| Sea and rich people: where else to find a better | | | | helicopters on their top decks. Among worlds' 100 |
| combination than in Monaco! A real Monaco yachts | | | | largest yachts are: |
| parade can be admired throughout the year in the | | | | * Octopus - owned by Paul Allen, the Microsoft |
| Hercule Port, beside the local yearly yachting events. | | | | cofounder; |
| From imposing, big-sized ones to neat, small, jewel | | | | * Tatoosh - owned also by Paul Allen; |
| yachts. If you are a yachting amateur or if you are | | | | * Atlantis II - owned by the Niarchos family, |
| hardly interested in the matter (as I was before | | | | descendants of Onassis' rival Stavros; |
| seeing this impressive display) you will find something | | | | * Le Grand Bleu - owned by the Russian billionaire |
| to like here. | | | | Roman Abramovich; |
| There is a restraint, exclusivist rich group that has a | | | | * Delphine - owned by the American car magnate |
| thing for yachting, mainly because they can afford to! | | | | Horace Dodge; |
| You and I, we both know that we'd like to own | | | | * Montkaj - owned by Prince Mohammed bin Fahd, |
| even a small, "unpretentious" sailboat, don't we? And | | | | son of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd. |
| have at least once dreamed to relax on the deck of | | | | Following its policy of capitalization of all (though |
| a luxury yacht in Monaco. But, hey, who needs a | | | | scarce) natural resource, the Principality quickly |
| yacht in a so busy world? Do we wake up in the | | | | became aware of the potential of the Hercules Bay |
| morning with nothing better to do than dress in white | | | | and started a yachting tradition. There is a Yacht |
| completely (maybe some blue too), have our cafe au | | | | Club founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and it was all |
| lait (maybe a croissant also if not on diet) and go to | | | | along supported by him and his son Albert, who is |
| the quay ordering around the employees to rub up | | | | also its President. The Yacht Club de Monaco gained |
| better that side? We certainly don't! If you say you | | | | international fame attracting worlds' greatest names |
| do, that's another story! | | | | in sailing to come and battle on the Monegasque |
| What better place (and object) for a competition: | | | | waters. |
| who has the bigger, more expensive model, envies | | | | Naturally, there are also prestigious yachting events |
| arise, disputes start... Shirley Bassey reportedly | | | | of international interest, excellent opportunities for |
| complained of the big size of "Le Grand Bleu" | | | | yacht owners all over the world to show off. |
| belonging to the Russian billionaire Abramovich. The | | | | * Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse |
| yacht apparently spoiled the view on the port of her | | | | * Challenge Inter-Banques |
| uphill apartment. Well, what else would you like rich | | | | * Monaco Classic Week |
| people to do?... | | | | * Fête de la Mer |
| Beside occasional cruises and constant care some rich | | | | * Régates Corporatives |
| people find a practical use to their yachts: some rent | | | | * Monaco Yacht Show |
| them, others live there. Owning a yacht can be | | | | The events are organized with the support of H.S.H. |
| extremely useful if you are a tax exile, especially UK | | | | Prince Albert I and of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. All these |
| citizens who live in Monaco but work in the UK. | | | | events have display and competitions parts, except |
| Renting is very profitable, especially during holidays | | | | for Monaco Yacht Show, which is the greatest |
| season or when big events happen in Monaco: prices | | | | in-water yacht exhibition in Europe, without |
| go from 25,000€ per week to | | | | competition show. |
| 365,000€ per week, depending on the size | | | | So, rich or less rich, you can at least enjoy a great |
| and facilities. | | | | show for free if you happen to be in Monaco at the |
| Some of world's famous yachts rest in the waters of | | | | right time. Welcome aboard! |
| the bay. Some of them are so big that they have | | | | |