Areas in Nice to avoid during the UN Ocean Conference

05/06/2025

As Nice prepares to host the United Nations Ocean Conference from 9th to 13th June, residents and visitors are being warned to expect major disruptions across the city. With 70 world leaders and thousands of delegates descending on key areas, heightened security will bring widespread road closures, restricted pedestrian zones, and significant changes to public transport.

The Port of Nice will be the main conference location and will therefore be completely closed off during the event. Subsequently, the entire port district will be under lockdown with heavily restricted access throughout the conference period. This is the most significant security operation Nice has seen in recent years.

The Promenade des Anglais will also face serious disruptions at key moments during the summit. The biggest will happen on Sunday 8th June when world leaders attend a state dinner at Hotel Negresco. The area around the hotel, especially near 37 Promenade des Anglais, will be completely blocked off during the evening. Traffic along the entire Promenade may pause temporarily when official convoys arrive and leave. Residents should avoid driving along the seafront entirely that evening.

From 5th to 13th June, the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen at 65 Promenade des Anglais will also have enhanced security as an official conference venue. Authorities won’t close the entire Promenade, but they will temporarily block certain sections and enforce parking restrictions around the building. They will affect only specific parts of the Promenade, so people can still access most of the coastline.

The Old Town will remain open during the conference but with much tighter security. On Monday 9th June, when official meetings take place at the Palais des Rois Sardes, the historic area will have filtered access with possible street closures around rue Jules Gilly and Place du Palais de Justice. Security checkpoints may be set up at Old Town entrances, though local shops will stay open and residents can still access their homes.

How to get around during the conference

People visiting the Old Town should carry identification and consider using alternative routes through Place Garibaldi or the Promenade du Paillon to avoid the most restricted areas near Cours Saleya. These security measures aim to maintain safety while keeping disruption to local businesses to a minimum.

Getting around Nice will be much more difficult during the conference. Traffic delays will be significant across the city centre, with some streets potentially blocked without warning depending on delegation movements. Security measures and road closures may also delay public transport. Parking in central Nice, already challenging normally, will become even harder with additional restrictions near official venues.

The security operation for the conference will be massive. Up to 5,000 security personnel will work daily, including elite units like RAID and GIGN. This heavy police presence will be visible throughout the entire city, not just near official venues. Anti-drone controls and extensive surveillance will also be active across the conference area. While there are no specific threats made against the summit, the presence of world leaders requires maximum security precautions.

Anyone planning to travel around Nice during this period will have to be flexible and patient. Journey times should be much longer to account for delays and route changes. Travel plans may need to change at short notice based on security requirements. However, the local police will provide guidance if needed.

Despite the extensive security measures, most of central Nice will continue operating normally outside the restricted zones. Restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions will remain open except where directly affected by security areas. Beach access will continue as usual, though areas next to restricted zones may have some limitations.

Normal operations should gradually return after the conference ends on Friday 13th June. With proper planning and realistic expectations, both residents and visitors can navigate the city successfully during this important gathering

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Main photo by Monaco Life

Monaco Telecom unveils AI-powered virtual assistant in collaboration with Altores

by: Cassandra Tanti

05/06/2025

Monaco Telecom has launched a new virtual assistant, developed entirely within the Principality in partnership with Altores, a startup incubated at MonacoTech. This AI-driven tool offers users 24/7 multilingual support via the operator’s website and WhatsApp, ushering in a new era of intelligent customer engagement in Monaco.

The virtual assistant provides instant responses to informational queries, accessible both on desktop and mobile platforms.While currently focused on delivering information based on Monaco Telecom’s website content, the assistant is designed to evolve, with plans to handle more personalised requests in the future. For complex inquiries, users can transition to a live chat with a customer service advisor or request a callback.

Homegrown innovation

Developed in collaboration with Altores, a MonacoTech-incubated startup, the assistant showcases the Principality’s commitment to fostering local technological innovation. Altores specialises in creating AI-powered virtual collaborators that automate daily tasks, enhancing productivity for businesses and governments alike. The startup’s platform is designed to optimise efficiency and minimise manual tasks across diverse sectors.

Strategic vision

“By implementing this virtual assistant, we are complementing our direct communication channels with our customers, using a modern, instantaneous, and efficient tool,” said Martin Péronnet, CEO of Monaco Telecom, in a statement. “Collaborating with a MonacoTech startup to develop it demonstrates the quality of projects initiated in the Principality, particularly in the emerging field of artificial intelligence.”

