InspireMe Monte Carlo

06/07/2021

This , we are ‘travelling’ back in time to Vaucluse in the Provence area of France to the five star hotel - Crillon Le Brave. It is a gorgeous 17th century property between Mont Ventoux and Luberon that is an immersion into the Provence of the 18th century near vineyards and unique villages.

It has 18 suites and 15 hotel rooms filled with Provencal features including wooden beans, terracotta floors and antique furniture. Owned by the Pariente family, they aimed to tell a new story through this destination and ambitiously make this an address as a reference of French art de vivre for global modern lovers of beauty. It has two restaurants, La Madeleine and La Table du Ventoux as well as a spa located in the former stone stables from the 18th century which is a sanctuary for guests.

We love discovering unique places to visit – do you have any historic hotels you would recommend us to visit?

04/07/2021

This week, the World Heritage Site we are ‘visiting’ is a familiar name to many – The Arc de Triomphe. Many may not know that there are two in Paris, and even more may not know that in the town of Orange in Provence, the south of France, is home to the very original Arc de Triomphe with roots that go all the way back to the Roman era. It is known as the Triumphal Arc de Orange, and thankfully to the typically lovely provincial weather, the structure has been well preserved over time.

This Triumphal Arch does not represent victory, but symbolises Roman supremacy over land and the seas with dedication to the glory of its veteran armies and the Emperor Tiberius – it marked a road of honour and stands as the border between the dead and the Roman city.

We love the less known historic spots in the South of France and have many more up our sleeves that we love sharing with our guests. Dreaming up unique experiences is what our team does best.

03/07/2021

Today is the opening of a special exhibition at Fondation Maeght on Les Giacometti where many sculptures in the garden have been restored.

It features Alberto, his father Giovanni, cousin Augusto and two brothers, Bruno and Diego – honouring a family of artists who left a mark on 20th century art. It will run from 3 July to 15 November 2021.

We love the quote ‘The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create reality of the same intensity’ by Alberto Giacometti and look forward to visiting this exhibition.

02/07/2021

For anyone who likes the authentic french & mediterranean cuisine, do not miss the Restaurant Aurore in Monaco.
The restaurant Aurore exists more than 40 years, and is located in an historical building in the old town of Monaco, on the rock.

Luca and Enrico run the restaurant, and Chef Raphaele runs the cuisine. Only high quality, fresh products are selected. On the menu you find French and Italian specialties like fresh homemade pasta, desserts, pizza.

The team at is always on the lookout for businesses who do food in a more sustainable way. Aurore is listed with Commerce Engagé.

Developed by the , Commerce Engagé is a label used for responsible trading in Monaco and the south of France.

It is a tool to support a destination to move towards sustainable consumption and aims to create less waste, create a stronger local economy, preserve natural resources and build a more sustainable future.

30/06/2021

We are picking up again the successful series in which we highlight on the Wednesday the work of female entrepreneurs with whom we co-create, collaborate, and co-innovate. These are women with whom we have fun, learn, trust, push boundaries and who we respect and admire.
Today we would like to highlight the work of passionate dutch Anne Toebes.

, after her Bachelor in Educational Science, obtained her Master in Educational Science, Pedagogics from the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. After her studies she desired an experience abroad, and started working as a professional nanny in the Principality of Monaco to learn the language. Besides her love for behavioral science, she always had interest in discovering different cultures and learning languages. After travelling the world and being fluent in the french language she found her current job as a specialized educator.

In March 2017 Anne started to work with D'Amore Psy Monaco This Monaco Association of public utility, created in 2008, provides help, support and information to families affected by psychiatric illness. The president of the association is Madame Beatrice Latore. The association works in perfect harmony with the multidisciplinary team of the Psychiatry Department of the Princess Grace Hospital Center and that of the UPPM, the Roseraie (Psychiatry and Medical Psychology Unit).

At the GEMM (Groupe d’Entraide Mutuelle Monaco), a non medical day-care center for stabilized mental healthcare users, opened by the d’Amore Psy Association in 2016, Anne supervises the members in the various collective activities, chosen around themes and playful and social proposals to facilitate verbal exchanges, in order to break the isolation and restore the self-confidence of people suffering from psychiatric disorders.

Each week Anne creates a schedule in consultation with the members in order to propose various activities. Theatre, meditation, music, creativity are weekly returning activities. Cultural visits and outings, decorative workshops, thematic forums and assists with mutual aid and support (like writing letters, administrative procedures and more) are included in the schedule. During the confinement during Covid_19, the GEMM organized virtual gatherings through its facebook area and provided support to the members and kept them socially active.

