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Month: June 2025

Venturi Space unveils Mona Luna: Europe’s lunar rover of the future

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/06/2025

Venturi Space has lifted the veil on Mona Luna, its first fully European-built lunar rover, a next-generation vehicle set to redefine Europe’s role in space exploration. The ambitious project, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and CNES, aims to land Mona Luna at the Moon’s South Pole by 2030, with its development led from Toulouse by Venturi Space France.

As lunar ambitions intensify globally, Europe is staking its claim through Mona Luna—a 750kg, solar-powered, autonomous rover designed to withstand the extreme rigours of lunar night. Capable of reaching speeds up to 20 km/h and carrying a wide range of scientific payloads, the rover is also equipped to assist astronauts in emergency scenarios, according to ESA and CNES feasibility studies.

The vehicle will be launched aboard Ariane 6.4 and landed using the European Argonaut system. Its development is driven by a pan-European collaboration: onboard electronics, energy systems, and avionics will be built in Toulouse, while Venturi teams in Switzerland and Monaco are already producing hyper-deformable wheels and advanced battery systems.

Designed for science—and beyond

Though Mona Luna’s debut mission will be scientific in nature, future applications could include payload transport, in-situ resource utilisation—such as helium‑3 extraction—and even public engagement campaigns. This commercial vision echoes the early trajectory of Earth-based mobility industries, with the potential for long-term lunar logistics operations.

The rover’s visual design is the work of Sacha Lakic, whose blend of futurism and function reflects the vehicle’s dual role: to serve immediate scientific needs while pushing the envelope of European space technology.

A collaborative leap

Mona Luna builds on experience gained from Venturi’s collaboration with US-based Astrolab on the FLIP and FLEX rovers. The technical expertise drawn from those projects is now being channelled into creating a rover fully aligned with Europe’s strategic goals in space.

“We’re explorers,” said Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi Space. “Space is a new frontier, and Mona Luna is how we’re crossing into it.”

The unveiling of Mona Luna signals more than technological progress—it’s a clear step towards greater European autonomy in space, and a symbol of Monaco’s expanding footprint in the high-stakes realm of lunar exploration.

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.

Image source: Venturi

Roca Team’s heroic season ends in heartbreak after Game 5 thriller in Paris

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/06/2025

After 89 games, countless comebacks, and one of the most electrifying seasons in French basketball history, AS Monaco fell just short of a third consecutive Betclic Élite title. In a nerve-shredding Game 5 at the Adidas Arena, Paris Basketball edged out the Roca Team 99–93 to claim their first-ever French championship.

Trailing 2–0 in the series, Monaco had fought back with ferocity in front of a roaring Gaston Médecin crowd to force a decisive fifth match. What followed was a gripping duel between France’s top two teams—and among Europe’s finest—marked by tension, turnovers and tidal shifts in momentum.

Paris raced to a 17-point lead early in the second quarter, only for Monaco to claw back behind the sharp shooting of Jordan Loyd, the energy of Terry Tarpey, and the composure of Matthew Strazel. By the end of the third quarter, Monaco had not only erased the deficit but pulled ahead by nine points, with a championship hat-trick tantalisingly within reach.

A cruel twist in the final act

But Paris, and MVP TJ Shorts in particular, had other ideas. Shorts led all scorers with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, sparking a final-quarter rally that overturned Monaco’s lead. A controversial technical foul against Strazel at a key moment proved decisive, swinging momentum back to the hosts.

Despite a brave stand, Monaco couldn’t close the gap in the final moments. Missed shots and crucial turnovers allowed Paris to edge clear, sealing a historic 99–93 victory.

A season to remember

Though the title slipped away, the Roca Boys delivered a season that will live long in Monaco’s sporting memory. Highlights included a comeback semi-final win against ASVEL, a breathtaking EuroLeague playoff run that ended in a historic Final Four appearance, and the rise of Strazel, now signed through 2029.

Daniel Theis added experience and depth after arriving mid-season, while Jordan Loyd’s return in October proved pivotal. Their epic EuroLeague series against FC Barcelona and domestic battles showcased a squad built on grit, chemistry and character.

The pain and the pride

Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis praised his squad’s resilience: “I’m very proud of my players. We played with heart and made the necessary efforts. But there are things I’ll need to review—particularly the imbalance in free throws and the technical foul on Strazel which changed everything.”

Mam Jaiteh pointed to fatigue and inconsistency: “We left everything on the court. There are regrets, yes, but we fought hard. We must also congratulate Paris.”

Terry Tarpey summed it up simply: “We battled. It’s not the ending we hoped for, but we’ll learn from it.”

The season ends without a trophy, but not without triumph. This Roca Team continues to grow—and the journey resumes in September.

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: AS Monaco Basketball

 

Prince Albert II to lead Monaco’s National Day at World Expo in Osaka

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/06/2025

Prince Albert II of Monaco will travel to Japan this week to lead celebrations for Monaco’s National Day at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. The visit, set for Saturday 28th June, will spotlight the Principality’s humanitarian and cultural identity, and its active engagement with the international community.

