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Day: 27 May 2025

Monaco Grand Prix draws record crowds as ticket sales hit new highs

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/05/2025

The 82nd Monaco Grand Prix shattered previous attendance records, with 250,000 people flooding into the Principality over four days. According to Monaco-Matin, the event sold out faster than ever — a trend that Automobile Club de Monaco President Michel Boeri says shows no signs of slowing down.

Speaking to Monaco-Matin ahead of the Grand Prix, ACM President Michel Boeri captured the scale of public anticipation: “Every year, it sells faster, stronger — and this year, we’re completely full.” That momentum translated into the largest crowds the event has seen to date.

From Thursday through Sunday, an estimated quarter of a million people packed the streets of Monaco, transforming the city into a pulsating amphitheatre of sound, speed and spectacle. Friday drew around 21,000 fans to the circuit, while both Saturday and Sunday were officially sold out, with 24,000 spectators in the grandstands each day.

This year’s edition reinforced the Grand Prix’s unrivalled pull, not only as a marquee event in the Formula 1 season but as one of Monaco’s most significant international draws.

The figures, confirmed by Monaco-Matin, signal a continued rise in popularity, despite growing scrutiny over the sustainability of major sporting events.

With record-breaking ticket sales and a full-capacity crowd lining the circuit across the weekend, the Monaco Grand Prix once again cemented its position at the heart of global motorsport — and in the imagination of fans around the world.

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.  

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

 

Peille to host two-day rock event in support of Fondation Flavien’s fight against childhood cancer

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/05/2025

On Friday 30th and Saturday 31st May, the Plateau de Saint Pancrace in Peille will set the stage for a powerful blend of live music and charitable action, as artists and audiences unite to support the Monaco-based Fondation Flavien and its mission to combat paediatric cancer.

The weekend begins on Friday 30th May with a special edition of Rockin’Peille celebrating the 15th anniversary of the H-DC Rebel Rider association of Monaco. The evening line-up will feature live performances by No End Date, Girl Power, and Mister Noise, delivering an energetic start to the event.

On Saturday 31st May, the festival will culminate in a unique performance featuring 50 musicians sharing the stage for what promises to be a memorable live experience. Opening the night will be BreakStuff, a tribute act to Limp Bizkit, setting the tone for a night of music rooted in solidarity and purpose.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Fondation Flavien, under the leadership of its president Denis Maccario. The foundation is dedicated to advancing research in paediatric oncology and supporting families affected by childhood illness. Its work is instrumental in improving the lives of young patients and their loved ones across the region.

This community-driven event is open to all, offering attendees the opportunity to enjoy live music while directly contributing to a meaningful cause. By participating, concertgoers not only support local artists but also play a part in furthering the foundation’s essential work.

Click here for tickets: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/rockin-peille/evenements/rockin-peille-2025

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: Rockin Peille

Lego-themed Bricks Académie returns to Monaco with a superhero twist for children

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/05/2025

Monaco’s Espace Léo Ferré will once again transform into a world of imagination and adventure as the Bricks Académie des Super-héroïnes et Super-héros returns on Friday 6th June, inviting children aged 8 to 12 to take part in a creative and costume-filled evening inspired by the world of Lego.

The Bricks Académie, organised by the Mairie de Monaco and inspired by local schoolchildren through the Projet Communal Junior, is back with a new edition that combines play and learning through a unique Bricks Experience concept. Scheduled from 7pm to 9:30pm, the event will bring together young residents and students of Monaco for an evening of fun rooted in teamwork, design, and superhero energy.

Participants will be immersed in a Lego universe led by costumed characters such as Wonderman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Catwoman, who will act as mentors through three interactive zones, each themed by colour and challenge. The goal: to stimulate imagination and creativity in an environment designed to entertain and inspire.

In true superhero fashion, entry into the Bricks Académie will require children to arrive in costume or accessorised as their favourite heroic character. Once inside, they can enjoy themed construction tables, a Lego-inspired inflatable castle, a Candy Bar and Soft Bar, and even a dedicated Bricks Museum exhibit that delves into the colourful legacy of the famous brick.

“The Mairie de Monaco is offering another exciting evening of fun for children aged 8 to 12, thanks to the magic of Lego,” said Chloé Boscagli-Leclercq, Deputy Mayor in charge of Youth.

The Bricks Académie promises to be a moment of shared adventure, creativity, and discovery — set deep in the imaginative galaxy of childhood.

Monaco Life is produced by 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 credit: Brecht Corbeel, Unsplash 

What makes Monaco’s Blue Economy and Finance Forum a potential turning point for global conservation?

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
27/05/2025

Monaco is preparing to host what could be the most significant ocean finance gathering in history, with organisers taking a direct approach that prioritises deployed capital over conference promises. 

The Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) will be held on 7th and 8th June and is focusing entirely on real money already working in ocean sustainability rather than grand announcements.

During an exclusive briefing led by Robert Calcagno, CEO of the Oceanographic Institute alongside Pascal Lamy, Political consultant, Léa Calori from the princely government, Olivier Wenden Vice President and General Director of the Prince Albert II Foundation, and Olivier PA Poivre d’Arvor from UNOC, organisers presented stark figures that underscore the forum’s urgency.

Ocean conservation requires €175 billion annually to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 14. Currently, only €25 billion flows into this critical area. The forum’s mission is straightforward: bridge the gap with actual deployed capital. 

“We have refused to highlight new announcement effects. There will be no billions announced, but rather a sum of existing projects that actually work,” explained Robert Calcagno.

