The Pattie Boyd Collection offered by Christie’s online has realised over seven times the pre-sale high estimate, selling for a total of €3,291,639. The hottest item – original artwork chosen by Eric Clapton for Layla.
The unique collection captivated hearts and imaginations around the globe, providing a remarkable window into the private world of the celebrated model, muse, photographer and icon.
The sale, held from 8th to 22nd March, was led by the original artwork chosen by Eric Clapton for the cover of Derek and The Dominos 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs which sold for €2,307,968 – 33 times the pre-sale high estimate – after a prolonged bidding battle. The artwork was originally acquired by Clapton from the son of artist Frandsen De Schomberg during a 1970 stay at the artist’s home in France, when the guitarist was struck by the resemblance to the similarly blonde-haired Pattie Boyd.
“I am completely blown away by the enthusiasm of international bidders for these special treasures that I have always loved,” said Pattie Boyd. “I am so happy that new hearts will now enjoy them, as they enter into their next ‘chapters’. I am lucky that my life today continues to bring me joy and different adventures – I would encourage people to follow their passions and live their lives with gusto!”
A handwritten love letter by Eric Clapton, ‘Dearest L’, that was urgently mailed to the Harrison home around the same time that he wrote his famous ode to unrequited love, Layla, fetched €125,093.
Other lots included a handwritten Christmas card by George Harrison, a handwritten love letter by Eric Clapton in 1970, and a Karl Lagerfeld painted silk wrap skirt.
“The outstanding results of this landmark auction are a real testament to Pattie Boyd, model, photographer, muse and icon,” said Adrian Hume-Sayer, Director, Private and Iconic Collections and Head of Sale, Christie’s London. “Making over seven times the pre-sale high estimate and setting an auction record for original album cover artwork, the sale highlights the unique way that Pattie Boyd, George Harrison and Eric Clapton continue to captivate the world – both individually and collectively. This sale documented a pivotal moment in social, cultural and music history. Pattie Boyd continues to be a true inspiration.”
The prestigious Académie Rainier III will be hosting an open day for prospective students and their parents later this month. Here are all the details.
On Saturday 13th April, between 9am and 12pm at two different sites, children with aspirations of launching a career in the arts will be able to explore the courses on offer at Monaco’s Académie Rainier III with their parents.
It will be a showcase of what the Principality’s main music and theatre school can offer students, as well as being an opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the world of the Academié Rainier III by meeting with the current intake and the establishment’s teachers ahead of the launch of the application process for the 2024/25 school year on Monday 13th May.
Those interested in the academy’s classical music and theatre courses should head to the Music Academy while prospective students of jazz and contemporary music disciplines will be welcomed at the Stade Louis II.
For more information and to book an appointment, contact +377 93 15 28 91 or visit www.academierainier3.mc.
The French government has launched a new tax credit system, the C3IV, in the hopes of encouraging companies around the country to embrace the energy transition and step up investments in green industry and technology.
The Green Industry Bill, which was adopted in October 2023 and came into effect on 14th March of this year, aims to “increase finance for the green industry, facilitate and accelerate the setup of new industries, and [promote the] development of brownfield sites” as well as boosting training for jobs in the field.
The overarching goal is to reindustrialise the nation and establish France a major player in green industry in Europe.
To help companies make the shift from traditional fuel sources to greener alternatives, and to encourage the financing of innovative projects that respect the environment, the government has announced a new tax credit, the C3IV, for companies who can demonstrate their willingness to embrace the transition.
The tax credits will be available to businesses investing in green technology, such as new-generation batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps.
For complete information on the rate of the tax credits and caps per business type, click here.
It is hoped that uptake of the C3IV will generate €23 billion of investment and play a part in creating 40,000 jobs directly connected to the green industry by 2030, while also helping France reduce its CO2 emissions by 35 million tonnes.
According to government sources, 20 approval applications have been submitted to date for a total investment amount of €1.8 billion.
55 exceptional cars from one of Europe’s largest private classic car collections, The W Collection, will be making their way from Stockholm to Monaco this May for an incredible auction held by Artcurial Motorcars.
Ahead of the Historic Monaco Grand Prix weekend from 10th to 12th May, Artcurial Motorcars will be hosting a one-of-a-kind auction of The W Collection, the private collection of classic cars belonging to an anonymous “Swedish aesthete”.
