RT august 2013 by Riviera Press

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

www.rivieratimes.com Issue 137 - August 2013 2.50 e

Yachting new VAT tax

Football legend in Monaco

Music SBM parties

Hollande eases second home tax Holiday home owners welcome a relaxing of capital gains responsibilities

Families can relax and enjoy their holiday homes, knowing that the French government has reduced capital gains when it comes to selling time

f you've ever sold a property in France or are going through the process now, you'll know that lots of preparation, paperwork and patience is involved. And what sellers often fail to consider is that they stand to lose a substantial amount if they've made a profit on the sale. Enter property capital gains tax.

Amid concerns that France's flagging real estate market is continuing its rapid decline this year on the back of a 12 per cent dip in 2012, President Franรงois Hollande has now pushed through changes to the exoneration period of property capital gains tax for secondary home owners. Back in June, Hollande publicly slammed the former

Fillon government for ushering in an increase in the length of time a second or holiday home must be held before the profit is exempt from taxation, doubling it from 15 years to 30. Hollande called the February 2012 decision a "mistake" for the market and pledged to reform the property capital gains system to boost the ailing real estate industry.

As of 1st September 2013, homeowners with a second property will be entirely exempt from paying the infamous capital gains tax after 22 years of ownership, a meeting in the middle of the old system and the more recent 2012 amendment. While the sale of primary properties are not subject to a capital gains tax if they make a profit, secondary homes face a

basic tax liability of 19 per cent, not counting the 15.5 per cent social charges that non-residents are also required to pay. That leaves foreign owners with a flat rate hole in their pocket of 34.5 per cent should they decide to sell up before the 22 year threshold. It is hoped that the new changes will revitalise the market and encourage realty investment on French soil again. Determined to right the slump in sales and acquisitions, Hollande is even offering owners a grace period between the start of September and 31st August 2014, where the capital gains tax on transactions will benefit from a 25 per cent discount. But the capital gains tax isn't the only thing putting potential buyers off investing in property. A study by Ifop revealed the main reasons for a fall in activity in the sector and, surprisingly, insufficient offers came in last. Clients' changing their mind about the deal at the last minute comes at the top of the list, with difficulties in getting loans or credit and extortionate prices following respectively. Just 17 per cent of respondents said that the 2012 alterations to the property capital gains tax system were a major concern. Elsa Carpenter

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WELCOME AUGUST 2013

Inside this edition:

Editorial

NEWS Political column .......................................................................... 4 News in brief ................................................................................ 5 Mayor of Nice takes a stand on travellers ............................ 5

LIFESTYLE Nice Jazz Festival: the price of good music .......................... 6 Dreaming of stars with Alain Llorca ...................................... 7

GULF OF SAINT TROPEZ A decision looms for Pampelonne beach ...........................

MONACO Monegasque citizenship boom .............................................. Support mounts for Sporting d’Hiver ................................... An ode to artistic freedom ....................................................... Celebrating in style with SBM .................................................

9 9 10 11

FEATURE Luxury transport by land, sea and air ...................................

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RESTAURANT REVIEWS The pick of the bunch: Florida Beach..................................... 14 Country style comfort food ...................................................... 14

REAL ESTATE Property series: Grimaud .......................................................... 15

BUSINESS & FINANCE Finding new solutions to getting credit ................................ 16 Yacht charters hit with VAT charges ....................................... 16 Changes to employment law .................................................. 17

EVENTS Comprehensive events calendar ............................................

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CLASSIFIEDS Listing everything from jobs to local businesses ..............

ART & CULTURE Celebrating the masters: artists live on in the Riviera ...... 21

SERVICES Your survival guide to living in France .................................. Subscription forms for home delivery ..................................

I have an announcement ... The month of August is upon us - that frustrating time of year when the whole of France seemingly goes on holiday and it is simply impossible to get anything done. Your favourite corner stores are closed and everything from fixing your car to dealing with administration becomes a nightmare as the country leaves its post to flock to various camping sites, beaches and holiday spots in the south of France. Well I have a confession to make. This August, I will be joining my French compatriots, although there is a different motivation for my absence. No, I have not booked a few weeks away at a 5-star camping site in the Var (being Australian though I am reluctant to even call this 'camping'). I am, in fact, expecting my first child in September and will therefore be embarking on maternity leave for a few months. But do not fear. I am leaving you in the very capable hands of my colleague Elsa Carpenter, a lovely young lady from Wales who will introduce herself to you in the September edition. You will have seen her name on quite a few articles in The Riviera Times already. No doubt I will have some interesting tales to share with you in the future about bringing up a child in a foreign family in France. She (yes it's a little girl) will truly be the product of the multi faceted world we know today: a mixture of Australian, Maltese and Dutch, born in France and with an Italian name. I look forward to her taking on the carefree, life-isto-be-enjoyed attitude of her French friends (even if it does involve the country standing still for an entire month), while being inspired by the driven, entrepreneurial persona's of her Australian and Dutch parents. Who says multiculturalism has been a failure? I think it’s the perfect formula for an intelligent and motivated generation. But for now, I bid you all farewell until December. I hope you continue to enjoy The Riviera Times and I look forward to joining you again at the end of the year.

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The Riviera Times is published monthly and distributed at the following locations: Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, Toulon-Hyères International Airport, to passengers boarding British Airways flights, on board Delta and Swiss Airlines, and at over 1,000 strategic points of distribution between Marseille and Genoa including international news stands, hotels, banks, golf clubs, schools, car rental agencies, consulates, international associations, and in most international doctors' practices. For subscriptions, please refer to page 22.

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NEWS

www.rivieratimes.com

FOR DAILY BREAKING NEWS

AUGUST 2013

Foreign tourists flock to France Nice remains a leading destination

rance has not only kept its position as the world's top tourist destination, it also welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2012. Meanwhile, the city of Nice remains a firm favourite, with around four million visitors registered last year. Official figures in July showed that 2012 broke the record for the tourism industry as around 83 million foreign visitors headed to France, among them an increasing number of Asian travellers, "With a new record number of foreign arrivals, France retains its first place in the world in 2012," the country's international competitiveness agency, DGCIS, said in its annual report on tourism. "The economic and political problems that are affecting many parts of the world continue to spare the tourism sector," added the report, noting that the number of tourists increased by almost two per cent.

Despite the economic crisis hitting countries such as Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Europeans remain the largest group of foreign travelers, accounting for almost 83 per cent of all visitors, a rise of three per cent compared to the year 2011. The number of Asian tourists also grew at a rate of 10 per cent, with over one million Chinese visiting France’s famous hotels and restaurants. Nice continues to be a leading destination for international tourism, making it into the top five of the most visited cities in France, after Paris, Lourdes, Lyon and Toulouse. An average of four million foreign tourists flocked to the Côte d'Azur last year to enjoy its warm weather, the Mediterranean sea and all the southern delights Nice has to offer. France earned more than 36 billion euros from tourism in 2012, which represents a rise of six per cent compared to 2011. Mado Bayon

New rules for British passports BRITISH NATIONALS living in France will now have to send any passport applications home to the U.K. rather than the former passport processing centre in Paris. "Current processing times will remain the same," says Marina Pettigrew, the head of the centre in the French capital, "all this means is that British nationals will send their applications to a different address." Pettigrew warns concerned expats who are renewing their passport to allow at least four weeks from the application's arrival and for those who are applying for the first time or replacing a lost or stolen

passport to allow an extra fortnight. If the matter is urgent, British nationals will still be able to obtain emergency travel documents from their nearest British Consulate. The closest of France's three British Consulates is Marseille. Paris also houses an embassy establishment, as does Bordeaux. British citizens applying under the new system won't face the premium rate charges of the former services but will only pay the cost of an average call to a U.K. landline. The Passport Advice Line can be reached at: +44 (0)300 222 0000.

PACA pay is second highest in France A NEW STUDY has revealed that employees in the PACA region are some of the best paid in France, second only to Paris. The research, carried out by the economy monthly Le Journal Des Entreprises, found that employees in the Provence and Côte d'Azur region earn an average of 32,517 euros per year. Wages in the Alpes Maritimes and Bouches du Rhône regions are higher again, with the average salary reaching over 33,000 euros. PACA comes behind Ile de France, the French capital's department, where the standard paycheck is more than 39,000 euros. In France, the average salary rests at 33,003 euros. Within PACA, the towns with the highest average salary are Aix en Provence and Antibes, including Sophia Antipolis, with 33,973 euros. Nice employees receive less of an average wage - just over 31,000 euros. The north and west of France are slightly behind, with salaries of around 29,000 euros in Brittany, Normandy and the Loire region. The study also exposed a number of inequalities with regards to pay differences based on gender. Women in PACA typically receive 29,120 euros while men earn 34,944 euros per year.

Political Column by Julian Nundy

The Riviera Times’ political commentator in Paris

An unhappy France

n March 1968, Pierre Viansson-Ponté, the senior editorialist at Le Monde newspaper, wrote a now famous commentary headlined When France is bored. Two months later, the country was shaken by students' and workers' riots that threatened to bring down the government. Were Viansson-Ponté alive today, he might write that France is unhappy, gloomy or pessimistic, or all of those things. One after another, drawing on various opinion polls, various media highlight just how despondent the French are today. President François Hollande, speaking on the 14th July national holiday, remarked on the phenomenon, saying that even in some countries at war, people are more optimistic than the French. For many of today's commentators, however, Hollande himself is part of the problem. When Hollande was elected, defeating the centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in May of last year, promising to be a "normal" president after his hyperactive predecessor, his supporters looked forward to a gentler, more caring approach from a Socialist head

Taking the frustration out of French bureaucracy

rance's bureaucracy is notoriously slow and, for many foreigners, very confusing. But life is about to become simpler as the French government unveils a new series of measures to ease interactions between the French State and its citizens. From driving penalty points to paying VAT, the new set of rules could make l'administration more modern and user-friendly. Among the most anticipated measures, the life of a carte d'identité (ID card) will be extended from 10 years to 15 years, saving money and many hours at town halls in the process. The restaurant tickets system, whereby certain companies give their employees around eight euros a day to spend on lunch, will also be simplified. Before the end of the year, a rechargeable card will replace the paper system to make paying for food more convenient. Around 3.5 million French workers use the restaurant tickets system.

Checking how many points a motorist has lost on their driving license will also become a little less timeconsuming since the data will be posted online for drivers to consult. Businesses are also set to benefit from the government's plan, with obligations for trading firms to register with French tax authorities to be removed. Those companies will only have to register with their local chamber of commerce, cutting paperwork and costs by half. Several administrative procedures for businesses will be achieved online, such as payment of VAT, which represents five million bills sent by the State every year. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the measures will save the country around three billion euros in 2014 by speeding up and simplifying the interactions between the French State and businesses, as well as those who live in the country. Mado Bayon

of State. In the event, the overall feeling is that very little has been done at all. Reflecting this, Hollande has beaten all records of unpopularity for the first year of a presidency. Hollande's interview broke perhaps the most insignificant of his election promises: not to address the French from the Elysée Palace live on television on Bastille Day, as most of his predecessors, but not Sarkozy, had done. On his first 14th July last year, Hollande dutifully decamped about 200 meters down the road to the Place de la Concorde and did it from there. This year, he was interviewed in the gardens of the presidency. Why he ever thought such an odd promise was necessary remains a mystery. Even before his interview, several French media, including Le Monde, asked why Hollande was bothering to give one at all, given the level of disillusionment with his presidency and the improbability that he would have anything to announce. But he did have an announcement. The economic recovery, he said, "is here". In other words, his compatriots' gloom should now lift. This brought a storm of sarcasm

from Sarkozy's UMP party itself in the dumps with several potentially devastating scandals hovering over Sarkozy but, more importantly, from economists who said France was nowhere near climbing back towards growth. Britain, while facing equally severe economic problems, has had a flurry of sporting events to boost national pride - the London Olympics last year, Andy Murray at Wimbledon, a Briton dominating the Tour de France and a victory in the first cricket Test against Australia. France had fewer reasons for sporting cheer this summer. But it did have one big one: the women's singles champion at Wimbledon was French Marion Bartoli. But, while Prime Minister David Cameron and Alex Salmond, the Scottish first minister, cheered Murray on at centre court, Hollande failed to capitalise on Bartoli's success. A few days after her first Grand Slam victory, the new women's champion, replying to a television interviewer, said that, though there was an Elysée statement hailing her achievement, the president had not picked up his phone to congratulate her in person.

For garden enthusiasts THE BIGGEST and most beautiful landscaping event on the Riviera returns for another year, nestled in the Gulf of Saint Tropez. The nurseries of Derbez will host the 9th Rencontre de Jardins, where designers, gardeners and landscapers will display their breathtaking creations. What makes this event so unique is the seamless weaving together of stunning design and environmental protection. The Rencontre de Jardins, or Garden Meeting, first began in 2005 with just 35 exhibitors in a space of 5,000 square metres. This year, the event will welcome 200 exhibitors who will present their gardens on 33,000 square metres. A recurring theme for 2013's edition is floating and suspended gardens. Multilevel ponds, staircases and wild, aerial vegetation are just some of the striking ideas permeating in these creative displays. Another feature this year are 'green roofs', which can serve as irrigation systems and can be used to conserve water. A thorough selection

process for exhibitors has given the Rencontre de Jardins a reputation for high quality displays and spectacular presentations. Today, it is a leader in gardening, design and landscaping. One of the highlights of the event is ‘Professional's Day', a chance for landscaping and design specialists to network and discover the latest innovations in their field. Conferences, workshops, garden creation competitions and a cocktail event will all be on the programme. The Rencontre de Jardins takes place in Derbez Nurseries from 6th until 9th September.

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NEWS AUGUST 2013

RIVIERA AND MONACO NEWS IN BRIEF THE MONEGASQUE government is limiting 'happy hour' services in the Principality to just two hours a day between 5pm and 9pm. It says the action is aimed at preventing excessive drinking among young people, which is a "serious concern" for the institution. Minors are now completely forbidden from drinking alcoholic beverages in shops, in the streets, in public spaces and in establishments that are frequented by the public. PACA IS the fourth region in France most affected by poverty, according to a new study by the national statistics office INSEE. Figures show that more than 805,500 people in the region were living below the poverty line on less than 964 euros per month in 2010 16.3 per cent, compared to the national average of 14.1 per cent. In the list of regions most affected by poverty, PACA came behind Corsica, Nord Pas de Calais and Bouches du Rhône. These three regions had poverty rates of over 19 per cent. Families with only one parent are more likely to be affected by poverty. In PACA, 33 per cent of single-parent families were classed as poor in 2010. This figure is twice as much as the national average.

