The English-language newspaper for the French - Italian Riviera & Monaco since 2002
www.rivieratimes.com Issue 151 - October 2014 2.50e
Kylie Minogue in Monaco Aussie star brings
new tour to the Riviera
FINANCE & INSURANCE Why do I need business insurance? Act now on new inheritance law
ART & CULTURE Car shows, musicals, exhibitions and more! 
enter & win
Tickets to the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
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WELCOME
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And so it begins Everything seems a bit chaotic at the moment, like we are on the brink of something big, just when the world appeared to be getting back to normal. At the time of writing this, a native of Nice, Hervé Gourdel, had been executed by a militant group in Algeria linked to the Islamic State (IS) organisation. It came just hours after IS issued a statement urging Muslims to kill westerners whose nations have joined a campaign to battle the jihadist group, particularly American, French and Australian nationals. I am an Australian living in France. That makes me doubly worried. Just days earlier, Australian police foiled an alleged plot by IS jihadists to conduct "demonstration killings" in the country, including randomly beheading members of the public. IS militants had already executed three western hostages - two American journalists and a British aid worker. So now the war has begun. In late September, France and America started air strikes in Iraq, backed by military support from Australia, Canada and even Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada are lending support in different ways. Everyone appears to agree that IS is an enemy that must be stopped. But how will this war affect us at home? How many 'lone wolves' will take up the shocking call of the Islamic State? Will racism rear its ugly head again in the face of extremists? We have, regrettably, been propelled back to a time of fear and uncertainty, made all the more real with the brutal execution of someone close to home - Hervé Gourdel. How this chapter plays out now, only time will tell.
inside... 4 News
14 Saint Tropez
5 People & Places
15 Gourmet
Riviera and Monaco news in brief
Interview with Valbonne Mayor Marc Daunis Vote for Nice’s Promenade du Paillon
6 Art & Culture
Nice’s first Classic Car Show Marlborough Gallery’s latest offering Brigitte Bardot’s most extraordinary fan The Baroque Ensemble of Nice
9 Monaco
Principality finances in a healthy position Monaco’s cultural gems on show Grimaldi Forum’s explosive end to 2014 AS Monaco “betrays” fans
12 Special: Finance & Insurance
Why do I need business insurance? Act now on 2015 inheritance law changes Protect your future, wherever you are
Antipodes Film Festival
Three star culinary heaven Restaurant recommendations Nice’s first 3D café
16 Business & Finance
Riviera Business Awards 2014 Disastrous season for olive growers
18 Events
October’s top events and exhibitions
20 Community
Local clubs, Life Support and columns
21 Property
Property series: Valdeblore
22 Classifieds
Local businesses, job offers, services and more
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NEWS
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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
THE CALIFORNIAN based company Uber has announced the launch of its private taxi services in Nice. Using the Uber app, passengers can be connected with drivers of vehicles for hire and be picked up via GPS signals from a precise location. It is also possible to pay for a fare through the app. Customers will pay 15 centimes per minute or a euro per kilometre for the fares in Nice, and the pricing system will remain the same throughout the day. Unsurprisingly, taxi drivers have reacted angrily. THE CONSTRUCTION of Monaco's impressive pavilion has begun in preparation for the 2015 Word Expo in Milan. Monaco will be one of 144 countries represented at the expo, which is themed 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.' The Italian architect who designed the pavilion, Enrico Pollini, based it on three things: shipping containers, transport and storage elements. THE FRENCH Building Federation has warned that a further 2,000 workers in the construction industry may lose their jobs before the end of the year. It comes as more cuts have been predicted for the Nice Matin group, while national newspaper Liberation is looking to drop around a third of its workforce in order to stay afloat. THE AMERICAN video streaming service Netflix has expanded to include France in their user countries. From September, French residents are now able to sign up to the site for a small fee and have access to unlimited English-
Australian star Kylie Minogue will take to the stage in Monaco as part of her Kiss Me Once tour. The sit-down concert will take place in the iconic Monte Carlo Sporting hall on Saturday October 11th. Kylie's Kiss Me Once album was released on March 17th 2014 … the star's first studio album since Aphrodite in 2010. Produced by Kylie Minogue and Sia, the album takes listeners back to the dance floor. Also featured on the album is Pharrell Williams, who wrote the song I Was Gonna Cancel. "Making this album took some time, but I loved every minute of it! This is a moment of my life when I have experienced a great deal of change, and I am delighted with the result," said Kylie. Kylie's Kiss Me Once Tour will pass through 15 countries, as the artist, famous for her live shows, performs the best and most loved songs from her old and new repertoire. Tickets are priced from 253.50 euros.
language films and TV on internet connected devices. A POSTMAN has been sentenced to three years in prison after exploiting his position in Nice and stealing identity documents, enabling him to set up bank accounts in their name and make purchases on the Internet worth thousands of euros. A 25-YEAR-OLD man was killed after being pushed under a tram in Nice. It is believed an altercation broke out between the victim and another man over a cigarette. The second man was arrested the following day. The safety feature of the tram, designed to prevent the vehicle from colliding with any obstacle in its path, was not initiated due to the victim's positioning - he fell by the side of the tram rather than directly in front. NEW REGULATIONS introduced by the French government will limit the number of undeclared cigarettes which may be brought into France by an individual, from ten cartons to four. It is hoped that the change will encourage a reduction in black market cigarette transactions across the country. THE LATEST crime statistics have been released, showing that the number of thefts have
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dropped in the Alpes Maritimes by 16.4% from the same period in 2013. They are currently at a record low over the past decade in the region, and have fallen by 35% since 2005, from 2,237 cases of theft to 1,454. Burglaries fell 3.7% compared to last year. But the number of violent incidents has continued to rise for the fifth consecutive year, increasing by 11.6%. The number of violent incidents has been amplified by 36.6% over the past decade. THE FINANCIAL Times has ranked EDHEC (Écoles des hautes études commerciales du nord) 16th best in the world and 4th best in France for its Masters in Management programme. Nice is home to one of the two main campuses for the business school in France. Around 20% of EDHEC students on campus are international and the 13 business based courses are taught exclusively in English. FRANCE'S COMPETITION watchdog has recommended the renegotiation of current toll rates charged by motorway companies. It revealed that the companies can pocket up to 20 - 24% in profit; in 2011 they cleared a total of 7.6 billion euros. In the leaked report, it said: "These profits are neither justified by the companies' costs nor the risks to which they are exposed." However
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change seems unlikely until at least 2027 and 2033 when the binding contracts with companies such as AREA, ASF and ESCOTA will expire. A MUSEUM owner and collector originally from Nice has added the final piece to an unusual collection – for 437,500 euros. Gérard Lhéritier recently bought the marriage certificate of Napoleon Bonapart and his wife Josephine, which will couple with their divorce certificate that he already owns. When many expressed disbelief at the amount the 66-year-old paid for the document, he responded: “For unique pieces, there is no budget.” THE BELGIAN media group Rossel, alongside the Marzocco group - a Monaco construction company, and businessman Iskandar Safa, are offering 50 million euros to take over the troubled Nice Matin group. The proposal calls for major developments to be made to revive the group, including more focused websites, the creation of an events centre, and the development of a local radio and television department. However, job cuts would be significant, with 40% of the 1,106 employees facing redundancy. A decision is expected to be made by Nice Commercial Court on 13th October.
Tasty songbird anyone? Monegasque chef Alain Ducasse and some of his esteemed colleagues want to be allowed to serve the ortolan songbird at their restaurants for one day a year. "A complete ban on serving the ortolan goes against centuries of tradition," said the chefs to AFP, "it encourages a black market with exorbitant prices" which can reach up to 200 euros per bird. The dish is traditionally eaten with a napkin placed over the head, said to enhance the aroma of the dish but also shield the shame of eating such a beautiful songbird from the eyes of God. Hunting of the ortolan was banned in 1999 due to the fact the songbirds are force fed grain so that they double in size and they are then drowned in Armagnac which prepares them for roasting. Just weeks earlier, Ducasse, the most Michelinstarred cook on the planet, made headlines for reducing the amount of meat served at his Parisian restaurant because we must "consume more ethically, more fairly," he said.
SPORTEL Monaco This year, SPORTELMonaco will celebrate 25 years during its special Anniversary Convention from 7th to 10th at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. SPORTEL conventions are a unique platform for programming and sports content for the international media market, ideal for networking and the exchange of ideas, to meet with stakeholders and develop business opportunities. Among this year's exhibitors are Fox Sports, HBO, Globo, NBC Sports, NFL, ESPN and EuroSport. Over four days, SPORTEL Monaco brings together an international market of buyers and sellers of sports rights, an international symposium in partnership with the IOC, a host of conferences, sports demonstrations and the 'Golden Podium' gala on 8th October, rewarding the best sports movies of the year.
www.jerrymetellus.com
As part of the evening, and specially created for the anniversary, there will be a prize for the ‘Best autobiography’, which will be awarded to Mike Tyson for his book ‘The Truth and Nothing Else’.
PEOPLE & PLACES
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Democracy and determination Three-time Mayor of Valbonne Marc Daunis reveals the motivation behind his success Among his many hats, Marc Daunis is the Mayor of Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, vice president of the Urban Community of Sophia Antipolis (CASA), and president of the France-Australia group. The Socialist party member was first elected mayor in March 2001 and has been a major player in growing the business technology side of Sophia Antipolis, including the 'future ZAC des Clausonnes' extension. THE RIVIERA TIMES: Mayor Marc Daunis, you were reelected for the third consecutive time, in the first round of the local elections, to lead Valbonne. How can you explain this success? MARC DAUNIS: My citizens have indeed renewed their trust in me, and in such a spectacular way, with 55% of the local population giving me their votes. It's encouraging and demanding at the same time. In addition to the local and national context, our citizens have chosen to show their recognition for what's been accomplished and thus illustrate their willingness for us to go even further together, with the projects and values outlined in the 'Better to Live Together' plan that I promoted. It's a great encouragement and a driving force for all of our team. What are your main priorities as mayor? The most important priority is that we provide concrete
results in response to everyone's expectations. In addition to my responsibility and dedication to promoting our municipality, I am committed, alongside our team, to combining our passion and energy to target five priority challenges: employment, housing, travel, transportation, and education, as outlined in the Communaute d'Agglomération (CASA) of Sophia Antipolis. These commitments require our full attention and we will put all of our energy into them. We will work, as we always have done, in consultation with our fellow citizens by including them as much as possible in all of the important decisions regarding the future of our area. Restoring confidence in our local democracy is also a major issue, not only with regards to these times of economic crisis, but also on a social or societal level, in a world undergoing profound change.
What is the next big project for the town of Valbonne? The next priority project is the ‘ZAC des Clausonnes’. The development of the Clausonnes sector is indeed a major challenge of economic development on both a departmental and regional scale. It will, above all, help to strengthen the appeal of Europe's leading technology park, thus avoiding the need for high profile people having to leaving Sophia Antipolis. The town wants to ensure that the project is based on the simple principle that every consumer can become a participant in their own patterns of consumption and thus contribute to the emergence of new business models. Therefore a plan is in place to implement a program which will see around 150,000m2 of floor space constructed, upon which offices, public facilities, public services, a hotel, shops, and other activities will be
Mayor of Valbonne Marc Daunis relies on input from his constituents
located. There will also be spaces dedicated to organic farming and agro-pastoralism, not to mention the strengthening of the existing hamlet. Another major plan, which meets one of the four priority aims we have set for ourselves, is the creation of new housing schemes in the municipality, to serve as a springboard onto the property ladder while also promoting the mixing of social housing. Aware of the
Vote for Nice’s Promenade du Paillon
Stan Aron
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ice's newest and most popular attraction, the Promenade du Paillon, is up for a national landscaping award. 'Victoires du Paysage' aims to reward the designers of exemplary landscaped spaces for enhancing the quality of life by transforming existing areas into natural works of art, in all types of spaces and on all scales. The Promenade du Paillon is one of 18 nominated in the 'urban parks and gardens' category, which includes two other landscaped spaces in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region.
