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Day: 17 July 2025

Scientific Council reviews key IMSEE studies at 17th annual session in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/07/2025

The 17th meeting of Monaco’s Scientific Council for Statistics and Economic Studies took place on Monday 14th July at the Ministry of State, with President Professor Pierre Dubois leading discussions on recent and upcoming projects that aim to enhance the Principality’s statistical capabilities.

During the session, Alexandre Bubbio, Director of Monaco’s Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (IMSEE), presented a series of key developments. These included the introduction of a new real estate price index per square metre, the findings of the 2024 ESPAD survey on adolescent behaviour, and the latest population census. He also highlighted upcoming projects such as the Tourism Survey, a renewed study on gender pay gaps, and the Institute’s migration to the NAF 2025 classification system.

Council members propose improvements to Monaco’s statistical framework

The annual session serves as an important forum for expert dialogue. This year, Council members shared insights and outlined areas of concern, while also putting forward new ideas to further reinforce Monaco’s statistical infrastructure. Their role, while consultative, is instrumental in shaping the national survey programme and ensuring data-driven policymaking.

Marc Vassallo, Secretary General of the Government, closed the meeting with a speech acknowledging the dedication of the Council’s members and the IMSEE’s vital role in delivering reliable indicators. “These tools are essential for understanding Monaco, monitoring its evolution, and anticipating future challenges,” he said.

Working lunch with interim Minister of State

Following the session, Council members were hosted for a working lunch by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, interim Minister of State. The engagement further underscored the government’s ongoing support for robust and independent statistical governance in the Principality.

Comprising 11 members from civil society, government, and legislative bodies, the Scientific Council advises the Minister of State and helps to safeguard the independence of statistical work. It contributes directly to the selection of studies and the annual survey programme.

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Photo credit: Stephane Danna, Government Communications Department

Lisa Pou wins Monaco’s first-ever World Championship medal in open water swimming

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/07/2025

Lisa Pou has made sporting history for the Principality after claiming a bronze medal in the 10km event at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, marking the first time a Monegasque swimmer has reached the podium at this level.

Lisa Pou swam her way into Monaco’s record books on 16th July by clinching a bronze medal in the 10km open water race at the World Aquatics Championships. Battling stifling heat that forced more than two dozen competitors to abandon the event, Pou delivered a stunning performance, finishing just over six seconds behind the gold medallist, Australia’s Moesha Johnson. Italy’s Ginevra Taddeucci took the silver.

It is the first time a swimmer representing Monaco has secured a medal at a World Championship, and Pou’s result has been hailed as a milestone for Monegasque sport. Her final time of two hours, seven minutes and 55 seconds sealed a podium finish in an elite field of international athletes.

Carrying momentum from recent success

Pou’s form in Singapore continues her successful streak from the Games of the Small States of Europe, held at the end of May, where she captured two gold medals. In Tuesday’s race, she remained competitive throughout each stage, handling the extreme weather conditions with remarkable composure and stamina.

More races ahead

The bronze medal may not be her only accolade in Singapore. Pou is due to compete again in the 5km event on Thursday and the 3km sprint on Saturday. With Monaco now firmly in the spotlight, all eyes will be on the young athlete to see if she can add to her historic medal tally.

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Photo source: World Aquatics

Nice gallery explores infinite blue in summer exhibition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
17/07/2025

A major art exhibition celebrating the colour blue opened in Nice this month, bringing together 35 international artists in a tribute to what organisers describe as “the immense depth, power, and fascination” of the hue. 

Le Grand Blue, running from 2nd to 19th July at Neo art & culture lab x VogelART, has been curated by renowned artist Gregor Hildebrandt.

The show features an impressive line-up of contemporary artists including Albert Oehlen, Alicja Kwade, Anselm Reyle, Douglas Gordon, and Julian Lennon, alongside Nice’s own blue master Yves Klein. The exhibition aims to explore blue “as a state of being, an emotion, and an infinite space.”

“From the sea as a place of longing to the ocean as a symbol of boundlessness, this exhibition plays with the immaterial, the infinite, and the sublime aspects of blue,” the gallery states. It promises an immersive experience combining sculptures, paintings, photographs, and installations.

Grand Blue exhibition, photo provided by Neo art & culture lab x VogelART

Homage to Yves Klein

The exhibition also pays homage to Klein’s vision of the sky over Nice as the “ultimate work of art,” creating what organisers describe as “an atmosphere of floating, lightness, and meditative vastness.”

NEO, located in Nice’s Le Port district, opened in July 2024 as a collaboration between Sebastian and Simon Vogel and Luc Clément. The 300-square-metre space, housed in a former workshop for crafting billboards and neon lights, has already hosted more than 15 events including exhibitions and concerts.

The gallery is easily accessible from Port Lympia metro station and sits close to Place Garibaldi and the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain.

Le Grand Blue runs until 19 July at NEO art & culture lab, 6 bis rue Lascaris, Nice.

See also: 

Interview: Julian Lennon on living the dream

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Main photo provided by Neo art & culture lab x VogelART

 

CREM marks 15th anniversary with a dazzling soirée at Villa Paloma

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/07/2025

The Club des Résidents Étrangers de Monaco (CREM) celebrated its 15th anniversary in elegant, retro style with a glamorous evening at the iconic Villa Paloma, paying tribute to the spirit of the Roaring Twenties and the enduring legacy of Coco Chanel.

On the evening of 7th July, the Club des Résidents Étrangers de Monaco welcomed its members to the stunning Villa Paloma, one of the two sites of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, for a celebration that was anything but ordinary. The anniversary marked a major milestone for the club, which since its founding in 2010 has grown into a vibrant, international community at the heart of the Principality.

