The Monaco Monitor

For such a small state, the Principality of Monaco seems to be going off in all directions in an effort to reduce pollution and improve the environment. An ambitious car sharing scheme (monacovoiturage.com) for commuters, disappearing bus fares and more trains by 2009 are all evidence that the powers-that-be are in action. Recently, Bernard Fautrier, the plenipotentiary minister charged with driving forward sustainable development initiatives confirmed that there has been an added urgency and new impetus since Prince Albert II became Sovereign in July 2005. ‘All that has been done in the last year is going in the same direction,’ he says, ‘ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, alternative energy projects (particularly solar), and creation of the Albert II Foundation. Safeguarding the environment is at the top of the agenda.’

Société des Bains de Mer – estimates that around 70% of visitors to Monaco over Christmas and the New Year were Italians. The group also reported an impressive increase of 43% on money spent in the Principality’s gambling venues and a 26% increase in visitors to the casinos between Christmas and January 2nd. Elsewhere hotels claimed 100% occupancy for the night of New Year’s Eve. With the winter sales now in full swing throughout Monaco’s chic shops, the visitors look set to stay for a while longer – at least until Epiphany on January 7th. 

Monaco has started its, eight days before the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments in France which open their doors on January 10th. In the Principality prices at some of the luxury boutiques have been slashed by up to 50 per cent. The sales are on until February 15.

New European regulations concerning road and air safety are set to impact on the times of postal collections in the Principality of Monaco. Heightened security measures will restrict the speed of heavy goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes on motorways from 110km/hr to 90km/h. Meanwhile, all mail items are to be scanned before they go onboard aircraft throughout the EU.  

Despite these constraints, La Poste Monaco has responded by establishing a later collection time of 4.45pm at the five most popular post boxes. These are painted white and are located at: - Pont Sainte-Dévote  (exit from the railway station),  2A Boulevard des Moulins (infront of the Tourist Office), Place d’Armes / Avenue du Port, Corner of Rue du Gabian / Avenue de Fontvieille , 57, Rue Grimaldi (the Panorama building). Six of the seven post offices retain a collection time of 4pm, with the principal Monte-Carlo office collecting at 5pm. Some 67 boxes located on the streets are affected by the new regulations and will be emptied between five to 15 minutes earlier than their usual times. The daily 5am collection remains for all post boxes and offices.