Monaco Luxury Experience thrills supercar enthusiasts at Paul Ricard F1 Circuit

An exclusive group of supercar enthusiasts and VIP clients were drawn to the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet in mid-October for the second edition of the Monaco Luxury Experience. This invitation-only event offered guests a rare and intimate opportunity to not only witness the latest in automotive innovation but to get behind the wheel of some of the world’s most coveted cars. 

On Tuesday 15th October, the heat was palpable both in the air and on the track as Monaco Luxury’s loyal clients seized the chance to experience the latest high-performance models firsthand in a dynamic, hands-on setting.

Guests not only had the exhilarating opportunity to be driven around the Formula One track at breathtaking speeds by professional drivers in high-end, luxury vehicles, but they were also invited to participate in a private track session. Here, they could experience the thrill of driving their own cherished cars at high speeds, all within the safety and control of a racetrack environment.

Guido Giovannelli, Director of Monaco Luxury and BPM Exclusive, which organised the event, explained to Monaco Life, “We wanted to create something special for our clients. Monaco is small, so we don’t always get to use these incredible cars. This event gives our customers a chance to fully enjoy what we offer in a way that simply isn’t possible on Monaco’s streets.”

The private track session was a huge hit with guests. Photo by Monaco Life

Exclusive unveilings and track experiences

The day’s highlights included the local debut of some truly remarkable cars, with presentations focused on the most recent offerings from brands like Rolls-Royce, Pagani, Maserati, Aston Martin and Bentley. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II wowed clients with its blend of luxury and rugged capability, while the Pagani Utopia Roadster stole the show with its €3.1 million price tag and 864-horsepower V12 engine.

Pagani leading the pack during the drivers’ circuit experience. Photo by Monaco Life

“Pagani has always focused on attention to detail and meeting the needs of its customers,” Francesco Scardia, Pagani Sales Manager, told Monaco Life. “What we do is build cars that reflect the owner’s personality and desires. With a small production of fewer than 60 cars a year, each Pagani is essentially a one-off, with no two sharing the same colour combination. From the very beginning, we positioned ourselves not to compete with others, but to compete against ourselves.”

Aston Martin’s V12 Vanquish was another crowd favourite, showcasing its top speed of 344 km/h and cutting-edge carbon fibre design. The Vanquish, with an asking price starting at €389,000, is available to order through Aston Martin Monaco. 

This ultra-exclusive Ferrari Daytona, with its custom gold rims, was delivered to a Monaco client during the Monaco Luxury Experience. Photo by Monaco Life

Meanwhile, Ferrari presented its ultra-exclusive Daytona model at the Monaco Luxury Experience, a car reserved strictly for long-term Ferrari clients. With only three to four units sold annually, the model displayed at the event had been delivered to a Monaco customer on the morning of the unveiling. This particular Daytona stands out with its striking gold carbon detailing and gold rims. It has a two-year production timeline and a starting price of €2.2 million. Monaco’s very own F1 driver, Charles Leclerc, is known to be seen driving this model around the streets of the Principality.

For car enthusiasts, this was more than just a display — it was a full sensory experience. Clients were invited to take part in circuit driving sessions, slalom challenges and even an off-road adventure in the Ineos Grenadier.

Monaco Life taking a test drive of the Ineos Grenadier, with its plane-like interior. Photo by Monaco Life

We were fortunate enough to take the wheel of this impressive vehicle, which features a cockpit reminiscent of an aircraft, complete with toggle switches and a central control panel that’s super easy to use. The automated braking system kicked in smoothly as we navigated rough terrain just outside of the circuit. The Ineos Grenadier certainly takes four-wheel-driving to an elite new level and, with a starting price of just €85,000, it feels like a pretty great deal.

Clients at the heart of the event

“The feedback from our first event was so positive that we knew we had to do it again,” said Giovannelli. “It’s all about creating these unique experiences for our clients, where they can immerse themselves in the world of luxury cars.” 

Without a doubt, the pinnacle of the day was the circuit driving sessions, led by professional race car drivers, which were fully booked with all brands from start to finish. Luckily, we secured the last session of the day with driver Sébastien Mordillo, who pushed the McLaren 750S to its limits, leaving our photographer wide-eyed and breathless in what was easily the most adrenaline-pumping ride of his life.

