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Day: 16 April 2025

First look inside the ultra-exclusive Monte-Carlo Cigar Club opening this May

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/04/2025

The first images of the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club have been released ahead of its official opening on 28th May. Located within the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the new venue by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), in partnership with Dominique London, is set to offer a high-end experience for cigar enthusiasts in an elegant and carefully designed setting.

On Wednesday, Monte-Carlo SBM revealed that the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club will be accessible to approved members as well as clients staying in the Monte-Carlo Diamond Suites. It will house a collection of 35,000 cigars, sourced from leading producers in Cuba, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Honduras and Peru. Brands such as Arturo Fuente, Cohiba, Davidoff, Montecristo and Trinidad will be available alongside a number of other well-known labels.

The ultra-exclusive Monte-Carlo Cigar Club. Image provided by Monte-Carlo SBM

A selection of drinks and light dishes will be available, with the club’s cigar sommeliers providing pairing recommendations based on individual preferences. This includes a range of teas, coffees, chocolates, champagnes and spirits, such as the Havana Club Iconica Collection.

Wines from the cellars of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo will also be included in the offering, along with club sandwiches and finger foods.

The terrace of the future Monte-Carlo Cigar Club. Image provided by Monte-Carlo SBM

The design of the 200-square-metre space, including a terrace, has been overseen by the Paris-based firm Moinard Bétaille. Located in what was once the office of François Blanc, the founder of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the space combines tobacco-toned walls, deep leather seating and coloured detailing inspired by both Havana and the French Riviera. A walk-in humidor, created by the specialist company DeArt, will store the cigar selection in optimal conditions.

The future smoking room of the club. Image provided by Monte-Carlo SBM

Albert Manzone, CEO of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, said the new club reflects the group’s ambition to enhance its luxury portfolio. “We wanted to create a space that brings together the very best the cigar world has to offer, and this partnership with Dominique London allows us to do just that,” he said.

The Monte-Carlo Cigar Club will be inaugurated on 19th May, before opening its doors to members on 28th May.

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.

Carlo app backs 662-kilometre Monaco Liver Disorder cycling challenge

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/04/2025

In a display of community spirit and athletic endurance, Monaco-based payment app Carlo has partnered with the charity Monaco Liver Disorder (MLD) to raise awareness and funds for children suffering from rare liver diseases. The initiative centres around an ambitious ultra-long distance cycling challenge being undertaken by one intrepid rider, Philippe Choquet, who will be covering 662 kilometres from Monaco to Andorra in just 36 hours. 

On 30th May, 54-year-old avid cyclist Philippe Choquet, who works in the Principality, will set out from the place of Monaco’s Prince’s Palace at 10am on a daunting solo bicycle journey. His goal is to cover the 662 kilometres to Andorra in 36 hours. Along the way, he’ll climb a cumulative 7,270 meters in elevation, finishing at the Col d’Envalira, the highest paved mountain pass in the Pyrenees, which sits at 2,408 metres above sea level.

A seasoned bike rider, Choquet has been training rigorously each month in preparation, typically logging 1,200 kilometres in distance and over 10,000 meters of elevation gain. His usual rides cover an astounding 200 kilometres per session. 

This demanding journey isn’t just a test of physical limits, though, it’s a ride prompted by purpose. As Choquet pushes through inevitable fatigue and tough terrain, he’ll be working toward a worthy cause, that of the children suffering from rare liver diseases. The ride, supported by local charity, Monaco Liver Disease (MLD) and Monaco’s Carlo app, is a labour of love as much as of personal bests. 

Carlo, the popular Monegasque app founded in 2019, is known for promoting local commerce by offering users 5% cashback on purchases made at over 670 partner businesses. In addition to supporting local stores, Carlo has taken steps to become a hub for social impact by enabling donations to more than two dozen local charities. This latest initiative with MLD marks a significant step in its mission to fuse technology, community, and solidarity.

MLD, founded by Carla Fadoul Shechter, works to ease the emotional and physical toll of hospitalisation on children with liver conditions. By transforming sterile hospital environments into spaces filled with warmth, colour, and comfort, MLD helps make medical care more humane and dignified for young patients and their families.

To support this exceptionally worthwhile cause, users can now donate to MLD directly through the Carlo app by clicking here  https://carloapp.com/en/  

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.  

Celebrate a cause: COCC’s Saint-Tropez to Monaco ride returns with epic after-party at Slammers

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/04/2025

The 11th edition of the Champagne and Oysters Cycle Club (COCC) ride from Saint-Tropez to Monaco is set for Sunday, 27th April, bringing together cyclists, celebrities, and philanthropists for a day of fundraising, sport and celebration – capped off by a lively open-air after-party in the heart of the Principality.

This annual event, which has raised around €100,000 each year, supports two notable charities: the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which champions water safety and drowning prevention initiatives around the world, and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a UK-based organisation funding research into motor neuron disease.

Cyclists will depart from Saint-Tropez at 8am, arriving in Monaco in the late afternoon. The day’s efforts will culminate in the COCC Street Party, an open-invitation celebration held outside Slammers Pub from 2pm until late. With a BBQ by Chilli No. 5, live music from Caligagan, Blah Blah, and Paul Dobie, and plenty of refreshments, the after-party promises to be a festive close to the charitable ride.

Tickets to the COCC Street Party are available now for €25 at Slammers Bar, or €35 on the day. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to soak up the atmosphere and support the fundraising effort, which continues into the evening.

Sponsorship opportunities are still open, with organisers calling on Monaco-based businesses to contribute. Interested parties can register via the official COCC website or by contacting the team at info@coccmonaco.com.

To date, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has reached over one million people through water safety programmes in more than 43 countries. The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, named after Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, has become a leading force in the global campaign against motor neuron disease.

For those looking to support a meaningful cause while enjoying one of Monaco’s most spirited springtime traditions, the COCC ride and its vibrant after-party offer the perfect opportunity.

See also:

Photos: Princess Charlene celebrates 10th anniversary with COCC

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 Princess Charlene at the 2024 COCC credit Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department