Enjoying life in Monaco and Monte Carlo

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April 28th Newsletter

I never expected any sort of success. (1)

Many non-French residents of France breathed a sigh of relief on Monday when they heard the news that President Macron had been elected for a second term of office. It was a close run contest in the Alpes-Maritimes, with Marine Le Pen garnering 49.87% of the vote. In Monaco around 54% voted for Macron, but the neighbouring communes Beausoleil, Roquebrune, Cap d'Ail, and La Turbie all preferred Le Pen. And although major towns such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Grasses preferred Macron, Menton voted nearly 57% for Le Pen.

But on to more digestible news. On Tuesday Monaco Matin featured an interview with Yannick Alleno, whose Pavyllon restaurant recently opened in the Hermitage Hotel. We discovered that the design includes a counter where 30 diners can watch the chef at work and then be served their food and wine by him. "Venez comme vous etes pour profiter de ce lieu," he says, this is a local restaurant for local people. The food is inspired by the region, but also includes his oeuf badaboum (caviar in egg yolk). Open all year, 7/7, lunch menu 68 euros.

As we head towards summer, our thoughts turn to the beach, but unfortunately access to Larvotto is limited for the next couple of weeks. Essential work is needed to level out the beach, and so there's strictly no swimming until 13 May, and no public access, Mon-Fri, 5:00-12:00. All the restaurants are accessible tho', and you can lounge on the beach in the afternoons and all day at the weekends.

If you simply must swim, then the Stade Nautique pool in Port Hercule opens on Monday.

Members of the Amis de l'Orchestre can now buy tickets for the five summer concerts in the Palace. The dates are 17, 24 and 31 July, and 4 and 7 August. Single concert tickets cost 22-150 euros, available from the Casino Atrium ticket office. Phone +377 98 06 28 28 or email atrium[at]opmc.mc. Sales to general public open from 5 May.

The windmills in the gardens above Casino Square are being auctioned off to raise funds for the Red Cross's efforts in support of the people of Ukraine. Place a bid on the Monte Carlo SBM website before 8 May.

And finally...

Don't forget Monday is a holiday since Labour Day falls on Sunday. Enjoy!

What's in the diary...