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Month: March 2025

Photos: Prince Albert II of Monaco steps aboard France’s La Loire naval vessel

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
27/03/2025

Prince Albert II of Monaco received a warm welcome aboard the French Navy’s La Loire during the maritime support vessel’s scheduled stopover in the Principality earlier this week.

During a three-day stop in Monaco at the end of March, the crew onboard La Loire, a BSAM (Bâtiment de Soutien et d’Assistance Métropolitain) naval support vessel, welcomed Prince Albert for a detailed tour and presentation of the ship’s missions and operational capabilities. The Prince was joined by France’s Ambassador to Monaco, Jean d’Haussonville, and the Principality’s Acting Minister of State, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï.

Measuring an impressive 70 metres in length and weighing over 3,000 tonnes, La Loire spends up to 200 days at sea each year. To sustain this demanding schedule, two crews alternate every four months, ensuring continuous and efficient maritime operations. The French Navy currently operates four ships of this type, strategically positioned across two primary bases: two vessels in Brest and two in Toulon.

La Loire is currently taking part in SAMAR MED, an aircraft search and rescue exercise in the Mediterranean. Its duties typically involve supporting naval forces, safeguarding people and property, providing maritime assistance, and participating in maritime police missions.

To see more photographs, click on the images below:

 

 

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Photos source: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department / Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco

 

Emmanuel Macron to make official state visit to Monaco in June

by: Elsa Carpenter
27/03/2025

Ahead of his presence at the United Nations Ocean Summit in Nice in June, France’s President Emmanuel Macron is expected to spend two days in Monaco for what will be the first official state visit to the Principality by a French president in more than 40 years.

The last time a sitting French president came to Monaco on an official state visit was in 1984, when President François Mitterrand met with the late Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert II’s father.

A state visit by Macron to Monaco has been in the works for some time. Back in March 2024, Jean d’Haussonville, the Ambassador of France to the Principality of Monaco, suggested that a formalised trip would take place before the end of the year. This didn’t materialise, but Macron did travel to the Principality in early 2025 to attend the funeral of Didier Guillaume, who had taken up the role of Monaco’s Minister of State in September 2024 following a storied career in France’s political sphere.

See more: Dignitaries unite in Monaco to pay their final respects to Didier Guillaume

Now, it appears that a state visit is finally going to happen. According to Le Figaro, President Macron will spend two days in Monaco on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June, where he will be hosted with full honours by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at the Palais Princier de Monaco. Neither the Palais de l’Élysée nor Monaco’s Palais Princier has confirmed the visit as yet, but Le Figaro reports that a grand dinner is being planned for the Saturday, with various ceremonies scheduled for the Sunday. Macron’s wife, Brigitte, is expected to join her husband on the visit.

Macron’s time in Monaco will coincide with the Blue Economy & Finance Forum at the Grimaldi Forum. Prince Albert is anticipated to play a leading role in the event, but it is not known whether Macron will join him at the international gathering.

Following the Monaco visit, Macron will move on to Nice, which will be hosting the United Nations Ocean Summit between Monday 9th and Friday 13th June.

Read related:

Prince Albert II calls for global participation at Blue Economy and Finance Forum in June

 

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: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

Monaco showcases its aviation infrastructure during landmark visit from ICAO regional director

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/03/2025

For the first time in over four decades, Monaco has welcomed a high-profile official from the International Civil Aviation Organisation: Nicolas Rallo, Regional Director for the Europe-North Atlantic Region. Rallo’s trip to the Principality underscores its rising influence in the aviation sector, with discussions focusing on sustainable aviation, the future of drones, and Monaco’s potential as a pioneer in low-carbon emission air travel.

The ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that sets global standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection. Since its establishment in 1944, 193 states have become members, with the goal of assisting in the development of policies, coordinating international air navigation and supporting sustainable growth in the aviation sector.

Since Monaco’s accession to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in 1980, no regional director had ever visited the Principality, making the presence of Nicolas Rallo, Regional Director for the Europe-North Atlantic Region, on 20th and 21st March a historic event.

Rallo’s visit aimed to explore how Monaco, known for its commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship, is positioning itself at the forefront of the aviation industry’s low-carbon transition.

Nicolas Rallo, Regional Director of the ICAO for the Europe-North Atlantic Region (front row, second from right), was welcomed by Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco’s Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Planning, and other representatives from the Principality’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the Department of the Interior and Public Security. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department

Welcomed by Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco’s Minister of Public Works, the Environment, and Urban Planning, Rallo took part in an interministerial meeting that brought together key representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Department of the Interior and Public Security, and other government entities.

The discussions delved into a range of topics, from the regulation of drone activity to the development of synergies that could establish Monaco as a leader in sustainable aviation. Strengthening legal frameworks to ensure a safer airspace was also high on the agenda.

Beyond the meeting rooms, Rallo’s visit extended to Monaco’s Heliport, where he gained firsthand insight into the Principality’s unique aviation infrastructure. He met with the dedicated professionals of the Civil Aviation Authority and industry operators, who explained Monaco’s strategic efforts to modernise and streamline its aviation sector.

This inaugural visit not only reinforced Monaco’s commitment to global aviation standards but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations that could see the Principality emerge as a model for sustainable and innovative air transport in the region.

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.  

Photos credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department

Final chapter of Irish Celtic comes to the Grimaldi Forum

by: Niki Borisova
27/03/2025

The final chapter of the Irish Celtic trilogy is coming to Monaco for one night only this April, bringing its blend of music, dance and storytelling to the Grimaldi Forum.