Anne is very passionate about her work. All members have personal goals, dreams and families. She is committed to help the members to get better, giving support and comfort by building meaningful, therapeutic relationships. The work at GEMM enriches her life, and love for the field of mental health. It gives me the unique opportunity to improve their quality of life, support them with their difficulties and help them participate in society.

She has a cheerful character, open-minded and has a positive mindset. She is passionate about luxury designer vintage travel bags & accessories . She has a very broad interest, and in her free time she loves to explore and enjoy the Riviera lifestyle.

We are grateful to have Anne as a friend and are thankful for all her passion and dedication to the members and the association. The human spirit is strong.

29/06/2021

This , we are ‘travelling’ to Saint Tropez to visit the stunning Lou Pinet Hotel. In 2017, the Pariente family took over the Hotel and brought together a team to create a unique guest experience. Architects Charles Zana and François Vieillecroze, landscaper Jean Mus for the gardens and Riccardo Giraudi for the restaurant. It features 34 rooms and suites, a spa, concierge service, and a swimming pool.

Guests are welcomed to a unique setting and a quiet refuge with a sixties glamour style. As it’s only a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Saint Tropez, guests can choose to explore the area in the evening with plenty of restaurants to choose from and relax at the hotel with a massage or a swim in the pool during the day soaking up the Provençal sun.

Do you have a favourite unique hotel?

28/06/2021

We are excited about the news that Air France is opening a flight route via Nice Cote d’Azur - Heathrow starting today.

Flying four times a week, allowing direct access to the French Riviera as a beautiful holiday destination backdrop.

The direct flights will also allow for the industry to conduct meetings and events at more unique and easily accessible destinations including our headquarters in Monte Carlo.

We look forward to welcoming you to the South of France.

27/06/2021

This week, the UNESCO World Heritage Site we are ‘visiting’ is Arles and its Roman and Romanesque monuments. Many say that Arles is a great example of the adaptation of an ancient city to medieval European civilization. It has a few stunning Roman monuments including the Arena, the Roman Theatre and the Cryptoporticus – which are subterranean galleries. Some of these structures date back to the 1st century CB and 1st century AD. A second gold age arrived in the 4th century, and in the 11th and 12th centuries, it became one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean.

In 1888, Van Gogh arrived in the city in search of softer light and stayed for a year where he painted some of his most famous works there. Bringing us to modern history, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 – preserving the city for future generations to enjoy. It is

We love the ancient streets and can picture walking around feeling as we are a part of the past. Do you have a favourite historic city that feels like you have gone back in time?

26/06/2021

On weekends, we love spending time with family and friends exploring the best that the beautiful city of Monte Carlo has to offer. Founded by Prince Rained lll in 1954 and located on the Esplanade Rainer III, in Monaco's Fontvieille ward on the southern side of the Rock of Monaco.

Surrounded by stunning views, it is home to approximately 250 animals from 50 species. Zoos allow scientists to research the animals at the zoo and learn how to better conserve their species. It also provides education to visitors to learn about conservation of animals. We recommend visiting in the morning, and then having a leisurely lunch with a view before going to the beach for the day.

Do you have a favorite zoo?

25/06/2021

The team at is always on the lookout for businesses who do food in a more sustainable way. On Fridays we also enjoy seeking out places to enjoy a meal and to celebrate the weekend. Developed by the Ecoscience Provence, Commerce Engagé is a label used for responsible trading in Monaco and the south of France.

It is a tool to support the destination to move towards sustainable consumption and aims to create less waste, create a stronger local economy, preserve natural resources and build a more sustainable future.

For anyone who enjoys healthy vegan or vegetarian food, listed with Commerce Engagé is Eat Me by l'inattendu located next to the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo in Monte Carlo.

23/06/2021

We are picking up again the successful series in which we highlight on Wednesdays, the work of female entrepreneurs with whom we co-create, collaborate, and co-innovate. These are women with whom we have fun, learn, trust, push boundaries and who we respect and admire.

Today we would like to highlight the work of passionate Italian Elsa Doriana Briguglio.

Doriana is managing director of Eventia. Eventia is an event management company & DMC fully covering every need from event design to logistics, motivation and team building based in Catania, Sicily and Malta. She is also owner and managing director of L'Isolabella - lifestyle experiences in Sicily, Italy & Malta, a fully licensed tour operator in Catania, Sicily, focusing on leisure travels for upscale and luxury clientele from all over the world. They design custom tours, stays and special theme journeys in Italy.

