The indoor go-karting and entertainment centre, Box 98, will finally open its doors in Monaco on April 1.
Located in the former location of the Prince’s Car Collection at 25 avenue Albert II in Fontvieille, the 4,700-sqm-space offers a “range of activities for young and old”, from six driving simulators to 30 electric go-karts, as well as four (short) bowling lanes; three billiards tables and several arcade games, like precision shooting and basketball, as well as a karaoke room.
While Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and F1 drivers like Monaco’s David Coulthard attended the inauguration Friday evening, F1 journalist and author of EternelSenna Daniel Ortelli popped into the hot spot on Friday morning for a sneak preview to share with Good News Monaco. He spoke to the man behind this ambitious project, former racing driver and Monegasque Clivio Piccione, and his business partner, the founder of PKG Design, Paolo Gagliardini, who designed the above-ground 400-metre electric go-karting circuit, with tight hairpins, climbs and descents.
Open from April 1, 2025: Tuesday to Thursday (11.30am-11pm); Friday (11.30am-midnight); Saturday (10am-midnight); Sunday (10am-7pm). Closed Monday. The cost for an 8-minute electric go-kart session is €23 (under-8) and €25 for over-14 . For a taste of Grand Prix mode, the price is €75 with 1 free trial session, 1 qualifying session and an 11-lap race.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW: Entrepreneur Clivio Piccione gives the scoop to Daniel Ortelli about Box 98.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW: Paolo Gagliardini tells Daniel Ortelli about the Box 98 circuit.
Test driving electric karts.Circuit overviewThe circuit.The karts.Stars’n”Bars memorabilia BilliardsSimulatorsBowlingBasketballMotorbikes
Article first published March 28, 2025. All photos and videos copyright Daniel Ortelli.
It’s been nearly six years since Antoine Bahri launched Carlo, Monaco’s first mobile app that rewards consumers for buying goods and services locally. The Monaco resident wanted to create “a smart currency for Monaco” through an incentive program that offered a 5% cashback from purchases at one of the Carlo-affiliated shops in Monaco.
The engineer-turned-entrepreneur has always been motivated to build bridges for small and traditional businesses to digitally integrate and grow. Before Carlo, Antoine co-founded a payment application for the restaurant sector in Barcelona. “Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. It requires resilience and unwavering belief in the value you’re creating.”
Launched in July 2019, Carlo now works with 680 businesses, about 80% of all merchants in Monaco, according to Antoine, and can be downloaded from the App store. “We’ve also built a thriving community of approximately 80,000 users, including residents and those who interact regularly with Monaco. Over time, Carlo has evolved into a full-fledged payment solution for the principality, distinguished by its innovative closed-loop cashback program.”
Antoine admits one of the most meaningful moments of his career came when he onboarded merchants in Monaco he used to visit as a child. “Seeing those businesses join Carlo made me feel we were truly making an impact. Another unforgettable moment was the first time overhearing someone at a nearby table at the restaurant ask to pay with Carlo. Hearing them talk about it made me realise that the app had become part of daily life for many people.”
Antoine Bahri (front row, right) launched the Carlo App in July 2019. The company has grown to 16 people, including the development team as well as the teams in Bordeaux and Aix-en-Provence.
Antoine says the growth of the free Carlo App has been fuelled in large part by a strong partnership with the government of Monaco, which began after the Covid pandemic to support local merchants. “This collaboration has continued because Carlo has proven to be an effective tool for the government to boost local commerce and generate TVA.”
The government has argued recently that it is impossible to quantify how much TVA is generated by Carlo purchases that would not have occurred otherwise. “While it’s challenging to calculate the exact amount of TVA Carlo generates, we have several strong indicators,” Antoine highlights. “For instance, a survey we conducted with over 4,000 responses revealed that 50% of users’ shopping and 35% of their dining through Carlo would have taken place elsewhere – online or outside Monaco – if Carlo didn’t exist. Using these insights, we can estimate the new TVA Carlo has helped generate in Monaco, and the results indicate that the more likely scenario is a net positive outcome for the government.”
He also emphasises that the government’s support is directed at merchants, not Carlo. “We are the service provider delivering a payment and loyalty solution under the terms of a contract designed to benefit the local economy.”
The government of Monaco is currently debating whether to change the way in which the 8.6% Carlo platform fee is shared. At present, 1% is paid by the affiliated retailer while the State covers 7.6%, for a reported total of €10 million a year. It envisions that in 2025, the cost to retailers could rise to 3.6% with a possible cap on monthly spending.
Antoine remains confident in the government’s commitment to this partnership. “The collaboration has been a clear success, uniting merchants and consumers on one platform and fostering a vibrant local economy. That said, this is a new government, and it’s natural to review ongoing projects and explore ways to optimize them. On our side, we’re fully committed to working hand-in-hand with the government to find solutions that enhance the project while keeping the mission’s core values intact for the benefit of local merchants.”
For Antoine, the biggest challenge has been navigating the company through different phases of growth and external changes. “Challenges are also what drive us forward. They push us to learn, adapt, and create new features and solutions that keep Carlo innovative and relevant.”
Recently, Carlo introduced a new payment opportunity in Monaco for users to make donations directly to associations. “With thousands of users already accustomed to using the app for payments, this was a natural extension of our platform’s functionality,” Antoine states.
“Associations have been requesting an easy and digital payment solution for some time, and we’re thrilled to now provide one. Users can select their preferred association from a list of participating organisations and donate seamlessly without using or earning cashback, which remains exclusively dedicated to supporting local commerce.”
This initiative is already off to a great start. “We’re proud to have partnered with the Princess Charlene Foundation and the Rotary Club of Monaco for this launch, and we look forward to helping more associations streamline their fundraising efforts.”
