Monaco’s former car museum has shifted gears, reopening as Box98 — a new leisure centre inaugurated by the Princely Family and featuring karting, bowling, karaoke and more.
Now reimagined as a 4,700m² indoor entertainment hub, Box98 is located above the Fontvieille Shopping Centre in the former premises of the Car Collection Museum of the Sovereign Prince. The new space will open to the public on Tuesday, 1st April, 2025, offering a wide range of activities for all ages.
An official inauguration ceremony took place on Friday, 28th March, in the presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, who were joined by Louis and Marie Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb, and Gareth Wittstock. The Princely Family was welcomed by Clivio Piccione and Gérard Sistek, and introduced to the new activities on offer.
Among the key features are electric karts inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix, driving simulators, bowling lanes, billiards and private karaoke booths. During the inauguration, the Prince and Princess took part in a karting session alongside professional drivers including Carlos Sainz, Francesco Castellacci, Stoffel Vandoorne and Mitch Evans.
The transformation of the site follows a public tender launched by the Administration des Domaines to repurpose the museum space. It forms part of a broader initiative by the Princely Government and the National Council to expand leisure offerings in the Principality and better meet the needs of local families and younger residents.
A second leisure project is also in development in neighbouring Cap d’Ail, at the ZAC Saint-Antoine site. A call for applications to manage the future 1,200m² venue was issued on 10th January 2025. The space is expected to host a range of activities for children, teenagers and adults once operational
The initiatives are part of a joint effort by the Princely Government and the National Council to improve the Principality’s leisure infrastructure and address the demand for more family-oriented activities.
With warmer days fast approaching, the annual reprofiling works on Larvotto Beach will soon move on to the next stage, meaning that swimming and sunbathing opportunities in the vicinity will be somewhat limited over the next seven weeks.
Between 31st March and 18th April, workers assigned to Larvotto Beach will be attempting to reduce the steep slope that has formed at the water’s edge over the winter. According to the government, the land-based operation will involve “levelling the gravel ridge to restore a suitable beach profile”, with the goal of ensuring safe access to the sea for bathers while also expanding the surface area of the beach for families and beachgoers.
A statement from the government notes that certain safeguarding measures have been put in place to protect local marine biodiversity, including retention nets measuring 120 metres that have been installed in the water to prevent sediments from entering the adjacent marine reserve.
Swimming will be off the cards during the works, with the ban only set to lift on 30th April, when adjacent works on the central groyne and eastern end of the beach are completed. However, the beach will remain accessible, albeit section by section as the works are carried out.
Local restaurants and shops will be unaffected by the works, with no restrictions in place. Furthermore, workers will only be on-site from 7.30am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6.30pm, meaning that patrons of the beachside restaurants will still be able to enjoy a peaceful lunch in the sun.
Finally, the government has confirmed that once the works are over, “regular maintenance will be conducted to preserve the beach’s width and gentle slope without requiring further closures or access restrictions for swimmers”.
The arrival of spring in the Principality ushers in a vibrant revival, with major destinations reopening, fresh concepts and exclusive launches on the horizon. Here’s the lowdown on what’s in store.
One of the most exciting reopenings is that of Monte-Carlo Beach on 14th April. More than a standard seasonal reopening, this date marks a new chapter in a sophisticated transformation led by René Blino, the establishment’s General Director.
“This is not a traditional spring reopening but the launch of a Monte-Carlo Beach driven by renewal—renewal initiated in 2024 and continuing in waves until 2027,” says Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) CEO Stéphane Valeri.
Among this year’s changes is a new look for the Olympic-sized pool and Le Deck brasserie, reimagined by interior architect Dorothée Delaye.
A first look at the redesigned Olympic pool area at Monte-Carlo Beach, where Dorothée Delaye’s timeless aesthetic blends Riviera elegance with contemporary comfort. Photo source: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
Monte-Carlo Beach will also enhance its focus on sport and wellness with two new padel courts, yoga and Pilates classes, and the return of the green water sports centre. The Monte-Carlo Kids Club by Petit VIP will open on weekends from 21st June, then daily from 1st July to 31st August.
“The club spirit is more present than ever this season—around sport, wellness and friendly competition,” says Valeri.
Chef Marcel Ravin will continue to develop his marine garden vision at Elsa this year, with the restaurant set to reopen on 16th April.
The Beach Club will operate from 14th April to 7th October.
From Mykonos and Ibiza to Monaco
From 16th May to 28th September, Maona Monte-Carlo will host Sea Satin, a lively Mykonos-born concept serving Mediterranean cuisine with two daytime services at 1pm and 3pm, followed by music-led afternoons.
On 21st June, the exclusive Jondal restaurant from Ibiza will open at La Vigie. It will be open daily for lunch and dinner through to 7th September.
Nearby, at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, COYA Monte-Carlo will reopen on 3rd April and operate through to 25th October. The venue will revive its signature Peruvian cuisine from Chef Victoria Vallenilla, showcase top-tier mixology at the revamped Pisco Bar and welcome a lineup of international DJs this spring and summer.