With a combined price tag of €35 million, although no reserve prices have been set for any of the cars, the highly anticipated auction of these 55 awe-inspiring vehicles is certainly one for the diary, and it is set to take place on 9th May.
Of the many beauties going under the gavel, a few of the standouts include: a 1958 Ferrari GT California Spyder LWB, with an estimated value of between €7,000,000 and €10,000,000; a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, expected to fetch between €2,400,000 and €2,900,000; and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta, which is likely to sell for between €8,500,000 and €12,000,000.
The two Ferraris, which are expected to be the undisputed superstars of the sale, were publicly unveiled for the first time ever at the Retromobile show in Paris, which took place between 31st January and 4th February.
“The W Collection: From Stockholm to Monaco reflects the excellence and precision of the taste of its owner,” says Matthieu Lamoure, the director of Artcurial Motorcars. “From Porsche to Ferrari via Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, each car of The W Collection: From Stockholm to Monaco will be presented with a complete and perfectly documented history accompanied, for the most part, by a collection of photographs of the restorations they have benefited from. We are proud to present this extraordinary collection to the public, one of the largest in Europe and the most exclusive in Sweden, which pays tribute to the discerning eye and boundless passion of a lover of aesthetics and design.”
The Brasserie de Monaco’s La Blanche beer has won a gold medal at the prestigious Concours International de Lyon, which took place on 22nd and 23rd March.
Over 1,100 international tasters tested and analysed 1,858 samples, including international entrants, during the weekend in Lyon.
The Brasserie de Monaco was awarded a gold medal for its La Blanche beer, one year after obtaining a silver medal for its Blonde beer.
The award recognizes the work of Master Brewer Valentin Kuhn and his team.
La Blanche beer from the Brasserie de Monaco has 4.8% alcohol and has a floral, slightly bitter taste to it. The brew is made with organic barley, wheat and Czech hop malts from sustainable sources and imported from nearby countries. The wheat is Belgian “weissbier – witbier” style and the citrus nuances, which come from the selection of hops, are enhanced by a touch of coriander.
“This gold medal once again demonstrates the quality of our products and the care we take in the development process,” said Gildo Pastor, President of the Brasserie de Monaco. “This is the 7th award in our history and it salutes the work done by my teams and highlights the only brewery in Monaco. We are once again making the Principality shine around the world, and I am particularly happy about it.”
The Brasserie de Monaco on Port Hercule.
The “place to beer”
It’s the Monaco Grand Prix which is now on the Brasserie’s agenda. Like every year at the end of May, “the place to beer” will be the epicenter of the F1 event of the year. Every late afternoon, as soon as the circuit layout is handed over to the Monegasques, Jérémy, Louis, Valentin, Maxence and all the teams deploy their exceptional infrastructures on the asphalt. The “Brasserie bend” then transforms into a dance floor until the early hours, from Thursday to Sunday. This year again, during this crazy week, more than 3,400 litres of blonde beer will come out of the barrels.
Yet another Mediterranean episode appears to be looming on the horizon, and the latest Météo France forecasts for the long Easter weekend suggest that at least two out of three of the days will be wet – very wet.
It is looking increasingly likely that Easter egg hunts and family celebrations will be forced indoors over the weekend as clouds gather over the Côte d’Azur and Météo France warns of incoming rains.
The gloomy forecast has cast a shadow over outdoor Easter plans, with the worst of the weather predicted to start around midday in the more mountainous parts of the region on Saturday 30th March. The coast will largely be spared of rain during the daytime, but the forecast still looks cloudy, with temperatures expected to reach a maximum of 15°C.
Although no serious weather alerts have been issued, unlike during the storms of early March, heavy rain is expected to fall on Saturday evening and continue falling throughout Sunday. The wind is also likely to play a factor in the stormy conditions, with gusts of up to 55km/h possible in some areas.
The bad weather will no doubt force many families to rethink their outdoor egg hunts and picnics, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all fun is off the Easter table. A wet weekend is the perfect time to indulge in some family baking and crafting activities.
And we can look forward to the sun returning on Monday 1st April – fingers crossed!
The Infinity VIP Lounge in Terminal 2 at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has a new team member in the form of service robot Plato.
Plato’s primary role is to support the current hosts and hostesses in the Lounge by taking over some of their more “repetitive and time-consuming” chores, freeing them up to focus on more on their guests.
With large round eyes and a smiling ‘face’, Plato is programmed to adapt to the surrounding environment, navigate crowds and carry loads up to 30 kilograms.