Antoine also took the model beyond Monaco in 2023. “We successfully launched Carlo in Aix-en-Provence, where we now partner with more than 200 merchants. Most recently, in October 2024, we expanded to Bordeaux, where we’ve already onboarded 50 merchants. We’re excited to replicate and adapt this Monaco-born innovation in new markets.”
Now a team of 16 people, the company is also launching a white-label version of its payment solution, opening up opportunities for other industries like hotel groups, ski resorts, or any organization with a closed-loop network. “This is an exciting step as it allows us to extend the impact of Carlo’s technology to new sectors and geographies.”
In parallel to developing Carlo, Antoine has co-founded Maliz.ai, an AI solution focused on data sovereignty that allows companies to deploy AI tools on their own servers, giving them full control and protection over their data. “With Maliz.ai, organisations can create chatbots or other AI-powered solutions hosted within their own environment, ensuring security and transparency,” Antoine explains.
“We’re particularly focused on serving Monaco, where there’s a clear need for independent AI solutions that align with the principality’s emphasis on privacy and trust. Our mission is to empower companies in Monaco with cutting-edge, locally hosted AI tools that combine innovation with data security.”
Article first published on February 16, 2025. Feature photo by Nancy Heslin. Article photos courtesy of Carlo App.
Valerie Closier may have grown up in Lésigny, some 50 kilometres southeast of Paris in the Seine-et-Marne department, yet she could not be more deeply rooted in Monaco’s car culture.
Valerie Closier with Prince Albert February 6, 2024. Photo: Facebook Automobile Club de Monaco
A model child in school who was “a bit of a tomboy”, Valerie played on the tennis team and was coached by the first trainer of Guy Forget (he helped France win the Davis Cup in both 1991 and 1996). Her dark hair and eyes earned her the nickname Gabriella as she resembled Gabriella Sabatini, the former world No. 3 who played from the mid-80s to mid-90s.
Yet it was her love of dance – classical, modern jazz and tap – that earned Valerie her first win at a national level with her dance class in 1989.
It was thirteen years before she won another French national title, but this time it would be as a rally co-driver.
“I first became interested in rallies with my dad, Michel. He drove an Alpine A110 Berlinette co-piloted by a childhood friend. I would take photos and videos because I was passionate about video editing at the time,” recalls Valerie, Director of the Prince’s Car Collection since December 2019.
One day, as she explains, a friend of her father, none other than Jean Charles Rédélé – son of Jean, the creator of the Alpine automotive brand – was racing in the French Véhicule Historique de Compétition (VHC) when he put a helmet on young Valerie’s head and snapped a picture. “A few weeks later, my dad received the photo in the mail with a note on the back scribbled, ‘She’s ready.’ My dad asked if I wanted to try a rally and off I went to co-drive with him in the Berlinette. We did this for about 10 years.”
Valerie’s first rally memory is the Grand Caunet, a special stage of the Sainte Baume Rallycircuit in Marseille, where, unfortunately, at the arrival check point the head gasket prevented the daughter-dad duo from continuing.
“I was left hungry. Motor racing and speed provide adrenaline and such exceptional and exhilarating emotions. That’s when I finally understood the expression voir la route par les portières [seeing the road through the doors].”
The year after the Rallycircuit, in 2002, Valerie and her dad took part in the VHC rally championship and she became the French national VHC co-driver champion. “When the car works well, and the pace notes for speed and distance fall into place and the driver is confident, it is though the car is flying, and it is an extraordinary feeling. A total osmosis between the driver, the co-driver and the car.
“And teaming up with my dad in the car and my mom at the refuelling station was great. It was a fabulous few weeks of racing but returning to reality on Sunday evening was much less exciting.”
The accomplished rally competitor was also co-driver for Jean-Claude Andruet in a Porsche 3l in the 2010 VHC rally cup final in La Rochelle. The pair made all the scratches and won the rally ahead of Dominique Depons and Jean Ragnotti. They teamed up again at the 2023 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique in an Alpine A110 Group 4 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Andruet’s 1973 victory in Monte-Carlo with Alpine.
This year, Valerie will be participating in a special capacity for ACM’s 2024 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, which officially kicks off February 1. Unlike last week’s 2024 Rallye Monte-Carlo, the historic version features cars driven in the Monte Carlo Rally between 1911 and 1983.
“The historic rally is for the fastest but, above all, it’s about a passion for cars, conviviality, helping each other, good humour and meeting like-minded people. I like the whole atmosphere.”
For Valerie, this passion for automobiles “has contributed to Monaco’s international prestige” as proven by the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo created in 1911 by Prince Albert I. “At the time, it was a way to attract the European jet-set to Monaco. This was followed by the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929 inaugurated by Prince Louis II.”
She adds, “At the beginning of the 1970s, the rally took place according to a schedule that would endure nearly 25 years: first a course of concentration where crews would drive day and night to arrive towards the city of Monaco before then leaving for a second course, which was timed and used by all drivers in the regions of Isère, Drôme and Alpes-Maritimes.
“Nowadays, the historic rally starts in cities like Reims, Bad Homburg, Milan or Glasgow, and competitors converge towards Monaco and then head onto mountain roads, often snow-covered, where they have to know how to control the climb to stay on the road to get back to the Principality on the finishing podium.”
Although the rally runs until February 7, Valerie will co-pilot a special car on February 6 at 8 pm. “HSH Prince Albert II will have the honour of taking the wheel of a Deutsch-Bonnet Frua Coupe during the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique . And I will have the privilege of being beside the Prince to take a tour of the Principality. We will then return to the closed rally car park so that the Sovereign can give the start to official competitors of the 2024 historic’s last stage: the night of Turini.”
