Monaco will welcome young rugby players from 21 countries this April for the 13th edition of the Tournoi Sainte Dévote at Stade Louis II.
The international rugby sevens tournament for players under the age of 12 will return to Monaco’s Stade Louis II between 25th and 26th April.
Organised by the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby in collaboration with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the event has become a staple of the Principality’s youth sports calendar.
This year’s tournament will feature 24 teams representing 21 countries, including South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, India, Zimbabwe, and the United States. Monaco will also field a team, as will several European nations such as France, Italy, and England.
In addition to the main competition, several parallel activities are also scheduled. These include Rugby Pour Tous, a programme designed for children and young adults with disabilities, and Rugby Tots, which introduces children aged two to seven to the sport. Furthermore, a Ninja Box obstacle course inspired by the Ninja Warrior television series will be open to the public. All side events are free of charge.
As in previous years, the tournament will include a friendly match between Monaco and Lucciana, underlining the longstanding ties between the Principality and Corsica.
The 2025 edition will be supported by Tendai Mtawarira, the former Springboks prop and World Cup winner with South Africa in 2019. Known as ‘The Beast’, Mtawarira is the fourth most-capped South African rugby player, with 117 appearances between 2008 and 2019.
Last year’s champions, the Blue Bulls of South Africa, will not be returning this year due to their own scheduling decisions, as the tournament continues to attract new teams and countries thanks to its growing reputation.
Matches will begin at 9.45am each day, and entry is free.
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Photo source: Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation
Photos: Prince Albert II inaugurates Elizabeth-Ann de Massy Court at Rolex Masters
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy have paid tribute to a towering figure in Monaco’s sporting history with the grand inauguration of a new tennis court at the Monte-Carlo Country Club named in honour of the late Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy. The emotional ceremony, held ahead of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, was also attended by some of the most influential and well-known stars in the world of tennis.
On 5th April, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, the daughter of the late Baroness and current President of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, joined her cousin, Prince Albert II, on the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club to unveil a court named in tribute to the late Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, who passed away in 2020.
They were joined by 30 of the world’s finest current tennis players, who will be battling it out over the coming days in a bid to clinch the title at the finals on 13th April. Among them were icons of the sport such as Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Together, the players assembled on the newly dedicated court to form the initials “E.A.” in tribute to the Baroness and her enduring impact on the sport.
The late Baroness de Massy played a pivotal role in the development of tennis in the Principality. She served as Vice President of the Monte-Carlo Country Club from 1972 to 2008, before taking over as President, a role she held until her passing in 2020. From 1988, she also led the Monaco Tennis Federation, overseeing a golden era that saw the Monte-Carlo Masters rise to prominence on the ATP calendar.
Following the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, Prince Albert and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy greeted past champions, including Novak Djokovic and three-time titleholder Stefanos Tsitsipas, who are both Monaco residents, on the newly christened court.
That same day, President de Massy guided Prince Albert through the revamped Players’ Village, a new facility designed to enhance the experience for competitors at this prestigious tournament.
To see more photographs from the ceremony, click on the images below:
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Photos credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco / G.Bouvet / SMETT
Suspended sentence for driver responsible for death of Monaco police officer in 2021
A man in his 40s has been handed a two-year suspended sentence and a temporary driving ban after being found guilty of manslaughter in connection with a tragic road accident that killed Christophe David, a senior police officer from Monaco, in Èze in 2021. The driver, who was a healthcare worker at the time of the crash, was unlicensed and driving 20km/h over the speed limit when the fatal accident occurred.
In September 2021, 44-year-old Constable Christophe David, Head of the Police Commissioner’s Secretariat in Monaco, was fatally struck in a collision that occurred in the town of Èze while riding his scooter to work.
The event shook the community, leading the Monaco Government to release a touching statement at the time that read: “The tragic loss of the Constable in a road accident on the way to work has once again plunged the Police Department and the entire Monegasque community into deep sadness.”
The vehicle that hit the constable was driven by a 46-year-old healthcare worker who had been banned from driving due to a prior speeding offence. During the hearing at Nice’s Criminal Court on 25th February, the defendant accepted blame for the crash.
“The only cause of the accident was my lack of control of the vehicle coming out of a bend,” he told the court, as reported by Monaco Matin, appearing visibly emotional and apologetic towards the victim’s loved ones.
Expert analysis revealed the man had been travelling at approximately 65km/h, far exceeding the standard speed for the type of vehicle he was driving, which is typically capped at 45km/h.
Representing Christophe David’s partner, who had become engaged to the officer shortly before his death, lawyer Marie Seguin spoke of the recklessness involved and the deep emotional devastation left in the wake of the victim’s death.
As reported by Monaco Matin, defence attorney Laure Teresi sought to reduce her client’s liability by pointing to possible mechanical flaws in the unlicensed vehicle. The prosecution, meanwhile, called for the revocation of the driver’s licence and his enrolment in a road safety course.