A CASE of meningitis put health professionals and families on the Côte d'Azur on high alert in late July. A twoyear-old girl who was attending a creche in Brignoles was rushed to a Marseille hospital after doctors diagnosed her with the potentially deadly illness. Authorities commenced an immediate awareness campaign targeting families who could have come into contact with the toddler. No further cases were reported at the time of this newspaper going to print. FOLLOWING SEVEN years of bitter disputes over ownership, the battle between French owners and Russian members of the Cannes Orthodox Church has finally ended. An Aix en Provence court has ruled that the iconic monument will remain in French hands but the decision has been met with both satisfaction and disappointment as divisions between the opposing church members widen. Along with the iconic Saint Nicolas cathedral in Nice, Cannes Orthodox Church represents one of the most emblematic sites of Russian culture on the Côte d' Azur. TWO COGOLIN municipal

Nicolas Timmermans

Legendary footballer Christiano Ronaldo, the face of Jacob & Co., with jeweller Jacob Arabo at a special jewellery exhibition in the Hôtel de Paris on 4th July. The exclusive event formed part of luxurious celebrations for SBM’s 150th anniversary. For more pictures, visit our Monaco Times section, page 11.

police officers in the Var are being investigated following accusations of drinking on the job. According to the National Union of the Municipal Police, the police chief's driving license was withdrawn after a breath test in mid-June revealed a high level of alcohol in his blood. He was driving an official police vehicle at the time, according to the Var Matin. It follows a separate investigation that was previously launched by the National Police General Inspection services and

involves an officer in charge of the night squad, who is accused of repeatedly drinking alcohol while working. AROUND 40 per cent of doctors in the Alpes Maritimes and 30 per cent in the Var have agreed not to increase their fees for regular medical consultations within the next three years. Health Minister Marisol Touraine has welcomed the move while saying that the battle against abusive doctor's fees was "one of her priorities". The A.M. and

five other departments have already reached the goal established by the Health Ministry - to have 33 per cent of doctors in each department sign the contrats d 'accès aux soins (contracts to access medical care), stating that they will not increase tariffs for patient consultations. The contrats d'accès aux soins will be enforced in October only if 8,000 doctors have agreed to the new system. ROCK STAR Bono made a surprise appearance in Nice on

15th July to pay homage to another Irish artistic icon. The U2 frontman accompanied a varied group of ambassadors, politicians and representatives of the Irish community to unveil a plaque to the writer James Joyce . The plaque now rests on the façade of Hôtel Suisse at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, where the avant-garde writer stayed while he was writing his final novel in December 1922. Bono suggested he would like to play a concert in Nice next year. FORMER PRIME minister François Fillon is pulling away from the UMP party, creating a new internal movement called 'The Republican Force'. Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi, local parliamentarian Eric Ciotti and Mayor of Antibes Jean Léonetti have been nominated as representatives for the new political association, which reveals bitter and lasting divisions among the UMP Conservative Party. Around 50 UMP senators and members of the national assembly have been nominated to represent Fillon and his candidacy for the 2017 presidential campaign. "The future of the UMP party can not be linked to one man only," declared Fillon during a public meeting in La Motte on 11th July.

Christian Estrosi takes national stand against travellers Mayor of Nice receives death threats and complaints but refuses to back down from his controversial position

ayor of Nice and president of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis Christian Estrosi dominated headlines last month after making a number of controversial comments about the travelling community on national television. Estrosi called on mayors all over France to revolt against travellers using his 'method', and referred to travellers as "delinquents". The mayor's interview attracted an outburst of negative reactions from both representative groups and fellow politicians, but he did receive some support for his strong stance. During his appearance on the show 'Grand Rendez-Vous' on Europe 1, Estrosi recalled his previous 'success' in forcing one group of travellers out of Stade Arboras in Nice. The group left 24 hours after Estrosi delivered a stern 'ultimatum'. "'You're going to leave,' I told them. 'I brought others to heel and I will bring you to heel,'" Estrosi revealed on national television. The mayor also suggested installing security cameras and allowing the courts to confiscate vehicles as a means of deterring travelling groups from moving in. He later added that he thought democracy was not "exactly compatible" with Islam, France's secondbiggest religion.

Criticism of the UMP mayor began on Twitter during the television appearance, but soon spread all over France. In the aftermath of the interview, France Liberté Voyage, MRAP and SOS Racisme all announced that they were lodging formal complaints against Estrosi for the incitement of hatred. A statement from MRAP compared the mayor's comments to the ideas of the National Front. The controversy even attracted international attention, when the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) made a complaint about the mayor in a letter to the Public Prosecutor of Nice on 17th July. The ERTF is a leading representative group for

travelling communities and is supported by the Council of Europe. However, condemnation of the mayor of Nice did not stop with interest groups. The spokesperson for the Socialist Party, Eduardo Rihan Cypel, compared his methods of deterring travellers to a pogrom. Interior Minister Manuel Valls also criticised the mayor personally during a heated question session in France's National Assembly on 9th July. "The discourse you have held onto for the past few days damages France," he said. But the mayor reiterated his earlier comments about travellers to the Assembly. "When someone enters the property of others by breaking in and destroys it, they are simply a delinquent," he said. Estrosi has received some praise for his approach from Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of the Alpes Maritimes. Ciotti said on Twitter that under Estrosi's lead, the Alpes Maritimes has "contained" Roma occup-

ations, some of which were "violent". He added that Estrosi "expressed an anger that we feel on the ground". The mayor also has an ally in the form of former budget minister Eric Woerth. Speaking to RTL, Woerth said that people had "had enough" of travelling groups, and that he understood Estrosi's opinion. "The abuses that he denounces have also appeared in my constituency of Chantilly," he added. While some travellers pass through towns and cities without incident, certain groups have broken into private property on a number of occasions. On 14th July, travelling groups forced their way into three different locations in Hyères, despite hours of negotations with local authorities. Estrosi has since suggested that mayors all over the country use his method when dealing with travellers. On 15th July, he released a 'guide' for local authorities who wish to eradicate travelling groups from their towns. Published

on the mayor's Facebook page, the guide outlines 10 ways mayors can "fight against illegal occupation of land", and 10 others for anticipating illegal occupations and "avoiding squats". Many of the measures he previously suggested featured in the guide, and the mayor said he would send the document to 3,500 mayors throughout the country. Under the 2000 Besson Law, every community of more than 5,000 people must provide an area where travelling communities can live. This means that the Alpes Maritimes should have dozens of areas open to travellers. Four additional grounds were allocated by the outgoing prefect of the Alpes Maritimes, Christophe Mirmand, in June - much to Estrosi's dismay. "I seriously condemn the French State for this decision, which has given away lands belonging to our community in order to welcome huge numbers of travellers without giving the mayor a chance to

say a word," Estrosi said in a public statement at the time. But he has since used the presence of these grounds to justify his treatment of travelling groups. "There is a law that says we must have halting sites with a certain capacity. We have them here in Nice," he said during the interview with Europe 1. Speaking to France Inter after the release of his guide, Christian Estrosi claimed that he had "changed the rules of the game" when it came to dealing with travellers. "Even the Socialist party has jumped on the bandwagon on this subject," he said. The mayor has received two death threats so far. A suspect package containing white powder was sent to his office on 10th July, while the previous week he received an email which contained a threat to shoot him in the head and was signed 'We, the Romas'. Estrosi has reaffirmed that he will not back down from his position. Jane O'Faherty

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LIFESTYLE

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AUGUST 2013

The price of good music Nice Jazz Festival sees record attendance, less revenue

W A picture perfect museum at night. Photo: Jean-Marie Muggianu

New State museum opens The first of its kind in the world dedicated to civilisations of the Mediterranean

fter 12 years of waiting, a new State-funded museum has been officially opened in Marseille. French President François Hollande launched the 191 million euro project in a grand ceremony in June. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (or MuCEM) arrived as the city celebrates its tenure as the European Capital of Culture 2013. The building, located in the city's old port, is the result of political discussions and delays dating back as far as 2000. MuCEM is the first example of a State museum in France located outside of Paris, with 65 per cent of the cost being paid for by the French government. While the museum was first suggested more than a decade ago, construction work only began in 2009. President of MuCEM Bruno Suzzarelli described the project as "the first museum in the world dedicated to civilisations of the Mediterranean." Directly facing the open sea, the museum considers itself as "a new way of seeing the

Mediterranean as a place of openness and sharing, reflecting on a common history, understanding the dialogue of civilisations, explaining the challenges involved, applying these to contemporary phenomena, and shaping a new public space." It's hoped the museum reflects the 'world culture' that characterises the Mediterranean in order to extend this beyond its geographical confines: the blend of Latin culture and Christianity extends to the Americas; the Muslim world unfolds from the Saharan tip of Africa to the borders of Indonesia, through the Middle East; Jewish culture has spread to all continents, and the Orthodox world, starting with Greece and South Slavic Europe, has penetrated as far as Siberia. Suzarelli said he envisaged the museum as "a place for debate, comparing ideas with a rich cultural programme," and added that it is "a great cultural project" but also a place for locals themselves. "The museum is something Marseille can be proud of," he declared.

Exploring the life of Renoir THE COVETED former home of impressionist artist PierreAuguste Renoir has reopened to the public following 18 months of devoted renovations in the creamy walled villa. Set in the citrus scented olive groves of Domaine des Collettes, the newly inaugurated Musée Renoir is a credit to the French painter, who retired to the Cagnes sur Mer retreat in his later years due to the onset of arthritis. Renoir refused to give up his work and continued his painting career in the sunlit rooms and gardens of the house, which in the years after his death were transformed into a museum

dedicated to his artistic brilliance and prominence among the masters of the art world. The site has been entirely remodeled inside and provides a unique glimpse into the life of the famous painter. In addition to wandering through the main house, gazing at Renoir's varied masterpieces, the museum has now been extended into the family kitchen and rooms with views over the garden. Here you can find a new collection of sculptures and canvases that have been given to the museum by both Renoir's family and that of French sculptor Richard Guino.

ith its impressive artist list and lively city centre location, the annual Nice Jazz Festival was a resounding success as record numbers of fans headed to the city for five days of pure musical delight. Headliners George Benson, Ben Harper and Earth, Wind & Fire pulled some of the biggest crowds the festival has ever seen and almost 38,000 people streamed through the event gates in early July. But it all came at a serious cost as expenses spiralled above the two million euro mark. Despite making over 1,175,000 euros in ticket and merchandise sales, the books didn't actually balance up in the end for the Nice Jazz Festival 2013, as the total cost of the event reached a massive 2,011,889 euros.

Nicolas Timmermans

Ben Harper (above) and Charlie Musselwhite (below left) were one of the highlights of this year’s Nice Jazz Festival, an event which managed to attract a record number of visitors this year

This year's edition attracted a wide range of commercial partners, of which a third were new additions to its ranks. But their support was unable to counteract the significant extra costs of last minute Nicolas Timmermans work on the

festival site following the Tour de France. However, regardless of the financial figures, the festival proved to be a hit with spectators and a mecca for jazz lovers who arrived in Nice in droves to see the wide range of exciting live performances, resulting in a turnout 17 per cent higher than the previous year. Over the years, the Nice Jazz Festival has established itself

as a prominent music institution in the Côte d'Azur and has now set its sights on tackling the online market. Since last year's event, organisers have conscientiously nurtured the festival's presence on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, developing a significant fan base - over 5,500 likes and more than 1,100 followers respectively. Elsa Carpenter

Eye on film with James Luxford THE LONE RANGER (7th August) A mega-budget blockbuster charting the creation and adventures of The Lone Ranger (Armie Hammer), a masked vigilante in the old west aided by his sidekick Tonto (Johnny Depp). Co-starring Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Wilkinson, this action-comedy is pleasant enough, if somewhat forgettable despite the pedigree of the stars involved and the lineage of the characters. Hammer and Depp combined with a great deal of action set pieces will make sure you're never bored, but never enthralled either. STAR RATING: *** THE PURGE (7th August) Set in the near future, The Purge is a horror-thriller set in a world where crime is almost nonexistent thanks to one night a year known as 'The Purge', where all crime is legal for twelve hours. Ethan Hawke plays a wealthy man who must defend himself and his family when their home is attacked. A neat concept isn't quite built

remake of the 80s movie, which follows a group of youngsters who must become their own militia when America is taken over by Communist forces. With a storyline that feels dated and action that comes across as very superficial, the film struggles to draw you in - meaning that a high concept 'what if' thriller turns into a rather dull melodrama relatively quickly. STAR RATING: **

The Lone Ranger stars Johnny Depp (left) and Armie Hammer

upon as you might have hoped, but the film still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat thanks to solid direction and a tense atmosphere. STAR RATING: *** THE WORLD'S END (28th August) The final part in Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright's Blood & Ice Cream trilogy, which includes the hits Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Pegg and Frost play old friends

attempting to successfully complete a pub crawl of all their hometown bars in one night, only to find the town has been taken over by a mysterious force. Cheerful and hilarious, the film is the perfect genre-spoofing end to one of Britain's most successful exports of recent times. STAR RATING: **** RED DAWN (28th August) Chris Hemsworth, Adrianne Palicki and a host of other young stars appear in this

ORIGINAL VERSION CINEMAS Antibes - Le Casino Cannes - Les Arcades, Studio 13 Le Cannet - Le Cannet Toiles Mandelieu-La-Napoule - Salle Léonard de Vinci Nice - Cinéma Mercury, Cinéma Rialto, Cinémathèque, PathéMasséna Valbonne - Les Visiteurs du Soir Draguignan - Eldorado 3, 4 & 5 Fréjus - Cinéma Le Vox Montauroux - Maison Pour Tous Ste-Maxime - Le Pagnol Toulon - Cinéma Le Royal, Pathé Liberté Monaco - Cinema Sporting

