F r e n c h r i v i e r a l i F e s t y l e

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She’s travelled the world. She knows the finer things in life. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.

Mo’ Sake40.0” x 9.2”

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The fabulous Erica Hosseini

She’s travelled the world. She knows the finer things in life. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.

The fabulous Erica Hosseini

She’s travelled the world. She knows the finer things in life. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.

salaspho

tos

She’s travelled the world. She knows the finer things in life. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.

Mo’ Sake40.0” x 9.2”

She’s travelled the world. She knows the finer things in life. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.let anyone or anything get in the way of her having a good time.

Available at these retailers:Available at these retailers:Four Wheels - Nice • Beach Rider - Antibes • Small AxeSmall Axe - Opio • Opio • Premium - CannesCannes

www.jeffery-west.co.uk

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Fashion

Fashion news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

autumn classic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Bags of style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Bootie essential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Designer skin Jewelery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Interviews

catherine Malandrino - Fashion Designer . . 10

elizabeth lewis - riviera radio Presenter . . . 25

Mairead Molloy - Berkeley international . . . . 27

Michel anthony - local artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Life & Living

Fitness news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Going nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

riviera events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

interior news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Focus on:

Menton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

serre de la Madone Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

val raymeh Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Mount ventoux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Every Issue

Mind & Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Prestige recommends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Prestige new Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

test Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

c O n t e n t s

Well it’s been another busy time for team Prestige, we’ve been out searching for

new places, attending new openings, new product launches and seen lots of fashion shows, there is never a dull day with so much happening on the Riviera.

Firstly we would like to welcome two new writers to the team, Adrian Shaw who is a specialist in Remedial & Sports Massage & Shiatsu, Personal Training & Hypnotherapy here on the Riviera. Adrian will be explaining through his articles, the different ways on how we can all improve our lives and health. Secondly, the man with his finger on the pulse when it comes to cars is Tim Barnes-Clay, a motoring journalist. Tim spends his life pretty much on the road, test-driving new cars for the likes of you and me. Read his latest review on page 53.

With the summer now coming to an end, we turn our thoughts to the dreaded wardrobe change over. Bikinis, flip-flops and beach bags all get relegated to the bottom of the pile, whilst snug and cosy get promoted to the top for easy access. Our fashion pages this issue feature the latest colour trend, camel as well as the new bag and shoe trend, the bootie. Hopefully you will draw inspiration from these pages and the gloomy thought of cooler weather arriving will be lifted by the fact that you now have a great excuse for a spot of retail therapy!

In need of some relaxation time, our team headed over to Menton, which is a stunning place so we decided to do a feature on it, as there was so much to see and do. If you like gardens then Menton has a wonderful variety open to the public and is the perfect way to spend a day walking around and enjoying nature’s gifts.

Staying out and about, one of Prestige’s writers, Cathy Boylan decided to take the plunge and

attempt the long walk up Mont Ventoux. You can read her article on page 50 to see if she made it to the top and if it was all worth it.

For all you Prestige readers out there who have not yet found that special someone to share your life with, fear not, we may have just found the perfect person to help you. Mairead Molloy is the Cote d’Azur’s answer to Cupid. Mairead is the Director of Berkeley International, one of the most prestigious introduction agencies in the world with offices in Cannes, New York & London. Read her interview on page 27 to see if she can help bring you one step closer to your soul mate.

If, like me you are a huge cat lover, then you will love our introduction article on Les Chats du Mercantour. Prestige has decided to support this charity and its founder, Leslie Frasier who takes care of stray and homeless cats. In future editions we will feature just some of her cats that are looking to be adopted or fostered locally.

Please don’t forget to keep sharing with us all the places you have discovered, fourthcoming events, new openings and the good experiences you have had with our advertisers and recommended businesses, This is your magazine and we welcome your feedback.

And finally…

We’re on the move! Sadly, but happily we have outgrown our humble little office in Nice so we will be moving to larger premises. To ensure that there will be no problems contacting us between the move, please use the below mobile number or send us an email.

See you soon!

Contact Prestige

editor: rachael@prestige-magazine.comsales/Publicite (French): clarisse@prestige-magazine.comsales/Publicite (english): prestigepublicite@ymail.comeditorial: prestigeeditorial@ymail.comDesigner: Paul Harwood

Tel: +33 (0) 617 403 795www.prestige-magazine.com

contributors: Louise Alexandre, Alex Barrie, Tim Barnes-Clay, Catherine Boylan & Adrian Shaw

Please note: reproduction of the contents of this magazine in whole or in part is not permitted without prior consent from the publisher.the publisher accepts no liability under any circumstances should any of the magazines contents be incorrect.

Welcome

Rachael

Prestige Magazine is now on

Clarisse

mango.com

FashionNewsSt.Tropez stands as a symbol for an exclusive way of life, luxury, savoir vivre, beauty and style, which is why 32-year-old Philipp Plein, opened his first Monobrand store within the French frontiers.

Philipp Plein has created a prime shopping hotspot that invites the customers to get to know the glamorous world of his brand. the unique shop design unites the clear and minimalistic aesthetics alongside Philipp Plein’s hand-made furniture and the use of the colour white dominates the shop’s interior. enormous lighting installations as well as huge main window walls underline the minimalistic and clear architectural plan and direct the focus toward the precious designer pieces.

The opening of the new store was celebrated with an exhilarating party and in the company of numerous international and national friends and companions of designer Philipp Plein. star DJ Pierre Sarkozy (right) who had traveled to st.tropez specifically for this purpose, provided the musical entertainment with his skilled music mixes.

at the end of the evening russian rapstar timati adjusted the party’s mood at legendary club ‘caves du roy’ to external temperatures. the special guest of the evening was hollywood celebrity Mischa Barton who was personally welcomed by Mr.Plein (top right). the actress is the new face for the Philipp Plein fall/winter 2010/11 campaign.

The final image of the Piaget’s possession campaign featuring one of the world’s most fashionable women, Sienna Miller has just been released.

sienna, an accomplished actress is known for her memorable performances in such films as ‘Factory Girl’, ‘G.i.Joe: rise of cobra’ and ‘alfie’, sienna is also a true fashion icon. her effortless beauty and unforgettable style have landed her on the cover of countless fashion magazines, including vogue’s now legendary september issue. With millions of fans around the world, sienna also uses her celebrity status to help those less fortunate, serving as a global ambassador for international Medical corps, which operates in 27 countries and is a leading organiser in the haitian relief effort. she’s the ultimate woman of today and the perfect choice to embody one of Piaget’s most successful jewelry collections ever.

it’s easy to see why sienna Miller fell in love with Possession. From casual chic jewelry that can be layered and worn everyday, to dazzling, diamond-accented pieces fit for a superstar, the Piaget Possession collection is always the perfect accent.

For exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the photo shoot, along with interviews of the team and sienna herself -visit www.possession-celebration.com

as her début collection for Longchamp was receiving plaudits from press and public alike, Kate Moss was already thinking about her future designs. “I had a couple of vintage bags from the Seventies that I picked up in second-hand shops in Florence and Marrakech,” she explains. “One of them had a patchwork design…

…I showed it to Sophie (Delafontaine, Longchamp’s Artistic Director), and she said: ‘Come and have a look through our archives’. And that was how I found out that, at exactly the same time, Longchamp had been working with patchwork and lambskin.”

From this initial creative impetus, three themes emerged. Neo Pure, Neo Patch and Neo Precious all reflect Kate’s love of striking shapes, vintage styles and exotic finishes, and revisit longchamp’s heritage of the finest leather craftsmanship. the result is a collection, which captures Kate’s personal flair for transforming classic into cutting edge. Kate Moss is clearly relishing her continued collaboration with longchamp.

- - PHILIPP PLEIN oPENs IN saINt troPEz - -

- - autumN 2010: katE moss & LoNgcHamP- -

- - savINg tHE BEst For Last - -

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if your purse doesn’t stretch to the full camel on camel look that chloe gave us on the runways, then the one piece you must invest in this season is a camel coat. at

work a camel suit should be masculine but softened by a feminine and luxurious blouse.

skirts should be a-line, any length and in any of this seasons styles, such as a kilt or tulip style wrap, pair this with killer heels and matching handbag, a look that’s sure to close the deal.

leisure time should see you in comfortable cable knits teamed with denim, flared trousers, tweed or leather shorts worn with opaque tights, trench boots or booties. the camel colour palette truly is a colour for all; it can look stunning on blondes, brunettes and equally outstanding on red heads.

H&m Debenhamsmarc Jacobs

riomoda

forherfromyou

Philipp Plein

sonia rykiel

BurberryFaconnable

autumnclassicthis autumn sees the return of camel and the shops are bursting at the seams with it. Designers

such as gucci, michael kors & chloe teamed camel with denim, cream, tweed and black, at last

giving us value for money with a timeless and elegant colour that can be repeated year after year.

8

m&s Escada

Diesel kenzo gucci

Next

Lanvin

Stockists page 64 9

“I love when a dress is linked to an important moment of someone’s life and emerges as a memory”

Catherine presented her Flag collection in New York in February 2001, draping her models in flowing dresses printed with the stars and Stripes and cutting iconoclastic notched T-shirts from the U.S flag. In doing so, she created a fashion show based on her American Dream - “Easy Rider” and vast spaces. She married two cultures: the couture of France and the casualness of America. Like Jasper Johns in his days, Catherine reinvented the stary banner in her own style.

Her boldness seduced New York department store Bergdorf Goodman, which displayed the design in its windows on Fifth Avenue in September that same year.

With the trauma of September 11, the Flag collection seemed premonitory. During this difficult time, the Flag once again became the symbol of eternal America.

not long after stylists and a-list celebrities all wanted a piece of catherine’s patriotic fashion show, Madonna wore the “Flag” t-shirt on her world tour and John Galliano for the finale of his haute couture show in Paris. the most famous of the designs, however, was to become the “Flag” dress. halle Berry, Julia roberts and sharon stone were photographed on the covers of woman’s magazines wearing the cult dress. celebrities as flag bearers for her label were all it took to inscribe catherine Malandrino on the list of noted fashion designers.

the Zandra’s rhodes’ Fashion & textile Museum in london requested the dress which has been part of the permanent exhibition since then.

Born in Grenoble, France catherine began her career in Paris after graduating from esmod. she worked in the houses of Dorothée Bis, louis Féraud, emanuel Ungaro, and in the 90’s was the creative force at the French label ‘et vous’. her designs are described as having the energy of Manhattan with the romance and elegance of Paris. catherine’s american-flag dress put her on the map and she later became a virtual household name after serving as a judge on Project runway and having her store and designs featured prominently on sex and the city.

Catherine Malandrino has been described in the French press as the most photographed French woman in america after the statue of liberty. to catherine, individuality is at the heart of fashion; no two women should

look alike, because no two women are alike.

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Name your collection(s) that you will never forget: Flag (2000); hallelujah (2001); Urban Queen (2005); la colombe (2007). The reference: coco chanel, Jeanne lanvin, Madeleine vionnet. Who is your… Favourite fashion photographer: Guy Bourdin & avedon. Favourite model: crystèle saint louis-augustin. What is your… Preferred look for a man: sean connery in “James Bond” meets Peter Fonda in “easy rider”. Preferred look for a woman: catherine Deneuve from “Belle du Jour” and romy schneider from “la Piscine Favourite decade in fashion: all of them; and all the next ones to come! Symbol of high fashion: a dress created in homage to Picasso by yves saint laurent Favourite texture: silk mousseline. Favourite color: a ray of light. Favourite fashion accessory: high heels. Ideal bag: alligator suitcase. Favourite jewel: My engagement ring made of black tahitian pearl with diamonds. Present state of mind? in love.

1998 she presented her first collection “algonquin” in new york.

2000 she designed the “Flag” collection acclaimed by the media and worn by a-list celebrities such as, halle Berry, Julia roberts, as well as Madonna on her world tour.

2001 she presented her show “hallelujah” at the famous apollo theatre and designed a collection for close friend, Mary J. Blige.

2002 the cult sensation “sex in the city” featured catherine Malandrino soho boutique and catherine designed a wardrobe for sarah Jessica Parker.

2003 she created the Demi Moore “comeback” dress. the same year the iconic Flag dress, which has become a phenomenon, was selected to be exhibited at Zandra rhodes’ Fashion and textile Museum in london.

2004 she opened the new catherine Malandrino flagship store in the Meatpacking District.

2005 she launched her couture line, Malandrino.

2006 she opened a boutique in Paris, on st. Germain, featuring both collections and accessories including shoes and handbags.

2007 catherine Malandrino staged a runway show with the spring/summer 2008 collection in Moscow to celebrate the opening of the catherine Malandrino boutique in the prestigious tsUM department store.

2008 For the Fall/Winter 08 collection, catherine debuted her first costume jewelry line. in May 2008, catherine opened a new boutique at akaretler in the heart of istanbul, recreating all the codes of the catherine Malandrino boutiques. two additional boutiques opened in the United states in Fall 2008, in las vegas and in los angeles. the Melrose Place boutique, catherine Malandrino Maison, is a new concept store in addition to the other traditional retail spaces. the boutique includes a catherine Malandrino café and library as well as an outdoor terrace, which will allow clients to experience the catherine Malandrino lifestyle.

2009 catherine Malandrino extended her presence to the United arabs emirates as well as Kuwait and Japan.

2010 catherine currently designs two collections, her contemporary catherine Malandrino line and her runway line Malandrino which features shoes and accessories including jewelry, handbags and belts. the collections are available in select department stores and specialized boutiques worldwide.

If you were… What would you be? A dress: the “Flag” dress. A movie: “a Man & a Woman” (claude lelouch). A novel: “Belle du seigneur” (albert cohen). An artist: sonia Delaunay. An element: Fire. A piece of furniture: My “summer rain” chandelier. A movement: horses galloping - almost flying. A song: “Walk on the Wild side” (lou reed) remixed with chabadabada (Francis lai). A sound: a bird’s song. A dance: the tango. A fairytale: My life. A lullaby: Frère Jacques. A dream: i would fly. A word: hallelujah! A city: Paris, new york & st. Paul de vence A holiday: Provence A mirage: the statue of liberty, “lady liberty” Finally your fashion motto: imagine…

“I have mixed both my New Yorker and French identities by infusing the casual cool of the New York streets with

the craftsmanship and refinement of French couture”

11

Prestige Loves… Longchamp Mini It-BagsProving once again the age-old adage that the best things come in small packages, this autumn longchamp launches mini versions of three iconic bags: the rival, the légende and the Gatsby. timelessly chic in black patent calfskin, these bijou bags come with all the features of the full-size designs.

Perfect for day, longchamp’s mini it-bags can easily double up for the evening. indeed, anyone who has mastered the art of pared-down living will find that, despite their diminutive proportions, they are in fact surprisingly roomy!

Minimum size, maximum style!

Bags of StyleWhen it comes to pulling an outfit together the faithful bag will never let you

down. it can be a statement of fashion, wealth, personality or practicality; us girls can never have enough of them. here are a few of our favourites to get you thinking about the seasons inevitable beach bag change over!

Escada

sonia rykiel

Burberry gucci

Philipp Plien

m&s

rue Princesse

kenzo

sergio rossi

Longchamp

andreLongchamp

Stockists page 6412

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caprice takes you on a journey back in time to discover and enjoy again the beauties of the past. Whether you are an avid collector, a wearer of retro or vintage fashion or just curious, come and be a part of the special atmosphere of this shop situated on Rue Droite in the old town of nice.

now open ! Your second shop near place Garibaldi. not only for Women, it’s a Man’s world too!!! At Le chéri de caprice you will find a selection of some of the greatest names in design & fashion, as well as bespoke items from some of the major houses. All our items are from an era of beauty & quality spanning from 1920 to 1980.

www.capricevintageshop.comFacebook; caprice Vintage Shop

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This autumn will see every woman put her best foot forward and walk into winter wearing booties. Chic & elegant their versatility

allows you to wear them with anything, be it jeans, trousers, dresses or a skirt. Booties are this seasons footware essential that ensures any outfit you wear ends up being totally on-trend.

Bootie Essentials

geox

Burberrysonia rykiel

Escadam&s

sergio rossi

gucci

gianvito rossi

Next kenzo

Stockists page 64 15

www.piaget.com

Nicea Mariage

20 avenue de la République - 06300 Nice

Tel: 04 93 89 14 66Open Tuesday to Saturday

10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 19h00

Monday by appointment only

www.nicea-mariage.com

91 Avenue de Nice, 06800 Cros de CagnesTel: 04 93 31 35 45 Email: contact@coiffeur-maquilleur-revann.fr

www.coiffeur-maquilleur-revann.fr

Hairdresser & Make-Up artist• Professionals with 15 and 30 years of experience

• Specialist in wedding hair and make-up• Hair & make-up in the comfort of your own

home or at your wedding venue• Complete makeovers

• Hair extensions • Manicure & nail extensions• All of the products we use are from the

‘COLOR CARAMEL’ range and are BIO

Revann

romantic, refined & delicate

The Crystal Bras are the highlight of

the collection. They are self-adhesive & come in three designs for special occasions - Tribal - Black, Snow Flower -White and Spring Bouquet- White. They come in a smart black box with a pair of refills for further wear and instructions on how to fix and how to re-apply. They look utterly stunning under a see-through chiffon blouse or dress. They are sold only to order and cost 300€

Ines de Castilho’s designs are somewhere between the ephemeral world of tattoos, henna designs and `precious jewels.

ines comes from a family of artists. her father alexandre de castilho is a painter who very early in her life inspired her towards her destiny of drawing and painting. he is a direct descendent of the architect Joao de castilho who built the famous convent of the “Jeronimos” in lisbon and the great door of the convent “tomar”.

