RT June 2014 by Riviera Press

The English-language newspaper for the French - Italian Riviera & Monaco since 2002

www.rivieratimes.com Issue 147 - June 2014 2.50 e

6-7

The great outdoors Pack a picnic!

Reinventing a Riviera classic Pastis at the table

Celebrating Maeght 50 years of art

The best terrace restaurants in the Riviera

La Passagère restaurant in Juan les Pins is a favourite among The Riviera Times readers, and we can see why. Situated in the historic Belles Rives hotel, the terrace restaurant offers guests magnificent coastal views together with equally impressive cuisine. Safe to say, our readers have high standards, which is not surprising given the choice of restaurants on the Côte d’Azur

here are few places in the world where you can combine extraordinary cuisine with breathtaking scenery. Thankfully, with 300 days of sunshine a year, an abundance of fresh local produce, and a pictureperfect Mediterranean coastline, the French Riviera boasts a number of stand-out terrace restaurants. But there are certain places that simply can't be missed.

Last month, we asked our readers to tell us on Facebook what their favourite terrace restaurants were in the French Riviera. Not surprising, the standards were high … the Michelin star Chèvre d'Or in Eze, the stunning La Passagère restaurant in Juan les Pins … our readers chose the best of the best. These are the restaurants that will live in your memory long after that last mouthful is

enjoyed. You'll find them on page 16. Summer in the French Riviera is also synonymous with fun outdoors, so this month we are proposing a few ideas to enjoy with the family. Firstly, we present our top picks for glamping - luxury camping. Fancy a weekend in a treehouse? How about enjoying a cocktail at the pool bar while the kids are off being entertained? Glamping

takes the concept of camping to a whole new level, and there are a number of quality establishments available in the Côte d’Azur. Once again, we only choose the best at The Riviera Times, and everything you need to know is on page 6. But you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money to enjoy the great outdoors. The Mercantour National Park is a wonderland for nature

lovers, brimming with exciting activities, hikes and adventures for kids and parents alike. From canoeing on the magical turquoise waters of the Gorges du Verdon, to paragliding above the mountain peaks, the Mercantour is far more than just a winter haven for snow lovers. So, we think we have June covered. Time to get out there and enjoy life! Cassandra Tanti

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Living the good life

Inside this edition: NEWS Life Support: helping expats.................................... Riviera & Monaco news in brief .............................

PROPERTY 4 5

6 7

9 10 11

Life as an expat in the Riviera ................................

Celebrating Maeght ..................................................

13 13

EVENTS Presenting the best events of the month ...........

BUSINESS & FINANCE Cannes secures new convention .......................... CCI targets downunder ............................................

16 17

ART & CULTURE

MONACO Monaco mourns Hélène Pastor ........................... Why winning in Monaco is so important ........... Get the ballet revolution .........................................

The best terrace restaurants ................................... Reinventing a classic ................................................

COMMUNITY

GULF OF ST. TROPEZ Gearing up for summer thieves ............................

14 15

GOURMET

OUTDOORS Let’s go glamping! .................................................... The Mercantour in summer ...................................

Property series: Saint Étienne de Tinée ............... House prices fall for second year ..........................

20-21

CLASSIFIEDS Listing everything from jobs to contractors .......

What is true luxury to you? It is a question we posed to a number of interesting people in the international community for our new glossy magazine The Best Of Summer 2014, which is being launched this month! In fact, the magazine is filled with all the excitement and sparkle of the Riviera, featuring exclusive addresses from Monaco to Saint Tropez. And in a completely new concept for this area, the magazine is published in three languages - English, German and Russian! So what does luxury mean to some of the region's most elite members? Surprisingly, the overwhelming opinion was not of material possessions. Rather, it is the simple things that represent the high-life. Of course, you'll have to read The Best Of to find out what they are. But I think for anyone on the outside looking in, we all enjoy a bit of luxury simply living on the French Riviera. We have the sun, the sea, the cuisine and the atmosphere. Some just have a few more toys to play with than others!

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Life support Your survival guide to living in France Dear Andy, My partner and I do not want to get married but we love each other and live together and want to benefit from the tax status of being a household. Is this possible? Martin in Mougins Hello Martin, This certainly is possible. What you are looking for is called a Pacs. This is a legally binding agreement that ties you and your partner together, as a family, so that financially you can declare your taxes as a household. Clearly there strong financial advantages to this, particularly if one of you earns a higher income and the other earns a lower income. This will mean that you will file your income tax return (declaration des revenus) as a household rather than as individuals. Your taxable allowance will be higher, probably resulting in you having to pay less tax. Akin to getting married, there is various paperwork that you must prepare before you Pacs. The main one is the contract that you prepare which states whether your assets will be separé or commune, meaning separate assets or shared assets. You will also

need a proof of residence, proof of residence together, your passports, birth certificates (translated by an accredited translator), criminal background checks, certificate de non-Pacs - an attestation that you are not currently Pacsed to someone else, and a certificate de coutume, which can be obtained from your consulate. Once you have all of the paperwork together, you can either take it to the court house (tribunal d'instance) or to a notaire and they will draw up all of the paperwork. Next, you just have to remember to declare your Pacs on your tax return et voila! Mon Ami Andy Rue Lascaris, Nice Port Tel: 04 83 50 84 78 jennifer@monamiandy.com

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Region’s biggest newspaper goes into liquidation THE CEO OF Nice Matin, Dominique Bernard, gathered his 1,250 employees on 23rd May to say that the daily newspaper will file for bankruptcy the following Monday 26th May. With a debt of 12.8 million euros, the newspaper has been unable to avoid insolvency. The current shareholder, Hersant Media Group (GHM), announced in February that Swiss investment fund GXP Capital, in partnership with former local councilor Jean Icart, were taking over the Nice Matin group. Icart had pledged to save the financial situation of the company with a 20 million euro investment and a deposit of two million euros to be laid down in early March. But neither promise was kept. GHM publishes daily newspapers including Nice Matin (90,000 copies), Var Matin (65,000 copies) and Monaco Matin. The company also owns 50% of the capital of Corsica Press, which publishes Corse Matin. Nice Matin was already in financial difficulty due to the current economic situation, and ended the year 2013 with an operating loss of six million euros. Jean Icart explained the delays as a “slowness of the

Swiss banking system”. But according to reports, Icart had no industrial experience in the press, which raised many questions at the time of the announcement in February. In a statement on 22nd May, Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of the Alpes Maritimes, expressed his “deep concern” for the future of the newspaper. His statement described how an unnecessary amount of time was lost because of promises made by ‘pseudo” buyers in February, and that justice should be served to establish the responsibility of those who have contributed to the situation, which left a once very successful business to degrade to this level. “Obviously the guarantees announced were never acted upon,” stated Ciotti. Jean Icart ran as a candidate in the last municipal elections against Mayor Christian Estrosi, before announcing his takeover of Nice Matin. According to unions, the commercial court of Nice has seized the matter and will now deal with its future. The Nice Matin group is a major employer in the region, hiring 1,250 staff - jobs which now hang in the balance. Nicole Mercier

School reform, or else? NICE, MARSEILLE and other major cities in the PACA region continue to dig their heels in the sand, refusing to implement the controversial school reform, despite the government insisting the reform will come into effect nationwide this September. Nice Mayor and president of the Côte d'Azur Metropolis Christian Estrosi Estrosi has renewed his request for mayors to have the right to choose whether or not to implement the reform. On 28th April, France's second biggest city, Marseille, voted outright against making the change, saying it would cost the city too much money. New Education Minister Benoit Hamon is refusing to back down. But he has asked opposing municipalities to put forward alternatives. What this means appears to be anyone's guess. The new school schedule is twofold: it returns the school to a five-day week with four and a half days of classes. It also means that municipalities are being asked to organise afterschool activities to fill in the extra evening class hours that are reallocated to Wednesday classes, ranging from childcare to sports or cultural activities. However, Hamon says this is not compulsory. How much will it cost? According to Marseille's

deputy in charge of finance, Roland Blum, the reform would cost the city 25 million euros. Overall, economists have estimated it to be 150 euros per year per child. While the Hollande government has earmarked 370 million euros to fund the transition in 2014, and further funding for 2015, mayors say it is unclear how the extra cost will be financed in the long run. What happens to municipalities who won’t conform? Responsibility for enforcement falls on the inspection académique, a body responsible to the State. They have the power to bypass municipalities and work directly with the schools in order to implement the government's plan. It seems the only choice municipalities have in the matter is whether or not they establish and fund the optional after school activities. At the time of publication, 12 communes in the Alpes Maritimes, including Nice, Antibes, Menton, Cagnes and Le Cannet, are still boycotting the law and have yet to propose any plan for the next school year. The four day school timetable was implemented by then president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Stan Aron

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News in Brief Riviera and Monaco Visit www.rivieratimes.com, ‘Like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive daily breaking news AS MONACO owner Dmitry Rybolovlev probably wishes he had signed a prenuptial agreement 26 years ago with his now ex-wife, as he has been ordered by a Swiss court to pay the most expensive divorce settlement in history. Elena Rybolovleva will inherit half of the Russian oligarch’s fortune, amounting to over four billion Swiss francs, or 3.3 billion euros. A NEW 'smart' speed camera has been installed on the RN 1569, route de la Transhumance in the town of Istres - one of the most accidentprone roads in the Bouches du Rhône. The camera is fitted with a special device which detects vehicles with specific speed restrictions, including trucks. 11 people died on this road between 2012 and 2014. INTERNS IN France are one step closer to improved working conditions and higher salaries after the Senate voted to raise the minimum wage

for internships from 436 euros to 523 euros, in addition to a number of improvements passed by the Parliament in February. The two chambers now need to appoint a commission to sort out a common bill. THE NEW Club de la Presse Mediterranée 06 media kit is out. The 2014 issue of ‘Medias Com'06’ contains numerous contacts in the media and communications industry: 650- journalists, PR professionals, media and publications of the Côte d'Azur are listed. The user- friendly book is available at the Press Club or at www.clubpresse06.com. THE CITY of Nice has opened an investigation into the practices of canteen staff at Rothschild preschool, near Saint Roch hospital in Nice. Mayor Christian Estrosi has suspended eight communal employees at the preschool, and the municipality's head of education services. It follows claims from 27 parents of

alleged abusive behaviour.

minister of the interior.

THOUGH IT is not the TGV project many have been hoping for, a new train line project has been approved, connecting Nice and Cannes in only seven minutes - a major breakthrough in relieving the region's oversaturated network. Meanwhile, work is underway on the eastern part of Nice's central train station, Gare Thiers, creating a new building linking the train station to the tramway.

TURKISH FILM Winter Sleep took out this year's top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the 67th Cannes Film Festival. The uncommon but muchwelcomed fine weather in Cannes made for an electric atmosphere, as tourists took over the town in the hope of catching a glimpse of celebrities. In the Un Certain Regard category, the winner was Fehér Isten by Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó.

FRENCH PRESIDENT François Hollande has beat his own record as France's least popular president ever, with only 21% of the French population having a positive opinion of the socialist president, and 78% a negative opinion, according to a poll by BVA-Orange. New Prime Minister Manuel Valls is doing much better with a favourable 52%, while 47% of respondents were unfavourably disposed towards the former

A YOUTUBE video capturing a valet at Monaco's Hôtel de Paris crashing a Lamborghini Aventador has gone viral. According to the video's uploader, Niki Motorsport, the valet had successfully reverse parked the white Lamborghini when he decided to rev the engine as onlookers took pictures. However, the valet obviously forgot to check if the car was in neutral before he hit the gas and the car launched forward, crashing into a white SUV.

