A Facelift for the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco

 

If you know the Principality of Monaco, you know it’s an ever-changing place.

With the expansion onto the sea of the new eco-district of Mareterra, currently, under construction by the Monegasque government, it’s fitting that the Grimaldi Forum also be updated for the future ahead.

Twenty-five years after the initial completion of the Grimaldi Forum, in 2025 a new unveiling of a vast extension, boosting exhibition capacity by an impressive 50% will be ready for everyone to enjoy.

The new site, created as part of the land reclamation project, will add an extra 6,000 m2 to the current 35,000 m2 space.

It will consist of three zones: the Diaghilev Gallery, the Carré and Patio Rooms, and the Pinède Hall – the largest of the three spaces. Each will offer plenty of surface area to accommodate exhibition stands and meeting rooms, as well as catering.

In making the most of the Principality’s exceptional location and its 300 days of sunshine per year, 2,000 m2 of outdoor space will also be created, including the new Indigo terrace, the Emeraude Forecourt, the Patio, the Ravel terrace with a view of the open sea, and the covered Patio.

This new six-hectare extension of the Principality will offer housing, a car park, shops, restaurants, a pine trees forest, and a marina. All adhering to very strict environmental requirements as it is part of the Principality’s objective to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

In total, there will be 1,500 solar panels installed on the Grimaldi Forum’s roof supplying energy to the surrounding buildings and this new district.

With the recent renovations of the nearby Larvotto beach, containing its new shops and restaurants, the update to the Grimaldi Forum is an additional asset that will enable congress participants to enjoy all that Monaco has to offer close to the congress centre.

 

The expansion will allow the Grimaldi Forum to build upon its current ability to host an average of 100 events and 250,000 visitors per year and will also enable more events to be held simultaneously. 

 

Photo credits: Grimaldi-Forum Monaco

Monaco Celebrates Its First Pride!

For the first time in Monaco, Pride was celebrated on Thursday, June 2, thanks to Barclays Private Bank teaming up with Stars’n’Bars and Fight Aids Monaco.

The unprecedented cocktail party at Star Deck drew an amazing crowd of about 80 people who came together in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Marking this historic occasion were special guests Princess Stephanie, President of Fight Aids Monaco, and her youngest daughter Camille Gottlieb. Princess Stephanie’s presence alone makes all the difference for the Pride movement to go forward.

Since 2004, Fight Aids Monaco has been supporting those living with HIV, acknowledging each person’s sexual orientation and gender identity. The non-profit condemns any kind of inequality, discrimination, or violence against any person, including those identifying as LGBTQIA+, and believes that defending this principle “should be everybody’s concern.”

This ideology is shared with Barclays Private Bank, which has long shown its commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. “Barclays understands that sexual orientation and gender identity are but a part of people’s identity and wants them to feel accepted in every way,” the bank said in a statement. “Through initiatives, activities, and networking for its employees, Barclays stands out and has already received nominations from organizations such as Stonewall and the Human Rights Campaign.

And at Stars’n’Bars, which has hosted small LGBTQ gatherings before stated, “Do what you love, love what you do. Make a difference.”

“Let’s be proud to coexist in diversity and state loudly that the freedom to be and love applies to all,” expressed the co-organizers of the Pride event.

In 2020, Monaco ranked 45th out of 49 European countries on LGBT+ equality by ILGA-Europe.

ILGA-Europe explained the score: “Although Monaco has legislation guaranteeing a civil society space for LGBTI people, there are no constitutional limitations on marriage, the law on hate speech covers sexual orientation and that from next month (June 27, 2020) same-sex couples will be able to benefit from cohabitation rights, it is necessary and desirable to take more legal measures to guarantee equality and non-discrimination of LGBTI people.”

It added that in Monaco homosexual couples do not have the right to adopt or have access to IVF and that discrimination based on sexual orientation is not protected by the Constitution. But hopefully, now this can start to change.

Since June 27, 2020, Monaco has allowed same-sex couples to sign a cohabitation agreement (contrat de vie commune), but the law considers same-sex couples living together on par with siblings for inheritance taxes and they are not eligible for the same legal protection (healthcare, retirement) available to married couples of the opposite sex.

Having the first Pride celebration in Monaco is a massive step forward, lets continue to work hard to continue to move all the equality efforts forward.

A Masterpiece Awaits in the French Riviera

It’s not usual for me to write about the luxury real estate market for the LGBTQ community on this blog, but this being part of my work and life here in the region, I thought readers would like a taste of what is available in terms of high-end property investments in the region.

Of late, an extraordinary property on the market in the French Riviera has come to my attention, a very special place that I can’t seem to stop thinking about on behalf of my clients.

Having worked in the luxury real estate and villa rental industry for over the past 11 years, one gets to know the details of local properties very well, and to be honest, one can even become a little blasé after a while, no matter how obsessed you are with the market.

That is until a property comes to the forefront once again and makes you realize why you not only love the Cote d’Azur so much but it refreshes you on the many reasons you are here in the first place.