"I promised to demolish the concrete to make way for the countryside. The result: hundreds of thousands of people come here," said Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi to the visiting judges in early September. "There are also plans to extend the Promenade further north… in five to six years' time, people will be able to take advantage of almost 9km of gardens. A city without nature is a city without humanity." The gardens caught attention for various reasons: its presence as a haven of green in the heart of the city, its role in providing a link
between the Old Town and 21st century Nice, its sustainability, its role as a place for recreation and enjoyment, and its dedication to celebratory art, cultural and sporting events. The 1.2km park is home to 1,600 trees, 6,000 shrubs and 50,000 bushes. A particular novelty is the 128 water jets situated over two locations which create a 'mirror of water'. The public can put forward their vote until 30th November 2014 on: www.lesvictoiresdupaysage.com or the competition's Facebook page. Madeleine Adey
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challenges, Valbonne Sophia Antipolis has been committed to land control action for many years in order to curb the harmful effects of property speculation (regarding the tenants' 'right to buy') and in turn coming to an amiable agreement with the sellers. We are dedicated to the wellbeing of everyone, and not to let investors feel that they can do whatever they wish. We were pioneers in this field and
should amplify these successes both at a local level and at the level of CASA. There are many residents in your community who are expats. Why do you think they chose your municipality? They appreciate, without doubt, our commitment to having an open community. They are exposed to many cultural events and a warm and friendly atmosphere, with a good balance of tradition and modernity. Whether it is new residents or those that were born here, many of us consider Valbonne Sophia Antipolis as a community where life is good, and, in many ways, outstanding. Many envy us for the area's charm and quality of life. But, most of all, I am especially confident that they feel a nice kind of chemistry, of a community preserving its authenticity but at the same time one which is alive, human and dynamic; one that is able to look to the future with clarity and determination, but also one that is confident it can harbor innovation and be developed, while still preserving its soul. Madeleine Adey
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ART & CULTURE
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The resurrection of
symbolism
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urprising paintings out of another world. Yes, it's obviously contemporaneous painting, but all the characters, symbols and scenes are taken out of ancient times: Leda, Phoenix, Pegasus, Achilles, Helena, Troy and so on. These characters are obviously symbolic, woven in symbolic tales about the essential questions of mankind like love and loneliness, courage and cowardice, fight and death. It's sometimes difficult to recognise the mythological characters in the paintings, they are disintegrated in a network of body parts, eyes, ails and hairs. This rhythmical interweaving of abstract stylised body parts creates a fascinating, ornamental structure all over the canvas. In a second process the artist intervenes with strong colours; they are pure, enchanting and hypnotising and douse the delicate ornamental forms of the basic drawing. The eye enjoys it to the full, the mind is overwhelmed. This art is far from any realism, it is rather a new kind of symbolism which had its blossom period in the penultimate turn of the century in Western Europe. The poetic titles match the symbolic content (Pegasus Meets the Crimson Phoenix). They give no explanation; they mention only the characters and a mysterious relationship between them. The Riviera Times: In your paintings, you provide encounters of mythological characters out of different cultural traditions. For what reason do you create this mix? Ahmet G端nestekin: I want to express that all these myths, particularly the Hellenic and the Mesopotamian myth, are very For an area steeped in motor racing history, including the world famous Monaco Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Rally, which takes place annually in the foothills of the Alpes Maritimes, the French Riviera is the logical place to hold a celebration of classic motors. This is the prevailing thought of the organisers of the French Riviera Classic Motor Show, which will be the first event of its kind to be held on the C担te d'Azur and will run from 10 th to 12th October in Nice. The event will showcase some of the world's most renowned classic cars including the Ferrari Enzo and a unique model of the Porsche 917 Spyder Can-Am. In addition, the personal collection of Prince Albert of Monaco, which usually resides in the Principality's museum of antique automobiles, will be exhibited. The collection, comprising 100 cars from classic saloons to iconic sports cars, will take pride of place at the show. A further 120 owners of classic cars from the region have been invited to exhibit, ensuring that the Riviera Classic Motor Show provides an impressive display for automobile enthusiasts. The show, which is expected to attract an international audience, will also be offering more than just classic cars. Exhibitors will be displaying a wide selection of motorbikes and racing boats to continue the motorsport theme and artists will be present to both create and showcase their photographs and paintings linked to the exhibition. There will also be activites to keep the whole family entertained, including driving simulators for children. The Riviera Classic Motor Show will be held at the M.I.N. d'Azur in Nice and will be open from 10am to 6pm each day.
Your contribution to the last Biennale of Venice, which provoked much attention and was conducive to your international breakthrough, was explicitly political and used new media. Was this an exception in your work? With the multiform oeuvre 'Momentum of Memory' I put Ahmet G端nestekin together new media like the video installation, a sculpture important for me and I think their symbolic in the centre of the exhibition and a large bas-relief. Until then, paintings and basmessage is still significant today. The sun is an element that plays a reliefs were predominant in my work. The dominant role in nearly all of your oeuvres. message in Venice should have come Why do you give so much importance to it through very clear: the denunciation of the and to which mythological tradition do suppression of the Kurdish language exemplified in the interdiction of the letters you refer? In the pre-Hellenistic world there was a sun W, Q and X which don't exist in the Turkish cult in Anatolia, proof of which you can see but only in the Kurdish alphabet. Basically, in the ruins of a sun temple constructed my profound conviction is: it's essential for the humanitarian evolvement of mankind about 12,000 years B.C. Does the sun cult still hold a religious that people all over the world develop an interest, tolerance and respect for the significance personally for you? I am and will always be a Muslim, it is an cultural traditions of others and discover the established fact of my family tradition. The richness of the world cultural heritage. sun as a life-giving element is a superior power which is evident for me, in which I This profound conviction expressed in the interview is reflected in his resolution to believe and which I adore. In Islam there is an image interdiction, study the history and myths of each country particularIy for the representation of God he visits for an exhibition. Here in Monaco, and high-ranged characters in its religious the audience can see an oeuvre which owes tradition. The consequence is that Muslim its existence to this intention - the big art is highly dominated by ornaments. quadrinomial painting in the entry hall of Has this image interdiction affected your the Marlborough Gallery 'The Four Seasons of the Grimaldi', in which G端nestekin personal artistic expression? No, the figurative way of expression is illustrates a notorious episode in the history present in all my oeuvres, even though in an of the House of Grimaldi. The exhibition will be held at the abstract stylised way. When in a painting Pegasus meets Phoenix, both can be Marlborough Gallery in Monaco until 14th recognised in their profile and characteristic November. details. Alfred Thum
Celebrating the
classics
Photo: Rent A Classic Car
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ART & CULTURE
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BB in his heart and on his arm The Riviera Times caught up with Bruno Ricard - Brigitte Bardot's biggest, and most extraordinary, fan
From sunglasses to a transistor radio and that iconic bikini top: avid Brigitte Bardot fan and collector Bruno Ricard has so many things from the "first life" of BB, that he can fill an entire exhibition. Until 26th October, at the magnificent Château de La Messardière in Saint Tropez, numerous cult objects relating to the star will be on show. But Ricard is also connected to the "second life" of Brigitte Bardot. Like the former French actress, he too is passionate about animal welfare.
"You either love her or you don't," says Bruno Ricard, referring to Brigitte Bardot. There is certainly no doubt that this 48-year-old French man loves her. So much, in fact, that he has her face tattooed on his upper arm. "She is very straight forward, and so am I." In addition to this common attitude, the pair also shares a passion for animal welfare. She is the founder and president of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, he, for many years, was charged with certain responsibilities, like enlightening the public about the suffering of animals and the actions of the BB Foundation. The foundation now boasts over 70,000 members worldwide. The two first met in front of the Canadian Embassy in Paris at a demonstration against the massacre of seals. Bruno and Brigitte have been in regular contact ever since. "I admire
memorabilia related to his idol. Today, he is considered one of the most important collectors of this kind in the world. Among his treasures are around 1,300 vinyl records, a transistor radio from the iconic film that launched BB's career - 'And God Created Woman', two Warhol portraits of BB, close to 12,000 international publications, and hundreds of movie posters.
her and never bother her. Nowadays, she invites almost no one to her home, La Madrague, in Saint Tropez. But the times that I am with her, she is very down-to-earth. She has a heart of gold." During one of Brigitte Bardot's numerous campaigns against the fur industry, the president of the Fur Association came storming into the then barely secured rooms of the BB Foundation. "He was completely outraged. Brigitte called me and asked me to watch the office overnight. I could never say no to her," remembers Bruno affectionately.
"I will not stop collecting until my last breath," says Bruno convincingly. "I want to own everything ever published about Brigitte; and with around 3.5 million pages on Google with her name, every day I discover something new!"
"I sometimes write Brigitte letters. The first time I received a response my hands were shaking, I thought, 'I'm going to faint'."