Photo: Ville de Nice

The Nice Côte d'Azur has been voted as having the most beautiful airport approach, winning over the likes of Saint Martin in the Caribbean and Rio de Janeiro. A survey by PrivateFly looked at over 200 airports worldwide and the majority of participants agreed - you just can't beat the view flying into Nice. Last year, the Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport ranked 10th in the "most stunning airport approaches" survey. This year, travelers put it at the top of the list.

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Let’s go glamping Take the uncomfortable and the ordinary out of camping in the south of France this summer

global trend has taken off in recent years, providing outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to experience the fun and relaxation of camping but without the need to pitch a tent, sleep on hard ground or go to the toilet in a hole. It's called glamping glamorous camping, and there are a host of exciting options available in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur. Whether it's in a treehouse, a vintage Airstream trailer or five-star camping ground, glamping is a great way to experience the positives of camping without the uncomfortable negatives. Here are The Riviera Times top picks...

Esterel Caravaning Surrounded by the magnificent Esterel mountains and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Esterel Caravaning is a hot favourite in the French Riviera. It is located close to the Agay coast and the village of Saint Raphaël in the Var. Set amongst 40 acres of green countryside, the campsite takes the French concept of 'camping' to a higher level -

five outdoor pools (one with a swim-to bar for the parents), free squash and tennis courts, quality restaurants, childcare, horse expeditions into the treelined hills of the Esterel and a new heated undercover fun park for children. Cabins with sun deck are equipped with wifi, sun beds, and all that you need for a home away from home.

Les Cabanes de la Moulière 6

Located just one hour from Cannes are Les Cabanes de la Moulière - two treehouses perched in picturesque bushland. The well-equipped cabins feature kitchenettes, heaters, bathrooms and toilets, as well as easy access at the rear of the treehouse. The 'Swallows Nest' can sleep two adults and is connected to 'La Chaumiere Trolls' - a treehouse exclusively for

children, which is billed as "a mysterious cabin that is secretly inhabited by mischievous little trolls." The treehouses are well positioned close to a raft of activities, including via souterrata (underground via ferrata exclusive to the French Riviera), walks, chairlift, caving, canyoning and paragliding. A fun adventure for the whole family.

Club Colombier 7 1-2) Esterel Caravaning: who doesn’t want a jacuzzi with their camping holiday? The resort is set amongst 40 acres of picturesque green countryside. 3-5) Les Cabanes de la Moulière: two cabins are connected via a wooden walkway. The adult’s treehouse is decorated as a ‘love nest’, while the ‘House of Trolls’ for the kids is inhabited by mysterious little creatures. 6) Go retro at the Airstream trailer park. 7) Club Colombier features a giant lagoon and balneotherapy spa

Another standout five star camping resort is Le Colombier village in Fréjus. This colourful site is surrounded by beautiful floral gardens and boasts a 3,800 square metre lagoon with 'beaches' and fresh, heated water as well as a new balneotherapy spa. Palm trees abound as do activities for the

children - of all ages. The great thing about these camping sites is parents can be sure the children are kept entertained (half-court tennis, boules pitches, ping-pong tables, basketball, volleyball and mini-football pitches) while they catch up on some well-earned rest and relaxation.

Treehouse accommodation at La Beaume Camping is the ultimate back to nature experience, sleeping high in the forest canopy

Belrepayre Airstream & retro trailer park This unique glamping destination is outside of our region, situated five hours north of St. Tropez. But if retro camping is your thing, then this is a good choice. Airstream vintage trailers are produced in the U.S. and are easily recognisable by their distinctive rounded aluminium shape, which dates back to the 1930s. Two former circus performers have turned their love of

American vintage into Europe's first retro retreat, located near the lovely and lively Pyrenees mountains. Each Airstream is equipped with retro sun loungers, period furniture and funky retro appliances. "This is not trailer trash, this is trailer flash!" say the owners. They even offer a 10% discount if guests arrive with their own retro car!

Camping La Beaume Situated next to the stunning Gorges du Verdon and set in a natural and preserved environment, this isolated treehouse lets you rediscover your childhood dreams. Resting high in a large oak tree close to a beautiful river, guests can feel as 'one' with the singing wind, the rustling leaves and the chirping birds. If a bit of civilisation is needed, the campsite offers a number of fun activities,

including a bar-restaurant, a heated indoor pool with shelter and 'beach', canoes for rent, a children's playground, petanque and table tennis. A walk to the breathtaking Lake Esparron de Verdon is a must, and takes just 20 minutes on foot. The campsite has other novel accommodation options, like a gypsy hut, a canvas bungalow (an elaborate looking tent) with sun terrace, and a tipi.

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Head to the mountains Sport , recreation, relaxation: the Mercantour in summer is an ideal retreat When temperatures begin to rise and the sun shines brightly, the time has come to head into the glorious hinterland. Only an hour and a half from the Mediterranean Sea, the Mercantour National Park provides the perfect environment for relaxation and sporting activities. It is a paradise for the whole family. In the summer months, colourful wildflowers and herbs replace fields of snow. Within the Mercantour National Park, its peaks, valleys and lakes, lies the villages of Auron, Saint Etienne de Tinée, Isola, and Saint Dalmas le Selvage.

Sport and entertainment The unspoiled nature of the Mercantour National Park is a haven for people looking to enjoy the great outdoors, be it the sporting adventurous or those in need of some fresh air. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, paragliding, horse riding, tennis, archery and even golfing are all available in the Alps. Children will love the adventure park in the trees (Isola 2000) or giant trampolines. Auron, Saint Etienne de Tinée and Isola 2000 offer a range of fun supervised activities "for kids only", including workshops, nature adventures, treasure hunts and picnics, leaving plenty of time for parents to enjoy some time-out with a hike or perhaps a paraglide!

Leisure and relaxation In an environment of natural beauty, the lakes of Trinitarian provide the perfect setting for a range of activities for all ages: swimming, kayaking, picnics, badminton, football, etc. La Maison du Mercantour hosts exhibitions and films, while Gondola rides are also on offer. Nearby camping makes for a fun getaway for the family. Markets and local produce Traditional farming practices are still taking place in the upper Tinée Valley, and the result is delectable local produce including honey and cheese. Visitors are invited to sample the local produce while discovering life on the farm - for example during the milking of cows and the production of cheese. Farmers markets are held every Wednesday morning in Auron, while Saint Étienne de Tinée fairs will be held on 25th June, 29th July, 24th August, 21st September, 5th October,

2nd and 18th November. Culture Culturally and historically, the valley has plenty to offer, including numerous churches, murals and chapels. www.stationsdumercantour.com NEW: Electro Bike Auron Discover the exciting new world of electric mountain bikes at this three day fair in Auron, featuring exhibitors, prototypes, exhibitions, trials and of course the E-Bike Challenge on Saturday. The race will finish with a BBQ, music and DJ. The fair will also be open to the public to enjoy on Sunday. The event will be held from 4th to 6th July. electrobikefestival.com.

Whether it’s a relaxing canoe ride across the breathtaking lakes of the Alps, or an adventure getaway for the kids, the Mercantour National Park is a wonderland for lovers of nature of all ages. Photos: Robert Palomba.

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GULF OF SAINT TROPEZ

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Sainte Maxime transitions to new electronic parking tickets SINCE APRIL 2014, the municipal police in Sainte Maxime has replaced its parking ticket paperwork with an electronic procedure. Offenders will now be sent the fine straight to their mailbox instead of retrieving it from under a windscreen wiper. When caught parking in the wrong place in Sainte Maxime, instead of sticking a ticket on your windscreen, officers will put a little green piece of paper, warning you of a ticket you should receive through the mail within 72 hours. The new technology is said to make things easier for the

officers and more secure for you, as it limits the possibility of your ticket being stolen by a prankster, which would result in an augmented fine for you. However, in December 2013, electronic parking tickets proved to be a problem for several Nice residents who claimed to be unaware of the fines they were given every morning for months because they didn't receive the little green tickets. It was only brought to their attention when they received statements adding up to 3,000 euros in penalties, Nice Matin reported. According to Sainte Maxime

security deputy Patrice Amado, the town has opted to use the little green warning tickets, while others may not. "[The warnings] reflect the mayor's desire to keep wrongdoers informed," he told Var Matin. They also have the added benefit of letting other officers know that the car has already been fined, "If the gendarmerie were to walk by, they wouldn't fine the same cars for the second time," municipal police Chief Thierry Carmignani added. In 2013, nearly 8,000 parking tickets were handed out in Sainte Maxime.

In the past 12 months there have been 3,500 burglaries in the Var, a 7.6% increase since the previous year

Saint Tropez gears up to fight summer burglaries New Gelic police team to patrol the gulf Fantastic shots from the archives of the magazine Paris Match will be on show for the public until 10th July at the Hôtel de Paris in Saint Tropez. The photographs will include pictures of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and other stars. The exhibition is free of charge.

La Bodega du Papagayo changes hands AFTER MAJOR renovations and wild speculation, new restaurant L'Opera has opened, replacing the Bodega du Papagayo, which had been doing business in Saint Tropez since 1962. The Papagayo night club hasn't changed, however, and is looking forward to partying this summer. A page of Saint Tropez's history has been turned as 50year-old restaurant La Bodega du Papagayo has been sold,

renovated and renamed L'Opera. David Brémond, who acquired the Bodega, also owns the Quai night club and the Girelier restaurant. The transaction was overshadowed by rumours of the Bodega du Papagayo being sold to a hotel consortium. Fabienne Malortigue, wife of the late François Malortigue who founded the Papagayo restaurant and night club in 1962, told Nice

Matin, "After 50 years side by side with my husband, I managed the company. When he passed away, I continued long enough to get everything in order." Though she sold the Bodega as a business, the Malortigue family still owns the restaurant walls, and Fabienne's son Franklin Malortigue is now in charge of the Papagayo night club, which has opened in April for the summer season.

olice in the gulf of Saint Tropez are urging residents to take precautions against the summer surge of break-ins in the region. A new unit set up last October will be working in all of the gulf's communes this season, to prevent, investigate and solve burglaries. The Gelac, or 'groupe d'enquête et de lutte anti-cambriolage,' a small unit of the Gendarmerie Nationale (military police), has been experimenting with new methods to solve breakins in the Saint Tropez gulf since last year. When warned of any suspect behaviour, the six investigators assigned one week per month to the team, head to the area in plain

clothes and unmarked cars in hopes of catching the burglars with one hand in the cookie jar. With help from the municipal police, they roam the areas most vulnerable to burglaries to protect residents' property. Adjutant-chef Eric Mottrot, in charge of the operation with Chief Fabien Goraguer, explained to The Riviera Times that setting up the unit across several communes allows for a better visibility over the sector, and makes it easier to cross-reference cases. The small unit "also has the advantage of being reactive, mobile and autonomous," he added. Given the number of summer homes in the south

of France, burglaries are a growing concern in the region. In the past 12 months there have been 3,500 burglaries in the Var, a 7.6% increase since the previous year, according to the Observatoire National de la Délinquance et des Responses Pénales (ONDRP). "For four months, starting on 1st June, the six of us will be assigned full time to burglaries," Mottrot said. "We advise the population to beware of door-to-door scammers, roaming vehicles, and hastily hired house employees." In the past few months, the Gelac has already solved a handful of cases in the gulf. The upcoming busy season will put their abilities to the test. Stan Aron

Monaco mourns the violent death of Hélène Pastor Double murder sends shockwaves throughout the Principality and the Riviera

wo weeks after being shot in a mafia-style attack in Nice, one of Monaco's richest women, Hélène Pastor, died on 21st May. Pressure is now mounting to solve the Riviera's most high profile double murder in recent history. Hélène Pastor's death came as a shock to many, despite the fact she had spent 15 days in a critical condition at Saint Roch hospital in Nice. Her health had been improving and doctors revealed that she’d awoken from a coma on 16th May. But the injuries were too great for the 77-yearold to overcome. Her chauffeur, 64-year-old Mohammed Darwish, also died on 10th May due to bullet wounds to his face, neck and stomach.

