Things to do in Monaco and Monte Carlo

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October 21st Newsletter

If I'd a million millions - Just think! a million millions! (1)

Buongiorno! It's the "Week of the Italian Language in the World". The Gazette de Monaco reports on several events supported by the Italian Embassy in Monaco.

Eating & Drinking

Zakari Benkhadra of Gault & Millau told the Observateur de Monaco, that the guidebook's testers weren't able to access the Principality's restaurants spontaneously because of Covid measures. Consequently the Monaco section is very thin. Hopefully next year's edition will be back to normal.

Monte Carlo Gastronomie won't take place this year, but the competition for amateur Maestro Chef will go ahead on camera and be shared on social media.

From now until 17 April 2022 you can enjoy Sunday brunch in the Hotel Hermitage's Eiffel mezzanine. 120 euros pp with champagne.

Sylvain Garpopolo of Marche U Monaco has won a prize for his Label Rouge Limousin beef.

Out & About

The call for tenders for a commuter boat service between Nice and Cap d'Ail has been unsuccessful. None of the candidates could offer a speedy, 100% non-carbon solution. Monaco is still willing to finance the project, but it's unlikely to be in place before 2025.

In La Turbie from January, entry to the Trophee d'Auguste will be free of charge. The town has grand plans for a traffic-free centre, and several joint projects with Monaco including a car park to dissuade vehicles from entering the Principality.

Access to the Tete de Chien may soon be limited. Monaco bought around 3 hectares of the site in 2016, including Fort Massena. In order to develop the site's historic and environmental heritage there's a need to prevent vehicles parking along the road, and to dissuade youths from partying up there.

Gifts

Is it too early to be thinking of Christmas gifts? Nah! Here are two suggestions.

First, Paul Rafferty's book featuring Winston Churchill's paintings, "Churchill Peint la Cote d'Azur". It was published in English last year, and contains photos as well as anecdotes. The British statesman was often to be found in Monte Carlo Casino, and there's a suite in the Hotel de Paris, as well as a square off avenue de Grande Bretagne named after him. Available from Amazon.

Second, Rampoldi celebrated its 75th anniversary last weekend by publishing a book, "Rampoldi 75 ans", which includes famous faces and Monegasques who have dined there. It's available from the restaurant or Amazon, 49 euros.

Climate change & Covid

Prince Albert took part virtually in the 76th general assembly of the United Nations at the end of September, saying he hoped that society post-Covid could be rebuilt on a greener, more sustainable model.

Climate Central website contains projected results of global climate change on the South of France. With temperatures rising by just 1.5 degrees, the Cours Saleya in Nice will be under water, and at 3 degrees, all of Jardin Albert 1er will disappear.

The Alpes-Maritimes has extended mask-wearing outdoors in busy areas until 2 November, while the French Government is discussing extending health pass usage to 31 July 2022.

And finally...

The autumn funfair opens at the weekend. Entry requires health pass for +16s and masks for +5s. There are dedicated food and drink areas to prevent eating while strolling, and you may have to queue for entry when it's very busy. Numbers are limited to 1 per 4m2. Enjoy!

What's in the diary...