Menton’s one-of-a-kind Fête du Citron is back from 15th February to 2nd March. This year’s edition promises to be a dazzling, otherworldly experience where visitors can enjoy parades, enchanting night-time processions and stunning citrus displays, all based on the theme of Voyage to the Stars and set against the picturesque backdrop of this charming coastal town.
The Fête du Citron, or Lemon Festival in English, dates back to the late 19th century, when local hotel owners sought to attract more tourists to this stretch of the coast during the winter season. Inspired by the success of the Nice Carnival, they organised a parade through the heart of Menton, featuring lemons—the local speciality—and what began as a modest fruit fair has since evolved into an internationally renowned event.
The festival attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually, and this year’s theme, Voyage to the Stars, promises a stellar-inspired experience.
Over the course of more than two weeks, from 15th February to 2nd March, visitors will be treated to a host of events and activities designed to enchant and impress. Festival highlights include the spectacular daytime and night-time citrus parades, where intricately decorated floats and costumed performers create a vibrant spectacle, while the Biovès Gardens will be transformed into an exhibition of citrus sculptures, offering a mesmerising display of creativity and craftsmanship.
Beyond the parades, visitors can explore the crafts market, immerse themselves in the fragrant Festival of Orchids and enjoy a variety of activities, including concerts, a winter garden show, a charity race and an exhibition of citrus-based creations and sculptures. There will also be perfume workshops, special lunches at La Casetta municipal nursery, guided hikes, pruning courses and tasting sessions at a local lemon farm. Together or individually, these activities will give visitors a deeper appreciation of the region’s rich agricultural heritage and craftsmanship.
For more information about the event and the schedule, click here.
Looking for an exciting and educational family outing this half-term? The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco has you covered, offering one free child ticket with every adult entry purchased until 9th March.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is always worth a visit, but with free entry for children this winter break, it’s a must-see.
Visitors will find themselves immersed in a world of marine wonders, with exhibits that bring the mysteries of the ocean to life.
The aquariums, among the oldest in the world, house thousands of rare and colourful fish, 200 species of invertebrates and a hundred species of corals. Another highlight is the Sea Turtle Care Centre. An extension of the museum on the edge of the Saint-Martin Gardens, it was built to care for injured turtles found locally or brought in from other centres.
Through interactive exhibits, visitors will learn about the challenges turtles face in today’s world and how conservation efforts can help protect their future. In addition, a thematic exhibition takes guests on a journey through time, tracing the history of turtles from the era of dinosaurs to the modern-day threats they encounter.
For those in search of adventure, the museum offers an escape game set aboard Princess Alice II, the famous laboratory boat of Prince Albert I. Designed for ages seven and up, the game immerses players in maritime exploration, challenging them to solve puzzles and uncover secrets of the deep.
Young visitors can also engage in hands-on learning experiences, exploring the plants and animals of the Mediterranean coast in a dedicated discovery room. Meanwhile, technology enthusiasts can take a virtual plunge into the depths of the ocean with a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience, allowing them to explore marine life without ever getting wet.
The Oceanographic Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5.30pm. The special holiday offer applies to one-day entrance tickets only, with a package price of €20.50 for one adult and one child aged four to 17. Children under four enter free as usual. To reserve tickets, click here.
Monaco is set to strengthen its role in clinical research with the launch of M-CRIN, a new platform connecting local researchers to international networks.
On Friday 7th February, Monaco Life attended the official signing of a strategic agreement between the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM) and the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) at the Ministry of State.
The agreement marks the creation of the Monaco Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (M-CRIN), a platform aimed at strengthening clinical research in the Principality, while aligning Monaco’s efforts with France’s F-CRIN, a national network supporting research into conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and rare illnesses.
Established in 2012, F-CRIN facilitates large-scale clinical trials, promotes collaboration between research networks and provides support in legal, regulatory and quality assurance matters. By integrating with this structure, the new M-CRIN platform will allow Monaco-based researchers and medical professionals to contribute to internationally recognised studies while benefiting from established expertise.
Strengthening Monaco’s role in clinical research
The collaboration is expected to improve compliance with regulatory frameworks and streamline clinical trials in Monaco. Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino acknowledged that while research studies have been conducted in the Principality’s healthcare institutions, challenges remained in protocol validation and trial promotion.
“M-CRIN will allow us to better structure clinical research in Monaco, ensuring that studies meet international standards and are properly supported,” he told Monaco Life.
Professor Patrick Rampal, President of the CSM, highlighted the establishment’s expansion into biomedical research over the past 15 years, particularly in translational and clinical studies, saying, “The establishment of M-CRIN will enhance coordination and professionalism in local research while allowing Monaco’s scientific and medical professionals to take part in major international programmes.”
A monitoring committee composed of representatives from CSM, INSERM and F-CRIN will oversee the collaboration, reviewing progress annually.
