Monaco is known for being synonymous with luxury and opulence, from the multitude of yachts tied up in its marina to the designer labels that adorn the sparkling white outfits of those who stroll down the sun-drenched beaches. While Monaco is fairly temperate year-round, like most of western Europe, it is at its best in the late spring. The combination of perfectly warm days and exciting events make May and June the best time to visit.
The world-famous Cannes Film Festival generally takes place over 9-10 days during the last two weeks of May. For 2017, it will take place May 17th through the 28th. It’s always an amazing event for the celebrities and the latest fashion, and this year should be no different. Director Luc Besson will premiere his $200 million space epic Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and it will be the hottest ticket in town. Additionally, always fashionable Sofia Coppola will also premiere her remake of Clint Eastwood’s film The Beguiled starring Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, and Kirsten Dunst. It should be a red carpet to remember.
Overlapping the film festival is the unique and ever-popular Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco, which occurs during the last weekend in May. The race opens as the cars are paraded past the Casino de Monte-Carlo, which has long been the centre of the city since the mid-19th century when Princess Caroline formulated the plan to use it to attract more upscale visitors. The historic building has been featured in many films in addition to being a focal point for the Grand Prix as Formula 1 cars race through the Place du Casino.
The course of the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco race runs 3.34 kilometres through the curvy streets of the tiny city. The city prepares for over six weeks with 50 engineers using 1,100 tons of grandstands, 900 tons of pit garages, and 20 miles of safety barriers to create the event. Tickets start at €300, but the most fashionable folks will be parked about one of the yachts lining the harbour.
Monte Carlo Fashion Week 2017 follows the Grand Prix on June 1st through the 3rd. The event takes place at the Oceanographic Museum and past designers have included Grinko, Eliana Riccio, and Rhea Costa. In addition to the fashion shows, the Salon Bellevue at the Café de Paris hosts many notable speakers. Last year’s favourites included Yingting Cheng of the Istituto Marangoni Paris and Lorenzo Glavici of the Milano Fashion Institute. There was also a roundtable discussion moderated by global fashion developer Muriel Piaser. This year promises to redefine French fashion as it always does with a special runway guest, the revolutionary Italian designer Chiara Boni.
These amazing events are only icing on the cake that is Monaco. There is so much to do and see as Monaco boasts one of the world’s most beautiful public beaches, the Plage du Larvotto. You can also bike and hike the hills above Monaco with a bird’s eye view or participate in the many water-based activities available in the turquoise waters, and then relax in a quaint café and enjoy the breath-taking sights. Monaco attracts worldwide visitors daily and with so much luxury to immerse yourself in, it is no wonder why.