The pair were targeted on 6th Police were able to analyse May in an ambush-style attack CCTV footage and witness as they were driving out of the accounts, which were remarkl'Archet hospital in Nice at ably detailed given the fact the around 7pm. Hélène Pastor attack occurred in broad had been visiting her son daylight outside a heavily Gildo Pallanco Pastor, head of surveillanced hospital. It is the Venturi electric car believed the shooter fled the scene and joined company, who is “Her health an accomplice recovering from a before the pair stroke. condition didn't drove off in a car. According to allow for in-depth Speculation witness reports, a questioning” abounds as to gunman ran up to her black Lancia Voyager as it waited to join traffic on the road, and possibly using a pump-action shotgun - opened fire on the front passenger side where Mrs Pastor was sitting. She was reportedly hit in the jaw. The attacker then targeted her driver, shooting him in the chest and abdomen.

the motive behind the attack. There were suggestions that the driver was the real target, or that two of Italy's most notorious crime syndicates, the 'Ndrangheta and the Camorra, carried out the double assasination. But at the time of going to print, police were yet to make any arrests.

"We're following a number of leads," a police source told The Riviera Times, adding, "We're using all the means necessary to assist in the investigation." Prince Albert expressed his "deep compassion" to the children of Mrs Pastor, while Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi also gave his condolences to the family, adding, "My thoughts also go out to all the Monegasques who were devastated by this tragedy." According to our police source, investigators weren't able to obtain any useful information from the victim before she died. "They saw her, but her health condition didn't allow for in-depth questioning," he said. However, she is believed to have told police that she knew of no one with a grudge against her.

Stars gather for 54th Monte Carlo Television Festival

t is that time of year again when the stars of TV come together for the annual Monte Carlo Television Festival, now in its 54th year. Gracing the Grimaldi Forum red carpet in June will be the likes of Jason Beghe from 'Chicago PD', Andrea Joy Cook from the series 'Criminal Minds', Ted Danson for 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation', and Ana Oritiz from 'Devious Maids'. The Monte Carlo Television Festival gathers and rewards

the best TV programs and talent from around the world, with a Golden Nymph award and a selection of Special Prizes. "The quality of nominations is yet again extremely impressive," said Laurent Puons, C.E.O. of the television festival. "With more than 60 programs, representing 20 countries, we wanted to maintain a high standard of quality." Throughout the festival, international juries composed of distinguished industry

professionals and talent will be responsible for selecting the winners. Heading the jury is US actress and producer Jane Seymore. The Official Competition is separated into the categories of TV Series (Drama and Comedy), Mini Series, Television Films and News (Documentaries, TV News Items, 24 Hour News Programs). Nominations this year include American Horror Story: Coven (US), Sherlock (UK), Moodys (Australia), Mrs Browns Boys

(Ireland), Modern Family (US), House of Cards (US), and Downton Abbey (UK). The Monte Carlo Television Festival was created by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1961, who wished to “encourage a new art form, in the service of peace and understanding between men”. The public has the opportunity to meet the stars and attend special screenings. The festival runs from 7th until 11th June, when the awards ceremony will take place.

Hélène Pastor was the senior third generation of Pastors surviving member of Monaco's and their children continued second dynasty after the ruling to develop new properties Grimaldis. The Pastor family's and acquire interests in many other aspects of the lucrative position began with her Hélène Pastor was local economy. grandfather, Jean- the senior surviving While the family's fortune is a tightly Baptiste Pastor, member of kept secret, it has an Italian stoneMonaco's second been reported that mason who arrdynasty the Pastors own ived in Monaco in 1880 and had the foresight to buy up prime beachfront land, build blocks of apartments and rent them out rather than sell them. Hélène Pastor was born in 1937. On the death of her father Gildo in 1990, she inherited the dynasty with her low-profile brother Victor (died 2002), and the more flamboyant Michel, former president of AS Monaco dubbed "le boss de Monaco". The

residential and commercial properties with a total floor space estimated at 500,000 square metres, worth around 19 billion euros. Hélène Pastor was twice married and divorced, and is survived by her daughter of the first marriage, Sylvia Ratkowski Pastor, and son of the second, Gildo Pastor Pallanca. Cassandra Tanti Stan Aron

©CBS studios international

US stars Ted Danson and Jennifer Morrison will attend this year’s Monte Carlo Television Festival, which runs from+ 7th to 11th June

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Everyone wants to win in Monaco Racing idols reveal to The Riviera Times why the Principality is so special in Formula One

egends of the track, including Sir Stirling Moss and Derek Bell, gathered in Monaco in May to launch the Historic Grand Prix, revealing in a public forum how much the sport has evolved over the years. The Riviera Times went backstage to talk to the icons one-on-one, and a common theme emerged among them: Monaco remains impressively unique in the international racing landscape. "Monaco is one of the most important races in the world," said Sir Stirling Moss at the Drivers Forum, which kicked off the Historic Grand Prix in Monaco on 9th May. "If you ask all drivers, they'll tell you their dream is to win in their home country but also in Monte Carlo." Sir Moss, who is the same age as the Monaco Grand Prix itself, is the fifth Formula One driver with the most wins in the Principality ever, tied with Jackie Stewart, so there's no wonder the race has a special place in his heart. But he's not the only one who feels that way about Monaco. "I've been here for many Grand Prix, to watch,

and it is spectacular because it's the most unique atmosphere in the world," five-times Le Mans champion Derek Bell told The Riviera Times. "You have to race at Monaco; it's the jewel in the crown. If you win this race, or Le Mans, or Indianapolis, you're winning one of the three greatest races in the world." Not only is it a popular race because of the proximity between the audience and the drivers, it also manages to be both the slowest race in the championship and the most difficult one at the same time. "Monaco is one of a few places where the onus is more on the driver in the car than

think Jackie Stewart did as much damage to motor racing as you could do," Moss told The Riviera Times, adding, "But I'm probably in a big minority." He explained, "I probably wouldn't have raced in Formula One if it hadn't been as dangerous. That was one

fter weeks of speculation, it has been confirmed that Claudio Ranieri will leave AS Monaco after two years as head coach. The vice-president of AS Monaco, Vadim Vasilyev, says the club is looking for a “new

dynamic”. At a press conference on 20th May, the club’s vice-president said that he would “like to acknowledge the very good job that Ranieri has done." "It was a difficult decision, it's never easy when the results

Stan Aron

Sir Stirling Moss and Derek Bell joined other racing legends at the forum in Monaco in May, launching the Historic Grand Prix

on the mechanics," Moss explained. Perhaps most importantly, though, the track has barely changed since the first grand prix in 1929, before the Formula One championship even existed. "You come here as a driver knowing that you're really pushing your luck because the track is still the same track that they raced on years and years ago," said Bell. But Formula One itself has evolved a lot in terms of safety over the years. With 41 drivers

dying at the wheel of a Formula One car between 1950 and 1980, fatal crashes were such a common occurrence that "drivers never got close to each other in those days," according to Bell. Scottish champion Sir Jackie Stewart is credited for much of the change that has made the sport safer in the years since. The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco featured an impressive number of Not everyone thanks restored racing cars from pre-war up until 1978 him for it, however. "I

Major step towards tax exemption for French born in Monaco

Claudio Ranieri dropped from AS Monaco

Claudio Rainieri (left) took part in the special Star Team football match with Prince Albert II (far right) the day before his departure was announced

of the ingredients to my interest." When asked if he would still want to race today, the 84-year-old laughed: "No, I decided when I reached 83 that I was going to give up racing."

are good," Vasilyev continued. "But we believe that at this stage of the project we need to find a new dynamic." Ranieri, former Chelsea manager, was appointed in 2012 when Monaco were in Ligue 2 and steered the club to second place in Ligue 1 this season, nine points behind Paris St-Germain. Sporting Lisbon manager Leonardo Jardim has been widely tipped to be the 62year-old’s replacement, however Vasilyev stated he cannot confirm the identity of the next coach while the details are still being sorted. “We are looking for a coach who has an attacking philosophy and who can create a good show for our supporters”, the vice-president said.

fter a 50-year-long battle, French citizens born in Monaco may no longer have to pay taxes on Monegasque income, which would be a major change to the Franco-Monegaque fiscal convention of 1963. But don’t burn your tax forms just yet, you still need to declare your revenue. The French Conseil d’Etat released a promising decree on 11th April, featuring a new interpretation of the Franco-Monegasque fiscal convention. It states that “people who have always lived in Monaco since their birth, and have never transferred their residence to Monaco, are exempt from article 7, chapter 1 of the Franco-Monegasque fiscal convention.” In other

words, French citizens born in Monaco, and who have always lived in the Principality without interruption, are exempt from taxes on Monegasque income. This doesn't apply, however, to any income earned in France. The decree may bring an end to a decades-old dispute that started in the early 60s. As Algeria became independent in 1962, French colonisers flooded back to their home country. Many of them, however, decided to settle down in the Principality to avoid the French ‘fisc’. This situation led to the FrancoMonegasque fiscal convention of 1963, according to which “all the French who have not been resident in the Principality for five years on 13th October

1962 are considered to have their fixed residence in France,” and pay taxes to France. Since there is no direct taxation in Monaco, the convention makes French citizens, along with Americans, the only people in Monaco to pay taxes on Monegasque revenue. In a joint statement, the Union des Français de Monaco and the Les Enfants du Pays association have applauded the decree but urged people to stay patient. “It would be useless, even counterproductive, to rush in complaints and demands. Everyone will have an opportunity to do so before 31st December 2014,” they said. Stan Aron

MONACO

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Rizzo arrested for alleged mafia links CHIARA RIZZO, wife of Italian entrepreneur and politician Amedeo Matacena, was extradited to Italy on 20th May after being arrested in Nice on charges of money laundering and mafia-type criminal association. It follows the arrest of her husband in Dubai in August 2013 for ties to the Italian ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate. Rizzo was returning from Dubai when she was arrested in Nice’s airport by the Police Judiciaire (PJ) on 11th May. “We were requested by our Italian colleagues to serve a European arrest warrant issued in her name,” Divisional Commissioner Philippe Frizon, head of the PJ in Nice, told The Riviera Times. “She was wanted for money laundering and mafia-type criminal association.” The 43-year-old mother of two appeared before an Aix en Provence court and was held in the Baumettes prison in Marseille pending her extradition to Italy. According to Italian newspaper Repubblica, Chiara Rizzo allegedly concealed the ownership of several companies belonging to her husband, Amadeo Matacena, who was convicted in 2012 for ties to the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate in the Calabria region, and sentenced to five years in prison. However, Matacena - an entrepreneur and former MP - escaped and fled to Dubai with Rizzo, where he was apprehended by Interpol on an international arrest warrant on 28th August 2013. Rizzo’s arrest is the third mafia-related arrest in the Côte d’Azur in less than a month. Stan Aron

It’s a ballet revolution

After its acclaimed Australian premiere, Ballet Revolución is embarking on a world tour. Photo: Guido Ohlenbostel

allet Revolución LiveBand is the result of mixing some of the world's most talented classical and modern dancers with Latin-American music, R&B and hip-hop music. The modern chorgeography brings together brilliant ballet with powerful modern and street dance for an intensive, explosive, sensual and impressively athletic performance, full of raw energy. After its acclaimed Australian premiere, the Ballet Revolución is embarking on a

global tour, with worldwide number-one hits by Shakira, Ricky Martin, Beyoncé, Enrique Iglesias, J-LO and Usher among others. "A dance (r)evolution that drives the entire audience delirious!" The response has been overwhelming. "An irresistible Cuban cocktail of ferocious sensuality," wrote The Australian, while the Sunday Telegraph enthused: "Unbridled energy, passion, athleticism and infectious joy!" Indeed, some of the brightest stars of Cuba, dancers from the legendary

state dance school and the country's most prominent dance companies all perform with ardent emotion and relentless power. The Cuban dancers bring their unique mix of African and Spanish dance traditions to the Monaco stage, combining it with superior Russian ballet technique to introduce a sparkling novelty in the international dance scene. Performances will be held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco from 20th to 22nd June. Tickets are priced from 25 to 62 euros.