Bruno Ricard devotes six to eight hours each day to his passion. He receives requests from all over the world and takes part in documentaries. He also organises exhibitions, like the current one in Saint Tropez titled 'The Best
A quarter of a century ago, Bruno began feverishly chasing even the smallest piece of
eclectic sounds The Baroque Ensemble of Nice
t
he Baroque Ensemble of Nice is in the midst of an electrifying and diverse 2014/2015 season, showcasing a host of talented performers and the most exciting musical selections. In collaboration with the Louis Nucéra library, the new programme seeks to expand upon the aesthetic and artistic reflection of the most prominent artistic themes of the Baroque period, particularly regarding the mythological world and the restoration of life. The season includes not only concerts, but also lectures, which can be complemented with tours of the Palais Lascaris, which holds an impressive array of musical instruments from the Baroque era. 2014 will enjoy a festive and colourful end with the interpretation by Jean-Christophe Maillard of Berger Fortuné. As an illustrious defender of musette de cour (an instrument of the bagpipe family), musicologist and
An artistic reflection of the dramatic themes of the 17th and 18th centuries Claire Lefilliatre musician Maillard will lead the strings and oboe of the Ensemble through the pastoral adventures depicted in the collection of illustrative pieces and concertos by Corrette Charpentier (5th and 7th December, with a lecture on 3rd by Maillard). In Folies & Furies, Julie Robard-Gendre, a young mezzo-soprano well known on the operatic stage, will lend her talents as both a singer and actress to excerpts from some of the biggest scenes of Vivaldi and Handel's opera. In keeping with Baroque opera she will portray both male and female roles as Deianira, Medea, Lucretia and Theseus. It will be hosted on both 14th and 16th November in conjunction with a lecture entitled Folies & Furies dans l'opéra baroque , led by musicologist Patrick Barbier on the 12th November. Away from the operatic stage and over to
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the baroque side of the programme, the Baroque Ensemble of Nice welcomes two sopranos. The mythological theme continues with Le Sommeil d'Ulisse, a French cantata and one of composer Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre's finest masterpieces. The sublime and dramatic soprano voice of Claire Lefilliatre portrays the iconic figures of sorceress Medea, Neptune, Minerva, all either triumphant or torn by human passions. The performance will be held on 13th and 15th February 2015. And, on 29th and 31st May 2015, another soprano will grace the stage, in the form of Isabelle Poulenard. In Orphée, Poulenard will portray Orpheus, a key figure in the birth of Baroque opera, and includes Telemann's orchestral overture La lyra alongside excerpts from Handel's Semele and Hasse's Enea in Caonia. www.ensemblebaroquedenice.com
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of Brigitte Bardot'. But this is just a hobby, because he actually manages the Paul Belmondo Museum in Boulogne Billancourt, which is dedicated to the father of French actor Jean Paul Belmondo. It is not surprising perhaps to learn that Brigitte Bardot is also the "honorary godmother" of Bruno's 16-year-old son Stephen. Both were born, he says, on the same day of the month and the same hour. Just one more thing that connects Bruno to his beloved idol. Petra Hall Bruno Ricard's blogs: brigitte-bardot.over-blog.net saint-tropez-bailli.blog4ever.com Ricard is also sponsor of the animal group GAMA: www.facebook.com/associationglama?fref=ts
MONACO
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Monaco's finances in healthy position Improvements across the board mark a successful year for the Principality
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n spite of difficult global financial conditions, recent figures released by Monaco's Ministry of Finance and Economy indicate that the Principality's annual revenue has risen to over one billion euros for the first time to 1,031,136,400 euros. The total revenue for 2014 is around 80.2 million euros more than the government had anticipated and is 12% higher than last year. The additional income can be attributed to an increased amount of VAT, induced by growing consumption, but also to profits from legal transactions and corporate taxes. The expenditure for the Principality in 2014 was higher than first projected by 73 million euros and stands at 1,046,630,100 euros. This year's relatively small deficit therefore equates to around 15 million euros, down 7.7 million from the government's estimated figures and will be balanced
with funds from the Fonds de Réserve Constitutionnel. According to Minister of State Michel Roger, 2014's figures are "a remarkable achievement in the context of the current economic situation in Europe." Meanwhile, summer tourism figures for 2014 have also, in general, lived up to expectations. Despite unfavourable economic conditions for the tourism sector, the political crisis in Russia and Ukraine, and the unseasonably poor July weather conditions on the Côte d'Azur, this year's figures have continued the positive trend that Monaco's hotel industry has enjoyed in recent years. The average price per room let in the Principality across the summer months rose for the fifth consecutive year in 2014 due in part to the popularity of Monaco as a conference destination. The month of June was exceptional for business tourism, with nine conventions accounting for the sale of 800
room nights. However, general nomic climate, the success of tourism was down in the tourism in the month of month and as a result hotel August was a surprise. While occupation was down 5.78% the number of Russian tourists on June 2013, but compared fell by 29%, due in part to the favourably with preceding strengthening of the euro against the ruble in recent years. July 2014 on the Côte d'Azur months, there was an increase will be rememThe total revenue for in tourists from the Middle East bered for all the wrong reasons. 2014 is more than the of around 7.3%, The month government had antici- and improved w e a t h e r broke records pated and is 12% for rainfall while higher than last year. ensured that last minute temperatures were much lower than average. bookings increased subAs a consequence, says stantially. Overall figures for the year Monaco's government, tourism in the Principality fell between January and August by around 5% during July. showed that despite a Summer tourism is much reduction of 1.8% in room more reliant on last minute nights sold compared with bookings and the continuation 2013, the Principality's hotels of poor weather encouraged were able to offset their losses potential visitors to avoid the by increasing the price of the south of France and Monaco average room by 1.5% across throughout the month, despite the eight months. Hoteliers are anticipating a hotel room prices averaging consistent autumn season to 11.9% less than in July 2013. However, in the context of follow their summer highs and the current European eco- lows. The month of September
began in a promising fashion with the Annual Conference of Insurers a resounding success for Monaco's hotels. The end of the month was also busy from a tourism perspective owing to the popularity of the Monaco Yacht Show and hotels expect September room occupancy figures to have increased by around 3.5% from last year. A steady stream of important conferences will continue to support hotels until the end of 2014. In October there will be the annual Sportel and Luxe Pack events and the year will finish with a large medical congress and the International Olympic Committee's yearly gathering. These steady figures for hoteliers across Monaco have provided positive news for the Société des Bains de Mer group. Since the 2010/11 fiscal year, when SBM announced a shock 17.3 million euro loss, the company has continued to report substantial deficits
which reached a peak of 51.4 million euros in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. However, at the recent Annual General Meeting for shareholders, the group announced that it had stopped this worrying increase in operating loss and had seen its highest annual turnover in six years. The operating loss for the 2013-2014 period stands at 11.8 million euros, which shows a substantial improvement compared with the previous year's figures. The group's improved financial situation can be partially attributed to the resurgence of the online gaming company BetClick Everest Group, in which SBM own a 50% share. Indeed, at the AGM the group noted that this factor combined with steady hotel and rental income should encourage a return to operating profits in the near future, but the corporation will remain cautious after enduring such recent financial difficulties. Dominic Thurlow-Wood
Journées du Patrimoine: the highlights From mythological frescoes to prehistoric caves, take a look at the finest of Monaco’s cultural heritage
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he Journées du Patrimoine is to return to Monaco this month - the 19th edition of the event. The weekend will allow visitors to discover the beauty of the Principality's parks and gardens, with guided tours, nature walks, concerts and exhibitions scheduled to showcase the finest of Monaco's cultural heritage. For more than 20 years, the Journées du Patrimoine has celebrated the culture and heritage of Europe, with events across 50 countries from late August to early November, each edition assuming a different theme. This year, on the weekend of 11th and 12th
October, Monaco will be host to a wide range of events, all fitting in with the theme: 'Gardens of Monaco: Art and Botany'. A particular highlight comes in the form of the Exotic Garden and Observatory Cave, with free entry. This extraordinary garden, which is home to several thousand species of plants, was opened in 1933. Planted on the rocky mountainside and left to blossom beautifully, it is a kingdom of surreal and fascinating beauty. 60 metres below ground, visitors can see stalactites formed over thousands of years in the prehistoric cave. Opening
Take a rare glimpse into the stunning rooms of the Prince’s Palace
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times are from 9am-6pm on Sunday 12th, with talks at 10am and 3pm led by the garden's specialists on the theme: "A conservatory of exotic plants in Monaco: why, how and for whom?" Visitors might also be tempted to take advantage of the free entry into the State Apartments of the Prince's Palace. From 10am-6pm on Sunday 12th, visitors are invited to get a glimpse inside the apartments, which form part of the original fortress and ramparts built by the Genoese in 1215. The luxurious state residences are home to spectacular period features, including frescoes of
mythological figures which adorn the walls, dating from the 16th century, a doublerevolution Carrera marble staircase dating from the 13th century, and the Mirror Gallery, an imitation of Versailles where rows of mirrors form an image of a long succession of rooms, among many others. And finally, a musical highlight of the weekend's programme is a concert given by organist Olivier Vernet on Sunday 12th. The concert, which will take place at 2.30pm at the Monaco Cathedral, is entitled: 'A Musical Presentation of the Great Organ'. journeepatrimoinemonaco.com Madeleine Adey
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MONACO
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Explosive end to 2014
Muhlberger death 'accidental’ T
Grimaldi Forum packs in the action
Above: The award-winning musical Cats. Top right: Semianyki
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he Grimaldi Forum delivers the most cutting edge and exciting arts and entertainment programme each year, and the last months of 2014 are no exception. From the world famous musical production Cats to the hilarious life of clowns and the legendary Bolchoï Ballet, audiences can expect an explosive end to the year. The show that revolutionised musical comedy, Cats, comes to the Grimaldi Forum Monaco for only four performances from 1st to 4th October. Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and featuring the iconic song ‘Memory’, Cats is the benchmark show in the history of American musicals.
SPORTEL will be celebrating its 25th anniversary and special guest this year will be the one and only Mike Tyson, who will be accepting an award for his book 'Undisputed Truth: My Autobiography'. While the event is reserved for professionals, the public can expect to see sporting stars descend on the Principality from 7th to 10th October. For the first time, the Princess Grace Theatre will join forces with the Grimaldi Forum this month for an exceptional opening to the PGT season. Kicking off an ongoing Russian theme in the year ahead, the comedians from the French Comedy troupe will present 'Oblomov' by Ivan Alexandrovitch Gontharov, in collaboration with the Monaco
Prince Pierre Foundation. The action takes place in Russia in 1861. In keeping with the Russian theme, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a 100% Russian concert with the extremely talented pianist Evgeny Kissin, in the three masterpiece program of Sergei Rachmaninoff, under the direction of Lawrence Foster. This will take place on 19th October. Heading into November, and the most recognised international trade fair dedicated to nightlife and entertainment will take place from 12th to 14th November. Around 10,000 visitors are expected to take part, while the NRJ Music Awards will highlight the event. From 16th to 22nd November the Monte Carlo Opera will be performing ‘Romeo, Juliet … and the Monaco National Day’. The opera includes no less than four love duets and is considered the high point of creator Gounod's career. To liven up December, a family of Russian clowns will entertain audiences with a performance full of poetic folly, creative fury and corrosive humour. These Russian clowns don't speak, and yet everything is understood. The interactive performance of ‘Semianyki’ involves a flirtatious, pregnant mother, a responsible but alcoholic father who swings between nervous depression and the urge to live, and their four adorable but dreadful children who push their limits. There is one performance only on 11th December. On 19th to 21st December,
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the legendary Bolchoï Ballet Theatre will interpret ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, choreographed by JeanChristophe Maillot. And to wind up the year, the Monte Carlo Ballet presents ‘Faust’ - a powerful show through which Jean-Christophe Maillot illustrates his exceptional ability to orchestrate a body of artistic disciplines around dance. Spectators are invited to join Faust in his search for eternal youth and a life of pleasure. So the entertainment certainly doesn't wind down as 2014 slowly to an end. In fact, the programme manages to reach new highs. The 2014/2015 season will resume in January. Cassandra Tanti
he case involving the mysterious death of former Monegasque head of police André Muhlberger last summer has finally seen some development. Authorities have revealed that a judicial investigation for involuntary manslaughter has been opened, ruling out the idea that his death was a calculated crime. The opening of the manslaughter investigation came 14 months after the shocking incident. With plenty of speculation surrounding the tragedy, this new development confirms, for the justice department, the accidental nature of the death of André Muhlberger, who was director of public safety in Monaco from 2006 to 2012. Still to be resolved are the exact details surrounding his death and where responsibility lies. The incident happened on 23rd June when Muhlberger was struck by boat propellers
as he swam back to his rented yacht, a 22-metre Mangusta, which was anchored 300 metres from the shore. He had been lunching with friends at Plage Mala in Cap d'Ail. While others took a boat service from the beach to their boat, Muhlberger swam back with a friend. The authorities were alerted after the 50-year-old's body was spotted floating in the water. His legs and head were severely injured. In July this year, the captain of the Mangusta, a crew member and some members of the coastguard were questioned by police. No charges were laid. A judge has now been instructed to take over the investigation. "I requested a judge in order to get to the bottom of things and establish clear responsibilities," said Assistant Attorney Hervé Leroy, who was previously leading the case, to Monaco Matin.
