Monaco at home

Publication date: 16/04/2020
"Stay at home" is the watchword right now, and everyone is looking for ideas when it comes to staying busy and keeping the boredom at bay. In response, a number of institutions and establishments in the Principality are thinking about you, with a wide variety of activities from online yoga classes, to recipes by top chefs for you to try at home, to free-to-view performances by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Ready to be inspired?

Thrill your tastebuds!

Put on your chef's hat and try some of the culinary ideas suggested by the Principality's hotels!

When aperitif time comes around, why not let yourself be tempted by a rose and champagne cocktail, followed by some delightful Mediterranean stuffed vegetables? If that sounds like your idea of heaven, the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo has published a selection of online recipes to wow your palate. 

Ready to get into the kitchen and start cooking up some delicious dishes? Just slip on your apron, and follow the directions of our top Chefs…

Jean-Philippe Berens, Sous-Chef at Le Grill restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, is sharing his recipes on his Instagram page. Philippe Joannes, SBM’s Director of Culinary Events, is publishing a selection of simple and seasonal recipes several times a week on both Facebook and Instagram. (Instagram/Facebook). If you’re looking for something more interactive, step into the virtual kitchen of Marcel Ravin, Chef at the Monte-Carlo Bay. Every morning, you’ll find a list of ingredients to have ready for your class at 6.30 pm that day (Instagram/Facebook). 

And if you feel like baking your own bread to accompany those delights, Thomas Subrin, Head Baker at SBM, has a seven-step recipe for you to follow. (Recipe)

For those with a sweet tooth… how about a traditional chocolate soufflé from the Hôtel de Paris? Or perhaps a lemon cake, or even a sumptuous chocolate fondant from the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo? Try whatever takes your fancy! (pdf)

 

Whether you’re a real wine buff or just have an appreciation for a good glass, take gastronomic inspiration from Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, which has also published some fantastic wine-tasting tips from its expert oenologists, to initiate you into the mysteries of wine. 

In these troubled times, Monegasque culinary savoir-faire has also benefited local healthcare workers, who have received gifts of the Louis-XV's signature pannetone and chocolate Easter eggs!

 

Wellness, sport and relaxation, or the art of being healthy and happy at home

Here are some inspiring ideas specially concocted by establishments in the Principality.

Interior journey through meditation: The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort's yoga teacher shares tips and advice on how to discover and develop this spiritual art and its many virtues. You’ll find two sessions a week to follow on his Instagram page and stay in shape. Every Tuesday and Saturday at 6 pm, alternate between gentle and dynamic yoga. (Instagram). 

The team from the Tigre Yoga Club & Spa has put together a daily session, called “La Quotidienne du Tigre”, with one adult class at 11 am and another for kids at 5 pm, both available free on Facebook. (Facebook)

 

Anti-stress facial treatment:  The experts from the Spa Métropole de Givenchy unveil their techniques for a five-minute face self-massage that guarantees pure relaxation and perfectly moisturised skin.  For the perfect day, start the morning with a quick cobra pose, and pamper your nails before bedtime (pdf).

Experts from SBM’s hotels and spas are sharing their tips and ideas for simple, all-natural treatments that can be done at home, using organic ingredients. 

Cardio control and muscle strengthening: The Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo is sharing its knowledge with an emphasis on how to control your breathing and tone those muscles with specially designed exercises.

Virtual Chinese Grand Prix, relive Charles Leclerc's race win : Already a real-life winner, and now a virtual champion too! The Ferrari man won the virtual Chinese Grand Prix, ahead of Thailand’s Red Bull driver, Alexander Albon.   To find out more, head to Youtube or the Formula 1 website

Relax to the music:  What better way to wind down after a hard day than to kick back with some lounge bar music? The Buddha Bar, Coya Monte-Carlo and Blue Gin are sharing their compilations, subtle blends of lounge, chill-out and world music. To listen, click here:  Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4

 

Monaco in your home

You can get away from it all without leaving the comfort of your home, by listening to the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra or taking in an Opera at the Salle Garnier.

Every day, the musicians of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra perform and post concerts on their Facebook page for music-lovers to enjoy. Previous performances by the Orchestra, as well as the Orchestra of the Palace Guards, can be found on the Orchestra's official website. 
Keen to stay in touch and preserve the vital connection between artists and their audience, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo is providing a selection of programmes to experience or relive some of the biggest highlights of seasons past. To start, you can discover the differet Acts of the opera Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi over a period of weeks.

Dance with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo from your sofa. The channel Monaco info and the website France 3 PACA are inviting viewers to experience or rewatch a selection of pieces from the repertoire of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

Visit Monaco virtually, without leaving the house! Stroll down the narrow streets, take a tour of the Oceanographic Museum, Exotic Garden and Observatory Cave, and even discover some of the Principality's most iconic hotels.  Until you're able to experience Monaco for real, simply follow the links:  Link 1Link 2Link 3

Keep busy with colouring: Zen ArtMétropole is an art-based therapy aimed at adults. Relax by colouring in their drawings, which you can download and print out.  Then show off your work proudly with the hashtag #mymetropolestory.

 

Families: out of sight, but not out of mind

Expand your horizons, learn through play, create and share with the menu of activities proposed by many of Monaco's museums and cultural sites.  

Combine culture, handicrafts, fun and games with the virtual workshops created by the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. Two are already available, each one including a "knowledge" part on the chosen theme, a tutorial using screenshots, and tips on how to go further.
Workshop for all the family to do at home: Image in movement
Workshop for all the family to do at home: Shadow theatre

Meanwhile, Monaco's Oceanographic Museum is proposing a range of activities for children, including colouring books to download (Kids' Corner), educational documents, and also the chance to "visit" the exhibition of photography by David Doubilet, on the theme of the sea.

The Médiathèque de Monaco library has an impressive collection for all ages, including games you can make at home, workshops, quizzes, directory of sites, and recipes. 

During the lockdown, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco is sharing a selection of short films from its archives. A chance to take a step back in time and watch together with all the family.