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Day: 10 April 2025

Monaco Life tests the new Taxi Monaco app

by: Niki Borisova
10/04/2025

The Principality’s official taxi service, Taxi Monaco, has finally gone digital with the launch of a new app, offering residents and visitors a streamlined way to book, track and pay for rides.

With summer on the horizon and demand for transport in the Principality set to rise, Monaco Life’s Niki Borisova has tested out the new Taxi Monaco app, which was launched on 8th April with the goal of simplifying the booking process for clients and improving access to reliable transport options across Monaco and nearby towns.

Now available to download under the name Taxi Monaco, the app, which bears the familiar Taxi Monaco logo, was developed by a local startup supported by Monaco Boost. It is available in French, English and Italian, and forms part of the Extended Monaco programme, which aims to accelerate digital adoption in the Principality.

Once downloaded, users are asked to create an account and input basic details. To book a ride, the first step is setting the pick-up location, which must be within Monaco. This is done by selecting a pin on the in-app map of the Principality.

Next, users are prompted to confirm a drop-off location. This can be done by typing a landmark, such as “Casino”, or an address, after which the app will suggest options under two categories: “Inside Monaco” and “Outside Monaco”. Destinations outside the Principality, including in Nice, Menton and Ventimiglia, can be selected.

The Monaco ride-hailing app allows users to set their pick-up point within the Principality, choose destinations both local and across the border, view fare estimates and book rides instantly or in advance. Image compiled by Monaco Life

A confirmation page then appears showing the estimated fare, the number of passengers and payment options. Users can either add a credit or debit card to their account or choose to pay the driver directly.

The app also offers the choice of booking a ride immediately or scheduling it for later — useful for planning trips in advance and to the airport. For immediate rides, a valid card must be added before proceeding.

Once booked, the app provides a real-time estimated arrival time and allows users to track their driver’s location.

The Account section of the app provides access to official taxi rates for Monaco and neighbouring municipalities. It also allows users to link their account with family members, such as a spouse or child, offering added flexibility.

A spokesperson from Taxi Monaco told Monaco Life, “This app is a step forward in offering a smooth, modern and transparent taxi experience. It ensures residents and visitors can access reliable transport at their convenience, with full clarity on pricing and timing.”

The launch of the app is complemented by an upgraded website, which now offers online reservations, a fare calculator and additional service information.

Read related:

Taxis de Monaco boosts summer service with new all-electric fleet

 

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.

 

Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

From pilot to launch: SOCA moves forward in Monaco’s tech landscape

by: Niki Borisova
10/04/2025

SOCA’s pre-launch signals the steady rise of Monaco’s startup ecosystem, with MonacoTech helping to drive innovation across key sectors.

The Monaco-based digital platform, designed to streamline order management between restaurants and suppliers, has now entered its pre-launch phase, with a broader rollout planned later this month across the Principality and into France.

Since February this year, the app has been undergoing testing with several local partners, including Monte Carlo Beer, as part of a pilot programme aimed at assessing the platform under real-world conditions.

Developed by Mathieu Chailloux, William Scheffer and Anthony Orengo, SOCA’s goal is to centralise and automate the ordering process, improve communication between suppliers and restaurateurs, and reduce manual errors — common challenges in the hospitality sector.

“Our ambition is to build a tool designed by and for professionals on the ground, in a spirit of continuous co-construction,” explain the co-founders.

Building momentum through local support

The startup, currently incubated at MonacoTech, is positioning itself within the foodtech sector. MonacoTech, founded by the Monegasque government in 2017, has become a key part of Monaco’s broader strategy to support innovation and economic diversification. In addition to workspace, the incubator provides access to mentorship and professional networks, helping early-stage companies develop and scale.

See more: MonacoTech opens call for bold startups to join its 2025 incubation program

As MonacoTech launches its latest international call for bold, impact-driven startups to join its 2025 incubation programme, initiatives like SOCA demonstrate how the incubator has become a launchpad for practical, scalable innovations. Applications for the programme are open until 13th May 2025.

SOCA was also one of eight startups selected to take part in the Start-Up Meeting hosted by the Jeune Chambre Économique de Monaco (JCI Monaco) in October 2024.

SOCA won the 28th Concours de Création d’Entreprise, receiving €40,000 in support for its B2B platform. Photo source: MonacoTech.

The event was part of a new initiative by JCI to promote entrepreneurship through public pitch sessions and informal mentorship opportunities. As the winner of the 2023 JCI Monaco’s Concours de Création d’Entreprise, SOCA presented its progress and ambitions during the gathering, which brought together local entrepreneurs, industry experts and business leaders.

See more: JCI Monaco empowers aspiring entrepreneurs with new start up initiative

In addition, SOCA participated in Monaco Business 2024, held at the Sea Club of Le Méridien Beach Plaza in September. The annual event brings together established companies and emerging startups to spotlight innovation across sectors such as fintech, cybersecurity, wellness, and digital services. 

See more: Innovation in the spotlight at Monaco Business event

The app is now preparing for broader deployment this month, marking a significant step in its development.

