Despite a marked drop in sunshine hours, a particularly high level of rainfall, and a late spring and early summer that were considerably cooler than usual, two powerful heatwaves in July and August drove up the mercury in Monaco last year, making 2024 one of the hottest years on record.
According to IMSEE’s 2024 Weather Focus report, which combines meteorological data from the Jardin Exotique weather station with sunshine and wind data compiled by the Department of the Environment at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, scorching summer temperatures and unusually mild winter months place 2024 as the third hottest year on record in the Principality.
Coming just after 2022 and 2023 in terms of its annual average of 17.9°C, 2024 sets itself apart as a particularly mild year, as well as one marked by lower-than-usual sunshine levels.
At the top end of the scale, the absolute maximum temperature noted over the course of last year was 35.3°C. Meanwhile, the coldest temperature noted during 2024 was a mere 6.8°C—a figure considerably higher than the 4.1°C average of the past four years and one dramatically different from the sub-zero temperatures recorded in the pre-2020 years.
After a particularly mild February, where temperatures didn’t drop below 8.4°C, the mercury stayed uncharacteristically—and unseasonably—low from May through to mid-July. Then, the first heatwave of the summer kicked in, followed by a second in August, with both events driving up the summer readings. Since records began, the summer of 2024 ranked as the sixth hottest ever.
Autumn brought a marked cooling and frequent rainy and stormy spells, before another relatively mild winter arrived once more. The lowest temperature recorded in December 2024 was 6.8°C.
There was a massive 22.6% drop in sunshine hours in 2024 compared to 2023, equating to a deficit of more than 2,050 hours. Each month reflected this downward trend, with October getting the least sunshine—just 119 hours across the whole month.
2024 also saw an end to a four-year rainfall deficit, as it was one of the wettest years on record since 1966. 1,016mm of rain was recorded across the year, with 20 extra days of rain falling on the Principality compared to 2023. The rainiest months were March and February, respectively. Comparatively, little to no precipitation was recorded during these months in 2023.
The iconic Nice Carnival is making a splash this year with its ocean-inspired theme, ‘King of Oceans’. In a nod to the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice this June, the festival blends satire with an eco-conscious message, reinforcing sustainability not just in spirit but also in practice.
As the message from the carnival organisers reads: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fascinating world of ‘the great climate skeptics’, these modern-day heroes who devote their lives to proving that global warming is a man-made invention.”
Festival takes aim at the sceptics
Monaco Life was there on Saturday 22nd February, as thousands of people crowded Place Masséna, cheering and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the infamous floating heads.
Ahead of each of the 14 floats, elaborately costumed dancers paraded cheerfully while conveying important messages. One group, dressed as prisoners, held banners that read, “Liberate the oceans from microplastics”.
Amid the floating spectacles—including pirates, SpongeBob SquarePants, and giant air-filled balloons of Disney’s beloved underwater characters—one float stole the show, drawing the loudest laughter of the night. The satirical ‘Love Boat’ depicted US President Donald Trump, accompanied by a gleeful-looking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Entering the parade just after a float overflowing with waste, the message was clear to all.
The theme for the 2025 Nice Carnival is a tribute to the city hosting the UN Ocean Conference in June. Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life
Despite the heavy satire and strong political messaging, the atmosphere remained light and celebratory—a great accomplishment for the carnival, which expertly balanced entertainment with environmental awareness and political humour.
The entire parade was a breathtaking spectacle, with each float and performance more extravagant than the last. With cameras flashing and the air filled with heartwarming laughter, the crowd celebrated the 140th edition of Nice’s Carnival in grand style.
A carnival that is both entertaining and ecological
From biodegradable materials to energy-efficient technology, the Carnival is setting a new standard for environmentally friendly celebrations.
The organisers, in partnership with the City of Nice, have taken significant steps to reduce the event’s ecological footprint. Low-energy projectors, biodegradable materials, and reusable equipment are key features of this year’s festivities. Even the massive floats reflect this commitment. Made from polystyrene, the intricate designs are crafted using robotic sculpting technology, which generates a considerable amount of polystyrene dust. To mitigate waste, specialised machines collect and compress the dust into reusable blocks. Most of the material is recycled after the event, while select pieces, such as the King’s head, are preserved as part of the Carnival’s historical heritage.
Adding to the festival’s eco-conscious approach, organisers have opted for biodegradable confetti and streamers, ensuring that the vibrant celebrations leave no lasting impact on the environment.
The carnival is a major drawcard for the city of Nice every February. Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life
Tips for attending the Nice Carnival
Due to its immense popularity, most of the designated seating tickets have already sold out. However, general admission tickets without assigned seats are still available. Given the high demand, visitors are advised to arrive at least two hours before the event begins to secure a spot. Over the weekend, queues stretched along the Promenade des Anglais, with some attendees only managing to enter moments before the festivities concluded.