Ultimately, the court imposed a fully suspended prison sentence of two years. The defendant’s licence was cancelled, and he is prohibited from applying for a new one for six months.
Following the verdict on 4th April, a moment of emotional reconciliation took place outside the courthouse, where the victim’s sister and the convicted man exchanged words in a show of grief on both sides.
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Photo of Constable Christophe David via Monaco Communications Department
‘It’s Good to Be Flavio’: Briatore honoured as Monaco’s newest Goodwill Ambassador
Prince Albert II has paid tribute to his long-time friend and Monaco devotee Flavio Briatore at the Monaco Ambassadors Club’s annual gala, a dazzling evening dedicated to the man who calls the Principality “the best place to live in the world”.
The Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris was awash with glamour, music and heartfelt tributes on 4th April as the Monaco Ambassadors Club celebrated Flavio Briatore, the 2025 recipient of the Goodwill Ambassador Award. With the theme ‘It’s Good to Be Flavio’, the night was a grand tribute to a man who has not only helped shape Monaco’s vibrant business and hospitality scene but who has also shown unwavering love and loyalty to the Principality.
Prince Albert II with Flavio Briatore with wife Elisabetta Gregoraci
Leading the celebration was Prince Albert II, who took to the stage as Honorary President of the Monaco Ambassadors Club to personally present the award to his close friend.
“We are here to celebrate this wonderful man, Flavio Briatore, who has been a great friend of the Principality for many years,” said the Prince. “He has been so active in Monaco, setting up great business, entertainment entities, and we thank you so much for that – for bringing people together in the Principality. So it is with great pleasure that we present this award to you.”
The moment was lightened by the Prince’s good-natured humour as he added with a grin, “Flavio has agreed to be Monaco’s Ambassador to the Heard and McDonald Islands,” referencing a humorous error from the Trump administration, when tariffs were mistakenly applied to the remote, uninhabited Australian territory. The inside joke drew warm laughter from the room.
Briatore, aged 74, was visibly moved and delivering a rare emotional speech. “I want to thank Prince Albert, whom I have known since 1993. Thank you for choosing me as the Goodwill Ambassador – it is an honour for me, and very emotional as well,” he said.
“I am not usually emotional, but tonight I am. Monaco is my hometown. My son was born in Monaco, and I am very proud to live here. For me, it is the best place to live in the world. In Formula One, for 20 years we went to every country and saw it from every angle, and I have never seen any place like Monaco. It is safe, clean, the weather is good – it is a paradise. And thank you, Prince Albert, for making it like that for us.”
The glittering Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris came alive with the red-carpet theme ‘It’s good to be Flavio’
Briatore’s remarkable career spans the worlds of Formula One, luxury hospitality and global entrepreneurship, making him one of Monaco’s most influential residents. After securing seven world championships with Benetton and Renault, he transitioned into the hospitality sector, founding the Billionaire Society and Majestas Group, and bringing world-renowned venues like Cipriani, Cova, Billionaire and Twiga to the Principality.
Today, he serves as head of the BWT Alpine F1 Team and is leading the international expansion of his fast-growing Crazy Pizza brand.
Champagne on the terrace of the Hôtel de Paris overlooking Casino square
The Goodwill Ambassador Gala, which began with cocktails on the Hôtel de Paris terrace overlooking the iconic Casino Square, was also an occasion for exciting announcements. Co-President Christian Moore revealed a new collaboration with the children’s charity Les Enfants de Frankie, the establishment of Marius as the new club house and the launch of the Young Ambassadors Club to bring fresh energy into the fold.
Co-President Filippo Ghirelli stirred laughter and applause with his declaration that “MAC makes Monaco greater again”.
A live auction led by renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury raised significant funds for Les Enfants de Frankie, with coveted items including a 1967 Vespa signed by Prince Albert II and Briatore, a limited edition IWC Big Pilot’s Watch from the Prince’s own collection and a Kenyan getaway donated by Briatore.
Celebrity auctioneer Simon de Pury at the Goodwill Ambassador Gala, alongside General Secretary Alessandra Sparaco
Guests enjoyed live music from Alessandro Ristori and The Portofinos, along with beats from DJ Francis, as the evening unfolded into a glamourous celebration of friendship, philanthropy and the man of the hour.
Alessandro Ristori and The Portofinos
The evening was made possible with the support of valued sponsors, including CFM Indosuez, a long-time corporate member led by CEO Mathieu Ferragut; Infracorp, represented by MAC Co-President Filippo Ghirelli; and Anour Chocolat, the artisanal brand created by Nour Malas, whose beautifully crafted chocolates offered a final note of elegance to an already memorable night.