Professor Didier Samuel, the CEO of INSERM, noted the strategic benefits, stating, “By integrating Monaco into the F-CRIN ecosystem, we are expanding our research networks, ensuring that more institutions can contribute to high-level clinical studies.”
He added that the initiative would also attract new talent, creating a dynamic research environment that benefits both healthcare professionals and patients.
Robino concluded, “The ability to participate in clinical trials of this scale is essential for our healthcare professionals. It provides them with the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge research, which ultimately benefits patients in Monaco and beyond.”
For Monaco, the agreement represents an opportunity to expand its influence in the medical research sector while providing local researchers with access to established international frameworks. For INSERM and F-CRIN, the integration of Monaco’s institutions adds a new dimension to their research ecosystem.
Left to right: Prof. Patrick Rampal, President of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco; Lionel Beffre, Monaco’s Minister of the Interior; Prof. Didier Sameul, CEO of INSERM; Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health; and Prof. Patrick Rossignol, President of M-CRIN . Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department
Upcoming Hubert Clerissi exhibition to explore the Monegasque artist’s unique evolution
A new exhibition set to open in Monaco’s Salle d’Exposition du Quai Antoine 1er later this month will explore the artistic evolution of Hubert Clerissi, tracing his journey from architectural precision to expressive freedom.
The Mairie de Monaco is supporting an exhibition dedicated to the work of Monegasque artist Hubert Clerissi (1923-2000) that will run from 20th February to 21st March at the Salle d’Exposition du Quai Antoine 1er. The retrospective, titled Hubert Clerissi – Espaces ciselés, is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Pavillon Bosio – École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques.
The exhibition will showcase Clerissi’s unique style – one shaped by his background in architecture and his pursuit of artistic independence. His father, who was a practicing architect, had a strong influence on Clerissi’s early work, which was marked by structure and precision. Over time, he moved away from this rigid framework, using line not just as a technical tool but as a form of expression. His urban landscapes balance this tension, with architectural order meeting more spontaneous, expressive strokes. His watercolours take a different approach, capturing movement and fragility with fluid, shifting forms.
Clerissi’s work reflects influences from Utrillo, Dufy and Buffet, blending different techniques to play with texture and spontaneity. There’s an urgency in his approach, a need to experiment, while his use of line becomes a way to push boundaries and explore his own artistic identity.
The exhibition is being presented in partnership with the post-Master’s programme Décors at Pavillon Bosio. This initiative, designed for graduates holding a DNSEP (Diplôme National Supérieur d’Expression Plastique), supports emerging professionals in scenography through paid commissions from cultural institutions. Participants in the programme gain access to Pavillon Bosio’s facilities and can apply for structured internships.
Curated by Leah Friedman, an artist-scenographer and former student of Pavillon Bosio, the exhibition’s artistic direction is being overseen by Nadia Omiecinski, Clerissi’s daughter. The scenography is being designed by Maria Magdalena David and Illona Rougemond-Mosconi, both artists-scenographers from the Décors programme.
Workshops related to the exhibition will also be organised, providing an opportunity for visitors to engage further with Clerissi’s artistic process.
France is making a major push to establish itself as a global artificial intelligence hub. Earlier this month, President Emmanuel Macron announced that foreign and domestic companies have committed €109 billion to AI projects across the country, including a massive €50 billion pledge from the United Arab Emirates to develop a 1-gigawatt data centre in France.
Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris on 10th February, Macron highlighted the need for Europe to accelerate AI investments if the bloc hopes to remain competitive with the United States and China. He also revealed that a huge €109 billion has been secured for France through investment pledges and a range of projects from both domestic and international companies.
Reuters reports that Brookfield Asset Management plans to invest €20 billion in AI infrastructure in France, primarily in data centres, over the next five years. Meanwhile, Apollo Global Management has reportedly committed €5 billion to AI energy-related projects across the country, while Digital Realty is set to allocate €6 billion for data centre developments in Paris and Marseille. Amazon, meanwhile, has confirmed a €6 billion investment in its cloud infrastructure, part of which includes a previously announced €1.2 billion expansion by 2031, and the UAE is understood to have made a €50 billion pledge to develop a 1-gigawatt data centre in France.
France’s AI push amid global competition
While Macron has touted these investments as a game-changer for France’s AI ecosystem, the country still faces stiff competition from the US and China. According to The Verge, the EU as a whole has mobilised €185 billion to compete in the global AI race. However, US companies continue to dominate AI infrastructure investments.
A key example is Meta’s ongoing expansion in Louisiana. The tech giant has earmarked approximately €60 billion for AI investment this year, with one of its most ambitious projects being a €9.2 billion data centre in the Richland Parish. The facility, spanning 2,250 acres, will require 2.23 gigawatts of 24/7 electricity—enough to power over two million homes.
