‘Flowers in Motion’: Concours International de Bouquets sets date for May competition

31/03/2025

Monaco’s annual Concours International de Bouquets will return this May with the theme of Flowers in Motion.

Organised by the Garden Club of Monaco, the 56th edition of the Concours International de Bouquets — the International Bouquet Competition in English — will take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

The competition can trace its roots back to 1968, when Princess Grace of Monaco, a lover of all things botanical, founded the event. It continues today under the patronage of Prince Albert II and with the support of the Garden Club’s president, Princess Caroline of Hanover.

This year, the competition’s theme is Fleurs en mouvement, or Flowers in Motion. There will be six categories open to the public, with both professionals and amateurs invited to enter. The categories include: Multicoloured fireworks (large), The Rose Ball (compositions suitable for table decoration), Pastel whirlwinds (on a pedestal), Shading swirls (for a shelf), Wind gust in the garden (for a shelf), and Circle of flowers and leaves (wall decoration). There is also a category reserved exclusively for budding florists aged six to 14 called Dance of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

The entries will be evaluated by two juries. The Official Jury, consisting of international judges and floral design experts, will present gold, silver and bronze distinctions, as well as the Grand Prix and the Princess Grace of Monaco Prize. Meanwhile, the Special Jury, chaired by the Princess of Hanover and made up of individuals from the literary and artistic worlds, will award a series of separate special prizes.

The event will also include a series of seminars on Sunday 11th May between 11am and 1pm at the Yacht Club de Monaco, as well as a demonstration in the afternoon.

The various entries will be on show at the Yacht Club de Monaco for the duration of the weekend. Entry is free of charge.

To register as a participant or for more information about the event, click here.

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Photo credit: Kristina Paukshtite, Pexels

Monaco Yacht Show promotes the future of sustainable yachting with Blue Wake initiative

by: Stephanie Horsman

31/03/2025

The Monaco Yacht Show is seeking to strengthen its position as a catalyst for industry progress with the introduction of Blue Wake, a new initiative designed to promote the adoption of more environmentally sustainable solutions and innovations by the yachting community, from crew and captains to owners and shipbuilders.

The Monaco Yacht Show’s (MYS) new Blue Wake initiative is the latest in a string of groundbreaking programmes and efforts by the event to integrate sustainability into the yachting sector as the norm rather than the exception.

“Sustainability has become an essential driver of innovation in yachting, and our role at MYS is to provide a platform where these advancements can gain the recognition they deserve,” says Gaëlle Tallarida, MYS Managing Director. “With Blue Wake, we are reinforcing this commitment by ensuring that sustainability is an integral part of the event experience, engaging all stakeholders in meaningful discussions about the future of our industry.”

Set to be unveiled at the upcoming 2025 edition in September, the initiative builds on the experiences gained since the introduction of the show’s Sustainability Hub in 2022, a platform that highlights innovative projects and start-ups offering sustainable solutions for the superyacht industry. Blue Wake represents the next step in MYS’s commitment to greater environmental responsibility within the industry, incorporating sustainable advancements into the overall show experience.

Essentially, the initiative will showcase companies that meet strict environmental sustainability standards, offering them increased visibility throughout the show. Meanwhile, yacht owners, builders, investors and industry leaders will have the opportunity to engage directly with these businesses, which are driving the latest trends and setting new sustainability standards in yachting.

As with the Sustainability Hub, the Water Revolution Foundation, an organisation whose mission is to drive sustainability in the superyacht industry through collaboration and innovation by neutralising its ecological footprint and preserving the world’s ocean, will play a key role in identifying and endorsing the solutions and concepts that best contribute to meaningful industry progress.

Robert van Tol, Executive Director of the Water Revolution Foundation, says, “This initiative is about more than visibility—it’s about credibility. Through a rigorous vetting process, we are ensuring that the solutions presented under Blue Wake genuinely contribute to making the yachting industry more sustainable. It’s an opportunity for companies to demonstrate their commitment and for the industry to continue its progress toward a more responsible future.”

While it is still too early to confirm the exhibitors and companies that will be featured under the Blue Wake banner, further updates will be provided as MYS 2025, which will run from 24th to 27th September, approaches.

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Photo source: Monaco Yacht Show

Espace Lamartine members to be welcomed at Espace Léo Ferré from mid-April

by: Cassandra Tanti

31/03/2025

Following the temporary closure of Espace Lamartine due to water damage, the Monaco Town Hall has announced a new plan to keep its community connected by relocating social gatherings to the Espace Léo Ferré.

During the Public Session of the Communal Council held on 25th March, Councillor Nathalie Vaccarezza, Delegate for Espace Lamartine, confirmed that members of the popular community centre will soon be able to meet once again for social and cultural activities—this time at the Espace Léo Ferré.

The initiative aims to preserve the spirit of Espace Lamartine, which has long served as a space for leisure, learning and connection for Monaco’s residents, students and nationals aged 16 and over. The original site has been closed since November due to water damage, but the commitment to its members has not wavered.