Raising the bar in Monaco NAIL SPA Monte-Carlo boasts five star standards and some entertaining extras

Women of the Year 2014 DEMET SABANCI Cetindogan is the international winner of the Prix Monte Carlo 'Woman of the Year' 2014, due to her commitment to several Turkish associations and for having undertaken negotiations with the Turkish government to create a ministry for the protection of children’s rights. The second winner is the Monegasque Francien Giraudi, president and founder of the association Les Enfants de Frankie, who has been committed to supporting children in the Maritime Alps region for many years now. The Prix Monte Carlo 'Woman of the Year' is an international prize aimed at celebrating women from diverse sections of society and is organised by Cinzia Colman.

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Left: the NAIL SPA MonteCarlo is now open in the Principality, offering fivestar service and a range of packages. Top: There’s no time to be bored while getting your nails done.

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he idea behind NAIL SPA Monte-Carlo arose after its founder Maria Z. Behnam Bakhtiar realised she could not find anywhere that provided high-quality manicures and pedicures; a place that was luxurious, welcoming, professional, impeccably clean and filled with entertainment to enjoy while getting pampered. Having grown up in Dubai, Maria Z. Behnam Bakhtiar was accustomed to quality nail salons, but there was a major void in the Principality and surrounding region. So, she decided to take the idea further and reinvent the

concept of a nail salon, creating NAIL SPA MonteCarlo - a place where brightly coloured walls and neon lights are replaced with the comforting ambiance of a fivestar hotel suite with a matching level of service; where TVs are swapped for iPads loaded with movies, the latest TV series and digital magazines; where hygiene standards are raised to a medical level; and where products as well as treatments are provided only after they have been tried, tested and approved. NAIL SPA Monte-Carlo currently offers 82 treatments

on their menu, ranging from classic to innovative, including indulgent add-ons such as the 'Private Room' option or 'Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage' that can be enjoyed while you have your nails done. All the treatments provided by NAIL SPA Monte-Carlo are aimed at beautifying and fortifying the client's natural nails, so you can be sure your nails don't only look good but are also properly taken care of. www.nailspamontecarlo.com Tel: + 377 97 70 87 12

CÔTE D’AZUR

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At a glance Designed for Air France by the manufacturer B/E Aerospace, the new La Première suite is the only one of its kind in the world. Its unique design has been specially created by designer Priestmangoode and design and branding agency Brandimage. • 76 seats equipping 19 Boeing 777-300 • An exclusive cabin with 4 suites • A unique concept, with each suite featuring adjustable curtains • A suite designed with top-of-therange materials - leather, woven fabrics, suede, etc. • A spacious, ergonomicallydesigned seat with integrated lumbar support • Direct access to the central aisle • A large fully-flat bed • A sleek console with integrated storage compartments • A large table and an ottoman for inviting a guest during the trip • A mobile partition and adjustable curtains, allowing each guest to choose their preferred level of privacy • A plaid and "boudoir" cushion available as soon as the guest boards • A mattress, cushion and warm duvet for optimum sleeping comfort • A private wardrobe • A 24-inch High Definition screen and touch remote • The window blinds close at the flick of a switch • Accessories to make the guest feel at home; bedside lamp, pillow, plaid, etc. • Bed dimensions are 2.01mx 77cm • Total length of the suite is 2.30m and total surface area is 3sqm

Like spending the night in a palace Air France showcases its new designer suit ‘La Première’ Air France unveiled its exciting new La Première suite in May at a special event in Shanghai, attended by The Riviera Times. As part of the next stage of its vast project to move upmarket with its long-haul 'Best and Beyond' product, the La Première suite will progressively equip 19 Air France Boeing 777-300 from September 2014.

"Our new La Première suite is the one that best represents our commitment to service excellence and a French travel experience," declared Frédéric Gagey, Chairman and CEO of Air France.

unique and daring concept, they enable the passenger to decide whether to be totally isolated or just partially. Once the curtains are closed, the passenger has the feeling of being alone at home, totally enclosed in their private cabin. The La Première suite then becomes a vast, totally private space, with three square metres available for each guest. The suite can also be enjoyed with a fellow passenger. Opposite the seat, a comfortable seat, an ottoman, enables the passenger to invite a guest for dinner or simply for a conversation. The suite in turn then becomes a drawing room, a restaurant, or a work area. Anything goes in this

space which changes according to the passenger's desires. A designer spirit Air France embodies French elegance, expressed by its choice of textures and materials, continually guided by an obsession for absolute comfort. The "leather-effect" cabin walls provide a cosy atmosphere. The high-quality leather can also be found on the headrests and armrests. A thick, soft woven tweed fabric covers the seat, providing a touch of elegance to the ensemble. The various storage compartments are padded with suede. With its stitching, touches of wood and metal, the suite represents the utmost in sophistication, down to the slightest details.

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More than just a seat, a private suite The new La Première cabin, a veritable jewel, now has four exclusive individual suites on board Air France's long-haul Boeing 777-300. Each suite ensures optimum privacy and enables customers to be totally or partially alone, in absolute comfort. A bed worthy of the greatest hotels Like spending a night in a palace, sleeping in one of the La Première suites is a completely exclusive experience. In an instant, the seat turns into a fully-flat bed over two metres long. The armrests are fully retractable and offer a vast space 77 cm wide. An open or totally private suite, the luxury of deciding yourself Air France dresses each suite with thick curtains, held back with leather tiebacks. A

BUSINESS & FINANCE

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Skema recognition FRENCH INTERNATIONAL business school Skema has ranked 80th of the 80 best business schools in the world in the Financial Times’ latest executive education customised programmes list. The school, which has a campus in Sophia Antipolis, is one of only seven schools in France to have made it to the list. The rankings were partly based on a study among French and international companies for which the schools developed tailor made programmes, including quality of the schools’ services and the return on investments.

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Taking the Côte down under Film commission and tourism group launches bold initiative THE CÔTE D'AZUR'S tourism committee will be heading to Australia next September, trialing a new method to promote the Côte d'Azur. The name of that method: Woody Allen. In addition to having one of the biggest film festivals in the world, the Côte d'Azur is increasingly used as a setting for films, TV series and other audio-visual productions. In 2013, nine feature films, 10 TV series, 58 ads, and a number of music videos were shot here, directly injecting 33.5 million euros into the local economy.

Overall, there were 2,046 shooting days in the Alpes Maritimes (AM), or a 26% increase since 2012. The AM film commission and the Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) are working in tandem to encourage and facilitate film production in the region, on one hand, and to maximise the impact those films have on tourism, on the other. The commission promotes the department's scenery and professional skills, while offering services such as assistance and advice for

location scouting, facilitating accommodation and shooting licences, and also help with fundraising. While film production is directly lucrative for the region, movies also bring indirect business by promoting the Côte d'Azur to an audience: each year, roughly four million tourists decide to visit France after having seen a movie, according to TCI Research. The CRT has decided to cash in on a particularly juicy opportunity, found in Woody Allen's upcoming film Magic in the Moonlight, set in the Côte

d'Azur. In September, the CRT will pre-screen the film in Sydney. "The idea is to use the power of the destination's visuals through movies," a spokesperson for the CRT told The Riviera Times. "Australia is one of the countries where Woody Allen gets his best box office performances," she added. "This gives us an opportunity to talk about tourism, film production in the Côte d'Azur, and to show its noblest consequence, as he is a great filmmaker." Stan Aron

Cannes secures new conference

annes’ Palais des Festivals et des Congrès has signed on a new major business event for five years starting in 2016. The IPEM will bring together thousands of professionals and investors from all over the world, to negotiate project financing in a freshly renovated venue. The IPEM Cannes, or the International Private Equity Market, will see nearly 4,000 professionals from 25 different countries flood the venue for three days to negotiate deals between corporations and private investors.

The Palais signed the deal with event organiser Europexpo - a branch of Europevents. The first edition will take place from 22nd to 24th February 2016, which will make Cannes the private equity capital of the world during that period. “Given the scale of the event, its positioning and its date, this is excellent news for Cannes’ economy in general and for business tourism specifically,” said David Lisnard, Cannes’ new mayor and the former Palais des Festivals president. This is also a particularly good opportunity for the Palais

as winter is usually the lean season when it comes to conventions. Additionally, the massive venue is in the process of a three-year-long renovation project which started in the summer of 2013 and is scheduled to be completed by September 2015, six months before the IPEM event. By then, the convention centre will have had a major facelift with its nine auditoriums upgraded, an additional room under the glass roof as well as a new 300m² hall. Stan Aron

Left to right: Europevents Director General René Pérès, Palais Director General Martine Giuliani, and Cannes Mayor David Lisnard. Photo:The Riviera Times

ADVERTORIAL

Free’s Niel buys Monaco Telecom FRENCH BILLIONAIRE Xavier Niel, owner of the gamechanging French mobile operator Free, has acquired a majority stake in Monaco’s largest telecoms company for 322 million euros. Monaco Telecom, which is part-owned by the Principality, is the main provider of mobile, fixed line, broadband and pay TV services. On 25th April, reports announced that Niel had bought Compagnie Monegasque de Communication, a holding company that owns a 55% stake in Monaco Telecom, the incumbent operator in the Principality and also the owner of a 36.75% stake in Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Limited, a mobile operator in Afghanistan. The aquisition from Cable and Wireless Communications, a UK-listed group, is said to be a personal investment for Niel, rather than through his companies Iliad or Free. Monaco Telecom has about 31,000 subscribers, including 12,000 who take its TV service. It reported a net profit of 32 million euros on revenues of 194 million in 2013. It is understood that Niel was attracted to the typical profile of the Monaco customer base.