The 2025 calendar features Benny Benassi on 10th April, Demaya on 6th June and 18th July, La Noche Blanca on 27th June, Alex Twin on 22nd August, Adore on 14th September and Bob Sinclar on 25th September. The venue will be open: Wednesday to Sunday in April, May and September; Tuesday to Sunday in June, July and August; and Thursday to Sunday in October.
COYA Monte-Carlo reopens on 3rd April with bold Peruvian flavours, signature cocktails at the revamped Pisco Bar and a DJ lineup set to energise the season through to late October. Photo source: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
Just steps away, Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo is among the first venues to reopen, launching its new season on 28th March with an evening featuring Claptone, followed by Cerrone for the official Bal de la Rose afterparty on 29th March.
The club will feature Marten Lou on 11th April and Alec Monopoly on 12th April. Jimmy’z will be open Fridays and Saturdays from March to June, Wednesday through Saturday in July and August, and revert to weekends in September and October. Over the winter, Jimmy’z underwent layout changes along with a musical repositioning led by DJ and producer Michel Saurin, who has joined SBM as its head of electro-clubbing music programming.
Nikki Beach Monte Carlo will open on the rooftop of the Fairmont on 10th April, kicking off a summer of poolside parties, sunset aperitivos and a milestone 10th anniversary season. Photo source: Nikki Beach Monte Carlo
Further along Avenue Princess Grace, on the rooftop of Fairmont Monte Carlo, Nikki Beach Monte Carlo will also reopen for the season on 10th April and continue through to 28th September. The venue is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a series of special events, including a weekend-long celebration during the Monaco Grand Prix and a 10-year anniversary party on 19th July.
Programming throughout the summer includes weekly Saturdance parties on Saturdays, Amazing Sundays from 12pm to 8pm and Sunset Aperitivo every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm. Nikki Beach will also host a three-day Ferragosto Weekend from 15th to 17th August and a final event coinciding with the Monaco Yacht Show from 23rd to 28th September.
Meanwhile, Nobu at the Fairmont reopened in early March with a vibrant new spring menu that celebrates omakase, the art of surprise. The dishes blend Japanese excellence with Peruvian influences to offer diners a one-of-a-kind flavour experience.
From 28th March, the incredible jungle-themed terrace at Amazónico Monte-Carlo will reopen to diners. Photo source: Amazónico Monte-Carlo
Up in the Place du Casino, Amazónico Monte-Carlo reopened its glorious rooftop terrace on 28th March. The exotic venue, which boasts a lush, tropical vibe, is unique in Monaco. The views over the Principality’s so-called Golden Triangle, featuring the Hôtel de Paris and the Casino de Monte-Carlo, from the Café de Paris are simply breathtaking, as is the vast range of incredible cocktails and cuisine on offer at this South America-inspired locale.
Nearby, SBM is preparing to unveil one of its most exclusive new offerings: the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club. The exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be up and running before spring ends. Located inside the Casino de Monte-Carlo, this private club is the result of a partnership between SBM and Dominique London, a luxury cigar and spirits brand with boutiques across Europe. Access will be restricted to members only.
At the end of March, Monaco and France came together to run a large-scale search and rescue exercise involving 300 personnel, five aircraft and 19 waterborne vessels in the waters off the coast of Menton. The SAMAR MED 25 exercise, which simulated a plane crash at sea, sought to test the preparedness of emergency response teams in the region by mirroring a real-life crisis in the most realistic training environment possible.
The Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture, in collaboration with the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture and the Principality of Monaco, undertook a major sea-based preparedness exercise called SAMAR MED 25 on 26th March in a bid to test the region’s readiness in the case of a significant incident.
Held in advance of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), which will take place in June in Nice, the exercise simulated a collision between a passenger plane en route from Venice to Nice with 106 people and a military helicopter carrying 10 passengers that had been deployed as part of UNOC security operations.
In line with the narrative, the alert of the crash was raised through multiple channels, including a distress beacon, a signal from the Cap Ferrat Naval Base and reports from eyewitnesses on land. These triggers activated the coordinated rescue response, setting in motion a complex network of emergency teams.
The exercise sought to assess the efficiency of decision-making, coordination and intervention procedures across various units. A total of five aircraft, 19 sea-based craft and 300 personnel were deployed to execute the operation. The drill also tested the interface between maritime and land-based authorities, where time was of the essence with regard to the swift medical care of survivors and injured victims.
Another central aspect of the exercise was implementing the Search and Rescue Western Mediterranean (SAR MEDOCC) agreement, which facilitates international cooperation between France, Italy, and Spain in maritime rescues. As such, multiple agencies participated in the operation. In addition to the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean, the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture, and the Principality of Monaco, the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM), the Italian Air Force and the Italian Coast Guard were also involved at varying levels.
Prior to the exercise, Prince Albert II of Monaco visited one of the rescue ships that took part in SAMAR MED 25, La Loire. The Prince was given a tour of the vessel.
