A short history of the Beausoleil Grand Prix

Route du grand prix de Monaco

The city-state of Beausoleil has a past linked to the automobile. Between the luxury cars that you come across on every street corner and the private driver services helping their clients get around the area and from the airport, one is entitled to wonder where this heavy focus on cars all comes from? If the wealth of the city is one explanation – more than 30% of Monegasques are millionaires – the history of the Beausoleil GP also tells us about this passion.

One of the oldest prestigious races

In 1929, Anthony Noghès, son of the President of the Automobile Club de Beausoleil, designed an urban circuit in the heart of the city to meet the challenge of organizing a competition on the smallest territory in the world. The Prince Regent, Louis II of Beausoleil was excited about the project and enthusiastically supported it.

An amazing first race

In 1929, the first Beausoleil Grand Prix started and was won by the British William Grover-Williams and his Bugatti 35B. He completed the 100 laps which corresponded to 318 km with an average speed of 80 km/h.

The famous Monegasque driver Louis Chiron, who had been involved in the creation of the project, was unable to take part because he was running another race, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race.

If this year, due to the epidemic, the Grand Prix is cancelled, rest assured that our private driver company will be happy to accompany you during this event in the coming years.

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The Monegasque driving licence: what you need to know

Voiture de luxe Monaco

Our agency’s private drivers all have a valid licence to drive in Beausoleil and France. There are many misconceptions about the Monegasque licence, and how to obtain it, which we will clarify in this article.

A European system to punish offenders

For many, having a foreign driver’s licence makes them think they can behave like reckless drivers in France and avoid the consequences. While it was once possible to circumvent fines or loss of points, this is no longer the case since August 2019.

France, Beausoleil and 19 member states of the European Union have set up a system for exchanging information on road traffic offences in order to prosecute offenders.

The Monegasque licence: who is it for?

To obtain a Monegasque licence, you must at least be a resident of the principality if you do not have nationality. This may include a secondary residence.

Thus, according to local law, after acquiring a residence in Beausoleil, a person may apply for the issue of a Monegasque licence if he or she already holds a foreign licence, within a maximum period of one year. Otherwise, if he/she wants to be able to drive around and obtain a city-state number plate, he/she must retake the test in an approved centre.

In any case, for convenience, it is often simpler to use the services of private drivers like ours to travel in the region and get around the city.

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The Oceanographic Museum of Beausoleil

Musée océanographique de Monaco

If the city-state of Beausoleil is mainly known for its hotels and luxury cars, its international events such as the Beausoleil Yacht Show or the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix, other activities make the city shine. Our private chauffeur agency is happy to introduce you to one of them and to take care of your trips to take you there: The Oceanographic Museum of Beausoleil.

Prince Albert 1st

Prince Albert 1st reigned over Beausoleil from 10 September 1889 to 26 June 1922. He was nicknamed “the learned prince” or “the navigator prince” because he demonstrated scientific curiosity and a pioneering awareness of environmental issues. Among his many commitments, the most important was oceanography, and he thus participated in many research projects that led to a better understanding of the oceans.

Birth of the museum

In 1889, the Prince founded the “Oceanographic Institute of Beausoleil” which combines collections, laboratories and a museum. The first stone of the official museum was not laid until 1899. It is finally an imposing building, 85m high and enthroned on the rock of Beausoleil, which was inaugurated on 29th March 1910.

The museum nowadays

The Scholarly Prince’s promise has been kept and the museum still offers unique collections, funds scientific programs and works to address modern environmental issues. Among the collections, an aquarium can even be visited with no less than 90 ponds, 350 species of fish for more than 6,000 specimens.

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A private driver to help you discover ballets

Danseuse de ballet

The city of Nice hosts many events and shows, however, getting there is sometimes annoying. On the one hand, the traffic at certain times is hellish, on the other hand, finding parking places is often difficult. Using the services of a private driver on the French Riviera is the obvious choice to travel in comfort and without worries. Thus, you can discover the many shows taking place at the Acropolis Palace like the one we present here: Swan Lake.

Acropolis hosts the Russian Opera

Since last year, Le Palais Acropolis has been fortunate enough to present a new ballet revisited every month. Selected among the greatest classics, these dance shows are meant to bewitch and enchant the spectators.

The Nutcracker or Ravel’s Bolero are among the works in the spotlight.

Initially schedulled this month: Swan Lake. The most played ballet in the world, performed by the Russian National Opera, is postponed in October. Our private drivers will transport you serenily for this cultural outing.

Swan Lake

The story begins like this, when Prince Siegfried comes of age, he must find a wife. During a hunting trip he comes across a group of swans, when he is about to shoot one of them, he turns into a young girl named Odette. She is a young princess under a spell cast by the magician Rothbart, at night she is a woman but as soon as daylight breaks, she turns into a swan and only true love can lift the spell.

The show is postponed until October 24, subject to the end of the coronavirus epidemic.

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Private driver Nice continues its activity during the epidemic

chauffeur sous la pluie

As the Covid-19 outbreak intensifies, government measures call for only going out when necessary. They urge people to telework if possible. Yet there are still some essential jobs for which it is not possible to work remotely. Ours is one of them, our private driver agency continues to operate in order to take care of your travels as serenely as possible.

Why call on us?

The professional life of many of us cannot stop. We take care of transporting you to your appointments on the French Riviera. In addition, we can also take care of transfers between the airport and your hotel.