Louis L’Herrou, Co-founder of Altores, added, “Together with Monaco Telecom, we are putting artificial intelligence at the service of a shared ambition: making access to information more direct for an ‘augmented’ customer experience.”

Accessing the assistant

Customers can interact with the virtual assistant through Monaco Telecom’s website or via WhatsApp by messaging +377 377 10 000. The service is available around the clock.

Image: Screenshot of Monaco Telecom website generated by Monaco Life

Young talent to take the spotlight at ISM Youth Piano Competition

by: Cassandra Tanti

05/06/2025

The International School of Monaco is set to host its first-ever ISM Youth Piano Competition on Saturday 21st June, opening the doors of its auditorium to a new generation of musical talent from Monaco and the surrounding region.

Organised by the school’s Performing Arts Department in collaboration with the ISM Parent Teacher Association, the competition aims to create a premier platform for young pianists aged four to 18. It reflects Monaco’s cultural dedication to creativity and excellence, while offering participants a nurturing environment to perform, grow artistically, and connect with like-minded peers.

The event will see young musicians take to the stage before a panel of esteemed judges, with performers divided into five skill-based categories: Young Artist Foundation Level, Young Artist Elementary Level, Emerging Artist Division, Developing Artist Division, and Concert Artist Division. Designed to accommodate all levels of experience, the competition encourages both aspiring professionals and passionate amateurs to pursue musical achievement and self-expression.

Beyond the stage, the ISM Youth Piano Competition is envisioned as a transformative experience. Through mentorship, adjudication, and community engagement, participants will gain not only valuable feedback but also a sense of belonging within a wider artistic community. “This competition reflects our belief in the power of music to connect cultures, build confidence, and inspire young minds,” said organisers from the school.

The deadline for registration is Friday 6th June. All interested families and educators are encouraged to take part in this vibrant cultural initiative that promises to enrich Monaco’s already dynamic musical landscape.

For more information or to register, visit the event page or contact ISM directly at contact@ismonaco.com.

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

Prince Albert II opens Green Shift Festival

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

05/06/2025

Prince Albert II officially opened the third edition of the Green Shirt Festival on Wednesday evening. The three day festival challenges businesses and citizens to reimagine their relationship with the planet.

The evening kicked off with a compelling session on ethical recycling practices, featuring Jean-Philippe Fusier, sharing a pivotal moment that transformed his company’s approach to waste management.

“A few years ago, China approached us to purchase our recycling materials for an enormous sum,” Fusier revealed. “However, when I enquired about the intended use of these materials, they mentioned creating Hello Kitty toys for children amongst other products. I thought of my own children and turned the offer down.”

The decision initially proved costly but ultimately revolutionary for Fusier’s business model. “We lost a substantial amount of money initially. But by changing how our company operates, we now have a turnover ten times greater,” he explained. Fusier’s example showcases how ethical practices can prove more profitable than purely profit-driven approaches.

The evening also featured local Councillor Marjorie Crovetto presenting the Mairie’s collaboration with artist Maud Louvrier-Clerc. Their project explores individual environmental commitments through innovative ‘soul portraits.’

*Maud Louvrier Clerc and Marjorie Crovetto present their project*

Art meets activism

Louvrier-Clerc’s artistic methodology came from her experience with international climate negotiation. “I was convinced we could achieve something significant after Copenhagen, leading to the Paris Accords,” she said. “I thought, ‘This is happening from the top down, but what’s happening from the bottom up?’. That is when I realised we needed to understand citizens’ commitments.”

Drawing inspiration from Walt Whitman’s poetry, particularly the line “that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse,” Louvrier-Clerc has developed a participatory protocol, asking individuals to complete four questions, creating portraits that capture what she calls the “intangible energy needed for environmental transformation.”

“We’ve always created portraits of bodies in art—through drawing, painting, and photography. But what’s often missing is the invisible part: a person’s state of mind, their energy, and unshakable faith that change is possible. This sense of optimism is crucial, especially when the challenges we face are so big. It’s immaterial, yet deeply powerful.” she explained

Reimagining the future

The festival’s programming extended beyond these discussions, featuring a unique futuristic discussion with historians and prospectivists Mathieu Baudin and Hélène Binet. Their presentation, set in the year 2050, imagines a world where ecological transition has been successfully achieved through citizen action and innovative policies.

Speaking about their vision of successful environmental transformation, Baudin noted how “we’ve moved beyond seeing ourselves in crisis—after 40 years, that’s too long to be called a crisis. We’re in metamorphosis, possibly even renaissance.” Their performance challenges audiences to imagine positive futures rather than dystopian outcomes.