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LIFESTYLE AUGUST 2013

Dreaming of stars The very personal story of star chef Alain Llorca, a man whose dreams are (mostly) coming to fruition

e is (so far) the only man I have ever arranged to meet in a wholesale market at the unearthly hour of 3am. That was almost 20 years ago. At the time, Alain Llorca was the star chef at the Chantecler restaurant in Nice's Negresco hotel, and we met to do some shopping for the next day's menu. Since then, we have both gained in age and experience - not to mention a few more kilos, but he more than me. Today, the 45-year-old is a superstar on the Côte d'Azur restaurant scene. This time, we decide to catch up at the newly opened Café Llorca in Vallauris on Place Paul Isnard. I found the bistro just a few steps from the Picasso Museum. It has a provençal elegance with a down-to-earth look, and numerous tables outside. Franck, Alain's business partner, welcomes me with exquisite courtesy. "The chef has called to say he will be a little late." In order to save time, I eat alone, but the delicious food is enough to hold my attention. The

concept of the Café Llorca brand is to provide food prepared to the standard of a leading chef, but at acceptable prices. Alain finally arrives more than an hour late - just in time to exchange two kisses and make another arrangement for 9am in La Colle sur Loup. Four years ago, the enterprising restaurateur bought the fourstar Restaurant Hotel Alain Llorca just outside of St. Paul de Vence. The hotel provides just 10 rooms and suites, and has a wonderful position in a Mediterranean paradise with swimming pool and a view over the artists' village. The host also won a Michelin star here in a very short time. Forewarned is forearmed, and for the second meeting I bring work with me. He arrives an hour late with all the charm of a cuddly bear. It is impossible to be annoyed with such a man. "The fish did not arrive on time," he says sadly. He still does all the shopping himself. It's in his blood. We talk about the past decades. At 28 he was appointed head chef at the

Chantecler by the owner of the Negresco, Jeanne Augier. By that point he had already gained his first Michelin star at his restaurant Les Peintres in Haut de Cagnes. The task was to retain the two existing stars of the prestigious Nice restaurant. "It was not easy to move from managing a team of six to a team of 40," remembers Alain, who started his career as a student at Nice's school of hotel management. "I wanted everything to be perfect. After all, my reputation was at stake." Over time, the charismatic chef became bored, and there were also some tensions with the hotel owner. For example, reveals Alain, all leftover food had to be kept in the fridge to be collected by animal protection groups. This did not always happen, however, so the food went off and was then thrown away under his orders for reasons of hygiene. When this came to the attention of Madame Augier, she was so angry that she went to slap him round the face. But he remained calm. "If you do that I

Alain Llorca: On the Côte d'Azur his name stands for creative cooking and an entrepreneurial spirit

will hit you back," he told her, whereupon she replied, "It would be much better if we calmed down." He left the Negresco after seven years, even though as a young man he had dreamed of working here as a famous chef. But an even greater adventure was about to happen: Roger Vergé sold him the legendary Moulin de Mougins. Le Figaro newspaper wrote at the time: "This Llorca is unbelievably lucky to be able to buy such an historic restaurant before he has even reached 40. Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda and Sharon Stone have all dined here." So was it really lucky? For the chef, buying this restaurant was at first the pinnacle of his career: he was free and could

finally realise his long-held dream of gaining three Michelin stars. He worked like one possessed. But it didn't work out that way. Serious internal disagreements with his predecessor sucked all the energy out of him. He gave up, deeply depressed and somewhat lost after failing to achieve his life's ambition to become one of the best chefs in the world. Looking back, he said: "I learned a great deal at the time… I am a doer, a fonceur." He recovered over time, and with his brother Jean Michel, who is an outstanding maitre patissier, he started to turn his name into a brand. Cafés Llorca have since been established in Monaco at the Grimaldi Forum, in Vallauris and in Nice old town, while he

also has a gourmet counter in Cap 3000. And there is much more to come. "I am not on the search for opportunities, but when they present themselves I take the bull by the horns," says Alain during our talk on the wonderful terrace in La Colle sur Loup. He is currently considering an offer to open a Café Llorca in the mountains. He and his brother also run cooking courses, and the father of two daughters particularly enjoys his work with children. "I love what I do, I find it enriching. The passion is my engine, and I can still do so much more," he says. There is no question that more surprises lie ahead. Petra Hall Anne Morris

AUTOMOTIVE SPECIAL

The eagerly awaited Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Thanks to its electric drive range, the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid heralds the beginning of a new era for the car The Riviera Times took the luxury vehicle for a test drive

ummer time means traffic jams. When nothing is moving on the Croisette, the long line of cars is a sore trial for pedestrians with the smell of exhaust fumes and the noise of car horns. Electric cars have been on the market for some time, but their limited range has so far

been a major disadvantage. A petrol/electric hybrid car is the solution, and Porsche has now created a new edition in this range with the Panamera S EHybrid. A green solution The Stuttgart company packages the hybrid technology in a way that will also appeal to design enthusiasts. The latest version

of the Panamera S E-Hybrid, which is an evolution of the former Panamera Hybrid, comes with new headlights and modified rear lights, but more innovation is hidden under the bonnet: the Porsche is now able to drive long distances in electric mode. V6 bi-turbo Despite this focus on economy, there is no need to

forgo a dynamic performance. The car can accelerate up to 135km/h in electric mode, and only then does it switch automatically to the V6 biturbo petrol engine with 333hp. The same thing also happens if the driver is in a hurry and presses the acceleration pedal beyond the pressure point. Since the change in the drive is completely unnoticeable to the driver, the speedometer indicates how much energy is being consumed. It's also possible to manually select one of four driving modes in advance by pressing a button. This is always practical if you

know you have access to a charging station nearby. It is now possible for the first time to charge the battery either using the 220-volt socket or a personal wallbox in order to ensure the electric engine is always fully charged and ready for use. No sacrifice on performance It's a point of honour at Porsche that driving pleasure is not sacrificed to meet environmental requirements. The two-tonne car handles even the tightest bends with ease and the automatic gear selection is extremely smooth and precise. The eight-speed automatic makes use of the car's full 416hp to tackle even the most challenging mountainous roads. There is no question: this is an eco-car that is also enormous fun to drive. And the Panamera is able to make the claim of being an eco-car: according to the company the Porsche should need only 3.1 litres of petrol per 100km, and even though we used more on our

test drive it was still incredible to us that the sports car's consumption was well below eight litres. This is particularly because of the car's opulent interior, which you would expect with any luxury car. Economical but not cheap The hybrid car does not look that different from other Porsche models, apart from some superficial elements such as the grey-green pointers on the dials and the four buttons for selecting the right drive. This means that the standard fittings of the 110,409 euro Panamera S E-Hybrid can be stocked up as required. After paying such a high sum for the car, the new owner may find some consolation in the lower petrol consumption. It is for each owner to find out if it pays off in the end. Whatever the case, it certainly pays off for the environment. Sven Jürisch

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GULF OF SAINT TROPEZ

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AUGUST 2013

Maurice de Vlaminck exhibition Understanding the decisive years ALONGSIDE DERAIN and Matisse, Parisian Maurice de Vlaminck was a leader in the early 20th century Fauvism movement. His strident colours and characteristically wide brush strokes were symptomatic elements of the Impressionist-inspired genre, but de Vlaminck's bold and sometimes fearless approach to using the paint palette was a unique attribute of this late artist. A new Saint Tropez exhibition is showing works from de Vlaminck's 'decisive years' of 1900 to 1914. The collection is a journey through the first stages of de Vlaminck's career and takes the viewer on a vibrant adventure that begins with the artist's first days under Derain's mentorship to his proclaimations of "Never a red too red, never a blue too blue".

In the midst of the rich burnt orange tones and velvety vermilion accents, it is possible to follow the painter's slight but sure passage down Cézanne's blue hue route, as de Vlaminck turned away from his previously glowing colour schemes and instead choose a more sober tone. The exhibition's time period was decisive in constructing de Vlaminck's life as an artist and also in altering the course of his future career. Indeed, it is his later, darker works that are remembered better than the lively depictions of the countryside that characterised de Vlaminck's first foray into the art world. The multifaceted collection of ceramic pieces and painted works will be on display at the Musée de l'Annonciade in Saint Tropez until 14th October.

Iconic police station to become a museum Do you have anything to contribute? WHAT WAS once the set of cult French 1960s film Le Gendarme de Saint Tropez is now being transformed into a museum that will celebrate the local gendarmerie police force and the Côte d'Azur's rich cinematic heritage. The two million euro renovations are due to start in September but Saint Tropez officials have already begun the interesting task of rounding up old memorabilia that will feature among the museum's new exhibitions. "If you have any souvenirs, posters or photographs that are linked to the police station

or if you took part in any of the films set in Saint Tropez, please get in touch," says Gwenaëlle Van Butsele, a representative for the new museum. The establishment was made famous in 1964 when the station was chosen as the set for the first in a line of films that would become known as 'Les Gendarmes'. The iconic site is already a popular tourist spot with fans hoping to relive the trials and tribulations of gendarme Ludovic Cruchot (Louis de Funès), an officer who has been reassigned to the picturesque seaside town.

A decision looms for the future of Pampelonne Major restructuring plan is examined for coastline Ghiribelli, businesses on the beach are "the driving force of tourism in the Var". Meanwhile, there is concern among some politicians that the scheme could endanger the economy of Pampelonne. A number of alternative proposals have already been put forward. They include reducing the need for car parks by Under new plans, the number of establishments along the picturesque strip will be providing transport for tourists, and reduced from 27 to 23, giving back more space to the public using natural and ampelonne beach The proposition has outraged recyclable materials in the could be drastically many business owners along various businesses along the changed if plans to Pampelonne. Led by the Var beach. A redevelopment scheme restructure the Trade and Hotel Industry coastline are approved. After Union and the National has been discussed since May years of debate, comm- Federation of Beach Rest- 2006, but it's been repeatedly issioners are now looking at aurants, employers say they delayed due to a lack of development plans that aim to are worried that their agreement between the increase tourism along the livelihoods are in danger prefecture of the Var and local iconic strip of coastline, while because four private beaches, businesses. The first official maintaining the natural restaurants or bars will close if plan was put forward three years ago but failed to get the environment. Local bus- the scheme goes ahead. The group also claims that go ahead because it didn't inesses, however, fear that they will be the biggest losers if the the restructure will threaten have the necessary environ800 jobs, affecting the lives of mental evaluation. The latest new plan goes ahead. The current scheme pro- around 4,000 residents in the plan was put out for public poses to re-establish a dune area. Businesses, who will be consultation in March and along the beach, on what will forced to apply for new tenders closed in mid-July. The results of the consulbe publicly owned land. This once the scheme gets means that any buildings or underway, fear they could lose tation will be examined by facilities within the area will be out to international comp- three commissioners. Despite demolished. There are also etitors. They argue the existing the opposition, President of plans to reduce the number of buildings pose no threat to the the commissioners Roger businesses on the beach from environment and that there is Harang said there has been 27 to 23. The space allocated no scientific basis to the less feedback than expected. "In total, 300 people have to buildings will fall to less restructure plans. According to the president come forward, individually or than 8,200 square metres and anything above 8,909 square of the Var Trade and Hotel in groups. But that's not a lot," Industry Union, Jean-Pierre he said, as quoted in Nice metres will be destroyed.

Matin. "Many are foreigners, attached to the beach as it is now." Pampelonne is legendary among the beaches of the Côte d'Azur and attracts up to 30,000 visitors a day during the high season. With its soft sand and stunning scenery, it has established itself as one of Europe's top destinations for beachgoers. In 2007, the annual turnover of businesses in the area was estimated at 39 million euros. Its prestigious reputation means the beach now occupies a paradoxical legal position. It falls under the Coastal Law, which states that the beach is a 'natural, remarkable space' that must not be tampered with. However, France's 10th State Plan 1989-1992 recognises the beach as a World Tourism Centre due to the huge number of visitors it attracts each year. Therefore, there is a need to protect the natural beauty of Pampelonne, as well as develop its tourism potential. But the beach is also exempt from the Coastal Law thanks to an amendment made in December 2000, which allows for a future development scheme if it protects the environment. Finding a plan that fits the legal requirements while satisfying tourists, beachgoers and businesspeople has proved challenging, acknowledges the mayor of Ramatuelle, Roland Bruno, who met with business people on 8th July. A decision is due mid to late August. Jane O'Faherty

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No leads in death of former police chief Boating incident off Cap d’Ail claims the life of 50-year-old

nvestigations are continuing into the death of former Monaco police chief André Muhlberger. The 50-year-old died in a violent boating accident in Cap d'Ail in June. There were no witnesses to the incident and police are still trying to determine exactly which boat was involved and if anyone should be held accountable. At around 6pm on 23rd June, Muhlberger was swimming back to the 22 metre Mangusta 72 yacht Joyka following a late lunch with friends at Plage Mala in Cap d'Ail, when he was somehow caught up in boat propellers. He sustained fatal injuries to his head and legs and died at the scene.

While the victim had been accompanied by a female friend on his 300 metre swim back to the boat, the woman has reportedly claimed that she didn't witness the incident because the swell was too big. No other witnesses to the violent incident have come forward. Initial reports suggested that Muhlberger's death was caused by a yacht that fled the scene, however it was later suggested that the Joyka may have been responsible. The captain of the yacht and an unidentified member of the onboard crew were reportedly taken into custody for several hours in early July but no charges were laid. "No criminal proceedings

have been taken and the investigation continues," Nice prosecutor Eric Bedos told local media. "There are many avenues to be explored." The Principality of Monaco, the police force and Prince Albert II paid tribute to the former head of police at the Sainte Dévote church on 5th July. "The Government of Monaco expresses its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and shares the emotion of police officers of the Principality," read an official statement. André Muhlberger served as the Director of Public Safety of the Principality of Monaco from 2006 to 2012.

