Port Hercules
Port Hercules (French: Port Hercule) is the only deep-water port in Monaco. The port has been in use since ancient times. The modern port was completed in 1926, and underwent substantial improvements in the 1970s. It covers almost 40 acres (160,000 m2), enough to provide anchorage for up to 700 vessels. The port is located in the La Condamine district. Harbour pilots are required for all vessels longer than 30 metres. The depth of water in the harbour ranges from seven metres for standard berths and up to 40 metres for the outer piers and cruise ship docks.[1]
In 2010 the Finnish manufacturer of marinas and pontoons Marinetek was hired to deliver three new pontoons to Port Hercule. Monaco's old fixed piers were replaced by Marinetek's floating concrete pontoons. The renovation was completed in 2011.[2]
In 2011, Jean Michel Jarre performed a free concert in front of 85,000 spectators, to celebrate the wedding of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock.
The Port Hercule is home to the Foire de Monaco, an annual with fair merry-go-rounds and crepe stands in October-November.[3]
In popular culture
In 1995, the harbour was used as a location in the James Bond film GoldenEye. Bond (played for the first time by Pierce Brosnan) tries to stop the villainous Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen) from stealing a helicopter, but she escapes when Bond is foiled by the local police who are unaware of who he is.[4]
References
- ^ Utilisateur, Super. "Le port Hercule en détails".
- ^ http://www.goodnewsfinland.com/archive/news/marinetek-delivers-luxury-pontoons-to-monte-carlo/
- ^ "La Foire attractions". Mairie de Monaco. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "Tiger Helicopter Harbour (Port Hercule Harbour) - James Bond Locations".
External links
43°44′06″N 7°25′34″E / 43.735°N 7.426°E
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