It’s not often you get driven around a Formula 1 track in a supercar. Photo by Monaco Life

Discussing trends in the luxury and supercar market, Giovannelli was keen to highlight an emerging shift in the luxury and supercar market: the growing emphasis on sustainability, a topic not often linked to this industry.

“Sustainability is becoming a key focus for many brands. For example, both Bentley and Ferrari are pushing hard on sustainability initiatives. We’ve committed to carbon neutrality for our Ferrari and Bentley divisions, and we’re investing in local projects around Monaco to support sustainability, including agriculture. It’s important for us, and it’s something our customers are increasingly asking for as well. Everyone has a responsibility,” he explained.

Another noticeable shift is the growing presence of women as luxury car buyers, something that was clearly visible at the Monaco Luxury Experience.

“Our database shows that we have more than 107 female Ferrari buyers, so that’s a significant amount. Next year, we’re planning to do something specific for this demographic,” revealed Giovannelli. “We also have women in leadership positions within the company. For instance, our new Ferrari director is a woman with great experience in the U.S. market, and the daughters of the owner are also very active in the business. At Rolls-Royce, much of the team is female-run as well. The market is definitely changing.”

As the sun set on the track, the Monaco Luxury Experience highlighted the unique bond between supercar brands and their loyal customers, proving that this is not just about the cars, but about living the dream that comes with them.

Want to see/hear more? Check out our video below… 

Greenhouse gas emissions in Monaco have fallen by more than a third since 1990

The Principality’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are paying off according to the UN’s 2024 National Inventory Report, which states that Monaco’s output has fallen by 34.5% since the 1990 reference baseline levels. These results are being pinned largely on reduced fossil fuel consumption and the transition to the use of biofuels and renewable energy sources.

The results of Monaco’s efforts to bring down the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions have been revealed in the UN’s 2024 National Inventory Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Based on data collected in 2022, the Principality has made “significant progress” in reducing overall emissions, resulting in a 34.5% decrease since the baseline year of 1990.

According to the report, this astounding drop has been made possible thanks to far-sighted policies that have led to less fuel consumption in the Principality’s transport and construction sectors, as well as an uptick in the use of biofuels.

Even bigger strides have been made in energy management. The study showed that 65.5% of energy consumed in Monaco in 2022 came from renewable sources—43% of that coming from hydropower—a share that continues to travel on an upward trajectory.

Furthermore, the report points to the success of the Monaco Government’s Environmental Department-led schemes that are aimed at creating nature-based solutions to help with climate resilience, as well as the national Low Carbon Strategy. This plan is intended to smooth the road to carbon neutrality by 2050 while taking into account current challenges posed by climate change issues.

Essentially, the report proves that Monaco’s commitments in reaching the goal of reducing GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 are working.

To read the full report, click here.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Basketball: AS Monaco overcome Cholet in strong final quarter to win 89-72

For much of the game, it looked as though AS Monaco Basket would be defeated by Cholet, but the Roca Team rallied in the final quarter to secure a surprise 89-72 victory and maintain their unbeaten home record this season.

AS Monaco secured their third victory of the Betclic Elite season on Sunday 20th October, defeating Cholet 89-72 at the Salle Gaston Médecin.

It was a close run win, with AS Monaco Basket trailing for large parts of the game. Despite their struggles in the first three quarters, however, the home team appeared to find their rhythm in the final sector, outscoring their opponents 30-8 to seal the win.

“In the last quarter, we ensured the game was completely different. It’s important for the rest of the season, despite the first 30 minutes being more complicated for us,” said Sasa Obradovic post-game.

See more: Basketball: Roca Team suffer first loss of the season against FC Barcelona

Jordan Loyd, who led the scoring for Monaco, shared, “The start of our match was a bit flat, but we made defensive adjustments. I’m happy with my 24 points, but there’s still much to do collectively.”

The win means that AS Monaco Basket remain unbeaten at home this season, both in the EuroLeague and the Betclic Elite league.

