1863 – 2013: MONTE-CARLO SBM celebrates its 150th anniversary
An exceptional celebration on the theme of dreams
In 1863, under the aegis of François Blanc, a new “Société des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers à Monaco” (S.B.M.) was born, which today has become Monte-Carlo SBM. Its founder responded to an invitation from Prince Charles III of Monaco, inspired by
the vision of His mother, Princess Caroline.
Thanks to the development of the Société des Bains de Mer’s establishments, a new district was born on the Spélugues plateau, which in 1866 became known as Monte-Carlo. The opening of the Casino in 1863 was the first founding act of the Société des Bains de Mer. Next to the Casino, François Blanc designed a palace (Hôtel de Paris), a social and dining venue, the Café Divan (future Café de
Paris) and a spa dedicated to health and well-being (Les Thermes Marins). His successors developed and perpetuated his work, providing customers in search of new pleasures with new offerings worthy of their expectations. The Opéra will sublimate the arts on Casino Square, the Golf Club and Monte-Carlo Country Club will celebrate land sports, Monte-Carlo Beach will consecrate seaside pleasures, and the Sporting d’Eté will honor the world of show business. At the same time, palaces will be refurbished (Hôtel Hermitage) or built (Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort) to extend the innovation, enchantment and magic of your stay. And let’s not forget spaces dedicated to partying, such as the famous Jimmy’z nightclub, or the Buddha-Bar.
François Blanc, and those who continued his work at Monte-Carlo SBM, were the first entrepreneurs to offer a “total” resort experience, rather than just a holiday destination.
Today, the Monte-Carlo SBM Group is one of Europe’s leading players in the gaming sector and the leader in luxury tourism in the Principality of Monaco, as well as partnering the Principality’s most important sporting and cultural events.
To come to Monaco is to live a unique experience, consecrating the S.B.M. as the forerunner of modern tourism, which now offers a complete “Art de vivre” package.
While François Blanc’s immortal phrase “Ici, nous devons donner du rêve…” (“Here, we must make dreams come true…”) is more topical than ever, its message is a lasting inspiration for the evolution of a company that invented the resort concept and has perpetuated it with know-how and inventiveness over the generations.
To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Monte-Carlo SBM will be honoring the excellence of its establishments and its professions to illustrate in masterly fashion the theme of this eventful year: “1863: And Monaco invented Monte-Carlo. 2013: The legend continues…”.
A YEAR TO EXPERIENCE OR RE-EXPERIENCE THE RESORT CONCEPT
Since its creation, the group has imposed an image of the highest quality, inimitable and daring, in the world of luxury tourism. In this spirit, and to continue writing the history of the Société des Bains de Mer, a calendar of events has been devised throughout 2013. It reflects the founding philosophy of the resort concept: “everything, right away, in one place”.
All our staff have put their talents to work to make every moment unique. Each and every one of Monaco’s clients, guests and visitors will be able to enjoy a few moments or several months of…dreaming.
Highlights of the festivities
On the initiative of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM), the year begins with a cultural event: MONACOPOLIS.
The original exhibition traces the various stages in the urbanization and expansion of a legendary city, entirely dedicated to pleasure and entertainment. Villa Sauber presents the birth of Monte-Carlo’s emblematic district. The 600 historic plans, most of them drawn from the Monte-Carlo SBM archives, highlight the constant renewal of the area.
Villa Paloma focuses on the urban planning projects submitted since the 1940s by both renowned architects and visionaries
(Eugène Beaudoin, Le Corbusier) and astonishing unknowns vying with each other in ingenuity (Henry Bulgheroni).
On March 23, the Bal de la Rose opens the celebrations on the theme “Bal de la Rose du Rocher”, an evening combining homage to the past and modernity, an invitation to celebrate the perpetuity of the dream that Monte-Carlo SBM has embodied for 150 years, under the artistic direction, this year, of Karl Lagerfeld.
For over 25 years, Alain Ducasse has been creating cuisine at the Louis XV that respects its environment. A cuisine of essentials that seeks to renew the way haute cuisine is viewed. He will be bringing his personal touch to the 150th anniversary of Monte-Carlo SBM, where the culinary art is constantly being renewed thanks to all these talented chefs.
On April 2, the anniversary of the company’s creation, Monte-Carlo SBM reveals the treasures of its archives in an event book: “Rêves, de la Société des Bains de Mer à Monte-Carlo SBM” (Dreams, from the Société des Bains de Mer to Monte-Carlo SBM).
July 5, 6 and 7: an “Exceptional Weekend” will highlight the unique character of the Monte-Carlo SBM resort. The weekend also marks the opening of the summer artistic season. This year’s Monte-Carlo Sporting
Summer Festival will be more star-studded than ever, with Rod Stewart kicking things off, followed throughout the summer by a host of internationally renowned artists celebrating this unique venue that has welcomed some of the world’s greatest voices.Monte-Carlo SBM establishments will be offering a wide range of specials and surprises on themes ranging from wellness and gastronomy to nightlife, the performing arts, culture and sport.
The program includes an exceptional concert with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra on July 5 at the Opéra Garnier, as well as
surprise guests.
During the summer, the Casino terraces will host an open-air cinema. Every day, “Monte-Carlo fait son cinéma” will be shown, a film compiling extracts from films shot in Monte-Carlo. Produced by students at the Factory film school (Lyon),
with the participation of Monaco’s Audiovisual Archives, the film is designed “in the manner of” artist Christian Marclay, creator of “The Clock” (Golden Lion for best artist at the 54th Venice Biennale).
D
t was therefore only natural that, on the occasion of Monte-Carlo SBM’s 150th anniversary, a strong initiative should be taken to pay tribute to and enhance this specific audiovisual heritage. Grace Kelly, Sacha Guitry, Audrey Hepburn, Jeanne Moreau, Pierce Brosnan and Vanessa Paradis, among others, will appear on screen in an incredible audio and visual compilation, clashing eras and styles.
Find out more about Monte-Carlo SBM’s centenary celebrations on :
www.150montecarlosbm.com
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
