The government has highlighted the merits of the Parking des Salines as a solution for the thousands of spectators expected to attend the 82nd Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix of Monaco taking place from the 22nd to 25th May 2025.
Located at Monaco’s western entrance, the spacious parking has been specifically configured to accommodate a high number of visitors while offering substantial cost savings and convenient access to the circuit.
By choosing Parking des Salines, motorists can completely bypass urban traffic congestion both upon arrival and departure—a significant advantage during the Grand Prix weekend when Monaco’s streets become exceptionally busy.
Race attendees can then reach the circuit quickly and easily via two options:
A complimentary shuttle service operated by Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco, available in both directions upon presentation of a parking ticket or RésaWeb QR code. The shuttle drops passengers in the Fontvieille district on Avenue Albert II, just a five-minute walk from the circuit via mechanical connections. This route is recommended for people with reduced mobility.
Alternatively, spectators can follow a marked pedestrian route from the parking to the circuit (passing through Galerie des Salines, Promenade Honoré II, Place du Canton and Place d’Armes) with a journey time of approximately 16 minutes using available lifts.
Substantial cost savings
During the four days of the Grand Prix (22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th May), Parking des Salines will offer a highly economical flat rate of €10 per day for any entry between 6am and 6pm.
For comparison, city centre parkings will charge between €24 (on 22nd and 23rd May) and €30 (on 24th and 25th May) for day-long parking. This represents savings of 58% to 67% for those choosing Parking des Salines.
With a substantial capacity of 1,790 spaces, Parking des Salines allows visitors to secure a parking spot in advance through the RésaWeb booking service, accessible at https://resa.parkings.mc.
Pre-booking not only guarantees parking availability on race days but also enables free use of the circuit shuttle service upon presentation of the QR code generated during reservation.
The Principality has made detailed maps available showing both the pedestrian and shuttle routes to the circuit in French, English and Italian, as well as providing Waze location information to assist visitors in finding the parking.
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Sir Stelios honours next-generation business talent in Monaco and the Riviera with €100,000 entrepreneur awards
Five promising young business founders from Monaco and the French Riviera have been awarded a total of €100,000 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the creator of the easy family of brands, in the inaugural Stelios Foundation Young Entrepreneur Awards in Monaco and the Riviera. The winners were announced at a ceremony on Thursday 15th May at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall in Monaco.
The initiative, launched in 2025, aims to support early-stage business founders under the age of 35 whose startups are making an impact and creating jobs in the local economy. Of the €100,000 total prize fund, €70,000 was awarded in cash across five businesses, while €30,000 in advertising support was contributed by Riviera Radio to help the winners boost their visibility and growth.
“This is the first year of the awards and we received 29 applications,” said Sir Stelios. “With so many exceptional entrepreneurs and businesses, it was a very hard decision. In fact, we had originally planned for three winners, but the quality was so high that we decided to add two joint fourth-place prizes of €5,000 each.”
The awards were open to entrepreneurs aged 35 or younger who have founded a company registered in Monaco or France within the past five years. In a fitting coincidence, Sir Stelios noted that four of the five winners were not even born when he began building the easy brand empire in 1994. Two of the award-winning businesses are based in Monaco, while the remaining three are located in the South of France.
The goal, said Sir Stelios, is to empower young founders at a critical stage in their journey. “It’s not just about the cash. We want to help them build credibility, gain exposure, and ultimately create jobs in the region. I hope many more apply next year.”
The 2025 Stelios Foundation Young Entrepreneur Awards winners, from left to right: Raphael Mena, Sébastien Perez, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Yacine Bayar, Lauren Aubert and Félix Nacach
Top honours for Monaco engineer
The €30,000 first prize was awarded to Yacine Bayar, founder of Sianatech, an industrial maintenance and engineering firm based in Fontvieille. “This award means so much to me,” Bayar said. “I’m incredibly proud because what we do is very industrial — it’s not flashy or tech-based — and yet we’ve been recognised. That credibility is worth even more than the money.”
Bayar, who employs seven people, plans to use the funds for online marketing and recruitment. “We’ll invest in Google and LinkedIn ads to reach new clients and grow our team,” he added. “It’s a huge boost for us.”
A stay-at-sea solution takes second place
Félix Nacach, 27, won €20,000 for his creative accommodation business Bed Boat, which offers affordable overnight stays on docked yachts in iconic harbours like Monaco and Cannes.
“When you come to a city like Monaco, the first thing people do is go to the harbour and dream of staying on a boat,” he said. “But it’s usually too expensive. With us, it’s ten times cheaper — you can relax, take photos, sleep onboard, and even go out to sea. This recognition from Sir Stelios and the advertising support from Riviera Radio will take us to the next level.”
Third prize for filmmaker behind the lens
Sébastien Perez, founder of Sez Productions, received €10,000 for his Cannes-based video production company, which works with global clients including Netflix, Amazon and Ritz-Carlton.
“I’ve always been behind the camera, so this kind of recognition is very special,” said Perez. “We’ve made over 1,000 videos, and now we’re expanding into social media strategy. The prize money will help us invest in new drones, hire staff, and market ourselves more effectively.”
Recognising originality and ambition
Two joint fourth-place prizes of €5,000 each were awarded to young founders showing exceptional creativity and potential.
Raphael Mena, owner of GOYA, a Spanish restaurant in Nice, said the prize would allow him to create an in-house charcuterie lab and grow his own produce. “This is a huge recognition of our daily work and passion,” he told Monaco Life. “Our goal is to bring authentic Spanish traditions to our customers through food and wine — and now we can take that a step further.”
Meanwhile, Lauren Aubert, 25, won for her concept store LAU Monte Carlo, which features rotating collections of fashion, jewellery and furniture at accessible prices. “I’ve put my whole heart into this project,” she said. “It’s difficult to start a business in Monaco — rent is high, the costs are real — but with this award, we can now launch an e-commerce site and even think about expanding into a bigger space.”
Aubert also offered advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs: “First, you should study the market. That is the most important thing. If you have an idea, it should always be about solving a real problem. The solution I found in Monaco was opening a shop that offers fair prices so that anyone living in or visiting the Principality can find something they love — and afford it.”
Giving back through business
The Stelios Foundation is personally funded by royalties from the easy family of companies. “What I’ve created for myself over the past 30 years is a steady income stream,” Sir Stelios said. “I use that to give back to society — and supporting young entrepreneurs is one of the best ways to do that.”
The awards coincided with the launch of MCBC III, a sleek new business hub on Port Hercule offering coworking spaces and offices for Monaco’s growing entrepreneur community.
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Photos courtesy Stelios Foundation
Selva Monte-Carlo opens as Monaco’s latest nightlife destination in Casino Square
A new club has opened in the heart of Monaco’s historic Casino Square, aiming to redefine the Principality’s summer nightlife. Selva Monte-Carlo, which launched on 1st May, is a collaboration between Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and D.ream International. It joins the group’s growing portfolio of high-end hospitality and entertainment venues.
Located within the newly redeveloped Café de Paris complex and accessible via Allée François Blanc, Selva offers guests a tropical-inspired clubbing experience. The venue, open from May to September, operates late into the night and can accommodate up to 200 guests. It is designed to evoke what organisers call the “dark side of the jungle”, with a setting that combines rich visual detail, an exotic atmosphere, and an immersive soundscape.
The club builds on the success of neighbouring establishments such as Amazónico Monte-Carlo and Buddha-Bar. Its music programming focuses on house and electro-tropical styles, curated by a rotation of local DJs and international acts. Selva is also set to play a central role during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, with four nights of special performances from acts including Hugel, Themba, and Adam Ten.
In addition to its musical offering, Selva Monte-Carlo places a strong emphasis on high-end mixology. The club’s cocktail menu includes selections such as La Femme d’Or, crafted using Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac and accented with fig and apricot bitters, passionfruit mead, honey, and saffron. Another signature drink, L’Embarricado, features aged Enemigo tequila blended with Campari, Picon Amer, and Cocchi vermouth.
The opening of Selva forms part of Monte-Carlo SBM’s broader strategy to enhance the Principality’s appeal as a luxury destination. By positioning Selva in the Casino Square and operating Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo at the beachfront, the group aims to offer two distinct nightlife experiences in its two flagship locations.
Selva Monte-Carlo is currently open from Thursday to Saturday, with doors opening at midnight and closing at 5am. Entry is by reservation, with the final booking accepted at 3am and the last admission at 4am. A formal dress code is enforced.
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Photo source: MCSBM
Monaco bans disposable vapes and tightens smoking laws in sweeping anti-tobacco reform
Monaco has passed a bold new anti-tobacco law that bans single-use electronic cigarettes, raises the legal smoking age to 18, and expands no-smoking zones across the Principality. The reform, unanimously approved by the National Council on 15th May, is being hailed as one of the most comprehensive updates to the country’s tobacco legislation in decades.
The move signals a major step forward in Monaco’s fight against tobacco-related harm, with officials targeting not only public health concerns but also the environmental damage caused by disposable vaping devices, known as “puffs”. The ban on these colourful, youth-targeted products comes amid rising concerns over their appeal to minors, their potential health risks, and their contribution to plastic and battery waste.
Alongside the ban, the new law sets the legal age for purchasing tobacco at 18, up from previous regulations that allowed sales to minors. It also significantly widens the scope of smoke-free areas in a push to protect residents and visitors from passive smoking — an issue long recognised as a silent but serious health threat.
The reform modernises Monaco’s legislation to reflect the reality of a rapidly changing tobacco market. It formally incorporates electronic and associated nicotine delivery systems into the legal framework, offering clearer guidelines for regulation and enforcement.
Government Councillor for Social Affairs and Health, Christophe Robino, described the reform as a “major milestone” in the Principality’s public health policy. “This is not just about tobacco,” he said. “It’s about protecting young people, reducing passive exposure, and preserving the environment — all essential to Monaco’s long-term wellbeing.”
The reform reflects a rare political consensus, with all elected officials voting in favour. It positions Monaco at the forefront of European anti-tobacco efforts, setting an example for small states tackling the global challenge of tobacco addiction in a digital and disposable age.
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Photo credit: E-Liquids UK, Unsplash
Monaco charts next steps in financial crime strategy as key FATF deadline approaches
Monaco’s top officials met on Thursday 15th May to evaluate the country’s performance in its ongoing effort to overhaul financial safeguards and meet international compliance standards. The session, led by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and acting Minister of State, brought together members of the first College of the National Coordination and Monitoring Committee for the Fight Against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.
At the heart of the meeting was the Principality’s forthcoming progress report, which will be submitted to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) during its plenary session in June. The report will be Monaco’s first formal opportunity to show how far it has come since being placed under enhanced monitoring last year.
According to a statement by the Monaco government, officials acknowledged meaningful improvements already underway across various sectors, from tighter supervision of financial institutions to clearer mechanisms for tracking ownership and freezing illicit assets.
While the results so far are promising, the tone in the room was one of focus rather than celebration. With the FATF’s scrutiny ongoing, committee members urged all departments to remain firmly on task.
The ultimate objective remains Monaco’s removal from the FATF grey list—a designation that carries reputational risk for international financial centres. Though no date has been confirmed, the June review is widely seen as a critical checkpoint in that process.
Since the beginning of this compliance journey, Monaco has launched a national strategy to align itself more closely with global best practices. As Minister Berro-Amadeï pointed out earlier this year, the initiative also honours the Principality’s broader vision: to be a responsible and transparent player on the international stage.
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Monaco’s Mairie invites residents to create their ‘portrait of the soul’ for World Environment Day
In celebration of World Environment Day, the Mairie de Monaco is teaming up with JEMONDE to offer an original and introspective artistic experience on Tuesday 3rd June, from 1pm to 4:30pm in the Cour d’Honneur of the Town Hall.
The project, titled Mairie de Monaco x JEMONDE: Portraits d’âmes, invites participants to reflect on their inner self and relationship with the environment by creating a personalised “portrait of the soul”. The experience involves completing four thoughtful prompts: “I am”, “I live in a world”, “My commitment is”, and a personal motto. These intimate responses will be artistically transformed into a unique soul portrait that participants can take home.
This immersive initiative was conceived by Maud Louvrier Clerc, an artist specialising in sustainable development. The project forms part of the Humanities Art & Society programme supported by UNESCO, the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences, and Mémoire de l’Avenir.
By bringing art and introspection together, the Mairie aims to promote environmental awareness while fostering a deeper sense of individual and collective responsibility for our shared planet. Those unable to attend in person can still participate online by contributing their reflections via the dedicated Mairie de Monaco x JEMONDE page.
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.
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