Monaco’s beloved summer carnival U Sciaratu is set to return on Friday 4th July a date specifically timed to coincide with America’s Independence Day.
This year’s edition will celebrate all things American on the Rock, bringing a taste of the United States to the Principality’s historic district.
The festivities kick off at 6:30p.m. with a comprehensive programme designed to delight visitors of all generations. The evening will feature street performances, face painting workshops, and ballon sculptures.
Classic carnival treats will also be available, including popcorn and candy floss stands scattered throughout Monaco-Ville.
The celebration will reach its peak at 10p.m. when the Place de la Mairie transforms into an open-air dance floor for the Grand Ball. A DJ will be providing the soundtrack for what promises to be a most memorable evening.
According to organisers, everything has been planned by the City Animation Service, aiming to provide all the elements that will make this night unforgettable.
The free event requires no advance booking and will take place throughout Monaco-Ville starting 6:30pm on Friday 4th July
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Princely family looks on from above at Saint-Jean opening ceremony in Palace square
Monaco’s cherished Saint-Jean festivities officially began on Monday evening, with Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella witnessing the ceremony from the palace’s balcony.
The century-old celebration took place at Place du Palais. The square, filled with locals and tourists alike at 9p.m., buzzed with anticipation for the dramatic ‘batafoegu’ – the traditional lighting of the bonfire that marks the beginning of the two-day Saint-Jean’s festivities and Monaco’s tribute to the summer solstice.
The ceremony began with a solemn blessing by a priest, who invoked the ancient symbolism of light conquering darkness. As the fire ignited, the crowd observed in collective awe, the flames reaching higher by the second.
Princely family during Saint Jean’s festivities, photo by Monaco Life
Following the lighting of the bonfire, La Palladienne dancers took to the floor, performing beloved folkloric dances in front of the Princely family, who clapped graciously and offered congratulations after each performance. Before the evening concluded, the dancers made their way to the towering bonfire, gracefully dancing around it, with spectators closely following their every move.
Municipal councillors and flag bearers were also in attendance, alongside Mayor Georges Marsan, representing La Mairie which organised the evening’s festivities. Everything appeared meticulously coordinated — from the safe positioning of spectators and the timing of the ceremony to the fire department’s presence near the bonfire, standing by as a precaution.
The second day of celebration will take part on Tuesday at Place de Moulins, where the Saint-Jean traditions will continue, beginning at 7p.m.
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Main photo by Monaco Life
Coya brings its signature style to the sands of Saint-Tropez
This summer, Coya is expanding its footprint to the French Riviera with the launch of Coya Beach in Ramatuelle. Located on the famed Pampelonne beach, the new venue blends the energy of Latin America with the laid-back elegance of Saint-Tropez, introducing a fresh take on coastal dining and beachside hospitality.
Coya Beach is the first beach club from the internationally recognised Coya group, whose restaurants and lounges span London, Monaco, Mykonos and beyond.
Designed by the creative studio First Within, the venue channels Saint-Tropez’s late-afternoon glow with a palette of sun-bleached wood, soft pastels and natural textures. It’s a barefoot setting where relaxed design meets refined detail.
a menu built for sharing
The culinary offering stays true to Coya’s Peruvian roots, while embracing Mediterranean influences. Dishes are built around seasonal ingredients, from sea bass ceviche with sweet potato and corn, to lamb cutlets with smoked aubergine caviar. Even desserts like churros with citrus-infused dulce de leche carry the Coya twist. The restaurant runs daily from midday to late afternoon, creating a seamless flow from lunch to lounge.
cocktails, soundtracks and signature service
The Pisco Bar brings Coya’s reputation for inventive cocktails to Pampelonne, with creations that blend tradition and tropical flair—think passionfruit margaritas and pisco-laced spritzes. Music is central to the atmosphere, curated by Coya’s in-house label with a rotation of DJs and live sets moving from deep house to Latin rhythms as the day unfolds.
new energy for the Pampelonne scene
Launching on 26th June , Coya Beach is positioned alongside the Riviera’s most iconic destinations. With its focus on warm service, quality dining and immersive design, it introduces a distinct perspective to the Saint-Tropez coastline, where flavour, sound and setting come together under the sun.
