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Day: 25 March 2025

Sunset Ball theme for Bal de la Rose as Louboutin returns as artistic director

by: Niki Borisova
25/03/2025
Bal de la Rose

The Bal de la Rose, one of Monaco’s most high-profile social events and an occasion founded by Princess Grace in the 1950s, is returning in March with a Sunset Ball theme under Christian Louboutin, who will be picking up the mantle of the gala’s artistic director for the fourth consecutive time.

After a stunning Disco theme in 2024, a vibrant Bollywood affair in 2023 and a 1920s extravaganza in 2022 – all under the esteemed fashion icon – Monaco’s next Bal de la Rose is set to take on a more abstract motif in 2025. Louboutin has chosen a Sunset theme for the upcoming edition in spring, which will be held at the Salle des Étoiles in Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday 29th March.

Not many details have been revealed about the prestigious gala, but a source at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), the event’s organiser, has confirmed to Monaco Life that the journalist and presenter Stéphane Bern, a close friend of the Princely Family, will once again constitute a key part of the proceedings as the evening’s host.

The Sunset theme gives the VIP guests more fashion freedom than previous editions of the ball, but the dress code, as always, will be strictly black-tie, with suits required for men and evening dresses for women.

The Bal de la Rose was established in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, and it continues to serve as a major fundraising event for the Princess Grace Foundation, which supports numerous humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives in the Principality and around the world. Since 1964, proceeds from the evening, including those raised through the raffle and auction of artworks and other items, have been directed towards charitable projects.

The gala is a significant fixture in Monaco’s social calendar, drawing members of international high society for an evening of revelry each year. The event is traditionally presided over by Princess Caroline of Hanover, who continues her mother’s legacy.

Enquiries about tickets, which cost €1,800 per guest, should be directed to baldelarose@sbm.mc.

Check out the Monaco Life coverage of the 2024 Bal de la Rose below:

Disco fever hits Monaco: Inside the spectacular Bal de la Rose 2024

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: Éric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

 

*Originally published 13th February 2025

Monaco legal advisors urge stronger banking rights amid legislative push for reform

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/03/2025

The Monaco Chamber of Legal Advisors has issued a strong call for reforms to ensure easier and fairer access to banking services in the Principality, particularly for entrepreneurs and professionals who are increasingly hampered by delays and refusals when opening accounts.

The statement, delivered on 17th March by Chamber President Robert Boisbouvier, comes in the wake of broader efforts by the National Council to tighten banking laws and improve financial inclusion.

“We affirm that the proper functioning of the right to an account is a strategic and essential lever for Monaco’s attractiveness,” said Boisbouvier. “Excessive restrictions or refusals to open accounts are hindering the creation of new companies and the daily work of key economic actors.”

The Chamber’s proposals come as Monaco continues to grapple with the real-world limitations of its 2020 banking legislation, known as Law 1492, which granted residents and businesses the right to a bank account. Despite this, many applicants have faced unexplained refusals or long administrative delays—issues that prompted the National Council to introduce Bill 263 in October 2024. The new bill, which was unanimously approved, aims to tighten deadlines for banks, introduce faster appeals processes, and ensure that account denials are based strictly on anti-money laundering regulations, not vague economic reasoning.

At the time, Christine Pasquier-Ciulla, Chair of the National Council’s Legislation Commission, described the legislation as a necessary safeguard. “We have planned to further strengthen the deadlines applicable to banking institutions and an emergency procedure so that the person or entity that is refused the right to an account can quickly obtain justice,” she said during the public session.

The Chamber’s latest intervention complements this legislative momentum. One of its key proposals is to allow trusted legal and accounting professionals—such as lawyers, notaries, and advisors—to receive share capital in professional escrow accounts. This would provide a secure and efficient alternative for businesses awaiting bank account approval, ensuring that company formation is not unnecessarily delayed.

The Chamber also supports the creation of a dedicated unit within the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, in collaboration with Monaco’s Economic Development Department, to temporarily hold funds for new enterprises. “This mechanism would guarantee financial continuity for entrepreneurs and avoid the current bottlenecks,” said Boisbouvier.

In addition, the Chamber is calling for Monaco’s banks to reassert their role in supporting the Principality’s economy by justifying account refusals and committing to a maximum processing time of three weeks. However, Boisbouvier cautioned against importing overly litigious procedures seen in other jurisdictions, favouring Monaco’s tradition of close cooperation between institutions.

“One of Monaco’s many comparative advantages lies in its close cooperation with government agencies,” he said. “We must preserve a consensual and responsive framework adapted to the economic realities of the Principality.”

Monaco Life is produced by a team of 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. 