This exceptional event is part of the commemorations for Prince Rainier III’s centenary of his birth. In 1953, and under his real name “Louis Carladès,” Prince Rainier and his mechanic Mr. Benit entered the Tour de France automobile at the wheel of a Deutsch-Bonnet Frua Coupe. A few years ago, the Car Collection acquired an old Deutsch-Bonnet to restore for the occasion.
Valerie Closier with Prince Albert February 6, 2024. Photo: Facebook Automobile Club de Monaco
“Prince Rainier built up a large personal collection of vintage cars, depending on opportunities and his favourites,” informs Valerie. “He collected and restored some 100 vehicles, a large sample of models built by the most famous European and American carmakers. He said, and I quote, ‘It’s not a car museum but a personal collection of cars of all ages and from all countries. Popular or prestigious, they marked their era and I liked them.’”
In July 2022, the Prince’s Car Collection moved from Fontvieille to its new home at 54 route de la Piscine along Port Hercules. The space offers “an unforgettable historical journey” of the princely family through private and unpublished photos and videos. The relocation gave “a new lease of life and a more modern scenography” and Valerie’s goal is to bring “this magnificent place to life and make it shine not only in Monaco but also in France and abroad.” Last year visitors numbers increased by more than 80% compared to 2022.
The first Monegasque Formula One driver for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, donated his single-seater in which he won Spa and Monza in 2019 to the Collection. It is in pole position on the mezzanine’s F1 zone. Valerie shares, “It’s the ‘WOW! factor for visitors when they first enter and are surprised to see Formula One single-seaters on the wall. People are fascinated by the incredible size of these F1 cars when they see them up close.”
In 2023, the Car Collection held several exhibitions, from cars (the 75th anniversary of Porsche and a mini Bugatti expo) to art (by former rugby player Jean-Pierre Rives), and served as a runway for Monte Carlo Fashion Week in May.
The cars are also lent out for charity rallies (Child CARE Monacovintage rally), or on display at concours d’elegance competitions and car shows, like Top Marques Monaco or Rétromobile in Paris. Valerie also develops the Collection’s private capacity, with exclusive dinners and cocktail receptions, such as the launch of The Monegasque magazine last December.
Valerie, who can be found sipping un café or deux at the Café de Paris in the winter months (or at Larvotto’s La Note Bleue when warmer), is known by everyone for her positive, dynamic and enthusiastic personality. “When I have an idea, a desire, a proposal, I go for it, with audacity and determination. And often it pays off.”
She draws her motto “nothing attempted, nothing gained” from her family. Her parents lived in Monaco (“My mom worked at Radio Monte-Carlo as an assistant to Bernard Spindler and my dad was a diver in Cousteau’s team. He was even the diver on duty during the F1 Grand Prix in 1959 at the tobacconist”) and her aunt owned the Monte-Carlo Bar at Place d’Armes.
“Without passion, life has no flavour,” she insists. “And it is thanks to this drive for motorsport that I meet incredible people. These are genuine emotions and precious moments of sharing and joy.”
The Aquarius talks about how in recent years there have been more and more initiatives to support women and girls to get a foot in motorsport. “It’s not easy to move the lines because it’s a very male-dominated field. I am delighted that women like Susie Wolff with the F1 Academy and Deborah Mayer at the head of Iron Dames are raising their voices to open new paths for women in this field.”
Then there is the More Than Equal initiative co-founded by 13-time F1 winner David Coulthard and entrepreneur Karel Komarek to finance an ambitious program aimed at giving women drivers the means to access Formula One. “This is real progress which, I hope, will gradually succeed in changing the somewhat archaic mentalities of motorsport.
“I’d like to think we are on the right track but there are still a few turns and speed bumps to cross.”
Paula Farquharson with chalice for Irish Mass at the Palatine Chapel. Photo: Courtesy of PGIL/Michaël Alesi/Palais Princier
Recently discovered in a cardboard box and auctioned in the UK, the chalice will be the subject of a lecture at the Princess Grace Irish Library by Dr Krasnodębska-D’Aughton, University College Cork (UCC), on Wednesday January 22, at 7pm.
Meet old and new friends at the library and discover the mystery behind one of the few remaining chalices from the 15th century.
Earlier in January, the Ó Learghusa Chalice was used to celebrate mass in the private chapel of the Prince’s Palace in Monaco in the presence of Prince Albert II and the Princess of Hanover. And, as Paula Farquharson, director of the Princess Grace Irish Library, points out, it was the first time that mass was celebrated in Europe with the chalice for centuries.
“Before King Henry VIII’s divorce led to the reformation and forced the Catholic Church in Ireland to go underground, this medieval chalice was used in friaries and monasteries in Ireland,” explains Paula.
“Later such religious items were either hidden or sent to mainland Europe for safekeeping. Many didn’t survive and were melted down for their silver and gold. This lecture has all the excitement of a turbulent era in history and the audience will have the unique opportunity to see this rare chalice for one evening only before it goes to Ireland for permanent display at Kylemore Abbey.”
Since its purchase in 2021, the chalice has featured in articles and on television in the United States, where it has also gone on exhibition at top universities.
Dr D’Aughton is a Senior Lecturer in the School of History, UCC, who specialises in the cultural and religious history of the Middle Ages. She has published internationally on the Irish mendicant orders, liturgical silver, Irish illuminated manuscripts as well as on manuscripts in Polish libraries.
Tickets €10 (includes a drink after the 45-minute talk) available at the door or online.