From her earliest childhood, ines listened to the magical stories told to her by her father. these tales developed a vivid imagination and sensibility in her towards all kinds of decorative arts. her mother was the author catherine renault de castilho, daughter of the famous secret World War agent “remy”.

ines de castilho attended the “Maison d’education of the legion d’honneur” in saint Germain-en-laye France, followed by the school of “applied arts august renoir of Paris”. her first job was at the house of “christian Dior” avenue Montaigne as an interior designer, then at “yves st laurent Perfumes” where she acquired her appreciation of perfume and cosmetics.

in 1998 she invented and patented the very first “skin Jewellery”. she conceived and produced skin jewellery for major luxury houses such as armani, lancaster, cacharel and lolita lempicka.

very quickly her ideas were adapted to work on glass. lolita lempika commiss-ioned her to create her perfume bottles for “eau de Minuit” which she decorated with leaves of golden glitter.later thierry Mugler Perfumes and lolita lempicka asked her to create an exceptional theme around their “alien” perfum bottle.

ines de castilho introduced her first collection “secret Gardens” in 1999. her skin Jewellery is waterproof, auto-adhesive and guaranteed hypoallergenic by the F.D.a. (food & drug administration). their light openwork texture means they can be worn for a minimum of four days. each jewel is covered in delicate glitter and swarovski crystals placed individually by hand. they are 100% French.

the range includes thirty designs in four colours (gold, silver, black and white). sold in 150 stores in the world; each jewel comes in a package with a leaflet carrying instructions and photos showing where and how the jewels can be worn.

Online boutique: www.bijoudepeau.com

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To discuss your requirements, please contact ClarysseTel: +33 (0) 613 308 198

Email: art.clarysse@gmail.com

Clarysse

Wedding venue featured: Restaurant Servellawww.restaurant-servella.com

“Memories can be all too easily forgotten”

Capturing the spirit and emotion of your unique & special day

*Now taking bookings for 2011 (some dates still available for 2010)

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EsTAuRAnT EddinGsERvEllAR WsBetween sea & mountain - stunning park venue - With the scents of Provence

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Nail ExtensionsNail art

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Menton - 2 avenue Carnot, 06500 MentonTel: 04 92 41 05 24

contact@latelierdelongle.com www.latelierdelongle.com

20

Created by chiropractor Dr.Denise Perron, ShaToBu™ is a revolutionary new concept in shapewear and uses everyday movement to shape, tone and burn calories. ShaToBu™ is ideal for Mums who want to get back in shape, women who want to look great for a special event or just about any woman who wants to be more fit.

shatoBu™ the workout you wear is the first ever shaper that helps women shape, tone and burn more calories during everyday activity. it has been scientifically developed and proven to work by a team of doctors and exercise physiologists. scientific studies conducted at the University of virginia show that women wearing shatoBu™ burn up to 12% more calories during everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs. Ok, so that may not seem much but that is extra calories that you are burning just in doing your normal everyday tasks. Based on the principle of resistance training, the simple yet ingenious technology uses seamless resistance bands to make muscles work a little harder during natural movement like walking.

the shatoBu™ is comfortable enough to wear all day and every day, the more you wear it the greater the benefit. it looks great under your ordinary clothes as it can give your figure a sexy silhouette and no seams means it is not visible through your clothes. so if your busy schedule doesn’t allow for a jog along the Promenade or an hour or two at the gym, then we suggest you try shatoBu™.

The Verdictit takes a little time to get used to wearing them but once you have had them for a while you soon adjust to the feel of them. you can feel the resistance when you’re walking and moving, it certainly feels like you’re body is getting some type of a workout. i was surprised that when i took them off my stomach muscles kept clenching, a bit bizarre but they were obvioulsy doing something. i also wanted to stand a lot straighter too, so for me they definitely improved my posture.

i have never been one for exercising, therefore my body is not toned like it should or could be. the instant lift that shatoBu™ can give to your bottom and the smoothing out of lumps and bumps is priceless.

The Conclusionat first i was very aware that i was wearing shatoBu™ because i was testing it, but as time has moved on it is now just part of my everyday normal routine of wearing clothes. i can definatelty see a difference, especially to the tops of my legs.

shatoBu™ is one of those little secrets that you really know you should keep to yourself but you just have to tell your girlfriends because their just so good!

www.shatobu.com

FitnessNews

Power Balance BandsThe Power Balance band is the new accessory being worn by all the stars, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert De Niro and racing driver Rubens Barrichello have all been seen wearing them recently. The secret is apparently in the special hologram on the band that supposedly enhances the body’s natural energy, improves balance, strength and flexibility.

One test that Power Balance recommends you to try is to stand on one leg with your arms stretched fully out at the sides and get another person to push down on one of your arms, you should fall over. repeat the test wearing the Power Balance band and it seems that your arm strength has improved and it becomes harder for the other person to make you fall over.

as with anything new and not 100% explainable of how it works, the cynics have been out in force to proove these bands don’t work but despite all their efforts Power Balance has still sold an estimated 2.5 million worldwide. like any product endorsed by high-profile atheletes and celebrities the public just can’t get enough of them and imitations of them have already started popping up. i guess with this product it’s down to each individuals experience on how it makes them feel but as one university Professor said about the band ‘If you’re wearing something that tells you it’s going to improve your power, balance and co-ordination, it probably will’.

Mind over matter? Well you will have to part with 36€ to see for yourself.

www.powerbalance.com

FitFlop superbootsAfter the successful launch of the original FitFlop and with new designs being added all the time, fans of this wonder shoe will be happy to know that this autumn sees the launch of the FitFlop Superboot.

so what’s all the fuss about FitFlop’s superboot, well this is the boot that has built in multi-density midsole which activates the muscles midstep to help tone thighs, calves and your bottom by slightly destabilising the foot as you walk, creating a continuous tension in the leg and buttock muscles.

customer feedback has also stated that after wearing FitFlops they have seen other areas of their health improve such as the easing of lower back pain, arthritis, knee and hip problems. a trainer version was also released in august, so there really is no excuse not to get fit, the shoes with the gym built in can be worn in all seasons.

the FitFlop superboot comes in both a tall and short version and they available in suede or leather and really great colours.

www.fitflop.com

ShāToBu™ Waist to Knee Shaper (above)sleek & sexy silhouette Us$50 (approx 40 €)

ShāToBu™ High Waist to Knee Shaper (right)enhanced hourglass Figure- Us$60 (approx 47 €)

Both styles are available in buff (as shown) or black.(Prices in euros were correct at time of going to press)

shatoBu™ - The Workout You Wear

21

Ᏹ Nibble on pistachios as an appetiser before dinner.

Ᏹ Chop walnuts and add them to a dipping sauce

Ᏹ Roast pine nuts or chestnuts and mix them into a salad

Ᏹ Crumble macadamias into your next risotto

Ᏹ Add almonds or cashews to a stir-fry.

Ᏹ Add roasted pine nuts to your favourite pasta dish or salad.

Ᏹ Crumble pistachios or macadamias onto grilled fish.

Ᏹ Make a pesto by blending pistachios or macadamias with fresh herbs, Parmesan and a little olive oil. Add to pasta or drizzle over a pizza.

Ᏹ Crumble pecans or walnuts into a yoghurt.

Ᏹ Chop & sprinkle roasted hazelnuts or almonds onto low fat ice cream

Ᏹ Make a fruit crumble and add chopped nuts to the crumble top for an extra crunchy surprise.

Ᏹ Make a bag of your own mixed nuts to snack on, store them in your handbag or desk draw, you can even add some dried fruit to your mix.

I’m Going Nuts!By louise alexandra

the nut is making a healthy comeback due to all the positive feedback it has had thanks to researchers. tests prove that nuts are an excellent source of protein; minerals and other

nutrients, when it comes to maintaining healthy heart nuts are an essential.

aLmoNDshave the highest vitamin e content of all nuts, a handful (30g, about 20 nuts) will provide you with 85% of the recommended Daily intake (rDi) for vitamin e. vitamin e is an antioxidant and fat-soluble vitamin.

casHEwsJam-packed with nutritional content. contains 5 g of protein per ounce and high levels of the minerals iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper & manganese.

HazELNutsvitamin e does not occur naturally in your body, so eating hazelnuts ensures that you receive this nutrient. One small serving size of hazelnuts offers nearly 20% of your (rDi) of vitamin e, a valuable antioxidant that eliminates free radicals within your body that have connections with causing cancer. hazelnuts also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6 and folate all essential for maintaining mental health and blood formation.

PEcaNsProviding an excellent source of over 19 vitamins and minerals pecans have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol and help clear arteries. vegetarians should make them an important part of their diet as one serving of pecans can give them the same amount of protein found in one ounce of meat.

PINE NutPine nuts consist of a number of antioxidants such as vitamins a, B, c, D and e, and lutein which act as mega-vitamins some of the pine nuts nutritional benefits include suppression of appetite, improved vision and they can help protect cells from free radical damage.

PIstacHIosrich in vitamin e, protein and plant sterols these nuts will help to reduce cholesterol. also rich in potassium these nuts will help regulate the body’s fluid balance and they are fairly low in calories compared to other nuts. it is important to keep in mind that pistachios are also often heavily salted and too much salt isn’t good for you.

waLNuta necessary nibble for brain development as they have a significantly higher amount of omega 3 fatty acids compared to other nuts. eat them after a meal with a high fat content as they will help stop fats from building up in the arteries. Finally the melatonin in walnuts helps to induce and regulate sleep.

BrazIL Nutstwo Brazil nuts is recommended for your entire daily intake of the antioxidant selenium, a vital mineral and antioxidant than may help prevent heart disease.

cHEstNutsthese are the only “nuts” that contain vitamin c ideal for vitality and dietary fibre, but the amount of vitamin c can decrease by about 40 percent if they are heated. low in calories and fat but high in carbohydrates, chestnuts are a good source of potassium and folate. Potassium, is good for maintaining regular muscle contractions and necessary for regulating the heartbeat.

macaDamIasthis australian nut is crammed with healthy monounsaturated fats that have been found to lower blood cholesterol, which decreases the risk of heart disease and strokes. you can also give your immune system a boost and slow down the ageing process as well due to them containing phytonutrients.

ImPortaNt!the key with nuts is simply not to overeat them. they are highly concentrated in both their calories and their nutrients, so you only need a small handful at a time. eating a variety of nuts is the best way to get all the different benefits each nut has to offer.

the concern with nuts is that increasing amounts of people, especially children, are developing nut allergies. When incorporating nuts into your cooking just check that your guests do not have a nut allergy.

the information published in this article was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

How to INcLuDE morE Nuts IN your Day

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M a s s a g e T h e r a p i s t P e r s o n a l t r a i n e r

A D R I AN S H AW

M a s s a g e T h e r a p i s t P e r s o n a l t r a i n e r

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A D R I AN S H AW

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i have chosen to name this health page ‘mindbody connection’ because i feel it is integral to issues of health & healthy living. it also gives me scope to venture into the many areas influencing and influenced by, our health!

My training is in remedial & sports Massage & shiatsu, Personal training, & hypnotherapy. i have completed shorter courses on vipassana Meditation & lymphatic Drainage but tend to practice more of the former disciplines mentioned. My partner, Muriel is trained in 2 styles of yoga, she will be contributing to this page and my mother is a Professional spiritual astrologer & crystal therapist, she may also contribute from time to time.

in this article i would like to overview what Massage & Personal coaching means to me and the next issues will include more definitive areas of interest. if you have specific areas of interest that you would like me to cover in the future, then please feel free to contact me by email adrian@lifestyleriviera.com

there are many styles of massage, some more diagnostic in approach than others. i can ‘rabbit on’ about various approaches and techniques (i will cover this in later reads) but i believe you have to ‘find your masseur’! it is more to do with how you relate to one another more than anything else – because you have to find your ‘healer within’ and the right therapist can help with that!

i have learned that most people who come to me for a massage, secretly or not, want to do nothing but lie down and receive some attention, perhaps pain relief (physical and/or emotional) or they just want to ‘let go or forget and perhaps even forgive’ for a while. either way, the emphasis is on ‘receiving’, whether it’s ‘energy’ or ‘attention’. Of course, there’s always an exception out there, but that ‘space’ you enter when being taken away by a massage that suits you, is a ‘space undefine-able’.

if you live a life of constantly giving without equal receiving then, there’s that chance of ‘imbalance’ arising. if not addressed then you have emotional and/or physical discomfort to look forward to! lovely! Of course, massage is one of many ways of ‘balancing the equation’. We’ll look at others in the future.

this notion gently leads me into my other passion, the vast area of Personal coaching. Without going into too much detail, suffice to say that Personal coaching to me means, ‘the joint use of: physical activity, self-assessment, goal setting, relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis, to maintain and improve well being. i shall be looking at these areas one by one, in future editions.

how we experience our moments is key to inner joy and so we will unpack some of the theories linked to this phenomenon. how we respond and behave in our current moments affects how we experience our future moments, so we will play with techniques to create change where it’s desired. i can assure you that ‘self hypnosis’ will be the new ‘relaxation and attainment technique’. i predict that hypnotherapy, hypnosis and self-hypnosis will eventually change name (in the interests of dispelling the myths) and become a major tool in personal development and performance in the work place!

i look forward to developing my relationship with Prestige readers and i would just like to add that i am very open to receiving your comments and critique via email. i am well aware that we are all teachers and students, growing together!

See you in the next issue.

It isn’t such a new idea is it – the obvious interrelationship between mind & body and how this can affect our lives. however, how often do we think of it? nearly never? not i! as a therapist who works on body’s daily, i regularly see the links.

Perhaps laypeople generally don’t think about this because it’s hardly relevant in everyday living; until something goes wrong!

mindbody connection

23

matt and gayle of Pebbles welcomed staff, friends, business associates and partners to the launch of their second Pebbles guide at Flaveur restaurant in Nice.

Rachael of Prestige Magazine & Gayle of Pebbles

Gayle & Vicky of Pebbles

Gayle of Pebbles & Chantell & Marc of Jeff de Bruges

Lene, daughter of Xavier, & Sebastien of Flaveur

Matt of Pebbles with Mark of MB Renovations

Stephane of Elite Car Hire & Laura of Pebbles

Matt & Gayle of Pebbles with Adrian of Lifestyle Riviera & John of The Snug & Cellar

Xavier, co-owner of Flaveur

Anne & Hew, Pebbles owners, & Laura of Pebbles

Denise & Elina of Pebbles

Peter Brooke & Adrian Shaw of Lifestyle Riviera

Jane of Pebbles & Siamak of Siafix

Roni & Gayle of Pebbles

John Holding of HSBC & Peter Brooke of Spectrum Finance

Audrey & Kelly of Pebbles

Merilynn & Denise of Pebbles

Rosa Jackson of Petits Farcis with Matt & Gayle of Pebbles

Remy, Tim McGuffog (Photography) & Christian of BPS Bank

Mira of Friend in France with Fabien of Veolia, Bruno of Pebbles & Siamak of Siafix

24

Prestige caught up with Elizabeth Lewis the presenter of the Drive Show to talk about her life, job and music.

How did you end up living and working in the South of France?i left england with a friend of mine in a vW camper van towards the end of last century, having just sold a house in london and resigned from my media job at thames television. the plan was to tour europe but after many adventures, dramas and an expensive engine replacement, we ran out of money and ended up on a campsite in saint-laurent-du-var.

What do you miss about England?cheap baked beans, chicken Oxo cubes (those French ones just don’t crumble properly) and now there’s the obligatory Primark mega-shopping trip which i always look forward to.

Have you always been a radio presenter?no - i’ve been a singer, a waitress, a sales person, a headhunter and a tv presenter.

How did you get started in radio?My frist job on the riviera was selling airtime at riviera radio in the old days before the internet or mobile phones, when all we had was the yellow Pages and the Minitel to get business. at the time, riviera radio was based up in Monte carlo in a building housing rMc, various other radio stations and the tv stations, tMc and McM, the music video channel. that building was knocked down and is now the novotel hotel. after a year of selling airtime at riviera radio, i went to an audition for McM for a laugh and got the job! From there, i was headhunted by Kiss FM in cannes and for a while i presented tv shows for McM during the daytime and did the evening dance show on Kiss in the evenings.

How has radio changed compared to when you first started?at Kiss, we had to follow a playlist of current hits and new releases but we also had to choose about 5 “golds” or older songs per hour ourselves for our shows, so we had to search the record library and physically find all the music.  all the music was, of course, on vinyl or sometimes single cDs and the ads were recorded onto things called carts. nowadays, everything is on the computerised playout system and the only time we play tapes or cDs is on the (thankfully rare) occasions when the system breaks down.  it used to be much more time-consuming cue-ing up each record and mixing live on air. now, the playout system we use at riviera radio can be set to automatic mode and we can leave the on air studio for longer periods of time between our voice links or news bulletins. today’s radio presenters are required to do other stuff apart from just speaking on air, so the job has changed quite dramatically as staff multi-task and radio stations are able to save money by employing less people to work more cost-efficiently.

What’s the ‘worst’ part of radio work?For a number of years, i presented the Breakfast show with rob harrison and Peter nugent – which was great fun on air but the hours were very punishing… i had to get up at 4:45 am every morning, which kind of killed off one’s weekday social life, as bedtime was ideally at around 9 pm. now i start work on air at 12:30 pm for the

lunchtime news bulletin and present Drive time between 3 and 7 pm – perfect for meeting friends for happy hour on Monaco port of an evening.

What is the ‘best’ part of your job?riviera radio has forged some great relationships with clients like the sBM in Monaco, who own venues such as Jimmy’z, the sporting club and the Monte carlo Bay hotel, so we do get exciting freebies like invitations to see stevie Wonder at the salle des etoiles. i also love writing the local news and covering local events such as the cannes Film Festival and the nice Jazz Festival.