Renaissance political party, made up of SBM employees and trade union members, strongly came out against the project in July, damning their employer for "sacrificing the building without a second thought". "Renaissance is fervently against the demolition of Sporting d'Hiver," said the party in a press release. "Its destruction represents a massive loss for Monaco, for its cultural scene, architecture, and history. These new buildings [which will replace Sporting d'Hiver] are completely lacking in visual and aesthetic coherence with the iconic architecture of the Place du Casino." The new buildings are made up of seven glass fronted and metal lined blocks that will house a combination of

"Do you take Monaco to be your lawful place of citizenship?" ... "I do"

Cassandra Tanti

Support mounts for Sporting d'Hiver riticism is flooding in from all corners of the Principality over the Sporting d'Hiver demolition and urban renewal scheme in the Place du Casino. An increasing number of politicians, entrepreneurs and local residents have come out against the destruction of Monaco's famous art deco structure and it is hoped that owner and project leader SBM will be forced to rethink its plans before bringing in the bulldozers. Objections have reached a new height, with some of Monaco's biggest names weighing into the mix with their concerns about the imminent demolition, while the Conseil National has accused SBM of trying to "force its hand". The newly created

Citizenship boom

residential, professional, commercial and cultural spaces and cost SBM over 600 million euros. Monaco-based fashion designer Elizabeth Wessel has lent her voice to the mounting criticism, joining other recognisable names such as the Monte Carlo Opera chief Jean-Louis Grinda and the former director of the Théâtre Princesse Grace Patrick Hourdequin. "This magnificent art deco building is part of the legend of Monte Carlo. It is a big mistake to destroy the little history that is left in the Principality," said Wessel. While the Conseil National has said that it is not "opposed to the project in principle", the council has promised to keep a close eye on the SBM strategy behind the financing scheme. Elsa Carpenter

In the space of just one year, marriage became the most popular way of becoming an official national of the Principality of Monaco

demographic study of Monegasques over the past 50 years has shown that marriage has become the most popular way to obtain citizenship in the Principality. The number of people tying the knot has multiplied tenfold since a new law was introduced in 2011. It's just one of the interesting statistics to emerge from the study, which is the first of its kind to be carried out among Monegasque nationals. The study, published by Monaco's statistics office IMSEE, has examined data gathered from the beginning of the 1950s up until 31st December 2012. The report includes comparisons in birth and death rates, life expectancy and marriage rates. The study focuses solely

on Monegasque citizens. A key finding was the staggering increase in marriage as a method of getting citizenship in Monaco. Since 2011, it has been possible to obtain nationality by marrying a Monegasque and in the space of just one year, marriage became the most popular way of becoming an official national of the Principality, skyrocketing from 23 applications in 2011 to 234 in 2012. The study shows that marriage between two people of Monegasque nationality is extremely rare. The number of these unions only reached eight in 2002 and declined to just one in 2012. Since 1993, the vast majority of marriages have been between Monegasques and French citizens.

These represent around 70 per cent of all marriages in 2012. However, around 90 per cent of couples chose to celebrate their union in Monaco. The majority of new citizens are from France, while Italy represents 2.6 per cent of all new nationals, the U.S. 0.8 per cent and the U.K. 0.4 per cent. Interestingly, the birth rate has dropped to below 10 per cent (per 1,000 people) for the first time since the 1970s. It peaked at almost 15 per cent in 2002 and now currently stands at 9.9 per cent. Meanwhile, life expectancy has gradually risen since the 1950s, reaching around 82 years for men and 86 years for women - up from 68 years mid-century. Generally, Monegasque citizens get married and have children later in life than people in other countries. Speaking at the press conference in late June, Director of IMSEE Lionel Galfré said the results of the study were very different to sociological observations in countries such as France, Italy and the UK. "We do everything a little later here, including having children," he said. Author of the report Pascal Ferry noted that the Monegasque population has increased constantly over the past few years. As to whether the number of citizens would one day outnumber the foreign population, he said, was difficult to predict. Jane O'Faherty

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MONACO

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AUGUST 2013

PRINCESS STEPHANIE has happily welcomed to Monaco the two elephants suspected of having tuberculosis. Baby and Nepal arrived in the Principality on 11th July after travelling more than 500 kilometres from the Tête d'Or park zoo in Lyon. The two animals were released from their containers without a hitch and were greeted by Princess Stephanie. "Everything went really well," zoo Director Xavier Vaillant told AFP. "They will live in a place where there will be no risk to the public," he said, adding that the animals will soon be tested again for tuberculosis. Baby and Nepal's new home

is at the Grimaldi family ranch in Roc Agel, in the countryside above Monaco. The 40-year-old pachyderms narrowly escaped a death sentence when the State council suspended an execution order in late February. More than 11,000 people signed a petition urging for the animals to be saved and their former owner, the Pinder Circus, called for the French president to issue a stay of execution. The elephant’s plight was also taken up by animal activist Brigitte Bardot and Princess Stephanie. They will now live in a 3,500sqm enclosure with a wood shelter and a pool.

An ode to artistic freedom Orchestra director Gianluigi Gelmetti talks about his love for Monaco

Gianluigi Gelmetti took over as artistic and musical director of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra in January this year. Photo: Alain Hanel

Gianluigi Gelmetti has been the artistic and musical director of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic orchestra since January 2013. The Riviera Times met the Italian maestro at his office looking over the sea, where he spoke about his passion for music in all of its forms, his experiences abroad, the new season and, above all, his work in the Principality.

ianluigi Gelmetti has the aura of an Italian maestro from the Renaissance - a creative individual to whom his art means everything. He is assertive in manner but also courteous and diplomatic - possibly due in part to his international career. Besides Italy, Gianluigi Gelmetti worked for long periods in Germany, Australia and on and off in Monaco (see his curriculum vitae on right). In Australia, he enjoyed the freedom of thought, the naturalness of the people and the willingness to take risks. And he liked the basic mindset of Australians that "everything is possible". He has spent more of his life in Monaco than in Italy. "There is a mutual love between the Principality and I; it is my second home. My daughter

was born here eight years ago and she now goes to a local school," says Gelmetti. What fascinates the maestro so much about Monaco? "It is a civilised country where respect and good behaviour are a matter of course," he says. “The Principality's leaders are cultivated and do not shy away from any factual discussion,” reveals Gelmetti. When a decision is finally made, it is implemented. What impresses Gelmetti most about this small state is Princess Caroline's protection of artistic freedom. "She exerts no influence on cultural work which is something I have not experienced anywhere else. That is not to say that the Princely Family remains uninvolved - in fact, precisely the opposite is the case," he explains. "The cooperation

C. Gallo

Welcome Baby and Nepal

Right to left: Maestro Gelmetti, Director of Cultural Affairs Jean-Charles Curau, Counselor for Internal Affairs Paul Masseron,CMB Chairman of the Board Etienne Franzi and CMB CEO Werner Peyer at the signing of the sponsorship agreement between the government and the orchestra, adding to the existing sponsorship of the Oceanographic Museum and the Grimaldi Forum by the CMB.

between the country's diverse cultural establishments, such as the opera and the ballet, where the orchestra is the supporting pillar, is enriching and almost magical. It is like a miracle here. You don't need to copy Berlin, London or New York - Monaco has its own very special dynamic." Today, around 120 people work for the 150-year-old Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, including 93 musicians. When Gelmetti was called to Monaco in March 2012 - a year after the death of the unforgotten Jakov Kreizberg - he says he felt very honoured. "It is simply impossible to say no to Princess Caroline. The orchestra lacked a firm hand, but at the time I was working in Stuttgart and was therefore unable to move immediately." For the 2013/2014 season, Gelmetti says he doesn't have a particular favourite. "Every concert, every opera is like child for me," he smiles. "I love them all! It is important to be able to separate personal taste from musical competence. We are a public institution and therefore serve the diverse needs of the public. This also involves increased work with the new means of communication that are available." The orchestra's stunning new programme starts on 22nd September with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, conducted by Gianluigi Gelmetti. For further information, visit the web site at: www.opmc.mc. Petra Hall Anne Morris

Gianluigi Gelmetti The conductor and composer Gianluigi Gelmetti was born in Rome in 1945. He completed his studies with Franco Ferrara, Sergiu Celibidache and Hans Swarowsky. At only 16 years old, he made his debut as a conductor with a symphony orchestra at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena. From 1989 to 1995, Gelmetti was principal conductor at the SWR Radio symphony orchestra of Stuttgart, and from 1990 to 1992 of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2001 he was appointed principal conductor of Teatro dell'Opera in Rome. In 1984 Gelmetti made his first appearance with the Berlin Philharmonic, conducting the Seventh Symphony of Hans Werner Henze. He had his first appearance as a guest conductor in 1993 at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and in 2004 he was appointed as the orchestra's artistic director and principal conductor. In 1997 he took on the position of professor of conducting at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena. Since January 2013, Gianluigi Gelmetti has been the artistic and musical director of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

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MONACO AUGUST 2013

Monaco Yacht Show 2013

SBM took everyone's breath away with its 150th anniversary celebrations in July. The highlight was a grand picnic that required the transformation of Monaco's iconic Place du Casino into a giant, lush green meadow, while 500 lucky guests were catered for by the one and only Alain Ducasse. The weekend included performances by Lang Lang, Dame Shirley Bassey and Jamie Cullum, and ended with Rod Stewart, who launched the annual Monte Carlo Summer Sporting music festival.

"Luxury yachting, the ultimate art of life"

his September, the Principality of Monaco will once again be doing what it does best: boating excellence, bottles of champagne and business deals. Here, the world of luxury thrives as the world's elite arrives eager to see the latest designs, technologies and, indeed, prices. Yachts lining the quay, countless anchored out in the bay, motors whirring, sails flickering in the breeze… each year, the Monaco Yacht Show adds an extra dash of elegance to its host Principality and generates levels of energy and excitement impossible to find at any other trade show. But the Monaco Yacht Show has always been so much more. With the richest crowds any organiser could hope for, the four day events is, according to Ulysse Nardin CEO Patrick Hoffman, "the ideal place for

Celebrating in style

meeting the ideal people in an ideal atmosphere." The Monaco Yacht Show has established itself as a leader and a pioneer in the superyacht industry. Buyers have the spectrum of superyachts at their fingertips, brokers have a wealth of eager clients and exhibitors enjoy the perfect stage to showcase their wares. "We deliver a social and B2B networking platform for the world's top clientele," says Gaëlle Tallarida, the show's managing director. "The Monaco show remains the place to be.” Entry is 80 euros a day but readers of The Riviera Times can experience the incredible event for free - just head to our online competition page! VIP subscribers will receive free tickets ahead of the show. Just don't forget to visit The Riviera Times stand, QP6, at the show and join us for a glass of wine!

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FEATURE

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AUGUST 2013

Experience the Riviera by land, sea and air Add some adrenaline to your schedule The ease and calm of summer on the Côte d'Azur has settled in, with balmy evenings and long, lazy days on the beach melting into one under the Mediterranean sun. But as August stretches ahead of us and annual holidays begin, are you still left wanting more? Feel like hitting the back roads in a supped up sportscar or effortlessly cool vintage ride? Does the thought of sitting back and letting someone else do the work onboard a yacht or private jet sound appealing? If so, The Riviera Times is here to guide you through the fast paced and more adrenaline driven options available along the coast.

Drive the picturesque coastal roads of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur in classic style. This mid-century Porsche Spyder can be hired from Rent A Classic Car in Nice for very reasonable rates. It’s just one of the many options available to you if you are exploring or travelling through the region. Just choose your mode of transport and the level of adrenaline you want to reach!

Gasoline dreams Sports cars Full throttle and pedal to the metal, tracks steaming on the tarmac and green eyed looks from bystanders - that's one way to arrive at your Riviera destination. From a smooth but powerful sportscar to a domineering SUV, the effect is the same. Here, position and presence take precedence over almost everything else and a luxury ride is a strong start for making a first impression before you've even stepped out of the car. The sportscar car rental market on the Côte d'Azur caters to every driving disposition. Whether it's the wheel of a Lamborghini your hands are itching to take (roughly 3,500 euros a day) or the seat of a gleaming Maserati that you wish was your throne for the day (a steal at around 1,600 euros), there's an abundance of options for even the most astute driver. With cars changing hands as quickly as coins down here, companies have started to recognise that while a Rolls Royce - just over 2,000 euros fits your daytime driving pleasures, switching to a Bentley by nigh - a bigger splash out at 3,500 euros takes cool credibility to a whole new level. Buying into a week-long rental can even bring the possibility of a midweek switch, giving you the chance to trial that long

wished for Mercedes Benz (around 1,800 euros a day) but also creating the flexibility to hit the road with an exotic Audi (a cool 1,600 euros) - the one that caught your eye on the showroom floor. The deal is simple: arrive in one trophy, leave with another.

Classic cars Famous for its coastal routes and glimmering shoreline villas, it's all too easy to forget the true rustic beauty of the Côte d'Azur. In a matter you minutes you can leave city life for dust and meander up into the virgin slopes of the lower Alps where winding mountain roads and wide open plateaus make for stunning driving scenery. The classic car, such as the iconic Ford Mustang convertible - little more than 300 euros a day - or the Jaguar E-type roadster - at just under 400 euros - was built for these landscapes. This part of the world was designed to be enjoyed behind the wheel, so take the top down and feel an all natural rush as river gorges and dense alpine forests blur into serenity. On the Riviera, the iconic vintage model of your teenage fantasies could be yours for the taking from less than 200 euros a day and with deals running up to a full week or even longer with some companies, it's difficult to resist living out the

scenes of black and white films as you soar along the provincial back roads. An added dash of elegance can take the form of original extras, such as a luxurious Provence-inspired picnic basket, tailored to your own personal tastes of course, or even a chauffeur kitted out in a sharp tailcoat and top hat.

Corporate cars Flashing the cash needn't only be left for racy weekends or supped up vacations. Spending extra in day-to-day life can help take the edge off a heavy workload and make a serious business itinerary a whole lot less… serious. Whether it's an airport pickup or a drop off at your next scheduled meeting, the only words you need to speak as you step out of the office and slide through the back doors of a plush limousine or spacious sedan should be the location of your destination. Let the private chauffeur do the rest. Bespoke business transport is a popular choice for those who have other things on their minds than where to park or how to find the quickest route. Trained with an intimate knowledge of the region, professionals in the art of quality and expertise, many of the multilingual private driver options available in the Côte d'Azur may charge heady prices - approximately 400 euros per hour or more - but their services match the cost and your satisfaction is their guarantee.

Pushing the boat Yacht charter Yachts and boating have been a way of life in the south of France since the antiquitan years and the industry shows no signs of falling out of favour just yet. A weekend saunter out to sea on a yacht or speedboat is, for many, just part of the package that comes with the Côte d'Azur lifestyle. But what if you're looking for something a little more special? If the recent statistics on the superyacht market are to be believed, there is a change in the nature of today's charters. Glitzy parties and playboy

cruises aren't exactly gone but there has been a perceptible shift towards a slower paced, less ostentatious style of maritime excursion with a greater demand for privacy and tranquility emerging over the past few years. Clients are calling for a more intimate and personalised experience, and if money can't buy happiness, it can at least buy a fortnight of peace and quiet in a secluded cove or remote, rugged bay. There's no real time limit when it comes to chartering a yacht. From a day's cruising to an all-out adventure that can

last for months, if you choose a charter holiday, you are in charge. With tariffs ranging from 40,000 euros a week to a smart one million euros with a captain, crew and chef available to tend to your every whim, chartering a yacht is a bespoke service that does come with a significant price tag. Highlights of the material kind, such as onboard spa facilities, gymnasiums, cinema rooms and more, are easily matched by the awe of being alone in the ocean, far from the pressures of mainland life.