World jazz tour in Monte Carlo
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onte Carlo Opera's Salle Garnier will host the 9th edition of the Monte Carlo Jazz Festival this November. The historic theatre will provide a stunning backdrop to the contemporary jazz which is the theme of this year's event. One of the key attractions of jazz is the mystery which surrounds it. The music ranges from uplifting rhythms to deeply emotional tones and varies greatly from performer to performer. This attribute will be showcased at the 2014 festival as organisers take audiences on a tour around the world. The festival will open on 25th November with the European trio Galliano, Lagrène and Lockwood, who combine the
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accordion, guitar and violin to create inspirational jazz music. On the same evening the Sylvain Luc & Stefano Di Battista Quartet will perform a guitar and saxophone based jazz, designed to complement two of the most highly recognised jazz soloists. The following evening, The Kenny Garrett Quintet and Ibrahim Maalouf will perform a jazz based on his American influences. Maalouf's music has been described as residing somewhere between the western world and the orient, combining his Lebanese roots with more conventional rock and jazz-funk music. Thursday 27th sees Ceu, a rising star on the South American jazz scene, showcasing
his Brazilian influences, followed by one of the week's most impressive spectacles: El Gusto, who will perform their North Africa inspired 'Chaabi' with an orchestra of 20 musicians. On Friday 28th, the festival will be graced by the return of Chris Rea - famed for his hits including 'Josephine' and 'Driving Home for Christmas'. Robin McKelle will also be performing; her music will transport the audience to the Tennessee city considered to be the home of the blues. The closing night on Saturday 29th will feature performances from Dee Dee Bridgewater and Curtis Stigers, providing a fitting end to an impressive week of jazz.
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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Falcao signs for Manchester Utd. Fans say they’re “betrayed” by club’s unexciting summer recruitment
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anchester United have completed the signing of Radamel Falcao from AS Monaco on a season long loan deal worth in the region of 7.5 million euros. Falcao had been linked with a move to many of Europe's elite clubs, however it was Manchester United who reached an agreement with AS Monaco hours before the summer transfer deadline on 1st September. The English club was forced to apply for an extension in order to complete the requisite paperwork, before annoucing the completed deal the following day. The Daily Telegraph reported the fee to be worth six million pounds (7.5 million euros) this season with Manchester United retaining an option to buy Falcao for around 35 million pounds (44 million euros) at the end of the campaign. The Colombian is renowned across Europe as one of the top strikers in football after successful spells at Porto, Atletico Madrid and most recently AS Monaco. He has enjoyed excellent goalscoring form at all his previous clubs including 13 goals in 22 matches for Monaco, and this was an important factor for
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. The former Holland coach said in a statement, "his appearance-togoal ratio speaks for itself and, when a player of this calibre becomes available, it is an opportunity not to be missed.” Manchester United's new centre-forward had been subject to growing speculation regarding his future since he watched Monaco's match against Lille from the stands in late August. The striker became the second high-profile Colombian to depart the Principality in as many weeks, after World Cup sensation James Rodriguez left to join Real Madrid in July. Vadim Vasilyev, the vice president and director general of AS Monaco, said that he "can't be happy to see Falcao leave but the team can not keep a player who wants to move to a bigger club." In comparison to last year's summer transfer window, Les Rouges et Blancs had a quiet summer with regards to incoming players. Vasilyev added that this was in part due to the rules of Financial Fair Play "which AS Monaco understand and must respect." Despite these restrictions, Aymen Abdennour and
Tiémoué Bakayoko have arrived at the club and will remain two important signings for new manager Leonardo Jardim, who is leading AS Monaco into Champions League football for the first time since 2005. Radamel Falcao's departure has left many AS Monaco fans feeling let down by the club's summer transfer dealings. High-profile departures and a lack of marquee signings have seen some supporters demanding a refund for their season tickets. After the widely publicised arrivals of James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Joao Moutinho last summer and a subsequent second place finish in Ligue 1, many Monaco fans believed that the club would go from strength to strength in both domestic and European football this season. However, the departure of Colombian starlet 'James' to Real Madrid, coupled with Falcao's last minute loan move to Manchester United, has left many AS Monaco supporters questioning the philosophy of the club. Supporters explained on Planète ASM that they "feel betrayed by the encouraging slogans which the club have
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promoted throughout the summer and the false promises that James and Falcao would guide the club to new heights." Fans said they also feel betrayed by "the significant increase in ticket prices for the season 20142015 based on these promises." One fan commented that although he understood the departures he was disappointed by the lack of investment which followed. As a result of these perceived failures, fans of the club on Planète ASM have encouraged disgruntled supporters to demand to be reimbursed for season tickets. They maintain that there should at least be a refund for the difference in price between the current and previous campaigns. After the difficult start to the season, AS Monaco were victorious over Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 in late September, giving them a much needed confidence boost. The team travel to Russia to face Zenit St Petersburg in their next Champions League fixture on 1st October, but will want to improve their standing from 19th in Ligue 1 before the end of the month. Dominic Thurlow-Wood
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Why do I need business insurance?
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(responsabilité civile), and it is often included in household insurance policies. However, businesses that are operated from home must be insured separately. In addition, Director's Liability Insurance is available to protect a company director from financial ruin of they are sued personally for mistakes made by his/her business, which is possible regardless of whether it is a limited liability company. • Product Liability Insurance: covers your business for damages caused by a product designed, supplied, or manufactured by your business. • Car insurance: while basic car insurance is compulsory in France, make sure that your car insurance also covers business use. • Bankruptcy or other cessation of business. • Business Interruption Insurance: compensation for lost cash flow and profits incurred after an event has interrupted your normal business operations. • Life and Disability Insurance: Covers your business in the event of the death or disability of key owners, partners, or employees.
ne of the common threads among expats in the south of France and Monaco is entrepreneurship … many have taken the plunge and started their own business, be it large or small. For anyone who is looking to do the same, it is important to know that your business must be insured. Alongside a number of compulsory insurances in France, there are also those that are recommended for businesses and the self-employed. Whether you buy your insurance online or faceto- face with an insurance professional, the best way to make an informed decision is to know exactly what your business does and doesn't do, as well as its future direction. This way you won't be paying for unnecessary insurance. Take an inventory of the risks that your business is exposed to; they are likely fall into the following categories: • Property insurance: loss of or damage to physical possessions as a result of factors like fire, theft, flood or breakage. • Liability insurance: covers you in the event that someone sues you for negligence if, for example, they fall whilst on your property. It is compulsory to have Employee Liability Insurance in France, in the event an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of working for your business. Every resident in France is required by law to be insured for public liability
There are also a number of optional insurances, given the nature of your business. For example, Protection juridique covers legal costs, and Assurance de materiel professionnel policies cover tools and machinery.
Protect yourself, wherever you are The riviera may be the location of your dreams but the wrong insurance coverage can turn it into a nightmare The pleasant climate and Mediterranean cuisine attract many foreigners to southern France. Whether already retired or still fully integrated into the working world, the Riviera offers numerous advantages and, for many, is a paradise on earth. But what if you no longer enjoy the food or can't stand the heat? What if you have an accident and your life situation has completely changed overnight?
Coverage for disability and retirement planning You cannot count on a reliable coverage abroad for most shortterm and long-term disability benefits. When abroad, retirement must be carefully planned and often re-covered. It's in these situations that personal and professional support is essential because statutory provisions in your home and host country can vary greatly and influence your situation. Only when you have the right product can you rest assured that you and your family's future is protected.
International health insurance offers many different benefits The policies of most international health insurance companies offer comprehensive, global and private insurance coverage for illness and accidents. Depending on the plan, outpatient and inpatient costs will be covered up to 100%. A lifetime insurance coverage is guaranteed, as well as coverage for chronic diseases and free choice of doctor and hospital. You can enjoy unlimited insurance coverage, regardless of your professional or recreational activities and the sports you exercise. Request for coverage from one of the providers
ASN, Advisory Services Network Ltd - we are here to help We know the questions that people have when they are abroad which is why people of all nationalities as well as companies around the world rely on our advice and support. We can find the right insurance solution for you, contact us today!
Lucien Héritier I Head of Customer Support at ASN, Advisory Services Network AG in Zurich, Switzerland I TeI+ 41-43 399 89 89 I info@asn.ch
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ADVERTORIAL
Can you count on your insurance and rely completely on the benefits promised? All insurances are not the same, and benefits may vary greatly depending on the individual company. Sometimes, local insurance policies aren't all they seem. Individual providers have the ability to terminate your insurance once you have reached 70 years of age, or raise premiums through the roof. Requesting insurance with another company at this age is often impossible do to pre-existing conditions. People face massive increases in premiums, coverage exclusions and loss of supplementary insurance.
is possible at any age. It is recommended that you join us before the age of 60 to benefit from a 15-50% reduction in the premium.
How can you be sure that you have the right insurance coverage for your needs? Check your insurance policy and carefully read the fine print, particularly the general insurance conditions. Insurance can create a world of confusion which is why it is important to seek advice from a competent source. Good advice does not need to be expensive and bad advice can be very costly by bringing on unforeseen costs.
Act now
on new inheritance law changes
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With long-awaited succession changes on the horizon, expats are being urged to change their Wills now to benefit from the new EU law
ew inheritance laws are due to come into effect in less than 12 months, allowing expats living in France to decide who will receive their assets when they die. The good news is, people who own property in France can get a head start and make the necessary changes to their will now, ahead of the August 2015 law change. France is one of a number of countries in the European Union that governs the taxation and devolution of real estate upon the death of a resident. In other words, French law determines which family member gets what, and it overrules a Will if it doesn't correspond with the law. But individual succession laws have become complicated in the EU when you consider that 13 million citizens live in a Member State other than their own, and 21 million citizens from third countries live in an EU Member State. So, on 4th July 2012, the European Union adopted Regulation 650/2012, providing a simplified framework for people who have private and financial interests in at least two countries, both within and outside the European Union. Under the regulation, any resident who has assets in France can choose either the succession law of France or the law of their nationality (or another if they have multiple nationalities) to govern the devolution of their French estate. The law as it stands now Up until 17th August 2015, children are specifically protected under French inheritance laws. The table below identifies the entitlements that are allocated by the State; the remainder can be distributed as the resident wishes: Inheritors Spouse One child Two children Three children
Allocation 1/4 of estate 1/2 of estate 2/3 of estate 3/4 of estate
Parents and other relatives are not protected heirs, however if there is no Will then Ordinary Rights of Inheritance will see the assets shared evenly amongst this group. What is important to note is in the absence of any inheritance planning the default position is that the succession of an expat's estate will be governed by the State of their habitual residence … in this case France. Interestingly, the new law also applies to countries outside of the EU. So, for example, people from Australia can nominate Australian succession law. The rules do not apply to owners of French property who are not living in France. Read the fine print The regulation explicitly excludes some very important elements however, for example donations, life insurance contracts, trusts, matrimonial property regimes and taxation. The rules regarding tax do not change. According to François Tremosa, President of the CNUE 'Successions Law' working group, "Each country in which either the deceased or one of the heirs resides, in addition to each country in which an element of the estate can be found, maintains the right to tax the transfer."
Last Wills and Testaments (le Fichier Central des Dispositions de Dernières Volontés FCDDV) so that it can be found easily. The four types of French Wills are: • Holographic Will: written entirely in the testator's own handwriting, without the presence of witnesses or notaires. Must state precisely the location, day, month and year of its creation. • Authentic Will: drawn up by a notaire in accordance with the testator's instructions in the presence of two witnesses or another notaire. Witnesses must understand French. A husband and wife cannot be witnesses of the same will. • Mystic Will: This is handed to the notaire in the presence of two witnesses or another notaire, in a sealed envelope. This provides the flexibility of a holographic Will and the security
of an authentic Will in view of the involvement of a notaire. • International Will: Can be made in any language, and does not have to be hand written. The testator will declare that this is their will in front of two witnesses and a notaire, and they will sign it in front of everyone. Finally, the regulation allows for a European Certificate of Succession (ECS) which will enable people to assert their status as heir or administrator of a succession in all participating EU States, assisting the process if different properties are located throughout the EU. It should be noted that even after 2015, a person from the United Kingdom still must obtain an English grant of representation to collect and distribute UK assets, and tax may also be payable on the French property.