Who’s has been your favourite celebrity interview and why?Jeremy clarkson was fun – i ran into him by chance at the Grand Prix a few years ago and he came out with some of his classic catch-phrases: “I’m being interviewed by Riviera Radio! All my dreams are fulfilled and I have no more worlds to conquer!” Kevin costner was also one of my favorites – i went to meet him on board a superyacht in Monte carlo harbour and he put me on the guest list for the swish fund-raising event he was promoting.

Who’s has been your worst celebrity interview and why?years ago at the Monte carlo World Music awards, i cornered Mick hucknall of simply red and he insisted on speaking to me in italian – which was not great for a live interview as my knowledge of the language is limited to ordering wine and pasta.

What is the worst/funniest thing that has happened ‘on air’?at McM one christmas eve, i was presenting a new Kids on the Block special and had to give away a lot of prizes during the show, which was live. i had looked in the dictionary to find alternatives to the word “cadeau” and had come up with the word “gatterie”, which i used throughout the one hour show..my dictionary had not informed me of all the connotations of this word and afterwards, everyone in the control room was in fits of laughter. i almost died of shame when they told me what “gatterie” can mean (your readers will have to look it up for themselves!).

What is your favorite song and why?summer Breeze by the isley Brothers – it’s just everything a song should be.

What is your favourite album and why?hunky Dory by David Bowie – because it’s got life On Mars on it which is one of my other favourite songs.

What has been your best live music event experience?i’ll never forget seeing the fabulous liza Minelli at the salle des etoiles in Monaco. afterwards we spotted shirley Bassey in the audience so we introduced ourselves to her. she said she listened to riviera radio and told us about her friendship with Judy Garland – she even sang a little bit of somewhere Over the rainbow for us!

Is there anyone you regret not seeing in concert.Bob Marley

Is there any other job you would like to do?i’d like to be in earth Wind and Fire – i’d even be prepared to wear a multi-coloured sparkling cape.

So what is the perfect day off for you?i’d spend the day with friends lazing around on the plage Mala private beach in cap d’ail, where we’d have lunch, drink wine and play music in the afternoon sunshine. then we’d go to Monaco for a sunset cocktail on the roof terrace at the hotel Fairmont Monte carlo and have supper at the note Bleue on larvotto plage. then we’d check into our rooms at the Monte carlo Bay hotel and spend some time at their amazing spa. i’d get ready for my gig with earth Wind and Fire at the sporting club, where Bono, Prince, stevie Wonder and Diana ross would join us on stage. We’d all end the night on the christina O super yacht, playing the beautiful baby grand piano, with Johnny Depp and George clooney as our champagne waiters on the moonlit deck bar.

If you were to play a dedication for Prestige Magazine, what would you say and what would you play us?i’d play you Fantasy by earth Wind and Fire and i’d say, “This is for our friends at Prestige Magazine – check out their latest issue to find out about my fantasies and if you can make any of them come true, call me now on the usual studio number.”

You can tune in and listen to Elizabeth Lewis on weekdays between 3 and 7 pm.

Email: elizabethlewis@rivieraradio.mc www.rivieraradio.mc Riviera Radio 106.3 Monaco – 106.5 France

RivieraradioRiviera Radio the English speaking radio station for the cote d’azur has now been broadcasting for more than 20

years, it has garnered a loyal following of over more than 1 million listeners and plays music from the 70’s to current day hits. as far as local radio stations go, this really is the one to tune into.

Prestige talk to elizabeth Lewis of

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If you don’t identify yourself with the traditional cocktail of bad taste, ridiculous fancy dress and vulgar strippers... Bachman & Cruz has found the solution. This young and elegant female duo, accustomed to going out in the most prestigious clubs of New York, Paris and London, offers you VIP accesses in the best nightclubs, relaxation treatments in the best Spas, yacht charters and much more exclusive services for your weekend.

The idea came while they were in charge of organizing the hen weekend for one of their best friends. “It’s an exceptional moment, the bride can gather all of her best friends and live an unforgettable experience” comments M. Cruz, co-founder of the company.

After a personalized welcome at the airport, you will enjoy a chilled glass of French champagne in a stretched limousine, which will take you to the trendiest five stars hotel of the city. A member of the Public Relations team of B&C will be at your disposition throughout your fabulous girls’ weekend. 

Star destinations of these fashionable weekends are cities where nightlife is vibrant and pulsating such as Barcelona, Ibiza and Paris.

This new concept gives you the opportunity to become a member of the exclusive Bachman & Cruz Community and to gain access to a large range of luxury concierge services.

Pierre Le Ray, General Director of Bachman & Cruz, explains that community members are mainly active, modern and sophisticated women who don’t have time to waste on organizing these events.

Tel: +34 93 410 78 70 info@bachmancruz.com www.bachmancruz.com

BACHMAN&CRUZPrivate Members’ Club

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BACHMAN&CRUZThe stylish solution for your hen weekend

Berkeley international, with offices in cannes, london and new york, offers an exclusive, discreet introduction service to find perfect partners and soul mates for cash rich but time poor individuals.

Molloy’s name is now famous among wealthy circles as the woman to turn to for your relationship needs. her members include individuals from the world of finance, law, arts and media.

“Our clients are just really successful men and women who have little time to filter through mediocrity”, says Molloy. “They have to be financially successful to afford the fee, but this could range from a City executive with a bit of spare, to a seriously wealthy jet setter.”

Once you’ve reached the inner sanctum, it’s time to be assessed by Mairead. But again, she doesn’t go in for conventional methods, preferring to take clients for lunch or a glass of champagne to discuss what they’re looking for.

“People come in with a list of things they’re looking for but often they are wrong! They have spent hours thinking it through – what they think they need. Sometimes it’s better to have an informal chat. You can get a sense of their personality and what they are really like. Sometimes I ask them what they absolutely don’t want – it can be more telling!” says Molloy, who never switches off from the job.

Mairead attends exclusive events, charity functions, private members’ bars – and she’s always ready. “I went to a banking ball and saw this guy across the room and I just knew he’d marry this girl – a lovely girl who worked in cancer research. I rushed across the room and said, ‘Can I ask you a question? Are you married?’ They’re living together now.”

“When you’re going to do something like this,” Mairead explains, “you have to have three things: a sense of humour - without one what’s the point, you need to take the good with the bad and be prepared to get let down and let others down. You just cant fancy everyone and it’s a service so you should get the best results.”

Molloy matches people based not only on their criteria and but also her own impressions. she or one of her four colleagues call both sides, and if the way is clear, the man calls the woman. if the date fails, they inform the spurned party. “I’ll tell them, ‘No spark, no chemistry,’” says Molloy. “You don’t want to hurt any feelings.”

“I will always act on the feedback after the date,” says Molloy, “I provide advice where needed, or if there was no chemistry, will work on choosing someone else.”

Molloy stumbled across her profession by mistake – she successfully owned and managed hotels here in the south of France for several years before meeting her business partner – and it’s clear that what clients are paying for is Molloy’s skills in friendship as much as her adept match-making.

Berkeley international has grown from strength to strength since Molloy joined in 2005, as elite dating agencies have become increasingly seen as an integral lifestyle service for high net worth professionals.

Molloy says “At last, it’s become a sexy thing to do. It’s just like networking really. There’s nothing sad about it at all. If I was single I would be doing it. We’re successful enough to pick and choose our clients now. I have such cracking fun finding them their dates, it’s why I do it.”

Cannes Office Palais Moliere, 6 rue Moliere, cannes – tel: +33 (0) 493 397 693

Head Office 23 Berkeley square, london – tel: + 44 (0) 20 7665 6651

info@berkeley-international.com – www.berkeley-international.com

Prestige talk to Mairead Molloy of

Berkeley InternationalBerkeley International have become known nationally and internationally as one of the leading exclusive introduction

agencies in the world. in the world of singles clubs they are the haute couture label finding perfect partners and soul mates for europe’s elite. Mairead Molloy aka Cupid, is the blonde, fast-talking director of Berkeley international, Prestige caught up with her recently in cannes.

“We don’t deal in photographs or profiles or things like that. Confidentiality is very important to our clients

and we don’t want to compromise their right to privacy. What

people have to do is trust me and trust

that I’m going to get it right.”

27

Michel’s paintings and sculptures explore religion and freedom, which is often represented with a soaring dove, Michel’s hope is that his work will provoke people into acting on the more urgent things in life like the environment and respect for one another.

life for Michel wasn’t always full of glitz and glamour like his now adopted hometown of nice. times were often hard, he was one of eight siblings and his father was a humble rubber tapper. his father, like all parents wanted the best for his children so he didn’t hesitate when the time came to send Michel to school, which was some seven miles away from home in sungai siput, Perak.

after falling three months behind on the school bus fare, it was Michel who made the decision most 13-year-old boys today don’t usually have to make. “I told my father I would stop going to school and instead help him support the family”. life’s circumstances forced him to grow up early and take charge of his life so Michel began working with his parents rising early every morning to tap rubber.

some years after, Michel took a job in Penang on board a tourist boat that ferried tourist from Penang at the west coast of Malaysia and up to Phuket in thailand. Michel fell in love with the sea; it represented a gateway to a new life so he took the time to learn everything he could about yachting.

When a skipper friend asked him if he wanted to travel on a yacht that was built in australia and deliver it to the Mediterranean, he grabbed the opportunity without giving a second thought.

the boat never made it to the Mediterranean after because it got caught in a hurricane in the Bay of Bengal, so Michel got off in sri lanka. he found work at a sport fishing club in trincomalle on the east coast for two years and later went back to Penang, but he had now set his sights on europe.

another chance to travel presented itself to Michel on board an 18-metre yacht headed for cyprus; it was there that Michel ended up working in the

Mediterranean with celebrities who visited the region for their summer holidays. During the winter months Michel stayed indoors reading, writing and drawing in his journal and he took a year’s navigation course through correspondence, he later went to england and acquired a rya skipper’s licence.

the turning point of Michel’s life was when he met Ken scott, a fashion designer in Milan, italy. “I was offered the job of being his personal assistant, I was exposed to the fashion world, textiles, designs and the people, it was a whole new experience for me” says Michel who picked up italian, German and French along the way.

the exposure stirred an artistic talent hidden deep within him and he was encouraged by the designer to pursue it, he signed up for art courses in the “Brera“ & scuola superire d’arte applicata dell industria castello in Milan in the late 80s.

today Michel can be found working alongside some of the best artists in the region and amongst world famous sculptors such as, alexandra De lazzareff, Joseph sheppard, igor Mitoraj, Fernando Botero, ivan theiler, Mauro corda and novello Finotti at his foundry in italy.

Journey of an artist Malaysian born Michel Anthony is an award winning artist and sculptor, whose work

has been displayed to dignitaries and their special guests as a symbol of the Unity and harmony of the Malaysian people.

“These intertwined hands of different hues, is an inspiring symbolic totem for Unity & Liberty. The gradation of their colours from the earthly tones at the base to the pre-eminent top hand is a highly polished neutral bronze, (Politically) representing that no race is superior over others. What you are viewing is a heartfelt, artistic outpouring of the sense of interconnectness of every one on this planet.Our five continents are represented in the number of hands; together in this world we comprise one Universal Human Race. At the summit, from the opening hand, a symbolic bird with spreading wings is taking flight; representing Freedom. Of course! The same dream for Peace, Unity & Liberty that we all desire and cherish.”

universal unity & Liberty sculpture

“Sculpture and painting give me a lot of quiet time. Time to contemplate, time to create. My creations come from both within me and from the experiences I have gained through travelling and from my roots,”

the unity sculpture and many of his other works on display at his gallery can take up to a year to complete, they speak about the need to work with one another as we strive to achieve our individual goals. Michel’s dream is to have a five metre monumental bronze of one of his unity sculptures in a public place as a symbol to constantly remind people about the need to stand together in this world of diversity.

You can view Michel’s work at his gallery or online at: 20 rue Droite, vieux nice www.anthonymichel.com

28

Lunch Time Menu - Served 11.30am - 2pm

12.50€ to include - main course + glass of wine + coffee

Evening Dining - Served 6pm - 10pm

Exceptional Value -3 courses for 16€ or 29€

includes - starter + main course + desert

Traditional French cuisine, served in ambient surroundings

Always using the freshest ingredients our menu includes

fresh meat, fish, pasta. risottos, foie gras, salads & soup

Wine served by the glass, pichet or bottle

Closed Monday all day and Tuesday lunchtime

LE BIENVENUEReSTAuR ANT

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5 Place Saint François (opposite the Gare Routiere), av Jean Jaures, Vieux NiceFor Reservations please call: +33 (0) 493 798 440

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8, place Charles Felix 06300 Nice Tel: +33 (0)4 93 80 00 50

Good old American Hospitalityon the Cours Saleya!

Open 7/7Service non stop

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Authentic American MenuLive Music

Breakfast/Lunch/DinnerYes... we do make Pancakes!

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29

RecommendsL’AtelierAsian food at it’s best served in the charming, medieval village of Hauts de Cagnes.

Perfectly situated at the top of hauts de cagnes is a pretty village square, Place de chateau, it is home to a few restaurants, a petanque pitch and wonderful views towards st Paul de vence. after taking a wander through the winding streets, we decided to stop for some lunch. We took a look at all the restaurants menu boards but decided to eat at l’atelier because it satisfied all of our tastes, myself and our friend have a passion for se asian food and my partner loves meat. l'atelier has over 14 suggestions of asian fused dishes on the menu as well as salads and other beef and pasta dishes.

i was in my element; anyone that has travelled to thailand or Malaysia will know that it is hard to find true and authentic tasting asian dishes away from the buzz of the bigger towns on the cote d’azur. so when my friend and i were informed that the chef was a vietnamese lady we were quietly confident that this meal would be good.

Our orders were taken and zipped off to the kitchen whilst we sat back with a glass of wine and revelled in the oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of the city for an afternoon. it wasn’t long before our meals arrived and first impressions were that it all looked and smelt amazing.

i ordered the Bo Bun Mems (14.90€), a rice noodle salad, which is a classic vietnamese dish. it's a salad of thin rice noodles, lettuce, carrot slivers, mint, crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, topped with grilled beef and fried spring rolls. the chef suggested that i drizzled fish sauce over it to really get the best of all the flavours. the beef was tender, the spring rolls were delicious and the mint brought a refreshing rest bite to my tongue as i had also decided to add a splash of chilli sauce earlier. My partner ordered the suggested dish of the day roast beef with gravy (13€), we knew he was happy from his lack of conversation and the fact that he was finished in about 5 minutes flat.

Our friend had the canard laque-grilled marinated duck; (16.90€) soy sprouts with coriander and rice. We all laughed when it arrived, it was a huge serving and our lovely friend is about a size 8, this would feed her for a week, she would definitely need help finishing it off – such a shame! the duck was cooked beautifully, tender and juicy and the bean sprouts and spring onions gave it a crispy bite and it delivered 100% on taste.

to sum up our lunch at the l’atelier we all agreed they have mastered the art of great and flavoursome food with a focus on fresh ingredients, authentic taste, friendly staff and good old fashioned service. it is the ideal stop of point for lunch or an evening meal after you have discovered the other delights of hauts de cagnes.

Directions by car: Roughly 3 km past Nice Aeroport the traffic slows down as the road narrows and you will see lots of seaside restaurants on your right. You are now outside Cagnes sur Mer. Turn right just before the Hippodrome racetrack and drive straight ahead following the brown signs posted 'Haut de Cagnes' and 'Bourg Medieval'. The brown signs will lead you up into the town. There is a car park just below Place de Chateau

12, Place du Chateau, Les Hauts de Cagnes - Tel:04 92 02 00 00

Amazing Bo Bun Mems

The Terrace

Upstairs Dining

Roast Beef

Carnard Laque

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Please note this feature is not paid for by the businesses and Prestige pay for all their purchases during their visits. If a place doesn’t meet our expectations, then we just simply don’t recommend them to you.

GossipAptly named this little bar and restaurant has got everyone talking.

We always get excited at Prestige when we find somewhere new on the riviera that’s exciting to report about and we think we have uncovered a true little gem in Gossip. We have watched over the months, as this old bar got completely pulled apart and redesigned into the trendy little hotspot that it is today. so how has this bar, which opened only a couple of months ago become such a hit especially as it is off the normal nice tourist track, well it’s doing it entirely through word-of-mouth recommendations. Gossip really is the kind of place you find yourself wanting to tell other people about: its an atmospheric little place serving great food and wine at terrifically reasonable prices.

Marc, lionel and the team at Gossip bring a whole new dimension to simple good food, it is made from both fresh & quality ingredients. We have dined there on two occasions now, once trying the homemade burgers which were delicious and just to make sure it wasn’t only the burgers that were tasty, we also tried on our second visit the carpaccio de Boeuf served with chunky chips and crisp salad - 11€, coquelet with potato puree-12€, tartare de Boeuf, chips & salad-12€, and also lasagnes Mozzarella -11€, all were absolutely wonderful. the Prestige team were suitably impressed and all said they would definitely recommend it to friends and return again.