Going bareboat But if the thought of sailing

Luxury yachts are synonymous with the French Riviera. This one, Manifiq, rents for 150,000 euros per week with Imperial Yachts. It was a finalist in the 2011 Superyacht Awards. Photo: Marc Paris

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FEATURE AUGUST 2013

Private jets

the Mediterranean with a team at your back doesn't sound liberating enough and you've got the Day Standard qualification in hand, why not try chartering a yacht bareboat for as little as 2,000 euros a week? The trip might not be as relaxing as lazing on a sundeck, rosé cooling nearby, but the exhilarating sense of choosing your own destination and releasing the sails as you glide past the cosmopolitan coasts of Saint Tropez, Cannes and Monaco is, for the adventurous sort, just as enticing a treat as dining haute cuisine onboard a 50 metre floating mansion.

High flyers Helicopters For a few seconds, all you can think, see and feel is the roaring of the engine. The city disappears beneath as you climb and climb and climb to a dizzying height and then… peace. Clear panoramic views from horizon to horizon that turn the world below into a toy set as you spiral into the air. Whatever your time limit, the trip is magnificent. Soar along the coastline, whistle through the air above the

Above: Avoid the summer traffic and hire a private jet for your trips along the Riviera. 2nd above: The latest edition of the Porsche Spyder

expansive valleys below or even cast shadows in the glimmering Mediterranean Sea on a jaunt out to the Lérins, Port Cros or Levant. A helicopter is a personal experience and with limited space in the cabin, it's a moment best shared among good company. Prices for helicopter trips vary as much as the destination choice. A quick shuttle from Cannes or Monaco to the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport can cost anything from 125 euros to 500 euros, while a half an hour ride between the Principality and the jewel of the Riviera, Saint Tropez, could set you back over 1,000 euros. Helicopter trips needn't be all business either. Your own private airborne taxi is, of course, preferable to sticking it out in the summer traffic. But helicopters are also a viable alternative to flying commercially and longer distance travel in a chopper is becoming an attractive choice for passengers willing to spend a bit more in order to beat the queues. Flight paths to Ligurian hotspots such as Portofino can be reached from the south of France in under an hour by air and a sea view voyage to Corsica is almost as quick. During the winter season, trips to the popular Alps ski stations of Courchevel, Méribel and Val d'Isère, and also the closer locations of Isola 2000 and Auron, are available for up to six people at a time and make a refreshing change from the busy, slush ridden roads. With scenery, speed and a hefty splash of adrenaline - what's not to like?

If you're looking for the ultimate upgrade on travelling flash, look no further than a private jet. Oozing glamour, wealth and sophistication, it's the step above flying first class and has cemented its position as transport of choice for the world's elite. Travelling by private jet or aircraft has become the ticket of choice for VIP vacationers as well as CEOs. And while business charter is still the biggest market for private jets, the leisure travel sector has more than doubled in the past five years. How's that for bucking the trends of a global downturn? One reason for this is the flexibility and freedom that flying in a private plane can offer. With an unparalleled degree of privacy and security, the service can also tailor to the needs of even the most ambitious of holiday schedules. A night in London then a brief stop over in New York before a long haul voyage to some distant gem of a Caribbean island would challenge any travel agent. But with a private jet and your own

MONACAIR is the official helicopter service of Prince Albert II and heads of state. You too can rent their aircrafts

personal pilot in tow, making the move across different continents couldn't be more straightforward. Surprisingly, zooming off into the sunset isn't as expensive as you might think. Yes, chartering a jet for a group of a dozen on a round the world trip might set you back several million euros, but there are companies who've tapped into the notion of 'package private jetting' and can design the holiday of a lifetime for 50,000 euros or less. If you've got the budget to match the endless horizon, the reaches of chartering a private jet are simply limitless and the world is at your feet. Elsa Carpenter

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RESTAURANT REVIEWS AUGUST 2013

The pick of the bunch in Nice

Nicolas Timmermans

Florida Beach is located at the western end of the busy strip in Nice and serves quality dishes with a smile

THERE ARE 15 private beach restaurants along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, and I have tried about 80 per cent of them - one of the joys of living so close to the sea. The standout so far is Florida Beach, situated at the western end of the coastline. If you are tired of the Niçois salad/goats cheese salad/steak tartar/ pizza/entrecote menus that saturate the city of Nice, then you'll appreciate the Asian flavours that appear here alongside traditional French beachside dishes. Add to that

service with a smile and a sparkling Mediterranean Sea, and there's simply no other

place you'd wish to be. Whether the dishes are enjoyed on the loungers under the sun or amidst the shaded, well setout restaurant, the cuisine at Florida Beach does not disappoint. Our table was served a refreshing Caesar salad - with actual Caesar dressing - and a delicious Thai chicken salad with marinated morsels of chicken and plenty of fresh crunchy sprouts. The plates are very large and great value for money at between 16 and 25 euros. I also suggest one of the wok dishes - you

can choose between beef, chicken and salmon. The 'miniwok', as it is presented, is plentiful and packed full of flavour. There is not an overwhelming emphasis on fish here - just a handful of dishes from the sea including a tempting fried seafood plate. Perhaps that's why the entire menu seems reasonably priced. There are also pasta, meat and hamburger options each as equally large as the salads. Desserts are presented on a tray and sourced from a local patissier, while the giant platters of fresh fruit looks simply irresistible. The wine is also reasonably priced; I suggest the chilled Sainte Beatrice rosé. I wouldn't recommend many beach restaurants in Nice, but I am happy to suggest Florida Beach. I assume this place has to standout because it is one of the farthest from the centre and it may rely on return custom more than the others. It's also missing that stuffy attitude that's common along this strip, and it all makes for a perfect day dining on the beach. Cassandra Tanti

Family friendly restaurant in Juan les Pins WHAT COULD BE more relaxing than enjoying a nice meal and cold rosé as you dance your feet in the sand while watching the sun set over the sea? At Colombier in Juan les Pins, the restaurant is literally situated on the beach creating a luxurious setting without attracting an enormous bill at the end. Colombier is a family restaurant and popular with regulars for its delicious fresh pizzas (from 13 euros). There are new versions of the classic Italian as well as creative mixtures like the 'Black Diamond' pizza with truffle. There are also a range of fresh

salads and delicious pasta dishes. The grilled beef tenderloin is very tasty, and the 'Rossini' burger is impressive with the addition of foie gras. Fish dishes are generously portioned and include the classic fritto misto (fried seafood). Children are well catered for with their own designated menu, and parents can relax while the kids are welcome to play on the beach to their hearts content. Colombier's wine list is quite extensive and well priced from 21 euros, and the atmosphere is relaxed and happy. The

service is very friendly, but keep in mind these are not the fastest servers around. Whoever gets the sunset table in the first row next to the sea are the lucky ones - or just

arrived early. In fact, this restaurant doesn't accept reservations in high season so don't turn up too late if you don't want to be disappointed. Ira Söhnge

Jacques Gantié’s Restaurant recommendations Jacques Gantié is the author of the only regional restaurant guide, Guide Gantié, which is available in French in hardcopy, and electronically in English. It contains hundreds of great insider tips for eating out.

LE MAURIN DES MAURES Having had several seasons out, Le Maurin des Maures is back with a new chef in the kitchen. André Delmonte's roadside restaurant has been a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike thanks to its light Mediterranean menu and selection of regional aperitifs. The delectable aniseed flavours of a Pastis or Moresque are the perfect prelude for provençal-inspired

dishes of octopus and braised lamb. Settle on the terrace, which boasts views over Cap Nègre and the Iles d'Or, and soak up a few moments of tranquility as the sun sets in the bay below. Menus 28.50 and 33 euros, lunch 15.50 euros; regional wines from 18.50 euros a bottle. LE RAYOL CANADEL Avenue du Touring Club Tel: 04 94 05 60 11 maurin-des-maures.com

Sonia and Patrick took over La Petite Maison de Bras two years ago and are very proud of what they’ve created here in the hills

Country style comfort food in the Var IT STILL EXISTS … the good old small and affordable country inn. We found one in Bras, a charming village in the Var, situated in the Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, Brignoles and Barjols triangle. And after all, August is a good time to leave the bustling seaside and escape for some peace and quiet up into the hills. Two years ago, Sonia and Patrick opened La Petite Maison de Bras and together they have created an imaginative cuisine, the reputation of which has quickly spread throughout the village. From the outside, this establishment looks a little plain at first glance, but the interior is rustic and friendly, and the garden is an oasis of shady trees and comfort. The menu on offer includes two appetisers, three main

courses and several desserts. On this evening, we had the option of duck breast with orange, mackerel with shrimp, or beefsteak, each served with a variety of vegetables. Prepared as a delicious appetiser was the traditional Pisseladiére topped with red mullet, and for dessert a wonderful warm cherry pudding with pistachio ice cream. All this for just 20 euros. At noon there is also a plat du jour for 12 euros including wine and coffee, and for younger guests a kids meal for eight euros. Patrick speaks English and both he and his wife Sonia are very charming. The produce used in the kitchen is sourced from local farmers and everything is fresh and creatively prepared. A trip to Bras is definitely worthwhile! Hanneloe Salinger

Next month... Join us in September as we present some of the latest establishments to hit the restaurant scene in Nice. Here’s a teaser ... are you a lover of Spanish tapas?

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REAL ESTATE AUGUST 2013

Property series: Grimaud “People who come here want tranquility”

he village of Grimaud dates back to GalloRoman times and its chateau ruins to the 11th century, so any modification of facades comes under the watchful eye of the Bâtiments de France architect. Although some houses have terraces and a privileged few have gardens - most have no outside space, reveals real estate agent Carine Thoniel of Carine Thoniel Immobilier. The Mairie, anxious to preserve the old character of the village, no longer authorises terraces. "So if you haven't got one you won't get one," says Thoniel. If you would like one, you can expect to pay around 500,000 euros for 100sqm of living space; double that if you want a garden. Building land is available in the commune and minimum plot sizes are 2,000 to 3,000sqm. Prices start at around 400,000 euros and

François is an architect, says clients who no longer care for the 1980s neo-provençal look do rebuild along more contemporary lines. Around 80 per cent of clients buy second or "semi main" homes, that is, they are now professionally in a position to spend extended periods from, for example, Easter to October, in their Grimaud home. According to Thoniel, foreign buyers from northern Europe and Scandinavia are regular. Spanish purchasers are now scarce, the British tend to be sellers rather than buyers, and Russians favour the Alpes Maritimes. There are no Chinese clients to speak of, although she did see one once. In the coastal zone heading towards Sainte Maxime lies the Domaine de Beauvallon Bartole. South-facing 200 to 400sqm homes on 1,500 to 5,000sqm plots "with really lovely sea views" sell for

increase depending on views and privacy. "Something noisy will lose a lot in value; people who come to Grimaud want tranquility," adds Thoniel. Tourists have been coming here for decades so housing dates back to the 1960s and 1970s. However, there have recently been some new building programmes. Among the vines and Mediterranean vegetation, 18th century provençal luxury houses in the 4.7 hectare domain of Les Bastides de Grimaud, between Grimaud and the sea, have sold for between one and 1.5 million euros, she says. Prospective purchasers can find a well-located property with great views. As Conrad Hilton of hotel fame memorably said: "it is all about location, location, location" and interested parties can either raze it or carry out substantial renovations. Thoniel, whose husband

View from the terrace of a three-bedroom house in a residential domain with pool. Photo: Carine Thoniel Immobilier

between two and five million euros. The only downside to Beauvallon (apart from finding the money) is "a little problem of circulation". The domain is on the Sainte Maxime to Saint Tropez road which, as readers who have taken this route during summer months will know, can be nose-to-tail busy. More affordable villas with 2,000 to 3,000sqm of land in traffic-free locations lie in the

M O R T G A G E Financial Institution

Contact Thomas Nielsen Camille Marne

WITH CORPORATE TRAVEL growing as a major power in the Alpes Maritimes, the Marriott has launched its stunning new AC Hotel Nice

find an economic and social cohesion," he said. "Besides commercial buildings, around 700 homes will be redeveloped or built." President of the local residents association Marcel Bernard said he thought the new plans for the area were "very positive". The work begins this September with improvements to be made to Rue de Suisse. This zone will be completely pedestrianised from Avenue Jean Médecin and Rue d'Angleterre. There will also be a new car park built at the back of the Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as a green space near the Colonel Jeanpierre square. Trees will also be planted around the cathedral.

was confirmed in June and was officially launched in a July meeting with residents in the area. However, the objectives of the initiative have seen little changes. One new addition to the plan is Rue d'Italie, which will be semi-pedestrianised by the year 2014. The cost of the entire project now rests at 71.6 million euros, increasing slightly since the provisional announcement last September. It is envisaged that the restorations will continue for the next five years. At the press conference, Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi confirmed the benefits of the highly anticipated project. "The area, abandoned for 30 years, will

en ok Sp

G, F DK E, S, N

RFP - RIVIERA FINANCIAL PLANNING SARL

on the Promenade des Anglais, within five minutes of the airport. The hotel juxtaposes style with functionality to create the

Guests can enjoy rooftop poolside dining at the Marriott’s AC Hotel Nice

Carolyn Reynier

perfect blend of leisure and business. Its 143 rooms, including 22 sumptuous sea view suites, are demure yet plush in décor, with rich textures and a soothing colour scheme. Superb conferencing facilities the hotel boasts three individual meeting rooms that can hold up to 100 delegates give way in the evening to tranquil outdoor space, in the form of a zen infused private garden, rooftop terrace and panoramic views over the Mediterranean. Housing two quality restaurants, al fresco or under local frescos indoors, and a state of the art fitness suite, Marriott's AC Hotel Nice is the distinguished choice for 'bleisure' accommodation in the Côte d'Azur.

C O N D I T I O N S

Tel / Fax. Tel: +33 (0)4 93 39 39 00 Fax: +33 (0)4 93 39 39 02 Email:info@jyskebank.fr www.jbpb.fr

Description The various credit solutions are a part of our Wealth Management program. Please contact one of our local advisers in Cannes to see what a Wealth Plan can do for you and your future. Wealth management and life style planning through a 360 degree holistic approach established with your personal adviser based upon your current situation and future requirements to relocation plans, inheritance, taxation, investment, asset portfolio management, and daily Netbank services.