While at the library, make sure you check out 40th Anniversary Princess Grace Irish Library: A Tribute To Princess Grace of Monaco (2024; Éditions Des Archives Du Palais De Monaco. The 128-page limited-edition commemorative book will take you on a journey of discovery about Princess Grace from Ireland to America and to Monaco.
It was presented to Prince Albert II and the Princess of Hanover on November 20, 2024, exactly 40 years to the day they inaugurated the Princess Grace Irish Library in the presence of their father Prince Rainier III.
The book is not available to purchase but a copy can be viewed at the library, or download a digital version at http://www.pgil.mc. QR codes lead readers to emotive performances by musicians and students from the Académie Rainier III in Monaco and Technological University Dublin, conservatoire, as well as a special music piece composed by Michael Flatley, titled The Princess Grace Set.
For animal behaviourist and trainer Victoria Morris: “Often, we can get caught up in the excitement of getting a pet that we sometimes forget to be realistic. A pet is not only for Christmas but is your companion and dear family member for a very long time.” Victoria suggests 20 questions for potential owners to consider before choosing a pet.
1. What pet would you like to offer a home to? Have you had experience of this species before? Perhaps you want to first consult a professional, such as vet, and maybe a behaviourist for some tips, perhaps purchase a book or research on the internet.
2. Perhaps you would like a dog or cat? Have you considered if it would be appropriate to choose a puppy/kitten or adult dog or cat? Would you like to offer a home to one that has been rescued?
3. Do you have existing cats/existing dogs or other pets already in the house? Is it your feeling they will get on? It’s always good to ask a professional on how best you can introduce a new member of the family, especially if you don’t know how your cat will get on with the dog you would like to introduce or if you already have a cat, what’s the best way to introduce a new cat to a multi cat household? How can you successfully introduce your rabbit to your dog if you’d like them to get on? What dog breed is best suited to be around your rabbit? A hunting breed, for example, with a high prey drive wouldn’t be advisable. What breeds of rabbit are also suited to be with a dog? It is always a good idea to use the appropriate approach to introduce new pets to a household and to employ some good techniques to nurture a good relationship with those pets where possible (of course being always aware of safety, being responsible and not leaving pets unobserved/unattended or pairing pets together that are not best suited to be together or it may be dangerous to pair together). The objective may not be to develop a strong bond between the pets concerned but that they respect each other’s presence and know how to behave. You also need to think about the neutering/spaying of both rabbit and dog as hormonal levels need to be in check before introducing them to each other, you can speak to your vet regarding this.
4. A good question to ask is: Are you able to offer this pet a home? Do your work hours suit the needs of this pet? What contingency will there be if you travel? Do you travel a lot that would make choosing this pet unadvisable?
5. If welcoming a rescue pet into the home, are you willing to work with any existing behavioural problems/issues if there are any? do you have the time to dedicate to this? If it is a rescue dog for example, have you visited many times to observe the dog? Have you walked the dog before to become familiar with them? Have you had the dog stay with you for some time to gradually introduce them to your home and again become familiar with them? Have you a strategy for introducing the new dog to existing pets?
6. If you are choosing a young pet like a puppy or kitten, are you available to provide that vital early learning and socialisation? Will you have time for training? Are you ready to go through that ‘naughty teenager age’ where young pets can test you?
7. Do you have children? Is the pet if a rescue pet already well socialised with children? Or would you be welcoming children into the family later? Are the whole family willing to participate?
8. Is the whole family in agreement to offer a home to a pet?
9. Whose responsibility is it to look after the pet? Are all the family prepared to help?
10. Do you have a veterinary professional in mind to care for the health of your pet and can you commit to veterinary costs?
11. Am I able to dedicate finances to purchase all the housing, food, bedding, enrichment (toys) etc that that pet needs.
12. Am I able to dedicate finances to purchase all the housing, food, bedding, enrichment (toys) etc that that pet needs. How should you house that pet? Does that species benefit from being with others? Is the housing the right size to meet the welfare needs of that pet? How can you provide an enriching enclosure to prevent issues with stereotyped behaviour? Parrots, for example, can suffer behavioural issues such as feather plucking if they are stressed and not stimulated.
13. If you are visiting a dog breeder for example, have you seen the parents? How does the breeder appear to you? Are they asking you lots of questions about your home environment that suggests they are a responsible breeder? Are they giving you the puppy at the appropriate age e.g. (at least 8 weeks for a puppy)? Do they have breed papers and are they registered? Have hip scores/eye scores been done and are they attending to the appropriate veterinary care at the appropriate time before you collect the puppy? Is the breeder introducing experience with early socialisation e.g., desensitisation to noise/movement using toys and additions to the enclosure etc? Is the breeder abiding by correct animal welfare legislation and acting ethically? Note: Tail Docking and Ear clipping is illegal in most countries including most European Countries. This is not acceptable and is contrary to animal welfare. These procedures generally involve surgeries without anaesthetic, they are barbaric, and these incidences need to be reported. This procedure also has profound behavioural effects in dogs, interfering with their ability to communicate and can negatively impact behaviour.
14. If your choice is a dog, for example, what type of exercise can you offer? Are you able to exercise the dog regularly? How active are you and what type of activity would you be able to offer that dog? Can you have a significant enough presence and feel able to direct the behaviour of a larger dog?
15. Is the breed of dog you are choosing a hunting breed that requires a lot of exercise and has a strong pre-disposition to follow scent?
16. Is the breed you would like very active; can you provide the exposure and opportunities for exercise.
17. Does the breed you are choosing require a great deal of grooming? Can you commit to this? Does budget allow trips to the groomers? What type of grooming will there be? will my dogs’ hair need trimming regularly? Will my parrot’s beak and nails need trimming?