Other tempting dishes on the menu include Demi Macaroni Gorgonzola 10€50, salade niçoise 11€ and saumon Mariné10€50. sorry to say that we don’t have a picture of any deserts we were all to full to try one, but if they were as good as the mains, they won’t disapoint you either. We can (surprise, surprise) recommend the wine and quite a few of the cocktails, Marc is offering different wines from around the world all at good prices, and if you can’t manage a bottle then the house rose, demi pichet is excellent value at 11€. another nice little touch is that all drinks served throughout the night come with complimentry, mouth watering canapes.

if after all the food and drink you fancy a chill out you can sit in one of the trendy pewter colored chairs or sofas and listen to the DJ playing live lounge, house, & Oldie's music, we guarantee you will end up singing along or dancing. there is even a contemporary fireplace ready to be fired up for a good night out with friends for when the colder nights draw in. it can be hard sometimes trying to put into words why a place feels good, sometimes it’s just best to experience the place for yourself, but for us we can honestly say that Gossip’s genuine customer care and obvious attention to detail makes for a wonderful experience.

Directions: From the Gare Routiere, avenue Jean Jaures head away from Place Massena following the tram lines until you arrive at Place Garibaldi. Turn right onto rue Cassini, rue Bonaparte is your first road on the left and Gossip is on the first corner you come to.

From the Port, walk up rue Cassini and rue Bonaparte is your last turning on the right, just before Place Garibaldi.

7 rue Bonaparte (off Place Garibaldi), Old Town, Nice Tel: 04.83.45.72.15

Gossip with friends around the fire on colder nights

The owners Marc Tavano & Lionel Oliveira

Tartare de Boeuf & Coquelet & potato puree

Lasagnes Mozzarella

Coquelet with potato puree Bar area

Complimentry canapes

L'Atra Bottiglia - 28, rue cassini, niceL'effervescence - 10, rue de la loge, vieux niceLe pain à Table - 3, rue louis Gassin, niceDistilleries Ideales - 24, rue de la Prefecture, vieux niceResto Wine Notes - 6, rue sainte reparate, vieux nice

Bienvenue - 5, rue saint François, vieux niceChateau Eza - rue de la pis, eze villageSarao - 7, Promenade des anglais, niceThe Snug & Cellar - 22, rue Droite, vieux niceBelluga - Quai Poncharlier, villefranche-sur-Mer

Previous Prestige Recommendations

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New OpeningsGaglio - Brasserie-Salon De TheDefinitely bringing a bit of class to the Old Town of Nice is The Gaglio. This beautifully designed restaurant was once a jewellery shop and The Gaglio’s new owners have preserved certain furnishings and features from the old original shop.

it has a large terrace outside for day and night dining, but if you are looking for something a little bit special then reserve your table upstairs as the décor is simply delightful. With metallic touches to it’s walls, stylish seating and grand chandeliers framing each window, the restaurant is a divine space to savour, even the restrooms have been beautifully thought out.

the menu is refined Mediterranean food, which changes from season to season, and some of the dishes incorporate produce from corsica.

the Gaglio’s menu is varied and offers an excellent choice of meats which include, beef, duck, veal and rabbit (prices from 13€) as well as fish dishes featuring sole, grilled swordfish, tuna, John Dory, monkfish and squid (prices from 17€). Pasta lovers are well catered for too and they start at just 10€.

if you are looking for added value then we suggest you opt for one of their menus, they have two lunch offers running from Monday-Friday- starter & main dish- 13,20€ or main dish & desert- 17,60€. they also have a very good daily 19€ menu which is for 3 courses and a children’s menu is10€.

the restaurant offers breakfasts and refreshments throughout the day.

Definitely one to try!

2 Place Saint - Francois, Nice Tel: 0493 854 213 Opening hours: Mon - Sun from 12:00 to 14:30 & 19:00 to 23:00

Gaglio the jewelers back in the old days

Gaglio at night

Prestige New OpeningsIf you are opening a new restaurant in Monaco, Villefranche, Nice, Antibes, Cannes or a surrounding village and you want to tell Prestige readers about it, contact us in advance to see if you can make it into the next Prestige New Openings Page.

Email: prestigeeditorial@ymail.com

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Buddha-BarWith the opening of Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo SBM has added another quality restaurant to its collection. It is offering, more than ever before, a formidable choice of ambiances, trends and culinary cultures, ready to satisfy the craziest or most simple whims night and day.

tucked away in an old concert hall built at the start of the 20th century, the unique setting oozes character. it combines architectural heritage and asian-style decoration, a delicate balance of materials, colours and objets d’art. the works revealed unexpected splendours, which have been restored and incorporated into the new design. thus, behind the old wall coverings, natural oak wall panels decorated with sculpted musical instruments dating from 1910 were discovered. the imposing original stucco work on the ceiling has simply been regilded. an original and charming elevator provides direct access to the casino gamblers.

the impressive height of the room - 7 metres (23 ft) - has been used to create a mezzanine on which the restaurant dining room has been installed. this looks over the lounge and bar under the watchful eye of the statue of Buddha, made especially in asia. enormous chandeliers covered in passementerie, diffuse amber-coloured light and give the deep red, black and gold decor an aura of serenity, totally Zen totally Buddha- Bar!

Focused on pleasure, Buddha-Bar Monte-carlo covers more than 1000m2 and boasts a 150-cover restaurant serving top-quality asian-inspired cuisine on the mezzanine, as well as a private room which can cater for up to 20 guests.

On the ground floor, the lounge-bar seats around 100 of which 30 are on the two open-air terraces built around the entrance to the venue. the ideal place to spend balmy summer evenings, sipping cocktails and indulging in sushi, sashimi and Buddha rolls.

Dining at Buddha-Bar is an experience full of surprises and magic. anyone expecting to taste traditional chinese fare will be agreeably surprised by the menu of innovative dishes, appetizing and tasty, created especially by them. at Buddha-Bar, the chef invents and innovates with the Pacific rim menu, a perfect combination of asian culinary delights and French-style excellence.

amongst the famous signature dishes you will find: crispy chicken chinese salad, Fillet of beef teppan yaki, Five spice grilled chicken, Peking-style duck with fruit compote⁄ or guests can enjoy other divine food such as sashimi, rolls and other unique creations.

since its opening, Buddha-Bar has welcomed an amazing number of stars such as David & Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz, Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez, Puff Daddy, Sharon Stone, Madonna, Will Smith, Tim Burton, John Galliano, Thierry Henry, Demi Moore, Bill Clinton, Céline Dion, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jordan, Samuel L Jackson,Sylvester Stallone, George Lucas, and Quincy Jones

Open from Tuesday to Sunday included, 19:00 to 02:00Resident DJ: DJ PapaValet parkingDirect access from Casino de Monte-CarloReservations: +377 98 06 19 19E-mail: buddhabarmontecarlo@sbm.mc

The creators M. & Mme Raymond Visan

General Director of Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM & Mme Bernard LambertVisan

The Inauguration - HSH Prince Albert II unveiling the giant buddha

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The world’s first exclusive event dedicated to the nightlife industry

the Principality of Monaco will host the first international nightlife industry gathering on the 11th, 12th and 13th november 2010 the Monaco international clubbing show is a gathering of handpicked nocturnal events brands, which aims to anticipate the demand and fluctuations of the clubbing industry by proposing the latest innovations, uncovering new talents and reuniting the professions of the nightlife world.

the Mics is the world’s first exclusive event completely focused on setting the nightlife industry in the international spotlight. a mind-blowing exhibition area, a press village, a music meeting area, leisure and relaxation activities, a poker tournament, an art gallery, a prestigious closing night – is just a preview of what you can expect.

The Monaco International Clubbing Show is an event with two sides:

From 2pm to 10pm, an exhibition platform of 12,000m2 will host activities, conferences and networking opportunities for all related sectors from nightclubs, bars & restaurants, DJs to architects, light & sound distributors and much more. each brand and venue will display their know-how, proposing targeted solutions for clubbing establishments and decision makers in the nightlife scene. these service providers will be able to propose their products, innovations and latest creations to an international panel of 8,000 buyers. the focus is put on the importance of design, coherence and functionality of the products presented in order to give visitors products that are of quality and suited to their needs. Moreover, the “Premium club” area, located at the heart of the main exhibition, will grant attendee’s access to the 100 most prestigious international nightlife brands and venues.

For 3 consecutive day & nights, a multitude of events will bring together global nightlife brands and rising talents of electronic music. Just one example will be the fashion gallery, which will be a prestigious display of the finest names of today’s booming luxury industry. you will find a prominent selection of refined brands of all various sectors: haute couture, watches, jewelry, accessories and much more.

located at the heart of the Grimaldi Forum, this fully dedicated area will welcome approximately 40 unique brands, where each of them will have the opportunity to sell their products on location or invite their customers to a nearby retail store. the Mics goal is to envision the gallery as a whole new experience, a unique voyage into today’s luxury world of prestigious signatures and international names.

and if that wasn’t enough for you then from 6pm onwards, Monaco will become the centre of the clubbing universe as the world’s most renowned clubs will take over the Principality's venues to make you dance to the rhythm of their country: United states, russia, ibiza and Dubai. an incredible musical line-up composed of high-class residents and superstars DJs will take you on a magical journey from dusk to sunrise.

To all partygoers and music-lovers: get ready!

GRIMALDI FORUM, 11, avenue Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco the day events are reserved for professional’s only and evening events are open to the general public (subject to reservation), with priority going to professionals, exhibitors and viP guests.

For further information visit: www.mics.mc

If you noticed them,so did everyone else!

Advertise in

Book your space for the next issue:

Email Clarisse (French speaking)clarisse@prestige-magazine.com

or Rachael (English speaking)rachael@prestige-magazine.com

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L´Auberge de Tourrettes - 11, route de Grasse - 06140 Tourrettes Sur Loup - France

Tel: +33 (0)4 93 59 30 05 - Fax : +33 (0)4 93 59 28 66 - E-mail :info@aubergedetourrettes.fr

www.aubergedetourrettes.fr

Auberge de Tourrettes

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riv

iera

Even

ts Famous and talented artists from nice show their revealing portraits of women from all walks of life and from all over the world. these unique creations capture sensitiveness and sensuality.

Time: Monday to Friday 8am - 7pm

Discover the cookery classes held at the Monte carlo Beach, dispensed by Chef Jean-Claude Brugel (“Meilleur Ouvrier de France” 1996) and his assistant, Michel Lions. arrive at the restaurant le Deck for a briefing over breakfast; you will then be given all of the tools required for your cooking class. you will work on creating 3 dishes: starter, hot dish and pastry, after share an apéritif on the terrace (weather permitting) and sample your dishes prepared in the restaurant le Deck to commemorate your day you will be awarded a diploma and gourmet souvenir.

Price: 130 € per person Pre-paid on enrolment Couple prices: -50% for the second personGuest of your choice for lunch: participation 70 € (drinks included). Photo report by requestInformation/Reservation: + 377 98 06 52 01

Only for ladies, this workshop is fun and entertaining and teaches you the art of feminity and glamour that the retro era captured so well. the famous French performer and retro event organiser Lady Flo will be flying in from Paris especially to instruct this workshop. Places are limited and must be confirmed or booked ahead of the night.

Time: 5pm - 7pmPrice: 40€ / 30€ membersEmail: mademoiselleo.neoretro@gmail.com

By the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Starts at 6pm.

More than 180 000 spectators across France have already seen the shows, now it’s nice turn to be exposed to the adrenalin rush. all the favourites return with a new show called RAW World Turn. superstars such as, Triple O'Clock, John Cena, The Miz, Big Show, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston, MVP, Melina and Kelly Kelly meet under one roof for one explosive night.

Price: Tickets from 27.50 €Points of sale: Fnac – Nice, Cannes, MonacoVirgin Megastore – Nice, Carrefour, Géant, Leclerc

MICS is the world’s first exclusive event completely focused on bringing the nightlife industry into the international spotlight. this exhibition will have music meeting areas, leisure and relaxation activities, poker tournament, art gallery, and a prestigious closing night.

Time: 2 pm to 10 pm, then from 10 pm until lateFor further information email: info@mics.mc

After selling more than 1.5 million copies of his first album “Mon Paradis”, and numerous music awards under his belt, christophe Mae continues to grow. christophe brings his new live music tour to the city of nice, with songs from earlier albums and his latest, which was released in March this year. sing along to his addictive tunes such as Dingue, Dingue, Dingue, J'ai Laissé and C’est Ma terre.

Price: Tickets from 39 €Points of sale: Fnac – Nice, Cannes, MonacoVirgin Megastore – Nice, Carrefour, Géant, Leclerc

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Femmes du monde Art Exhibition

cookery classes

French riviera glamour retro workshop

symphony concert

wwE rawworld tour

monaco International clubbing show

Centre des Affaires - Nice airport

Monte-Carlo Beach- Le Deck

Rue Gubernatis, Nice

Auditorium Rainier III

Palais Nikaia

Grimaldi Forum Monaco

christophe maé in ConcertPalais Nikaia - Nice

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Follow the coastal route of 42,195 km from nice to cannes as runners compete to win the 3rd nice Marathon. Watch the runners along the way at saint- laurent-du-var, cagnes-sur-Mer, villeneuve-loubet, antibes Juan-les-Pins, vallauris and Golfe-Juan. there will be music, brass bands, cheerleaders and many other activities along the way from the start to the finishing line.

Starts: 8 am on the Promenade des Anglais in NiceFinishes: on the Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes

At just 21, Julian Perretta is already experienced on stage. in 2008, he supported Mark ronson (producer for amy Winehouse), Maroon 5, robbie Williams, lily allen, Kaiser chief. he has also collaborated with the legendary Beyoncé and his first album “stitch me up” was a real success all over world. 

Price: Tickets 23 €Points of sale: Fnac – Nice, Cannes, MonacoVirgin Megastore – Nice, Carrefour, Géant, Leclerc

Now celebrating their 10th birthday the celtic legends returns to the nice acropolis with a brand new spectacle, Promising to be more powerful and more colourful, they bring the traditional grace of irish dance, music and song to the cote d’azur.

Price: Tickets from 35 €Points of sale: Fnac – Nice, Cannes, MonacoVirgin Megastore – Nice, Carrefour, Géant, LeclercFor reservations: 0892 707 507

Watch as the best teams battle it out in the european Petanque competition. the matches take place on the Promenade des anglais and other action unfolds at the Place Masséna and Quai des etats-Unis.

Time: Daily from 8.30am

Get behind the lads as they go up againest Marseille. Go and show your support and cheer your local team on. the atmosphere is great at the stadium and is well worth standing out in the cold for.

Tickets: 08 92 70 21 06, email billetterie@ogcnice.com

Massena turns into a magical place for all the family. christmas lights and brightly lit fountains provide the backdrop for a spot of traditional christmas shopping. Festive log cabins turn into little shops and sell all sorts of stocking fillers, from exquisite gifts to specialised christmas fayre. you can even try your hand at ice-skating on the rink set up especially for this event.

Time: 11am - 8pmFor further information: 0892 707 407

The Drama Group of Monaco is a non-profit making organisation that is dedicated to performing english language plays and musicals on the cote d'azur. these performances have become very popular so book early to avoid disappointment.

Friday show: 8 pm, Saturday shows: 3 pm & 8 pm Tel: 0493 530078

The Christmas Star International Regatta in the Baie des anges is France's most important regatta. Organised by the Club Nautique de Nice, it has been taking place for over 40 years and welcomes 30-40 crews from all over the world. you can be sure of witnessing only the world's finest as Olympic-level athletes gather in nice to compete in a number of sailing classes, featuring the “star” boat that is used in Olympic competitions.

For further information: +33 (0) 4 93 89 39 78Email: clubnautiquenice@wanadoo.fr

There can’t be a better way to kick-start the christmas celebrations. Join the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice in their new version of Don Quichotte, the ballet. it promises to be a special family spectacle.

Tickets & info: 04 92 17 40 40 or 04 92 17 40 79

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European Petanque competition

Nice marathon

Julian Perretta in Concert

Nice vs marseille

celtic Legends show Irish Dance Live

christmas star International regatta

village De Noel

monaco Drama group Production

Ballet Don Quichotte

Promenade des Anglais

Promenade des Anglais, Nice

Palais Nikaia – Nice

Stade du Ray

Palais Acropolis

Baie des Anges, Nice

Place Massena

Théâtre des Variétés , Monaco

Nice Opera

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Let’s go back to 1880… summer is over, and the cream of european society is here to visit the côte d’azur. Elisabeth of Austria, the unforgettable sissi, rubs shoulders with the entire court of the Tsar of Russia. Queen Victoria has fled the london smog to set up winter quarters in the regina, the finest luxury palace on the riviera. Charles, Prince of Monaco, and François Blanc, king of the casinos, welcome all these smart people to the green baize tables at Monte carlo.

FrenchRivieraLuxuryLA RéSERvE DE BEAuLIEu

the Principality’s games rooms are never empty now that they are linked to nice by a new road. this passes through a quiet little town on the outskirts of villefranche-sur-Mer. it’s known as Beaulieu – literally, ‘fine place’. and that’s no accident, for its microclimate makes it the sunniest spot on the côte d’azur. its delightful, easy way of life gives ideas to a number of rich english people now back from india, and to a French restaurant owner: Pierre Lottier.

he built a luxury restaurant by the sea, where he intended to serve the best fish dishes imaginable. and he had the bright idea of digging out a large basin, where the local fishermen could come and unload their catch straight from the nets. the sailors soon began to call this fishpond ‘la Réserve’ - a place for stocking supplies. lottier adopted the name, and the réserve de Beaulieu was created.

the restaurant quickly made a name for itself with crowned heads and wealthy people. Leopold II, the King of Belgium, was a frequent visitor. the american press magnate Gordon Bennett liked it so much that he had a telephone installed so that he could book a table quickly. this was a major first for Beaulieu. a century later, the réserve de Beaulieu’s phone number - 04 93 01 00 01 - provides lingering testimony to the event.

in 1905, Pierre lottier took a decision that sealed the fate of his establish-ment for good, when he built ten luxurious bedrooms. they were an instant success, and remained highly popular until the Great War. they then made a dazzling comeback during the twenties. at the réserve, as elsewhere, life became one giddy whirl. the flower of the era, ranging from Gustav V of Sweden to Mistinguett, all flocked to the hotel. But sadly, its fairytale existence was once more cut short, this time by the second World War.

