With AS Monaco due to face England’s Aston Villa in a Champions League fixture next Tuesday at the Stade Louis II—a major moment for the home side—the Monaco Government has released parking and travel guidelines for fans coming to watch the game, as well as for locals who will need to navigate the extra-busy streets of the Principality.
The game at 6.45pm on Tuesday 21st January will coincide with another big event: the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival’s gala night at the Chapiteau de Monaco, which will start at 8pm.
With both events taking place in Fontvieille, in neighbouring venues to be exact, the Principality’s car parks are likely to be at full capacity. To best manage demand, the Monaco Government has allocated car parks to each event and is encouraging spectators to make use of the Principality’s public transport connections.
Fans heading to the AS Monaco v Aston Villa game are being advised to use the Wurtmberg, ZAC Saint Antoine, Stade Louis II and Salines car parking facilities. All other car parks in the Fontvieille neighbourhood will be out of bounds.
Circusgoers, meanwhile, should prioritise the car parks of La Colle, Papalins, Le Port, Ecoles and Saint Nicolas. The Fontvieille Shopping Centre car park will also be open to those heading to the Big Top from 6.30pm.
Given the large-scale nature of these two events, locals and commuters in the Fontvieille area should note that Avenue des Castelans will be closed from 3.45pm. Those parked in the quartier are being advised to leave via the Marquet link road in the Saint Antoine Mixed Development Zone, Avenue de Fontvieille or Avenue Albert II. Where possible, the government recommends avoiding the area entirely from 4pm onwards.
The Centre Scientifique de Monaco has officially appointed Sylvie Tambutté as its new Scientific Director. The distinguished marine biologist, who made her name with groundbreaking research on coral calcification and the challenges these vital organisms face in the era of climate change, succeeds Professor Denis Allemand.
With a scientific career spanning more than three decades, Sylvie Tambutté has led numerous interdisciplinary and international projects, fostered collaborations among leading institutions worldwide and produced more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier scientific journals.
In her first statement as Scientific Director, Doctor Tambutté expressed her commitment to the institution’s mission, noting, “It is an honour to assume the scientific leadership of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, a world-class institution dedicated to advancing research. Together with our research teams, administrative staff and partners, we will continue to develop innovative solutions and provide decision-makers with the knowledge necessary to foster a sustainable future, in line with the vision of Prince Albert II of Monaco.”
Tambutté has long been a prominent figure at global conferences focusing on the calcification mechanisms of marine organisms. Her team’s achievements have brought international recognition to the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and enhanced its influence in the field of marine biology.
Under her leadership, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco will continue its work across diverse research fields, including marine biology, medical biology, polar biology and molecular biology. She aims to expand interdisciplinary research initiatives tackling critical global issues such as coral reef preservation, polar ecosystem health and biomedical advancements with potential implications for human health.
She also has plans to amplify the Centre Scientifique de Monaco’s international collaborations, encourage the recruitment and development of young researchers, and invite esteemed scientists from around the globe to contribute to the institution’s work.
Beyond advancing research, she will prioritise increasing public awareness of environmental challenges. By promoting educational programmes and science outreach initiatives, she hopes to make science more accessible and inspire the next generation of researchers and environmental advocates.
“I want to strengthen the bridges between disciplines and unite teams around innovative projects aimed at making a significant contribution to science and society, while pursuing our objectives within an ethical and sustainable framework,” she explained.
Tambutté succeeds Professor Denis Allemand, who devoted nearly four decades to the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, including 25 years in the role of Scientific Director.
Monaco’s Mediatheque has received an extraordinary donation of 614 rare books from the personal library of Robert Fillon, former ambassador and president of the Albert I Centenary Commemoration Committee.
The handover was formalised on 14th January 2025 at City Hall, with Mayor Georges Marsan and senior officials present to welcome this exceptional addition to the Fonds Patrimonial.
The collection spans six centuries of publishing history, from the 15th to the 20th century, and includes invaluable works that chronicle the evolution of thought and the art of bookmaking. Among the highlights is a 1478 parchment edition of Mammotrectus super Bibliam, printed just 25 years after the invention of the printing press. This landmark acquisition is the Mediatheque’s first incunable—a term reserved for books printed before 1500—and evokes the legacy of Gutenberg’s printing revolution.
Another standout piece is a meticulously preserved 18th-century edition of the Encyclopédie by Diderot and d’Alembert, a cornerstone of Enlightenment-era knowledge and intellectual exploration.
“Public service is about serving the public, and this is what City Hall represents so well,” said Fillon. “I am proud and moved to donate part of my collection to an institution dedicated to making knowledge accessible.”
Mayor Georges Marsan expressed his gratitude, noting the donation’s special significance in the year of the reopening of Médiathèque Caroline at the Îlot Pasteur. “This gift greatly enriches our cultural heritage, and we thank you wholeheartedly,” he said.
The Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique de Monaco’s latest exhibition, L’Effet Papillon, invites visitors to explore the prehistoric fauna of the Mediterranean region and the broader impact of biodiversity changes over time. The display in the Jardin Exotique neighbourhood will remain on show until 1st December 2025.
Key features of the exhibition include a section dedicated to the Alpine ibex, or bouquetin, which examines the species’ evolution from the Paleolithic era to the present day. The exhibition also highlights smaller species, such as insects and butterflies, exploring their role in ecosystems and the incredible variety of life they represent, from prehistoric times to the present.
Visitors can view an array of archaeological artefacts, including fossils, skeletons, and statuettes, illustrating humanity’s historical relationship with the animal kingdom.
Contributions from key institutions, such as the Direction de l’Environnement de Monaco, showcase local biodiversity efforts and conservation projects. Meanwhile, the exhibition includes a separate area highlighting the work of the Jardin Animalier de Monaco in protecting endangered species.