Why act now? Expats are encouraged to act now to make the necessary nominations in their Wills, identifying which law will apply to their property. It is a very important process, which involves couples discussing their options, choosing the best law, fixing estate arrangements, adapting marriage contracts, strengthening it with a Will etc… all which require reflection and time. How to draw up a Will in France It is advisable to draw up and give the Will (in French or English) to a notaire who will, in turn, register it with the French National Registry of
School grants for 2014/15
The government recently released details of the school grants for the 2014/15 year, providing financial assistance for families to help with schooling related costs. The Allocation de Rentrée Scolaire (ARS) grant ranges from between 363 and 396 euros, depending on the age of the children. The grant is means tested (2012 income), so if you have only one child the maximum qualifying net income is 24,137 euros, increasing to 29,707 euros for two children and 35,227 for three children. There are also a range of other grants available, including the bourses de collèges and bourses de lycée. The assistance is available to any family residing in France, irrespective of nationality, so long as they meet the criteria.
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SAINT TROPEZ
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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Bunny
The Chookman
his year's Antipodes Film Festival is set to be as exciting and eclectic as ever. In addition to David Michôd's 'The Rover' and Jennifer Kent's 'The Bababook', which will both be released in cinemas before the start of the festival, a host of fantastic Australian films will be on show during the festival, starting with a remake of 'Patrick' - 30 years after the release of the celebrated original. Following in the footsteps of Richard Franklin, it is the turn of director Mark Hartley to tell the story of Patrick, a young man who has fallen into a vegetative state after killing his mother and her lover, and nurse Kathy is the only one who can communicate with him. Thanks to a preview showing of Zak Hilditch's mind-blowing 'These Final Hours',
Antipodes Film Festival Featuring the best of Australian and New Zealand cinema
which featured in the official selection of the Directors' Fortnight, audiences will be able to discover what happens in Australia during the last 12 hours before the end of the world. The 2014 Antipodes Film Festival will showcase a diversity of genres, including a film by Australian Rhys Graham's, 'Galore'. "It is a strik-
ing and subtle film that distils the essence of what it is to be young, the fragility of friendships and the discovery of love, over the course of one passionate summer," said Bernard Bories, President of the Antipodes Film Festival. Annika Glac's 'Bunny' invites audiences into another world, one that is rather burlesque, even absurd, following a rabbit and a fox, Blanka and Alexander, through the heart of Warsaw. She is pregnant and distributing leaflets, he has just got out of prison and bumped into her by chance, or was it? "We are also hoping for a Saint Tropez showing of 'Charlie's Country'," reveals Bories, "which was presented in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes." Rolf De Heer is the only director to have twice won the Grand Prix des Antipodes, for 'Ten Canoes' and 'The King is Dead'.” Highly anticipated in the New Zealand category is the new digital version of Vincent Ward's 'Vigil', which, in 1984, was the first NZ film to be featured in the Official Competition Selection at the Cannes Film Festival. On an isolated mountainside farm, Toss, a wild teenage girl, witnesses the death of her father. "Magnificient, mysterious and utterly bewitching," says the festival president. There's also Max Currie's début, 'Everything We Loved', set in the stunning New Zealand countryside and tells the dizzying story of an attempt to find closure, showing how even a good, kind and considerate man can stray over to the other side and become a criminal.
Saint Tropez’s shopping
extravaganza
There are few places in the world like it. During the last weekend of October, Saint Tropez is transformed into a shopping extravaganza; the streets are buzzing with eager shoppers and store shelves are piled high with heavily discounted goods. The number of tourists swells once again, but locals are also out in force to snag themselves a bargain. The famous Saint Tropez Braderie is certainly not to be missed. Together with fantastic deals, the village is alive with the spirited energy of happy customers who, come the afternoon, settle in to enjoy the eclectic nightlife that Saint Tropez has to offer. The Braderie is held between 10am and 7pm from 24th to 27th October. Boat shuttles are provided from the towns of Sainte Maxime, St. Raphaël, Cannes and Nice.
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An unusual film is Aaron Wilson's 'Canopy', an incursion into the depths of war and nature. The setting is Singapore, 1942. An Australian pilot whose plane has been shot down over the forest must make his way through an area infested with enemies. To the rustles and cries of the forest, the soldier responds with a strictlyimposed silence; with almost no dialogue, the film plunges viewers into a unique sensory and cinematographic experience. "We will also pay homage to recentlydeceased Australian director Craig Lahiff through a screening of his final film, 'Swerve', a high-speed car chase through the Australian desert, under the sun and magical light of that vast country. "And finally, it's with a view from the other side of the world that we'll participate in this year's commemoration of the First World War," concludes Bories. In addition, the Antipodes Junior section of the festival, organised with younger cinemagoers in mind, will be featured as well as short film and documentary competitions, classics, unreleased Antipodean films, a glimpse of Indonesia and various exhibitions. "We hope that beneath the sunny skies, every evening of the festival will be a celebration of cinema, of culture and of building bridges across the sea." The 16th International Antipodes Film Festival will be held in Saint Tropez from 13th to 19th October.
GOURMET
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NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
in the culinary heaven
of LA VAGUE D’OR HIGHLY TALENTED AND YET DOWN TO EARTH, THE 33-YEAROLD NORMANDY-BORN CHEF ARNAUD DONCKELE IS ONE OF THE FEW CHEFS ON THE CôTE D’AZUR WITH THREE MICHELIN STARS. HIS CREATIONS LEAVE EVEN THOSE WITH THE MOST DISCRIMINATING PALATES SPEECHLESS.
arnaud donckele
Arnaud, you have won more stars than most master chefs can only dream of. Have you now achieved everything you wanted to in your career? Quite the opposite! I feel that I am just at the beginning of my professional development. There is still a huge amount to do to refine my personal style. What has changed in your life as a result? I am suddenly very much in the spotlight, with more interviews, more invitations and more official events. But I never lose time and work seven days a week. In winter, however, I spend every minute with my family. Nothing has changed there. How often do you change the menu and under what criteria? I change the menu very cautiously. I never remove an item from the menu if I cannot replace it with something better. What criterion do I apply? When something that I eat moves me emotionally. I need a great deal of time to create a new recipe, as well as plenty of imagination and precision. That can take
seven years. But then I have realised my dream. What is your favourite dish, and what is the favourite dish of your guests? I personally love very raw local fish and lamb. A much-requested dish by guests is 'La Zitone', which is a creation around macaroni. I created it in honour of the star chef Jean Louis Nomico to whom I owe a deep debt of gratitude.
3-star team
He would not have been as successful without chef de salle Thierry Di Tullio, says Arnaud Donkele. "Through our food we send our guests on a sensory journey with the narration provided by Thierry. When he talks to the customers, it's as if I were personally standing there in front of them. He knows me inside out; he knows my sensitivity, my soul, my work." Thierry adds: "Arnaud has very distinctive ideas about Provencal cooking. We only cook in the Mediterranean style, with products from the surrounding area. This is helped by our network of fishermen between Hyères and Cagnes sur Mer as well as local producers. Together with hotel director Olivier Raveyre, we make a fantastic, highly motivated team."
Jacques Gantié’s
INNOVATIVE CONCEPT
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.
LE CLOS SAINT-BASILE With their tastefully decorated, classical restaurant, Caroline and Benoît Dagère aim to prove that a gastronomic experience can be found outside the heart of Mougins. It is a gross injustice that their restaurant is often overlooked by food guides, as with carefully created dishes and subtle flavours, Benoît never fails to surprise. Gourmet highlights include octopus carpaccio infused with soy and ginger, grilled sea bass served in a prickly artichokes jus, and Iberian ham
marinated in honey and French spices. The menu is based on fresh produce from the Mediterranean or local countryside and changes every day. The menu also continues to alter throughout the summer season. From 24 euros for lunch menu, less than 50 for dinner. Benoît is a star! MOUGINS 351 avenue Saint-Basile Tel: 04 92 92 93 03 restaurant-clos-saint-basile.com
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Nice's first ever 3D café will open its doors this month, allowing customers to see their creations made on 3D printers while they relax with a coffee. As the concept of 3D cafes spreads across the globe, with openings seen in Barcelona, Berlin and Tokyo, amongst others, the trend has now made its way to Nice. The café, named 'Le Comptoir de l'Imaginaire', is a seemingly simple concept. With the help of a design technician, customers invent, or choose from a catalogue, the item they want to see printed before watching the fascinating procedure happen before their eyes. And all while enjoying a sweet or savoury bite to eat and a glass of wine. Items printed at the café might include keyrings, phone cases, jewellery, tools and toys, for example, while the menu boasts seasonal produce and local ingredients. The café is located at 10 rue Biscarra.
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BUSINESS & FINANCE
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
Business Awards 2014
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fine wines and great entertainment, with a glittering award ceremony as the grand finale. Judges for 2014 are: Petra Hall (The Riviera Times), Dorothy Foster (SKEMA Business School), Siegfried Poppe (Marriott Riviera), and Jean-François Boutin (Mergers & Acquisition Specialist). To qualify for Business Person of the Year, the company should be registered in the PACA region (including Monaco) and have been in business for at least five years with audited statements of accounts for at least three years. For Start Up Business of the Year, the company should have been in business for at least one year as at 1st September 2014. Full details on reservations for the gala dinner is available on the BPOY 2014 page of the RBC website: www.rivierabusinessclub.fr. Nominations close on 31st October. Contact 0789032007 or info@rivierabusinessclub.fr for further information.
Good season
Jobs boost
2014 is set to be a success year for wine production in France, with an estimated six billion bottles to have been produced by the end of the season. Whilst the amount of wine expected to be produced this year is around average, given the significant difference between the 2014 harvest and those of recent years, wine makers are celebrating. Cooler temperatures and excessive rain resulted in poor harvests over the past two years, with regions Bordeaux and Burgundy suffering particularly badly with severe hail storms. Weather conditions this year have been better, but it is still not as hot as normal in the PACA. Drought and hail particularly affected the Languedoc-Roussillon area, which is not expected to produce as much wine as the Champagne region.
Veterinary group Virbac has opened a new building in Carros (Alpes Maritimes) for the manufacture of medical products for livestock - a rapidly developing market already representing 30% of its global business. VB8, which covers 1,800 square metres on three levels, cost 28 million euros and processes 50 different antibiotic and pest control formulas for livestock, with a production capacity of 5.5 million bottles per year. The move has come as a major boost for the local economy. "We created 233 additional jobs over five years in our Carros site, where more than 1,000 employees work - a quarter of our global staff," says Eric Tide, CEO of Virbac. Virbac employs 4,350 people and last year recorded a consolidated turnover of 736 million euros.