Yachting: Tony Parker’s M/Y Infinity Nine receives three-star Sea Index certification

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
25/03/2025

M/Y Infinity Nine, the 35-metre superyacht owned by basketball icon Tony Parker, has been awarded the prestigious Sea Index three-star certification, with Prince Albert II of Monaco personally bestowing the honour on the former NBA champion at a ceremony hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco earlier this month.

Tony Parker, the former professional French-American basketball player and current majority owner of LDLC ASVEL, knew from the beginning of his M/Y Infinity Nine project — a compact explorer with remarkable transoceanic capabilities, boasting a range of over 6,500 nautical miles — that he wanted the vessel to balance performance with environmental responsibility.

Speaking about the development of the 35-metre yacht, which was delivered by AvA Yachts in 2022, Parker explained, “From its conception, we had a clear and determined desire to build M/Y Infinity Nine, a yacht that can combine innovation, performance, with an environmental approach. This project demonstrates that excellence is not limited to pure performance, but also encompasses responsibility to our planet. It is this sustainable vision from the start that makes all the difference.”

Now, his efforts and those of the shipbuilder have been rewarded. On 20th March, at a ceremony hosted at the Yacht Club de Monaco, M/Y Infinity Nine officially joined a growing list of environmentally conscious superyachts that have been awarded the prestigious Sea Index certification, with Prince Albert II of Monaco personally handing Parker the accolade.

See more: How the YCM’s SEA Index is setting the gold standard for sustainability assessment in yachting

The Sea Index began in 2020 as a collaborative project backed by the Yacht Club de Monaco and Credit Suisse. Its goal is to increase awareness of yachts’ carbon emissions among owners of vessels over 24 metres. Those that embrace environmentally friendly technologies and innovations within the yachting industry stand to gain certification ranging from one to five stars, depending on the vessel’s environmental footprint.

Parker’s M/Y Infinity Nine has achieved a three-star rating, a status that offers yacht owners a golden ticket to exclusive advantages that extend beyond environmental recognition, from discounted anchorage fees in Monaco’s ports to priority access to 15 partner ports between Menton and Saint-Tropez, and additional financial incentives such as a 10% insurance discount with Jutheau Husson. As an added benefit, yacht crews working aboard three-star vessels also receive special discounts on sustainability training at the Yacht Club de Monaco’s La Belle Classe Academy.

“With the SEA Index® certification, we support shipowners in their energy transition, offering them a clear vision and a strategic advantage,” noted Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco. “Its deployment beyond Monaco brings together a yachting community committed to preserving the ocean.”

As the yachting industry continues to navigate towards a more sustainable future, initiatives like the Sea Index prove that luxury and environmental consciousness can indeed sail side by side. For more information on the scheme, click here.

Read related:

Yacht Club de Monaco’s SEA Index to be adopted by 15 Côte d’Azur ports

 

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: Yacht Club de Monaco

Hera mission reveals groundbreaking space discoveries at public conference 

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
25/03/2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Hera Mission captivated space enthusiasts on Saturday during their public conference in the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen in Nice, pushing the boundaries of cosmic exploration. From unprecedented asteroid deflection techniques to exclusive glimpses of Mars and its moons, the event offered a thrilling window into humanity’s latest space adventures. 

Monaco Life attended the conference, where leading space scientists shared remarkable insights into some of the most ambitious space missions of our time. The event kicked off with a presentation by Dr. Patrick Michel, director of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Hera mission member, who walked the audience through the intriguing world of asteroid detection and prevention.

‘’We had no clue how the asteroid looked, for us it was just a mathematical model initially,’’ Dr. Michel explained, ‘’then we saw the camera of the spacecraft approaching the surface and realised that our first test was going to be successful. It is something I can only hope for people to feel once in their lives.’’

See also: Monaco to have front-row seat to Apophis asteroid’s historic Earth flyby

The revelation of the first-ever successful asteroid deflection test left the public awestruck. Michel reassured attendees that the possibility of a catastrophic asteroid impact in the next century remains extremely slim, demonstrating the remarkable progress in space safety technologies.

Naomi Murdoch, another Hera mission member, then unveiled exclusive images of Mars and its moon Deimos from an unprecedented angle. ‘’Most spacecrafts that go past Mars can only see its moon from Mars’s perspective,’’ Murdoch said. ‘’This was the first time we managed to pass behind it and witness the other side of Deimos.’’

The mission’s achievements didn’t stop there. Ian Carneli from the European Space Agency shared the challenges of launching their space probe. ‘’We signed the project during the pandemic, so suddenly many components were missing,’’ he told Monaco Life. ‘’After four years of incredible adventure, we finally put the space probe on the SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher on 7th October 2024, and now we have a beautiful space probe in space that works brilliantly.’’