Macron’s vision for France’s AI ecosystem
Despite the scale of American investments, France is determined to carve out its place in the AI industry. According to The Financial Times, Macron has repeatedly pointed to France’s access to low-carbon energy as a key advantage for data centres. The country has also facilitated AI research through initiatives like Hi! PARIS, a joint research centre between HEC Paris and the Polytechnic Institute of Paris. Meanwhile, startups such as Mistral AI are gaining traction by developing open-weight large language models.
Macron’s announcement comes as the Stargate Project, a €460 billion AI initiative backed by OpenAI, Oracle and Japan’s SoftBank, accelerates AI infrastructure development in the US. Meanwhile, the big US tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta continue to invest billions in AI, widening the gap between Europe and its competitors.
Franco-Ukrainian restaurant Renée is redefining fine dining in Nice with its Mediterranean cuisine, artfully crafted cocktails and exceptional service. Set on the iconic Promenade des Anglais, it’s a chic new destination where every meal feels like a special occasion.
Nice has no shortage of restaurants, but few manage to capture the essence of effortless hospitality quite like Renée. Perched along the waterfront, this contemporary yet deeply personal establishment is redefining what it means to dine well in the city.
With its eclectic style, seamless service and a bold menu that weaves together French and Ukrainian influences, Renée has, in just 12 months, become a standout destination for those who appreciate both artistry and attention to detail.
Left: Iberian pork chop. Cosy interior at Renée.
At the helm of the kitchen is Chef Vadim Astori, whose vision brings a refined yet playful touch to classic European and Mediterranean cuisine. Dishes are sophisticated without being fussy, highlighting bold flavours and impeccable technique.
We tried the salmon crudo with truffle and ponzu sauce – a delicate yet punchy introduction, while the Black Angus filet mignon Rossini, crowned with a lavish portion of foie gras and a rich meaty jus, delivered pure indulgence. Other standouts include the Iberian pork chop, homemade ravioli with girolle mushrooms, sole in a smoked beurre blanc, and duck breast glazed with honey and XO chilli. It’s the kind of menu that tempts you to return, just to uncover more of what’s on offer.
Left: Renées grilled octopus. Right: the restaurant has an ambiance that effortlessly shifts between the seasons
Beyond the kitchen, Renée’s personality shines in its approach to hospitality. Our bottle of red wine was attentively poured into an elegant crystal decanter and left to breathe as the first round of cocktails arrived. The bar, led by Marusya Okuschinska and Polina Kirdoglo, formerly of Sugaar Paris, is an experience of its own. Their cocktail menu, divided into playful categories like “wild and freaky” and “strong and serious”, showcases both technical mastery and a fearless sense of creativity. The truffle martini is a daring and seductive choice, offering just a glimpse of a cocktail list that, much like the food, invites guests on an adventurous exploration of flavour.
But Renée is more than just a beautiful space with great food and drinks—it has a story. This is the first French venture from the VarFamily hospitality group, founded by Anastasia and Alexander Varava. With six successful restaurants in Dnipro, Ukraine, the Varavas set out to bring their signature approach to service and atmosphere to the French Riviera. Renée embodies their philosophy: it’s not just about serving food, but about creating a memorable, heartfelt experience. Their Franco-Ukrainian background is reflected not only in the cuisine, but in the warmth and precision of the service, making each guest feel genuinely welcomed.
Renée offers different seating options depending on your mood
The restaurant itself is designed to offer different moods depending on the occasion. The terrace, with its sea views, is perfect for a relaxed afternoon, while the main dining room strikes a balance between elegance and comfort.
Tucked away inside is the Secret Room, an intimate space for private gatherings, where Renée has been collaborating with Unlimited Art Space to bring contemporary art into the dining experience. This partnership has transformed the restaurant into a cultural hub, showcasing works by emerging artists and creating a dialogue between gastronomy and artistic expression.
Most recently, Renée hosted an exhibition by Ukrainian artist Yevhen Klymenko, whose evocative blend of abstraction and symbolism offered guests a unique, immersive encounter with art. For the Nice Carnival, Renée will showcase a new exhibition by Guillaume Cavalier, a member of the École de Nice and Nouveau Réalisme movement, featuring recent works in a scenography inspired by the carnival’s vibrant colors and festive spirit. This ongoing collaboration continues to enrich the restaurant’s atmosphere, ensuring that each visit is not only a culinary delight, but also a journey into creative discovery.
Yevhen Klymenko’s work on display at Renée
Renée is a place where everything feels intentional, from the design to the drinks to the way each dish is presented. It’s a restaurant that doesn’t just serve food, but tells a story—one of craftsmanship, passion and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether stopping in for a cocktail, a lingering meal or simply to soak in the atmosphere, Renée is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.
See more of Cassandra Tanti”s experience in the video below…
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Main photo left: Chef Vadim Astori at Renée in Nice. Right: Angus beef filet mignon with foie gras and black truffle. All photos credit: Coline Ciais-Soulhat
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