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Day: 24 July 2025

National Council deepens ties with Monaco’s National Archives in landmark heritage agreement

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/07/2025

In a symbolic gesture that blends history with modern governance, National Council President Thomas Brezzo led a high-level delegation to the newly inaugurated National Archives in Fontvieille on 16th July, where he formalised a landmark agreement to preserve Monaco’s institutional memory. The occasion marked the second major transfer of parliamentary records — and a deepening commitment to long-term archival innovation.

The visit culminated in the signing of three official conventions between the National Council and Michaël Bloche, Director of the Archives nationales. Among them was a pivotal heritage deposit agreement, expanding on the first delivery of parliamentary archives signed last autumn. This latest transfer includes an array of political treasures: registers signed by Council Presidents from 1918 to 1973, century-old budget records, and curated press clippings from the Journal de Monaco chronicling political activity between 1911 and 1930.

“These documents are not only pieces of administrative history, they are reflections of Monaco’s evolving democracy,” said one official at the event, highlighting the enduring value of institutional memory.

building Monaco’s archival future

A third deposit is already scheduled for autumn 2025, the next step in a joint effort launched in 2021 with the creation of the Archives nationales’ preparatory mission. Since then, the National Council has led a quiet revolution in its archival policy, moving toward a structured, accessible, and future-facing framework for managing official records. This long-term strategy ensures that today’s political milestones are preserved with the same care as those of a century ago.

inside Fontvieille’s new archival home

After the signing ceremony, Brezzo and members of the delegation — including Marie‑Noëlle Gibelli, Vice‑President of the Culture and Heritage Commission — toured the state-of-the-art Fontvieille site. They were shown a curated selection of original documents from Monaco’s political past, offering a rare window into the principality’s legislative history and the meticulous work that now safeguards it.

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department 

Christophe Mirmand chairs first Government Council as Monaco’s new Minister of State

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/07/2025

Monaco’s new Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, presided over his first Government Council on the morning of Wednesday 24th July, marking the formal beginning of his leadership alongside the full team of Government Ministers.

Held at the Ministry of State, the inaugural session saw Christophe Mirmand surrounded by the Principality’s key government figures. Present were Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister for Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development; Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior; Christophe Robino, Minister for Health and Social Affairs; and Pierre-André Chiappori, Minister of Finance and Economy.

continuity and governance in focus

Christophe Mirmand, who took office earlier this month, steps into the role with a wealth of administrative and diplomatic experience. His appointment comes at a time of strategic planning and long-term projects for the Principality, with topics such as economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and urban modernisation topping the national agenda.

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Photo credit: Stephane Dana, Government Communications Department 

New Espace Honoré II officially inaugurated as government headquarters

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
24/07/2025

Prince Albert II officially inaugurated the new Espace Honoré II on Wednesday 23rd July, marking the consolidation of nine government departments into a single modern facility designed to improve public service delivery across the Principality. 

The inauguration ceremony at 5 Promenade Honoré II brought together around 500 civil servants and officials. Following a blessing by Archbishop Dominique-Marie David, the Prince unveiled a commemorative plaque before touring the new premises alongside Minister of State Christophe Mirmand.

Prince Albert II unveiling the commemorative plaque alongside Christophe Mirmand. credit: ©Direction de la Communication / Stéphane DANNA

The building organises services across two man areas. Hall A houses the Direction of Urban Planning and Mobility Foresight, Administration of Domains, Direction of Social Action and Support, Public Parking Services, Monaco Parkings, and the Direction of National Education, Youth and Sports.

Hall B accommodates the Vehicle Registration Services, Stamp Issuing Office, Direction of Housing, and Direction of Legal Affairs.

Espace Honoré II, photo by Monaco Life.

How to reach the new Espace Honoré II

Located adjacent to the new Collège Charles III, the facility operates from 9:30am to 5:00pm and offers multiple access points. Visitors can reach the building via Promenade Honoré II from bus stops at Prince Pierre, Place d’Armes, and Charles III, or through Fontvieille shopping centre via Canton roundabout and the commercial gallery lifts. Parking is available at the nearby Wurtemberg facility.

The centralisation forms part of a larger plan to adopt sustainable practices and use digital technology to make government services more efficient for residents and businesses.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Life.

AS Monaco Basketball ready for new season as Makoundou returns

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
24/07/2025

AS Monaco Basketball prepares to kick off their new season with a challenging away fixture at Le Portel on 27th September, marking the start of what promises to be another demanding season in the Betclic Elite. 

The Roca Team’s schedule for this season is set to be quite intense, with their EuroLeague campaign beginning just days later on 1st October when they welcome Lithuanian powerhouse Zalgiris Kaunas to the Principality. This rapid transition between competitions is set to truly put Monaco’s basketball team under the test.

Among the standout games in Monaco’s opening weeks is a third-round trip to Paris on 11th October. This match holds particular importance as it reunites the two teams that have contested the last two French championship finals, setting up an early season confrontation between the country’s top basketball clubs.

Monaco’s first home league match follows a week later on 18th October against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne. With both clubs competing in the EuroLeague, this encounter between the two top clubs representing the French league in Europe promises to be a unique contest.

Makoundou’s homecoming

Adding to the optimism surrounding the new season is the return of French international forward Yoan Makoundou. The 24-year old, who stands 2.07m, rejoins Monaco after spending two productive seasons on loan, first with Buducnost and then with Turkish club Turk Telecom.

Yoan Makoundou, photo by AS Monaco Basketball.

His time away has been well spent. Last season in Turkey, Makoundou averaged 11 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, demonstrating the development that has earned him a recent call-up to the French national team squad for Euro preparation, where he replaced the injured Mathias Lessort.

Reflecting on his return, Makoundou expressed genuine enthusiasm about rejoining the club. “I am happy to be back here in Monaco after having already spent a season here,” he said. “Getting back to the EuroLeague was an objective for me. During my seasons abroad I’ve progressed and I want to do even more to reach the next level.”

With Makoundou’s return strengthening the team, Monaco enters the season well-equipped to pursue their dual objectives of domestic and European success. The club’s philosophy, as outlined by Fedoricsev, centres on the belief that “regularity is the most important performance indicator in sport.”

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Main photo credit: AS Monaco Basketball

 

Monaco Mairie launches summer toy drive for hospitalised children

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/07/2025

The Mairie de Monaco has once again pledged its support to the annual Les Voiles Blanches initiative, a heartfelt summer campaign aimed at collecting new toys for children in hospital. The charitable drive, in partnership with the Fondation Lenval, began on Thursday 24th July and runs through to 7th September.

Each summer, the White Pirate sets sail aboard his sailboat Skaf, charting a generous course through the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Var, Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes. His mission: to collect treasure chests filled with new toys and games destined for young patients at the Fondation Lenval children’s hospital.

As of this afternoon, two collection points will be available in Monaco: one in the entrance hall of the Town Hall and another at the Marché de la Condamine. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys — a crucial detail due to hygiene protocols for hospitalised children. Pre-loved or gift-wrapped items cannot be accepted.

bringing comfort to children in care

The initiative, which has seen widespread community support in previous years, continues to be a vital source of joy and distraction for children undergoing treatment. The campaign’s simplicity is part of its success: a small act of giving becomes a powerful gesture of solidarity.

As the Skaf sails from port to port gathering donations, Monaco’s contribution remains a beacon of compassion within this regional network of kindness. By 7th September, the collected toys will be handed over to the Fondation Lenval, bringing smiles and comfort to those who need it most.

See more: 

BPM Foundation brings the White Pirate to life for hospitalised children

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco