Prince Albert II has chaired a senior government meeting at the Palais Princier focused on Monaco’s National Housing Plan, reaffirming his commitment to addressing one of the Principality’s most persistent challenges.
The meeting brought together key members of the Prince’s Cabinet and Government to evaluate current housing strategies and outline future developments. It comes amid growing pressure to meet the needs of the Monegasque population, in a country where land is scarce and demand for housing remains high.
Prince Albert has repeatedly underlined the importance of housing as a cornerstone of national policy. While Monaco is internationally known for its luxury real estate, the Principality has also made efforts to improve access to housing for its citizens. The Sovereign’s role in leading this latest meeting signals the weight the issue carries at the highest level of government.
In recent years, Monaco has pursued bold urban planning solutions, including the construction of Mareterra, a six-hectare extension into the sea that was inaugurated last year. While largely composed of high-end residences, the project also showcases the government’s ambition to balance growth with environmental responsibility — a priority that Prince Albert has made central to his reign.
Yet, with virtually no remaining buildable land and rising housing demand from both citizens and residents, authorities face the difficult task of ensuring future developments serve a broader cross-section of the population. The National Housing Plan is expected to address these concerns, with a focus on availability, sustainability and long-term planning.
This latest high-level meeting, revealed by the Palace on Tuesday, suggests that more concrete policies may soon be announced as the government continues to refine its approach.
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Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais princier
Exclusive: Step inside this €59 million Cap d’Antibes villa with Monaco roots and A-list history
Once a playground for Hollywood royalty and European aristocrats, Domaine de la Belle Étoile on Cap d’Antibes has been transformed into one of the most breathtaking homes on the French Riviera — and it’s now for sale, complete with a Monaco-designed interior.
What do Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel and the Duke of Windsor have in common? They all graced the legendary Hôtel Provençal Tennis Club on Cap d’Antibes — now the site of one of the French Riviera’s most opulent new properties: Domaine de la Belle Étoile by luxury developer Caudwell.
Recently unveiled and now on the market for €58.95 million, this sprawling 3.65-acre estate is not just a home, it’s a statement — of legacy, of art, and of French Riviera glamour reimagined for a new era.
At its heart is ‘La Belle Étoile’, a 14,200-square-foot modern villa that captures the effortless elegance of its surroundings, and thanks to the vision of Monaco-based design studio Casamanara, tells a compelling story at every turn.
Domaine de la Belle Etoile from above
A family home disguised as a masterpiece
Step through the grand entrance, paved with blue enamelled lava stone and creamy limestone, and you’re immediately drawn into a world of texture, tone and imagination.
Double-height windows frame views over Port de l’Olivette and landscaped gardens, while a sweeping palette of celadon, sea blues and soft creams evokes the changing moods of the Mediterranean.
“At Domaine de la Belle Étoile, the main inspiration was, of course, the timeless decoration of the French Riviera herself,” says Debla Manara-Berger, Co-Founder of Casamanara. “We kept the atmosphere perfectly serene, with a soft palette of whites, beiges, celadon, greens and blues. We custom designed all the rugs to match the décor in each room, with fabrics and wallpapers chosen to contrast with the millwork, and sculptural lighting in all the main rooms. My own favourite piece is the contemporary chandelier in the family dining room, where hundreds of crystal drops beautifully catch the light.”
Seaview deck
But this is no cold design showcase. Casamanara, led by siblings Piero Manara and Debla Manara-Berger, has created a space that is as practical as it is poetic.
Bespoke furniture, tactile fabrics and curated artworks give the interiors a lived-in sophistication — not unlike the coastal villas of Picasso’s generation, whose spirit lingers here in a custom rug referencing the works of Chagall, Cocteau and Matisse.
The attention is in the detail
A French Riviera sanctuary with stories in every corner
At Domaine de la Belle Étoile, the details do the talking. In the main reception, curved cocktail bars shimmer in Amazonite Quartzite, armchairs wear hand-embroidered velvets, and lighting installations catch the sun in ways that make time feel suspended. Even the double doors — made of alabaster and onyx with bronze sunbursts — feel like an invitation to another era.
The primary suite, spread across 100 square metres, is a private retreat complete with dressing rooms, two marble-clad bathrooms, and drapes that ripple like sea foam. Meanwhile, the kitchen, dining areas and family living spaces are ready-made for entertaining, seamlessly blending Riviera cool with five-star functionality.
The principal bedroom suite
“In an expansive project like ‘La Belle Étoile’, the key to link it all together is to follow a storyline, obvious to the future owners even before they have walked through the front door,” says Piero Manara, Co-Founder of Casamanara. “Caudwellinstantly understood our vision for Domaine de la Belle Étoile, which was to create a private heaven, where intimate private spaces, such as the bedroom suites, are as important as the openness and grandeur of the main reception room, all inspired by the colours of the French Riviera’s sky and sea.
“Infusing a new property with soul does not come from using famous brands or following fashion, but creating a connection between tradition and modernity, with wonderful, tactile materials and a sense of surprise and magic at every turn.”
Main reception area at Villa la Belle Toile
Beyond the villa: a 1920s tennis club reborn
The estate also includes two guesthouses, most notably the restored Villa Céleste, formerly the 1920s tennis clubhouse. With its high vaulted ceilings, golden wallpapers and vintage-meets-modern furniture, it feels like stepping into a Slim Aarons photograph — only updated for today’s tastes. There’s also Villa Capella, a more intimate one-bedroom retreat ideal for guests or staff.