For Monaco, SOCA’s progress is also part of a wider effort to encourage a culture of innovation and support home-grown startups. With backing from MonacoTech and visibility through initiatives such as JCI Monaco’s events and Monaco Business, companies like SOCA are increasingly viewed as part of the Principality’s economic future.

 

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.  

Photo source: SOCA

Massimo Listri brings stillness to life in haunting new exhibition at Moretti Fine Art

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/04/2025

Step into a world where silence speaks volumes and history lingers in the shadows. In Massimo Listri. Fotografie, now on show at Moretti Fine Art in Monte-Carlo, the acclaimed Italian photographer invites viewers on a meditative journey through time and space, capturing the forgotten grandeur of palaces, libraries, and asylums in images that are as still as they are stirring.

This latest exhibition marks the second occasion that renowned art dealer Fabrizio Moretti has welcomed Massimo Listri to Monaco. But this time, there is a quiet evolution in scale. At Moretti’s request, Listri has adapted his typically monumental photographs to suit the interiors of Monaco’s refined and often more compact residences. The effect is no less powerful. These smaller-format works continue to astonish with their depth and precision, each one a silent portal into a world that feels somehow familiar and yet entirely otherworldly.

Photograph by Massimo Listri on display at Moretti Fine Art, image take by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life 

Listri’s photography goes far beyond simply documenting beautiful interiors. His images are quiet studies in composition and light, created with an eye for detail that makes the ordinary feel extraordinary. It’s not just the architecture that captivates, but the way he captures a shadow falling across a marble floor, the soft glow of natural light through a window, or the stillness that lingers in a long-forgotten hallway. There’s a calm precision in the way he frames each shot—an instinctive understanding of space and atmosphere. The result is immersive. Looking at one of his photographs feels almost like stepping into it, as if you’ve been transported to another place and time, and for a moment, you’re the only one there.

For over five decades, the Florentine-born photographer has travelled the world in pursuit of these sacred spaces. His camera has captured the solemn grandeur of the Vatican, the faded opulence of forgotten villas near Turin, the eerie emptiness of the criminal asylum of Montelupo, and the resplendent halls of Schwetzingen Castle in Germany. Each photograph is a window into another world, layered with memory, solitude, and the passage of time. From the age of 17, Listri’s vision was already being recognised in the pages of elite architectural journals. By 1981, he had co-founded the revered art magazine FMR, using it as a platform to share his photographic essays with the world. Today, with over 80 publications and a string of prestigious exhibitions behind him, including at Palazzo Pitti in Florence and El Museo de Arte Moderno in Buenos Aires, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest architectural photographers of his generation.

Speaking with Monaco Life, Listri revealed something rather unexpected: he has never been invited to photograph the Prince’s Palace. It’s a surprising gap in his otherwise remarkable portfolio, especially given his deep affinity for places steeped in history and layered with time. The palace – home to the Grimaldi dynasty for over seven centuries, and recently the site of a major restoration that brought to light long-hidden Renaissance frescoes – seems like a natural fit for his lens. It’s the kind of space he captures so well: quietly majestic, full of detail, and echoing with stories. That he hasn’t yet been invited to photograph the palace feels like a missed opportunity – for Monaco as much as for Listri. One can only hope that changes soon.

Moretti Fine Art Gallery in Monaco, photo by Monaco Life

Meanwhile, Listri’s quiet prestige continues to travel. In a recent honour, Italian President Sergio Mattarella selected two of his photographs to present as a gift to King Charles III. Perhaps Buckingham Palace will soon follow suit – after all, Listri has a gift for revealing not only how a space looks, but how it remembers.

Massimo Listri. Fotografie runs until 9th May at Moretti Fine Art, located at 27 Avenue de la Costa. Open daily from 10am to 6pm, this exhibition is not simply one to view, but one to experience. These are not just photographs; they are acts of devotion, each image an invitation to lose yourself in the poetry of space.

See more in Cassandra Tanti’s video reel 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.   

Main photo of Massimo Listri by Cassandra Tanti

Monaco makes its mark in Washington with cultural and consular mission

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/04/2025

A powerful blend of diplomacy, culture, and innovation came together in Washington D.C. as Monaco’s Ambassador to the United States and Canada, Maguy Maccario Doyle, welcomed consuls from across North America for a prestigious reunion. Timed to coincide with the Kennedy Center’s dazzling ‘EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky’ festival, the three-day event celebrated the Principality’s growing influence on the global stage.

From the 28th to the 30th March, Monaco’s diplomatic representatives gathered at the Salamander Hotel in the American capital for their annual consular meeting. Hosted by Ambassador Maccario Doyle and her embassy team, the event combined strategic briefings on developments in the Principality with high-level guest speakers and unique cultural experiences. It underscored the Principality’s commitment to building meaningful international partnerships through a combination of soft power, science, and the arts.

The reunion featured thought-provoking presentations from key Monaco-affiliated organisations. John B. Kelly, President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation USA, and Patricia Leonard, Director of Philanthropy for the Princess Grace Foundation USA, highlighted Monaco’s philanthropic reach.