Plato can run for up to 15 hours on a single charge and take direction from simple voice commands.
Plato can carry trays of food to customers, transport dishes, glasses and silverware, and serve drinks. Photo via Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
“With Plato, labour-intensive, repetitive, heavy-lifting and transporting tasks are automated, promoting better health and well-being for restaurant, hotel and store staff,” says a spokesperson for United Robotics, the company who designed and built Plato.
Some of the jobs the robot can do include carrying trays of food to customers, transporting dishes, glasses and silverware, and serving drinks.
To read more about this new addition to the Infinity VIP Lounge, click here.
The prestigious Casino de Monte-Carlo will be playing host to the European Poker Tour between 24th April and 4th May. The major event will feature some of the world’s best poker players alongside up-and-coming talents, who will all be duking it out for cash prizes that might even hit the seven-figure mark.
The event, organised jointly with PokerStars, will be taking place from 24th April to 4th May in arguably the most glamourous casino on the planet.
Among the challenges facing players will be High Roller and Mystery Bounty games as well as a central tournament for the finest stars of the poker world. On top of this, there will be several Super High Roller games with a minimum buy-in of €100,000.
The fun isn’t limited to the pros, though, as the European Poker Tour will also run a series of cash buy-in games every day from the start of the competition at the Salle des Etoiles and the Salle des Palmiers.
The styles of poker being played include: 2-7 Draw, 5-Card Draw, A-5 Draw, Badacey, Badeucy, Badugi, Chinese (and variants), Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Pineapple, Pineapple Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud and Stud Hi/Lo. The games can be played No Limit, Pot Limit or Limit.
All players must be 18 and over with a valid identity card if they wish to join in or even access the casino. The dress code is casual, but athletic wear is forbidden. Additionally, according to local law, Monegasque citizens are not allowed to participate.
Kicking off the spring motorsport season in the Principality is the Monaco E-Prix, which will be back in action on 27th April.
Formula E, the electric-powered version of Formula 1, will be returning to the iconic Monaco circuit in a matter of weeks.
The sport is gaining in popularity among motorsports lovers and more than 20,000 people turned out in Monaco last year to watch their favourite drivers take on one of the world’s most challenging street tracks.
The Principality was among the early adopters of this more eco-friendly style of racing and hosted the inaugural Monaco E-Prix in 2015, just months after the very first race was held in Beijing in September 2014.
MASERATI MSG RACING
The Monaco race is always a big hit, particularly for fans of the locally-based Maserati MSG Racing team and its drivers, Max Günther and Jehan Daruvala. This year’s race will be Daruvala’s first time out on the Monaco circuit in competition as he is in his Formula E rookie season.
To date, Maserati MSG Racing has earned nine wins, five pole positions and 25 podium finishes, but no driver for the team has ever won the Monaco E-Prix.
Other top-name drivers set to compete at the upcoming stage are Renault’s Sébastien Buemi, DS Penske’s Jean-Éric Vergne, and Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans from Jaguar TCS Racing. Cassidy won last year’s race.
Over the next few weeks, Larvotto Beach will be smoothed out and levelled in preparation for the summer season. The beachfront restaurants and other local businesses will remain open, but swimming will be forbidden for the duration of the works.
The government says that the project is necessary in order to welcome the thousands of beachgoers who enjoy Larvotto Beach during the summertime “in the best conditions”.
The sands and gravel base of the beach have been impacted by the storms experienced in the region in recent weeks, making the slope down to the water steeper than usual. Therefore, the beach will be gently levelled to meet requirements.
A set of protective nets will be installed just off the shoreline in a bid to protect the seabed and its flora and fauna from any sediment released during the works.
The team in charge of the reprofiling project, which will run from 15th April until 3rd May, will be working between the hours of 7.30am and 12pm, and then again from 2pm to 6.30pm.
Although swimming will be prohibited for the duration of the works, access to the beach will still be possible, albeit section by section as the project progresses.
The restaurants and businesses that line the beachfront will remain open.
Daylight Saving Time is set to commence on 31st March at 2am, the same day as Easter Sunday, which has come particularly early this year. We explain the reasoning behind both.
Thanks to digital devices like mobile phones, chances are you won’t miss the Daylight Savings Time change on Sunday, but it’s good not be caught by surprise.
So, prepare to see the clocks move forward 60 minutes from the standard time at 2am on Sunday 31st March, effectively setting it to 3am.