18. Are you versed in what vaccinations are needed for your chosen pet? For example, for your rabbit will usually need vaccines for Rabbit haemorrhagic disease 1 and 2 and myxomatosis. Your cat will usually need vaccines for feline infectious enteritis and feline leukaemia virus and some parrots may need a polyomavirus vaccination. You may need to think about regular flea treatment, worm treatment and may need to consider the pros and cons of sterilisation/castration for your dog/cat.
19. What about diet? Will you feed your dog dry food or wet? What are the pros and cons for example giving a raw diet? Does my new pet require special vitamins for example for coat health or feather health? Am I prepared to give live food to feed my reptile?
20. What kind of veterinary products are good to keep in the house?
Illness and disease Depending on the species you choose, animals can be very good at hiding disease, from an evolutionary point of view, it’s what we call adaptive. If you think about it, it is never good going around advertising your illness to potential predators or animals within your group. As a result, you need to have a certain knowledge so you can prevent illness as far as possible and prevent behavioural problems. Sometimes behavioural problems can cause physical illness such as your cat or dog constantly licking areas, tail chasing or biting etc causing injury to the skin.
Training You need to be able to train your pet so you can handle them effectively and regularly check health and pet enclosures/environments need to be stimulating so to prevent behavioural issues.
Training is also a great way to provide enrichment. Obviously, this all depends on the requirements of the species and how complex their needs are; however, I am a strong advocate for training and good enrichment schedules for all pet species. It cannot emphasis this enough! A lot of people don’t think they can train their kitten/cat or rabbit, but you can and there are so many positive reasons for doing so.
Choosing a breed I am asked many times by clients who have chosen certain breeds of dog or are amid choosing a breed, did I make the right choice? Or what breed would be best? Yes, the breed is important, certain breeds have certain activity levels, are predisposed to behave in certain ways and have certain drives, this must always be understood and taken into consideration, this is very true, but on occasion it can be a limiting factor. For example, many think Jack Russell’s are aggressive and never get on well with other dogs, that they have a “little dog-big dog” thing going on. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and people think that’s the way they are, and little attempt is made to prevent this behavioural pattern, so everyone continues to think of the breed in this way when it doesn’t have to be this way with appropriate shaping and training.
Yes, certain breeds are renowned for being better with children, but this is not always a forgone conclusion. We not only have a responsibility to shape a dogs’ behaviour, so they are desensitised to children and know how to behave with them but that the child also knows how to respectfully interact with that dog.
At the end of the day the environment must be right and depending on when you get that dog and its behavioural history, social ability can be successfully shaped. It is important to think what commitment we can make and if we can provide that dogs’ needs in terms of exercise and attention.
Having a pet is an extremely rewarding experience and I highly recommend it. I certainly find the owners who decide to get a puppy find my Puppy Programmes extremely helpful as I help the client get everything in place to start in the best possible way with their puppy from the point of choosing their puppy to bringing their puppy home and the exciting journey that follows!
If you ask Hugh Bearn whether an expat congregation is any different than a typical village parish, his response is straightforward. “I have been a priest for 35 years and it seems to me that people are the same the world over, driven by the same impulses and affected by the same concerns – the only difference is the wrapping.”
The Bearn family – Father Hugh with his wife Alison, youngest son Freddie, and, of course, their West Highland Terrier Cameron III – arrived in Monaco in April 2023. St. Paul’s Anglican Church Monte Carlo may seem like a world away from his former gig at St. Anne’s Tottington in Lancashire, UK, where he served “27 glorious years of dedication and energy” according to a tribute upon his departure, but Father Hugh seems to have adjusted to the sunny lifestyle here just fine. “With the kindness of others we have settled in very well thank you.”
Father Hugh spent 24 years as a volunteer hospice chaplain, which seems the antitheses of serving the wealthy and privileged Monaco community where it is sometimes difficult for people to remain grounded. From where he stands, there is no secret to making “a habit out of Joy” in this one life we each have. “The response that I would give as a priest is to quote Jesus’ two great commandments to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. There are so many ways in which to do that – I think that I would run out of words. St. Therese of Lisieux said, “That shall be my life, to scatter flowers, to miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
The middle child of four siblings grew up in Oxford, where the family home was over the road from a monastery and from a young age sensed a calling to the priesthood. His vocation has taken him on a faithful journey beyond a hospice chaplain, to Army chaplain, Chaplain to the late Queen – and now King – and Chaplain at St. Paul’s Monte Carlo.
“I have had the privilege of serving the Church over many years and I have been blessed in meeting and sharing in the lives of so many people. I think that I might write a book with the title Tales from the Vestry. Two very early ones involved ministering to a lady in Christie Hospital in Manchester and another with the most-lovely family in Heaton in Bolton whose son committed suicide and whom I still hold very close to my heart. Truthfully, there are too many people that come to mind whom I have tried to serve and have, without realising it, have formed and molded my priesthood and to whom I owe an enormous debt.”
And then there are the four-legged creatures. “We have always had dogs in our family. Alison and I have had three West Highland Terriers in 34 years of marriage all with the same name – Cameron. Dogs are very intuitive as we say in Lancashire, very knowing. As for sensing our faith or helping to teach us about God and love, well that remains, I think, a divine mystery.”
In April, Father Hugh coordinated “Operation Pews & Paws,” donating some 60 x 8-metre church pew cushions to the SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux) Monaco. “A couple from St. Paul’s kindly funded the replacement of all of the old furnishings in Church. I dislike waste and our throw away culture in the West, and was very happy to help. By the way, I have an additional cushion if anyone would like to collect it.”