The forum’s three-wave structure will showcase €25 billion already successfully deployed into ocean sustainability projects worldwide—representing actual money rather than theoretical commitments. 

For the first time, the world’s most powerful institutional investors will meet privately aboard Ray Dalio’s exploration vessel OceanXplorer to discuss blue economy investments. Prince Albert II will host alongside the World Economic Forum, marking a significant shift from charity-driven ocean conservation to serious institutional finance. 

The world’s 10 largest shipowners—controlling 85% of global maritime transport—will publicly unite for the first time, signing a decarbonisation charter alongside major ports. This unprecedented collaboration will see executives from typically fierce competitors like CMA CGM and Maersk appearing together.

Their target is complete maritime decarbonisation by 2050 through an IMO agreement scheduled for October adoption.

Monaco’s ocean energy innovation 

Held just weeks after the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, questions persist about luxury tourism’s environmental impact, however Monaco has quietly established itself as a pioneer in ocean energy. The Principality generates 18% of its energy from the sea through thalassothermal loops, recovering heat in winter and coolness in summer directly from seawater.

Implemented by the Société des Bains de Mer, this system demonstrates how luxury tourism and sustainability can work seamlessly together—exactly the model the forum aims to scale globally.

BEFF will introduce biodiversity credits specifically designed for ocean conservation, developed over two years to avoid the pitfalls that affected carbon credit markets. These credits will connect ocean protectors with companies seeking to defend marine environments locally.

The forum will open with concrete success stories, featuring companies with over €3 billion turnover from sustainable algae production, certified by gold-standard ASC and MSC labels. These businesses prove ocean sustainability delivers financial returns.

BEFF integrates directly with the UN Ocean Conference. As Robert Calcagno notes, they “are not two different things.” Results will be presented to the UN, with France leading resulting coalitions through the “Nice Action Plan for the Ocean,” potentially creating the first “COP Ocean” before 2026.

Robert Calcagno captured the forum’s significance: “This is one of the rare moments in history when what is just for our planet coincides fully with the interest of investors.”

Monaco’s Blue Economy and Finance Forum will bring together 1,500 entrepreneurs with the complete spectrum of finance—from heads of state to private equity—around one fundamental principle: deployed capital over empty promises.

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 credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

 

Farago On The Roof returns with flair as AC Hotel Nice unveils stunning transformation

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/05/2025

With the return of Farago On The Roof, one of the Riviera’s most coveted rooftop dining experiences, the newly renovated AC Hotel Nice by Marriott has officially reopened, setting a new standard for style and sophistication on the Côte d’Azur.

The grand relaunch took place on 16th May with a lush garden cocktail dînatoire that gave guests a first taste of the refreshed hotel experience. Live cooking stations, champagne and wine bars, and acoustic performances transformed the 500 m² private garden into an elegant fête.

As the evening unfolded, guests were guided to the rooftop for the season’s highly anticipated reopening of Farago On The Roof.

The newly renovated rooms at AC Hotel Nice by Marriott

After two years of meticulous renovation, the AC Hotel Nice has emerged with a bold, modern identity that celebrates both its Mediterranean setting and the city’s artistic soul. The upgrades span over 600 m² of redesigned event spaces, including sun-drenched lounges fitted with cutting-edge technology and the brand-new Sosno Room, named in honour of French sculptor Sacha Sosno.

It is Sosno’s iconic 19-metre-tall ‘Vénus’ — a sculptural figure wedged between the hotel’s twin towers, eyes fixed on the sea — that has long defined the building’s silhouette. The piece reflects Sosno’s “obliteration” concept, concealing elements of the form to provoke the imagination, and has become an emblem of architectural artistry in Nice.

Sosno’s iconic 19-metre-tall ‘Vénus’

One of the most striking additions to the hotel is the panoramic breakfast room on the rooftop, offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean that can be enjoyed year-round. Yet it is Farago On The Roof that truly steals the show.

Perched above the Promenade des Anglais, Farago On The Roof has reopened with a reimagined open kitchen, a sleek cocktail bar, and elegant pergola-covered seating that offers both shelter and style.

The AC Hotel Nice with Farago On The Roof is situated just metres from the Promenade des Anglais in Nice

At the helm is Chef Vincenzo Tuccillo, whose impressive culinary pedigree includes work alongside renowned figures such as Alain Ducasse, Thierry Marx, and Simone Zanoni.

His new menu embraces Mediterranean vibrancy, with a focus on dishes designed for sharing. Guests can indulge in citrus-marinated sea bream ceviche, crispy zucchini blossoms, grilled octopus with ginger mash, and decadent chestnut tiramisu.

Chef Vincenzo Tuccillo

As the sun sets, the rooftop transitions into a lively, ambient space with DJ sets, live acoustic music, and a curated cocktail selection.

From laid-back lunches to sunset dinners and lazy Sunday brunches, Farago has become a real oasis above the hustle and bustle of Nice.

AC Hotel Nice by Marriott combines sophistication and Mediterranean charm

The renovation of the AC Hotel Nice by Marriott not only marks a new chapter for this iconic property but also raises the bar for upscale stays near Monaco.

It offers a refined blend of contemporary elegance and Riviera charm, redefining what guests can expect from a luxury stay on the Côte d’Azur.

Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti was there! See more in her video reel below…

See also: 

Interview: Jean Valfort on the quiet revolution transforming Nice’s restaurant scene

Monaco Life is produced by a 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.   

All photos courtesy AC Hotel Nice