Teams from the Department of Seniors and Social Action have been working to provide alternative outdoor activities and workshops across various municipal sites since the closure. Now, with support from the Commune, a more permanent temporary arrangement is in development.

From mid-April, a specially designed programme of activities will be rolled out at the Espace Léo Ferré, taking into account the venue’s events calendar. The full schedule will soon be available on the Mairie de Monaco’s website, allowing members to plan their visits and continue enjoying their regular social connections.

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.

Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Nice set to host The Ocean Race Europe for the first time this summer

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

31/03/2025

Nice will host The Ocean Race Europe for the first time this August, bringing high-tech IMOCA boats to the French Riviera. The prestigious sailing competition combines environmental initiatives with ocean data collection while offering a unique opportunity for the French Riviera to engage with the offshore racing community.

The Ocean Race Europe is a yacht race held every three to four years since 1973 and is one of the three major events on The Ocean Race calendar for the next three years. Originally named after its initial sponsor, the ‘Whitbread Round the World Race’ was renamed in 2001 the ‘Volvo Ocean Race’ after Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo became its sponsor, before finally becoming The Ocean Race in 2019.

This year, the race will stretch from the Baltic Sea, through the North Sea and English Channel, into the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean – which includes Nice this year – and wrapping up with the final in the Adriatic Sea.

“France is a fundamental anchor for many IMOCA (International Monohull Open Class Association) navigators and teams, but attention has traditionally been focused on the Atlantic coast. It is therefore absolutely exciting for us to highlight sailors, teams and this sport in one of the country’s iconic maritime territories,” said Phil Lawrence, Race Director of The Ocean Race.

Racing boats will feature the newest generation of high-tech IMOCA boats, first designed by Lauriot-Prevost and Verdier and assembled by CDK technologies based in Lorient France, that foil above water at record-breaking speeds. Each boat, will carry four sailors and an on-board reporter responsible for broadcasting live images and footage to race headquarters via satellite from the middle of the ocean. In support of diversity, at least one crew member must be female and at least two nationalities must be represented.

Connecting with environmental initiatives

Organised under the emblem ‘Connecting Europe’, The Ocean Race Europe actively supports the European Union’s mission by mobilising citizens and local communities in the protection and restoration of ocean health. This commitment to European unity and environmental stewardship is reflected in the race’s route connecting multiple coastal cities.

The stopover in Nice was inspired by the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), also hosted in Nice this year from 9th to 13^th June, which aims to mobilise all actors committed to the protection of the Ocean. Supporting this focus on ocean health, the race includes a robust science program and will be collecting water sampling data during the race for international scientists.

Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, commented on the Nice stop-over: “While the City of Nice has just launched its Year of the Sea and is preparing to receive, in June, the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Ocean, I am very happy to welcome, for the first time, The Ocean Race Europe, a sailing race that values team spirit, connects European ports and collects valuable scientific data for researchers. This Nice stage will offer the public a magnificent show, and the participants – the enchanting setting of our Baie des Anges. Nice, thus, confirms its ability to host large-scale events and its desire to enhance all initiatives aimed at sustainably preserving our oceans.”

Adding to the ocean initiative, the teams are required to generate at least 30% of the energy used on board during its race from renewable energy sources.

The race route

The Ocean Race Europe will begin on Sunday 10^th August in Kiel, Germany, with the IMOCA fleet racing through the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel before entering the Mediterranean towards Spain. The Nice stopover will be held 29th to 31st August, before the fleet continues to Italy and wraps up with the grand final in the Adriatic Sea, in Montenegro, from 15th to 21st September.

Photo by Monaco Life

Football: Monaco avoid ‘déjà-vu’ scenario to beat Nice and move second

by: Luke Entwistle

30/03/2025

Breel Embolo celebrates with Mika Biereth in front of the Nice fans after he scores Monaco's winner in the Côte d'Azur Derby at the Stade Louis II.

AS Monaco recovered from an early penalty miss to come from behind and beat fierce local rivals OGC Nice (2-1) at the Stade Louis II on Saturday.

It was almost a dream start for Monaco. Within three minutes of kick-off, Breel Embolo was clumsily brought down in the box by Baptiste Santamaria. However, Mika Biereth, so prolific since joining the Principality club in January, could not beat Marcin Bulka from the spot.

Monaco re-write the script

“There was [a sense of] déjà-vu,” said Adi Hütter, who cast his mind back to this same fixture last season when Bulka saved two penalties from Folarin Balogun before Nice went on to snatch all three points in the dying moments. And for much of the first half, there was a sense of inevitability that the improbable scenario would repeat itself.

That feeling heightened when Monaco could not convert their dominance into goals. Takumi Minamino struck the crossbar before Bulka was once again forced into action as he made a strong save from Maghnes Akliouche. When, against the run of play and making his first start for Le Gym in four months, Jérémie Boga headed past Philipp Köhn just before the break, many of the 11,564 fans packed into the Stade Louis II had read this script before.