Allianz Riviera stadium wins architecture accolade Structure recognised for its innovative and environmental design
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he Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, which is home to OGC Nice and Toulon Rugby Club, has been acknowledged in the 2014 International Architecture Awards. The Chicago Atheneum, responsible for the awards, offers accolades for quality in architecture and innovative design. The Allianz Riviera stadium
was first conceived in 2010 by the architects Wilmotte & Associés Sa. The company responded to an international contest organised by the city of Nice to find architects for a new 35,000 seat stadium and were awarded the project the following year. Vinci construction were contracted for the build and the now completed arena forms an
iconic part of the Nice landscape. The Allianz Riviera stadium joins an esteemed list of recipients, with the Chicago Atheneum attributing 114 awards in 2014. Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi said he was filled with immense pride and joy upon hearing about the awards. "This international accolade highlights the remarkable work achieved in the construction of our stadium," he said in a statement. Allianz Riviera was built in accordance with the city's sustainable development plans, with the stadium incorporating 7,000 solar panels and utilising sophisticated systems for the recovery
of rain water. The project marks the first major development in Nice's 'Eco Valley', which has been described as an “Operation of National Interest” to create an ecofriendly district in the Plaine du Var. The Architecture Awards prioritised the innovative design and environmentally friendly aspects of the stadium, however it is also known for the National Sport Museum which is located below the arena. The museum is home to over 100,000 sporting items and documents and is of vital importance in exhibiting France's sporting history. Dominic Thurlow-Wood
Honest prices for an honest days' work A happy customer shares their Vikidom experience
W
e first learnt of Vikidom through an advert we saw in The Riviera Times. We had just bought our holiday apartment in Nice, Mont Boron, and we were looking for a builder to do the renovation. The advert read "Honest prices for an honest days' work". Once we contacted Vikidom, they visited us within 24 hours to assess the works we required and provided a broad outline of what was possible and the associated costs. What we admired in Vikidom was that nothing was too much trouble, especially when we changed some of our initial plans. They delivered on all our expectations. Ruslan, the director, would say to us "anything is possible", and he meant it. The project involved a
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complete renovation of our apartment including full rewiring, re-plastering, a new bathroom, a new kitchen and new floor tiling throughout. The work was completed in a short amount of time and to the deadlines we set. This was possible because Vikidom not only manage the project, but they have their own specialist plumbers, electricians, plast-
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erers and decorators, etc. working for them. It's a 'onestop-shop' situation, which takes away all the stress of such a project. Vikidom provided us with regular updates and photographs via email whilst we were in the UK, so we were kept fully informed on the progress. The standard and quality of the work was
excellent and we are delighted with the finish. On completion we reflected on the Vikidom advert and agreed they definitely delivered on their strap line. We have recommended Vikidom to our contacts in the south of France and we have seen that they have delivered the same standard we received. When our friends and family visit our second home they always comment on how wonderful it is and always mention the standard of finish. Quality lasts! In summary, we would definitely recommend Vikidom. The qualiy of work is excellent and they offer very good value for money. Plus the after-care service and support they provide has been superb. Vikidom clients, UK +33 770 312 484 phernetel@gmail.com
ADVERTORIAL
ominations are streaming in for the the Riviera Business Club Business Person of the Year Awards 2014, which will take place on Thursday 4th December with a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Marriott Riviera - La Porte De Monaco. This year's awards are proudly sponsored and supported by The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, deVerre France, Marriott Riviera, Bank Populaire Côte d'Azur, The Riviera Times, Anglo Info, Event's By George!, Make IT Dynamic, Riviera Life TV and The Riviera Woman. The event will be attended by leading members of the local business community. Table reservations for the gala dinner and awards ceremony are now open. A table for 10 is priced at 55 euros per person, with individual bookings at 60 euros. The evening will start with champagne cocktails and canapés followed by an excellent three course dinner,
WWW.RIVIERATIMES.COM
BUSINESS & FINANCE
WWW.RIVIERATIMES.COM
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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Jyske Bank's Catfish innovating again To be the catfish in the tank is a Danish figure of speech referring to a person who, by thinking innovatively or acting in an unorthodox way, causes a stir - and that is exactly what Jyske Bank did when it created the Active Invest Loan.
Disastrous end A to season Small yield for olive growers
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As Jean-Philippe Frère, head of the olive sector in the Chamber of Agriculture, explained to Var Matin: "On average, growers in the Alpes Maritimes lost 70% of their produce because of these three factors. Some growers have lost 100%.” As a result, the harvest is expected to be particularly poor. Despite intensive scientific research earlier in the year into the causes of the olive-growing problems, the dramatic decline in the olive yield is unpreventable. As to whether olive prices will increase as a result, JeanPhilippe Frère said it is a possibility. “The small growers are not the ones who will raise their prices. However, larger manufacturers might withhold their stocks to cause price increases.” Madeleine Adey
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So it is essential that you can be contacted easily. Jyske Bank's Active Invest Loan concept is straightforward: • Your investment profile is established based on your risk appetite and financial situation. • You invest funds and Jyske Bank will gear your investments. • The total amount will be invested subject to your investment profile. The objective is to achieve the highest return on the basis of the risk in your investment profile. • Together with your personal advisor you will continuously follow the development of your investment. Gearing makes a difference and with this the bank grants you a loan based on your own funds invested. This increases your opportunities of achieving a higher positive return - but your risk is also higher than if you just bought the same securities for your own funds. Gearing only makes sense if you can achieve a return that is higher than the interest rate on your loan.
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With an Active Invest Loan you can invest in shares, bonds, and investment certificates, among others - or you can keep the funds in cash. Typically, a combination of these will meet your expectations and match your investment profile. An Active Investment Loan can be denominated in different currencies, which may be changed on an ongoing basis. Therefore, you have a unique opportunity to use an Active Investment Loan both as speculation and/or hedging. No investments are risk-free.
An Active Investment Loan is suitable for clients who are willing to run a risk in order to achieve a higher expected return. Consequently, you must be financially capable of and prepared to accept fluctuations, and losses at times - and, if worst comes to worst, forced closure. It is important that you carefully consider whether your investment profile matches this type of investment. 53 rue d'Antibes, Cannes +33 (0)4 93 39 39 00 privatebanking@jyskebank.fr
ADVERTORIAL
he olive harvest this month is expected to be disastrous thanks to a number of environmental factors causing problems for the region’s olive growers. The Alpes Maritimes and the Var are following in the footsteps of Spain, Italy and Corsica, all of which have experienced huge problems with regards to the olive harvest this year. With droughts and deadly bacteria having affected the yield of its neighbouring countries, it seemed unlikely that France would escape unscathed. And indeed it was as bad as expected. The olive crops of the region fell victim to three significant blows: a general decline in number, followed by the olive fly, and finally dalmaticose - a bacteria which causes fungus to grow on the surface of the olive.
ctive Invest Loan allows you to boost and strengthen your investment by means of gearing. You can supplement your investment with borrowed funds to increase the volume of your investment. When investing more massively through purchases of more securities, you increase your return potential. Jyske Bank offers you a personal advisor who will engage in an ongoing dialogue and discuss with you possible switches on the basis of your wishes and Jyske Bank's knowledge and insight. The personal advisor is in close dialogue with Jyske Bank's other investment specialists, economists and securities dealers, who continuously follow the market and provide the investment advisers with research reports and recommendations based on the latest market trends. Jyske Bank believes that a close dialogue between you and your personal advisor at Jyske Bank will ensure the best results for you. Geared investments cannot be left alone but should be followed closely.
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EVENTS
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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MOZART L'OPERA ROCK CONCERT
October:TOP EVENTS
& EXHIBITIONS 27th September - 5th October
ST TROPEZ ROLEX TROPHY Over 300 yachts will gather for a prestigious week of racing in the bay of St. Tropez. Classic and modern yachts alike will race across the bay for the 9th Rolex Trophy; Regatta from Monday 29th September until Saturday 4th October. Prize giving party on Sunday 5th October.
1st October
NICE POLITICAL WINE EVENT The Riviera Chapter of Democrats Abroad will be hosting its monthly Political Wine event at La Canne à Sucre, 11 Promenade des Anglais, Nice. All Americans visiting or living on the French Riviera are invited to listen to a brief presentation, followed by thoughtful discussions. From 6:30pm until 8pm. RSVP to dafrance.riviera@gmail.com
1st - 4th October
MONACO CATS THE MUSICAL Based on a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats has already toured 26 countries, delighting more than 8 million viewers. The musical will be in Monaco's Grimaldi Forum for one weekend only. Tickets from 29 euros.
1st - 10th October
GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW Genoa's 54th International Boat Show now features a special area dedicated to luxury superyachts called Super Made In Italy. The show is open from 10am to 6.30pm daily and tickets are 15 euros, free for children under 14 free.
2nd - 5th October
NICE EXTREME SAILING SERIES Since 2011, Nice has hosted the last European leg of the OC Group's Extreme Sailing Series, before all the teams meet in Sydney, Australia for the grand finale of the season. Eleven Extreme 40 Catamarans battle it out in the heart of the Baie des Anges, attracting tens of thousands of spectators. Nice is known to be one of the toughest stages of the circuit.
3rd - 5th October
10th October
4th - 5th October
10th - 12th October
DIANO MARINA WIND FESTIVAL This international action sport event will bring together some of the best watersports talents from all over the world to compete against one another and display their skills to onlookers. Try out the sports, take part in beach fitness workouts and even enter a bikini contest. Beach parties at night with live DJs. At Bagni Delfino. www.windfestival.it RAYOL CANADEL SUR MER GONDWANA PLANT FESTIVAL The 10th edition of the Domaine du Rayol's plant festival focuses on Mediterranean plants as well as the threat posed to them by fires in the region. Includes an exhibition of plants, plants for sale, talks by field experts, workshops, children's entertainment, shows, and guided tours of the garden. From 9.30am to 6.30pm, tickets are 7.50 euros.
4th - 5th October
ROQUEBRUNE SUR ARGENS HONEY FESTIVAL For the past 20 years Roquebrune Sur Argens has welcomed the festival of honey. This year, a special space has been dedicated to showing the public the art of the beekeeper and how apiculture in Provence has become such a success. Animations and presentations will give spectators an insight into the challenging yet rewarding job of the beekeepers that provide the honey. The festival has also organised a photography competition with beekeepers submitting their favourite photos to be judged by members of the public. And of course plenty of honey-related food on offer.
7th October
NICE MOZART L'OPERA ROCK CONCERT The musical Mozart l'opera rock is designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences due to its operatic representation of classic rock ballads. The performers interpret the biggest hits of the rock genre and are accompanied by 60 musicians and singers from the Symphony Orchestra and the National Choir of Kiev, and a rock band. At the Palais Nikaia.
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NICE VIVALDI'S FOUR SEASONS At the Saint Martin church in the Saint Augustin neighbourhood region of Nice, the Baroque Ensemble of Nice will perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Gilber Bezzina, founder of the ensemble, will play lead violin. A complementary exhibition will take part in the Palais Lascaris at 10.30am featuring a guided tour of genuine instruments from the baroque period. NICE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW The French Riviera's Classic Motor Show includes not just vintage cars, but all collectible vehicles including motorbikes and boats, with many available to purchase. At Nice's market showgrounds, the MIN d'Azur.
11th October
CANNES FLAMENCO FEATURING ROCIO MOLINA Rocio Molina is one of the most famous contemporary figures in Flamenco. She began dancing at the age of 13 and at 19 had formed her own group. She is an expert choreographer and will be performing along with other incredibly talented musicians and dancers in Cannes. At the Theatre Croisette at the Hotel JW Marriott. Tickets range from 18 to 28 euros and 12 euros for children.
16th - 23rd October
AIX EN PROVENCE JAZZ FESTIVAL Temps Fort Jazz has organised a series of jazz concerts in Aix en Provence with some of the finest players and singers taking part. All concerts begin at 8.30pm apart from the 18th which begins at 4pm.
The Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur is rich with events and exhibitions. To discover what is happening in your city, every day of the month, simply visit the comprehensive events calendar on our website: www.rivieratimes.com. The calendar is updated daily, so you never have to miss a thing!
EVENTS
WWW.RIVIERATIMES.COM
18th October
CANNES PRINCES ET PRINCESSES CINEMATIC DANCE This original show is designed to fall between the genres of cinema and dance. The dancers will tell the tale of four stories by Michel Ocelot, stunning scenery will be projected onto a screen and the performers will use their shadowy silhouettes to narrate the tales from behind the screen. To accompany the stunning visual effects, there will be a soundtrack featuring authentic African chants and music to ensure that the evening is a feast for all the senses. Tt the Theatre Croisette at the JW Marriott Hotel. Tickets range from 28 to 38 euros and 10 euros for children.
