty cruises are amongst the most popular. Stopovers will also be featured at the show, and the Jet-Travel Monaco travel agency will make its team of travel agents available in order to offer you exceptional holidays to remarkable and varied destinations such as the United States, Asia, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. A DAY RICH IN IDEAS AND SURPRISES! Cruise advisers, supported by the representatives of cruise lines will be at your disposal for all your inquiries, and can even help you book your cruise on site by offering tailor-made itineraries and special rates. By visiting this exhibition, potential cruise passengers can benefit from instant discounts, register for boat tours and participate in the grand competition organized by Jet-Travel Monaco for the chance to win a wonderful Mediterranean cruise! Cruises have been attracting more and more travellers over the years as they continue to build upon their reputation as a fashionable mode of vacation, whether it’s with family, friends or just as a couple. Cruise companies compete with each-other to offer new ideas, promotions and package deals in order to attract the discerning clientele, eager to discover new horizons but also keen to relax on board and enjoy all the facilities available on these ultra-modern vessels. Free your desires with Webcroisieres.com and escape to the 7th Cruise Exhibition! For more information visit: www.webcroisieres.com Tel. 03 77 97 98 17 17

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SEPTEMBER

2015

Property Manager / Caretaker / Maintenance Person is available German engineer, pro-active and autonomous caretaker, was living in Cannes in 2008 with a position as guardian, knows Cannes area very well and has a lot of contacts with local service companies (electricians, pool services, DIY, horticultural...). Constant presence on client’s p ro p e r t y, e s p e c i a l l y i n h i s absence, provides security. Discretion and diligence are a m a t t e r o f co u r s e f o r s u c h a trusted task.Contact:

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