Every itinerary is designed and managed to be a distinctive and memorable travel experience.

Doriana is very passionate about the events & meeting industry. She is always full of energy, curious, thinks out of the box, loves people, and has a very creative mindset. She is an enthusiastic travel, food & wine writer. She is professional Sommelier of AIS, the Italian Association of Sommeliers and a certified WSIT Wine Spirit Education Trust.

Thanks to her profound love for food and wine, she created in 2020 - the Exquisito Box. Exquisito selects exquisite local, artisanal food products from the Mediterranean, and creates exclusive food boxes. The boxes are a manifesto of quality, care, biodiversity and sustainability. Exquisito also offers corporate gift cards, membership plans, and you can purchase it online. They include high quality Italian cheeses, fresh pasta, pasta sauces, pastries, panettone, and many other delicacies. The organic virgin olive oil, organic pasta and preserves are made by Doriana bring to your home the authentic flavors from Italy.

Doriana is a long time member of SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence since since 2006. In 2015 she was SITE President of the SITE Italy Chapter. Since 2006 Doriana is member of Meeting Professionals International - MPI.

We are grateful to have Doriana as a friend & admire her as an entrepreneur and wish her every success with Exquisito. With Italy is opening again, we are excited for her that she is able to welcome again MICE events in Italy.

22/06/2021

This , we are ‘travelling’ to Cannes to visit the La Malmaison Art Centre. The building itself was built in 1863 as a part of the Grand Hotel by architects Vianey and Blondel and the museum is the last remaining part of the ensemble. In 1945, it hosted its very first painting exhibition by Aimé Maeght. In 1983 it opened as an exhibition area and in 1993 it was renovated to its current standards. It now hosts exhibitions of contemporary art that display works from painters that were inspired by the Côte d'Azur such as Matisse, Picasso and recently - Christine Boumeester.

As art and culture lovers, the team at InspireME enjoy the creativity that the La Malmaison produces for their exhibitions. Do you have a favourite museum that you would recommend to us?

21/06/2021

Today we celebrate not only the Summer Solstice - the first day of summer. But also our love for Yoga on this International Yoga Day.

Yoga incorporates meditation and breathing which help improve mental well-being.

The benefits of Yoga:
- mental clarity and calmness
- increases body awareness
- relaxes the mind
- more energy, improved concentration and centers attention
- relieves chronic stress patterns

20/06/2021

Our tour of the South of France’s sites takes us to Avignon, a historic destination on the banks of the Rhône River in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region. Some may know it as the ‘City of the Popes’. The city centre is a fantastic example of medieval architecture with the Papal Palace, Episcopal ensemble and the Avignon Bridge. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and served as the European cultural capital in 2000.

The city originally was not considered French soil, but belonging to the popes of the Christian Church since the 14th century until 1337. From 1378-1417, popes ruled in both Avignon and Rome. Avignon was not popular with the Italians of the papal court, yet Papal legates continued to govern the city until 1971 when the French National Assembly seized it. Many of the historic buildings standing today survived the takeover. Today, visitors can enjoy the remaining four arches of the famous Saint-Bénézet bridge, beautiful historic buildings and plenty of shops and restaurants.

We can imagine a week-long tour of the French Riviera in a vintage car driving along the coastline and then north to Avignon to enjoy the sites before driving through the mountains at leisure.
Where is your favourite UNESCO world heritage site?

19/06/2021

Monaco can be known for its yachts, Casino and of course, luxury. However, there is much more to discover that is more than luxury and glamour. At Inspire ME Monte-Carlo, a boutique agency in the heart of Monaco - we are always trying to stay connected to the local community in order to find authentic and unexpected experiences that we can share with connections. We believe that it makes this beautiful place on the Cote d’Azur so special!

When in Monaco, many visit Le Rocher, the historical neighbourhood, home to all the Principality’s legal and political institutions, as well as the beautiful palace and many breath-taking views. Yet, not many know of a very special event occurring nightly in the summer on the foot of the iconic Rock - Europe’s Largest Outdoor Movie Theatre. This outdoor cinema arguably has one of the best settings; comfortable seats on the seaside with a spectacular view of the Rock on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. This cinema is unique as it has a 200m screen, and is the world’s only 3D open-air cinema. Can you imagine this breath-taking view with a movie under the Monegasque stars making this an evening to remember?