Monaco Life was there! See more in our video below…
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All photos courtesy Monaco Ambassadors Club
Monaco strikes €150 million land swap deal to unlock new housing in Larvotto and Jardin Exotique
With space ever at a premium in the Principality, the National Council and Monaco Government have agreed to a deal to sell a portion of public land in the Larvotto neighbourhood to developer J.B. Pastor & Fils as one half of a reciprocal transaction. In return, the State will acquire a separate lot in the Jardin Exotique district in order to build new state housing.
A pivotal legislative session was held in Monaco just one day after the re-election of Thomas Brezzo as President of the National Council for a second term. On 3rd April, Monaco’s elected body and its government came together to push through two key laws that will have a decisive impact on the Principality’s urban landscape and its housing market.
At the centre of these events was real estate—more specifically, a strategic land exchange that will result in new residential buildings in the seafacing Larvotto neighbourhood and the north-western Jardin Exotique quarter of Monaco.
Monaco’s resident population is on the rise, and the number of native Monegasques is growing too. Both trends are adding to the pressures on the Principality’s housing market. While it is more expensive to buy property in Monaco than ever before, there are also numerous Monegasque families and individuals in need of state housing. In February, it was revealed that although nearly 200 state-owned apartments were allocated to Monegasque citizens during the latest round of the Commission for the Allocation of State Housing, 40% of applicants remained on the waiting list.
So it will be welcome news to many that the National Council and the Monegasque Government have been working in tandem to find solutions to these problems. In a public meeting on 3rd April, a new plan was announced involving a land swap in two very different parts of town.
Part I: Larvotto
The cornerstone of this move is the decommissioning of a 305m² parcel of public land located in the Larvotto district.
Tucked between Boulevard du Larvotto and the Le Formentor building, and bordered by Villa Larvotto No. 1 and the headquarters of the Société Monégasque des Eaux, the site is part of a 1,600m² public garden. Though relatively small in size, its value is immense—both financially and symbolically. The land will be sold to the developer J.B. Pastor & Fils for €80 million.
In place of the garden, which has limited public access and use, the developer will erect an 11-storey private residential building, bringing new high-end housing to the area, along with other perks.
“The real estate transaction will allow for the creation of a public, planted pedestrian plaza at the foot of the building, with a surface area of approximately 242m², and the public garden, which is difficult to access, will be redeveloped with a view to increasing its value,” said National Council member Mikaël Palmaro of the operation.
Part II: Jardin Exotique
This transaction is just one half of a reciprocal operation. In exchange, the State will acquire from J.B. Pastor & Fils the plots currently occupied by the Le Prestige building and eight associated parking spaces in the Jardin Exotique district for €70.7 million.
Located at 25 Chemin des Révoires and straddling the Franco-Monegasque border, this site will be cleared for a public housing development. The Government plans to demolish Le Prestige and build a state-owned residential complex offering between 76 and 90 apartments, along with office space.
The acquired land is important not only for its size and location but also because it adjoins a property owned by the Autonomous Pension Fund (CAR). The State has already received agreement in principle from the CAR to integrate this neighbouring land into the future construction site, pending the results of a call for development proposals that will be launched shortly.
While the housing projects in Larvotto and Jardin Exotique took centre stage, another milestone was also achieved at the meeting. A long-awaited overhaul of Monaco’s corporate legal code was adopted, introducing new types of business structures, accelerating the company permit process, and modernising corporate governance rules. These reforms will make Monaco more business-friendly, but the night’s most immediate and tangible impacts lie in real estate.
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Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department
Record turnout of owners and their pets at Nice’s Animal Walk
Dogs, donkeys, horses and even ferrets took over the Promenade des Anglais on Sunday as Nice hosted its fourth annual Animal Walk, drawing a record 1,500 participants for a wholesome celebration of the city’s beloved pets. The two-hour promenade parade, first established by Henry-Jean Servat, has grown into one of the Riviera’s most charming spring traditions.
Under clear blue skies, pet owners and animal lovers gathered at the iconic ‘I Love Nice’ sign at 10am, offering a unique spectacle to anyone happening to walk by the Promenade des Anglais around that time.
It was a record turnout for this year’s Animal Walk in Nice. Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monacolife
Municipal officials also showed their support by joining on horseback, allowing attendees to interact with these majestic animals. A highlight for many was the team of service dogs attending the event, standing proudly beside their trainers and posing for photographs with interested participants.
The parade concluded at the prestigious Hôtel Negresco, where organisers delivered brief speeches celebrating the event’s success. Many participants then headed to the beach for celebratory games of fetch while enjoying the sun. Some dogs even braved a quick dip in the Mediterranean.
By midday, the crowd began dispersing, with visibly tired but content pets heading home after their social outing.
Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monacolife
This year’s attendance surpassed previous editions by 300 participants. Each year, the Animal Walk continues to grow as one of Nice’s most heartwarming annual traditions, bringing together the community in celebration of the animal kingdom’s diverse and beloved members and their special relationships and bonds with their owners along the Côte d’Azur.
Monaco Life was there! Check out our reel of the event below:
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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photos credit: Kyriaki Topalidou for Monaco Life
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