The third and final instalment of the saga, The Path of Legends (or Le Chemin des Légendes in French), will be performed at 8pm on Friday 11th April in the Salle des Princes, with tickets starting at €39.

Set in an Irish pub, the story centres on father and son Paddy and Diarmuid Flynn as they wrestle with questions of identity and heritage. Hoping to reconnect his son with their roots, Paddy leads him on a symbolic journey along Ireland’s ‘Path of Legends’ — a road that echoes the mythic status of America’s Route 66.

The show combines traditional Irish music and dance with a narrative that takes a keen look at identity, heritage and the connection between generations. It reflects on the values of family and cultural pride, as well as the stories that can shape a sense of belonging.

The show will mark the conclusion of a saga that began with Irish Celtic: Spirit of Ireland, followed by Irish Celtic: Generations. The trilogy has toured internationally, with this Monaco performance forming part of its final run. The show will be performed in English, with French subtitles also available.

Parking is available on-site at the Grimaldi Forum, with a reduced night rate of €0.70 per hour from 7pm. To purchase tickets, click here.

Read related:

‘Colours!’: Grimaldi Forum’s summer exhibition for 2025

 

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: Grimaldi Forum Monaco

The faces of Monaco: census reveals who really lives in the Principality

by: Elsa Carpenter
26/03/2025

A new profile of Monaco’s residents has revealed a stable yet incredibly diverse population of 145 nationalities from around the world. Monegasques themselves represent a quarter of all residents, but who are the remaining 75% who have made the Principality their home?

In 2024, 38,423 individuals were recorded as official Monaco residents. This is a mere 0.1% increase from the previous year, equating to an increase of just 56 people.

Some 145 different nationalities make up the population, with native Monegasques being the largest group. According to data from the 2024 census, there were 9,262 Monegasques living in the Principality last year, a figure that represents just under 25% of the overall population.

The next largest group to make their home in Monaco are the French, who accounted for 21.8% of the Principality’s residents in 2024. Then come the Italians at 19.5%, followed by the British at 7.6%.

The remaining Top 10 best-represented nationalities in Monaco are the Swiss, Russians, Belgians, Germans, Portuguese and Dutch.

When looking at the data for newcomers to the Principality, the figures collated by IMSEE, Monaco’s statistical agency, indicate that the primary movers since 2022 have been French nationals. Just over 30% of the adults who have moved to Monaco in the last three years are originally from France, 15% are British and 9.4% are Italian.

The average age of a Monaco resident, including Monegasques, was 47.3 years in 2024: 46.6 for men and 47.9 for women. The largest age group was the 50 to 64 category (23.5%), followed by 65 to 79 (18.1%) and 35 to 49 (17%).

Incredibly, nearly one in 10 Monaco residents is over the age of 80, a healthy reflection of data published earlier this year that suggests people from Monaco may be living longer than anywhere else in the world.

Just over half of all adults living in Monaco are married.

Read related:

Monegasques are living longer than any other nationality in 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.  

Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

Hospital expansion modifications and urban development discussed at Mairie assembly

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
26/03/2025

Monaco’s local council gathered on Tuesday 25th March for a wide-ranging meeting led by Mayor Georges Marsan, where a series of pivotal decisions were laid out that touch nearly every corner of civic life in the Principality. From bold updates to the new Princess Grace Hospital to urban renovation projects and increased oversight of public funding, the agenda revealed a clear push toward modernisation while preserving the cultural and community fabric that defines Monaco.

A key element of the meeting, attended by Monaco Life, was the proposed modification to the new Princess Grace Hospital Center (CHPG) project, the expansion of which is set for completion by 2032. The most significant enhancement includes a fourth wing dedicated to psychiatry, expanding from the fifth to the ninth level, with administrative offices positioned on level 10. 

The hospital expansion also introduces a new firefighter access bridge on the mountain-facing north side, providing a second emergency entry point that will allow the hospital to be reclassified as a first-category public establishment. 

Beyond healthcare infrastructure, the meeting addressed multiple critical urban development initiatives. The Condamine Market renovation, set to begin in January 2026, represents another key project aimed at reimagining community spaces.

Internal organisational modifications were also discussed, including the transfer and transformation of administrative positions. These changes will be set in place in order to achieve alignment with legal frameworks.

The public session addressed several important subjects that effect Monaco’s residents. Photo by Kyriaki Topalidou for Monaco Life

Financial support for local associations

The Mairie de Monaco agreed to allocate financial support to various local associations such as the Bonsai Club and the Friends of the Monaco Exotic Garden, but underlined strict accountability, requiring associations to submit financial documentation and provide justifications for extraordinary subsidies.

Additional urban planning matters that were addressed included the approval of a storage room creation under Saint-Martin Avenue for the Villa Charlotte building and discussion of advertising and posting services, including new tariff structures, for the Exotic Garden Botanical Center.

The Exotic Garden Botanical Center, which has existed since 1950 and is currently undergoing significant developments, represents the Mairie’s an ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing Monaco’s natural heritage.

Wrapping up the council meeting, a solution was proposed for the Saint-Martin space, which has been impacted by extensive renovation work. The plan for the moment involves temporary relocation of activities across various municipal sites and its building completion is set for September 2025.

See also:

La Condamine Market renovation plans revealed: What to expect and when

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 of Mayor Georges Marsan by Kyriaki Topalidou for Monaco Life