M O R T G A G E Financial Institution

village and prices are around the four million euro mark. Head north towards La Garde Freinet and the countryside begins to resemble the Corsican maquis with large hillside properties on two to three hectares of land. "There's something for all tastes," says Thoniel - that is the particularity of Grimaud.

Marriott launches AC Hotel Nice

Nice’s Notre Dame district improvements set to begin next month fter four years of delays, final plans for the renovation of Nice's Notre Dame district were officially announced on 4th July. The project will affect more than 17,000 residents and will see 70 hectares of the area reconstructed. The newly confirmed plans will also involve either the construction or refurbishment of 700 homes in the area. Initial plans for the urban renewal scheme were announced in September 2012 but were later changed by the National Programme for Recharacterisation of Dilapidated Areas (or PNRQAD) in light of public consultation. The new project

Grimaud plain. Other domains, like the Val Grimaud and the Colle du Turc, situated away from the main road and closer to the village, also prove popular with prospective purchasers. The chic Pierredon and Mignonne quarters with their "esprit très campagne" lie along small roads surrounded by vines and verdant countryside. They have views up to the

B R O K E R S

Contact

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Mike Lorimer

Tel: +33 (0)4 93 74 73 35 Mob: +33 (0)6 21 85 84 42 info@mikelorimer.com www.mikelorimer.com

Specialising in helping international clients obtain mortgages, re-mortgages and equity releases for French properties.

Yves Derrien

E F D

Tel: +33 (0)4 93 00 11 71 info@rfp.fr www.rfp.fr

Real estate financing in France provided by European banks and unit-linked life insurance from a range of European insurance companies. Specialist international financial advice, from a qualified IFA, regarding relocation from anywhere in Europe to Switzerland, France or Monaco.

Tel / Fax.

Description

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

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FOR BUSINESS NEWS

AUGUST 2013

Finding new solutions Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy obtaining high-end loans nowadays

t's a prosperous time for financial advisors throughout the French Riviera. Why? Because one of the spin-offs of a financial crisis is that wealthy individuals need help in dealing with their money, particularly now that banks are reluctant to make any risky transactions. But it has created a whole new challenge for financial advisors, who have had to find alternative and unique avenues for their clients. As Yves Derrien, head of RFP financial advisors, explains, "Up to five years ago, before the crisis, banks were still flexible. There were the following types of financing: interest-only loans over a long period, equity release loans for those who finance with their own money but want liquidity from a property, and high-end home purchases for, as an example, five million euros which requires a mortgage of three million. But all of this is much more difficult to obtain now." According to Derrien, it is in these categories where the amount that is available to lend has dropped by as much as a third. Those employed in France and seeking traditional mortgage conditions on loans between 100,000 and 600,000 euros are not experiencing the same difficulties. Following the global financial crisis, banks were given a new set of rules to play by as well as less money to hand out for loans. As a consequence, says Derrien, French banks now concentrate on the "easy" loan applications - those that don't require a lot of know-how,

time and risk. "A bank prefers to lend 200,000 euros 10 times to French people who are living and working here rather than two million euros to one client, because if that one client can't pay back the loan, the bank has a problem for two million not just 200,000 euros." It is yet another hindrance for people wishing to invest in France, a country that is already making itself unattractive with excessive taxes and exorbitant labour costs. And while foreigners are not specifically the target of banks, they are - by their very nature the ones who are being penalised most by this air of uncertainty and suspicion. Obtaining a loan in one's home country is also not a viable solution. "They can get financing from another country, but that bank is considering what the security of a mortgage in France is; if the client doesn't pay back the loan, how quickly can they make a forced sale of the property? Is it easy? They usually have no idea, bankers know the process in their own country, but not abroad." So what impact, if any, is this having on the high-end real estate market in the south of France? According to Tim Sanders from John Taylor Real Estate, it is not the main contributor to the sorry state of the current market. "The high-end property market (above two million euros) is half of what it was five years ago," says Sanders, "there are just fewer buyers." But this has more to do with the general state of the European economy, says the

property expert, and France's tax demands than it does on people's borrowing capabilities. The capital gains tax, which was increased last year from 15 years to 30 years, in addition to new social charges, has significantly reduced the pool of buyers, says Sanders. Sanders advises sellers that if they don't have to sell right now, then they shouldn't. "But in saying that, there are few people that really are that flexible. And, if you have to drop a million on your current property, you're likely to get that back because the house you are buying will most likely have dropped their price too," he says. Most professionals in the finance and property sectors, however, are giving the impression that the situation is improving; that the deep rut of uncertainty we have been swimming in is slowly dissipating. Whether foreign investors will be given any incentives in the future to actually invest in the country is unlikely, but there's no doubt many will at least welcome a relaxation of the current restraints that are undoubtedly stifling growth in the country. Note: Budget Minister Bernard Cazeneuve confirmed late July that the exoneration period for property capital gains tax (CGT) will be reduced from 30 years to 22 years as of 1st September and a special temporary reduction would apply until 31st August 2014. He also announced a new way of progressively lightening the social contributions that are also levied on capital gains. Full story on page 1. Cassandra Tanti

Yacht charters hit with VAT charges The industry prepares for impact as France is forced to comply For years, France's yacht charter industry has had a competitive edge thanks to a State initiative to exempt commercial vessels from paying VAT taxes. But all that changed on 15th July as the industry was forced to comply with European VAT legislation. On 25th June 2013, the French tax authority published an official notice to confirm that VAT must be applied to yacht charter contracts signed after 15th July 2013 and commencing in French waters. The European Commission had earlier informed France that its commercial VAT exemption for yacht charters was not in line with European case law. Since 2011, France has been the only member state not to apply a VAT for commercial yachts used for charter. Throughout Europe, rates vary from as low as 6.5 per cent in Greece to up to 21 per cent in Italy. Now, as of mid-July, a 19.6 per cent VAT rate will apply to hiring and charter agreements for yachts for the purposes of

leisure travel in France. While bringing the yachting industry within the French VAT net, authorities still intend to offer a 50 per cent reduction if the boat is used outside EU waters, reducing the VAT rate to 9.8 per cent. But there remains plenty of uncertainty regarding this reduction and the industry is awaiting clarification from the authorities as to how this tax break can be applied. The impact Yacht charter brokers in the south of France reported a hectic week in the lead up to the 15th July deadline, as deals were anxiously rushed through. And while they welcomed the busy period, charter brokers are wearily anticipating a hit from the

new VAT charges. "The introduction of French VAT on commercial yachts will certainly send waves through our industry," said Ocean Independence Charter Broker Frances Edgeworth, "people are possibly going to try to negotiate the charter rate down to balance out the new VAT against the current charter rates advertised. So it is going to impact on all industry members including charter brokers, the yacht owners and crew." Edgeworth estimates that yacht owners will be required to pay a minimum of around 2,500 euros initially for a fiscal representative (to apply for a VAT number and to collect the VAT), plus approximately 500 euros per charter contract. The charter industry is now waiting anxiously to see whether other areas will be subject to VAT, including charter commissions, fuel and provisions. Cassandra Tanti

First European ELS centre for SKEMA THE FIRST ELS Language Centre in Europe has opened at the SKEMA Business School in Sophia Antipolis. The centre, which was inaugurated on 28th June, will serve students from all around the world who wish to study in France, but who also want to improve their standard of English. The launch comes less than a week after a SKEMA Master's course was ranked 10th in the world by The Financial Times. ELS Educational Services offers English language

instruction for international students. Based in Princeton in the United States, the company has taught more than one million students over the past 50 years. Now, it has 69 language centres and study locations in university campuses in the U.S., Canada, Australia, China and Malaysia. However, the latest centre in Sophia Antipolis is ELS's first venture in Europe. President and CEO of ELS Education Services Mark Harris said he was proud to have the new centre at

SKEMA's campus, which he described as "a truly global institution". "France's business schools are amongst the leaders in global management rankings for their practical and relevant approach to business education, and none so more than SKEMA," he added. Dean of SKEMA Alice Guilhon also welcomed the opening of the centre, saying, "Since English is becoming the lingua franca of international business, the relationship with ELS is of special significance.â&#x20AC;?

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BUSINESS & FINANCE AUGUST 2013

New investment realities by ABN AMRO Private Banking As the global economy gains momentum, investors must seek companies that will succeed based on sustainable sources of growth, not central bank largesse.

Changes to employment law from 1st July 2013 the new rates should be the following : • Seven per cent for fixed-term contracts lower than one month, • 5.5 per cent for fixed-term contracts between one and three months. For some particular sectors like hotel business or catering, the unemployment tax rate will be 4.5 per cent for fixed-term contracts under three months. Flexibility to protect jobs For companies facing economic difficulties, in order to avoid redundancies, employers will have the possibility to conclude a safeguarding jobs company agreement. This agreement allows a reduction in wages or an increase in working hours for a period of up to two years against a commitment by the employer not to carry out redundancies for the term of the agreement. Jean-Philippe Gioanni Chartered Accountant, Cannes

be self-sustained, confidence in the eurozone will progressively improve and China will remain active with rebalancing its economy. • Growth instead of austerity: the eurozone has backed off from fiscal severity, the U.S. budget deficit is shrinking rapidly and Japan is engaged in a giant stimulus experiment. • Corporate earnings will improve: lower input prices, including for labour and energy, will support earnings as demand rebounds. Key challenges: the collateral risks of the transition to more normal markets • The uncertainty of the future course of US monetary policy is disruptive for risky assets in the short term. Central banks want to avoid their huge monetary creation fuelling financial asset bubbles. Corrections in gold and Japanese equities illustrate this vulnerability. • If not well managed, the Fed's normalisation process could slow the recovery, in particular with a negative

Your World Citizen Services team in Valbonne is always happy to help

impact on the US residential sector through rising mortgage rates. • Valuations are stretched. In the rush for yield in fixed income investments, valuations have become rich. While the low yields on investment-grade bonds limit medium-term returns, the lure of complex fixed income instruments is not the solution. Key opportunities: the quest for earnings • Higher volatility provides buying opportunities. Market dips can provide entry points to diversify into smaller US stocks with domestic exposure and European international growth companies with

exposure to Europe and Asia (primarily China, Taiwan, and Malaysia). • Focus on new strategies in retailing. New buying trends and consumer habits, such as online purchases using smart phones and tablets, are generating growth and change. • Growth currencies. We expect a stronger US dollar and Chinese yuan, based on a revival of US economic leadership and the growing internationalisation of the yuan. For investment information please contact our World Citizen Services Office on +33 (0) 4 97 03 83 32 info@worldcitizenservices.com

ADVERTORIAL

A NEW LAW was introduced by the French government in May and it has altered the following aspects of employment regulations: Complementary health insurance By 2016, every employer must offer complementary health insurance to its employees. The agreement must enable employees to obtain a minimal protection and the employer must bear at least 50 per cent of the costs. Part-time work Part-time work allows a wider flexibility to employers but this law gives new limits to protect employees. From 1st January 2014, the working time cannot be lower than 24 hours a week, except if the employee wants to work less. Fixed-term contract taxation In order to avoid the misuse of short fixed-term contracts, the employer will have to pay more unemployment taxes. Previously the unemployment tax rate was four per cent, but

After five years of extraordinary monetary policy actions by central banks around the world, new realities beckon. The global economy, led by the US, is beginning to reaccelerate. The good news is that gradual improvement will likely occur without the threat of rampant inflation. A key challenge for financial markets stems from a new form of uncertainty: market nervousness and anticipation of how and when central banks will begin to reverse their now long-standing accommodative monetary policies. Recent adjustments result in our asset allocation being slightly less overweight equities, less exposed to bonds and neutral on property. We are encouraging investments that will benefit from the global economic recovery. Key trends: an accelerating global economy and a shift from austerity to growth • Global economic improvement: the global economy will reaccelerate in the second half of the year. The US recovery will

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EVENTS

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DAILY UPDATED CALENDAR

AUGUST 2013

01 Thu Aug Show. Famous Parisian cabaret show Crazy Horse is heading south and is teeming with sex appeal and style. Until 24th August. 8.30pm. Palais des Festivals. From 65 euros. Info: lecrazyhorseparis.com Cannes (L) Concert. The Gregorian inspired voices of this local choir will perform a passionate and spirital rendition of ancient songs in a beautiful setting. 8.30pm. Abbaye du Thoronet. From 10 euros. Info: chantgregorien.over-blog.com Le Thoronet (F) Show. The Circus Dinner Show Monte Carlo is a unique event that brings together the fun of the big top with a spectacular four course dinner. Continues until 18th August. 9pm. Chapiteau de Fontvieille. From 165 euros. Info: montecarlofestival.mc Monaco (P) 02 Fri Sport. The sport of kings is coming to Monaco for the Missbach Polo Cup and Gala. Horses and their riders will parade around the Place du Casino before the first match of the tournament that afternoon. Until 4th August. 11am. Café de Paris. 260 euros. Info: monte carlopoloclub.mc Monaco (P) Festival. Les Nuits de Fréjus summer festival with rap, soul, electro and French songs as well as opera and comedy! Until 14th August. 9pm. Arènes de Fréjus. From 29 euros. Info: ville-frejus.fr Fréjus (J) 03 Sat Show. It’s the first ever summer edition of the breakdancing extravaganza, Break the Floor. Watch two on two dance battles and some of Europe’s biggest and baddest B-Boy artists. 9pm. Palais des Festivals. 15 euros. Info: palaisdesfestivals.com Cannes (L) Opera. Enjoy the Carmen, la Gitanilla opera under the stars as George Bizet provides a stunning musical score. Drama, emotion, fate and love. 9pm. Place de la Courtine. 22 euros. Info: saintpauldevence.com Saint Paul de Vence (M) 04 Sun Festival. The Fête du Jasmin is a celebration of the important part this flower has played in the development of the perfume industry. All day. Town centre. Free. Info: ville-grasse.fr Grasse (L)

Concert. Bulgarian French singer and songwriter Sylvie Vartan is on tour and is coming to Nice. She’s a multifaceted artist so watch out for elements of jazz, rock and roll and soul. 9pm. Théâtre de Verdure. From 46 euros. Info: nicetourisme.com Nice (N)

footage, this is one summer screening not to miss. 9.30pm. Théâtre de Verdure. 2 euros. Info: nice.fr Nice (N) 20 Tue Exhibition. Japanese artist Keiko Aimaya displays a collection of embroidery and textiles inspired from her native land. Until 28th August. All day. Chapelle Sancta Maria de Olivo. Free. Info: beaulieusurmer.fr Beaulieu (O) Concert. Musician Raimondo Campisi will play a classical piano set in a tranquil setting on this famous peninsular. 9pm. Jardin de la Paix. 15 euros. Info: saintjeancapferrat.fr Saint Jean Cap Ferrat (O)

