EuroPanache Blog

Prince's Concerts - Monaco

By BobP

The idea of re-instating concerts open to the public in the fabulous Cour d'Honneur of the Prince's Residence, a tradition from the 18th Century, was reinstated by Prince Rainier (Prince Albert's father) in 1959.

These are unique opportunities to see the inner courtyards of the Principality Palace and to mingle with royalty.  Albert, the Prince-heir to Rainier is a charming man - fluent in English (no accent - believe me, Brown University educated.  His sisters Caroline and Stephanie are also very fluent.  After all, their mother was Grace Kelly and they are half-American. 

 

Attire is formal by tradition, and Monaco police stand by the gates with extra ties and jackets to ensure that all who enter are respectfully dressed.

Next Concerts:

Thursday 16 July at 21h30
Thursday 23 July at 21h30
Sunday 26 July at 21h30
Sunday 2 August at 21h30
Thursday 6 August at 21h30 

Princess Grace (Kelly) Rainier - 1929 to 1982 - Hollywood Actress, Princess

Spiky fun

Kids, young and old, are fascinated by cacti. Two great gardens lie on the Riviera – one atop the hill at Eze-Village and the other in Monaco.  Both afford spectactular views of the coast and a myriad of species.

Eze-Village – if quaint perched villages are your cup of tea, and you’d relish a vigourous walk uphill through serpentine cobblestone walkways to get to the garden, then this is the place for you. 

The Present structure of the village goes back to the Middle Ages but Eze has been occupied since the Bronze Age. Since then, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans and Monegasques have used the site.  It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that its inhabitants opted for annexation to France.

The Jardin Exotique is a lushly landscaped garden of exotic plants and cacti, aloes and agaves that was developed by Louis XIV.  It decorates the summit of the village and with incredible views of the sea from any vantage point.

Hours:
Open everyday from 9:30am to 5pm (winter) ; longer hours in summer – 9am to 8pm in July/August

Entrance:
Adults: € 5
Students, Groups (10+): € 2,50 
Children under 18: € 1
Ezasques, children under 11 years: Free

Monaco – this historic garden was begun by Prince Albert I and took 20 years to complete. Clinging to rocky cliffs 300 feet above Monaco's Mediterranean cost, more than 10,000 plants from 3,000 species, most of them cacti or other succulents, rise in spiky profusion. Part of the garden is always in bloom.

While excavating for the garden, an underground grotto was discovered at the base of the cliff.  It is the largest cave of its type in Europe with a constant temperature of 18 degrees celcius year-round.  It has  stalagtites (top-down) and stalagmites (bottom-up) galore and contains 250,000-year-old animal bones and artifacts from prehistoric man.  Be sure to wear rubber-soled shoes (as it’s slippery down there), and be prepared for quite a hike (300 steps down and back up again).  

Entrance:

Adults: €6.80
Children (6-18): €3.50
Students (max 30) €3.50
Senior (65+) €5.20

Hours:
Summer 15 May - 15 Sept 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Winter 16 Sept - 14 May 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. or dusk

Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix

Posted by JillA

Being at the new EuroPanache Cote d'Azur office this week has meant that I unexpectedly could visit Monaco on the Formula 1 weekend and experience some of our SportsPanache program. I know I am confirming the hype, but if you want an amazing F1 experience, then Monaco is the place for it. 

A number of drivers call Monaco home or have properties nearby, celebrities both above and below the radar are here to enjoy themselves, the Prince hosts some events, and the fans can sit a couple of metres from the cars if they want.

All this in one of the most recognised landscapes in the world.

What are the options - helicopter transfers, personal driver, central Monaco hotels, regional hotels or villas, Private F1 related events, charity events, F1 Terraces, Paddock Club or Boat Viewing options, Pit Lane visits, and after parties at the Amber Lounge - the F1 can be linked with Cannes Film Festival prior, some relaxing days in the area, then up to Paris for the French Open at Roland Garros.

For F1 followers 2009 has been a year of controversy so far - diffusers, kers, suspensions, future budget caps, and team Brawn to name a few. Maybe I should own up to being 'a bit of a fan' of this sport that requires split second reactions and an exactness, concentration and fitness achieved in few others, though I expect it is obvious by now.

Dates of interest when planning for 2010 are:

F1 Monaco - 20 to 23 May 2010

Cannes Film Festival - 12 to 23 May 2010

Roland Garros - 24 May to 6 June 2010

Want something out of the ordinary rather than just a couple of grandstand tickets? Ask us - the combination of EuroPanache's and SportsPanache's network will satisfy you and your clients.

The images were taken from one of The Terraces during Qualifying on Saturday.