When the armistice was eventually signed, the lottier family no longer had the strength to launch their business a third time, and sold it to Jacques Laroche. the new owner had grandiose ideas. Keeping only the great veranda gallery that had housed the restaurant since 1880, he knocked down the rest, and replaced it with a huge Florentine-style villa. this contained 25 rooms to start with, and then double the number after a second phase of work. But laroche was a builder, not a manager, and was wise enough to hand over the running of his hotel to Jean Potfer. Over 30 hard-working years, this talented professional succeeded in making the réserve de Beaulieu one of the world’s most celebrated luxury hotels.

When he left in 1977, the hotel went into a long period of decline. this lasted nearly 20 years, until Nicole and Jean-Claude Delion finally awakened the sleeping Beauty. they had already breathed new life into the Résidence de la Pinède, one of saint tropez’s most symbolic hotels. their passion, hard work and know-how now wrought marvels at Beaulieu as well. every winter, the luxury hotel became even more beautiful. With a mirror pool, a boutique, a spa, and a restaurant sporting two stars in the famous Michelin Guide, life has become a never-failing round of pleasure.

continued overleaf…

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tHE owNErs - NIcoLE & JEaN-cLauDE DELIoNNicole & Jean-Claude Delion are from the auvergne. they met at saint-eloy-les-Mines, the region of mines and volcanoes. When they married, he was 26 and ran a small building company. she was 19, finishing her studies and earning some pin money working every saturday at her sister-in-law’s hair salon. their sacrifices, tenacity, boldness and rigour took them on an amazing journey that ended up on the côte d’azur, where in a few years they acquired two of the finest hotels in the region: the Résidence de la Pinède, in saint tropez, and the Réserve de Beaulieu. today, they are two of the only remaining private luxury hotel owners.

the couple doubtless owe their success to a childhood dream. Jean-claude Delion was only a teenager when his uncle came to visit him in the auvergne. at the time, he owned a fine hotel in Oran, algeria. he showed a few photos to the young boy. it was a revelation: the miner’s son knew instantly that he was going to be a hotel manager. the vision remained in his mind, even when at barely 14 he left school to start work as a bricklayer. he was paid a few centimes a brick. he rolled up his sleeves, redoubled his efforts, and worked up to sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. little by little he saved his first nest egg, enough for him to set up his own building company. he was then 22. ten years later, when his company now employed around fifty staff, Jean-claude Delion was finally able to make his dearest wish come true. he bought a hotel.

his eye fell on ‘L’Orée des Pistes’, in the Deux-Alpes. it was an excellent choice. the France of the seventies was just discovering the joys of winter sports. the hotel benefited hugely from this craze – even more so in that nicole Delion, her husband’s loyal supporter since they married, turned out to be a brilliant manager. nonetheless, a few years later, by now tired of the white peaks, nicole Delion began dreaming of the blue waters of the Mediterranean. But that was no problem at all! the couple decided to buy the Résidence de la Pinède: a huge proposition, even though this former glory of the sixties was only a shadow of its former self. Jean-claude Delion had to sell his hotel in the Deux-alpes, together with his construction company. But it was not enough. and so one day he went into his bank and announced, “I’ve signed a cheque for five million francs for a purchase agreement. You’ll just have to manage to put the financing together.” the poker tactics worked, and the bank fell in line.

Under the Delions’ magic wand, the Pinède - as its regulars call it - quickly regained the lustre of its heyday. it even joined the ranks of the ‘Leading Hotel of the World’ chain, and became one of its most sought-after members. at that point, its owners might have lain back on their laurels, proudly contemplating how far they had already come. But instead, in 1996, they bought the réserve de Beaulieu from a subsidiary of crédit lyonnais, then in a state of collapse, and began working on both fronts. With equal success!

rooms aND suItEs The Réserve de Beaulieu has 39 rooms and suites. they are all decorated with loving care in light, warm colours, dominated by beige and its various shades. the furniture is period or made to measure by a cabinet maker. the walls are covered in delicate frescoes with a decidedly Mediterranean feel, as though straight out of a temple dedicated to Demeter or Dionysos: with bouquets of flowers, cornucopias, bowls of fruit and bunches of grapes. these elegant fantasies are the work of Belgian artist François Zanatta, a Beaux arts prizewinner. his finest work for the luxury hotel at Beaulieu is an antique-style trompe l’œil in one of the hotel suites. its columns and capitals make a marvellous canopy for the bed that could be straight out of Pericles’ times.

tHE QuEENs oF La résErvEIn 2002 and 2003, the réserve de Beaulieu enriched its hotel offer with two jewels, in the shape of two private apartments called ‘Victoria’ and ‘Mistinguett’. the older of the two duplexes pays tribute to england’s most famous queen. the British monarch, a regular visitor to the riviera during the 19th century, loved to walk around the coasts with her nearest and dearest. and so it is natural that the suite named after her should have a truly family atmosphere. With two large bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, a large dressing room, and a huge sitting room with a vast and splendid sofa – ideal for cosily watching a video – this is the perfect haven for a family holiday.

The ambiance is more imaginative and glamorous in the Villa Mistinguett. this is to be expected, as it bears the name of the woman who will always remain the queen of ‘Paris by night’. here the delights are designed for two – and two only. everything speaks of relaxation and la dolce vita. the 90m2 saloon is magnificently equipped with a big screen, a desk with a Pc and internet connection, and a private bar. But the next floor is where lovers will find the most inviting of nests. you reach it via a private lift or a large spiral staircase. and then you discover a huge bedroom radiant with light, a bathroom containing a hammam shower with relaxation features, and above all, an immense 125m2 terrace. it is quite simply pure heaven for the five senses. sight is dazzled by a superb panoramic view over the sea. hearing is caressed by the murmur of the waves rising right up to the apartment. smell is enchanted by the wall of greenery, full of Mediterranean scents, that protects this eyrie from prying eyes. taste is catered for by dining under the stars in the illusory shelter of a wrought iron gazebo. (the great privilege of this place is that you can choose anything you like from the hotel’s star restaurant menu.) and as for touch – nothing could be more blissful than lying back in the bubbling warmth of the huge jacuzzi…

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ExcLusIvE sPacEsA luxury hotel never offers just bed and board. it also guarantees peace of mind and enjoyment for its guests. From the housekeeper to the head caretaker, this is the task of the entire team of the réserve de Beaulieu, day and night.

that said, the quality of the service does not only involve the staff being constantly at hand. it also depends on a myriad of unusual details, an elegant atmosphere, and all those tiny things that are essential for great happiness. the réserve de Beaulieu knows this, and so has provided many areas designed for the well-being of its guests.

there is the bar, of course: a magnificent colossus with flamboyant wood work, bathed in the evenings by the tuneful, jazzy ambiance provided by Dennis Levingstone, the réserve’s official pianist for 20 years. in summer, at aperitif time, it opens up and spills out onto the patio, so that guests can enjoy the warmth at the end of the day.

there is the smoking room, an intimate saloon with a distinctly British feel. at the entrance, a display cabinet immediately announces an epicurean bent, with precious elixirs such as old armagnac and

tHE cuLINary sIDE The Réserve de Beaulieu has been regaling the world’s gourmets for nearly 130 years now. Only a few months after it opened, a good food critic established its legend forever in a memorable phrase: ‘The Réserve de Beaulieu is the restaurant of kings and the king of restaurants’.

the years have passed and the Beaulieu restaurant is still living up to its name. the most discerning customers are as ever attracted by its terrace overlooking the sea, its stylish service (superbly orchestrated by Roger Heyd), its elegantly, faintly ‘Vieille France’ decoration, and its cellar full of the best French vintages, chosen with care by Jean-Louis Valla, the hotel’s sommelier.

What’s more, since nicole and Jean-claude Delion took over the establish-ment, the ‘Restaurant of kings’ features regularly among the best places to eat in France. and it proudly sports two stars in the Michelin Guide.

5 Boulevard du Maréchal Leclerc06310 Beaulieu sur mer,Côte d’Azur

TEL: +33 (0) 4 93 01 00 01 reservation@reservebeaulieu.com

www.reservebeaulieu.com

exceptional cognac, all promising an unforgettable treat for the taste buds. Once through the door, you find yourself in a different world, with a chiaroscriuro atmosphere that encourages confidences. On the walls hang black and white photos of bygone india: the india of the Maharadjahs and British officers. the siren call to foreign climes is emphasised by a big trunk full of adventure novels. last but not least, a magnificent pool table holds sway in the middle of the room. Many a gentleman has faced his opponent all night long, playing for a few pennies or the pleasure of enjoying the good life and each other’s company a little longer.

and then there is the Boutique de la Réserve, just at the entrance to the hotel.  if you’ve forgotten to pack something, you can solve your problem here in an instant. its wide, top quality offer includes make-up and beauty products, sunglasses, swimsuits, beach towels, nightwear, bath robes, dresses, bags, shoes, and fancy jewellery.

and there is also the Maria Galland Spa. this has all the sophistication of a transatlantic cruiser from the last century, with its varnished wood decoration and copper-framed portholes. so weigh anchor, cast off and head for the land of relaxation! every visit to this place is a trip in itself. every cabin is a stopover, where you can relax in a bubbling bath with essential oils, or have a massage.

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‘The Pearl of France’

situated on the edge of the department of alpes-Maritimes it is nestled between italy and the nearby Principality of Monaco, Menton is a destination that is becoming more valued by an increasing number of international visitors.

after the French, it is logically the italians who visit the most, followed by the english and German. a new phenomenon is that the visitors are coming from increasingly greater distances, from north america, russia, scandinavia and southeast asia. the Japanese, for example, have a weakness for Menton, and for them the ‘must’ is to celebrate their union: great admirers of Jean cocteau, they love to confirm their union in the salle des Mariages (Wedding hall) of the town hall which is decorated by the artist.

tHE oLD towN & garDENs Menton is a town of arts, pampered by nature; it offers an unparalleled showcase for architecture and beautiful gardens. Guided tours will take you along the streets of the old town (medieval and baroque), and garden tours are regularly organised by the “service du Patrimoine” (heritage service) for individuals and on request for groups. Mentons dedication to restore the historic gardens and create contemporary town gardens is a testament to its desire to preserve an exceptional floral heritage in the heart of the town.

gastroNomy a melting pot of cultures, Menton has forged a very distinctive way of living in its gastronomy. light, exotic and sophisticated, all cuisines are represented: traditional French cuisine, local cuisine and even foreign specialities. in Menton and the surrounding area you can let yourself be captivated by the unique setting of 140 restaurants.

here you can taste the specialities of the region (pichade, socca, panisses, tian, barbajuan, stockfish, bagna cauda, fougasse) characterised by the spirit of generosity, the regional cuisine is naturally varied and recognised internationally.

How to gEt tHErE Air: nice côte d’azur airport is located 30 minutes from Menton by motorway.

Helicopter: héli-air Monaco office: tel. +33 (0)4 93 21 34 95 (terminal 1),+33 (0)4 93 21 34 62 (terminal 2)

Car: Menton is on the e80/e74, about 30km east of nice, 10km east of Monte carlo. the côte d’azur can be reached from all over europe thanks to an excellent road network. (Paris/Menton: 960 km): Motorway link via “l’autoroute du soleil” (the “sunshine Motorway”), the a8. Direct link via the “route nationale 7”

Train: From nice - Gare centrale thiers or Gare riquier. links with all the regions of France and major european cities. the high speed train service between nice and Paris has been extended to Menton on a daily basis. taxis are available for passengers at the exit of the station.

Bus: From nice - Bus number 100. société rca Menton.tel. +33 (0)4 97 00 07 00/+33 (0)4 3 85 64 44

With thanks to: Office de tourisme de Menton, 8 avenue Boyer - Menton.visit: www.tourisme-menton.fr

Images: Nicolas Sartore

thanks to a favourable microclimate that leans towards the subtropical (with 316 cloudless days a

year), winter is almost unknown in Menton.

mENtoN

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cEmEtEry oF tHE oLD cHâtEauLocated on the site of Menton’s medieval château, which no longer exists, the cemetery stands at the top of a hill.the graves of Menton families lie alongside those of rich foreign aristocrats from the Belle Époque. Occasional guided tours on thursdays (depending on the date). Meet in the Place du cimetière

La BELLE éPoQuEFollow in the footsteps of a Belle epoque winter holiday-maker. Occasional guided tours on thursdays (depending on the date). Meet in front of the tourist Office.

aNNoNcIaDE moNastEryBuilt on the site of a small fortified town when Menton first came into being, it has been home to the annonciades, nuns of the order of the virgin Mary, since 2000. the true birthplace of Menton, it is now a haven of peace and contemplation. Occasional guided tours on thursdays (depending on the date). Meet on the esplanade du Monastère

tHE russIaN cHurcHIn the 19th century, a substantial russian community existed on the côte d’azur. the importance of this community led to the construction of an Orthodox church in Menton. Occasional guided tours on thursdays (depending on the date). Meet at the entrance, 14 rue Paul Morillot

rEgIoNaL PrEHIstorIc musEumThis exceptionally well-designed museum allows you to turn back the clock one million years to when man first arrived on he côte d’azur. With its reconstructions and slide shows, this exhibition invites you meet prehistoric man for yourself. Open year round from 10 am-12 am and 2 pm-6 pm, except tuesdays and bank holidays. entrance on rue loredan-larchey .

JEaN coctEau musEum Jean Cocteau, painter and poet, became involved in the restoration and decoration of the Bastion, a small fort of the Xvii century, in order to convert it into an exhibition place for his work. Drawings, tapestries, watercolours, pastels, ceramics, faiences and mosaics made of pebbles are a memorial of the multifaceted talents of this artist who loved Menton.

PaLaIs DE L’EuroPE art gaLLEryThis old casino, constructed between 1908 and 1909 by the Danish architect hans Georg tersling, houses the art Gallery, an exhibition place that accommodates the most important French and foreign contemporary artists.

La Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival) is a unique event in the world which attracts more than 250,000 visitors every year and which is constantly rising. it is the second most important event on the riviera after the nice carnival and is just ahead of the Monaco Formula 1. More than 300 professionals work on the project and 145 tons of citrus fruits are used. Processions of floats and an exhibition of the giant designs displayed in lit gardens all covered in lemons and oranges, make for an unforgettable event.

it all began in 1929; when Menton was still the number one lemon-growing region in europe. an hotelier had the excellent idea of organising an exhibition of flowers and citrus fruit in the gardens of the hôtel riviera. it was so successful that, the following year, the event moved into the streets, with carts covered with orange and lemon trees along with lovely local girls. Wishing to develop tourism, the municipality sought to give to this new event a typically local colour: the lemon Festival was born in 1934. two years later, the first exhibition of citrus fruit and flowers was launched in the Biovès gardens. François Ferrié was in charge of designing floats decorated with lemons and oranges and decorations in the gardens. it was proven to be an enormous success, confirmed year after year.

Don’t miss The Lemon Festival 2011 18 February - 9 March 2011www.feteducitron.com

The Famous Lemon Festival

Places to visit

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in the early 1920’s his mother became a resident patient at the sanitorium de Gorbio suffering from senile dementia and so Major Johnston, also in need of a kinder climate than the english winter because of an early lung disease, decided to buy about a dozen hectares of land on a steep slope of the Gorbio valley.

Menton was first recommended as a health resort by an english doctor, John henry Bennett in 1859. he had been diagnosed as consumptive and after spending a winter in Menton with its micro-climate where the surrounding mountains protect it from the cold winds and its proximity to the sea, he made a full recovery. after this many wealthy americans sent their suffering relatives to Menton for the cure.

the land that Major Johnston bought also boasted an attractive farm-house built about two thirds of the way up the slope, italianate in style. this land was terraced in typical alpes-Maritimes fashion to enable the cultivation of olive and fruit trees and so Major Johnston kept this feature, incorporating it into the garden design. he built a central stone staircase to run down from the house between the terraces and adorned it with a series of grottos and pools at each level. a lily pond and larger terrace were added to the side of the house which overlooked the descent of the garden. Much of the serre de la Madone design was reminiscent of hidcote and through this association, Mr. ingwersen, a friend of Johnston, asked if his son, Will, could work in the Gorbio garden for the experience. the ingwersen family were and are to this day, foremost authoritarians and growers of alpine plants. Will ingwersen spent a number of years working in the French garden, three of them as head Gardener.

Johnston also had a number of friends who lived on the riviera who loved their gardens. edith Wharton, the american novelist, was one amongst them with her garden at chateau st. clair at hyeres as well as vicomte noailles with whom Johnston played tennis. vicomte noailles created two beautiful gardens, one at his villa in hyeres, in the var and the other in Grasse, in the alpes-Maritimes. nora Warre, a close friend whose villa garden was nearby to Johnston recalled how generous he was with the distribution to his gardening friends of unusual plants that he had collected during his many expeditions .

Major Johnston had been brought up in Paris and cambridge (eventually becoming a British subject) and was passionate about english gardening which had become fashionable thanks to people such as Gertrude Jekyll and vita sackville West of sissinghurst castle renown. his dream was to stock the garden at serre de la Madone with plants from all over the world and in particular those which he could not grow in the english climate. so rare trees and shrubs were imported from china, australia, south africa and asia and planted in the most careful positions to allow them their maximum survival rate. But he also used his passion for english style gardening to create swathes of colour and textures to edge the terraces and stone staircases and collections of bulbs to give all year round interest.

large clumps of strelitzias (Birds of Paradise) were planted at strategic points in the garden almost like punctuation marks so that the overall effect is of a lush Mediterranean landscape. the bright colours of the hisbiscus and bourgainvilleas, the jacaranda trees and salvia bushes are

By alex Barrie

For garden lovers everywhere, a visit to serre de la Madone set in the heart of the Gorbio valley, Menton, is a must. Major lawrence Johnston, the wealthy Paris-born american who created the luscious hidcote Garden in 1905 deep in

the english cotswold countryside, continued his creative passion at serre de la Madone starting work on the garden in 1924.