PROPERTY

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Property series: Saint Étienne de Tinée National park living for nature lovers

T In the heart of the National Mercantour Park, Saint Etienne de Tinée is the starting point for many great walks with stunning scenery. Photo: CRT Riviera Côte d'Azur/Georges Verand

Outside Saint Etienne de Tinée, this 100sqm two-bedroom chalet with fireplace in grounds of 9,000sqm is selling for 450,000 euros. Photo: De Colombe Immobilier

his month we head for the upper Tinée valley and the village of Saint Étienne de Tinée lying at an altitude of 1140m near the Italian border in the north of the Alpes Maritimes department. In the heart of the Mercantour National Park and home to 1,470 Stéphanois (native Saint Étiennes), the village is surrounded by spectacular peaks some towering to over 3,000m. As remote as the commune may be, plenty still goes on in Saint Etienne de Tinée. There is the cinéma itinérant and a Friday morning market in the village square. June is a busy month with celebrations on Saturday 21st for the Feast of St. John the Baptist. On the Sunday, the Fête de la Transhumance takes place, a centuries' old form of pastoralism organised around the migration of livestock between mountain pastures in warm seasons and lower altitudes the rest of the year. Various activities are organised around the early morning arrival of the flocks and their shepherds. Fairs are held throughout the year - the next one is 25th June. The parish church of Saint Etienne, a classified historic monument, was rebuilt on the

remains of an older building of which some elements remain, notably the 15th century Gothic choir and the Romanesque Lombard bell tower, clocher, dating from 1492. Also, there is a fine and rare example of a Baroque façade at the Maison Fabri (1656) built by the descendant of a great Stéphanois family and decorated in the early 18th century. The majority of the old terraced village houses, some four stories high, have been converted into two to four room apartments, explains Jérôme Dardalhon at De Colombe Immobilier. Prices are around the 2,500 euros/sqm mark, higher for well renovated properties. For example, a small house which has been subdivided to provide a 30sqm studio with its own entrance and, above, a similarly sized apartment is for sale for 175,000 euros. You can find isolated properties outside the village although they are rare, he says. These are generally chalets or barns which have been renovated. To give an idea, a five-room 100sqm chalet with 9,000sqm of land (which cannot be built on) is on the market for 450,000 euros. If you want to buy land to build there is a 670sqm plot in Saint

Etienne on the market at 75,000 euros; however not much is available and it generally sells by word of mouth, he says. Various medieval chapels have some of the loveliest mural paintings in the department. In Douans, one of the seven hamlets surrounding the village, the 17th century chapel of Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs is a typical example of these rural chapels. In another, Le Bourguet, you can buy a one-bedroom 100sqm loft with mezzanine, fireplace for those cold winter nights, and bay window to enjoy the stunning views (265,000 euros, De Colombe). The Télépulsé de la Pinatelle links the village to the Auron ski slopes. When the snow has melted Saint Etienne de Tinée is the starting point for numerous hikes in the National Park; if that sounds far too energetic you can learn about local flora and fauna with mountain guides on organised themed outings. For lovers of "randonnée sensationnelle, et paysages grandioses" (sensational hiking and grand landscapes), as its informative web site puts it, set off for Saint Etienne de Tinée - it could be the perfect place for you. Carolyn Reynier

Meetings in the gardens of Menton

icroclimate and past explorers have made Menton a paradise for botanists today; exotic and Mediterranean plants flourish in this beautiful landscape. And to celebrate one of Menton's major assets - its gardens the city is hosting a month full of events and entertainment this June.

The theme for the 12th edition of Rendez-vous aux jardins is 'Children's garden', taking each of us back to our childhood, reigniting memories of visiting the countryside, the scent of the flowers, the taste of the fruit picked straight from the trees. On offer for visitors will be exhibitions, guided tours, concerts, and workshops… a

journey for the delight of young and old. For the kids there are donkey trips through the gardens, bamboo painting and arts and crafts. For the rest of the family the city will host classical concerts, plant sales, food stands, workshops on decorating and flower arrangements, edible flowers and historical tours. Open for special visits will be the

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The Fontana Rosa garden in Menton will form part of the celebrations

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gardens of Spanish writer and politician Vicente Blasco Ibañez, the garden of Val Rahmeh - belonging to the National Museum of Natural History, the 19th century villa gardens of Maria Serena, the Serre de la Madone gardens and the Orangeraie palace garden. For more information visit: www.tourisme-menton.fr.

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House prices fall for second year Corsica passes property law for foreigners

Alpes Maritimes sees major drop, but still sits high on price table

roperty prices in the Alpes Maritimes fell significantly for the second consecutive year in 2013, however the department still remains the most expensive in France outside of the Ile de France. New figures released by Notaires de France reveal similar results produced by FNAIM, the association of French estate agents, who published their own analysis of 2013 several months ago. Both groups agree that in general on a national level, house prices fell by an average of around 2% last year. Locally, that figure is much higher. Prices in the Alpes Maritimes dropped by -7.1%: one of the most significant decreases in France. It

followed a previous fall in 2012 of -3.1%. In the Var, the difference was far less noticeable; property values here fell by -1.1%. According to the report, the average price of property in the Var stood at 312,000 euros in 2013, while in the Alpes Maritimes it was 420,000 euros - that makes the AM the second most expensive place to buy property in France outside of the Parisian

department of Ile de France. The largest falls in 2013 were seen in the Limousin region in central France, a significant downturn from 2012 when prices rose marginally. There were also substantial average regional falls last year in FrancheComté (-5.4%), Burgundy (4.7%) and ChampagneArdenne (-4.5%). Departments to see an increase in property prices include the Lorraine region in northern France, Vaucluse in the PACA (+1.2%), and Rhône and Savoie in the Rhône Alpes (+1.0% and +2.1% respectively). Meanwhile, unlike the FNAIM, which reported a downturn of 5% in sales volume, the notaires say that sales actually increased by 3% over 2012 to reach 723,000 - a surprising result suggesting that the market is not as blocked as many had thought. Cassandra Tanti

The following table shows the average prices within the PACA department and the corresponding status. Alpes de Haute Provence 175,000 euros -2.5% Alpes Maritimes 420,000 euros -7.1% Bouches du Rhône 281,900 euros -2.4% Hautes Alpes 190,000 euros -2.5% Var 312,000 euros -1.1% Vaucluse 215,000 euros +1.2%

LEGISLATORS IN Corsica have passed a new law which makes it obligatory for people to be permanent residents for five years before they can buy property on the island. If accepted by France, the law will hopefully see an end to violent bomb attacks Corsica's way of telling French and foreign second home owners that they are not welcome. The proposal, which supporters say is essential for preventing native islanders being priced out of their homeland, was approved 2918 with four abstentions, in a vote at the left-dominated regional assembly whose extensive powers include housing policy. However, the bill must still be approved by the French parliament. Holiday homes owned by residents of mainland France and foreigners now represent up to 40% of all Corsican real estate, according to local authorities. France’s national statistics agency, INSEE, says the island had 7,000 holiday homes in 1968, but in 2007 there were as many as 71,000. The new residency requirement law would provide exceptions for native Corsicans living abroad.

Debate over the law has created controversy since last summer, when Paul Giacobbi, the head of Corsica’s Executive Council, began championing it. In August 2013, Giacobbi proposed subjecting potential buyers to certain limits before they can buy real estate or land on the island. “It’s time we had some kind of regulation,” he told The Local, “and asking people to live here for a certain amount of time before they are allowed to buy a property is a good way to do it.” "It is simply about resisting the mass acquisition of land purely for the construction of second homes which, on a daily basis, is causing economic, social and even political damage to the island," Giacobbi added. The push against foreign ownership has been a violent one. The most recent high profile incident involved Parisian banker Alain Lefebvre who, with his guests on 2nd July 2012, were forced out of a Bonifaccio villa at gunpoint as bombs were planted throughout his property. They were then made to watch as the luxury villa was blown apart. Nicole Mercier

New anti-theft liquid to be trialled SMARTWATER, an anti-theft device which sprays thieves with a unique identifier liquid, will be tested in supermarkets in the Alpes Maritimes, in a trial requested by the State. The substances contained in SmartWater - which is odourless and invisible to the naked eye - are almost impossible to wash out of clothes, and can stay on the skin for weeks. The nonhazardous liquid also leaves a unique identifier code that can be read under ultraviolet light. In the UK, SmartWater has been highly successful in stores, but it is also being used in people’s homes to deter and convict burglars. In Nottingham, over 30,000 homes have had property marked with individual SmartWater, and it's resulted in a 40% reduction in burglary since the start of the initiative. The following stores will install and test SmartWater in the Alpes Maritimes: Carrefour in Antibes, Carrefour in Cannes la Bocca, Axe 85 in Grasse, Auchan in La Trinité, Tourrades zone in Mandelieu la Napoule, Casino in Mandelieu la Napoule and in Villeneuve Loubet, and also the commerical centre at Lingostière.

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Riviera terrace dining The best, as voted by our readers

1 5

W 1) The captivating sails and colours of La Voile in Sainte Maxime. 2) La Réserve has an unspoiled view of the Baie des Anges in Nice. 3) The panorama on the terrace of Chèvre d'Or in Eze is rivalled only by its cuisine. 4) A dining experience to remember at La Passagère in Juan les Pins. 5) The balcony of La Réserve is reminiscent of a cruise ship

hether it is by the sea or overlooking the spectacular countryside, terrace dining in the Riviera is a must in summer. Provencal cuisine, Mediterranean seafood, a chilled bottle of Côte de Provence rosé … who could wish for anything more? But with so many to choose from, how do we find the best? Well, we asked our Facebook readers to tell us their favourite terrace restaurants, and this is what they chose! La Voile, Sainte Maxime Situated at the northern shore

of the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Sainte Maxime is a gorgeous seaside village with stunning views of the Mediterranea Sea and sheltered from winds by the forested hills of the Maures. La Voile restaurant is not only a favourite with our readers, it rates very well with the online forum Trip Advisor. The restaurant, resting along Sainte Maxime's best beach, is hard to miss … its large, colourful sails draw guests into the ultimate seaside experience. On offer is a refined cuisine and seafood specialities, which include fresh lobster, as well as grilled meats. The restaurant has the prestigious quality label Maîtres Restaurateurs. Meals start from around 22 euros. La Réserve, Nice This restaurant has an enviable position on the cap of Nice, boasting stunning panoramic views that can be enjoyed while dining on the terrace, either for a sun-filled lunch or a romantic night view of the Baie des Anges. Guests are treated

to the creative gourmet cuisine of young chef Sébastien Mahuet … "Riviera" ricotta cannelloni with parmesan broth, La Réserve bouillabaisse, red mullet with Italian zucchini, basil and baby fennel, confit rhubarb with hibiscus flower and strawberry marmalade. Entrées start from 23 euros, mains average around 40 euros. Special menus apply for weekday lunches. As the respected Michelin Guide says, "embark on refined gastronomic cruise, anchored in the Mediterranean." La Passagère, Juan les Pins Another amazing waterfront terrace can be found at the La Passagère restaurant in Juan les Pins. As part of the luxurious and historic Belles Rives Hotel, the restaurant has a refined but welcoming ambiance. Head chef Yoric Tieche has worked with some of the best in France, opening various restaurants in Paris and abroad. His cuisine is driven by passion and elegance, and is influenced by his many travels throughout Asia, the Reunion Island, and Marocco. Menu options include chanterelles with roasted chicken wings and artisanal saffron pasta (26 euros), roasted Norway lobster

with pistachio, sautéed zucchini with almond broth (30 euros), sweet bread with with fava beans and English peas (48 euros), and the exquisite Chanteclerc apple - a blown sugar apple with manzana and calvados (16 euros). This is gastronomy with an extreme view. Chèvre d'Or, Eze The two Michelin starred Chèvre d'Or in Eze is famous for a very good reason. It sits perched on the magnificent hill of Eze with unrivalled views of the Mediterranean coastline and a cuisine to match its privileged location. The head chef is Ronan Kervarrec, son of the hotel and restaurant owners. Ronan prides himself on producing creative dishes using only seasonal produce, perfectly lined with what La Chèvre d'Or has been offering its guests for over 60 years. Caviar blinis, Scotland rock lobster with caramel fennel and braised pig's trotter, pigeon with peas, confit lemon and morels. The finishing touches are added by pastry chef Julien Dugourd and his team. The average price of the à la carte menu is 200 euros (excluding drinks), so consider this a treat for you food lovers! Cassandra Tanti

GOURMET

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NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS

Reinventing a favourite Can you really replace wine with pastis during a meal?