The team will now be looking ahead to their next EuroLeague fixture against Paris Basketball on Thursday 24th October.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok

 

Photo credit: AS Monaco Basket

Monte-Carlo Country Club to welcome Tennis Europe Junior Masters for fourth consecutive year

The Monte-Carlo Country Club is set to host the prestigious Tennis Europe Junior Masters Monte-Carlo this October. It marks the fourth edition of the event, which takes place under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, and brings together the top young talents from across Europe.

Organised by the Fédération Monégasque de Tennis, the Junior Masters is a season highlight for the under-14 and under-16 categories of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour. The tournament, held from 23rd to 26th October, will feature the top eight boys and girls in each category, offering a glimpse into the future of professional tennis. Past champions include tennis icons Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Kim Clijsters, and Belinda Bencic.

The competition will unfold on the iconic clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, home to the ATP Masters 1000 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. This year,  local talent Lenny Petit will represent Monaco in the under-16 boys’ category, a source of pride for the Fédération Monégasque de Tennis.

“It is a great honour to host the Tennis Europe Junior Masters Monte-Carlo for the fourth consecutive year,” said Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, President of the Fédération Monégasque de Tennis and the Monte-Carlo Country Club, in a statement. “I am thrilled to welcome these young champions, who are undoubtedly the future stars of world tennis. I am especially proud to see Lenny Petit continue to excel and represent Monaco at this significant Junior Tour finale.”

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo source: La Fédération Monégasque de Tennis

 

Monaco to host first ever World Yachting Summit in 2025

It has been announced that the inaugural edition of World Yachting Summit (WYS) is set to take place from 15th to 17th April 2025 at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco.

The event promises to be a pivotal gathering for the yachting industry, bringing together experts, visionaries and industry leaders to discuss key challenges and innovations that will shape the future of the sector.

Over the course of three days, the summit will feature networking opportunities, showrooms, and plenary sessions covering four major themes: Business Perspectives — Changing Paradigms, Tourism & Yachting — Recipes for Success, Technological Advances — The Road to Net-Zero, and Challenges Ahead — Reinventing Yachting. This platform will encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing as participants explore ways to drive sustainable growth, adopt new technologies, and expand into emerging markets.

Monaco, often regarded as the Capital of Advanced Yachting, has been chosen as the starting point for the inaugural event, then Dubai will host the next edition in 2026.

“A key feature of WYS is the open nature of its program overseen by the editorial team. Participants are invited to submit proposals that can be incorporated into the program as keynotes, case studies or round tables,” said Laurent Perignon, WYS Development and Content. 

Key partnerships include Monaco Marina Management (M3) and Dubai-based luxury real estate developer OMNIYAT.

For further details on participation and registration, visit worldyachtingsummit.com.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Main photo: WYS organisation team and partners, welcomed by Bernard d’Allessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco. Photo source: WYS

Princess Charlene named Ambassador of No Finish Line’s 25th anniversary edition

No Finish Line, the round-the-clock charity sports event held over eight days in Monaco each autumn, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this November. To mark the occasion, the association has announced that this year’s patron and ambassador will be none other than Princess Charlene of Monaco.

For 25 years, No Finish Line has been a cherished, charity-driven tradition in Monaco. This year’s edition, which will be taking place between 16th and 24th November, will see participants run or walk the designated city course at any time of the day or night for the duration of the event. For every kilometre completed, a euro is donated to charity, making it a rewarding challenge for both the participants and the causes they support.

No Finish Line’s organisers, Children & Future, have announced that the patron of this silver anniversary event will be Princess Charlene. The Princess has long supported charitable causes in the Principality, notably through her eponymous foundation, and, as a former Olympian, has a special place in her heart for those that promote being active.

“I am happy and proud to be the patron of the 25th edition of No Finish Line, and I wish the organisers, the teams and all the participants a wonderful adventure,” says the Princess. “Every step, every effort, contributes to the success of this event and demonstrates our commitment to the actions of the Children & Future association. I thank you for your participation and your enthusiasm!”

The funds raised by the event will benefit the many programmes sponsored by Children & Future, whose focus is on promoting and contributing to the defence of children’s rights worldwide through a wide range of international projects.

To find out more about the No Finish Line event or to sign up, click here.

Read related:

Photos: Princess Charlene celebrates students’ creativity in Impis U16 rugby kit design

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

 

Photo via No Finish Line