The festival runs from 12th February until 2nd March, with ongoing spectacles separated by the flower parade in the afternoon and the parade of lights at night. The flower parade will take place on Wednesday 26th February, and Saturday 1st March, at 14:30 in Place Masséna, while the parade of lights will be held on Tuesday, 25th February, and Saturday, 1st March, at 20:30 in the same location.
Additionally, several events offer free entry. The Carnival Village will take place on Thursday, 27th February, followed by the Queer Carnival on Friday 28th February. The Burning of the King and a fireworks display are scheduled for Saturday 1st March, while the festival will conclude with the official closing ceremony on Sunday 2nd March.
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Main photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life
In pictures: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene take centre stage at charity gala in Courchevel
More than 200 VIP guests from the worlds of sport, art and business joined Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the third edition of a charity gala night benefiting the Princess Charlene Foundation and the Courchevel Sports Club at the end of last week. The night, full of revelry and celebration, sought to underscore the values of sport and solidarity, each a key theme of the Princess’ eponymous foundation.
On Thursday 20th February, the Ineos Club House in Courchevel hosted the third edition of a prestigious charity dinner and gala event, which was presided over by a smiling Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, was a glamourous and joyful affair.
Upwards of 200 special guests attended the soirée in the luxury French ski resort, with the funds raised by their presence and participation in an exciting auction destined for projects led by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation as well as the Courchevel Sports Club.
The silent – yet highly animated – auction was conducted by renowned Finnish auctioneer Jussi Pylkkänen. Featuring rare artworks, coveted sports memorabilia such as Max Verstappen’s F1 racing helmet, and exclusive experiences like the Summit Adventure package offered by young explorer and Princess Charlene Foundation supporter Alasdair McKenzie, the sale was a high point of the evening. A raffle later in the night further contributed to raising important funds for the Foundation and its child protection, drowning prevention and sports development programmes.
Among the prizes auction lots was Max Verstappen’s Miami Vice-inspired helmet from 2022, which he was wearing when he won the F1 race in the city. Photo credit: Éric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco
As usual with this wintertime gala event, a portion of the money raised will also be given to the local Courchevel Sports Club and its young members.
To see more photographs from the star-studded evening, click on the images below:
Team Rafa, the all-electric racing boat team backed by tennis icon Rafael Nadal, has secured its inaugural victory in the UIM E1 World Championship at the Visit Qatar Doha GP. The pioneering electric powerboat racing series, presented by PIF and featuring celebrity-led teams and a strong commitment to sustainability, is now in its second season, following a successful launch and reception in 2024.
Despite consistently earning podium finishes since the championship’s inception, Team Rafa had yet to claim a race win until the Visit Qatar Doha GP over the weekend.
The team, piloted by Spaniard Cris Lazarraga and Frenchman Tom Chiappe, delivered a stellar performance, crossing the finish line first in front of the thousands of fans who had gathered along Pearl Island to witness the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP. Steve Aoki’s Aoki Racing Team came in second, followed by Didier Drogba’s Team Drogba in third.
Their triumph places Team Rafa at the top of the championship standings, ahead of Aoki Racing Team, which secured victory in Jeddah last month and now sits second in the table, and Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing in third. Hollywood star and team owner Smith was among the notable figures at the event in Doha over the weekend. His team took fourth.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions, Team Brady, backed by NFL legend Tom Brady, experienced mixed fortunes during the finals. Finnish pilot Emma Kimiläinen posted the fastest time in Final 1, but teammate Sam Coleman struggled to maintain the momentum in Final 2 after incurring a time penalty for hitting a race marker. He ultimately finished in fifth place.
Reflecting on the victory, Team Rafa’s Lazarraga, who was named PIF Pilot of the Race, became emotional in her post-race interview.
“For the last year, we’ve been looking for this win. We were determined to win. This is our mantra. Everything went smoothly, and after so much hard work, this is where we deserve to be,” she shared.
With a vision to revolutionise marine transportation, the UIM E1 World Championship goes beyond traditional racing. By introducing charging stations at race venues and prioritising clean technologies, E1 is spearheading efforts to protect and regenerate coastal waters, paving the way for greener marine practices whilst still retaining the thrill and fun of powerboat racing.
As the doors at the Grimaldi Forum opened to the 2025 Monaco Employment Forum, Monaco Life was joined at the threshold by countless eager jobseekers hoping to secure an exciting position in the Principality. Among the additions to the programme at this year’s event, which will run until 6pm on 24th February, are a new luxury pavilion, an expanded yachting section, and the possibility of undertaking on-the-spot interviews with top employers in Monaco.
On the morning of 24th February, the Monaco Employment Forum was opened to the waiting public. Monaco Life was among those through the doors early in the day, present to hear key insights from industry representatives and high-ranking officials from the Principality, including Acting Minister of State Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino, and President of the National Council Thomas Brezzo.
The 2025 edition of the Monaco Employment Forum introduced several new features to its programme, each designed to enhance job recruitment in the Principality. Among the most pertinent additions is a dedicated luxury sector pavilion, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in high-end retail and hospitality in Monaco. The presence of the yachting industry has also expanded this year, with numerous companies from the sector signing up with the goal of building their teams.