astis is as synonymous with French Riviera living as petanque and sun bathing. Traditionally served over ice with a small jug of water, pastis is not only this region's favourite drink, it is the national drink of France. But did you ever consider replacing wine with pastis during a meal? The idea was introduced to The Riviera Times during a Pastis paired with foie gras, pain d’epices, carmelised apricots and vanilla special lunch at JAN in Nice last month, and the result addictive psychoactive prop- used: green anise, star anise, or erties, made famous by the fennel, liquorice, natural plant was quite surprising! extracts and macerated or "During the 1930s, the likes of Vincent Van Gogh. When pastis entered the distilled alcohol. French used to enjoy their Henri Bardouin though was congés payés (employer-paid vac- market, the French nation was ations) in the countryside, and still apprehensive of high-proof the first to think of concocting a they particularly like the south anise drinks, but the country more complex pastis. Created of France," explained Alain was in the midst of a love affair using a blend of 65 herbs and Robert, president of Distilleries et with traditional Mediterranean spices, Henri Bardouin Pastis Domaines de Provence, during the anise liqueurs like Sambuca has the distinct notes of anise lunch. “Here they discovered and ouzo, so a veritable "little and liquorice on the nose, but pastis; they drank it by the yellow" craze began with pastis. there is a surprising balance on Refreshing and economical the palate. Mediterranean Sea, in the For decades, it has been sold sunshine. It has been a very (one volume of liqueur for five popular drink throughout all of volumes of water), it became a as an ideal summer drink to star in bars and eventually took enjoy over some saucisson and France ever since." Pastis emerged around 17 on the connotation of a cacahuètes on a terrace by the pool. But the idea that you can years after a ban was put on "vacation drink". The pastis brands multiplied replace a glass of Bordeaux absinthe (1915) - the highly alcoholic beverage often and each jealously guarded the during a meal with a wine glass referred to as the "green fairy" secret of their mixture and filled with pastis and ice seems because of its perceived proportions of ingredients quite a stretch. Still, the

company claims that its product is so "fine and elegant that it doesn't ruin the palate and does not alter the taste of the food and wine." It is, they say, "the only pastis which can be served throughout a meal." Well, we put that theory to the test. The liqueur was paired with some particularly bold ingredients and flavours during the lunch: oysters with tarragon sabayon, foie gras with caramelised apricots and vanilla, lamb cutlets with goats cheese ravioli and pear poached in Henri Bardouin Pastis, and pineapple panna cotta with roasted coconut. Surprisingly, the pastis did not overpower any of the dishes, but served its purpose as a refreshing and enjoyable accompaniment (and that’s not the pastis talking). Well, who would have imagined? Can I see every wine bottle being replaced with Henri Bardouin on dinner tables across the country? No. But the concept is contemporary and guests may enjoy the new take on an old classic. Cassandra Tanti

Jacques Gantié’s Restaurant recommendations 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.

LA RAISON GOURMANDE This late 19th century hotel has lived through the reign of Queen Victoria and the arrival of the railway on the Riviera. The "Palais des Anglais!" On the ground floor, Olivier Streiff mixes taste and philosophy. His cuisine is on trend and follows the seasons. Vialone nano risotto with black truffle, pavé de rouget (mullet), fennel with ginger and creamy sauce

and panisse with wakame seaweed... every dish is made with clarity and sensitivity. Set meal for 18 euros at noon, four course evening meal for 55 euros, six courses for 65 euros, wines from 30 euros. BEAULIEU SUR MER 4 avenue Maréchal Foch, 04 93 01 13 12 laraisongourmande.com

COMMUNITY

NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS

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InterNations - the expatriate community for 'global minds' Striving to become the most important platform for expats worldwide

InterNations not only welcomes expats, it wants to appeal to global minds. Photo: Sergej Kovalenko

Top: The Riviera Times Editor Cassandra Tanti switched roles and became the interviewee for Al Jazeera news, who was in town covering the Cannes Film Festival. Bottom: Journalist Stan Aron interviewing racing legend Sir Stirling Moss. Right: Intern Nicole Mercier had fun distributing the magazine at Cannes this year

THE RIVIERA BUSINESS Club continues its series of monthly networking cocktails on Thursday 19th at the very popular Quai 21 in Cannes. Our monthly events are well attended and are a great opportunity to catch up with fellow members and guests from the business community on the Riviera, network and make new contacts. As always there will be a presentation by a member of the club on his/her business as well as the opportunity to meet up with invited business personalities in the area. There are many events to look forward to in the

coming months including networking cocktails, business seminars and workshops with business leaders and experts to help you to get a head start for your business on the Riviera. Our signature event of the year, The Business Person of the Year Awards, is gathering momentum with the launch of the 20104 awards set for July. The gala dinner and awards ceremony will be at the Marriott Riviera - La Porte De Monaco on Thursday 4th of December 2014. Nominations will open in July and the awards are split into two categories: the Business

Person of the Year and the Best Start Up of the Year. Members of the club as well as members of the public are invited to nominate deserving candidates. Visit our website for more details. Joining the Riviera Business Club may be the smartest move you make for your business this year - We have three different types of memberships available. Single at 40 euros, couple at 70 euros and corporate at 100 euros.

members attend the Monte Carlo Polo Cup 2014 with the Monte Carlo Polo Club at the Devens Complex in Beausoleil - full details on our website! Our golf and tennis groups are also in action this month with different dates to choose from. All are welcome to join in. Our theme event for June is of course our annual Summer Solstice Party on Saturday 28th, once again hosted by member Rose Bouyx in the perfect garden setting of her lovely villa in Rouqefort Le Pins. A superb

newcomers feel welcome, to introduce them to friends. This way, we can share the spirit of connecting global minds, and every member will have a lovely time." While expatriates are InterNations' key audience, they also cater to "global minds": a former expatriate, an expat-to-be or a local resident with private or job-related international interests, explains Beverley. "More importantly, InterNations’ members are openminded people who are curious to learn more about other cultures. We strive to become the most important platform for expatriates worldwide which is why we try to maintain an expat-to-local ratio of 70% to 30%." InterNations holds monthly events for its members in restaurants, nightclubs and beach venues; they even host

www.rivierabusinessclub.fr 0493721189/0621206010 info@rivierabusinessclub Savills, together with EFG and Country Life, hosted a special cocktail during the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup practice sessions at the Hotel de Paris in May. Savills representatives, pictured left to right: Nic Brennan, Nathalie GamoryDubourdeau, Jean-Claude Catuto, Irene Luke, and Justin Marking

WE ARE IN the month of the Summer Solstice and the ICR events program is in full swing! We start the month on Saturday 7th with members of our newly formed internal group, the ICR Polo Club, attending the first polo event of the Riviera Polo Club Champagne and Chukkas Great Gatsby Style! If you are a polo fan, then this is an unmissable event. Please also mark your diaries for the glamour polo event of the year from 3rd to 6th July, when our

oving to a new country can be very exciting, but it can also be quite daunting. A new home might be already arranged, even a job lined up … but what about social life? InterNations’ mission is to help expats feel at home abroad, to facilitate meeting new people and finding information about a new environment. In a few words, they "make life easier for expats". We spoke with InterNations Ambassador for Nice Beverley Holt on how the local branch operates. Attending your first ever club event can be quite unnerving, but InterNations' newcomers are quickly introduced to likeminded people. "InterNations' slogan is: Nobody stands alone!" declares Beverley. "Every time we host a get-together, we kindly ask our members to help

international buffet dinner, live music with a journey back several decades to the swing and boogie-woogie era with the fabulous Webelep Sisters a truly classy act! Do we have an iconic event in the pipeline? The inaugural Outstanding Persons of the Riviera Awards, in association with the Professional Womens Network - watch this space for more details! www.internationalclub.fr Tel: 493721189/0621206010 info.internationalclub.fr.

pool parties and roof-top parties in luxurious five-star hotels. Events in Nice usually attract an average age group of around 40 years, however Beverley says quite a number of young people also attend targeted events. "The goal is to have an InterNations event calendar so full that you can find an activity to participate in every single day," says Beverley. InterNations was first founded in Germany in 2007 and has since built up a community of one million expats worldwide. In Nice, members total 3,500. Nicole Mercier

Publishing Director Petra Hall hall@mediterra.com

Editor Cassandra Tanti rivieratimes@mediterra.com

Contributors Claire Lathbury, Stan Aron, Nicole Mercier, Anne Morris, Andrew Denison, Carolyn Reynier, Aila Stöckmann

FOUNDED IN 2001, PWN Nice-Côte d'Azur is a dynamic organisation of professional women, run by volunteers, offering a mentoring program, live events, webinars, a newsletter, and access to over 4,000+ members across the world. Our member-base covers the south of France from Cannes to Monaco. We are part of PWNGlobal, a Federation of 24 European cities, Sao Paolo, Dubai and Singapore." Why not come to one of our events to meet us? On 12th June, from 6.30pm to 10.00pm in Sophia Antipolis, our speaker Caroline Frisenberg, an

executive search consultant, will be showing you how to make your Linked In profile more effective, including how to boost your chances of finding business contacts and being found in searches. Come along to this great evening and increase your business contacts. At the same time our photographer Carmen Blike will be providing advice about online photography and how to show yourself in the best light. Get in touch and join in with what promises to be a great evening! For more information please contact: events@pwnnice.net

Art director Konny Strauss

Distribution Superyacht Distribution Manuscripts and photos will not be returned unless previously agreed. Articles do not represent the opinion of the Editor. The publishing house is not responsible for the correct content of ads. We are unable to consider unsolicited material and cannot return it.

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ART & CULTURE

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Celebrating Maeght This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of Europe’s most famous private art museums

t all started with Georges Braque (1882-1963) and Fernand Léger (1881-1955). More than 50 years ago, these artists persuaded art collector Aimé Maeght (1906-1981) to build a museum for modern and contemporary art on the Côte d´Azur. This summer the Maeght Foundation, which is now one of the most famous private art collections in Europe, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the museum. Most museums in the Alpes Maritimes region of the south of France will take part in the celebrations with a variety of exhibitions. And the foundation itself will pay its respects to the family of collectors by presenting the 50 best works acquired by the Maeght family. While they were building the new museum on the Colline des Gardettes just outside St. Paul de Vence, Aimé Maeght and his wife Marguerite set up the Fondation Marguerite et Aimé Maeght in 1964. Braque created a mosaic with fish motifs for a water basin in the internal courtyard, while in the garden there are numerous sculptures, installations and mosaics by major artists including the Miró labyrinth with sculptures and ceramics. The café provides a view of the courtyard with the typical elongated figures of Alberto Giacometti. Aimé Maeght, who spent

the equivalent of around five million euros on the construction of the museum, was the son of a railway employee from Hazebrouck in northern France. He first scraped together a living as a

painter and designer then in 1930 moved to Cannes to be an art printer. He was inspired to become an art dealer after meeting the painter Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947). However, he only started to make a good living after several artists from Paris moved to the Riviera

during the Second World War, made friends with Maeght and let him be their manager. In the post-war years, Maeght's Paris gallery on Rue de Teheran became a meeting point for the artistic avant-garde.