Over the coming months, a variety of workshops, guided tours, and lectures will be available to visitors, offering insights into the role of animals in shaping ecosystems and evolution. The exhibit’s immersive displays aim to make the content engaging and accessible to all ages.
The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 6pm at the Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique de Monaco, located at 56 bis Boulevard du Jardin Exotique.
Tickets are priced at €5 for adults and €2.50 for students. Children under 10 and certain groups, including members of Monaco’s prehistoric and speleology associations, are granted free entry upon presentation of relevant identification.
For more information, contact the museum at map@gouv.mc or on +377 98 98 80 06.
Classical and baroque students from the Académie Rainier III are set to present an evening of collective performances featuring guitar groups, clarinet quartets, strings and accordion players at the Théâtre des Variétés next week.
On Wednesday 22nd January at 6.30pm, the Académie Rainier III will host its annual Concert des Ensembles at the Théâtre des Variétés on Boulevard Albert 1er. The event will feature performances by student ensembles specialising in classical and baroque music.
The programme includes a variety of instrumental groups, from guitars to clarinets and from chamber music to accordions. These ensembles reflect the breadth of instruction offered by the Académie, which has been central to Monaco’s cultural and musical education and evolution since its establishment in 1978.
The Académie Rainier III has long served as a training ground for young musicians, who regularly showcase their talent in public performances in the Principality. Events like this concert provide students with an opportunity to perform in front of an audience while also highlighting the Academy’s role in promoting artistic development within Monaco.
The concert is free, but attendees must reserve seats in advance by emailing academie@mairie.mc with their name and the number of seats required.
Mika Biereth, signed from Sturm Graz in a €13m deal over the weekend, delves into his “old-school” play style and journey through the London academies as he was presented as an AS Monaco player.
Ahead of making his debut for Les Monégasques during a Coupe de France defeat at the hands of Reims on Tuesday, Biereth was presented to the press on Monday, providing insight into his route to the Principality club.
A “no-brainer” to join Monaco
Monaco had been in the market for a striker since it was decided that Folarin Balogun would require surgery on his shoulder dislocation, suffered in October.
Adi Hütter initially alluded to a loan signing before Monaco made what CEO Thiago Scuro described as a “long-term” investment in Biereth.
For the Principality club’s CEO, Biereth’s strong desire to join Monaco was crucial. “Since the first contact, we saw the mindset and his desire to come. He did a lot on his side to come here and we appreciated that. It was very important to us,” said Scuro.
“It was the right time in my career to take the next step,” began Biereth, evoking the transfer, which was completed on Saturday. “The ambition and level of Monaco speaks for itself. It was a no-brainer […] to join a club like Monaco is really special for me and I can’t wait to get started,” he added.
On the London merry-go-round
A “no-brainer” perhaps, but as Biereth told the journalists amassed at his presentation in La Turbie, his career path has been thoughtfully curated.
Born to a German-Danish father and Bosnian mother in London, he did his tour of the elite academies in the English Capital.
The Denmark U21 international joked about how he spent eight weeks on loan at Chelsea as a right-back before getting the chance to integrate the academy of their local rivals Fulham. It is there that he got his opportunity as a striker.
He spent five years with the ‘Cottagers’ before making the move to Arsenal. However, he never made a professional appearance for the ‘Gunners’. Instead, he had to prove his worth elsewhere.
After what he described as a “difficult” loan in the Netherlands with RKC Waalwijk, he then had more successful stints at Motherwell in Scotland and then with Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Biereth explains his inability to establish himself at his formative club. “While I was at Arsenal I was young, they probably didn’t think that I was ready for the opportunity,” he began.
Monaco’s Mika Biereth alongside Krépin Diatta and Eliot Matazo in training. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life
“After my first loan, a difficult loan, then moving to Scotland and then to Austria, improving stage by stage in my career, taking my time with it and trying to make sensible decisions in terms of which clubs I go to best display my talents, now, at the age of 21, I think that I have progressed a lot since the age of 19,” added Biereth.
He is not the only Monaco striker to have not established himself under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Balogun, who joined from the ‘Gunners’ in the summer of 2023, was the same. Having played with the USMNT forward at Arsenal, he is looking forward to rekindling the “friendship”.
“It is nice to see a familiar face. We played a few matches with the U21s together. There was a connection on the pitch. Balo and I have a friendship from before. It is nice that we are now at the same club,” said Biereth.
An “old-school” fox in the box
Biereth now finds himself once again in competition with Balogun, but also with George Ilenikhena and Breel Embolo. With four strikers now at Monaco, Scuro admitted that one could potentially leave the club come the end of the season.
The new signing will therefore want to hit the ground running and he does bring something different.
The Danish striker described himself as an “old-school” forward, part of a “dying breed”.
“I understand how important the build-up is, being available for the team, but at the end of the day, I’m a striker and I love scoring goals,” began Monaco’s new No.14.
He added, “A lot of the goals that you’ll look at aren’t the prettiest, not goals that you’ll see in YouTube video highlights. But for me, it doesn’t really matter how the ball goes in the back of the net. Scoring is one of the most important things in football and I try to do it on a consistent basis. Sometimes my goals aren’t the prettiest but a goal is a goal.”
Biereth says that he takes inspiration from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. “When I was younger, he (Drogba) was one that I really liked to watch. He plays with that physicality and that intensity and scored in big moments and that set him apart from other strikers,” he said.
“He is clearly a finisher. He knows where he has to go. He smells where he can score goals from,” said Hütter of his new striker, who he will be hoping will contribute to a successful second half of the campaign for Monaco.