Right now, the inspiration and drive have come flooding back after my private tour of a most remarkable property in the heights of Col de Villefranche. So much so that I was even dreaming about the place later that night and couldn’t help but think about it as I woke up and throughout the next day, to the point I just had to write about it for others to also enjoy.
 

Originally constructed in the middle of the 19th century, over the past few years this property was extensively and whole-heartedly revamped and renamed Villa Gabrielle.

 

Unlike some other properties where an estate can be completely stripped away removing its soul so that an owner’s ego can exude a reflection of their dream. Villa Gabrielle was lovingly restored keeping all the key characteristics one expects of such a historical property, yet enhanced intelligently and thoroughly with care while integrating all of today’s modernizations expected.

 

The time, efforts, and details taken to give this majestic estate a new lease on life are absolutely clear and not just for the short term but for many years to come.

 

As we all know, first impressions are everything, and with Villa Gabrielle that instantaneous “Wow” factor is definitely there, yet behind the visual surface are integral touches one may not immediately expect but are in place as you explore and discover the property, ready for your new lifestyle on this breathtaking estate.

Whatever you have always imagined in a property, it is available at Villa Gabrielle.

Here, serenely perched on what feels like the top of the world in Col de Villefranche, this substantial south-facing estate on a flat plot of 4200 sqm offers you 360° panoramic views towards Nice and the Bay of Angels, Fort du Mont Alban, down towards the Mediterranean Sea over the Bay of Villefranche and the peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.

 

And while this property dominates the hillside, it still benefits from total privacy and a place where one can watch the sunrise and set each day.

 

Outbuildings included, there is a total developed space of almost 1000 sqm with the main house of 540 sqm composed of an entrance with double living room and separate expansive dining room, a modern kitchen opening onto a terrace, a fully equipped professional kitchen, a master bedroom of 110 sqm with two bathrooms and dressing rooms. Four other bedrooms with bathrooms and dressing rooms, and an office.

 

An independent guest house measuring 150 sqm including a 3 bedroom apartment with bathroom, lounge, open kitchen, and dining area. Plus a full one-bedroom apartment for staff, a PC security room, and a large individual laundry room.

 

The splendid garden is meticulously planted with both Mediterranean and tropical essences embellished by an outdoor swimming pool of 17x8m with an infused children’s pool along with 2 separate Koi fish ponds, plenty of lush green grass with a shaded summer lounge, and an outdoor dining area with barbecue and bar overlooking the sea making it ideal for entertaining family and friends.

 

Get fit and relax in the separate 136 sqm spa house set up with a fitness room, massage room, dry sauna, steam room, and indoor pool.

For all you car enthusiasts, there is an underground garage of 155 sqm which can accommodate 10 cars along with plenty more parking.

 

Overall, this safe and secure property currently has 9 bedrooms with the possibility of adding a further two for a total of 11 bedrooms.

During the tour, my first reflections were that this estate has the best of both worlds. It’s a superb villa with a genuine sense of history that has been reborn and reflects everything one imagines about France and Europe in general. Best of all, it has that Cote d’Azur flair, yet gently combined with familiar aspects and designs that would make someone from any other country around the world feel right at home.

Villa Gabrielle, being a turnkey property, means you have now found your ideal place in the sun bringing consistent ease and inspiration to your life.

Price: 17,000,000 EUR

Connect with Experience The French Riviera for more details. 

Update: As of September 2022, this beautiful property has been sold. 

Cinéma de la Plage Cannes 2022

It’s all about to begin, the 75th Cannes Film Festival!

In addition to all the screenings, events, and conferences of the official selection taking place at the Palais du Festival, as with tradition, each evening at 9:30 pm, at the beach along the Croisette across from the Majestic Hotel is an open-air cinema experience.

This year, the films and dates are as follows:

Tues 17 May: The Truman Show directed by Peter Weir.

Wed 18 May: This is Spinal Tap directed by Rob Reiner. Rob will be present at the screening.

Thurs 19 May: Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) by Christophe Gans.

Fri 20 May: Est-Ouest by Régis Wargnier. A French film nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars 22 years ago.

Sat 21 May: The 50th-anniversary screening of The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola.

Sun 22 May: Un singe en hiver (A monkey in winter) - French film directed by Henri Verneuil.

Mon 23 May: La cour des Miracles (Save our school) - French film directed by Hakim Zouhani and Carine May. The directors and actors will all be present at the screening.

Tues 24 May: A screening of the Australian classic movie Strictly Ballroom by Baz Luhrmann. Baz's upcoming film 'Elvis' is taking part out of competition at Cannes this year; his past films include Moulin Rouge & Romeo + Juliet. Baz will be present at the Strictly Ballroom screening on Tuesday.

Wed 25 May: Christophe...définitement (Christophe..definitely) directed by Ange Leccia & Dominique Gonzales-Foerster.

Thu 26 May: The 40th-anniversary screening of E.T the Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Stephen Spielberg.

Fri 27 May: Fanfan la tulipe, a French film from the 1950's directed by Christian-Jaque.

Sat 28 May: The Last Picture Show directed by Peter Bogdanovich.

Be sure to arrive early for the best seats!