Inspired by the museum’s current exhibition, Les Années folles de Coco Chanel, the evening invited guests to step back in time to the glittering 1920s.

With jazz melodies floating through the air, retro accents in every detail, and members dressed in era-appropriate style, the atmosphere was one of playful sophistication and shared nostalgia.

Photo credit: Renaud Olivier

Immersive art and timeless elegance

A guided tour of the Chanel exhibition provided an artistic and cultural centrepiece to the event, immersing guests in the creative explosion of the 1920s and the life of one of fashion’s most revolutionary figures. The exhibition celebrates Coco Chanel’s transformative influence on women’s style and the artistic freedom of the time — perfectly mirroring the evening’s tone of elegance and innovation.

Adding to the occasion were thoughtful surprises, light-hearted moments, and a strong sense of conviviality — a signature of CREM gatherings. The anniversary celebration wasn’t simply a party; it was a living expression of the club’s identity: inclusive, welcoming, and infused with international flair.

Photo credit: Renaud Olivier

From dream to legacy

Founded in 2010 with the vision of creating a warm and supportive space for Monaco’s foreign residents, CREM has evolved into a home away from home for nearly 500 members representing more than 50 nationalities. Over the past 15 years, the club has cultivated a strong network rooted in community, culture, and connection.

“CREM has become a true international family within the Principality,” said the organisation in a statement. “This anniversary is both a moment to look back on how far we’ve come and an exciting step into the future.”

Photo credit: Renaud Olivier

Looking ahead

As a toast was raised to the past, present and future, the evening closed with a renewed sense of purpose. CREM’s mission — to welcome, connect and support foreign residents — continues with an ever-growing list of projects and events that reflect the dynamic spirit of its members.

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Photos: Prince Albert II visits historic Grimaldi sites in French Riviera

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
17/07/2025

Prince Albert II travelled to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and La Colle-sur-Loup on Tuesday 15th July, at the invitation of the mayors as part of his regular visits to communities historically linked to the Principality. 

The visits highlighted the 18-century Grimaldi family connections to the region, when two members of the Grimaldi family served as governors of Saint-Paul, whose territory then extended to the present-day communes of La Colle-sur-Loup and Roquefort-les-Pins. The latter commune will be the subject of another visit.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence ceremony

The Prince’s first stop was Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where mayor Jean-Pierre Camilla welcomed him late in the morning. Together, they unveiled the traditional plaque marking the commune’s membership in the ‘Sites historiques Grimaldi de Monaco’ network, set against the backdrop of the fortified city’s panoramic views.

Following addresses to local residents in Place du Général de Gaulle, the Prince and mayor unveiled a presentation totem for the ‘Place Patricia Kelly 1955’ trail, known as ‘GPK55’. The trail features photographs by Paul Louis, now conserved in the photographic collection of Monaco’s Institut audiovisuel.

The morning concluded with Prince Albert signing the visitors’ book at the renowned La Colombe d’Or restaurant, where his mother had also signed in 1955.

Prince Albert signing the visitors’ book at La Colombe d’Or restaurant. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

La Colle-sur-Loup recognition

In the afternoon, the Prince proceeded to La Colle-sur-Loup, where mayor Jean-Bernard Mion hosted a village tour before the unveiling of another ‘Sites historiques Grimaldi’ network plaque.

The visits form part of Prince Albert II’s efforts to maintain the historical ties between Monaco and former territories of Grimaldi influence in the French Riviera region

See more photos in the gallery bellow. All photos credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

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BPM Foundation brings the Pirate Blanc to life for hospitalised children

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/07/2025

The BPM Foundation has launched a heartwarming new initiative that combines adventure, generosity, and imagination with the unveiling of the first Pirate Blanc comic book, created to inspire and support hospitalised children across the PACA region.

On 9th July, the BPM Foundation officially unveiled the first comic book in the Pirate Blanc series at its Maserati showroom on Rue des Açores in Monaco. Created to support the association Les Voiles Blanches, the comic tells the origin story of the Pirate Blanc, a character central to the association’s mission of bringing joy to hospitalised children through nautical adventures and toy donations.

The inaugural volume recounts the journey of a teenager discovering his life’s purpose and becoming the Pirate Blanc — a symbol of courage, kindness, and playful rebellion. Printed in 500 copies, each book is marked with the message: “This book is offered to you by BPM Foundation” and will be gifted to children receiving care in hospitals across the PACA region in southeastern France.

A deeper commitment to solidarity

In addition to financing the comic, the BPM Foundation has teamed up with Les Voiles Blanches on its annual Solidarity Treasure Hunt. Toy collection chests have been placed in six BPM showrooms throughout Monaco, inviting the public to donate new toys and games. These gifts will be distributed to hospitalised children during the association’s summer sailing mission, a campaign that has become a signature effort in the region.

The Pirate Blanc will be distributed to hospitalised children throughout the region

The collection points are spread across prestigious locations including Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin on Avenue Princesse Grace, and Maserati on Rue des Açores, reinforcing the Foundation’s reach and its commitment to social impact.

Setting sail for smiles

Since its creation in 2020, Les Voiles Blanches has sailed the Mediterranean each summer to collect and deliver toys to young patients. This year’s voyage, from 26th August to 12th September, will include 17 ports from Saint-Tropez to Nice, with a symbolic stop in Monaco. The journey ends at the Lenval Foundation in Nice, a regional leader in paediatric care, where the toys are handed directly to hospital staff.

The Pirate Blanc’s adventures will be streamed live on YouTube and social media, allowing children and supporters to follow the journey and engage with the project every nautical mile of the way.

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Photos courtesy BPM