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE IN FRENCH: Karine Manglou from SPA Monaco talks about “Operation Pews & Paws.” (By the way, the new SPA Monaco refuge in Peille was inaugurated by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on September 18.)
At St. Paul’s Monte Carlo at 22 avenue de Grande-Bretagne, “The congregation is multinational, with a varied age, and the Sunday School continues to grow,” says Father Hugh. Regular Church of England services take place every Sunday, and during the week, with special events and concerts peppered into the calendar, like the upcoming Exeter College Oxford Alumni Choir on October 6 at 10:30am and 3pm pm and the Danish Boys Choir – Les Petits Chanteurs de Frederiskborg – on October 12 at 2pm, both of which are free entry. Then there’s the not-to-be missed Christmas celebrations in English, the nativity play, as well as the traditional Christmas Eve (7:30pm) and Christmas Day at 8.00 am and 1030 am services. (See info and dates below.)
The Chaplain in Monaco, who once described himself as “short of height but high of profile”, has an open vicarage door policy: he is ever available for a pot of tea and a chat. But plan to stay a while, for whatever you wish to discuss with the Father Hugh, a delightful detour of dialogue will ensue. And for the record, I’d be the first to buy his book.
Article first published September 24, 2024.
St. Paul’s Monte Carlo Church Calendar
Sunday September 22, 10:30am: Thanksgiving service and dedication of a stone memorial for 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill.
Monday Sept. 30, 6pm: Centenary launch at Metropole Hotel.
Sunday October. 6, 10:30am & 3pm: Exeter College Oxford Alumni choir singing. Evensong at 3pm.
Saturday Oct. 12, 2pm: Danish Boys Choir – Les Petits Chanteurs de Frederiskborg – free entry.
Sunday Oct. 13, 10:30am: Lord Chartres Confirming Bishop.
Sunday Oct. 20: Harvest Festival to support St. Famille in Nice.
Friday Oct. 25, 7:30pm: Trafalgar Night social evening at the Vicarage.
Friday November 7:30pm: In the English Library Padre David Coulter former Chaplain General of the British army talk on the faith of Earl Haig.
Remembrance Sunday Nov. 11:, 10:30am: Remembrance Service followed by service at Churchill bust on avenue de Grande Bretagne, Evensong 6.00pm.
Saturday December 7: Handel’s Messiah full orchestra and choir.
Sunday Dec. 15: Nine Lessons and Carols.
Tuesday Dec. 24, 7:30pm: Christmas Eve service.
Wednesday Dec. 25, 10:30am: Christmas Day services.
Salon du livre de Monaco co-founders Raphaël Abenhaim and Yvette Cellario.
This year’s Monaco International Book Fair at the Grimaldi Forum brings together 140 authors from 12 countries across the globe. The 13th edition – which is free to the public – kicked off Saturday September 7 with opera, and acknowledgements from Yvette Cellario, a Monegasque who co-founded the event with businessman Raphaël Abenhaim.
The pair first launched the online bookshop, Librairie numérique de Monaco, back in 2011. Following its success, they decided to expand their literary activities and went on to create the Salon du livre de Monaco in 2012.
The objective was to promote all facets of literature. Yvette, who worked for twenty years in the Monaco Town Hall events department, published her first novel “Et Moi, Émois” in 2004. This was followed by an autobiography and several other titles.
Raphaël Abenhaim and the Librairie numérique de Monaco team are on hand this weekend to speak with book lovers about what the online bookshop has to offer.
Volunteer Heidi De Love gives the lowdown on the 10% discount promo on all books throughout September. WATCH VIDEO BELOW: ENGLISH
For the first time in Monaco, members of the Rencontres des Auteurs Francophones are taking part in the book weekend. Founded in 2020 by author Sandrine Mehrez Kukurudz, the New York-based platform is the world’s first French-language literary network set up to promote French-language culture. WATCH VIDEO ABOVE IN ENGLISH: SANDRINE AND RON KUKURUDZ.
One of the Rencontres entourage includes LA-based Dana Ziyashiva. WATCH VIDEO IN ENGLISH.
Another first-time participant is Swiss-based writer Laurence Berger, with a fictional thriller linked to Monaco published in both French and English. WATCH VIDEO BELOW IN ENGLISH WITH LAURENCE BERGER AND LAURENCE GENEVET.
The Monaco International Book Fair runs from 10am to 6pm Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8.
Writers from the Rencontres des Auteurs Francophones.French author Lucien Nasarre.Lawyer by day, writer the rest of the time, Laurence Berger.Heidi De Love volunteering with the fantastic Librairie numérique de Monaco.Well-known personality Laurence Genevet with her first book.Dana Ziyashiva from LA.The 13th edition of the Monaco International Book Fair.
Article first published September 7, 2024.All photos and videos copyright Good News Monaco.
Carina Bruwer admits she has always been a dreamer and will break the mould whenever she has the chance. In her world, nothing is impossible. “Coming from a musical family, I wasn’t heavily involved in sports growing up because perfecting a musical instrument requires a huge commitment and investment, and I sacrificed a lot for it.”
And yet Carina’s dream was to swim across the bay she often visited as a kid in her native South Africa. It was considered impossible – 35 km of rough, shark infested waters. It wasn’t until she finished school that she began swimming seriously and decided to pursue this “crazy” childhood vision. “I was self-trained and spent almost five years building up my mileage and courage to attempt the crossing. My first attempt nearly ended in disaster due to hypothermia, but I eventually succeeded.”
At 44, Carina has been swimming almost every day for nearly 25 years, and estimates she’s covered close to 40,000 km of open water in her lifetime. “I continue to race competitively and take on extreme solo challenges to support various charities.”
