Published on June 04, 2020Updated on June 19, 2023
On 2 June, Monaco turned out in force for the official unveiling of the new design of the legendary Place du Casino, and the reopening of the iconic Brasserie du Café de Paris Monte-Carlo. Discover the images from this truly unique occasion. It was also the perfect opportunity to meet some of our Monegasque heroes who have come through the crisis with strength and courage, as well as to celebrate our ‘reawakening’ and meet up with old friends.
Highly prestigious guests were invited to celebrate the unveiling of the new design of the Place du Casino. LL.AA.SS. Prince Albert II and Charlene, Princess of Monaco. Princess Stéphanie and Her daughters, Miss Camille Gottlieb and Miss Pauline Ducruet, Mr and Mrs Louis Ducruet, Mr and Mrs Andrea Casiraghi, Mr Pierre Casiraghi, Mr Gareth Wittstock and representatives from the Monegasque government gathered to celebrate this unique event symbolising the joie de vivre and entrepreneurial spirit of the Monegasque people.
On 2 June, a flag featuring the now famous slogan #Strongtogether, launched by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group at the onset of the crisis, was raised to pay tribute to our wonderful Monegasque heroes. Invited to share this special moment were caregivers and representatives of several Monegasque institutions, who were all warmly thanked by the attending officials: Jean-Luc Biamonti, Deputy Chairman of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, and representatives from the Group. A moving tribute was also paid to the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, the Monegasque Red Cross, Sûreté Publique (public safety), Sapeurs-Pompiers (fire brigade) and the Monegasque sanitation company.
Gifts were presented to the guests: protective masks donated by the Princess Charlene Foundation and a delicious “bread of life” made from lemon-infused olive oil by Thomas Subrin, MOF, Head baker of the Group, which was baked in our Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer bakery by volunteers from the Group.
After several months of work, the Place du Casino has been restored to its former glory while providing a new, more spacious and safer place to meet. The strong points of the redevelopment include; prioritising pedestrians so they can stroll in complete safety, maintaining the route of the famous Monaco Grand Prix while allowing extra special cars to drive by and park up for the pleasure of passers-by. Making this world-famous landmark, a public square. The beating heart of the Carré d’Or is bordered by the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, the gardens of the old station, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, the new One Monte-Carlo, and the Jardins des Boulingrins.
The grassed dome has been replaced by an elegant esplanade paved in Comblanchien stone offering uninterrupted views of the majestic Belle Époque buildings of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo and the Casino de Monte-Carlo while Anish Kapoor’s sky mirror, mounted in a delightful water fountain, reflects a promenade of twenty palm trees - perfect for a leisurely stroll.
The long awaited re-opening of the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo took place on 2 June. Invited guests were the first to enjoy the new terrace located in the Place du Casino de Monaco, which as well as being quieter, is now even more spacious and beautiful than before. Discover all the measures put in place to comply with social distancing rules e.g. fewer place settings, ground markings, QR code to consult the menu and order, etc.
Sample the selection of delicious dishes chosen by Philippe Joannès and Franck Lafon. A celebration of wholesome authentic products from the South: barbajuan with Swiss chard from the Ferme des Boutons d’Or de Guillaumes, baby plum tomatoes and stracciatella salad, olive crumble, barigoule of spring vegetables, San Remo gamberoni with sweet oil, panna cotta with raspberries infused with liqueur from the Orangerie de Monaco, and fresh unadulterated strawberries from the Vallée de Carros.
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