It’s here to stay, for a while at least
The purpose of Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the warmer months is to conserve energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting, to promote leisure activities and economic productivity during the longer evenings, and potentially improve road safety by reducing driving in darkness.
Since 1998, the dates for time changes have been synchronised across the entire European Union, with winter time ending on the last Sunday in October, and summer time begining on the last Sunday in March.
While Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favour of abolishing the biannual time change in March 2019, Covid-19 put a stop to discussions and the topic is not expected to be revisited in the near future.
Why is Easter so early this year?
The time change uniquely occurs on Easter Sunday this year, which is falling earlier on the calendar.
Easter, a Christian celebration, always falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Moon, which is the full moon that occurs on or after the March or spring equinox. While Christmas is fixed on a solar calendar, Easter is dependent on lunar cycles, hence the date might change.
A decade ago, in 2014, Easter fell on 20th April. Six years later, in 2020, it was 12th April. This year, it’s 31stMarch.
But rest assured, Easter dates are planned well in advance. Next year, Easter won’t take place until 20th April.
The brand-new three-day Padel Best Expo show will be taking place in and around the Grimaldi Forum in just over a week’s time. Here’s what to expect from the event.
The Grimaldi Forum is gearing up for the premiere of the Padel Best Expo, which will be held from 7th to 9th April.
The fresh new concept from Italian company BSG is essentially a celebration of all things Padel, a sport experiencing rapid international growth and a boom in popularity, through a blend of competitions, networking opportunities, exhibitions and social impact initiatives.
Roberta Ceccarelli, the CEO of BSG says, “This first edition will be a homage to Italian excellence… The Padel Best Expo will bring knowledge, innovation and new trends to the forefront in order to highlight and promote Padel in its entirety.”
Roberta Ceccarelli, CEO of BSG. Photo supplied
The event is structured around three pillars: an exposition on the sport of Padel, the FIP Rise Monaco of the Cupra FIP Tour 2024 and the Givova Five Padel Cup. This latter event will feature five tournaments suitable for a range of abilities, from club-level competitions to tournaments for wheelchair athletes, women, youth players and VIPs from the sports and business sectors. High-profile participants, such as former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko, will add some star power to the event.
The Barbagiuans of Monaco, led by Louis Ducruet, are also set to participate.
“I’m delighted that the Barbagiuans are taking part in this prestigious event, in the presence of a host of celebrities,” said Ducruet. “Padel is a fast-growing sport. Hosting such an international event in Monaco is a real opportunity to continue its development in the Principality.”
A notable aspect of the Padel Best Expo is its commitment to social causes: a portion of the proceeds will benefit Fight Aids Monaco, which was founded by Princess Stéphanie in 2004, and footballer Shevchenko will also be promoting the ‘Football for Ukraine’ movement.
Hervé Aeschbach of Fight Aids Monaco said of the event, “Taking advantage of major sporting events to get health messages across is a great way of reaching a wide audience. That’s why Fight Aids Monaco’s visibility at the Padel Best Expo is a real opportunity.”
Tickets to the Padel Best Expo are available here.
In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life, Mayor Flavio Di Muro discusses Ventimiglia’s incredible transformation from border town to luxurious international hub, powered by strategic investments from neighbouring Monaco.
Amidst Mayor Flavio Di Muro’s tenure from 2023 to 2028, Ventimiglia is experiencing an exciting transformative phase.
“Ventimiglia’s transition from a border town to an international destination is underway, fuelled by Monaco’s investments and innovative urban development projects,” Di Muro tells Monaco Life.
The impact of Cala del Forte
Mayor Flavio Di Muro is at the helm of a fast-moving ship, steering Ventimiglia towards its destiny as an international hub and leveraging the success of the Cala del Forte marina, officially inaugurated by Prince Albert II on 2nd July 2021 after its October 2020 opening, to increase the town’s visibility on the world stage.
“The marina has not only generated wealth within itself, but has become a catalyst for economic activity throughout Ventimiglia,” says the mayor, highlighting the new port’s role in boosting local tourism and community engagement. “Many locals and tourists alike choose the port for their leisure activities.”
The Principality funded Cala del Forte to serve as an extension to the Ports of Monaco by accommodating the overflow of superyachts that wish to the berth in the Principality each year. The Italian port is linked to Monaco thanks to a fast shuttle, Monaco One, which delivers passengers to the Principality by sea within 10 minutes.