The Garden of Major Lawrence Johnston

Serre de la Madone, Menton

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Images courtesy of: Office de Tourisme de Menton - Nicolas Sartore

For more information go the website: www.serredelamadone.com or www.tourisme-menton.fr

Open: Monday to saturday except 25th December and lst January, 1st april to 31st October - 10am to 6pm, 1st December to 31st March - 10am to 5pm

Price of entry: adults €8, children and students €4, children under 12 years free.Group prices - less than 21 people - €78 + €3 per person. Groups of 21 - 50 people, €104 + €3 per person

How to get there: From nice take the 100 bus or the train to Menton. From the centre of Menton take the Bus no. 7 ‘azur Park’ and get off at the ‘serre de la Madone’ stop and it is barely a 50m walk to the garden.

Amenities: Garden shop, tea shop, parking and toilets. however, the garden is not designed for people with walking disabilities because of the number of steps and steep paths nor is there any wheelchair access. Dogs are also not allowed.

in sharp contrast to the gentle grasses around water lilies in the ponds and the perfumed jasmines and honeysuckles on the trellises which give dappled shade. crisp low box hedging gives form and shape to flower beds and lower down the garden, gigantic Mahonia bushes (Mahonias were one of the numerous plants Johnston introduced to europe having brought them back from his plant expeditions with George Forrest to the yunnan in china in 1931) and several unusual specimens of eucalyptus give dense welcome shade from the hot Mediterranean sun.

Major Johnston spent the best part of thirty years of his life creating this garden spending huge amounts of money on its development and care. he remained in France for a large part of this time going back to england usually only for the summer months. his final years were spent totally at serre de la Madone as in august 1948 he had assured the care and upkeep of his hidcote Garden by putting it in the hands of the english national trust. however, his French garden disintegrated after his death in 1958 but was finally rescued from total extinction by the French Government and classed as a Monument historique in 1990 and the ownership was transferred to the conservatoire du littoral in 1999. this created a renewed interest in the Garden and now its restoration and regeneration are well under way. a ‘Friends of serre de la Madone’ was formed and garden tours by knowledgeable gardeners are a regular feature as is the little garden shop selling books and gardening memorabilia.

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From some of its terraces you can see over to the Baie de Garavan as the garden winds its way up a gentle slope from the street level. the villa and its grounds once belonged to lord Percy radcliffe, a former British Governor of Malta who created the garden around 1920. he collected a large number of exotic fruit trees and bushes including avocado, kiwi and banana trees and also varieties from the datura family (solanacee). the garden was a wonderfully chaotic structure full of interesting, perfumed and edible plants, many of which were tropical and surviving here thanks to the micro-climate of Menton.

May campbell, the last private owner of val rahmeh was a wealthy eccentric english lady who was passionate about flowers and ornamental plants. she enriched the garden enormously during the l950’s and improved and renovated the design. a big effort was made in the 1990’s to renew and re-stock the garden by the current owners, the French Museum of national history, which has owned the garden since 1966.

val rahmeh is famous for its collection of unusual and rare exotic plants so is of great interest to keen horticulturists and gardeners. amongst an almost endless list of unusual plants are several wonderful, heavily scented datura bushes (angels’ trumpets) and many of the frost tender salvias. Banana trees, strelitzias (Birds of Paradise) and a very rare sophora toromiro (which is the mystical sacred tree of easter lsland) can be found here too while colourful bougainvilleas and campsis cover many of the walls and hedges of the property.

the Garavan area of Menton is also famous for its small private gardens which include Jardin des colombieres in rue Ferdinand Bac and, lower down at the bottom of avenue aristide Briand the lovely garden owned by William Waterfield, le clos du Peyronnet. these last two gardens can only be seen by appointment and neither will disappoint. information about how to see these gardens is available from the Office of tourism.

of val Rahmeh, Menton

To discover more about all the gardens that Menton has to offer, go to the Office of tourism website www.jardins-menton.fr - or contact Office de tourisme de Menton, 8 avenue Boyer, Palais de l’europe, 06506 Menton. tel: 04 92 41 76 76www.tourisme-menton.fr

Address: le Jardin exotique val rahmeh, avenue saint Jacques, 06506 Menton. tel: 04 93 35 86 72

How to get there: From nice get either the train from Gare thiers or riquier to Menton and get off at Garavan or the 100 bus to Menton from the Gare routiere and walk right the way along the Promenade in the direction of italy. avenue saint Jacques can be found on the left hand side of the Promenade opposite the Port de Garavan. if you get to the old italian frontier post, you have gone too far!!

Opening Times:1st april - 30th september: 10am - 12.30pm & 15.30 - 18.30pm1st October - 31st March: 10am - 12.30pm & 14.00 - 17.00pm

Prices: €6 per person or €3 each if with a group of 12 or more, €3 for students and children from 7 - 15 years, free for children under 7 years.

Mondays guided tours from 15.30 p.m. €8 per person.

For the past 15 years, Menton has been classed as one of the most beautiful floral towns in France. it has a number of public gardens, one of which is le

Jardin exotique val rahmeh which you will find about half way up avenue saint Jacques in the Garavan district of Menton.

Images with thanks to: Mairie de Menton - Press Office

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where did it all start?One day in July of 2006 i was having lunch with my companion, claude, at a local restaurant and we noticed some kittens in the bushes. i asked the restaurant owners about them and i learned that there were six of them and the mother, who was less than two years old, was pregnant again with her fifth litter. Poor little thing, she was skinny, scrawny and beaten-down. Being a stray cat she was wary of humans, you couldn’t get near her or her kittens. the restaurant owners fed them scraps and they said they would like to have her sterilized but they didn’t know how to go about it.

i came back the next day and saw that one of the kittens had a badly injured eye. i was told that there was a fight with a dominant male cat and she had gotten in the middle. i decided to take action right away and recruited the neighbourhood children to help me trap them. at the time i didn’t have any of the sophisticated equipment that we have now, only your standard plastic carrying cages and some string to pull the door shut. With patience and perseverance we had all the kittens and the mother within 3 days. the mother was taken to the vet’s and spayed and i kept five of the six kittens for taming (one of the kittens had already allowed himself to be caught and was adopted into a good home). the one with the injured eye (Pirate) had to have drops several times a day and as a result stayed very wary of humans. another one was just so terrified that it took several months before i could touch him after he was let out of his cage. We call him timo, he and Pirate live with us in st etienne de tinée. the remaining three kittens were tamed and adopted and at six months were sterilized. their mother, ciel, still lives next to the restaurant, has a nice little shelter, is well fed and serene but she still won’t let anyone touch her.

needless to say all this cost money, the sterilizations, taming cages, medication, wormer, food, not to mention the gas (nearest vet is 80km away) and time. i made an appointment with the deputy mayor to ask for money to help me offset these costs, she told me that unless i was an official association (loi 1901) there wasn’t anything they could do. so, i created the association, “les chats du Mercantour”. since then we’ve

had sterilized and /or placed around 600 cats and kittens and helped st etienne de tinée and many other mountain communities become more pleasant places to live for their inhabitants, cats and people alike.

why capture & sterilise? smell of urine, yowling during mating season, proliferation, and development of epizootics, complaints against stray cats are numerous. Before January 6, 1999, the ‘code rural’ advocated euthanasia, forgetting that our friends play a role as a filter against certain pests – mice and rats – that pose a much more serious sanitary risk.

the foundation 30 Millions d’amis’ goal is to show that the problem of stray cat over population can be solved by sterilization. this reasoning is born of the official report that euthanasia or the displacement of cat colonies is ineffective against proliferation.

On the one hand, spaying and neutering automatically stabilizes the population that continues to play its role as a filter against pests (rats, mice,) and on the other hand, it curbs the problem of yowling and bad odours.

what we do?When we are informed of the presence of stray cats in the haute tinée, we come and capture them and have them spayed/neutered. in the case of kittens, we capture them then keep them for taming and eventual adoption.

the association “les chats du Mercantour” has become quite well known to communities throughout the valleys for its effectiveness in the control of stray cat populations. in certain cases, in collaboration with local authorities, we bring our services to other mountain municipalities as well.

We capture the stray cats with special traps that let us capture the animals without harming them. the cat is then taken to the veterinarian who proceeds with its sterilization. after the operation it is then released at the same place it was captured. the small notch on their ear made by the veterinarian identifies sterilized cats.

Ex-veterinary assistant, Leslie Frasier set up Les Chats du Mercantour charity in 2006 with a view to helping control the stray cat population in the surrounding mountain communities. leslie and the cats rely on kindhearted people all

over the French riviera and in the mountains to help with donations, fostering and adoption. leslie tells Prestige how it all started and how you could help this charity.

Les chats du Mercantour

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When we are notified of a litter of stray kittens, we capture the ones that are too young to be sterilized, treat them for parasites and illness, tame them and find them an adoptive family. all our adoptions are followed up making sure the animal has a good home and is sterilized when the time comes.

where we are?although many of our cats and kittens waiting for adoption are in foster homes on the French riviera from nice to cannes, our headquarters (claude and i’s home) is actually located in st etienne de tinée, six kilometres from auron ski station. the “lazy claw cabin” as well as the other sixty plus sterilized cats our volunteers look after are in the tinée and vésubie valleys.

the Lazy claw cabin the lazy claw cabin is a cabin in the woods about 7 km outside of st etienne de tinée that shelters abandoned, sterilized cats from the haute tinée who would otherwise be homeless. the cabin is heated (a bit) in the winter and the very comfortable donated armchair is equipped with a heating pad.

a volunteer from les chats du Mercantour (Myself, claude or lydie) goes every day or two to clean-up, feed and cuddle the cats staying there.the cabin has two cat-flaps to the outdoors so the cats are free to come and go as they please. the cats also have a wonderful view of the mountains and river from their heated armchair.

there are four unoccupied barns within 50 meters of the cabin that the cats have access to as well. One of these barns belongs to claude and i; we are renovating it to eventually live in.

the association is renting the cabin and it has had electricity installed.there is no water so large jugs have to be carried up.in the winter we have to use snowshoes, as it’s about 200 meters up a steep path from where we park our car. sometimes we use a sledge to bring up supplies (food, litter, water, bedding…) but most of the time we make several trips lugging them up in large sacs or backpacks.

How we can help youif it’s too complicated for you to take a cat to the vet to have him sterilized, or you have neither a car nor a carrying cage, then contact us and we will help you find a solution best adapted to your needs. We can lend you a carrying cage, or a trap in the case of a difficult cat, and, in certain cases, we can even organize the transport of your cat from the haute tinée to the veterinary clinic.

if you would like your cat sterilized but can’t afford it under certain conditions, you can benefit from a special price given to our association by the veterinarians who work with us. in certain cases the association will pay for the sterilization. Don’t hesitate to contact us and we will look into your request.

How you can help usWe are trying to find sponsors for each of the cats in the lazy claw as well as all the other cats the association provides for so we can concentrate our effort on educating the mountain communities on the importance of sterilization, and the capture and sterilization itself, instead of trying to find money to buy food and pay rent..

We have permission to build a small barn with two levels of hay storage that we would use also to shelter otherwise homeless sterilized cats. this project will cost about 20,000€ so we’ll need to find a lot of donors!!

We also have plans to construct very small cabins that don’t require a building permit on the same land next to the barns and the lazy claw cabin.

adopt a cat We are always looking for good homes for our cats,every adoption is different so it’s best to call or e-mail to find out more. We always ask for a donation with each adoption to help us cover costs. cats absolutely must be kept inside for about a month to establish their new territory; otherwise if they get out they will go looking for their old home and become lost. We would ask anyone who adopts a cat or kitten to give it two to three weeks to settle in, if after that time you find that the cat is not for you, or, you are not for the cat, we will always welcome it back to be re-homed or find another solution..

sponsor a catOur goal is to find a sponsor for each of our cats. We ask 10€ per month to sponsor each cat, for 5€ you can share a cat. if we find a sponsor for each cat, we can use the other funds collected for sterilizing stray cats in our mountain villages as well as treating and housing abandoned kittens and cats until a permanent home is found.

Foster a catOne way you could help us is to become a foster home for a cat or a kitten while it’s waiting to find a good permanent home. We already have people doing this from nice to cannes, but we could always do with more.

Lazy Claw Cabin in winter Zeus,Moussette and Mickey in Lazy Claw Cabin

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Fostering an adult catMany times our adult cats are nice cats that have been abandoned in the street or by their owners who can no longer keep them (change of lifestyle, move to another place, death of the owner, etc.).

it usually takes a few weeks to a few months to re-home adult cats and many times if a foster home can’t be found these cats end up in a cage in a shelter, abandoned in the street or put down.

Fostering a kitten or a few kittensDuring the kitten season, we have many kittens that need fostering. Kittens are usually adopted quickly so they don’t stay in their foster home for very long. sometimes we get in tame, healthy, friendly kittens already ready to be adopted. these find homes quickly.

We usually get kittens in who need a few days to a couple of weeks of tender, loving care before being ready to be adopted. every case is different but we need foster homes on-call who would be willing to give lots of attention to these little ones so they will be adoptable as soon as possible. the shy, wild kittens are kept in a taming cage large enough for their bed, litter-box, toys, food and water with some space to play. Our association provides the cage. these kittens need to be stroked and handled as much as possible until they get used to human contact and are purring and playing. if you already have other pets sometimes fostering kittens in a cage is the best option.

cat careOur adult cats have been tested negative for Felv/Fiv (feline leukemia and feline aiDs), have been treated for worms and fleas and have been spayed or neutered. the Felv/Fiv test is not reliable on kittens less than four months old, if the mother of the kittens is known, she is captured and sterilized and tested for Felv/Fiv, otherwise the kittens are not tested.

Kittens are treated for worms and fleas and we provide a sterilization coupon that certain veterinarian’s honour by giving a reduced rate on the sterilization. Kittens should be spayed or neutered at six months (or earlier if the kitten is female and shows signs of being in ‘heat’).

If you would like more information about the work of Les Chats du Mercantour, or you would like to foster, sponsor or adopt a cat or even help us to raise funds then, please contact me:

Leslie Frasier Address: 32 rue Droite, 06660 St Etienne de Tinée, FranceTel: +33 (0)4 93 02 33 41 / +33 (0)6 18 94 35 76Email: leschatsdumercantour@orange.fr www.leschatsdumercantour.com

watch out for our ‘cat snap’ in every issueIt will feature a cat from Les Chats du Mercantour that needs fostering, sponsoring or a new home.

Bruiser

Flower

Bonny Bonnie

Averel & Green Eyes

Twinky

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Six of us were at dinner the other evening when this idea cropped up. Two of the guys had checked the precise time the sun would rise and we’d rise even earlier so we could watch the sunrise from the top of Mont Ventoux - the ‘Giant of Provence’ - the highest point in the region.

Mont Ventoux is an outlying part of the French Alps, a majestic lone mountain east of the delicate Dentelles de Montmirail range and north of the Luberon range. People often assume the name means windy, from the French venteux, but it’s thought that it dates from the 1st century AD and refers instead to a Gaulish god, Vintur. Another interpretation is that Ventoux derives from “Ven Top” meaning snowy summit in ancient Gallic. Ventoux is also sometimes referred to as the Bald Mountain - seen from a distance it seems to have a snowy peak all year round but when you arrive at the top in summer or autumn you find it’s made of bare white limestone.

The views at sunrise are reputed to be beautiful and we duly rose before dawn and set off. The summit of Ventoux can often be incredibly windy with speeds of up to 200 mph. The wind generally blows at a more gentle 55 mph but even that’s enough in my view when you’re perched on a bare mountain peak.

I was intrigued by the idea of watching the sun rise from this vantage point over Provence. Ventoux looks down over the great Rhône valley and can be seen from almost everywhere in the region. Generally I see it in the distance when I sit in my local café drinking a little white coffee known as a noisette or hazelnut. I see it too as I drive to the nearby town, Isle sur la Sorgue, to shop in the market. Ventoux is a great Provencal landmark whether you’re heading north to Chateauneuf-du-Pape to taste wine in the famous

By Catherine Boylan

“the idea is this” said my friend at dinner. “we all get up at 4.30am

and leave for mont ventoux at 5. It’ll take an hour to drive there

and we’ll be in time to see the sun rise over Provence at 6.13am.”

Sunrise seen from mont ventoux

50

a few tips to keep you safe: Ᏽ Do not climb with a strong facing wind, or when the clouds hide the summit. The best time to go is on a sunny day when the view is clear; it would be a pity to walk or cycle in the rain or clouds, which would spoil the view.

Ᏽ It is also important not to forget the changes of temperatures; it can be really cold with the wind, so do take extra clothing protection.

Ᏽ Be fit and able to deal with the challenge to avoid being completely exhausted at the top.

Ᏽ Do not forget that the ascent is long: between 20 and 25 km. This means between 1h30 and 2h30 of effort.

vineyeards, south to the Camargue wetlands, west to Avignon and the Palais des Papes or east to Nice and Cap Ferrat. The mountain is famous in France and internationally as a stage in the Tour de France and we knew that on our way down, once the sunlight arrived, we’d see cycling enthusiasts pedalling furiously uphill, following in the cycle tracks of their Tour de France heros.