The Prince will be joined by Princess Stéphanie and other members of the Princely family, including Louis and Marie Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet, and Camille Gottlieb, for a full weekend of events. Princess Charlene, along with Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will not attend due to ongoing events in the Middle East. Her gratitude has been extended to Monaco’s hosts and organisers for their understanding.

Monaco’s pavilion, titled ‘Take Care of Wonder’, is positioned in the ‘Connecting Lives’ zone of the Expo site on Yumeshima Island. The exhibit offers a reflection of Monaco’s vision for a sustainable, human-centred future, in line with the Expo’s overarching theme: ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.

A programme of diplomacy and solidarity

Festivities begin on Friday 27th June with the gala football match ‘United through Legends’ at Panasonic Stadium Suita, under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II. Featuring Monaco’s Les Barbagiuans and a Japanese All Star Team, the match aims to raise funds for Fight Aids Monaco and local Japanese charities, reinforcing Monaco’s commitment to humanitarian causes.

The official National Day ceremony on Saturday will include a formal welcome for the Prince, the national anthems of Monaco and Japan, and addresses by government and Expo officials. The Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra will provide the ceremonial soundtrack.

Cultural diplomacy on the global stage

Beyond the formalities, the Princely delegation will visit several national pavilions, including those of Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, and of course Monaco. The day will conclude with cultural performances, including a concert by the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra and showcases by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Dance Academy.

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: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department

 

Casino de Monte-Carlo opens its doors to the world’s most exclusive cigar experience

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
25/06/2025

The Monte-Carlo Cigar Club has opened its doors in the historic Casino de Monte-Carlo, with Prince Albert II unveiling the inaugural plaque.

The 200-square-metre space, located on the first floor of the Casino with views over both the Mediterranean and the grand prix track, occupies a location steeped in history – the former office of François Blanc, who founded Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) exactly 162 years ago at the request of Prince Charles III.

An unparalleled collection

The Monte-Carlo Cigar Club welcomes an impressive selection that sets it apart from other establishments worldwide. “We have 276 different cigar modules offered for tasting, a total of 16,000 cigars in the walk-in humidor that are available, and behind those we have another 20,000 cigars in stock,” Jean Thomas, director of the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club, explains.

Italian specialists Des Art from Bergamo – the world’s leading humidor manufacturer – crafted the club’s humidor using specially prepared Spanish cedar wood. “We moistened the wood several times to saturate it and ensure that, once we display the cigars, the wood doesn’t absorb their humidity,” Thomas explains.

The Cigar Club’s specially crafter humidor. Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

The collection spans from accessible options to ultra-premium selections. “The average price for good quality starts from 20 to 30 euros. However, prices can easily climb to 70 euros, and if one wants to go high end, we’re looking at 250 to 300 euros. The exceptional ones go up to 750 euros or even 900 euros.”

A members-only experience

The Monte-Carlo Cigar Club operates on exclusive membership basis with different tiers. Thomas outlines the structure: “There’s a sponsorship system and we ask, like all clubs do, for two sponsors simply to ensure that the person joining the club has a certain affiliation with members and can integrate pleasantly into the club.”

Cigar displayed in the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club, photo by the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club

The club offers three membership levels – Member, Ambassador, and Founder – with annual membership fees starting from 6,000 euros.

Founder members enjoy premium privileges, including personal lockers in the smoking lounge directly next to the humidor, the right to bring three guests, and immediate Platinum status in the SBM’s loyalty program.

State-of-the-art facilities

The club also features advanced climate control systems designed specifically for cigar preservation. “We have an air extraction system worth 250,000 euros,” Thomas reveals. “We’ve done all the tests – if you smoke in this room, your friends won’t smell the smoke at all. There’s a little smoke, but you don’t perceive it. It’s an exceptional ventilation system.”

The storage areas maintain precise conditions as well: “We keep the temperature a bit lower and inject humidity. We’re at 70-72% humidity in the storage area, the goal is to preserve the cigars, ensure they don’t dry out. The taste of a cigar comes from the essential oils contained in the tobacco. When a cigar dries out, these oils evaporate and disappear – the taste is gone.”

A members-only experience. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM

Thomas positions the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club as truly exceptional in the global landscape. “It’s quite rare because it’s a cigar club. Monte clubs offer cigars or offer the possibility to taste a cigar, but they’re primarily gentleman’s clubs.”

The Club operates seven days a week, from 11am to 11pm in low season and until 1am during high season. Currently approaching 40 meters, the club has limited capacity based on available lockers for founders and ambassadors. Their goal is to carefully manage growth to maintain exclusivity.

As Stéphane Valeri, president-delegate of the Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, noted during the inauguration: “It is often said that the planets align when everything comes together to offer the best. In this project, talent, expertise, and shared passion have generated a truly rare energy to create an exceptional venue — a cigar club destined to become one of the most prestigious in the world.”

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 credit: Monte-Carlo SBM

Prince Albert II opens YCM’s summer season with call for innovation, education and sustainability

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/06/2025

From cutting-edge technology to timeless maritime tradition, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s summer season is under way, with President Prince Albert II calling for a continued focus on sustainability, youth training and international leadership. At the annual Summer Cocktail, the Prince joined members in celebrating a vision of yachting rooted in innovation and responsibility.