After the death of his son Bernard, Braque and Léger tried to distract the depressed Maeght from his grief with their fantastic ideas of a modern temple to art. Finally, inflamed by their ideas, the millionaire started to buy up 50,000 sqm of land surrounding his private property in St. Paul de Vence. Here, he planted exotic trees and shrubs, and eventually succeeded in attracting the Catalan architect José Lluís Sert (19021983) for his project. At the time, Sert was head of the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University as the successor to Walter Gropius. Maeght's son Adrien is the current president of the nonprofit foundation. Jean Louis Prat, an internationally renowned expert on Marc Chagall, was the director from 1969 to 2004. Dominque Paini (previously at the Pompidou Centre in Paris), the literature and art historian Michel Enrici from Marseille

Mission: Living Art Meet Olivier Kaeppelin, director of the Maeght Foundation since 2011

50 years ago, Maeght Foundation was a museum for the avant-garde of the day. What about now? The concept of the avant-garde as such no longer exists. It is a mistake to think of art in generations. When Adrien Maeght asked me in 2011 if I wanted to be director of the foundation, I accepted because I believe in living art. It provides the best chance of discovering and underst-

anding the world. That is our mission that we need to remain faithful to. Where does the foundation stand today? The Maeght Foundation was the first major art foundation in Europe and to this day is based on the passion of its founder. It's a marvel of positive energy because of its harmonious, rhythmical combination of nature, art and architecture. This all imparts

the feeling of being transported to a different place. Following the renovation of the foundation a few years ago, are there plans for expansion? We showed the projects in our most recent exhibition. The surface area will not change, but there will be a new auditorium, mobile rooms for video projections and drawings and a restaurant, among other things. This will enable us to organise company seminars, for example. What events are you planning for the anniversary year? As well as many individual items on the agenda, a major focus is the large summer exhibition called 'Face à l'oeuvre'. The works and the artists have always been at the heart of the foundation. The spectator should feel what individual works are expressing. There are more than 100 exhibits in total, including works that are recognised by society as masterpieces and more controversial pieces that were believed in by the adventurous visionary Aimé Maeght. In many cases, he has been proved right over time.

Above: Miró's Labyrinth - a set of sculptures and ceramics created by Joan Miró specially for the Maeght Foundation, photo: R. Michaud. Left: Marc Chagall’s house project

and Maeght's granddaughter Isabelle were the next people to run the museum, which attracts around 200,000 visitors a year. Olivier Kaeppelin is the current museum director, taking on the role in 2011. He

was previously at the Palais de Tokyo contemporary art museum in Paris. The Riviera Times recently caught up with the director in St. Paul de Vence. See our interview below. Anne Morris

EVENTS

NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS

01 Sun Garden Month. For the whole month of June open days are taking place in Menton's exceptional gardens full of plant life. Until 30/06/14. Jardins de Menton. Info: jardins-menton.fr Menton (Q)

Opera. 'Dreyfus', music by Michel Legrand. Performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice and the Nice Opera Choir. 3pm. Also on 3rd, 4th, and 6th June at 8pm. Info: opera-nice.org Nice (N)

02 Mon Concert. '31e Festival des heures musicales de Biot'. Concert in the church of Sainte Marie Madeleine, Biot. 9pm. Also on 16th and 20th June. From 15 euros. Info: biot.fr Biot ( M) 04 Wed Sailing regatta. The 19th edition of the Voiles d'Antibes sailing regatta featuring wellknown names in sailing as well as beautiful yachts. Running until 8th June. Port Vauban, Cap d'Antibes and Baie de Juan-Les-Pins. Info: voilesdantibes.com Antibes (M)

06 Fri Championning healthy and organic living. This pioneering event promotes the best fresh produce and products the south of France has to offer. All vendors must comply with the impeccably high standards of the organisers, who require proof of the Agriculture Biologique certificate. Until 08/06/14. Promenade des Anglais, Quai de Etats-Unis, Nice. Info: bionazur.com Nice (N) Olive Festival. The little village of Libre organises its Olive festival, an event featuring demonstrations, exhibitions and sale of farm and artisanal produce, music and theatre. Runs for two days. Hameau de Libre. Info: breil-sur-roya.fr Breil sur Roya (R)

07 Sat Bike race. ‘Summits of Mercantour’, a bicycle race which explores the area's magnificent countryside around Mercantour Park and the Nice and Menton uplands. Choice of two routes: La Barthélémy Palmero - 62 km and La Charles Cottalorda - 122 km. Runs for two days.

Info: vcbreil.com Mercantour (N)

Rock climbing. 'Regional Climing Days'.Taking place over a full weekend, the mountain sports festival offers numerous free activities supervised by professionals. Runs for two days. La Colmiane-Valdeblore. Info: ffme.fr Valdeblore (N) Festival of Nature. 'Salon Vert Azur', organised by the Association Vert Azur de Levens, this event welcomes you to the exceptional site of Grand Pré. Vert Azur is a festival of nature, a huge gathering of breeders, livestock, artisans and local products, artists and associations which present their sports and activities with passion. Grand Pré. Info: vertazur06.fr. Levens (N) Concert. Classical Music Concert performed by Henri Demarquette for the 6th 'Printemps Musical'. All day. Cinéma La Renaissance. From 20 euros. St. Tropez (I) Provencal market. Taking place very first Saturday of the month. 7am to 9pm. Place Louis Rainaud. Info: tourismelethoronet.com Thoronet (F)

Martial Arts Festival. 'Festival international des arts martiaux'. Array of successful tatami groups. 8.30pm. Salle Leyrit. Info: festivalartsmartiaux-nice.fr

Performing at the Théâtre de Verdure in Nice on 4th and 5th July is Le ballet hors les murs, with choreography by Dwight Rhoden, featuring a selection of Spanish music from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Riviera Times is giving away free tickets, so be sure to visit our website for details!

Until 15th acla06.com

June.

Info:

Antibes (M)

13 Fri Book Festival. One of the main book festivals in the south of France with no less than 300 guest authors. 10am7pm. Until 15/06/14. Places Palais de Justice et P. Gautier, quai des Etats-Unis. Info: nice.fr Nice (N)

08 Sun Family concert. 'Matinée musicale' with pieces by Beethoven, performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice. 11am. Opéra de Nice. Info: opera-nice.org

14 Sat Photo Competition. For children and adults on the theme 'light and colours', in association with the 'Journées du Patrimoine de pays et des moulin'. Office de Tourisme Tourrettes sur Loup. Running for two days. Info: tourrettessurloup.com

Nice (N)

Tourrettes sur Loup (M)

12 Thu Show jumping. The Cannes International Show Jumping Contest. International show jumping competition which welcomes the world's best jockeys to the Stade des Hespérides. Until 14/06/14. Stade des Hespérides. Info: jumpingcannes.com

15 Sun The Voice Tour 2014. The Voice back on tour. The new season's 8 voices perform on stage for a series of 25 exceptional concerts. From 29 euros. Palais Nikaïa. Info: nikaia.fr. Nice (N)

Nice (N)

Cannes (L)

The 7th edition of the FxPro Monte Carlo Beach Volley tournament sees eight of the world’s best female volleyball teams including the USA and Brazil battle it out over two days. Entry is free of charge. From 15th to 16th June. Info: montecarlobeachvolley.com

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Festival. The 11th edition of the 'Déantibultions' festival brings together performers in music, theatre, pyrotechnics, fire, BMX, circus and much more. With twenty shows and fifty performances this year's edition is sure to be an exciting one. Anthéa, Antibes.

Magic. 'Magicians, Masters of Mystery', Tourrette Levens holds a free show magic show every Sunday. 4pm and 5pm. Until 14th September 2014. Espace Culturel, Tourrette Levens. Info: cotedazurnature.com Tourrette Levens (M)

16 Mon Bloomsday. Celebrate James 2

Joyce's 'Ulysses'. The Irish Association celebrates Bloomsday with a stroll through Nice dressed in Edwardian fashion, read some excerpts from Ulysses, and lots more. Anyone interested in doing a reading contact pacairish@gmail.com. Info: jamesjoyce.ie Nice (N)

19 Thu Concert. In support of the charity association 20,000 Vies, The Low Budget Men perform in concert to finance research for cardiac diseases. Théatre de Verdure. Info: lowbudgetmen.com Nice (N)

21 Sat Snail Festival. 'Fête Des Limaces' the traditional "Proucession daï Limassa" sees the houses lining the route of the procession illuminated by a host of snail shells filed with oil and a wick. With tableaux created on the ground with flower petals, the village puts on an amazing show. Tourrette Levens Village. Info: tourrettelevens.org Tourrette Levens (M)

28 Sat Guitar concert. 'Autour des Guitares' - guitar concert is just one of the popular concerts taking place as part of the concert series 'Rhythm'n'Biot’ this month. Info: biot.fr Biot (M)

Boat race. 'Alba Cup - YCF Trophy' ‘Cabin' boat race takes place between Antibes and Saint Tropez. Runs for two days. Info: sr-antibes.fr Antibes (M)

Horse beauty competition. Championship of Arabian Horses of the Mediteranean and the Arabian Countries. Competition for the horse breeding 'crème de la crème'. Horses are marked on elegance, posture of the head and neck, leg and body fitness and strength. Runs for two days. Stade Rondelli, Garavan, Menton. Info: tourisme-menton.fr Menton (Q)

Horse Festival. Throughout the weekend, beginner horse riding class, with: Beginner pony rides, carriage rides, saddlery, blacksmiths' demonstrations and different horse-related stands. Running for two days. Saint-Dalmas, Soun dal Pra, Valdeblore. Info: colmiane.com Valdeblore (M)

Race. Grand International Cro-Magnon Rally. This great 112 km race between two twin towns, from Limone (Italy) to Cap d'Ail, is an internationally renowned sporting event ranked amongst the best world Ultra Trails. Taking place over two days. Limone-Cap d'Ail. Info: cromagnonextremerace.net Cap d'Ail (O)

22 Sun Shepherd's Festival. A two-

day traditional fête with local products for sale, street entertainment, arts and crafts, exhibition of farm equipment, antique tools, demonstration of transhumance of beehives, making of olive paste and cheese, lavender distilling, and much more. Village. Info: stationsdumercantour.com St Étienne de Tinée (M)

24 Tue Trumpet Concerto. The talented Lucienne Renaudin performs under the direction of Wolfgang Doerner. Pieces from Haydn, Nepomuk Hummel and Mozart. 8.30pm. Anthéa Antipolis theatre. Info: actualites.orchestrecannes.com Antibes (M)

27 Fri Entertainment. ‘Les Nuits Carrees', two nights of live, popular and festive shows, numerous eco-citizen and socio-cultural initiatives. A truly innovative, different festival which gives pride of place back to the spectator. From 10 euros. Runs for two nights. Amphithéatre du FortCarré, Avenue du 11 Novembre, Antibes. Info : nuitscarrees.com Antibes (M)

Sea Festival. The Villa Kérylos reveals its secrets about the "Grand Bleu" by offering an exceptional weekend of events on the theme of the sea. Port de Plaisance, Beaulieu sur Mer. Info: beaulieu-sur-mer.fr Beaulieu sur Mer (O)

29 Sun International Triathlon. A highly popular long-distance race, the Triathlon of Nice is a key event in the calendar and one of the most difficult triathlon’s in Europe. Promenade des Anglais. Info: ironmannice.com Nice (N)

NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS

EVENTS

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Until 02/07 Jean Antoine art exhibition. 'Under the Dress' by Jean Antoine Hierro. ‘Les dessous chics’ - drawings, ceramics, digital images, this exhibition looks at several years of practice on its unique theme. Hierro Desvilles Art Gallery, 4 rue Antoine Gauthier, Nice. Info: artcotedazur.fr Nice (N)

Until 07/09 Art exhibition- Maeght Foundation The Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art in Nice has chosen to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Maeght Foundation in tribute to Alexander Calder. Sculptures, engravings and lithographs from the Maeght Foundation will be presented to the public. Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Nice. Info: mamacnice.org Nice (N) Open ended Nature exhibition. Sharks: a thrilling and fascinating experience continues at Monaco’s world-famous aquarium, the Oceanographic museum. Get up close and personal with the giants of the sea and unravel their complicated tales in this unique venue. Oceanographic Museum. Info: oceano.mc Monaco (P)