When it comes to holidays and leisure activities I have to admit I’m not very sporty. My idea of heaven on holiday is not thrashing around trying to beat records or compete with uber-fit sporty types. So I was mildly shocked when one of our group told me, as we drove lazily to the peak, that her brother, who lives in Belgium, comes home to Provence every year and spends several days hauling himself up and down Mont Ventoux on his super-swishy Tour de France style bike. And then goes back to Brussels and works for another year. Takes all sorts I suppose.

We arrived at the summit just before 6.13am to be greeted by whipping winds. While the July daytime temperature in Provence is usually in the high 20s or more, here on the peak of Ventoux - nearly 2000 metres high and before sunrise - it was cold. We wrapped ourselves in coats, poured coffee from flasks, settled on the rocks and waited for the sun to appear. At first there was just a light golden glow behind distant mountains. Then the first fraction of a brilliant gold sun came into view. Within minutes, this sliver of brilliance rose and became a small perfect orb of intense light.

For a moment one of our party, Philippe, stood near the edge of the peak and positioned his hand so he seemed to hold this small glowing sun in his palm. And then we just watched as the sunlight diffused to reveal one of the most beautiful panoramas in all Europe.

Sweeping away to the north were the Alps - wave on irregular wave of progressively higher mountains wreathed in a delicate morning mist. To the west we looked over the jaggy peaks of the Dentelles range and the region of Cevennes. Way to the east, behind the Plateau d’Albion, Mont Viso was visible on the Italian boundary. South, towards the deep twisting Gorges de la Nesque, were the Luberon and Mont Saint-Victoire. It was not quite clear enough to see the Mediterranean sea and the Camargue but nevertheless it struck me how amazingly varied Provence is. on the same day, you can easily be here on the windy peak of Mont Ventoux and down at the blazing hot Mediterranean shore of the Camargue or Cote d’Azur. Like visiting two different countries.

on the way down the mountain we passed at least two dozen cyclists, pushing themselves and their bikes up to the highest point in Provence. It looked like very hard work.

Ventoux is also a great place to walk in spring, ski in winter and gather mushrooms in autumn. (This summer we’d seen girolles in the local market with sellers claiming they were found on Ventoux. Dark mutterings at the local bar say they more likely came from Poland!) For walkers, there are many beautiful forest paths with an occasional picnic table, or plaque describing a local owl, flower or beetle. It’s a wonderful mountain with hugely varied vegetation, flora and fauna. Classified by UNESCo as a Réserve de Biosphère it’s one of only ten such sites in France.

And in this region - which attracts so many people seeking sun, light, heat and beauty - the Giant of Provence provides a great vantage point for a different take on sunny Provence. Watching the sunrise from the peak of Mont Ventoux is a spectacular experience.

51

Based in Cannes, columbus has created a new way for customers to ride the latest motorbike specialities

without the inconveniences or costs of ownership.

the concept is straightforward. Members pay an annual fee and in return get a credit to spend on columbus’ fine motorbikes and exclusive services. nothing more and nothing less. But, it’s not only about the financial benefit – no depreciation, no insurance, no servicing, maintenance, garage or storage costs. With over 300 days of annual sunshine and pleasant temperatures, the south of France belongs to the best driving spots in the world. the choice of breathtaking roads is near endless – the famous route napoleon, the twisting col de turini and scenic coastal routes between Monaco and st.-tropez are just a few highlights.

all motorbikes are fully insured and serviced to the highest manufacturer standards. columbus has the largest choice of rental Ducatis in France, including the new Multistrada 1200, streetfighter, supersport 848, hypermotard 1100 and Monster 696. in addition, motorbike icons such as the BMW s1000rr, triumph rocket iii, Mv agusta Brutale 910r and a hollister’s custom chopper are coming soon. all motorcycles are less than one year old and can be delivered within 100km of cannes. On top of that, the company can arrange personal tour guides or provide GPs navigation with pre-loaded routes to your chosen bike. helmet cameras are also available.

Becoming a member gets you access to more than just fine bikes. What's more, columbus organises luxury motorcycle holidays (weekend trips and week tours) throughout the year. these holidays are not only about spending time on two wheels. there is something for everyone, with special tours for gourmet food and wine lovers, sports and culture fans and, of course, motor enthusiasts. Members therefore, benefit from special rates at selected hotels and restaurants in the region and get full access to a luxury chauffeur service.

Columbus will be glad to provide you with further information.Collumbus International - tel: + 33 (0)4 83 15 82 64www.columbus-international.com

Take a fun tour around the amazing city of nice in an electric car. this new innovative allows you to visit all

the wonderful sights with a guide, but not the human kind!

Get behind the wheel of one of the eight yellow, fun looking cars of visit my city and be guided along the riviera by an audio system and GPs. a screen tells you which direction to go depending on the route you have chosen in advance and your virtual tourist guide is a voice information service that is available in several languages (english, italian, spanish, German and russian). every time you stop at a place of interest the cars virtual guide will tell you all about.

this ingenious idea has already been a hit with the tourists this summer and is set to attract even larger numbers wanting to see the sights as the cooler weather starts to creep in.

you can choose tour times of one hour, half day or full day and prices start at €30, you can also select one of three available road tours- the coastal trail, nice incorporating a view of the hills, rangelands and coast or nice with the view of the hills. there are also discounted rates for families and groups.

although the cars are electric, you must still hold a valid driving license to rent a vehicle.

Open: October - May 10am til 7pm, June - September 9am til 9pm

8 Place Masséna, 06000 nice - tel: 04 93 160 159 - www.visitmycity.fr

visit My City

the ride Of Your Life

52

the new lights give that jewel-like quality and they now have a string of stunning leD daytime running lights in them which i’m a big fan of. new front wing vents with leD indicators and a redesigned rear bumper and taillights complete the exterior alteration.

the old range rover sport’s interior was a weak point, but the new one in this revised car is fantastic thanks to lots of soft-touch surfaces and a 50% reduction in the button count. the new front seats are truly comfortable too, and, unusually, on a 200 mile round trip through northamptonshire norfolk and lincolnshire i felt utterly free from aches and pains. the interior really is a lovely place to spend your time.

the sport is the most driver-focussed range rover you can buy, so what’s under the lid matters. the sport has just gained the new twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel v6 lump that’s also found in the Jaguar XF s. in the sport this churns out a whopping 245hp and 625nm, which is a handy 29% more power and 36% more torque than its predecessor. What’s more, the engine also delivers an 8.9% improvement

in fuel efficiency and an 8.3% reduction in cO2 emissions. it’s an exquisite engine, and suits the car well. Despite the sport’s colossal bulk, the torque of the engine means you’re never struggling for speed, while the liquid-smooth ZF six-speed auto gearbox ensures utter refinement.

Despite the range rover sport’s fashionable on-road ability, it remains a thoroughly accomplished off-roader too. the low range gears and brilliant terrain response systems all work well together, allowing you to drive up and down ridiculously steep gradients, and navigate muddy, rutted trails with ease. there’s even a new sand launch control system which, as you’d expect, helps you to get through sandy conditions.

Despite all the nips and tucks and with a price tag of over £50k the range rover sport is still a flamboyant sUv, but when you sit in the new cabin, being powered along by the ultra-refined engine, in total comfort, the car delivers a feel-good factor that very few other vehicles in this sector can offer.

range rover sport3.0 TDv6 HSE

Review by Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist © Tim Barnes-Clay 2010

The Range Rover Sport is positioned as the most dynamic model in the land rover range and the latest version of the ever-popular car has had a thorough going-over. it is still a big, imposing vehicle, but the slimmer two-bar grille and

simplified front bumper help soften the sport’s aggressive appearance.

Max speed 120 mph

0-62 mph 8.8 secs

Combined mpg 30.7

Engine layout 2993 cc, V6

Max power 245 bhp

Max torque 625 Nm

CO2 243 g/km

Price from 56 550 €

Facts & Figures

53

tHE satELLItE, a rEvoLutIoN INsIDEin order to optimize the performance of the JP54 and to create a new indoor living space, the boat has a satellite; and a rotating carousel. this innovative concept was developed on board Paprec-virbac 2 (Jean-Pierre’s 60’ iMOca, winner of the Barcelona World race).

the satellite is a galley-chart table unit into which all the systems such as the batteries, hydraulics and storage are fitted. the loaded weight (600 kg) can be transferred windward in a few seconds just by pressing a button. it is the first time that a similar concept has been put into use on a cruising yacht. the gain is important both in terms of performance and comfort on board. the sailors are always windward when at the chart table or cooking, while the guests enjoy a large space leeward.

a uNIQuE INtErIor DEsIgN By stéPHaNIE marINthis distribution of the interior space takes on a new approach: priority is given to space. the carousel redefines the space and changes the interior on each change of tack. the impression of space is reinforced by forward cabins opening onto the saloon-carousel and by the unique and incredibly spacious shower and toilet. you can sail with a limited crew or with the family on the JP54, in a comfortable, spacious and luminous space, thanks to the large seats positioned all along the hull. the two aft cabins are equipped with a huge bed where you can lie down and listen to music thanks to the integrated music system. a large number of storage spaces are provided under the rounded seating.

maNoEuvrINg sImPLIcIty oN BoarD tHE JP54Jean-Pierre Dick: “Through the experience of single-handed sailing, I have been able to design a boat that is really simple to use.” the hydraulic winches remove the physical side to manoeuvring. in 10 minutes, all the sails are hoisted! the cockpit is uncluttered making movement easy on deck and allowing you to enjoy the sunbaths comfortably. the whole of the pit is brought back to starboard on an electric winch. there is no mainsheet rail. the JP54 can easily be manoeuvred double-handed in all circumstances.

the JP54 is a non-ostentatious luxury sailboat, performing, elegant and pleasant to navigate! its technical and aesthetic characteristics are sure going to appeal to both, experts and novices willing to rediscover the joy of sailing!

wELcomE aBoarD!

The French sailor, Jean-Pierre Dick, teamed up with designer Guillaume verdier, a young and talented French architect who has designed Jean-Pierre’s new racing yacht for the vendée

Globe 2012 and interior designer stéphanie Marin who is famous for her pebbles cushions to produce a unique, top-of-the range fast cruising yacht,

For those that missed it at the Cannes Boat show, Prestige share with you the JP54

“I imagined the cruising yacht of my dreams during my last two Vendée Globe races. I wanted to sail offshore and at the same time enjoy stopovers. I therefore conceived the JP54, a uniquely designed light and fast yacht, to retain the pleasure of surfing at 20 knots more comfortably than on my racing yacht. With the JP54, you can share the sensations and the pleasures of sailing with your family and friends.” Jean-Pierre Dick

maIN cHaractErIstIcs oF tHE JP54

Hull length 16.45m

overall length 18.235m

Beam 5.3m

Air draft 25.10m

Draft 3.5m (2.5m with the keel canted)

Displacement 9 tons

Sail area upwind 216m2

Sail area downwind 434m2

Architect Guillaume verdier

Interior designer stéphanie Marin

Concept Jean-Pierre Dick

Builder Absolute Dreamer

Base de sous-marin de Keroman

56100 lorient, France

tel. +33 (0)2 97 87 86 05

JP@absolute-dreamer.com

An absolute Dreamer of a yacht

54

www.riviera-world.com7, bis rue Antoine Gauthier 06300 Nice - Port - Tel/Fax : 04 920 48 920 - Email: contact@riviera-world.com

Riviera World - We speak your language!

RIVIERA WORLD PROPERTIES

Due to successful sales and rentals we now need more properties to sell and rent.

We are looking for all types of properties from apartments to villas in all different price ranges.

Contact us for an appointment or informal chat with complete discretion and without obligation

12 Rue Cassini06300 Nice04.93.56.98.71www.kfactory.eu

55

Massena

San Diego La Vague Bleue

Photos by TMG-PHOTOtel: 06 68 66 43 70

email: tim.mcguffog@sfr.fr

Massena, rue collet, la vague Bleue & san Diego are available to rent through nicepebbles.com

Whether your purchase is a villa, apartment or studio, for personal use, investment

or both, MB Design & Renovation offers a personal package taking all of the headache out of designing and reno-vating your property on the cote d’azur.

MB Design & Renovation work closely with all their clients to guarantee the finished result fulfils all the requirements. From managing the project, budget and by liasing and using only their trusted local sub-contractors and suppliers they ensure that they can deliver your dream property on budget and on time.

Office: 00 33 (0)4 93 54 38 04Mobile: 00 33 (0)6 98 25 17 46email: mb.designrenovation@yahoo.fr

Massena

Massena

La Vague Bleue

Collet

updown Court is a spectacular mansion of unparalleled scale and luxury, developed as the first stately home for the 21st century in the UK.

this 58-acre estate has all the features of the grandest homes in Britain, together with state of the art technology. it is this unique combination of the very best of the traditional with the latest, cutting edge facilities that makes it the most expensive property for sale in the UK.

located in the picturesque village of Windlesham, Updown court sits at the centre of the “golden triangle” framed by ascot, runnymede, and Weybridge. the area, situated among the rolling hills of surrey, has long been a highly coveted location. the romans settled there as early as the 2nd century a.D. With royal patronage stretching back centuries the “triangle” south west of london and directly adjoining Windsor has long-standing aristocratic and regal connections.

Prior to the 19th century Windlesham and Bagshot were one parish. Windlesham was the residential centre built around the 12th century church of st John the Baptist, and Bagshot was the trade hub of the area acting as a main turnpike out of london. the parish was home to a bustling high street with the royal estate of Bagshot Park on the outskirts of the village. During the reign of henry iii the area was designated part of Windsor Forest and ever since it has attracted kings and queens from Britain and further afield.

During the last century Windlesham established itself as an exclusive retreat for those in search of country life with easy access to the city. the crown estate acquired Windlesham Manor, located opposite Updown court, early during the 20th century. For some years it was home to Princess elizabeth before she became Queen. the property now belongs to his highness sheikh hamden al Maktoum, deputy ruler of the United arab emirates.

the original Updown court mansion was built in 1924 on twelve acres of land. in 1977 his highness Prince sami Gayed, an egyptian price, who held several ministerial posts in Qatar, made Updown court his home. since its original conception Updown court has transformed itself into a 21st century stately home of unparalleled scale and luxury.

For further details contact: Mr Alan Mackinnon Updown Court Ltd Tel: 0044 (0) 1276 453336

For sa

LE

updown c

ourt

- £70

milli

on +

Rachael, Prestige’s Editor, in one of the many bathrooms at Updown Court

58

LuxuRY ACCOMMODATIONapproached through a pair of large ornate wrought iron gates and reached via one of the first ever heated marble driveways, the Updown court estate includes the main house, built on a palatial scale over four floors; a security lodge to provide 24 hour security, two guest houses, comprising of nine bedroom/bathroom suites in total and a separate manager’s office. there is underground garaging for eight limousines and a helipad for private landings.

the main house has been organised on a scale to allow for ambassadorial entertaining as well as conventional private family living. On the ground floor, there is a triple height reception area with marble flooring and French doors leading onto an extensive terrace overlooking the gardens. there is the master suite which opens out onto a private swimming pool, the library, study, breakfast room, banqueting hall, office, private sitting room and another large indoor swimming pool.

a pair of sweeping staircases lead up to a galleried landing on the first floor - a replica to that in versace’s home in Miami. leading off from this are the east and West wings, with four bedroom/bathroom en-suites in each. On the top floor are two luxury penthouse suites, each with two en-suite bedrooms a large shared central reception area and a roof top infinity pool.

BEAuTIFuL GARDENSthe property sits in over 12 acres of landscaped gardens and 46 acres of mature private woodland featuring broadleaf and evergreens. carefully divided into different areas to appeal to all tastes, it includes formal gardens, a dramatic lake and 10 metre fountain, formal lawns and several ponds. Paved pathways lead through the gardens and run alongside an ornamental stream.

ExTENSIvE LEISuRE FACILITIESthis unique property has five separate heated swimming pools all with their own individual views of the property’s stunning surroundings. two outside pools are located in discreet areas of the landscaped gardens, protected by trees. the third outdoor swimming pool is an “infinity pool”, housed on the roof of the main building, with panoramic views across the surrey countryside.

indoor, there are two further pools, one exquisitely mosaiced and reached by its own specially designed glass lift, the other, situated under a dramatic double height ceiling.

in the basement there is a squash court built in a glass box so spectators can watch the game from above; a two lane bowling alley and a spectacular private cinema with its own bar. a special wine cellar has also been created to hold in excess of 300 bottles in a temperature controlled environment.

Within the grounds is stabling for five horses with a tack room and an all-weather floodlit tennis court.

IDEAL LOCATIONUpdown court is only 28 miles from central london and within a 20 minute ride by car to heathrow airport.

the local area has a range of top schools for all ages, including eton college and st Mary’s school at ascot.

sporting facilities nearby include golf at Wentworth, Fox hills, the Berkshire and sunningdale, racing at ascot, Windsor, Kempton and sandown Park and polo at smith’s lawn, the Great Park and the royal county of Berkshire Polo club.