Meanwhile, Astrolab CEO Jaret Matthews offered insights into the future of space exploration, joined by Smithsonian Enterprises’ Alison H. Leithner and TV5 Monde USA CEO Patrice Courtaban, who showcased Monaco’s role in transatlantic media and cultural exchange.

Further strengthening diplomatic ties, the embassy arranged exclusive tours of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol. With the support of former Texas congressman Jack Fields, Monaco’s consuls were able to experience these historic institutions in a uniquely privileged setting.

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.   

Photo source: Government Communication Department

Musée Océanographique de Monaco offering limited online discount for April visits

by: Elsa Carpenter
10/04/2025

The Musée Océanographique de Monaco, which recently opened its immersive new exhibition on the history and future of the Mediterranean Sea, is offering visitors a 40% discount for the first 1,000 people who reserve tickets online this April.

Looking for a fun and educational outing during the holidays? Monaco’s Musée Océanographique is always a great choice. With its spectacular aquariums, interactive activities and experiences, and its brand-new Mediterranean 2050 exhibit, it’s one of the Principality’s most popular attractions among visitors of all ages, particularly a hit with children.

This month, coinciding with the Easter holidays, the museum is offering a 40% discount for the first 1,000 online ticket reservations. The offer applies to both adult and child passes via the OCEANO40 promotional code and applies exclusively to tickets for April tours.

The museum is currently open from 10am until 7pm. To get the most out of your visit, be sure to plan for at least two hours within its walls, although you could easily spend a whole day wandering its many floors and displays. The rooftop restaurant, La Terrasse, is open for business too, but reservations are recommended as it can fill up quickly.

For more information, click here.

Read related:

Oceanographic Museum brings marine world of tomorrow alive at Mediterranean 2050 exhibition

 

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.   

 

Photo source: Musée Océanographique de Monaco

Photos: Princely Family explore ancestral roots in the Côtes-d’Armor

by: Stephanie Horsman
10/04/2025

With the Easter holidays in full swing, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella have joined their parents, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlène, on a family trip to northern France. The two-day visit will encompass stops in several towns in Brittany and Normandy as the Grimaldis celebrate the centuries-old family ties between Monaco and this part of France.

Prince Albert regularly embarks on trips across Europe to visit the many places of historical significance that have ties to the Grimaldi family. He usually goes it alone, but on this latest round of travels, he has been joined by Princess Charlène, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, making this Brittany-Normandy trip a real family affair.

The excursion began on Wednesday 9th April in the Côtes-d’Armor town of Matignon, the historic hometown of the Matignon family. In the early 18th century, Jacques IV of Matignon, a prominent figure from the region, married Princess Louise-Hippolyte Grimaldi, the daughter of Prince Antoine I of Monaco. Their wedding in 1715 saw Jacques abandon his family name and embrace his future as Prince Jacques I of Monaco. He ruled between 1731 and 1733, when he abdicated in favour of their son, Prince Honoré III.

Their union created a bond between the Principality and northern France, with the Hôtel de Matignon in Paris becoming an official residence of Monaco’s Princes until the late 18th century.

Jean-René Carfantan, Mayor of Matignon, is pictured with the Princely Family next to the new plaque in his town. Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco / Olivier Huitel

During this 2025 revisiting of their roots, the Princely Family were welcomed warmly by the townsfolk, with François de Keréver, Prefect of Côtes-d’Armor, and Jean-René Carfantan, Mayor of Matignon, leading the way in the tributes. The young Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella looked incredibly at ease in their roles, taking to their official tasks and responsibility with aplomb and confidence, while Prince Albert and Princess Charlène mingled with the crowds.

After a stroll through the traditional village market, a commemorative plaque was unveiled symbolising Matignon’s historic connections to the Grimaldi family. The Prince then attended a formal ceremony at the Rainier III Sports Hall, where local authorities and residents had gathered as part of the celebrations.

Read more: ‘Intertwined Destinies’: Empires and dynasties collide in upcoming exhibition on Monaco’s Napoleonic connections

The Princely Family later moved on to the nearby Fort La Latte in Plévenon, a 14th-century castle once owned by Étienne III de Goyon, Lord of Matignon. The castle has long been a symbol of the region’s historical links to the Grimaldi family. Here, the foursome also unveiled a plaque recognising the municipality’s inclusion in the Grimaldi Historic Sites Network (Sites historiques Grimaldi de Monaco) alongside the town’s Mayor, Hervé Van Praag.

Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, both 10, were all smiles during their visit to the Fort La Latte in Plévenon. Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco / Olivier Huitel

In the afternoon, the entourage continued their journey to Moyon Villages in Manche, where Prince Albert inaugurated the Grimaldi Media Library, a cultural initiative invoking the family’s heritage. He was joined by Xavier Brunetière, Prefect of Manche, and Jean-Pierre Louise, Mayor of Moyon Villages.

In the evening, the Prince met with Jean Morin, President of the Manche Departmental Council, at the Departmental House in Saint-Lô, where they announced the digitisation of the Matignon collection from the Prince’s Palace archives. This initiative will allow the public to access these valuable historical records online through the Manche Departmental Archives website.

To see more photographs from the first day of the Princely Family’s visit to northern France, click on the images 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: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco / Olivier Huitel