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Photo credit: Michael Kroul, Unsplash
Indosuez moves to acquire BNP Paribas wealth clients in Monaco
CFM Indosuez Wealth Management has announced plans to acquire the wealth management clientele of BNP Paribas in Monaco, a deal that would reinforce its dominance in one of Europe’s most affluent banking markets.
The proposed acquisition, which remains subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2026. If completed, it would see hundreds of BNP Paribas clients transferred to CFM Indosuez, the Monegasque subsidiary of Crédit Agricole’s wealth management arm. The move reflects broader consolidation in the European wealth management sector, as banks focus their operations and seek economies of scale.
Already the Principality’s largest bank and private employer, the move would expand its ultra-high-net-worth client base and reinforce its dominance in a highly competitive financial market.
Continued services, shifting ownership
BNP Paribas clients affected by the deal are expected to retain access to international investment services, credit solutions, and financial planning expertise. While the wealth management unit will change hands, BNP Paribas will continue operating in Monaco, focusing on its core commercial, retail, and corporate banking activities.
CFM Indosuez said the deal would not only provide continuity for incoming clients, but also enhance service options through its international network and Crédit Agricole’s financial strength. According to the bank, the impact on Crédit Agricole S.A.’s CET1 ratio would be minimal.
“This acquisition would strengthen our position in Monaco with ultra-high net worth clients . Indosuez is pursuing its growth strategy in a sector undergoing consolidation and is a major player in wealth management in Europe,” said Jacques Prost, Chief Executive Officer of Indosuez Wealth Management, in a statement.
Competitive pressures reshape the market
The agreement is the latest signal of consolidation among European private banks, especially in niche markets such as Monaco where competition is fierce and regulatory costs high. With roughly €215 billion in assets under management globally, Indosuez Wealth Management has been expanding selectively across Europe and Asia.
BNP Paribas, meanwhile, has been streamlining operations in recent years to focus on more profitable or scalable business lines. The decision to divest the Monaco wealth management arm is part of a wider strategic pivot, although the group remains a significant financial player in the Principality.
As regulatory reviews progress, the transaction is being closely watched by both clients and market analysts as a potential bellwether for further consolidation in the region.
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Photo credit: Monaco Life
Olympic champions return to Monaco for the 2025 Herculis EBS Meeting at Stade Louis-II
The iconic track of Monaco’s Stade Louis-II will once again become a stage for the world’s finest athletes as the 2025 Herculis EBS Meeting returns on Friday 11th July. Less than a year after the Paris Olympics, seven Olympic champions are confirmed to compete in what promises to be a night of thrilling athletic spectacle.
Julien Alfred, Olympic 100m champion and one of the fastest women in the world this season, is set to defend her title in Monaco. The sprinter from Saint Lucia recently clocked a blistering 10.75 seconds in Stockholm, edging closer to her national record and within striking distance of the Monaco meeting record of 10.72 set by Marion Jones in 1998.
Joining her is Dominican star Marileidy Paulino, Olympic and World Champion over 400m, who arrives in top form with a seasonal best of 49.12 seconds. After breaking her national record in the 200m earlier this season, Paulino is tipped for another dominant performance under the Riviera lights.
Power and precision on the field
In the field events, Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye, Olympic champion in the shot put and European indoor silver medallist, returns to competition this summer and will look to make a statement ahead of the World Championships in August.
Also confirmed is New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr, Olympic gold medallist in the high jump, and Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault sensation who set his twelfth world record just days ago with a height of 6.28m. Duplantis, a regular in Monaco, is expected to draw one of the night’s loudest cheers.