The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), which today unites 2,500 members from 82 nations, marked the season’s opening with new member inductions and key project announcements. Prince Albert II, addressing the gathering, reaffirmed the Club’s mission: to promote Monaco’s maritime influence while fostering sustainable practices and supporting the next generation of yachting professionals.

Central to that mission is the La Belle Classe Academy, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and recently became an accredited RYA (Royal Yachting Association) centre. This status bolsters YCM’s commitment to rigorous training standards and enhances its offerings for both aspiring sailors and professional crews. This summer, the Academy’s immersive yachting camps for 16–22-year-olds continue to build vocational pathways into the maritime industry.

Tackling emissions with the SEA Index

Environmental performance remains a top priority, as YCM’s SEA Index continues to gain traction among superyacht owners. Developed with Credit Suisse and certified by Lloyd’s Register, the tool provides verifiable metrics on carbon emissions for yachts over 24 metres. With 100 vessels now participating, and adoption extending to 20 Mediterranean marinas as well as ports in Seychelles and Italy, the SEA Index is becoming a recognised benchmark in the sector.

Prince Albert II used the occasion to commend members who had enrolled their vessels in the system, highlighting the need for data-driven solutions to reduce yachting’s environmental footprint.

A summer of high-profile races and innovation

From 1st to 5th July, the Club hosts the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, a major international forum for alternative marine energy. Students, engineers and innovators will showcase technologies ranging from electric and hydrogen propulsion to AI-enhanced autonomy, with the Energy Observer set to make a standout appearance.

Meanwhile, the sporting season includes Monaco’s first-ever entry into the revived Admiral’s Cup in the UK, with YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi leading one of the teams.

August brings the Palermo–Montecarlo offshore race, and September sees the return of the Monaco Classic Week-La Belle Classe, a biennial celebration of vintage sailing and motor yachts, this year honouring the 30th anniversary of the iconic Tuiga under YCM’s colours.

Tradition meets transformation

From heritage restorations to solar-powered speedboats, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s summer calendar reflects its evolving role as a global hub for yachting excellence. As Prince Albert II noted, the Club remains “a welcoming place where generations, cultures, disciplines and commitments converge”—a message as timely as ever in an era of growing environmental and social consciousness on the water.

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: YCM

 

Step onboard Explora II as it docks in Monaco: luxury cruising finds a new benchmark

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/06/2025

Monaco played host last week to the glittering arrival of Explora II, the latest vessel in the Explora Journeys fleet. More boutique resort than cruise liner, the ship’s opulence, sheer scale and culinary ambition have set an exciting new tone for the future of ultra-luxury travel by sea.

When Explora II edged into Monaco’s port last week, it was hard to ignore its superyacht silhouette. But unlike most yachts moored in the Principality, this one houses up to 922 guests in spacious ocean-view suites and residences.

The scale is immense, yet the feel is distinctly intimate. With 16,600 square metres of public space, four swimming pools, and 11 culinary venues, the ship operates more like a luxury resort than a traditional cruise liner.

Explora II lobby bar

Every detail dialled to decadence

Cabins aboard Explora II start from a generous 35 square metres, all with private terraces. Suites are fitted with indulgent touches like marble bathrooms, Dyson hairdryers, and walk-in wardrobes.

The pièce de résistance? The Owner’s Residence, stretching over 280 square metres and including a steam room, ocean-wide terrace and butler service.

Prices for the experience begin at around €5,000 per person for a one-week voyage, with upper-tier suites climbing far higher.

Owner’s suites are expansive and homely

Global cuisine, sea views included

Food is at the heart of the Explora experience. Guests can pick from six à la carte restaurants and an international food court that could rival any metropolitan gourmet hall.

The Emporium Marketplace alone features 18 separate cooking stations, while restaurants such as Med Yacht Club, Anthology, and Marble & Co. Grill serve up everything from Mediterranean classics to perfectly marbled steaks.

It’s a moveable feast in the truest sense, floating between ports with the world on a plate.

Anthology fine dining restaurant onboard Explora II

Wellbeing at full speed

Unlike most cruise ships, where fitness centres are hidden away, Explora II makes health and wellness central to the journey.

The ship features a panoramic walking and running track, expansive spa and thermal suite, a pickleball court, and a range of classes for both group and personal training.

It’s a full-body reset wrapped in teak decks and sea breezes.

The conservatory pool on Explora II

Green credentials meet grandeur

Beyond the grandeur, Explora II is also making strides in sustainability. The ship is free of single-use plastics and fitted with smart energy systems, from LED lighting to advanced wastewater treatments.

A commitment to ocean stewardship is as much a part of the journey as the Champagne and caviar.

Explora II’s arrival in Monaco wasn’t just another port call, it was a statement. One that suggests the future of cruising is quieter, sleeker, and far more luxurious.

See more of Explore II in Cassandra Tanti’s video reel below, and scroll down to see more in the photo gallery.

All photos courtesy Explora Journeys.

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.