Nice fans travel in numbers but team fail to turn up

But this time, Monaco wrote a different ending. Despite his penalty miss, Biereth persisted and he got his reward before the hour mark as he blasted past Bulka at his near post. The former Arsenal man, who made his Denmark debut during the international break, teased the travelling Nice fans with his arms wide and his tongue protruding as he savoured his 12th goal for his new club.

“I’m happy for Mika. This is his mentality, his character. He never gives up. He fights for the team,” said Hütter. “That goal was important for him. It was his 12th since his arrival and it is fantastic.”

Nice’s fans had travelled in big numbers and were boisterous throughout, with hundreds having participated in the now-traditional scooter procession along the coast in what is – geographically – the closest derby on the Ligue 1 calendar.

“We were beaten in every domain” – Haise

However, their players didn’t give them much to shout about. “We were beaten in every domain. We were logically beaten by a team that were much better than us tonight,” admitted a despondent Franck Haise post-match.

The gap between the sides became increasingly evident as the half progressed. Breel Embolo thought he had earned Monaco a penalty after going down under contact from Dante, but, sent to the VAR screen, the referee defied expectations and kept with his original decision of no foul.

However, Monaco would not be denied for too long. It was once again Embolo at the heart of the action as he latched onto a flick from Akliouche, used his strength to shield the ball and then blasted past Bulka from close range.

There was no revolt from Nice, who seemed to accept their fate. The table prior to Saturday’s encounter suggested there was nothing between these two sides, with both level on points and on goal difference. But Monaco kept pushing and Nice continually came up against a brickwall.

Monaco delay PSG’s celebrations

Folarin Balogun, on the pitch for the first time in five months after undergoing shoulder surgery towards the end of 2024, almost gave Monaco breathing room but he shot wide from a tight angle. In injury time, Akliouche looked to be bearing down on goal, but he was then brought down by Dante. The Nice captain was given his marching orders and the visitors ended the game with ten men.

A goal down and a man down, Les Aiglons could not test Köhn as Monaco saw out an important victory that, with just seven games remaining this season, could have huge ramifications for the Champions League race.

“It is an important [win]. The momentum is really good. It is a fantastic weekend for us and we are on the right path,” said Hütter post-match.

After Marseille’s defeat to Reims earlier in the day, Monaco jump up to second. The gap to PSG is unbridgeable; the reigning champions would even have wrapped up the title on Saturday had Monaco drawn with Nice. The Champagne is on ice for Les Parisiens, but the celebrations continued long into the night in Monaco, who not only assured their regional supremacy but also landed a big blow in the increasingly tight race for Europe.

Photo credit: AS Monaco

Fairmont Monte Carlo’s Joël Darfeuille crowned the World’s Best Receptionist

by: Stephanie Horsman

29/03/2025

The Fairmont Monte Carlo’s ever-dedicated Joël Darfeuille has been crowned with the prestigious David Campbell Trophy as well as the title of world’s best receptionist at the Amicale Internationale des Sous-Directeurs et Chefs de Réception annual awards in Athens, an event that celebrates the very best in luxury hospitality.

On 22nd March, Joël Darfeuille climbed the stage in the Greek capital to accept his award as the World’s Best Receptionist. His journey to the top had begun several months ago, when he clinched the title of Best Receptionist in France in December 2024. With the backing of his mentor, Sébastien Brincat, head of reception at the Fairmont, Darfeuille went on to outshine 17 finalists from across the world in a test of skill, composure and charm.

The competition wasn’t all about warm smiles and polite greetings, though—it was a rigorous challenge designed to separate the exceptional from the merely excellent. Darfeuille had to manoeuvre through four demanding rounds, including a back-office preparation session, two high-pressure role-playing exercises featuring demanding guests and a strategic meeting with all the competitors.

It was in this final stage that he truly set himself apart, demonstrating not only leadership and innovation but a razor-sharp strategic vision that left the judges in no doubt that he was the one to beat.

“Joël is a passionate professional with an exceptional ability to anticipate guest needs and deliver top-notch personalised service while maintaining remarkable consistency,” says Brincat. “His victory reflects his commitment, excellence, team spirit and tireless work. We are proud to have him with us at the Fairmont Monte Carlo.”

Before his tenure at the Fairmont, Darfeuille honed his techniques at prestigious establishments such as Aman Le Mélézin in Courchevel, Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges Courchevel, La Bastide de Gordes in Provence and the Hotel Café Royal in London.

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Photo courtesy of Fairmont Monte Carlo

Month: March 2025

‘Flowers in Motion’: Concours International de Bouquets sets date for May competition

Monaco Yacht Show promotes the future of sustainable yachting with Blue Wake initiative

Espace Lamartine members to be welcomed at Espace Léo Ferré from mid-April