{"id":88146,"date":"2021-07-26T16:13:23","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T14:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/2021\/07\/a-modern-beach-that-suits-monaco-our-readers-share-their-views-on-the-new-larvotto-beach\/"},"modified":"2021-07-26T18:55:03","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T16:55:03","slug":"a-modern-beach-that-suits-monaco-our-readers-share-their-views-on-the-new-larvotto-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2021\/07\/a-modern-beach-that-suits-monaco-our-readers-share-their-views-on-the-new-larvotto-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cA modern beach that suits Monaco\u201d: our readers share their views on the new Larvotto beach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What do you think of the new Larvotto beach? We asked our readers to share their thoughts on our Facebook page<\/a> and our Facebook group<\/a>. By the looks of it, the new seafront has divided opinions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A beautiful and modern resort <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most of our readers say they are satisfied with the new beach. \u201cThe concept of the new beach [is] very beautiful and spacious,\u201d writes Christine. Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne too is enthusiastic about the new resort. \u201cIt\u2019s much cleaner than before and therefore it is more enjoyable, even if some restaurants and shops have not yet opened,\u201d she writes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amongst the restaurants that have already open is La Note Bleue. Sylvain, who works at the establishment, shares with us his enthusiasm. \u201cWe\u2019re happy to be back. It\u2019s true that we were apprehensive about it. But we’re really happy to be here. We loved it before and now that we’re getting used to it and we do like it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a real pity for families <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A lot of change also means a lot of choices to be made. One of the victims of the beachfront renovation is the former volleyball court, which was not included in the redesigning project. Fiona expresses disappointment that the new beach is not as family-friendly as its predecessor: \u201cRestaurants used to have spaces dedicated to children. These have now disappeared. It\u2019s a real pity for families. But it is true that the beach is very beautiful and modern.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transformation has certainly not gone unnoticed with locals such as Lydia, a modern languages student in Nice, with whom we talked to on the beach. “I do have a lot of memories of the Larvotto beach, so it does make me a little sad that I am no longer able to really recognise the place. It has lost a little of its soul and liveliness. But it is still a modern beach that suits Monaco.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"larvotto-palais-princier\"
\u00a9 Palais Princier de Monaco<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A lot of concrete and not much shade <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ghislaine sums it all up in one short comment. \u201cIt\u2019s too much cement for my taste.\u201d For our readers, the excessive amount of concrete the biggest criticism of the renovation. \u201cIt is more modern, and the restaurants really have improved, but finding shade on the concrete seaside promenade is a feat. It\u2019s not particularly pleasant for families. The renovation was an opportunity to create a really cutting-edge environment, but for me it\u2019s become a missed opportunity,\u201d writes Serena on our Facebook group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rates of the private beaches are very excessive<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne agrees. \u201cThere really isn\u2019t much shade on the public beaches,\u201d she writes. Alex echoes her thoughts: \u201cThere is a severe lack of green spaces and not a single tree. There are maybe 20 cm of shade around 11:30, but otherwise it\u2019s impossible to protect yourself from the sun, which is a shame. Apart from that, I\u2019m impressed. The beach area is more spacious and more open than before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other users mention practical shortcomings. \u201cThere are not enough showers,\u201d laments Karine, \u201cand yesterday they didn\u2019t even work!\u201d. C\u00e9line suggests that Monaco put \u201csigns outside the shopkeepers because you get a bit lost not knowing what and where you are on the promenade.” Lastly, the price tag of the private beaches has raised an eyebrow or two. “The rates of the private beaches are very excessive, \u20ac30\/40 for half a day for a sunbed…” writes Alex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you lie down it feels like you’re in a cat litter box, and you come out all white<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Palais Princier de Monaco<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A non-smoking beach that makes your feet ache <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like C\u00e9line, many beachgoers are surprised that pebbles have made a comeback. \u201cAs they are still unpolished by time and very packed together, they hurt your feet a lot.\u201d And she is not alone in being disappointed by the pebbles. “They should have put real sand or something else in there instead of the white rocks. When you lie down it feels like you’re in a cat litter box, and you come out all white. It still feels quite dirty,\u201d writes User Cpags Pags. Meanwhile, Christine tries to focus on the positives. “The sea area is very pleasant,\u201d she stresses, \u201cand you can swim in peace! The only problem is the pebbles, which could have been replaced by sand! Otherwise, I really like it!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big novelty of Monaco\u2019s refurbished beachfront is that the Larvotto beach is now completely smoking-free. The ban is part of the \u201cMonaco Z\u00e9ro M\u00e9got\u201d initiative<\/a>, which seeks to rid the Principality of cigarette waste. “The non-smoking area is perfect,\u201d writes Christine. \u201cNow we\u2019ll have to see whether people will use it to smoke!\u201d According to Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne, some have already disregarded the rule. “What I can’t stand is the fact that smokers are allowed on the private beaches (much like dogs). Maybe we could make one part of the private beach smoking and the other non-smoking, so as to respect everyone\u2019s wishes…”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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