05 Mon Cinema. Nice's summer Ciné Prom' outdoor film event is screening Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocole is its original language with French subtitles. Settle down on the grass with a blanket and bottle of wine for an exhilarating al fresco viewing. 9.30pm. Théâtre de Verdure. 2 euros. Info: nice.fr Nice (N) 06 Tu Exhibition. Mosaic artist Michèle Degabriel is exhibiting a wonderful collection of pieces that bring a modern element to this ancient art form. Until 15th August. All day. Office Municipal de Tourisme d'Eze. Free. Info: ezetourisme.com Eze (O) Concert. A three in one concert! Presenting Capleton, U Roy and Max Romeo, three remarkable Jamaican reggae artists. 9pm. Hippodrome de la Plage. From 21.80 euros. Info: hyeres.fr Hyères (E) 07 Wed Concert. Relive the 80s this summer as Emile et Image and Jean Luc Lahaye, François Feldman and many others perform classic hits. The concert is part of the Hyères Music Festival 2013. 9pm. Hippodrome de la Plage. From 21.80 euros. Info: hyeres.fr Hyères (E) Fireworks. Every summer, the bay is lit up with various dazzling firework displays. Tonight, it’s China’s turn. Who will the jury vote for in this prestigious pyrotechnic competition? 10pm. Seafront. Free. Info: festivalpyrotechnique-cannes.com Cannes (L) 08 Thu Sport. The Saint Tropez Polo Open begins today with a Happy Hour session. Tournaments begin the following day. Until 25th August. 5pm. Polo Club Saint Tropez Gassin. 15 euros. Info: polo-st-tropez.com Gassin (I) 09 Fri Festival. Rachel Ratsizafy is kicking off the four day Jazz à Domergue festival. 9pm. Villa Domergue. 18 euros. Info: cannes-destination.fr Cannes (L)

Antoine Poupel

"Feminity, creativity, audacity...", Philippe Decouflé and Ali Mahdavi's avant garde cabaret and burlesque show has arrived in the Côte d'Azur and it's certainly turning heads. With plenty of pizazz, light and colour, the sensuous show uses fantastic choreography to create tricks of the eye as shapes twirl and whirl about the scene. The dancers are a representation of the "French elite of beauty and seduction" and transform the Cannes stage into a new age Moulin Rouge. Info: lecrazyhorseparis.com Festival. It’s Italy’s turn to wow the crowds at Monaco’s firework festival. 9.30pm. Port Hercule, Free. Info: monaco-feuxdartifi ce.mc Monaco (P) 10 Sat Fair. Art and creativity at the Quand l'Art Prend l'Air, a unique market where you can admire and purchase beautiful paintings. Every Saturday. All day. Place Carami. Free. Info: brignoles.fr Brignoles (E) Competition. Forget sandcastles, this unusual event is about building castles from the rocks of the Riviera! A DJ and fireworks end the day. 10am. Plage de la Fighière. Free. Info: villeneuvetourisme.com Villeneuve Loubet (M) Festival. 77 Bombay Street and Malavoi round up the diverse Nuits du Sud festival, which began in early July. It’s been a great summer for music in the arrière pays. 7.30pm. Place du Grand Jardin. 40 euros. Info: nuitsdusud.com Vence (M) 11 Sun Festival. Les Nuits des Sablettes are underway with outdoor concerts featuring the Flowya Reggae Band, Kussay and the Smokes among others. Until 15th August. 9.30pm. Parc Braudel. Free. Info: la-seyne-sur-mer.fr La Seyne (C) 12 Mon Festival. The 64th Menton Music festival hosts cello artist Edgar

Moreau and piano playing PierreYves Hodique. 6pm. Musée Cocteau. 10 euros. Info: festivalmusique-menton.fr Menton (Q) Cinema. For the next installment of the Ciné Prom' outdoor film event is the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby, starring iconic actors Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. 9.30pm. Théâtre de Verdure. 2 euros. Info: nice.fr Nice (N) 14 Wed Festival. The eclectic Les Plages Electroniques continues with beachside performances from Dillon Francis and Major Lazer. 7pm. Plage du Palais des Festivals. 15 euros. Info: cannes.com Cannes (L) 15 Thu Festival. Nice’s ever popular Prom’ Party comes to a close with performances from world music band Mazamorra, Trio Vasco and the Azur Big Band, among others. The finale will be marked with a firework display. 9.30pm. Promenade des Anglais. Free. Info: nicetourisme.com Nice (N) 16 Fri Festival. Jean Menconi will perform a Corsican inspired concert for the closing of the patron saints festival. 8pm. Port Silvia Maris. Free. Info: ezetourisme.com Eze (O) Concert. French singer Gregory Bakian plays live and other French singers are rumoured to be joining him on stage for a

patriotic performance. 9.45 pm. Allées Vivien. Free. Info: bandol.fr Bandol (B) 17 Sat Parade. The Alpes Jazz Orchestra will parade through the streets of this picturesque port village. All day. Town centre. Free. Info: beaulieusurmer.fr Beaulieu (O) Concert. Discover the rural and traditional music of Eastern Europe and the gypsy community at this unique mountainside concert. 9pm. Scourédon. Free. Info: tourrettessurloup.com Tourrettes sur Loup (M) 18 Sun Meeting. La Maison de l'Europe 06 has organised a meeting with British Member of the European Parliament Richard Ashworth, who will be available to answer any questions. The meeting will be preceded by an optional lunch. 12.30pm. Holy Trinity Church Cannes. 15 euros. Info: 06 65 38 05 29 Cannes (L) 19 Mon Festival. The Mondial du Théâtre festival only comes around once every four years but is a chance to explore and discover new international productions. Until 28th August. 6pm. Théâtre des Variétés and Théâtre Princesse Grace. Free. Info: mondialdutheat re.mc Monaco (P) Cinema. Relive the prime years of the Rolling Stones with Martin Scorsese's in depth documentary Shine a Light. With its rare interviews and never before seen

22 Thu Learning. Professional painter and calligrapher Stephane Trillaud displays his finest work and offers classes in the art. Ideal and creative concept for all. 7pm. Villa Fragonard. Free. Info: fragonard.com Grasse (L) Concert. Damien Poisblaud conducts this Gregorian choir through songs from the Nativity season. Their work will also be available to purchase following the concert. 8.30pm. Abbaye du Thoronet. From 10 euros. Info: chantgregorien.over-blog.com Le Thoronet (F) 24 Sat Sport. The two day MonacoPortofino sailing course will be taking place off the coast of the Riviera once again this year, welcoming any boats longer than 8.50 metres to the prestigious nautical race for a fee. All day. Port Hercule. Free. Info: monacoportofino.org Monaco (P) Fireworks. France takes the reins at this exciting fireworks competition. Can the home nation challenge the rest of the world. 10pm. Seafront. Free. Info: festival-pyrotechniquecannes.com Cannes (L) 25 Sun Festival. It’s the finale of the Rock’n Sport festival and will be an all day fiesta in this picturesque port town. 2pm. Place Marinoni. Free. Info: beaulieusurmer.fr Beaulieu (O) 26 Mon Cinema. A week long outdoor cinema festival has been organised in this hilltop town. Enjoy the classics under a dusky sky. 8.30pm. Salle multimédia. 5 euros. Info: sospel-tourisme Sospel (Q)

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EVENTS AUGUST 2013

27 Tue Ballet. From the Festival of Russian Art comes an innovative two part dance performance. Artistic Director Aïda Chernova closes the festival. 8.30pm. Théâtre Debussy. From 10 euros. Info: cannes.fr Cannes (L) 28 Wed Cinema. The Big Blue, an English language film by French director Luc Besson, is being screened for free by the local town hall. It’s a dramatic fictionalised account of rivalry and competition between two free divers. 8.30pm. Jardin Frédéric Mistral. Free. Info: biot.fr Biot (M) Concert. Allow the Gregorian voices of the local choir take you back through history to the 12th century with a collection of timeless songs. 8.30pm. Abbaye du Thoronet. From 10 euros. Info: chantgregorien.over-blog.com Le Thoronet (F) 29 Thu Festival. Brazil comes to the Riviera for a tropical soirée as French artists reinterpret the exotic music and movement of this Latin nation. 9pm. Place Bellevue. Free. Info: lecannet.com Le Cannet (L) 30 Fri Concert. Enjoy music genres from around the world with this Rythmes du Monde evening in the shadow of the castle. 8pm. Parc du Château. 12 euros. Info: mouans-sartoux.com Mouans Sartoux (L) Concert. Tom Oliver, co-writer of the world hit Free your Mind and one of the official artists of the renowned Café del Mar in Ibiza holds two days of celebration, Ibiza Dance House Party. 8pm. Théâtre de Verdure. 15 euros. Info: nice.fr Nice (N) 31 Sat Sport. 4x4 trial riding in the mountains. A great day out for bik enthusiasts. 2pm. Plateau de Roquevignon. Free. Info: euro4x4parts.com Grasse (L)

Until 30/08 Art exhibition. BP Portrait Award nominee Paul Wright brings his bold and brilliant paintings to Monaco after a highly successful run in London. With his vivid brushstrokes, the artist succeeds in giving life to any subject, not just to portraits but also to interior scenes. Galerie Gildo Pastor. Info: artmediaagency.com Monaco (P)

Until 23/09 Art exhibition. The legacy of local modernism and impressionism artist Henri Matisse will be celebrated in eight different exhibitions in Nice this Summer, with photographs, videos and other contemporary artwork inspired by the legendary artist's style, MAMAC. Info: museematisse-nice.org Nice (N) Until 29/09 Antique exhibition. In the library and antique gallery, 46 panels and 26 replicas of different writing systems will transport visitors into the ancient Greek and Egptian worlds of symbols, which predated our modern writing system. This exhibition is a true journey through time. Villa Grecque Kérylos. Info: villakerylos.com Beaulieu (O)

Gallerist Elena Shchukina will exhibit the works of painter Paul Wright until 30th August at the Gildo Pastor Gallery Until 14/09 Photography exhibition. 20 pieces by Gerard Malanga, an emblematic figure of the Andy Warhol movement, are on display and provide a visual account of the underground New York scene in the 60s and the later pop years. Malanga has immortalised the movement’s main actors. Loft Design. Info: galeriemons.fr Cannes (L) Until 15/09 Art exhibition. Elizabeth Foyé and Nathalie de Lauradour have joined forces to create a vibrant exhibition, 'State of Nature'. The exceptional collaboration celebrates rich and regional talent and has been curated by local art advocate Chantal Paillard. Splendid Hôtel & Spa. Info: splendid-nice.com Nice (N) Art exhibition. Monaco is celebrating the life and work of famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, who spent much of his artistic career here. Thanks to the private collection of the Nahmad family, the exhibition is a never before seen compilation of Picasso’s finest work, which will awe and astound any art fan. Grimadli Forum. Info: grimaldiforum.com Monaco (P)

Until 27/10 Art exhibition. This extraordinary exhibition, Le Nu en Liberté, has over a hundred rare works and is an exploration of the recurring theme of nudity in famous artist Picasso’s work. La Malmaison. Info: cannes.com Cannes (L) Until 03/11 Art exhibition. In association with the Emile Hugues Foundation, Vence has organised a spectacular exhibition by Marc Chagall that will display many of the paintings he completed while living in the hilltop retreat and explores his connection with the town. Château de Villeneuve. Info: museedevence.com Vence (M) Until 11/11 Art exhibition. Painting and philosophy come together at Les Aventures de la Vérité exhibition. Curator Bernard-Henri Lévy juxtaposes new and old, French and foreign. Fondation Maeght. Info: fondation-maeght.com Saint Paul de Vence (M) Until 15/01/14 Ceramic exhibition. Five original pottery pieces by Picasso are on temporary loan from the Museum of Ceramics in Barcelona. Spanning themes of bullfighting, animals and portraits, this a complex yet stunning collection of ceramics, with vases, dinner sets and sculptures. Musée Picasso. Info: antibesjuanlespins.com Antibes (M)

01 Thu Aug Market. Throughout August, this seaside retreat will be teeming with artisans and craftsmen as they come to town for the seasonal Arte Piazza market. 4pm. Piazza della Libertà. Info: comuneborghetto.it Borghetto Santo Spirito (F) 02 Fri Concert. As part of the Noli Musica Festival 2013, the emotive and soulful voices of duo Lanzini and Montomoli will perform a headline opera act for the Bell'Italia night. 9pm. Chiostro Real Collegio Carlo Alberto.Info: nolimusicafestival.blogspot.fr Noli (H) 06 Tue Theatre. Experience a show like no other, where the English, Italian, German, French and Spanish come together for a unique take on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as various characters play out scenes from the age old play. 9pm. Centro Storico. Info: apricale.org Apricale (A) 10 Sat Concert. Sanremo’s Symphony Orchestra will perform a classical concert, featuring the timeless work of English composer Gustav Holst as well as Britten and Piazzolla. 9.15pm. Villa Regina Margherita. 10 euros. Info: fondazioneterruzzivillareginamarg herita.it Bordighera (B)

Festa Cubana. Bands will play Latin American music with tropical instruments and cocktails will be served throughout the evening. 9pm. Pilone beach. Info: cervo.com Cervo (E) 15 Thu Festival. The Festa del Mare celebrates the Virgin of the Visitation and will conclude in a symbolic blessing ceremony as 10,000 lights will be put out to sea. 9.30pm. Beach promenade. Info: visitloano.it Loano (F) 16 Fri Festival. San Rocco Festival will be celebrated with a fair, a fiesta and fireworks. A large market will line the seafront before a procession takes over the promenade and a firework display resounds over the bay. All day. Beach promenade. Info: turismoinliguria.it Ceriale (F) 21 Wed Festival. The dramatic history and location of this Ligurian town comes to life at the foot of its resident castle for the Cinque Giorni a Balestrino, with cultural events and plenty of delicious

local produce. 7pm. Piazza Vittoria. Info: rivieraligure.it Balestrino (F) 23 Fri Concert. Famous singer songwriter Andrea Celeste will take to the stage to perform a concert 'for life', in support of a local melanoma charity. 9.30pm. Piazza XX Settembre. Info: prolocobergeggi.it Bergeggi (I) 24 Sat Concert. The strong and passionate sounds of the Celtic drums, harp and wind instruments will transform this stately place. Freddy Colt performs with the Compagnia dei Musici Viandanti. 9.30pm. Villa Regina Margherita. Info: bordighera.net Bordighera (B) 30 Fri Festival. The Genoa International Chamber Music festival celebrates baroque andBach in particular. The Quartetto dell'Accademia del Ricercare and Arcangelo Corelli e la sua scuola perform. 8.30pm. Palazzo Rosso. Info: genovaspettacolare.it Genoa (N)

12 Mon Festival. Food lovers will love this gourmet festival that celebrates Ligurian specialities and will inspire you to look for an authentic Italian alternative to pizza. 5pm. Piazza Castellino. Info: comunepietraligure.it Pietra Ligure (G) 14 Wed Festival. The beach provides a perfect setting for the traditional

Our events calendar is updated daily! To ensure you don’t miss any of the exciting events happening on the Riviera this month, scan the QR Code on the left and be directed instantly to our website. It’s that easy!