As she explains it, “I love the meditative nature of distance swimming; it feels like I enter a different mental wavelength a few kilometres into a long swim. There’s an incredible sense of freedom – almost like flying.” It doesn’t hurt that she is gifted with a naturally efficient swim stroke, which is ideal for endurance distances, like the 21km “Triple Country” France–Monaco–Italy swim and crossing the English Channel.
Carina trained by swimming between 6 to 8 km daily. “It’s not natural to swim for hours on end. The body instinctively wants to get out of the water after a relatively short time, especially when it’s cold. You must be over-prepared to have enough strength to face the mental challenges that are an intrinsic part of endurance swimming. It requires incredible dedication, similar to mastering a musical instrument.”
On August 1, 2005 she swam from England to France in 15°C water temps in a time of 12h03. As the Capetonian describes, there are various mental techniques to help endure the discomfort: detaching from it, negotiating with the voice of fear that tells you to stop and turn back, reframing the challenge into smaller, more manageable chunks, and reminding yourself that you can always do “just one more thing” – one more stroke, another 100 meters, another feed, another kilometre. “If you repeat that process a few times, you might just find yourself on the other side.”
Nutrition also plays a part in endurance swimming. Staying hydrated and consuming the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and electrolytes is critical to prevent fatigue and maintain strength. “Your support team is your eyes and ears because, as a swimmer, you’re very isolated. When the going gets tough – which it inevitably does – your team often keeps you motivated and focused.”
For Carina, it’s often inspiration pushes her beyond her boundaries. “When you’re swimming for a purpose greater than yourself, a cause, it gives you that extra strength to keep going, even when every part of you wants to quit.”
When she started a family, the new mom stuck to swimming in the safety of a pool. “I felt it was selfish to dedicate so much time and take risks in such an extreme sport when I had a young child at home.” But the pull of the ocean was strong, and Carina started missing her time in the water. “I became more aware of how fortunate I was to have my gifts, skills, and a healthy family while recognizing the immense need and suffering around us.
“I decided to return to open water swimming, but only if I could use my passion and abilities to make a positive impact – even if it meant changing just one person’s life. That’s when I started Swim For Hope in 2012, shortly after my second daughter was born. The initiative began in support of a child cancer foundation, and since then, I’ve completed numerous swims for various charities, including Muzukidz, which provides intensive violin tuition to disadvantaged children, and Tribuo, which supported musicians and performers who lost their income during the Covid pandemic.”
The mom of three is now planning her most ambitious Swim For Hope to date. The details are still under wraps, but the swim is scheduled for next August or September and “will challenge me physically and mentally in ways I’ve never experienced before.” The next step is securing sponsorship, but Carina is excited about the far-reaching impact the challenge could have.
Endurance swimmer Carina Bruwer and Swimrun Monaco founder Matteo Testa with Princess Charlene at Water Safety Day in Monaco in 2023. Photo: Matteo Testa.
Carina met fellow South African Princess Charlene in 2023 at a Water Safety Day in Monaco organised by her Foundation. It was swim instructor Matteo Testa, founder of Swimrun Monaco and ActivExplorer, who made the introduction. Matteo was Carina’s boat support for her 2018 Italy to Monaco swim. “I am very impressed by Princess Charlene’s efforts and would love to become more involved. Swimming promotes physical health, builds confidence, and teaches children how to stay safe in and around water, which is crucial, especially in areas with easy access to bodies of water.”
With Matteo, Carina is co-hosting a “Beyond Boundaries: Empowering Open Water Swim Retreat” from September 13-16 in Noli, Italy, a 75-minute drive from Monaco.
The 4-day retreat is for anyone who want to experience the magic of open water swimming. “Participants can expect a lot of swimming – whether it’s 500m or 10km – and an opportunity to learn new skills, all while challenging themselves to go beyond their self-imposed limitations.”
In addition to open water swims and basic stroke analysis, the retreat will include inspirational workshops and one-on-one sessions focused on breaking down life barriers, plus gourmet meals, nature hikes, and down time in a beautiful setting. (See here for more info and rates, which include companion and a 1-day options.)
Carina, who is also an acclaimed musician, says swimming in the ocean is empowering and teaches us many valuable lessons. “It forces us to confront our fears and develop resilience. It teaches us to be patient and persistent, to trust our instincts, and to respect the natural world around us.
“It reminds us to accept the ebb and flow of life – sometimes we feel like we’re moving backward, sometimes we’re propelled forward, and other times we seem to be simply treading water. But as long as we keep moving, we make progress, and over time, we make a difference.”
Article first published September 3, 2024.Feature image of Carina Brewer by Carel Kuschke.
In 2008, Fenella Holt and her husband Ed, a well-known yacht photographer, moved to Antibes from Mallorca. “Ed’s job meant we needed to be where the boats were,” explains Fenella. “At that time there was an exodus from Mallorca due to increased berthing fees and my kids had just finished school, so it was a good time to make a move. The boats were moving here, so we did too.”
Fenella eventually started working as a sales assistant at Heidi’s English Bookshop in the old town when, three years later, owner Heidi Lee made the decision to close down after 25 years. “I was therefore made redundant,” explains Fenella. “I realised that there was an opportunity to fill the gap left behind, and I’d learnt enough during my time there to risk it. I reckoned that if I could find the right location, I could make a successful business, and that’s what happened!”
She took on the locale of the defunct Catholic bookshop, La Procure, at 13 rue Georges Clemenceau and it could not have been better placed. “Everyone goes up and down this street, no matter where they are headed.”
And so, on Valentine’s Day 2015, Fenella officially opened the new Antibes Books with Merde! author Stephen Clarke on hand for a book signing. At time Fenella commented, “I can’t imagine ever wanting to go back to London.”