18th -19th October
THEOULE ARTS AND WINE FAIR This fair combines two of the most revered talents, art and wine making. Sixty vineyard owners, artists and tradesmen from the catering business will meet at Place Général Bertrand.
18th - 19th October
SAINT JEAN CAP FERRAT A DAY AT THE VILLA OF BARONESS EPHRUSSI DE ROTHSCHILD Walk in the footsteps of the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild as you socialise and take in her art and beautiful gardens. There are three free workshops to immerse yourself in the luxurious atmosphere of the Belle Époque on the Côte d'Azur. In the first workshop, two actresses will embody the Baroness Beatrice and her cousin, the Duchess Elisabeth de Gramont, to immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the preparations for a grand reception at the Belle Époque. The second workshop takes the form of a treasure hunt where will need to solve clues in order to discover the masterpieces and works of art that the Baroness collected throughout her life. During the third workshop, visitors will 'meet' the Baroness' gardener who will introduce them to the many species of flowers in the beautiful gardens.
19th October
DOLCEACQUA WIND FESTIVAL This international action sport event will bring together some of the best watersports talents from all over the world to compete against one another and display their skills to onlookers. Try out the sports, take part in beach fitness workouts and even enter a bikini contest. Beach parties at night with live DJs. At Bagni Delfino. www.windfestival.it
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
exhibitions Until 12th October
NICE MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART (MAMAC) Discover a series of paintings by Karen. Born in 1954 to an American mother and a French father, Karen lead an extraordinary and extravagant childhood. At a young age, she was fascinated by Caesar's (a French sculptor) garden, which inspired her to develop the vegetation series. She began to paint the s ignature gigantic imaginary forest and develop this research for over 20 years. Recently, her artwork has evolved into a series of narration figurative involving more comic elements mixed with Pop art. This exhibition features works that are all set on the French Riviera in Roquefort les Pins, where she lived for more than 25 years.
3rd October - 4th January 2015
NICE NICOLAS FLOC'H EXHIBITION The Gallerie des Ponchettes will showcase the work of photographer Nicolas Floc'h, WHO is famous for questioning the relationship between the living world and the world of art, with consumption, production and the apprehension of reality as his main motifs, and the marine environment at the centre of his themes. NICE FRANK HORVAT EXHIBITION This exhibition at the Theatre de la photographie et de l'image will be dedicated to the work of Frank Horvat. Traveller, fashion photographer and intimate artist, working at both Life and Vogue magazines and later becoming a pioneer of digital photography, his style oscillates between staging and simple testimony.
23rd - 25th October
Until 2nd November
24th - 26th October
ANTIBES OPERA DE GUISEPPE VERDE The Antipolis Theatre d'Antibes will host two performances of the melodrama put on by the Opera de Monte Carlo. With musical direction from Alain Guingal, the cast will perform three acts from the Guiseppe Verde's (1813 - 1901) repertoire.
25th - 26th October
BEAULIEU SUR MER EXPERIENCE A DAY IN ANCIENT GREECE Two days of ancient Greek festivities will take place at the Villa Kerylos, allowing visitors to step back in time to the days of Ulysses and Homer. Ulysses himself will appear to give recitals from his voyage, while listeners are invited to dress up in special costumes to immerse themselves in the ancient atmosphere. Another tour involves an actor playing Theodore Reinach, who commissioned the Villa Kerylos during the Belle Epoque. You will be invited as his guests to listen to his stories as well as retellings of ancient Greek myths, his inspiration for building the Villa. Entry is 11.50 euros for adults, 9 euros for under 17s.
Until 31st December
SAINT PAUL DE VENCE AN ARTIST'S PARADISE Saint Paul de Vence has hosted a plethora of famous artists from the 20th century including Braque, Chagall, Miro, and Calder. This exhibition displays not works by the artists, but depictions of the artists themselves. Photographs of the famous visitors to the village will be displayed throughout the streets, with some video footage playing in the local museum, Musée de Saint Paul. The theme which runs through these photos is the artists' a ttachment to the beauty of Saint Paul de Vence as well as to its people. Info: saint-pauldevence.com
Until 31st December
SANREMO COINS OF THE REVOLUTION A hoard of coins from the 17th and 18th Century is to go on display in the Sanremo municipal museum on Palazzo Borea d'Olmo. They are believed to have been hidden in 1753 and they were later discovered during archaeological excavations in the fortress of Santa Tecla in 2005. The exhibition is open weekly Tuesday to Saturday.
Until 18th January 2015
Until 31st October
MONACO UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL The Stade Louis II will see the UEFA Champions League Football kick off at 8:45pm for a match between AS Monaco and SL Benefica. NICE 15TH GUITAR FESTIVAL Featuring extraordinary talents from all over the world for three days of rock, blues and jazz.. Performing at the Black Box will be Patrick Rondat on Thursday 23rd October from 9pm, alongside Nono and Jean-Claude Rapin. On Friday 24th October, Espace Magnan will see Huang Chei-Wei at 9pm, followed by John Renbourne and Wizz Jones the same night. The festivities will be brought to an end on Saturday 25th by Vitaly Makukin and Michel Haumont at Espace Magnan from 9pm. Tickets cost 16 euros per concert.
the Portuguese artistic revival that followed the fall of the Estado Novo. Combining image with text, his work plays on e roticism, excitement, and unspoken frustrations and fantasies, blurring the lines between viewer and voyeur.
NICE PAOLA RISOLI EXHIBITION
10th October - mid-January 2015
GENOA LEONARDO DA VINCI'S INCREDIBLE INVENTIONS 'Incredibili macchine di Leonardo' showcases Leonardo da Vinci's inventions at the Museum of Sant'Agostino. With the help of 40 interactive models, the intricacies and extraordinary workings of the Italian Renaissance designer's inventions are revealed. A documentary film on Leonardo da Vinci will be played on repeat d uring the e xhibition. Visitors can also discover the sculptures, paintings and frescoes which adorn the walls of the restored monastery.
22nd October
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NICE JULES-HENRI LENGRAND EXHIBITION The Musee des Beaux Arts is hosting an e xhibition in dedication to the French artist. From 1934 he taught at the School of Decorative Arts in Nice. The City of Nice dedicated one of six workshops at Villa Paradiso (a villa devoted to Prix de Rome during the Second World War). Jules-Henri Lengrand, besides his paintings, produced significant murals, frescoes and stained glass amongst his work. In 1937, Nice authorities commissioned him to do four monumental works for Nice town hall. He painted four stages in the history of the City on canvas.
Until 4th November
SAVONA THE PAINTINGS OF VLASTIMIL KOSVANEC The retrospective exhibition of painter and illustrator Czech Vlastimil Košvanec (1887 - 1961) in Savona brings to light the works of this significant artist, who has been forgotten for almost 60 years. The exhibition presents an in depth look into the work of Kosvanec and also features works from the collection of the Museum Martinengo in Villagana. It will be held at the Palace of the Commissioner in Savona, Italy and will be open from Tuesday to Friday from 9am until 7pm clock and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am until 7pm.
Until 30th November
NICE JULIÃO SARMENTO EXHIBITION This monographic exhibition devoted to the multimedia artist and painter Julião Sarmento will reside at the MAMAC until the end of November. Sarmento is one of the main representatives of
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‘Wonderland’ by Karen, 1991, on show at Nice’s MAMAC until mid-October Paola Risoli will exhibit his work in the MAMAC contemporary gallery. The Italian artist creates miniature and intimate worlds from recycled materials, sometimes working through photography and video. With Risoli's sketches often alternatively presented in recycled barrels, the viewer is invited to view his work through windows cut into the metal, highlighting the contrast between raw and fine detail and creating almost cinematic moods.
Until 8th February
GENOA EXHIBITION OF FRIEDA KAHLO AND DIEGO RIVIERA WORKS This exhibition at Palazzo Ducale will investigate the relation between these two renowned artists. Many say that the work of Frida Khalo alone seems to be incomplete without that of Diego Riviera alongside. The exhibition will allow visitors to explore the support that Diego Rivera offers to her works fragility. The exhibition in Genoa is by Helga Prignitz-Poda, who is the author of the catalogue, in collaboration with Christina Kahlo (Frida's niece) and Juan Coronel Rivera (Diego's nephew).
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COMMUNITY
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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Life support
ADOPTION CORNER
Your survival guide to living in France PWN Nice Côte d'Azur invites you to the first showing on the Côte d'Azur of the documentary film, ‘Miss Representation’, featuring Condaleeza Rice, Katie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, Jane Fonda and many others, at Skema Business School, Sophia Antipolis on Thursday 16th October. The film has been screened in 50 countries and seen by millions of people. The evening begins with the screening in English of ‘Miss Representation’, directed by American Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The film addresses the topic of how women
leaders are portrayed in the American media landscape. Following the film there will be a bilingual French/English roundtable discussion which promises to be lively and potentially heated. All guests are welcome and we would especially like to see many men in the audience to hear their view as well. 18.00-18.30: Welcome 18.30-19.30: Film Miss Representation 19.30- 20.30: Roundtable discussion Go to www.pwnnice.net for more information and to register. Limited places available.
True to tradition, the ICR has planned two great and diverse events to keep our members and guests active this month. Our first will be the third in the series of annual public events in the field of art, culture, theater and music - 'A Tribute To Super Tramp' - one of the most popular British bands of the '70s and '80s performed live by the internationally renowned Dutch band TRYOUD, who will be visiting Nice as part of their European Tour on Friday 17th at the Salle Linné Amphitheatre of Parc Phoenix, starting at 8.00 p.m. Tickets are priced at only 12 euros, which includes a drink and nibbles during the intermission. A not to be missed show with all proceeds
in aid of the ICR's theme charity for children infected or effected by HIV/AIDS. We follow this up with our Winter Shopping Spree to the McArthurGlen designer outlet in Serravalle in Italy on Sunday 26th. Serravalle is the biggest designer outlet in Europe. Find your favourite iconic designer brands at up to 70% off! Nearly 180 shops in one big shopping village. Join us for a superb day out in Italy by luxury coach! For more details of the above and other events to come, and to join one of the most active, multicultural and multi ethnic clubs on the Rivera, please visit our website www.internationalclub.fr, call 0493721189/0789032007, email us at info.internationalclub.fr.
