Peter Thompson: View From The Top
Peter Thompson is a renowned high-culture journalist based in Europe. Peter's brand new
periodic column, View From The Top, will be brought to you right here, exclusively on Luxist.
I'm writing to you from the Principality of Monaco, the Cote D'Azur's neckless of excess. "The Playground of the Rich", I've heard people call it, and there's certainly plenty to play with inside this glittering metropolis. Paying the road toll on the way into Europe's second smallest country is like buying a ticket to paradise; everything here seems to be just about perfect. It even feels different from the nearby French coastal towns; the sun seems to have a perfect glow, like an American shampoo advertisement. And when you drive in, you had better make sure it's a nice car. If it isn't prohibitively expensive or roaringly noisy, it isn't likely to attract the swarms of tourists who crowd round every luxury car to take hopeless photos, in the vain chance that there may be someone remotely famous getting out of it.
One (admittedly great) thing about Monaco that isnt the case outside the borders is the pleasurable absence of French cars. Oh yes, this is Monaco, and you ride needs to be German, Italian or British. Theres nothing to worry about, however, for you wont get your tyres dirty. The roads, pavements and alleys are spotlessly clean, constantly swept by the countrys army of street cleaners who at times appear to outnumber the residents.
So Ive only been here a few days, but, being merely a golden thorn in the side of France, have navigated my way through most of it. Now the fun begins; Im here to work, but I would be lying if I didnt half-heartedly believe I was here for pleasure as well. Theres plenty to see, lots of money to lose, and a sufficient number of wealthy people to meet. No doubt Ill be publicly humiliated when the next issue of VFTT comes out, in which I will include pictures of my adventures.
Dont be thinking, however, that the Principality is reserved only for A-list celebs, ex-tennis
champions and luxury lifestyle journalists. You too can live it up in Monaco until your wallet bleeds dry (that
shouldnt take too long over here). So come on over, and dont forget to tell me which yacht is yours. Now, if youll
excuse me, I have to make the painful pilgrimage out of this plastic Shangri-La and into the clay-clad wastelands of a
French tennis tournament into which I have entered. My helicopter awaits
On a side note, I want to hear from you! Tell me what you think, I have always promised to personally reply to any comments or queries. Do you have a question? A query on any aspect of fine living? Need a recommendation or advice? Or perhaps you just want to tell me what you think of the site, the column or my work in general. Leave a comment below, and if you wish I will email you individually with an answer. Au Revoir!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marcelo Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM
I once said that I didn't like your comments, that's true, because, you are always showing some island or not-so-great London residences, there's much, much more out there, including the place where you live, Monaco, I never saw a comment or post here about the french riviera, or, like I always said (on 'Send us tips'), about the most expensive and exclusive store in the whole world, DASLU. That store is so exclusive that Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo (among others, that I don't remember right now), designed exclusive products for sale there, and it's located here, in South America, S?Paulo, Brasil, with the S.
Peter Thompson Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM
Hi Marcelo,
It's understandable that not everyone will be interested in absolutely everything on this site. Private Islands and London property, though only making up a small percentage of what we cover, is very popular indeed, but may not be of your interest, but of course we aim to please you with our countless other topics.
It's also hard to cover individual stores like the one you have mentioned, but we aim to please everyone and we will consider it in the future!
Thanks for the response,
Peter.
Ian Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM
Any more about the yachts?
One thing I love about Monaco is the (seemingly) endless stream of luxury yachts bobbing along in the harbour, full of eye candy (male and female).
Likely my only chance to partake would be to get my navigation certificates and join the crew, or to live vicariously through another.
So dish.
Peter Thompson Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM
Hi Ian,
The yachts are one of my favourite parts too. In the next issue of VFTT, I'll be talking almost exclusively about this fascinating aspect of the country, including a series of pictures that will accompany it.
Thanks!
Peter