Housing solutions for seasonal workers were also addressed at the event. Through a new partnership with CROUS, certain seasonal workers in Monaco will be able to access accommodation options in Nice and surrounding areas.
Additionally, the event embraced the increased use of digital tools, such as QR codes for instant access to information and dedicated interview spaces.
National Council President Thomas Brezzo (first from left), Minister of Social Affairs and Health (third from right), and Acting Minister of State Isabelle Berro-Amadeï (second from right) with representatives from Monaco’s luxury sector. Photo by Monaco Life
In his opening speech, Robino stated, “This year, we’ve expanded both the sectors and the initiative as a whole, introducing a new luxury pavilion and an enhanced yachting section. Our focus remains on sourcing local talent and supporting them, which is why we’ve also added a dedicated interview space for employers and candidates to connect on the spot. This streamlines the hiring process and increases opportunities for both sides. I want to thank everyone who made this edition our best yet.”
Meanwhile, Berro-Amadeï added, “We aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring a smooth transition for students and young talent, while also creating opportunities for local professionals across all sectors.”
Insights from the Monaco Employment Forum 2025
Since this year’s edition includes a new luxury pavilion, Monaco Life spoke with representatives from Tiffany & Co. and APM Monaco to learn what a local-level event like this can offer high-end, international brands.
Tiffany’s HR Manager explained, “Last year was about discovering the environment; this year, we’re going deeper into the employment process in Monaco.”
He went on to explain that his team’s goal is to secure full employment in the region, with applications encouraged to submit their CVs through Tiffany & Co.’s website or the Monaco Government portal, saying, “We accept applicants from Monaco and surrounding areas, depending on what we can do on employment.”
APM Monaco, which has over 400 boutiques worldwide, also welcomed the opportunity to meet potential candidates in person and encourage them to visit their boutiques directly.
A representative for the brand told Monaco Life, “APM is from Monaco, and we appreciate the opportunity to find great talent for our brand. We have many locations.”
When asked to describe who they are looking to hire, they summed up the ideal candidate as being “chic, fashionable and smiling”.
Members of the team behind the Monaco Employment Forum are pictured discussing the event with their partners and local officials. Photo by Monaco Life
With the yachting section expanded, Cluster Yachting and Gaëlle Tallarida, the Managing Director of the Monaco Yacht Show, were also keen to share their perspectives on the event.
Carlotta Marengo of Cluster Yachting noted Monaco’s unique positioning, stating, “The Principality is a little space with big opportunities, and not everyone knows everything by going on. This is the best way to let people know.”
She explained that while Cluster Yachting may be a small company at the moment, it is actively looking for crews, project managers, and professionals with expertise in sustainable yachting. Marengo stressed the value of in-person meetings, saying, “It’s great to see firsthand the people who want to apply.”
Meanwhile, Tallarida, the Monaco Yacht Show’s long-time Managing Director and first-time participant at the event, praised the concept, saying it was “a really good initiative for Monaco.”
She added, “We are searching for talent; we recruit every year… Face-to-face contact saves time when selecting the right profile.”
Tallarida also described the forum as “a good meeting point for collecting CVs and candidates.”
In the private security sector, the right-hand man of the CEO of Boss Sécurité Privée stressed the importance of professionalism in hiring.
“We want someone punctual, in nice clothes, and with nice hair. Seeing them here, I can make a better judgment than online,” he explained, before adding that the team is hiring exclusively for work in Monaco.
Watch Monaco Life’s reel of the Employment Forum opening:
Having narrowly missed out on promotion to the Davis Cup’s World Group I after losing to Portugal at the Monte-Carlo Country Club at the start of February, Monaco have drawn Cyprus in the next round of the competition, a World Group II face-off that will take place in September.
The draw, which was held at the headquarters of the International Tennis Federation in London on 20th February, represents both an opportunity and a challenge for the Principality’s top players.
The team, featuring the likes of Valentin Vacherot, Benjamin Balleret, Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo under the captaincy of Guillaume Couillard, is eager to bounce back after a heartbreaking defeat to Portugal in a recent World Group I play-off at home. That loss denied them promotion to the higher tier, making this upcoming Davis Cup fixture even more significant.
The Monaco-Cyprus match is scheduled to take place on either 12th and 13th September or 13th and 14th September, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round.
Monaco has a strong track record against Cyprus, having secured victories in their last two encounters in 2018 and 2021. However, past success guarantees nothing, and should Monaco falter, they will remain in World Group II, while a victory would keep them on the path for a return to World Group I via another play-off.
The Davis Cup, regarded as the premier international team event in men’s tennis, is organised annually by the International Tennis Federation and features over 150 competing nations. Monaco has participated since 1929 and will be looking to harness its long history and national pride to overcome Cyprus and keep its Davis Cup hopes alive.