Dear Andy, I moved my family to France from Australia in 2010, having effectively retired. My wife has a few activities here and there. I noticed a headline from the current G20 summit in Cairns saying that countries will be sharing tax information between each other by 2018. I thought I was entitled to a little financial privacy and I worry about my liabilities here. How will I be affected? Anxious in Antibes. Hi Anxious, The question of cross border cooperation with regards to tax information is not new in Europe and among close transnational allies, such as the UK and the US. This is particularly prevalent now because of the methods of certain large companies, effectively, relocating to more tax efficient countries. Also, in France, you may have heard of the number of Super Rich and certain celebrities moving their assets across the border to Belgium. The importance of the G20 announcement is in the wording. Up to now, certain countries would have dual tax agreements with other countries, and there would be a provision for one country to ask another country tax information on a resident or citizen. This new announcement seems to allow for reciprocal and widening information sharing, suggesting that the
information flow would be automatic and bilateral. An agreement to implement this procedure, the CAA (or Competent Authority Agreement) and a mechanism for information flow, the CRS (or Common Reporting Standard) is being signed off at this summit for agreement by OECD governments. The result of this will be the Automatic Information Exchange (AIE). All of this jargon may seem set up to catch the big fish who hide their money in offshore tax havens but you ask how you can be affected? In general, it all depends on where your assets are and how you are paying taxes on them? As a resident of France you should pay IR (Revenue Tax) on your entire global revenues here in France. If the value of your assets are large enough you may be liable to ISF (Fortune Tax). Many people believe that they can choose where they pay their taxes and this is where these Information Exchanges may hurt. If your assets are abroad and any revenue from those assets are automatically taxed at source then it is easy to assume that these taxes have been paid. The AIE system would automatically tell France that the foreign tax office collected a tax, based on a certain asset value, and a quick cross check would reveal that you did not declare this revenue in France. The French Tax Office levies tax on overseas assets also, although many countries have
a dual tax agreement with France resulting in a tax credit for tax already paid abroad. Assets can include capital, current and savings accounts, pensions and property. You are required to register assets such as financial and bank accounts. The French require that these are disclosed but not the value of the accounts. Value information is usually only required for revenues resulting from these assets. The AIE will reveal the existence of bank accounts abroad, which may result in a penalty if you fail to disclose these accounts in France. If you think you will be affected by these mechanisms then chances are your financial situation was complicated enough that it needed an accountant. Ask your foreign accountant to draw up your balance sheet and, if necessary, your foreign self-assessment or tax declaration. Then either talk to one of the larger accountancy firms with offices in both countries, or a local French firm who will be able to advise on your French liabilities. These Automatic Exchange Mechanisms are being readied for 2018. However, certain countries have a close relationship with France already. You may wish to seek advice sooner rather than later. Mon Ami Andy Rue Lascaris, Nice Port Tel: 04 83 50 84 78 jennifer@monamiandy.com
C O M M E N T A R Y
Aidi is a beautiful Picardy Shepherd aged six years. In keeping with the character of this French breed of herding dog, she is very friendly, intelligent and good with other dogs. She follows commands, walks well on a leash and enjoys car rides. Ideally, her new home would be open but contained with a fence. She loves the land, long walks and of course lots of cuddles. Who can give Aidi a loving new home? Tel: +33 (0) 4 94 96 89 19, +33 (0) 6 43 06 19 60, +49 (0) 17245 55 033, info: www.joshi2.de
M e di t e r r a n e u m e di t io n s
Publishing Director Petra Hall hall@mediterra.com
Editor Cassandra Tanti rivieratimes@mediterra.com
Contributors Madeleine Adey, Laura Thomson, Dominic Thurlow-Wood, Andrew Denison, Carolyn Reynier, Aila Stöckmann, Mike Ferrier
Art director Konny Strauss
The RBC Business Person of the Year Awards 2014 is now in full swing! Nominations are open and a steady stream for both the Business Person of the Year and the Start Up of the Year are being received with huge interest already generated amongst the local business community! The RBC BPOY Awards are the most prestigious business awards on the Riviera and last year a sellout audience of 150 people was present at the gala dinner and award ceremony. Residents of the PACA region can nominate any individual or company registered and doing business in the PACA region. Table reservations for the gala and awards ceremony, which will take place at the Marriott Riviera - La Porte De Monaco on Thursday 4th December 2014, are now open. A table for 10 is 55 euros and individual reservations 60 euros per person for a superb evening with an excellent three
course dinner, fine wines, great entertainment, and with the participation of leading members of the local business community. Full details on the BPOY 2014 page of the RBC website, www.rivierabusinessclub.fr. Contact 0789032007 or info@rivierabusinessclub.fr for any further information. The RBC is also happy to join the Professional Women's Network for their October event - The Entrepreneur's Essential Workshop on Thursday 9th in Nice. This is the first in a series of joint events the RBC will participating in with other business associations in the region. The workshop will explore a business case study and work through 5 areas that small entrepreneurs need to consider to be successful. www.rivierabusinessclub.fr Tel: 04 93 72 11 89 or 06 21 20 60 10 info@rivierabusinessclub.fr
Mike Ferrier
Distribution Superyacht Distribution
A local author’s musings on Riviera living
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Oktoberfest? October breast?
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Mediterraneum Editions s.a.r.l
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he French Riviera is very French. That's why we like it: heady days on eclectic beaches and hectic nights in a wild assortment of extraordinary night spots. But something weird happens in October. The Riviera increasingly goes very German. Beer replaces wine as most of us search for the nearest Oktoberfest. Prince Albert never misses one, and neither do I. Drinking, dancing and hours of sheer goofy "ompah" music. You know the Germans - if they are going to do something, they do it 100%. The beer mugs are bigger, the sausages fatter, the schnapps extra snappy. Oh Happy Days!
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Ten years ago, 110 expat Deutschers started a Teutonic beer-up in the Monaco Yacht Club. This year they expect 1,000, plus a long waiting list. Even the huge new Yacht Club will not be big enough they've ordered an extra tent for the neighboring quay. Plus the SBM is adding a batch of fest-nights at the Café de Paris. Beer will flow like … beer! There is another reason we men search out the imported October beer halls. No, it's not the dressing up in those tight Bavarian leather shorts. It's the dressing down of the ladies. Out pops the magic of the inimitable Dirndl. You know? Those wonderful
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Bavarian outfits that lift up and show off dazzlingly whatever nature blessed on your "significant other". (Or somebody else's significant other!) In October, the days may get shorter, the nights may get cooler and wool may replace cotton. But for one or two glorious nights (or more, depending on your capacity to absorb weissbier and weisswurst), the ladies blossom out once again and remind us of summer and the good times on the world's finest Riviera. Oktoberfest, or October breast? It's both! Ein prosit (salut) to you all!
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PROPERTY
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NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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New housing complex opens in Cannes’ Oxford district
Property series: Valdeblore
Contemporary estate in historic parkland
A valley full of history and plenty of tourism potential
Parc Eugénie features five levels, pool and transparent balconies
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his October, the latest residential development in the Oxford district of Cannes Parc Eugénie - is scheduled to open. The contemporary housing complex by Cogedim
for over 130 years. It was home to the former congregation which housed the Sisters of the Religious of the Assumption. The developers named the building Parc CRT Riviera Côte d'Azur/Georges Véran
Above: The small Valdeblore valley runs east west into the Tinée valley. Below: Four bedroom 130sqm maison niçoise priced at 315,000 euros,Valdeblore Immobilier
T The modern estate neighbours the stunning 19th century congregation
Mediterranean is located on avenue du Commandant Bret, in historic hideaway gardens. The housing complex comprises 54 apartments over five levels, with 12 studios, 24 two-room apartments and 18 three-pieces. There is also a two-level underground car park. Designed by architects Marc Favaro and Francois Navarro, Parc Eugénie promotes itself as a refined and upscale building, sister to another other Cogedim building nearby off Boulevard d'Oxford. The area has been an historical and spiritual place
Eugénie in honour of Mother Marie Eugenie, who founded the religious congregation in 1839. Situated in the heart of a flourishing park of over a hectare, the majestic former convent reflects the popular architectural style during the second half of 19th century. In complete contrast, Parc Eugénie is a very modern estate with transparent continuous balconies, strict lines, and slanted roof terraces. Prices start at 287,000 euros for a 43sqm two room apartment, and 462,000 for a three-room apartment. Cassandra Tanti
he small valley of Valdeblore lies close to the southern edge of the Mercantour National Park. It trends east west opening into the Tinée valley just after Rimplas. The commune includes the villages of St. Dalmas, La Bolline and La Roche plus the modern ski resort of La Colmiane (1,500m), and the hamlet of Le Planet-Les Vignes. Mollières, in a higher, parallel valley, was incorporated into the commune when it became French in 1947. As part of the County of Nice, Valdeblore belonged to the Duchy of Savoy for five centuries, with just two interruptions. For 14 years King Louis XIV also bore the title of Count of Nice. Following the French Revolution the county became French territory again; it was returned to the Dukes of Savoy in 1814. Their lands included Piedmont and they, too, had taken on another title although they managed to keep their heads while those all around them were losing theirs. The ducal dynasty had been hankering after a royal title for centuries, the duke of the day
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Contact Thomas Nielsen Camilla Greiersen Camille Marne
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Colmiane where small 23sqm studios start at 2,000 euros/sqm. At the other end of the valley, Rimplas (a separate commune) is perched on a mini col near the Fort de la Madeleine, part of the Maginot Line. Prices here are lower because you are off the beaten track; the nearest shops are at La Bolline. Although Valdeblore remains a holiday destination, today owners can have difficulty letting out their properties when not in use. What the valley does need, says Mr Bourgeois, is standard quality tourist accommodation. An investor considering creating a résidence hôtelière, for example, would be warmly welcomed by the municipality. Carolyn Reynier
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are at 1,300m and temperatures really drop, explains Mr Bourgeois. So to escape the hard winters farmers took their cattle down to this quarter lying below 800m. Lovers of old stones will find ancient barns, most renovated, built in local stone extracted from the river bed; new construction here is prohibited, he adds. Prices vary between 5001,000 euros/sqm for an empty shell but he warns that a restoration can be almost as costly as a new build. Plots of land are available for between 60 and 90 euros/sqm. Village houses sell for under 1,000 euros/sqm. Some have been converted into apartments; there are a handful of residential copropriétés. However, when it comes to chalets, St. Dalmas out-prices the other areas thanks to its better exposure - it faces due south and is closer to La Colmiane. A 100sqm chalet in excellent condition will cost you around 300,000 euros. Skiers will head for La
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invaded the kingdom of Sicily, was made to give it back, and in 1720 was given Sardinia instead, which seems fair. The county became French definitively in 1860 under the treaty signed between Emperor Napoleon III and King Victor Emmanuel II; the king retained certain high areas including Mollières for his hunting. Today if you are property hunting in the valley you find terraced village houses, old shepherd's cottages and barns, chalets, contemporary homes and some building plots, says Thomas Bourgeois at Valdeblore Immobilier. First summer visitors arrived in the late 19th century through to the 1930s. With them came the construction of houses in a certain architectural style - square base, often in cut stone, four-sided roof - known as the maison niçoise. Start climbing in altitude and you find traditional chalets, earlier ones dating from the 1950s built in bricks and mortar, more recent ones in timber. Le Planet-Les Vignes served as winter quarters for the inhabitants of St. Dalmas. You
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CLASSIFIEDS
NO. 1 FOR LOCAL NEWS
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FOR SALE Charming, modern villa
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MECHANICAL PERFECTIONISM paired with ideal functionality and esthetics. Sophisticated in quality and stable value. Custom made stainless steel trike. Visit my website: www.cult-trike.de
JOBS OFFERED Grimaud/Var: looking for guardian couple to manage garden, household, pool, etc. in exchange we offer house with garden but no salary. Driver's license required. grimaud2000@gmx.de
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MEETINGS with Adonis, 32, 1.85 m. Attractive Single Ladies can contact : infomail69@hispeed.ch www.AdonisTopofMen.com
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MONACO Maison de la Presse de Monaco 1bis rue Grimaldi SAINT-TROPEZ Librairie du Port 11 rue des Commerçants guidegantie.com
Built in 2004, this beautiful single level villa of approx. 120m² was designed with the highest quality fittings. Boasting a modern, comfortable design with spacious, bright rooms, the home features air-conditioning, double-glazed windows and car shelter. There's a fantastic contemporary American kitchen and dining area, and three terraces looking out over a manicured garden of 1,300m2. Two spacious bedrooms feature their own bathrooms; one is so large it can be separated to make 3 bedrooms. Surrounded by grape vines, the property is in a quiet, residential area and south exposed. A swimming pool can be easily constructed. Just outside the centre of Flayosc, a must see. Price: 339,000 euros. Contact: villa.lacharmille@ orange.fr, Tel: +33 (0)6 82 83 81 82.
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