Of course, there have been unexpected ups and unexpected downs over the years. “The low point of the decade was definitely Brexit; it was much worse than Covid. Covid was, in a weird way, a joy! To begin with, I had to close, like everyone else. Then, one evening a couple of weeks into lockdown, I read that stationery shops were allowed to open, so the next day, I got my accountant to change my business licence to include papeterie, I bought some pencil sharpeners, sellotape and Tipp-Ex online and in no time we were open again.
“The shop then became a hub for those on their short daily walks, with many popping in for a chat, a quick (illegal) coffee or sometimes a cry. I think we provided a haven for many lonely people during that time. I’m really glad about that. As for Brexit, don’t get me started. My blood pressure couldn’t take it.”
Fenella says she has hosted some wonderful authors for events at Antibes Books. “We laughed ourselves silly with Celia Imrie – twice. Stephen Clark was a hoot, and the late, lovely, (normally grumpy) Henning Mankell gave me the biggest bouquet of roses you ever saw on opening day.”
There have been visits and impromptu signings with Rick Stein (pictured), Rod Stewart, Hugh Grant, Sharon Stone –and Fenella’s favourite regular – Pete Townshend.
And now, most unfortunately, Fenella is suffering from a chronic health disorder and the time has come to sell the beloved shop. “I want Antibes Books to continue to thrive. I won’t divulge stuff about the business itself here, anyone interested can contact me directly. Suffice to say that it’s very healthy, I am earning an excellent living and that I am willing to train a new owner in every aspect of the business, if needed.
“Also we are just about to launch our new home delivery service. We trialled this during Covid and it was a hit, as I expect it will be again. Thanks to this new legislation, we can be truly competitive when compared to the big online stores.”
Fenella assures that the family, which includes Athos (pictured), her tiny Jack Russell puppy who grew and grew into a 28kg Bernese Mountain Dog – “He was meant to fit in my bicycle basket!” – will definitely stay in the country.
“France is our permanent home, but away from the Med and hopefully away from the mosquitos! I love to swim in lakes and rivers, as does Athos with me, so once I have time, we are going to take off in our camper van, tour the country and find our idyll.”
Fenella Holt is happy to speak with potential bookshop owners and can be reached on 04 93 61 96 47 or by email.
In the early morning of April 17, 2020, I was walking my dog when I saw two wild dogs wandering in the middle of the road. Our eyes locked just long enough for me to know what was about to happen. I scooped my dog into my arms and went into a brace position.
A high-pitch screech brought me back into my body, and when I opened my eyes, I realised it was me reacting to the sets of teeth piercing my skin. “They are going to kill you,” the voice in my head alerted. Somehow, I started running, dog clenched in arms. I darted across the street with the two beasts relentlessly chasing me as blood dripped down my legs.
This was halfway through the first covid lockdown so there were few vehicles passing by at 5:30 am. One knowingly drove by me but the 4-door car behind stopped. I jumped into the back seat. The dogs leapt onto the car as the driver tried to scare them off by honking. Eventually, the two (as I later learned) Malinois trained guard dogs that escaped from their villa continued toward Monaco and the young couple in the car dropped me off at home where I called the Police (the driver had already contacted them) who patched me through to an ambulance.
It wasn’t until after I was home from getting stitches and filing a police report (the dogs went on to attack three other victims in Monaco) that I realised I had no way of thanking the strangers who, literally, saved me and my dog from being mauled to death.
A few days later, a neighbourhood friend called to say the couple in the car worked at our local grocery story, Casino in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
When I reunited with them to express my gratitude, the driver told me a remarkable story. That same morning of the dog attack his two-door car wouldn’t start so he borrowed his girlfriend’s sedan to get to work on time. He said it was fate because with his coworker as a passenger there would not have been room for me in his car.
From that moment on, I have been a loyal customer of Casino Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. And I would be remiss, then, if I did not address this week’s headline calling it “France’s most expensive supermarket.”
Yes, it is pricey. This is a secret to no one. The staff talk about it, locals talk about it. It’s like saying people live in Monaco to avoid paying income tax.
Yet the store bordering Monaco, with a monthly overhead of €25,000 for rent and €10,000 for electricity, has its advantages. It opens weekdays at 7:30 am, so you can shop before going to work. For the budget sensitive like me, there is the CasinoMax app which gives you a 10% discount on each item. And unlike the super-sized Carrefour Monaco chockablock with shoppers, this Casino has manageable floor space with less people hogging up the aisles.
It is a store all about proximity for the Saint Roman community of all ages who shop without cars and prefer to haul their buggies and recycled bags with daily provisions rather than shop online.
The couple who run the place go out of their way to say hello to me; when my native Canada is in the news that ask about my family. I am in no way defending the owners or their retail pricing strategy. The survey (see video below) did not reveal the details of their operating expenses. Maybe they could reduce prices, I don’t know.
What I do know is that they have an exceptional staff. Every time I walk into the supermarket, there is a sense of family. I am greeted with a friendly hello, and some chit chat. These workers are mostly thirtysomethings trying to live their lives like anyone else. Some are single parents; others have had tragic loss. Some are fanatic about Christmas and baking; others have lost 20kg and are now passionate about sports. They are all accommodating in their roles and I am not always the most patient of customers.
These human connections matter to me more than the bottom line. And I think we forget that behind every headline there are lives impacted. I will continue to support France’s most expensive grocery store because someone who works there once did the right thing to help me. And doing the right thing is priceless.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2024: Casino Roquebrune-Cap-Martin becomes a Carrefour Market on September 16, 2024. This is part of a buyout by Carrefour, Auchan and Intermarché to buy 288 Casino stores.