Hélène Binet, serving as ‘archivist of victories’, guides audiences through successful environmental initiatives, explaining: “My role is to collect, preserve, and transmit stories of citizen conquests, living fragments that are very real, and relate them to you. It’s about finding what worked, putting it in a box, and bringing it out tonight.”

The Green Shift Festival represents Monaco’s unique approach to environmental advocacy, combining artistic expression with practical business solutions

The third edition of the Green Shift Festival continues through Friday 6th June, with all events free and open to the public.

Monaco Life was there! See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video reel below…

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Classic cars and Harley Davidsons raise funds for charity in Valbonne

by: Richard McCreery

05/06/2025

On Thursday 29th May, the Lycaons association of Valbonne, a group of bikers who raise money for people struggling to pay their medical bills, organised the Festival des Vieilles Roues: a gathering of classic cars and Harley Davidsons enlivened with live music, food and drinks. This particular event was held in aid of seven-year-old Swan, who is suffering from leukaemia.

There was an eclectic mix of vehicles on display. Fans of the 1992 film Wayne’s World would immediately have spotted the AMC Pacer, the same car that featured in the famous Bohemian Rhapsody headbanging scene. Alongside it was an original Fiat 500, highlighting the contrast between the European and American ideas of how big a small car should be. The contrast was further illustrated by a huge yellow Dodge Ram pickup truck that towered over the French equivalent: a Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette van from the 1970s.

Some beautiful sports cars attempted to steal the show. An AC Ace, with its long bonnet and wire wheels, was elegant but subtle.

A red Fiat Dino coupé from the 1970s, adorned with Ferrari badges, served as a reminder of a time when Italian sports cars were more concerned with glamour than technology. A gold Citroën DS23 epitomised the stylish French design of the 1960s.

Perhaps none of them could rival the purity of engineering embodied by the original Mini, of which there were several examples on show. It’s a car that raises a smile, kindles feelings of nostalgia, and illustrates how bloated modern vehicles have become. It is rivalled only by some of the best hot hatches that France and Germany have to offer: the Peugeot 205 GTI and the Volkswagen Golf GTI, with both Mark I and Mark II versions on display.

The Festival des Vieilles Roues was a lot of fun, had plenty for car lovers to inspect, and raised money for a good cause. That’s not a bad day out.

Main photo credit: Richard McCreery

Philippe Mettoux appointed as Monaco’s new Minister of State

by: Cassandra Tanti

05/06/2025

Philippe Mettoux, a seasoned French jurist and anti-corruption expert, has been appointed by Prince Albert II as Monaco’s new Minister of State. He will officially assume office on 4th July, succeeding Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, who has served as interim head of government since the sudden death of Didier Guillaume in January.

In a communiqué issued on 4th June, the Prince’s Palace confirmed the appointment, stating: “The choice of H.S.H. the Prince has fallen on Philippe Mettoux to assume the functions of Minister of State, effective from 4th July 2025.”

Mettoux, currently a member of France’s Conseil d’État, began his career as a public prosecutor before moving into key roles within the Ministry of Justice, including the Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons and the Central Service for the Prevention of Corruption. He later served as an advisor to Dominique Perben at the Chancellery and to Dominique de Villepin at both the Ministry of the Interior and the Prime Minister’s Office. Since 2013, he has been on secondment as Director of Legal and Compliance at SNCF and as the company’s internal mediator.

The appointment comes nearly six months after the untimely passing of Didier Guillaume, who died on 17th January at the age of 65, just four months into his tenure. To honour Guillaume’s service, Prince Albert II decreed a national day of mourning coinciding with his funeral, which was held at the Cathedral of Monaco on Thursday 23rd January.

In the interim, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, stepped in to ensure continuity. The Prince expressed his deep gratitude for her dedication and efficiency, stating in the communique: “Her strong professionalism and thorough knowledge of the issues have greatly contributed to ensuring the continuity of governmental action.”

Philippe Mettoux’s appointment signals a pivotal moment for Monaco’s government at a time when the Principality faces mounting pressure from international institutions to improve transparency and accountability. With Monaco still under scrutiny from GRECO, the European Union, and other anti-corruption watchdogs over lingering financial opacity and governance practices, Mettoux’s extensive background in justice, compliance, and anti-corruption is seen as a strategic choice. His legal acumen and experience at the highest levels of public administration are expected to reinforce the Principality’s efforts to meet international standards and restore confidence in its institutional integrity.

See also:

Monaco adopts new national strategy as it pushes to exit FATF grey list

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

Day: 5 June 2025