With only 38,000 inhabitants, the Principality is filled with people living or holidaying there. The cinema is a great place for visitors to interact with the locals. The fact that it is a beautiful and interesting place and yet not well known internationally, almost like a local secret of a high-quality experience. We can imagine planning a dinner at Elsa, then visiting the cinema on a mild summer evening to watch a Grace Kelly film under the stars. We are excited for the cinema to open on Friday Jube 25th and look forward to enjoying a few summer evenings there.

18/06/2021

The team at is always on the lookout for businesses who do food in a more sustainable way. On Fridays we also enjoy seeking out places to enjoy a meal and to celebrate the weekend. Developed by the Ecoscience Provence, Commerce Engagé is a label used for responsible trading in the south of France. It is a tool to support a destination to move towards sustainable consumption and aims to create less waste, create a stronger local economy, preserve natural resources and build a more sustainable future.

For anyone who has a sweet tooth, listed with Commerce Engagé is Boulangerie l'Epi d'Or with delicious pastries. Which pastry would you choose?

16/06/2021

We are beginning the successful series where we highlight on Wednesdays the work of female entrepreneurs with whom we co-create, collaborate and co-innovate. These are women that we have fun, learn, trust, push boundaries with and we respect and admire. Today we would like to highlight the work of passionate Canadian Tahira Endean, CITP, CMP, DES, CED Head of Events at Society of Incentive Travel Excellence SITE Global, Author of the book “Intentional Event Design, our Professional Opportunity”, a speaker, a digital strategist, an instructor of Special Event Planning and Sustainable Event Management and a Traveler.

Tahira has hospitality and event management experience, and has had roles ranging from a project manager at a PCO to event producer and creative director, through incentive agencies and DMCs, as the events specialist for an company which led into 3 years of building the BCTECH Summit before joining SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence. Tahira is very passionate about and committed to Sustainability, Events and the Incentive Travel Industry.

She was named in 2015 as one of the Top 5 Women in Event Technology, in 2016 as MeetingsNet Changemaker, in 2018 one of the Top20 Trendsetters by Meetings Today in 2018, in 2019 recognized as a member of Connect Corporate 15 over 50(!) and in 2021 A Smart Meetings Visionary Woman in Meetings. In the last two years, she has held the role of Head of Events at SITE and in that time has successfully designed 7 live events, 6 virtual events all with an attendee number from 100 to 1,400 as well as planning many webinars.

Tahira is a visionary, innovator, creative, curious, and is passionate about intentional design to create meaningful connections and events. She is driven by a fascination with what we are learning about neuroscience and the power of the five senses to enhance memory, knowledge retention and improve connections, she is continually seeking appropriate ways to design the most relevant meeting and event environments and appreciates the collaboration of our SITE community to bring these to life.

If you want to learn more on Intentional Event Design, we recommend Tahira’s book. It is about creating events based on seven distinct intentions in order to drive stronger, better results. We love her blog, in which she shares her fresh, and provocative views on our industry. We are grateful to have Tahira as a friend & thankful for her commitment and efforts in creating a better future for all of us!

The founder of InspireME met Tahira while Tahira was serving on the sustainability committee of the EIC - and there was an instant connection with being being both a mom, with passion for people, nature, sustainable values, mindfulness, and creating a better, more sustainable future for future generations. Tahira loves to travel, immersing into different cultures, meeting different people. We were so lucky to welcome her to Monaco during her Europe tour for SITE in 2019. It was wonderful to let her discover ‘my’ insiders Monaco, to enjoy champagne which we both love, to cook together, to let her be part of the family live and deep conversations about life until late evening. During the SITE Global Conference in Vancouver in 2020, I was thrilled to meet her husband Greg. Tahira opened her home to welcome the SITE Board to Canada, and had to pleasure to assist Greg, a super chef, with the preparation with dinner for the SITE board. She is a dear and special friend - and we are grateful for our friendship.

15/06/2021

Our takes us to the new opened dreamy chateau of Domaine de Primard, a breathtaking 18th century estate turned five star hotel located just outside of , . It was owned by the French actress, Catherine Deneuve and spans over an impressive 173 acres in the Eure Valley. The property has 30 rooms and 9 suites and rests on a romantic landscaped garden designed by Belgian architect Jacques Wirtz.

