October 3, 2015 – As I hurtled around Monte Carlo’s Fairmont Corner like a Formula 1 Ferrari (but on heels not wheels) to meet our Maclynn8 guests at the Fairmont Hotel for our transfers to St Paul de Vence, the backdrop of glorious Mediterranean blue sea made me marvel at how, yet again, we had been blessed with the most perfect weather. Somebody up there loves us.
I greeted our assembled party, which included five from London, one from Paris and a few glamorous Monaco ladies who I hadn’t previously met, and could tell that everyone was equally suffused with the ravishing promise of the day. Introductions all gaily made, we slid into our awaiting limos and glided as if in an instant up into the gorgeous hills of St Paul.
Alain Llorca our destination restaurant of choice, was heaving as if it was still high summer, but the incredibly professional staff clearly had everything smoothly in hand as we were escorted to our table, with its incredible view over the medieval hilltop jewel that is St Paul, set in its stunning Provençal valley falling away to the deep blue yonder of the Med. What an experience! Thank you, thank you M. and Mme. Llorca and Patrick Baroli, our amicable sommelier, for allowing us to feel so at home in such a wonderfully special place.
Numbering 18 in all, the glamorous Maclynn8 gathering made up quite a party, so our charming men agreed to change places between courses. And what courses! Our feast started with wonderful amuse bouches, followed by amazing peppers stuffed withmousse au morue (Bless the French, doesn’t that sound so much more haut-cuisine than cod mousse?), and on it went. We had pre-ordered the menu and Bradley of Club Vivanova, our unflappable host and the most organized man in the world, had to remind people what they were eating – distracted as they were by the wine, the company and the general ambience, not to mention concentrating hard on their fast-talking flirting techniques.
It was a little hard to pull ourselves away from such convivial surroundings, but a stroll around the idyllic village after lunch was just what the doctor ordered, followed by coffees and limoncellos in the square; a quick power shop in Fragonard and we were off back to Monaco, address books full from a whirlwind trip of glamorous international networking.
Viva la Maclynn and Club Vivanova! Until Spring, when we’ll be back for another…
By Barbara Brudenell-Bruce, Managing Director Maclynn8
Barbara represents Maclynn in Monaco & London, and in 2014 launched Maclynn8, an invite-only private members networking club for the world’s most exceptional people. She pairs her incredible list of contacts with an intuitive sense of compatibility and environment, channeling the elusive magic ingredient that brings people together. events@vida8.com