Cala del Forte and Monaco One. Photo credit: Cala del Forte
The development also allowed for the creation of 577 new parking spaces, 15,000 m2 of promenades and gardens, and 35 businesses, including restaurants, bars, offices and boat services.
Among them is the prestigious new fine dining restaurant La Rocca, currently under development, which will further elevate Ventimiglia’s appeal through upscale developments.
Mayor Di Muro is also spearheading efforts to enhance the educational opportunities in Ventimiglia, particularly at the Borgo del Forte Campus, a key feature of the €200 million Marina di Ventimiglia urban regeneration project. Led by Marina Development Corporation and managed by the esteemed Chatsworth Schools, the international school earmarked for a 2026 opening will mark a significant milestone in the city’s educational and urban development. The campus promises to transform Ventimiglia into a vibrant hub for education and tourism, accommodating 800 students and surrounded by a public park, sports facilities and student accommodations.
There is also the revival of a new school project in Ventimiglia Alta as well as the introduction of an elevator linking the marina to the old town, which is set to improve city connectivity significantly.
New elevator connecting marina and the old town of Ventimiglia. Photo by Monaco Life
But Mayor Di Muro believes it is important to have a balanced approach to both public and private initiatives, so the municipality is therefore making significant investments in seismic upgrades for local schools, including Biancheri and the city centre middle schools.
“These upgrades are critical for providing our children with a safe and favourable learning environment,” says the elected official.
A major aspect of Mayor Di Muro’s vision for Ventimiglia is actively enhancing the city’s appeal as a tourist destination. He champions the development of new hotels and the repurposing of historical buildings for hospitality, including the conversion of a former convent in Ventimiglia Alta into a hotel. The abandoned historic building, which had to be bordered up to prevent squatters from settling in, will be able to accommodate dozens of rooms and boasts a view over the bay of Ventimiglia.
“Our goal is to make Ventimiglia even more inviting by supporting the development of new hotel structures,” he says.
Meanwhile, as part of the Borgo del Forte development, there will soon be a new five-star hotel featuring 70 rooms and a luxurious residential component, all overlooking the new port, underway.
Ventimiglia old town. Photo by Monaco Life
Investment in infrastructure
In addition to tourism initiatives, Mayor Di Muro is deeply involved in Ventimiglia’s development of infrastructure and improvements being made to better manage traffic issues and bolster residents’ quality of life.
“We’re working on significant projects, including progress on the Aurelia Bis, a vital road that will alleviate Ventimiglia’s traffic congestion during peak times and certain seasons,” he reveals.
The economic and social benefits of these initiatives are evident, says the mayor, with improvements in safety and cleanliness already resulting in a surge in tourism.
“We’ve seen a 14% increase in overnight stays, a clear indicator of our growing appeal as a tourist destination,” Di Muro says proudly.
Fostering local economic growth
The economic impact of Ventimiglia’s transformation can not be understated, including the jobs that it creates for locals both during and after construction. Luckily for developers, there is a very skilled workforce at hand, who in turn are grateful to have this very significant employment opportunity.
“We have a resident population skilled in construction and manual labour,” says the mayor. “Having quality investments in the territory of Ventimiglia also allows these labourers to work close to home, so I believe it’s positive for everyone.”
Borgo del Forte development. Photo by Monaco Life
Integrated approach to affordable housing
Mayor Di Muro acknowledges the challenges of ensuring affordability in premium locations, yet he remains optimistic about Ventimiglia’s strides in affordable housing, thanks to the collaboration with Aziende Regionali Territoriali per l’Edilizia (ARTE). Through initiatives like repurposing the Frati Maristi convent for public housing and the strategic acquisition of homes across the city, Di Muro says Ventimiglia is taking significant steps toward fostering an inclusive and accessible community.
The transformation of the Frati Maristi site, backed by a €5 million investment from the regional authority in Liguria, and the ongoing asbestos removal in Via Caduti del Lavoro signals the beginning of these ambitious projects. The city also plans to purchase 13 additional apartments, on top of the 14 acquired in 2023, for social housing. Meanwhile, a co-housing project, designed to blend private living with communal spaces, is setting a precedent for social cohabitation in Italy that could greatly benefit families and the elderly.
The Sisters de Ordo convent is set to be turned into a hotel. Photo by Monaco Life
Underscoring the benefit of significant investment from the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) for public housing redevelopment in Ventimiglia, Di Muro says, “ARTE has been acquiring various homes throughout the city, a strategy I fully endorse. Our goal isn’t merely to avoid isolated neighbourhoods, but to actively promote social integration. This approach ensures we’re nurturing a unified, inclusive community rather than just distributing housing.”