The property is also home to a park with hundred year old trees bordered by canals, an abortorium, an orchard, a farm and much more to be discovered upon your visit. The three restaurants located Eglantine, Octave and La cuisine du château are headed by the three Michelin-starred Chef Eric Frechon. The Gastronomy is a true farm to table experience with gourmet dishes that feature fruits and vegetables from the Domaine's organic potager, a vegetable garden.

A spa, located on the site of the old woodshed spans two stories near the orchard. It welcomes guests with amenities that include a sauna, Jacuzzis, four massage rooms and more. The treatments and procedures follow the protocols developed by Suzanne Kaufmann from the Austrian Alps and is inspired by surrounding nature. We are looking forward to visiting this impressive venture created by Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher of the renowned hospitality group, Les Domaines de Fontenille.

Would you stay in this hotel chateau on your next travel to France?

13/06/2021

This Sunday, we are imagining that we are visiting the heritage site - the Pont du Gard. It is a Roman monument built around 1st century AD and is a 50km long aqueduct that supplied water to the village of Nîmes. This architectural feat is made of limestone rocks. It is three stories, measures 360 meters at its highest point and it is a masterpiece created by Roman architects and hydraulic engineers.

We think this spot makes for a beautiful sunset picnic - the team at can create bespoke travel experiences that has our guests fully immerse themselves into the local culture. We have something up our sleeves for every type of traveler and enjoy sharing our favorite destinations.

What is your dream travel itinerary?

12/06/2021

We are excited for the Grand Prix Historique to officially begin for the weekend at the Circuit Paul Ricard track. The track was first opened in 1969 and has hosted the French Grand Prix, FIA Formula 3 Championships, Moto GP, Formula 1 and more.

Inspired by the richness of the Formula 1 French Grand Prix, it aims to bring back Grand Prix heritage by displaying cars that symbolize the history of the Grand Prix and Formula 1 from the 1950's to the early 2000's. It is expected to be an exciting weekend for racing aficionados.

11/06/2021

We are so excited for the Le Mas Candille reopening today. Located a short drive from Cannes, between the mountains and the sea it offers guests a relaxing get-away. Guests are welcome to discover and celebrate the Joie de Vivre - 'Joy of Life' with delicious food, beautiful scenery, good company and relaxation. The property is home to eight acres of gardens, secluded terraces and unexpected artwork.

The spa encourages self-care and uses luxurious and bespoke natural products from ESPA and Phytomer, and offers facials, massages and more so guests can float away in blissful relaxation. After enjoying a spa treatment, there are many options to indulge in delicious French cuisine, including the restaurant Le Bistrot Du Mas. It is a fusion of French dishes and stunning views that prides itself for using delicious and local ingredients.

We are looking forward to the hotel's Michelin Star restaurant Le Candille to reopen in 2022, but in the meantime we look forward enjoying with renting a vintage car to drive through the Riviera into the mountains for a few days of Joie de Vivre.

10/06/2021

The InspireMe team is passionate about culinary innovation, especially when it surrounds sustainable food. We enjoyed this TEDx talk by Chiara Cecchini founder of Future Food Institute.

Do you have a favorite TedX talk that has inspired you to think a different way about food and sustainability?

What can we do to find solutions to provide nutritious food for nearly 10 billion people by 2050 without destroying our planet? Chiara Cecchini is on a missi...

08/06/2021

Today is , and our InspireME headquarters are in the stunning Monte Carlo. We are so fortunate to be in a beautiful destination with pristine beaches and blue waters. We strongly agree with the United Nations statement that 'a healthy ocean is a prerequisite for a healthy planet and healthy human communities.' The ocean supports human health in so many ways from giving us food to giving us serenity.

The health of the ocean is at risk - but there is hope if we come together to combat climate change, change into more sustainable fishing methods and support conservation methods to allow biodiversity the time and space to recover. We have the opportunity to drive change and build a better world for future generations to enjoy.

What will you do today to celebrate World Oceans Day?

06/06/2021

Yesterday, on Venturi unveiled the next generation and world's first zero emissions polar exploration vehicle. It will be deployed and operational at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctic station from December of 2021.

This project came to fruition after H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco returned from a trip in Antarctic in 2009. During his time there he noticed that the research stations had no environmentally friendly vehicles. He then approached Venturi to come up with a solution. The vehicle can carry both passengers and equipment to and from research sites.

As the headquarters of is in Monaco, we are proud of the sustainability innovation produced from our small country.

Have you heard of other interesting and sustainable projects announced on World Environment Day?