The events highlight: Driving in space 

Perhaps the most exciting revelation came with the MMX mission, which plans to deploy a small rover built by France and Germany on one of the Mars’s moons. Murdoch humorously noted that the rover will move at a snail’s pace due to the moon’s gravity – any faster, and it could roll over or fly off the surface. 

The conference concluded with an immersive experience, inviting attendees to try on virtual reality masks and taste the excitement of space exploration. Dr. Michel also shared a preview of the asteroid Apophis, which will visibly pass by Earth on Friday 13th April 2029 – a cosmic event that promises to captivate the world. 

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. 

Pavillon Bosio launches inspiring spring arts programme

by: Niki Borisova
25/03/2025

Monaco’s École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques – Pavillon Bosio is setting the tone for spring with a series of public events that will spotlight its ongoing engagement with emerging contemporary artists, design and education. On the agenda: special guests, a student exhibition and the launch of Women are Beautiful, a show honouring the work of four female Italian artists.

This March, the École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques – Pavillon Bosio (ESAP) will host a trio of events that reflect the school’s interdisciplinary approach and its collaborations with leading figures and institutions in the arts. All of the events are open to the public.

On Wednesday 26th March, at 10am, students from Pavillon Bosio will welcome Nina Artioli, the granddaughter of Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti, for a conference on scenography. The talk is being organised in collaboration with several major institutions, including the École d’architecture Paris-Malaquais, the Beaux-Arts de Paris and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, as part of the L’Entour programme, which focuses on exhibition scenography.

The following day, at 6pm, a group exhibition titled Leaving the Ground will open at the Quai Antoine 1er Gallery in Monaco. The show will feature the work of third-year ESAP students and serves as a key stage in their academic development. According to the school, the exhibition reflects on spatial relationships and display choices, with each student presenting a personal project in a collective setting.

On Friday 28th March, artist Nathalie Du Pasquier, art historian Valérie Da Costa and curator Mathilde Roman will co-lead a talk at the Pavillon Bosio. The session precedes the opening of Women are Beautiful, an exhibition running from 28th March to 16th May at the Società delle Api on Quai Antoine 1er that will present works by four Italian female artists: Carla Accardi, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Marisa Merz and Cinzia Ruggeri. The scenography for the show was created by students from the school’s Décors programme. The vernissage will be held at 6pm following the panel discussion.

For more details about these events, click here.

Read related:

Interview: Pavillon Bosio Director Thierry Leviez about his ambitions for Monaco’s art school

 

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: Pavillon Bosio 

Richard Gasquet handed wildcard for final appearance at Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/03/2025
Richard Gasquet

In a symbolic gesture honouring one of France’s most beloved tennis figures, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters has awarded a main draw wildcard to Richard Gasquet for the 2025 edition of the tournament, set to take place from 5th to 13th April. Tournament Director David Massey made the announcement on 21st March, marking the beginning of what will be Gasquet’s final appearance at the prestigious clay court event.

Gasquet’s Monte-Carlo story began in dramatic fashion in April 2002, when, at just 15-years and 10 months old, he stunned tennis fans by winning his first ATP Tour match against Franco Squillari, a former Roland-Garros semi-finalist who was ranked 53rd in the world at the time. Emerging from the qualifiers thanks to a wildcard, the teenager also defeated two Top 100 players before narrowly falling to world No. 6 Marat Safin in the second round. It was on the clay of the Monte-Carlo Country Club that fans first glimpsed the elegance of his trademark backhand and immense talent.

In April 2005, at just 18-years-old and ranked 101st, Gasquet secured one of the most iconic victories of his career when he defeated world No. 1 Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. The epic match saw him save three match points before triumphing in a thrilling 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 contest, etching his name into tournament folklore. His run was halted only by a rising Rafael Nadal, who would go on to claim his first Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo.

Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet on the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club in 2005. Photo source: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

A three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist (Wimbledon 2007 and 2015, US Open 2013), former world No. 7 and winner of 16 ATP titles, Gasquet is among the few players to have contested over 1,000 matches on the professional circuit. His fluid style of play and signature one-handed backhand have made him a favourite among fans for more than two decades.

Now, as he approaches the twilight of his career, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is offering the Frenchman a final farewell on the courts where his legend began. It will be a chance for fans to celebrate an exceptional journey defined by passion, talent and unforgettable moments.

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, under the presidency of Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, is one of the ATP Masters 1000’s most iconic events and marks the official start of the European clay court season. This 118th edition will welcome 42 of the top 45 players in the world, including nine of the ATP’s Top 10. The draw ceremony will be held at 5pm on Friday 4th April at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the official hotel of the tournament, in the presence of three-time champion and defending title holder Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Read related:

Star-studded line-up confirmed for Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2025

 

Monaco Life is produced by a team of 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.  

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