Snakes Alive at Louis Vuitton

There are rather a lot of snake-like creatures promoting one small handbag in the Louis Vuitton window.

Princess Grace's Wedding Dress made of Diet Coke Cans

This sculpture based on Princess Grace's wedding dress was created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her death.  The dress is made of thousands of pieces of aluminium, using 4,000 cans of Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke) in a unique design and intricate weave inspired by the magnificent fine lace original wedding gown.  It took over 2 years to complete.

The sculpture, by Nikos Floros, is on display in the foyer of the Hotel Metropole and is 10 feet long, 5.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall.

Blonde Ambition

Crossing the Casino Gardens ...

Reni

On the night the casino was lit up pink, I met Reni in the Casino Gardens. She wears wonderfully original clothes - and is obviously a character.  She immediately went into 'pose mode' when I asked to take her photo.Thanks Reni!

The Hôtel Hermitage

We seem to be looking at a lot of hotels lately, don't we? No surprise because if you walk around the Casino area, which is what we've been doing, that's where the most prestigious hotels are to be found.


In 1900 the modest establishment of the Hôtel Hermitage was transformed into a luxurious residence for visitors. Its Belle Epoque dining-room was the work of Gabriel Ferrier, winner of the  Rome Prize and gold medallist at the Universal Exhibition of 1889. It boasted magnificent frescoes recalling paintings by Fragonard and Boucher. The structure of the glass roof in the Winter Garden was designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel, father of the tower in Paris which bears his name.  Click on the link to see this glass roof which is stunning.

The Dior Photographer

The Dior windows like photographers!

Hôtel Métropole - Elegance

One of the elegant hallways in the Hôtel Métropole.

Hôtel Métropole - Water Feature

A rather fearsome character you'll find on a wall as you approach the Hôtel Métropole.

Hôtel Métropole

The outside of the Hotel Metropole where four classical sculptures await the guests.

Hôtel Métropole - the Flowers

The Hotel Metropole was originally built, in the Belle Epoque style, in 1886 on land that once belonged to Pope Leo XIII.   It was restored in 2004 and is elegant and discreet - a lovely old hotel opposite the Casino Gardens.   Here we see the foyer and its absolutely beautiful flowers by Perrine.

 

Another look at the Pink Casino

Here's a dfferent perspective on the casino lit up pink in aid of breast cancer awareness and Pink Ribbon Monaco.  This time we are looking down the length of the Casino Gardens.

There are many Australian and South African trees and shrubs in the gardens. On the right I think we are looking at a bottle brush, or is it a grevillia?

A Drink before Dinner

Terrace of the Café de Paris.  20h.00.

Hôtel de Paris

The Hôtel de Paris seen through the waters of one of the fountains in Casino Square.

The Pink Casino!

Last night the Casino in Monte Carlo was lit up pink!

The Hotel Metropole and the Casino de Monte-Carlo joined forces with Pink Ribbon Monaco and 200 other cities and 45 countries, by showing their support to victims in this way and to promote breast cancer awareness.

Mauro Corda - Minnie Mouse?

Minnie Mouse I presume? Another of Mauro Corda's sculptures at the Metropole Centre.

Mauro Corda at the Metropole

The summer exhibition at the Metropole Shopping Centre finished in September, so these photos are a little late.

The sculptor is Mauro Corda.

Universal Rights of the Child Fountain - Maschio

This fountain, whch stands for the Universal Right of the Child, stands opposite the children's play area in the Parc Paysager de Fontvieille. It was created by Franco Maschio in 2000.  The base of the fountain is filled with pebbles signed by celebrated artists whose work can be found in Monaco.

Light Refraction

This fountain is in the middle of the pond at the Parc Paysager de Fontvieille. See the colours to the left - almost rainbow colours caused no doubt by some light refraction I don't understand.

Father Walter, Chaplain of Saint Paul's Anglican Church

Meet Father Walter Raymond, Chaplain of Saint Paul's Anglican Church in Monaco.  And of course, meet his little dog Sparky. This was taken at the recent vernissage of Blake's 'Angels' exhibition.

Click on the link to read about Father Walter, who is very much part of life in the ex-pat community of Monaco and is loved and appreciated by everyone. 

Homage

This is a detail from the fountain that stands at the end of the Promenade de Larvotto, above the beach.   You can see it HERE (second photo)  It was created by Guy Lartigue in 1970 in homage to Princess Grace.

Walled Garden

This building is in Fontvieille, opposite the port.  Almost a garden on a wall.  Note how the petunias have been chosen to blend with the curtains at the first window on the left.

Monaco Yacht Club - the Dining Room

This is the dining room of the Monaco Yacht Club.  You have to be a member to dine here or you need to be invited by a member. 

Soon though the Monaco Yacht Club oves to its new building on the opposite side of the port - designed by Sir Norman Foster, no less.  Work in progress can be seen HERE.

Rental Bikes

Looks like Stars 'n' Bars rent out bikes - or perhaps these are bikes rented elsewhere in Monaco. 

Nice bikes, aren't they?

Break up the Blue

Everyone loves the blue skies of the French Riviera and Monaco but really a few clouds make it a lot more interesting ...

The large yacht (centre) is the Lady Moura. Click on link to see more. She's usually moored in the port (as here) but last week, like many of the permanent yachts in the port, she had to give up her berth for the Monte Carlo Yacht Show and so the bay has been choc-a-bloc with boats.

Dinner with friends

Ambiance at Quai des Artistes on the port of Monaco.

Manolo Valdés - Daphné

Manolo Valdés is a Spanish sculptor who normally creates monumental works.  This, though, is a small version - on display at the Marlborough Gallery. This small bronze is called Daphné and is made of bronze and iron.

Half a Painting ...

A glimpse of a painting through some sort of structure - seen at the vernissage at the Marlborough Gallery.  I don't know the artist and presume the couple are in a gondola in Venice.

The Marlborough Gallery - Chihuly

This beautiful vase by Dale Chihuly is on on display and for sale at the Marlborough Gallery on Port Hercule. The note alongside says 'Pine Green Soft Cylinder with Deep Blue Lip Wrap, 2002.  Soufflé Glass.

I've adored Chuhuly glass for years yet I've never actually seen any.  I've seen films about him on television- working with the glass blowers of Murano, his installations at Kew Gardens and in America, so to actually see one of his creations was an absolute treat. I can tell you up front and personal, it is absolutely beautiful.