The men’s middle distance and hurdles line-up
On the track, American hurdler Grant Holloway returns to Monaco aiming to reassert his dominance in the 110m hurdles. A two-time winner at Stade Louis-II, Holloway is looking to bounce back from a slower start to the season.
In the 800m, Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi enters as the man to beat. Fresh off a commanding win in Stockholm with a time of 1:41.95, he is within range of the Herculis meeting record of 1:41.46 set just last year.
A flagship Diamond League event
Since joining the Diamond League circuit in 2010, the Herculis EBS Meeting has become one of the premier events on the global athletics calendar. With seven “World’s Best Meeting” titles and nine world records set on its track, the event continues to attract the brightest stars of the sport.
This year’s edition, just two months ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo, is expected to feature more than 40 events, blending elite competition with a celebratory atmosphere. Among them is the beloved 1,000m race open to amateur runners, which traditionally opens the evening’s programme.
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Monaco launches inaugural Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie
Monaco is set to host the world’s first international high jewellery grand prix, with the inaugural Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie (GPHJ) scheduled for 25th October 2025 at the iconic Salles des Étoiles in the Sporting Monte-Carlo.
The groundbreaking event, launched by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, aims to fill a notable gap in the luxury calendar by creating the first competition dedicated exclusively to celebrating the art of haute joaillerie.
“Interestingly, up until today there is no similar event in terms of jewellery in the world,” said Stéphane Valeri, President-Delegate of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and co-founder of the competition. “The creation of the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie therefore has the intention to fill this gap and give haute joaillerie the celebration it deserves.”
The competition’s goal is to bring together the world’s greatest luxury actors under one roof. Meanwhile, the group itself has been committed to supporting arts and culture, investing millions of euros annually in cultural initiatives and major humanitarian causes including the Red Cross and Princess Grace Foundation.
Julien Munoz, Stephane Valeri, Fabienne Reybaud and Jean-Philippe Braud during the launch of the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie, photo by Monaco Life
An unprecedented event
Jean-Philippe Braud, co-founder and director of the event, highlighted the inclusive vision behind it and the departure from traditional industry trade shows: “Contemporary, open, audacious — capable of bringing together all the voices that make this art vibrate, including great houses, artisans, exceptional workshops, and new talents.”
He added: “What makes this event truly unprecedented is that, for the first time, we’ve opened the doors of haute joaillerie to collectors, enthusiasts, clients, and amateurs. We wanted to bring to life this encounter between creators and those who live through their works — and sometimes even their world — always with passion. There is no art without an audience, and by bringing together this community of aesthetes from around the world, we offer haute joaillerie a living stage — inspired, shared, and vibrant.”
The competition will feature eight categories, with pieces valued from €100,000 upwards. Organisers have confirmed that approximately fifteen jewellery houses have already committed to participating, representing both major luxury groups and independent creators who are not affiliated with larger groups. The event will also feature representatives and ambassadors from diamond-producing countries including South Africa and Canada.
Crackdown of the award ceremony
Unlike traditional award ceremonies, the GPHJ will not announce winners in each category. Instead, the jury will honour one piece in each category for particular reasons, without revealing the selection criteria to attendees or other participating houses.
The judging panel will be led by Fabienne Reybaud, a respected jewellery expert and journalist whose knowledge of the industry spans decades. “This is not just another trophy,” Reybaud stated. “It’s recognition of an art, of a tradition, of transmission. It represents a strong signal we’re giving to this profession.”
She highlighted the historical significance of jewellery, noting: “Jewellery relates to both the intimate and the universal. It’s a field that brings together completely different parameters, and it’s precisely this diversity that we want to express through this grand prix.”
The evening will combine elements of fashion show, award ceremony, and cultural celebration. All participating pieces will be presented during a special showcase, with detailed information about craftsmanship hours and technical specifications provided to highlight the exceptional work involved.
The event is invitation-only, with guests including collectors, clients of participating jewellery houses, and Monégasque residents. Individual participation will be fee-based, though specific pricing details are yet to be confirmed.
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Main photo by Monaco Life
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