The grounds are equally considered: olive groves, rose gardens and a chef’s garden unfurl across the estate, with shaded terraces and loggias providing countless ways to enjoy the Riviera’s endless sun.
Poolside at the villa
A rare chance to own part of the Riviera’s soul
Domaine de la Belle Étoile is not just another high-end real estate listing. It’s a love letter to the French Riviera — its history, its light, its lifestyle — interpreted through Monaco’s lens of luxury and design. It’s bold without being brash, artistic without being aloof, and despite its size and price tag, remarkably intimate.
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The seventh edition of Monaco Art Week will take place from the 7th to the 12th of July, promising a rich and diverse celebration of art across the Principality. Organised under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, this year’s event will also benefit from the support of a new patron, Princess Alexandra of Hanover.
Fifteen galleries and auction houses will participate in the initiative, offering the public a curated itinerary through Monaco’s emblematic districts. The programme will feature exhibitions, artist talks, and cultural encounters that span a broad spectrum of artistic practice — from antiquity to modern and contemporary works, including sculpture, painting, and fine jewellery.
Monaco Art Week is set to coincide with a vibrant cultural season. It will run in parallel with the Art Monte-Carlo fair, scheduled from the 7th to the 9th of July, and the opening of two major exhibitions: Colours! Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou at the Grimaldi Forum, and Monaco and the Napoleons: Intertwined Destinies, which will be on view from the 11th of July to the 31st of August.
Participating institutions include Artcurial, Christie’s, collect|mc, Hauser & Wirth, HOFA, Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo, Kamil Art Gallery, Elisabeth Lillo-Renner, Moretti Fine Art, Opera Gallery, Almine Rech, Galerie Adriano Ribolzi, Sotheby’s, Teos Gallery Monte-Carlo, and M.F. Toninelli Art Moderne. Their exhibitions will be spread across the Principality in a format designed to encourage visitors to explore Monaco’s cultural landscape.
The event is supported by EFG Bank (Monaco) and Moravia Yachting, with logistics partner SMT Société Monégasque de Transports playing a key role once again. The official opening cocktail will be held on Monday 7th July.
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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life
Top Marques Monaco celebrates record-breaking 20th edition with sales, stars and supercars
The 20th edition of Top Marques Monaco has closed as the most successful in the event’s history, say organisers, after drawing record crowds, unveiling 13 world premieres, and generating millions in luxury car sales.
Held at the Grimaldi Forum from the 8th to the 11th of May, the event brought together 190 vehicles, nearly 100 exhibitors, and a high-profile crowd that included royalty, racing legends, social media influencers and international celebrities. Organisers confirmed that hundreds of accredited journalists and content creators also attended, boosting the event’s international visibility.
Prince Albert II officially opened Top Marques Monaco 2025 on Thursday. Photo source: Top Marques
The curtain was officially lifted by Prince Albert II of Monaco, who opened the show on Thursday morning by unveiling several headline vehicles, including a one-of-a-kind Lamborghini Aventador SV and a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT customised by Top Marques ambassador and Monegasque influencer GMK. Among other models revealed during the ceremony were the Rubau hypercar from Spain and the Monaco edition of the LM1 by Laffite Automobili, for which Prince Albert himself contributed design elements, including bespoke interior touches and exclusive colour palettes.
Crowd favourites included the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante by BPM Exclusive and the Lamborghini Temerario, presented by Groupe Segond Automobiles. According to organisers, the show’s commercial success was particularly notable this year, with numerous high-end vehicles sold, including several with price tags exceeding one million euros. Classic cars, rare watches and luxury jewellery were also snapped up, with many exhibitors reporting deals from the very first evening.
“We reached a new milestone in terms of vehicle quality, commercial results, and audience profile,” said Emeric Garcia, Director of Top Marques Monaco. “We’ve never received so much positive feedback from our exhibitors, many of whom confirmed next year’s participation on preview night.”
The celebrity turnout added further buzz, with appearances by Formula 1 drivers Charles and Arthur Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, and Valtteri Bottas. Also spotted were comedian Roman Frayssinet, basketball stars Mike James and Elie Okobo, and football icons Robert Pirès, Giorgio Chiellini and Breel Embolo. Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, was also in attendance, contributing to the event’s growing digital footprint.
This year marked the first edition under a new strategic partnership with global events group Informa, aimed at expanding the show’s reach and enhancing its operations. Looking ahead, Garcia confirmed that the next edition of Top Marques Monaco will return from the 6th to the 10th of May 2026, promising even more global debuts and exclusive experiences.
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Main photo source: Top Marques
Monaco LGBTQIA+ association marks one year of advocacy and community
Monaco’s leading LGBTQIA+ association, Mon’Arc en Ciel, is celebrating its first anniversary with a public event aimed at honoring its achievements and strengthening community bonds.
The celebration will take place on Friday 16 May from 6pm at 22 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, with members of the public, allies, friends and families warmly invited to attend.
Founded to promote inclusion and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Principality, Mon’Arc en Ciel has spent the past year building a visible presence through community initiatives, outreach and dialogue. Friday’s gathering is expected to reflect both the progress made and the challenges that remain.
“This is not only a celebration of our first year but a moment to look ahead,” said a representative of the organisation. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has stood with us. Together, we continue to shape a more inclusive Monaco.”
For further information, the organization can be reached at 0780980003.
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.