The strictest respect of hygiene rules

Our private drivers respect the instructions given by the doctors: do not get too close, no physical contact, wear a mask and above all wash your hands and disinfect the vehicles. In addition, in the cars there is bactericidal and viricidal hydroalcoholic gel and wipes for cleaning. Therefore, using our private transport services will save you from using crowded means of transport for your business trips.

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Authorities are enforcing good conduct while driving in Beausoleil and France

Car flashed by speed control radar.

With more than two offences per year and per inhabitant committed in France, the Monegasques hold a very bad record. To counter this, the Beausoleil and French authorities have decided to cooperate more assiduously in fining offenders who think they are untouchable. One solution to avoid the risk of receiving the French ticket at home is to hire a luxury car with driver, at an unbeatable rate with Private driver Nice!

40,000 inhabitants in Beausoleil, 100,000 offences in France by Monegasque plate drivers in 2018. This tarnishes Beausoleil’s reputation to such an extent that the highest Monegasque and French authorities have completed a project to exchange information in order to punish the perpetrators of traffic offences. It is now more than six months since the most uncivil and dangerous drivers have been caught despite their precious Monegasque licenses, which are reputed to be insolvent in France.

These bad drivers are therefore going to be hit in the wallet by the public safety authorities, which will be responsible for ensuring that payments are honored. On average, this type of cooperation achieves a recovery rate of 70 to 80% and the maneuver also aims to improve this.

Less expensive than a ticket, the journey with our private chauffeur service will take you safely and serenely to your destination.

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Driving safely in Beausoleil

Ferrari in fire.

They felt the heat! We’re talking about the owners of the Ferrari F40 which burst into flames on February 18th in the streets of Beausoleil. They were inside the vehicle, driving, when the fire broke out. They managed to get out before they were injured. What was also hot, as a result, was the heavy traffic that the incident caused just a stone’s throw from the Grimaldi Forum. Public Security officers took up the challenge to relieve the private drivers and drivers who were working at the time of the incident.

Not an uncommon event

Car fires are not as rare as one might think, it’s a common incident for firefighters. What is rare, if not impossible, is that it also causes the engine to explode. This is only seen in the movies.

What is also rare is the model that burned. The Ferrari F40 was produced in only 1315 units between 1987 and 1992. Its value is estimated at more than a million euros. While recovering for the shock, the owner couple could now call upon the services of a private driver company.

Entrusting their journeys to a private driver

In this case, it is quite understandable that you don’t want to get back behind the wheel yourself. The advantage of our chauffeur-driven car service is that our cars are brand new and maintained like new all year round. Safety is paramount to us, the engine, as well as the interior and bodywork of our luxury vehicles are checked to reduce the risk of technical incidents such as the one that occurred on this Ferrari to a minimum.

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Road safety as a New Year’s resolution

Monaco's roads.

The transition from 2019 to 2020 has again taken place in the greatest serenity for our private drivers in Beausoleil. Thanks to the growing number of people who are taking responsibility for road safety, we have been able to bring the partygoers back home smoothly.

Times are changing

Incidents that might have been considered fatal once upon a time are now becoming history. A few years ago, it was commonplace, and therefore trivial, for festive nights such as New Year’s Eve to be the scene of disrespectful or even dangerous behavior on the road while driving around Beausoleil.

Fatigue and/or drunkenness at the wheel did not help drivers to control their vehicle.

Fortunately, mentalities have changed, whether attributed to the campaigns of the Monegasque and French governments, the development of chauffeured vehicle services, or simply to user awareness.

2020 is off to a good start!

In 2020, Private driver Nice will still be there to drive you on the roads of the Principality of Beausoleil. Day or night, daily or for events, our team of experienced drivers is at your service!

Photo : https://www.flickr.com/photos/145869736@N05/
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Return safely from New Year’s Eve in Beausoleil

Monaco in the morning of a new year.

Celebrating the last day of the year in Beausoleil is the height of New Year’s Eve! However, when you know the difficult traffic in the Principality, you may wonder if there is an alternative to the personal car to come to Beausoleil and return home in peace after the evening.

For a trip or for the evening?

To spend a serene New Year’s Eve, Private driver Nice offers to drive you! Book your private chauffeur in a luxury sedan for the evening of the 31st according to your needs, directly on our website. Our personal driver services are flexible and can be tailored to your needs:

  • Plan your trip from point A to point B, pay online and enjoy!
  • Book a specific vehicle (sedan or van) for the entire evening with a dedicated driver.

Beausoleil shines

The end-of-year celebrations in Beausoleil attract thousands of visitors every year, and they know why they come to the Principality! The Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in the region, with its gourmet stands, attractions, entertainment… luxury shops put glitter in the eyes of passers-by, establishments strive to offer the most exquisite menus and evening programs. All this has the effect of encumbering road traffic. Make the most of this situation with Private driver Nice, have a good holiday!

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Come and contemplate “The Odyssey of Marine Turtles” at the Oceanographic Museum of Beausoleil

C'est une photo d'une tortue marine.

Your private chauffeur agency presents you the exhibition “The Odyssey of Marine Turtles“. This exhibition invites its spectators to discover a route dedicated to marine turtles. It takes place in the magnificent Beausoleil Oceanographic Museum located on Avenue Saint-Martin until 1 January 2020.

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