Despite the recession, we can all dream. you may notice the odd cracked tile on the terrace and a wonky shower head that could be replaced. you may

wonder whether the roof tiles will stay put during the next bout of thunder and lightning. But you can always look at the beautiful homes of the rich and famous, let out a long low whistle and say with relief: “Thank god I don’t have to pay the insurance on THAT.”

villa leopolda on the French riviera is one of those beautiful homes. in 2008, russian metals magnate Mikhail Prokhorov offered owner lily safra a whopping €500 million for the villa, however, the price reported at the occasion of a lawsuit in February 2010 was €370 million which would have still made it easily the world’s most expensive home. Billionaire Prokhorov was no doubt attracted by the villa’s commanding position on the hauteurs of villefranche sur Mer, its classical design and the luscious Mediterranean vegetation shielding it from prying eyes.

the villa’s covered terraces, cypress-tree-lined drives and clear turquoise swimming pools make villa leopolda an undeniably blissful property. King leopold ii of Belgium had the villa built in 1902, creating a huge estate and an imposing 19 bedroom home which he furnished with priceless antiques. in time, villa leopolda passed out of the hands of royalty into the hands of owners who added tennis courts, bowling alleys and a cinema. Wealthy Jewish banker edmond safra lived in the villa with his wife lily during the ‘90s, employing 50 gardeners to keep the estate neat and trim. Unfortunately he also employed an american nurse, ted Maher, who set safras Monaco penthouse on fire one night killing 67-year-old safra and another of his nurses. ted Maher claimed that he started the fire so he could carry out a daring rescue, therefore increasing his standing in the safra family’s eyes but he allegedly lost control of the fire unintentionally.

Prokhorov hasn’t had much luck with villa leopolda either. he fell foul of French property law in 2010 after deciding to withdraw from the purchase. the court in nice told him in august that he has to forfeit the €39 million deposit he put down on the property because he changed his mind about buying long after the statutory seven day ‘cooling-off’ period. in France, once the compromis de vente or initial sale contract is signed, a deposit is due and the sale must proceed unless you back out within the week.

the court ruled that lily safra, edmond’s elderly widow, was entitled to keep all those deposited millions - plus interest of €1.5 million. she responded magnanimously by saying that she’ll give the money to charity.

Meanwhile, she continues to seek a buyer for the world’s most expensive home.

the world’s Most Expensive Home

For sa

LE

villa Le

opold

a - P.o

.a.

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InteriorNewsBagno sassoFar away from traditional bathrooms, nowadays large-scaled bathrooms are planned and equipped with an eye for the detail.

the swiss company Bagno sasso is internationally known for interior design, especially for bathroom and wellness. the company’s exquisite products have won numerous awards, including the internationally coveted ‘red dot design’ award - best of the best for its ‘Wedge’ washbasin and the ammonit won the’ innovation’ award.

all furniture and bathtubs are self-made designs and are developed together with renowned artists, architects and designers. the company create products which surprise the customer and which give highest convenience in every day life.

www.bagnosasso.com

PI table & PI LegsThe Pi Table & PI legs started with the question to a retired bridge engineer – how do we make a flat-pack table that will be stable?

the Pi table & legs have been designed to accommodate recycled floor planks, antique doors, plywood and laminated solid wood. the variability of tabletop material options for this table concept are almost endless. it is initially being launched in plywood and solid handcrafted timber and can also be supplied in blackboard painted plywood or recycled floorboards from France.

no screws or alan keys needed -. the angle at the top of the legs allows the tabletop to slide in easily and then be ‘bitten’ by the rotation of the legs into their final angle. this final bite maintains pressure on the connection with the table top, making it incredibly stable. it will accommodate natural wood; reused floorboards or an antique door of uneven surface.

Moaroom - 38 rue de Malte, 75011, Paris - www.moaroom.com

Harlequin - New range

The Harlequin Studio has designed Juniper, a delightfully laid-back collection of prints, weaves, embroideries and wallcoverings.

inspired by textile, wallpaper and ceramic designs of the 1930s and 1950s, Juniper is a very on-trend collection with a fresh airy feel to it. its stylised motifs and clever use of texture and colour result in an organic and relaxed design story, which would sit comfortably within any interior.

the use of natural fibres - linen, silk and cotton mixes - adds to the vintage aura of the beautiful fabric designs.  a luxurious cut velvet, featuring a contemporary blossom trail, further enhances the collection.

ABC Decoration, 127 Avenue Marechal Lyautey, 06000 Nice Tel: 04936 22757

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A place for home, life & living

Open on Mondays - 2pm to 7pmTuesday - Saturday - 10am to 7pm3 rue de l’Église, Cagnes-sur-MerTél: 04 93 73 64 24www.azurdéco.com

Ᏹ FurnitureᏱ Indoor & outdoor

decorationᏱ FountainsᏱ Fireplaces

Ᏹ LightingᏱ GiftsᏱ CandlesᏱ Artificial FlowersᏱ Scents

To order your brochure email: info@styldecor.be

Handmade Exclusive FurnituresincE 1972

61

THE PEBBLES GUIDEThe Pebbles Guide to Nice and the French Riviera

is our way of giving

something back to

our guests and the

community. The

guide is available

free of charge in

many outlets across

the French Riviera,

including English

bookshops. As

well as o� ering

articles of inter-

est, activities for

all ages, and discount o� ers, it

promotes local businesses as well as Pebbles.

WE COMPLY WITH ALL FRENCH LEGAL REQUIREMENTSWe are fully licensed and insured and comply with

all legal requirements to o� er seasonal rentals in

France. Nice Pebbles SARL is backed by FNAIM

insurance. Since we operate with full compliance

with French requirements, we are fully licensed.

In these difficult financial times this

means to both guests and owners the

monies we are holding are insured and

are completely safe. Owners and guests are not

at any risk when working with us.

OUR PEOPLEAll members of the Pebbles team are chosen for their

attention to detail, customer focus and enthusiasm.

We all know that “it will do” just won’t do. Team

members either contract with us or are French

salaried employees. All are operating within

French regulations and are committed to carry

out the highest level of service to our owners

and our guests.

THE SMART WAY TO FIND-AND RENT-YOUR RIVIERA

APARTMENTOUR REPUTATIONThe Pebbles brand was established in 2006. We are

the only apartment rental company recommended

in Fodor’s, TimeOut, Footprints and Lonely Planet. We

are the highest-ranking rental apartment company

on TripAdvisor® for Nice. In less than 3 years, we sur-

passed all rental agencies in Nice to become Number

One for most yearly rental income for owners, and

most weeks booked per year. Nice Pebbles / Riviera

Pebbles rank on the � rst page of Google® for the most

popular relevant search terms.

OUR ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEMWe have a real time availability calendar and an

instant access online booking

facility. Our guests book accom-

modation with minimum fuss and

maximum speed. This means more

bookings for our owners and more

convenience for our guests.

OUR GUEST LOYALTY40% of our guests are either

repeat guests or have been

recommended to us by a previous

guest. Our online booking system

also allows guests to collect loyalty

points for their stay, resulting in

more bookings for owners and

continued loyalty from our guests.

OUR ATTENTION TO DETAILRead our reviews. We succeed in giving guests

great service. We insist on uniformity throughout

the apartments, and on the little things that mean

so much–Egyptian cotton bed linens, a welcome

basket, � ne toiletries, the Pebbles Guide, customer

care cards and personalized concierge service.

This keeps guests coming back to us and recom-

mending us to their friends and families.

is our way of giving

something back to

our guests and the

community. The

guide is available

free of charge in

many outlets across

the French Riviera,

including English

all ages, and discount o� ers, it

1

YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE FRENCH RIVIERA

www.nicepebbles.com www.rivierapebbles.comFREE

WHAT’S ONSix SecreT BeAcHeSruBieS ON THe rue

cOTe D’AZur reSTAurANTSriVierA SAleS & reNTAlS

ciTY MAPS

RP-advertorial_Prestige_PaulH.indd 2 23/09/2010 09:31

20 rue de l’Hôtel-des-Postesand 23 rue Giofreddo, Nice 06000

33 (0) 9 52 78 27 6544 (0)161 408 1289

info@rivierapebbles.com

OUR PROPERTIESOur standard of apartments, the furnishings o ered

in them, the amenities included, maintenance

and the overall cleanliness are paramount to our

reputation.

We will maintain owners’ properties and keep them

clean and well cared for. You will receive reports

on any maintenance and suggestions of any

improvements or remedial work. We will arrange

and organise all repairs and have a dedicated team

of reliable workmen.

OUR SERVICE TO OUR GUESTSOur guests know that they can call us 24

hours a day in the event of an emergency. We

have two centrally located o� ces in Nice,

as well as agents on call throughout the

Riviera to assist where necessary. All guests

are met personally at the start of their stay

with us. They are shown the apartment

and given tailored individual advice to

help them enjoy all the region has to o er.

Happy guests, who meet us personally,

mean guests who respect our owners’

properties and us.

OUR SERVICE TO OUR OWNERSOur owners can email or call us with any issues

or for advice. We provide regular updates and

suggestions on how to maximize your investment,

assistance with � nancial and legal matters and

contacts for anything you may need. Personal

bookings are just an online click away for you,

your friends and family. Owners are free to order

services from us when they or their guests use

their properties.

Unlike many other agencies, we o er complete

transparency with rental monies received. You

know when we know of all bookings and the price

obtained. You always receive the same percentage

for every booking. The harder we work, the more

bookings we bring in, the more we all pro� t.

www.nicepebbles.comwww.rivierapebbles.com

Boulevard Jean-JaurèsAvenue Felix-Faure

Avenue Jean Médecin

Boulevard Dubo

ucha

ge

Victor-Hugo

Promenade des Anglais

Gare Nice-Ville

Rue de lʼHôtel- des-Postes

Aven

ue de

s Bau

mettes

M E R M E D I T E R R A N E E

Boulevard

Rue Gioffredo

R.Gubernatis

Nice Pebbles

GaleriesLafayette

LUXELUXEPEBBLESPEBBLEScoming sooncoming sooncoming sooncoming soonPEBBLEScoming soonPEBBLESPEBBLEScoming soonPEBBLES

We do not take a higher commission during “peak”

booking times. We do not rely on “peak weeks”; we

work hard year-round to � ll your entire annual calendar.

FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICESWe can o er personalized � nancial advice to all

our owners throughout our business relationship.

With the assistance of Pebbles � nancial advisor

Peter Brooke, we can suggest how to make the

most of your investment. We can help you comply

with French laws and regulations. We can save you

money and hassle and guide you to make the

most out of your investment.

RP-advertorial_Prestige_PaulH.indd 3 23/09/2010 09:31

Connect with us! Prestige Virtual M

agazine – click on any email or w

ebsite address that appears in our Prestige virtual M

agazine and we w

ill connect you directly to that businesses email or w

ebsitew

ww

.prestige-magazine.com

Andre 9, rue du Maréchal Foch, CannesC.C Nice Etoile, NiceC.C. T.N.L, NiceC.C. Cap 3000, 6700 Saint-Laurent du Var

Burberry 65, La Croisette, Cannes

Debenhams - www.debenhams.com

Diesel15 Rue de Grimaldi, Montecarlo

Escada 62, La Croisette, Cannes8, Avenue de Verdun, NicePlace de la Garonne, St TropezPark Palace, 27 Avenue de la Costa, Monaco

Faconnable 100, rue D’Antibes, Cannes7 & 9, rue Pradis, NiceCap 3000 Chemiserie Rdc, St Laurent-du-varPlace de la Garonne, St Tropez23, Boulevard des Moulins, Monaco

forherfromyou - www.forherfromyou.com

Geox 93, Rue D’Antibes, Cannes 3, Rue de la Liberte, Nice

Gianvito Rossi 40 Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris. Tel +33 01. 4926 9643

Gucci 11 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes1-3-5 Avenue de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco

H&M 54 Avenue Jean Medecin, NiceCap 3000, Quartier du Lac, St Laurent-du-var

Kenzo Galeries Lafayette 6 Avenue Jean Medecin, NiceGaleries Lafayette, Cap 3000, St Laurent-du-var17, Avenue des Spelugues, CC Le Metropole, Monaco

Lanvin Place de Casino, Monaco

LongchampLe Gray D’Albion, 17, La Croisette, Cannes10/12, Avenue de Verdun, Nice

Marc Jacobs 19 Place du Marche Saint Honore, Paris 56-62 Galerie De Montpensier, Paris34 Rue De Montpensier, Paris www.net-a-porter.com

M&S - www.marksandspencer.com

Next - www.nextdirect.com

Philipp Plien 17, Avenue des Spelugues, CC Le Metropole, MonacoPlace de la Garonne, St Tropez

Riomoda - www.riomoda.com

Rue Princesse Galeries Lafayette, 6 Avenue Jean Medecin, Nice Galeries Lafayette, Cap 3000, Av Eugene Donadei, St Laurent-du-var

Sergio Rossi Galeries Lafayette, 6 Avenue Jean Medecin, NiceGaleries Lafayette, Cap 3000, St Laurent-du-var

Sonia Rykiel 3, Rue Paradis, Nice52, La Croisette, CannesPlace du Casino, Monaco

Stockists

64

RIVIERA WORLD PROPERTIES

We speak your language!

www.riviera-world.com7, bis rue Antoine Gauthier 06300 Nice - Port - Tel/Fax : 04 920 48 920 - Email: contact@riviera-world.com

St Tropez - Cannes - Cap d’Antibes - Nice - Cap Ferrat - Villefranche - Menton - Concierge Service

Nice West - Sea ViewOne bedroom flat of 45 m² in very good condition, very bright, circular terrasse of 12 m², collective heating and water, south exposure, easy to park, near the promenade and the shops. to be seen!

220 000 €

Carré d’or NiceClose to the Promenade & Zone Pietonne, this bright one bedroom flat is on the last floor of a Bourgeois stone building, which still retains some original art deco features. this apartment enjoys a south exposure and also includes 3 balconies, collective parking and cellar.

225 000 €

Sole agent 7 BerliozA newly renovated apartment situated in a beautiful building in the popular area of Musiciens. located on the third floor with a lift this apartment boasts 2 bedrooms with ensuites, light and bright living areas, large kitchen and a wrap around, corner balcony. Please see all the pictures on our website.

399 000 €

Grasse (For sale due to relocation)

This villa with high quality interior fittings is a magnificent example of Florentine architecture. Built in 2006 on a plot of 1680 m² landscaped garden. includes a 90 m² triple room, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. also included is a studio flat with independent entrance. swimming pool. located 15 km from cannes.

925 000 €

Antibes XVII Century flatFor amateurs D’arts. One bedroom, typical loft of 100 m², located in antibes old town, large room with chimney, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, dressing room, bedroom with balcony and cupboard, possibility for parking 20 € / month. interior paintings of the famous painter artist renatO.

424 000 €

Port-Mont BoronLuxury 2-bedroom ground floor apartment in a hotel particulier d’epoque of 120 m². 5 Minutes walk from the port, in a quiet and residential area, also included is an extra studio, 400 m² land, jacuzzi and a garage.

850 000 €

nice Pebbles doesn’t just have charming apartments and homes to rent – you can buy with us too.

let us guide you in choosing your perfect property for investment, pleasure or perhaps a bit of both.

Pebbles Sales

2

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Contact Laura Poirier laura@nicepebbles.com

00 33 (0)6 11 88 13 97Sales office: 00 33 (0)4 89 05 06 60

www.nicepebbles.comwww.rivierapebbles.com

1

2

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Carré d’Or – 3-4 bedrooms – 120m2 (570 000€)this popular rental is a bright spacious apartment located on the second

floor of a beautiful turn-of-the-century building with lift, just off the pedestrian area and less than a 5-minute walk to the

Promenade des anglais. it benefits from period features, 3-4 bedrooms, two marble bathrooms, a walk-in dressing room and a quiet balcony.

exclusive to nice Pebbles ref 00083/10

City Centre – 1 bedroom – 50m2 (230 000€) this popular nice Pebbles rental comes fully equipped. located just off

avenue Jean Médecin on the second floor of a bourgeois building with a lift, the contemporary styled apartment offers an open plan living/dining area

and a fully equipped kitchen. the bedroom leads onto a balcony. there is a large dressing room and shower with twin washbasins. the Wc is separate.

sold fully furnished right down to the knives and forks.exclusive to nice Pebbles ref 00082/10

City Centre – 1 bedroom – 44m2 (375 000€) We expect this apartment to sell quickly. situated on the second floor of an in-

demand building in the centre of town, it is perfect for a city-living home or investment. nice Pebbles successfully rents three apartments in this

building and we can show you the rental return you can achieve should you wish to rent out the apartment when you are not here. as well as a

7m2 terrace the apartment is sold with a private garage.nice Pebbles ref 00078/10; also see ref 00079/10

Pebbles Rentals

relax with friends or loved ones in plush and comfortable living and dining space.

Prepare drinks, snacks or more in fully equipped kitchens.

enjoy egyptian cotton sheets and towels, luxury packages, airport transfers and a concierge service during your stay.

Can your basic hotel room measure up?

nice Pebbles. We’ve raised the standards in short-term holiday rentals across the French riviera from what guests expect to what guests deserve.

Collet (from 90€ a night)Rue du Colleta romantic one-bedroom jewel in a historic setting. Perfectly located in the heart of the Old town action.

Masséna (from 90€ a night)Rue Chauvainstyle and space dominate this one-bedroom apartment. excellent location close to the Promenade des anglais where most visitors want to be.

François (from 90€ a night)Rue Raoul Bosiothe view at dusk from the apartment and balcony are hard to beat. a luxury one-bedroom apartment just off the cours saleya.

sarl nice Pebbles 20 rue de l’hôtel des Postes nice 06000+33 (0)9 52 78 27 65 +33 (0)4 93 80 53 75 +44 (0)161 408 1289

www.nicepebbles.comwww.rivierapebbles.com

RIVIERA WORLD PROPERTIES

Sales Rentals New Build Management Concierge Service

We speak your language!

www.riviera-world.com7, bis rue Antoine Gauthier 06300 Nice - Port - Tel/Fax : 04 920 48 920 - Email: contact@riviera-world.com

St Tropez - Cannes - Cap d’Antibes - Nice - Cap Ferrat - Villefranche - Menton - Concierge Service