The Terre Bianche initiative
The list of new and exciting projects for Ventimiglia appear to be never ending. As recently revealed by Monaco Life, the Terre Bianche development project, backed by the Municipality of Ventimiglia and utilising land owned by Monaco’s Princely Family, is set to feature a new international botanical school by autumn 2026. Located at the historic Cava Grimaldi site, the project aims to extend Monaco’s space creatively while boosting Ventimiglia’s economy through educational, residential, and recreational facilities.
“This project showcases our commitment to environmental sustainability and educational services,” says Mayor Di Muro.
Central to the environmental sustainability initiative is the expansion of the Euro Velo 8 cycle and pedestrian route and the restoration of the ancient Via Romana path.
“The project meticulously addresses legal standards while showing a profound respect for the landscape, avoiding haphazard construction to ensure that developments are in harmony with the environment,” says the mayor.
The project also includes the creation of a green park, the restoration of historical paths including the Roman Iulia Augusta route, and environmental improvements along the coast. This strategic development aims to preserve the area’s natural and historical heritage while promoting sustainable tourism and local connectivity.
As the city gears up for the development at Terre Bianche project to begin, Mayor Di Muro envisions a future where Ventimiglia will emerge as a model of international cooperation and sustainable development.
“We are ready to sign the urban planning convention, marking the beginning of a new era for Ventimiglia,” he says confidently, highlighting the substantial impact that yet another exciting new project will have on this Italian seaside town.
Following dozens of alarming reports about the serious side effects of fluoroquinolones, commonly prescribed treatments for bacterial infections, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office – the Parquet de Paris – has launched an inquest into the dangers of the drugs.
Tavanic, Ciflox and Oflocet are all brand names for a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. This type of drug is often prescribed by French doctors to patients suffering from severe bacterial infections, but the fear is now that the medication could be doing more harm than good.
Reports of side effects including heart problems, neurological disorders and damage to nerves and tendons have been blamed on fluoroquinolones, causing authorities to take a closer look at the treatment option and around 20 individuals are believed to have lodged complaints about the side effects they have suffered, which the French National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) says can “appear from the first 48 hours of treatment and up to several months after stopping treatment”.
INVESTIGATION OPENED
The investigation was formally opened on 27th March, according to a report by RMC. The Parquet is reported to be taking the case very seriously, with charges of involuntary manslaughter and deception being bandied about.
“I can no longer lift a plate, I need someone to go with me to the toilet. It has made me completely dependent even though I was someone independent. I am destroyed,” one patient, Françoise, who had used the drug for four days to treat salmonellosis, told RMC.
AUTHORITIES ON THE CASE
An awareness on the potential dangers of the drugs has been circulating since 2015.
Indeed, France’s Ministry of Health has reached out to healthcare professionals in a bid to warn them about fluoroquinolones and, over the past nine years, prescriptions for fluoroquinolones have decreased by 39%.
For the time being, French authorities have advised, “Particular precautions must be taken in patients treated simultaneously with corticosteroids, in the elderly, in those with renal insufficiency and in patients who have received a solid organ transplant.”
However, there is no legal obligation of doctors to inform their patients of the possible effects of fluoroquinolones before starting treatment.
If patients experience any odd symptoms during or after taking fluoroquinolones, they are advised to contact their doctors or head straight to an emergency room if sudden back, chest or abdominal pain arises.
More than four in 10 startups that were launched in France during 2023 were headed up by women, according to a new report released by URSSAF.
Between 2022 and 2023, the portion of businesses created by women in France rose from 40.6% to 43.7%. In numbers, this means that a total of 378,000 new companies were founded by women last year, with the vast majority – 308,000 – having the auto-entrepreneurs status.
TYPICAL PROFILE
The women holding auto-entrepreneur status are, on average, 42 years of age, while freelancers, also known as travailleuses indépendantes in France, tend to be a little older at 46 years of age.
Female auto-entrepreneurs, a third of which blend their startup with other forms of employment, earned €6,598 from their business, according to URSSAF’s data from 2022. This was 19% less than what their male counterparts made, but is explained by the report as being partly due to the larger proportion of women working in lower paid jobs, such as hairdressers, health care workers, aestheticians and administrative services.
In the freelance realm, women made 20% less per annum when compared to men. The average take-home in 2021 was €39,363.