Officials have praised the dedication and expertise demonstrated by the teams involved in the exercise, hailing it as a resounding success. Lessons learned from the operation will contribute to even greater coordination and effectiveness in future rescue missions, particularly in the context of international events like the UNOC.
To see more photographs of the exercise, click on the images below:
Five restaurants in Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s portfolio have pledged their support to the Mr Goodfish charter, a sustainability initiative backed by organisations in France, Italy and Spain that champions the responsible consumption of seafood. Among the eateries to join the programme are Em Sherif at the Hôtel de Paris, L’Abysse at the Hôtel Hermitage and Marlow, the new British-inspired address in the Mareterra eco-district.
A total of 15 Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) restaurants are now subscribed to Mr Goodfish’s sustainable seafood charter, following the announcement that Em Sherif and Le Bar Américain at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, L’Abysse at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, L’Orange Verte at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and Marlow in Mareterra would all be signing up at the end of March.
Mr Goodfish was first launched in 2010 by the Nausicaá Marine Centre in France, the Acquario di Genova in Italy and the Aquarium Finisterrae in Spain before expanding into the Principality in 2013, where it has received the backing and support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The goal of the initiative is to promote public awareness of sustainable seafood consumption by encouraging responsible fishing practices and seasonal seafood choices that support marine conservation. By opting for Mr Goodfish-recommended species, which are identified on a seasonal basis by experts, consumers can help protect vulnerable marine populations.
By signing the charter, SBM CEO Stéphane Valeri has committed the five additional restaurants to these values and objectives, and diners can expect to see the impact of these commitments on menus very soon—if not already.
Other acclaimed local eateries that have already joined Mr Goodfish include Yannick Alléno’s Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, Elsa at Monte-Carlo Beach, Komo Monaco, Yoshi at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, Maison Mer, Moshi Moshi and La Terrasse. Now joined by an additional five, the widespread support for the Mr Goodfish initiative in Monaco both strengthens the Principality’s reputation as a leader in responsible gastronomy and proves that environmental responsibility and culinary excellence can go hand in hand.
For more information about the Mr Goodfish charter and its recommendations, click here.
Monaco will host the inaugural World Yachting Summit this April, an international event designed to bring together industry leaders from across the globe for talks on innovation, sustainability and the future of yachting.
Set to take place from 15th to 17th April at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the World Yachting Summit (WYS) is a newly conceived international forum aimed at uniting a broad cross-section of figures and names from the global yachting industry. Organised in the spirit of major gatherings such as the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP) and the World Economic Forum in Davos, the event will tackle some of the most pressing challenges and obstacles facing the yachting industry, from environmental pressures to business model evolution.
The three-day summit is expected to draw participants from an array of sectors, including shipbuilders, brokers, naval architects, regulators, tourism authorities and developers.
Two thematic tracks will structure the programme. The first, Business and Tourism Development, will look at strategies for economic growth, with an emphasis on innovation and sustainable territorial development. The second will explore the industry’s efforts to decarbonise and align more closely with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Speakers to address innovation and sustainability
A wide range of high-level speakers will participate, including Francis Lapp, the founder and CEO of Sunreef Yachts, who will appear on panels such as ‘The Rise of the Catamaran in Experiential Yachting’ and ‘What Could Be a Clean and Alternative Future’. Tobias Kohl, Director of Application Engineering Marine & Offshore at Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH, will address future fuels and propulsion systems, while Nicola Pomi of Volvo Penta will speak on the challenges of digitalisation and regulation.
Also lined up for keynote sessions are well-known designers Espen Øino and Dan Lenard, who will discuss the future of yacht design and shifting client expectations, particularly around sustainability. ‘A Clean Future’ and ‘The End of Globalisation’ are among the session titles involving Øino.
Global leaders from across the yachting industry will gather in Monaco for the inaugural World Yachting Summit this April. Photo supplied
Meanwhile, industry figures such as Adam Peet from Red Sea Global and Sameh Muhtadi from RAK Properties will provide regional perspectives on infrastructure development and tourism, particularly in the Middle East.
“The summit is designed to foster active dialogue, promote constructive debate and encourage concrete actions for the future of yachting,” say the event’s organisers.
Olivier Wenden, Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will open the plenary session on the second day with a keynote stressing the need for yachting to move in step with environmental protection — a message at the core of the Foundation’s mission.
Beyond the main programme, the event will feature a showroom to facilitate business networking and an Innov’ Lounge spotlighting emerging technologies from start-ups, particularly in areas such as energy use, waste management and water efficiency.
The opening talk, ‘The Future of Wealth’, delivered by data firm Altrata-Wealth-X, will offer a cross-sector look at shifting client demographics and what that means for the luxury industries connected to yachting.
The organisers have also confirmed that the summit has ambitions to rotate globally, with Dubai selected to host the 2026 edition. A detailed report summarising the discussions and key outcomes will be released after the event.
More information and the full programme can be found here.
