Fontvieille[1] (French pronunciation: [fɔ̃vjɛj]; Monégasque: Funtanaveya [fuŋtanaˈvɛja]) is the southernmost ward in the Principality of Monaco.[2] It was developed by Italian engineer Gianfranco Gilardini and designed by architect Manfredi Nicoletti, between the 1970s and the 1990s.

Fontvieille
Funtanaveya (Monégasque)
Location in Monaco
Location in Monaco
Coordinates: 43°43′46″N 7°24′54″E / 43.72944°N 7.41500°E / 43.72944; 7.41500
Country Monaco
Area
 • Total32.9516 ha (81.4252 acres)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total3,602
 • Density10,931/km2 (28,310/sq mi)
Websitewww.visitmonaco.com
Fontvieille in Monaco

History edit

In contrast to the other city districts Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo and La Condamine, Fontvieille was constructed, after Italian engineer Gianfranco Gilardini's[3][4] design, almost entirely on artificially reclaimed land[5] and thus represents one of the younger parts of the principality. In order to combat the chronic land shortage in the extremely densely populated principality, the work was begun in 1966 to create new land in the Mediterranean Sea southwest of le rocher.[6] In 1981, Albert II, then Crown Prince, laid the cornerstone for the new city quarter.[7]

The existence of Fontvieille, and its many public works projects, relates substantially to former Prince of Monaco, Prince Rainier III's reputation as the Builder Prince.

Plans announced in late 2009[8] to extend Fontvieille by the Department of Urban Development are currently being overseen by Prince Albert. The plan is to build a small 5.3-hectare (13-acre) aura on the west side of the rock, currently planned to be finished by 2015.[needs update]

The new area will include three to four new hotels, corporate businesses, shops and apartments for between 600 and 800 newcomers.

Despite not being the highest-priced part of Monaco, flats are also very expensive. For example, a 65 m2 (700 ft²) one bedroom apartment with one bathroom and one car parking space was offered at €3,200,000[9] in May 2015.

Geography edit

Fontvieille represents the southwestern portion of the city-state, which is an area of 33 hectares (82 acres). It accommodates 3,602.[10]

Four hectares (9.9 acres) of Fontvieille are given over to the Fontvieille Park and Princess Grace Rose Garden.[11]

Part of Fontvieille's southern boundaries include the border with the French Republic where the Didier Deschamps Stadium and the Port of Cap d'Ail are located in close proximity.

Sport edit

Fontvieille contains Stade Louis II (or Louis II Stadium), which serves as the home ground of AS Monaco FC, a Monaco football club that is one of the most successful in the French national league.

It also contains a small indoor sports arena called Salle Gaston Médecin where AS Monaco Basket plays as a member of LNB Pro A, and which hosts other events like handball, volleyball, gymnastics, and more.

Monaco's only racing team, ROKiT Venturi Racing – which competes in the FIA Formula E World Championship – is also based in Fontvieille.

Landmarks edit

The district also contains the Monaco Heliport, which provides frequent links to Nice Airport in neighboring France, with connections to direct flights to New York, Dubai, London, and other important European destinations.

Monaco's automobile museum, the Monaco Top Cars Collection, is located on the Terrasses de Fontvieille.[12]

The Museum of Stamps and Coins displays Monegasque money dating to 1640, and illustrates the postal history of the principality.

Columbus Hotel Monaco, which was owned by former racing driver David Coulthard, is located in Fontvieille.

Venturi and its subsidiary Voxan are headquartered on the northern side of Fontvieille.

Gallery edit

Notable people edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Steves, Rick; Smith, Steve (2018-11-13). Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera. Avalon Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64171-028-2.
  2. ^ Black, Loraine (1984). Monaco. Burke. ISBN 978-0-222-01010-0.
  3. ^ lesacablog No real name given + Add Contact. "081001tpbm | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  4. ^ "Gilardini Foundation home page". Gilardinifoundation.org. 2008-09-13. Archived from the original on 2011-04-07. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  5. ^ Smoltczyk, Ulrich (2003-03-14). Geotechnical Engineering Handbook, Procedures. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-3-433-01450-9.
  6. ^ "The harbour of Fontvieille in Monaco". Monaco-montecarlo.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  7. ^ "The 700 Years of Grimaldi". .monaco.mc. Archived from the original on 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  8. ^ Samuel, Henry (28 December 2009). "Monaco to build into the sea to create more space". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  9. ^ Biai Real Estate
  10. ^ Recensement 2008[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Fontvieille Park and the Princess Grace Rose Garden". Visit Monaco - Fontvieille Park and the Princess Grace Rose Garden. Visit Monaco. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Museums". Visit Monaco - Museums. Visit Monaco. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  13. ^ Piers Morgan On Monte Carlo
  14. ^ a b c d Leigh, David (10 July 2006). "The tax haven that today's super rich City commuters call home". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  15. ^ Bjorn Borg personal information, latest news, accomplishments and more[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "UIM" (PDF).
  17. ^ "Verstappen moves out of home for Monaco". GrandPrix.com. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2016.

External links edit

  Media related to Fontvieille at Wikimedia Commons