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CLASSIFIEDS

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AUGUST 2013

HEALTH

CONSTRUCTION

CAR PARTS

BOOKS

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JOBS OFFERED THE RIVIERA TIMES is looking for short-term interns. Applicants must have writing experience. Please send cover letter and CV to rivieratimes@mediterra.com.

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GERMAN LADY, 60 yrs old, blonde, 1.72cm, 57kg, looking for a very special man, loving the area around Monaco nice - cannes. A photo would be nice. Email: nizza2012@web.de. SINGLE 50-YEAR-OLD man, nice appearance, well-educated, reliable, speaks several languages, is lonely. Looking for warm and intelligent elderly lady without children. No sexual or material interest. Mutual sympathy desired. Tel. +49 (0)15 73 82 49 0 46

VILLA DE CAMPAGNE in the Provence region of Fayence. Approx. 170sqm living space with outbuildings, 3,000sqm garden, swimming pool 4mX9m - revolving shutter and heated with OSPA water technology. Garden has several terraces, olive trees and Cabanon. At 600m height on a quite south-facing hillside with great views. Fully furnished villa, for sale at 520,000 euros. Tel: 0049 160 698 4744. VAR, PROVENCE. Villa for sale in beautiful village, 1 hour from Nice. Spectacular views, 3 bedrooms, lounge, dining area, bathroom, shower room, swimming pool, covered terrace, adjoining apartment. 399,000 euros. Contact Pauline Wood on 01274 560884 (UK). STOCKHOLM CITY, 4bed, 2bath, 118sqm, apartment greenbelt area, picturesque forest view built 1993, renovated 2013. 230.000 euros freehold. hello@brandberry.se FOR AGE REASONS, we are leaving our VILLA PANORAMIQUE Provence, Fayence region. 170sqm with living space, adjoining rooms, approx. 3000sqm garden, swimming pool heated 4x9m, shutters, OSPA - water technology. The garden consists of several large terraces, olive trees, Cabanon, at an altitude of about 600m, quiet sunny south-facing slope. The villa is fully furnished and for sale for 520,000 euros. Tel: 0049/1606984744. Summer cottage near Les Arcs sur Argens (20km from the Côte Azur) with land of 6,000m2 with swimming pool next to a vineyard. For sale for around 280,000 euros. Information by phone 0049 176 99916854 or e-mail see.becker@gmx.de

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

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FOR RENT NICE. Studio 3-beds for holidays, Royal Luxembourg Palace with rooftop swimming pools next to Palais Mediterranee on Prom. For price/info/pics e-mail: towersfrance@yahoo.it. CANNES. Studio for holidays, Eden Beach residence 3+1 beds, Plage du Midi Croix de Garde near the sea, swimming pool park. For price/info/pics e-mail: towersfrance@yahoo.it. SARDINIA, Nord Costa Paradiso Italy. Studio 3-beds with terrace, very close to sea. Private quiet location, red rocks, coves and sandy beach, wonderful Mediterranean vegetation, 30km from Santa Teresa Castel Sardo.For price/info/pics e.mail: towersfrance@yahoo.it.

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ART & CULTURE AUGUST 2013

Celebrating the masters

Menton, he painted the wedding room in the City Hall. There's also a small Cocteau museum on the port that has been joined by the new ultra-contemporary multimedia Jean Cocteau Museum housing an immense collection of his works donated by watchmaker Severin Wunderman. In 1950, Cocteau used his artists' eye to decorate the Villa Santo Sospir in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. Until 16th September, a new exhibit of his theatrical work will be on show at the Menton museum. Meanwhile, the town of Villefranche sur Mer has a comprehensive program celebrating Cocteau in 2013 (www. villefranche-surmer.org).

Decades after their deaths, artists live on in the French Riviera They helped the world discover the magic of the Côte d'Azur - the great masters of the 20th Century. Many came, some stayed forever - and the essence of a select few still remain here today, years after their deaths. The most famous even have their own museums dedicated to them: Picasso, Cocteau, Chagall, Matisse and Renoir. They were in love with the French Riviera, lunched in places like the Columbe d'Or in Vence, and were inspired by eachother's brilliance. This year, the Côte d'Azur is celebrating important anniversaries of the famous four: the Chagall Museum in Nice is turning 40, the Matisse Museum is now 50 years old, Picasso died exactly 40 years ago this year, and his colleague Jean Cocteau 50 years ago. 2013 is therefore a grand celebration of the many places where the superstars of yesteryear settled, with grand exhibitions and festivals being held in their honour.

Matisse Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is one of the artists most strongly associated with Nice and the Côte d'Azur. The Frenchman lived in the region for almost 40 years, drawing deep inspiration, which can be seen in his work. From Nice, where he lived for 27 years, to Eze, Saint Jean Cap

through to his last works. Other places of interest include the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence, often referred to as the Matisse Chapel, where Matisse designed the interior, the glass windows and the decorations. In 1943, Matisse rented Villa Le Rêve in Vence to get away from Nice, under the threat of bombing. This beautiful villa is now a home for established and amateur artists. To download more information in English, visit the culture page at www.nice.fr.

Chagall Marc Chagall (1887-1985), an early modernist, moved to Vence in 1948. The Russian artist immortalised the village in many of his works, and often lunched at the Café de la Place and met with Picasso, Miró and André Verdet.

museum has acquired a new painting, Cranberry Lake, which is a double portrait of Chagall and his beloved wife, Bella. The towns of Vence and Saint Paul de Vence, where Chagall lived, are also taking part in this anniversary event, organising other exhibitions, including that at the Château de Villeneuve in Vence. Further information at www. musee-chagall.fr.

Renoir

The Matisse Museum in Nice celebrates the 50th anniversary of its opening this year. The beautiful villa in Cimiez houses one of the world's largest collections of Matisse’s works, tracing his artistic beginnings and his evolution through to his last works

Picasso

The year that the Chagall Museum was opened - 1973 is also the year that Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) died. The Spaniard adored his time on the Côte d'Azur. In 1946, he settled at the Château Grimaldi in Antibes, which overlooked the sea - the perfect inspiration. The chateau has since become the Picasso Museum, where many of his works dedicated to the Mediterranean are on show. In 1947, it was at Vallauris that Picasso discovered ceramics. He gifted the sculpture L'Homme au mouton to the town, The Renoir Museum in Cagnes sur Mer is perfectly preserved as the artist left it which can be seen at the Place du Village, Ferrat, Villefranche sur Mer, The Chagall Museum was and chose the Roman chapel Beaulieu sur Mer, and Cagnes created in Nice in 1973 during of Vallauris to hold his fresco sur Mer, not forgetting his en- the life of Chagall; the artist La Guerre et La Paix. In 1955, Picasso settled in counters with Renoir in himself was responsible for retirement at Vence during the hanging his works at the Cannes where he bought a war, Matisse set his museum. It essentially held sumptuous 19th century flamboyant imprint on this his pieces that were inspired house La Villa California with perfectly lit and richly by religion, but there’s now a an uninterrupted view of the colourful land. broad spectrum of his works. sea. Finally, in 1961, Picasso A museum dedicated to Chagall also created the moved to Mougins and his Matisse was inaugurated mosaic that overlooks the last home - the Notre Dame exactly 50 years ago at the pond and the blue stained de Vie, which was also his 17th Century Villa des Arenes glass that decorates the final workshop. His interest in can be in Cimiez. It gathers one of the concert hall. After his death in photography world's largest collections of 1985, Chagall was buried in discovered at the Photohis works, tracing his artistic the village cemetery. Marking graphy Museum here. The main events for the beginnings and his evolution its 40th anniversary, the

40th anniversary of his death are a summer exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco (12th July to 15th September) and events in Vallauris (www.vallauris-gulfs juan.com).

stay. He redecorated the Chapelle Saint Pierre, which he dedicated to the fishermen with whom he'd made friends. Further along the coast in

There is no Renoir anniversary this year, but we mention him because his museum and park, the Domaine des Collette in Cagnes sur Mer, has reopened to the public this year after an 18-month renovation. The villa was the last home of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, preserved with its original furnishings and design, and featuring the painters' two studios, 11 original paintings, virtually all his sculptures, some preparatory sketches, lithographs, many old photographs, and personal possessions. Cassandra Tanti

Cocteau 50 years ago, Jean Cocteau (1889-1963), a French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker, passed away. Cocteau arrived in Villefranche sur Mer in the 1920s and was so enchanted by the fairytale aura of this tiny fishing village near Nice that he decided to

The Marc Chagall Museum is one of three national museums on the Côte d'Azur, along with the Fernand Léger Museum in Biot and the Picasso Museum La Guerre et la Paix in Vallauris. The Chagall museum no longer houses only biblical works of the artist, but a broad range of his prized pieces

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22 www.rivieratimes.com FOR USEFUL INFORMATION www.rivieratimes.com SERVICES ART & CULTURE AUGUST 2013

Life support Your survival guide to living in France Dear Andy, I am getting ready to go on holiday in the west of France with my family. My colleague from work is coming also but she is staying up the road because she has found a place that accepts her cheque vacances. What is a cheque vacances and am I eligible for one? Traveller near Tourrette Levens Hello Traveller, This time of the year can be hectic and expensive for families, especially those that have children at school. For this reason, you may find that you benefit from help from your employer or from Social Aid organisations like the CAF, the CCAS or even the local mayor's office. There are two types of benefits which are usually confused for one another. The first is the Chèque Vacances, which is negotiated and paid into by your employer, union or even yourself. These are holiday voucher booklets from organisations such as the ANCV and they can be redeemed against all sorts of leisure activities or accommodation and travel.

These work in much the same way as Ticket Restaurant or Chèque Cadeau. To find out if you should be receiving these, speak to your employer or Comité Entreprise (CE) to see if this has been negotiated or can be in the future. If it is, the organisation that delivers the tickets will provide a list of all participating companies and activities available to you. The second type of Chèque Vacances is actually the bons vacances scheme, otherwise known as VACAF. This is run primarily by the CAF, which you pay into as part of your Social Security contributions. Especially if you have children, you may find that your quotient familial (QF) is low enough that you benefit from this grant. The Quotient Familial CAF (similar to the Quotient Familial employed by the Tax Office) takes into account your family income, your family outgoings and the number of people in your family. The QF determines how much childcare will cost and if you can receive help against rent or mortgage repayments. For you to receive a Bon Vacaf, your CAF or CCAS should

Journalist Aila Stöckmann took to the skies above Mandelieu La Napoule for a demonstration of the region’s coastal care scheme, which spots waste and debris from above and notifies a boat below to undertake the coastal clean up

Journalist Elsa Carpenter (right) with Mougins School student and RT intern Sophie Telfer at the Stars ‘n’ Bars 20th birthday party in Monaco

participate in the scheme. If they do, and you are signed up to the CAF, any QF between 0 to 750 for your family will generally entitle you to something. For example, if you have a QF of between 0 to 440, you will receive a Bon Vacances that will pay for 60 per cent of your holiday up to a total of 600 Euros at a VACAF registered holiday site such as a campsite, holiday village, ski hostel or hotel. The restrictions are that these are only redeemable during school holidays (unless your children are under six years of age) and that the holiday lasts for a minimum of one week. The CAF prefers family orientated sites and those that provide an educational experience for the children. You may find that few of the higher rated, or starred, holiday sites accept the VACAF but many other very reasonable sites do. I suspect this is why your colleague is staying at an alternative location. Bon Voyage! Andrew Denison Mon Ami Andy Rue Lascaris, Nice Port Tel: 04 83 50 84 78 jennifer@monamiandy.com

Above: At the photo call in Monaco for the Jacob and Co. jewellery exhibition featuring legendary footballer Christiano Ronaldo. Left: RT Publisher Petra Hall interviews renowned chef Alain Llorca

Journalist Katharina Riebesel hitched a ride with the Haribo team as part of the Tour de France celebrations in Nice

Publishing Director Petra Hall

What a summer it has been so far for the The International Club of the Riviera! And the fun continues in August with two great events. First on 20th August we have our annual visit to the Principality of Seborga, just across the border in Italy for their National Day celebrations. The reigning Prince, Marcello Menagatto I, was elected in April 2010 and started his reign the following month after the death of Prince Giorgio Carbone I who died in 2009. It's a short but picturesque drive up to Seborga, around 45 minutes from the Italian Border. On arrival, cocktails and nibbles will be served with the compliments of our sponsors, after which you will be able to make a short tour of the town. We will then join the

citizens of Seborga and other visitors for a superb Barbecue Dinner under the stars in the town square, surrounded by the traditional national day celebrations including the arrival of the Prince S.A.S Marcello in a grand procession followed by the grand 'Festa con Musica e Danze' to round off a fabulous evening. And then the grand finale of our summer program - a Dinner Cruise for the final day of the Cannes Fireworks on 24th August, a lovely way to end what has been a perfect summer for the International Club of the Riviera! For more details and to join one of the most active and multi cultural clubs on the Rivera, contact: www.internationalclub.fr 0493721189/0621206010 info.internationalclub.fr.

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Editor Cassandra Tanti rivieratimes@mediterra.com

Contributors Elsa Carpenter, Jane O’Faherty, Mado Bayon, Anne Morris, Julian Nundy, Carolyn Reynier, Andrew Denison, Aila Stöckmann

Art director Konny Strauss

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