Places to go in Monaco and Monte Carlo

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January 19th Newsletter

Cezanne! Cezanne was the father of all of us. (1)

Today is Black Thursday. Nothing to do with the sales tho'. It's the name given to the general strike in France, where unions are protesting against President Macron's plans to raise retirement age from 62 to 64. As you'd expect, public transport is going to be affected. In Nice there are no trams or buses, and a reduced service is in operation for trains and planes. Inter-urban buses between Nice and Monaco are expected to run as usual according to yesterday's Nice Matin.

So perhaps it's better to stay in Monaco today. At 6pm there's an auction of contemporary and modern art at the Hotel des Ventes de Monte Carlo, but if you attend that, you'll miss the official start of the Monte Carlo Rally. Drivers will be signing autographs in Place du Casino before setting off at 6.30pm.

On Sunday it's Chinese New Year and Song Qi has a special celebratory menu from now until 23 January. There's also a celebratory gala on 24 January in the Hotel Hermitage's Salle Belle Epoque. For more information about that email info[at]monacodragonprestige.com or visit the organizer's website.

Two of Monaco's hospitality top jobs have seen changes this week. After 11 years in charge of the Meridien, Manuel de Vasconcelos is retiring. He'll be replaced by Vincent Clinckemaillie, who's currently DG of two Marriotts in Morocco, and before that headed up the Marriott in Cap d'Ail. At SBM, President Jean-Luc Biamonte is also stepping down. His successor will appointed next week.

Looking ahead the British Association and Club Vivanova are sharing a Burns Supper on Wednesday in the Fairmont Hotel. The following night Club Vivanova is organizing a New Year networking party promoting businesses as well as raising a glass of Australian wine to celebrate Australia day.

And finally...

The bitter orange harvest started this week. If you'd like to claim a few to make your marmalade and orange liqueur, phone +377 98 98 22 77. Enjoy!

What's in the diary...

Thursday: Babylon.
Friday: Circus is in town.
Saturday: Strictly ballroom.
Sunday: Basketball.

(1) This week's quote was the opinion of Pablo Picasso regarding French artist Paul Cezanne, born this day 1839.