Until 20/10 Painting Exhibition. An exhibition of works by the talented James Rassiat (19091998), a French artist and painter who devoted his entire life to art. His colourful paintings of people in the streets of France portray daily life and freedom. From 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm (except Tuesdays). Musée des Beaux-Arts - Palais Carnolès. Info: menton.fr Menton (Q)

Until 23/06 Spanish art. Pilar Albarracin's exhibition, 'Asneria', with fun stereotypes about Spanish women through his photographs, videos and performances. His recent works have an amazing

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Nice (MAMAC) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Maeght Foundation with a special tribute to Alexander Calder. Until 7th September 2014, the gallery will present a series from the Maeght Foundating collection, including sculptures, engravings and lithographs from Stabile-Mobile (1970).

animal bestiary, in which each animal symbolises something medieval. The figure of the story is in straight reference to the Caprices de Goya. National Museum Pablo Picasso War and Peace. Info: mccord-picasso-vallauris.fr Vallauris (L)

Until 20/10. James Rassiat photographic exhibition. James Rassiat was a French painter. This exhibition shows the incredible snapshots from his travels. Mon-Sun 10am12pm/2pm-6pm , except Tuesdays and holidays. Admission free. Musée des Beaux -Arts palace Carnolès de Menton. Tel: 04 93 35 49 71 Menton (Q)

Until 31/10. Photographic exhibition. 'Petites Bêtes et Plantes à Parfum'. Beautiful photos of the biodiversity of the gardens in the International Perfume Museum. With particular focus on the importance of the production of perfume plants. An exhibition for the whole family. 10am-7pm. Gardens of the Musée International de la Parfumerie. Info: 04 92 98 92 69 Mougins (L)

01 Sun Tour. Guided tour through Castel Govone, disctrict Finalborgo. 4pm and 5.30pm, also on 15th June. Obligatory registration: 019 690112 or 347 0828855. Finale Ligure (G) Market. 'Fiera delle vecchie cose ed antichi mestieri'. Antique and bric-a-brac market. Old Town, district Finalborgo. 10am-7.30pm, also on 5th and 6th July.

gastronomic specialities. Darsena. Runs until 15th June.

Finale Ligure (G)

15 Sun Cars. 'Raduno Citroën'. Vintage car meeting. Piazza San Nicolò. Starts at 10am. Pietra Ligure (F3) Concert. Buio Pesto Concert. Arena in the Giardini del Principe. 9.30pm. Loano (F)

02 Mon Market. 'Artigianalmente Mestieri in Piazza'. Craft market. Piazza Masséna. 10am-7pm. Loano (F) Festival. 'Festa di Sant'Erasmo’ In Piazza Sant'Erasmo. Ospedaletti (B)

04 Wed Concert. 'La luna di Palomar'. Concert by the Symphony Orchestra of Sanremo. Works of Strauss, Webber and Mozart. Casino theatre. 2pm. Also on the 7th June. Info: sinfonicasanremo.it Sanremo (B)

06 Fri Astronomy. Astronomical observations. Estuary, Piazzale De Gasperi. 9pm. Pietra Ligure (F) 07 Sat Market. 'Antichità e Collezionismo'. Seafront Garassini. 8am to 7pm. Loano (F)

Regatta. 'IOR Class Meeting'. Sailing regattas. Sport harbour Portosole. Also on 8th June. Sanremo (B)

08 Sun Night walk. 'Passeggiata tra Mare e luna'. Guided night walk above Cervo. Meeting point: Piazza del Castello. 9pm. Cervo (E) 12 Wed Concert. 'Paolo Belli & Bigband Sangue Blues Tour'. Concert for the benefit of Unicef. Teatro Ariston. 9.30pm. Sanremo (B) 13 Fri Saint's Day. Sant'Antonio day. Procession from Via Manzoni. 8.30pm. Loano (F) Market. 'Mercato Europeo'. Market with European 2

Savona (I)

14 Sat Night walk. 'Sui sentieri del Golfo'. Guided night walk from Diano Serreta to the Passo delle Grillarine. Meeting point: IAT-office, Piazza XXV Aprile. 6.30pm. Information and registration: 0183-400200 San Bartolomeo al Mare (E)

Market. 'Notte Bianca'. Gastronomy and exciting entertainment. Sea front and Piazza Italia. 8pm. Loano (F)

22 Sun Flowers. 'Infiorata del Corpus Domini'. beautiful flower carpet for the Feast of Corpus Christi procession. San Giacomo Church in Calderina. 6pm. Diano Marina (E)

17 Tue Music Festival. 'Percfest'. International jazz and percussion festival with courses and concerts. Every evening until the 22nd at 9.30pm. Info: perfest.it Laigueglia (F)

19 Thu Show. 'Luminarie'. Lights on the sea. 9.30pm. Pietra Ligure (F) 20 Fri Concert. E. Grisi presents the album 'Femmina'. Teatro Ariston. 9.30pm. Sanremo (B)

21 Sat Race. 'La 5 miglia dei due moli'. Fun run. Largo Terrizzano - Capitaneria di Porto. 6pm. Imperia (D)

23 Mon Bonfire.'Aspeitando San Giuvani'. Picnic with bonfire on the beach. 8pm, fireworks at 10.30pm. Ospedaletti (B) 26 Thu Dance. 'Alassio International Open Dance Championship'. Dancing contest. Palalassio Ravizza, Via S. G. Battista 31. Every day until 29th June. Alassio (F)

27 Fri Concert. 'Donizetti Gala'. M. Devia (Soprano), Choir and Orchestra of the Teatro Carlo Felice. 8.30pm. Info at carlofelice.it Genoa (N) 28 Sat Harley Davidson meeting. Piazza IV Novembre and Via XX Settembre. 6pm. Also on 29th June. Ospedaletti (B5) Sailing and sports. 'Beneteau Coup' and 'Festa del mare'. Sailing regatta and sports day. Sport harbour Celle. All day. Also on 29th June. Varazze (K)

CLASSIFIEDS

WWW.RIVIERATIMES.COM

REAL ESTATE

JOBS WANTED LIVE-IN ESTATE management or guardian position wanted (part or full time) near Nice/Monaco or surrounds. Experienced , currently managing properties in Bourgogne and working as interior architect. English/French speaking. email : info@porcupine.org.za HANDYMAN looking for accomodation. German man in his 40s, self-employed, looking for accomodation on Cote d'Azur. Good manual and garden skills. Ideally reduced rent against maintenance/gardening. References. Frank 0625496273. schober.frank@sfr.fr PERSONAL ASSISTANT seeks full-time or part time job in Monaco. Languages: fluent English, French and German. Call: +33 683 0685 94

FOR SALE

V I L L A - F L AY O S C . C h a r m i n g single level villa of approx. 120 m² living space situated on a plot of 1300m² just outside the village centre of Flayosc. The villa comprises an entry hall, a large fully equipped kitchen, living room, 2 spacious bedrooms each with own bathrooms, & extra WC. A third bedroom is possible. The house is in excellent condition with lots of character. Outside there are 3 terraces of which two are covered. There is a possibility to construct a swimming pool. Residential and quiet area, south exposed, air-conditioning, double glazing, car shelter. Built in 2004. Price 348,000€. Contact: villa.lacharmille@orange.fr Tel: +33 (0)6 82 83 81 82.

BUSINESS

ON OFFER

PERSONAL

LOOKING FOR GERMAN/PORTUGUESE couple looks for work in private household and garden, live-in preferred, nonsmokers with references. She: German, 52, experience with domestic work, care for the elderly, driver's license, loves to cook, fluent English and French, some Italian. He: Portuguese, 43, versatile, experience in construction work, handymanning, maintenance, gardening, basic English and French. Mob: 0033 673290658 or annmue55@gmail.com

REAL ESTATE

MEETINGS with Adonis, 32, 1.85 m. Attractive Single Ladies can contact : infomail69@hispeed.ch www.AdonisTopofMen.com

NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS

BEAUTIFUL, elegant, radiant, fit, and accomplished woman - 40 yrs old, seeks a world-class partner 45-60 yrs old, in every sense of the word. E-mail: just1muse@yahoo.com BUSINESSMAN partly retired, 69 years, 178cm, uncommitted, living on the French Riviera seeks happy, cultured, warm-hearted and sophisticated woman with whom to share his hobbies like golf, hiking, cultural things and travelling. Not looking for adventures. CHIFFRE 857 or chiffre@mediterra.com

NICE WEST sea view villa for sale. 190m2. Ideal for investment, 2 families, holiday- or primary residence. 2 independant floors. In total 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Newly renovated. Ocean 800m. Several fruit-, palm- and olive trees. No access by car. Only stairs. Contact: Lene Pedersen,Tel 06 19 26 06 46, lenevp@gmail.com YOUR NEW home, amazing home in Antibes - Have a look at fr.foncia..com (Réf. 836257) h t t p : / / f r. f o n c i a . c o m / a n n o n c e s immobilieres/transaction/detail.php?bd_id =FON&bien_id=836257 ON SALE: 46 paintings by the famous Italian artist Adriano Maraldi and the antique carpet ( with a certification ). For details e-mail Olga bodymindandsoulspirit@gmail.com BEFORE LEAVING the Côte I am selling all kinds of art books, biographies in English and German, novels, etc. Also a fossil table and a fossil wall plate, and a 31 volume of Will Durant's "Kulturgeschichte der Menschheit". Contact TENCO@libello.com

HOLIDAY RENTAL

BOOKS

TYPICAL LIGURIAN from 19th century, fully refurbished and nicely furnished, in a tiny hamlet in a nature park, 40km to Genoa, 120m2, 2 bedrooms, roof terrace, patio, garden, excellent return as a holiday home , 125.00€ p/n, contact: intercultura@panet.it, www.homeaway.co.uk/p501676, www.idealista.it/en/immobile/5067501 NEAR PORTOFINO: 3 km from the sea, beautifully restored stone house on a hillside with panoramic views, surrounded by 850m2 olive grove, 150m2 living space, two independent units, garden, terraces, pergola, fireplace, pellet stove, furnished tastefully, excellent return as a holiday home, 390.00€ p/n, please contact: intercultura@panet.it, homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p44009 idealista.it/en/immobile/5795124/

FOR RENT LOVELY 1-BEDROOM Garden Bungalow for rent in Vence. Totally private. Up to 4 Guests. Pool, WIFI & Sky. 420 euros per week. Contact Mme ARNOLD 06.62.32.23.84 GREAT LOCATION for commuting to Monaco. Furnished one bedroom apartment in Carnoles (Roquebrune Cap Martin) Large double bedroom, living room with sofa bed and TV. Bathroom with shower and washing machine. €975 pm Inclusive rental with gas, electricity, water, local taxes, and building charges €1100 pm. Please contact : ViolettesMenton@gmail.com 0033 (0) 603162025. MONACO STUDIO rented directly from owner, Fax/Tel.: +41 86 079 400 4995.

JOBS OFFERED

FOR SALE AT: NICE Relais H Aéroport 1 et 2 FNAC 30 avenue Jean Médecin MONACO Maison de la Presse de Monaco 1bis rue Grimaldi SAINT-TROPEZ Librairie du Port 11 rue des Commerçants guidegantie.com

LOOKING FOR FRENCH AND GERMAN lessons, translations from a teacher with international experience. Also offers child care with language training. Tel: 06 86 62 18 60.

HEALTH