Fontvieille Shopping Centre to undergo €10 million refurbishment as long-term plans remain under review

28/07/2025

After years of uncertainty and stalled redevelopment proposals, the Fontvieille Shopping Centre is finally set for a major upgrade. On Friday 25th July, the Monaco government announced a €10 million investment to modernise the ageing commercial hub, while the broader and more ambitious reconstruction project remains under reassessment.

The announcement marks a significant step forward for one of the Principality’s most frequented public spaces. Calls to revitalise the Fontvieille Shopping Centre have been mounting for years, with successive proposals to demolish and rebuild the complex either shelved or delayed.

*The new Fontvielle Shopping Centre plan didn’t get the government backing it needed to go ahead*

The most recent version, which had envisioned doubling retail space and introducing new housing, offices and entertainment facilities, has yet to materialise. While the government has not ruled out a full redevelopment in the future, this latest move signals a clear shift towards immediate, practical improvements.

The €10 million package — €8 million already allocated since 2019, and a further €2 million announced last week — will fund upgrades to essential infrastructure, including the replacement of travelators and walkways from 2026. Additional works aimed at improving lighting, comfort, aesthetics and accessibility are expected to begin shortly. The government is also increasing the centre’s operating budget to strengthen day-to-day maintenance, safety and cleanliness.

Trader support and continuity of operations

A key component of the plan is to ensure commercial continuity throughout the renovation period. A first meeting with shopkeepers was held on Thursday 24th July to present the project and gather feedback. The government says that these consultations will continue to support individual businesses and minimise disruption.

In parallel, efforts are being made to maintain footfall and economic activity during the transition.

Elected officials cautiously optimistic

The National Council, which has been vocal in criticising the previous lack of progress, responded positively to the announcement. Council President Thomas Brezzo described the revised approach as “a very encouraging sign” and acknowledged that it reflected priorities long championed by elected representatives. “This presentation, which allows us to glimpse a shopping centre worthy of the 21st century, shows the government’s willingness to advance a project that has been postponed for far too long,” he said.

Corinne Bertani, also speaking on behalf of the Assembly, highlighted the importance of listening to shopkeepers and welcomed the government’s commitment to involve them meaningfully in the process. “The traders’ voice is essential in shaping a viable future for Fontvieille,” she said.

A renewed direction, but questions remain

While this refurbishment represents real progress after years of inaction, questions remain over the fate of the original €300 million redevelopment project, once touted as a transformative urban development for the district. No formal announcement has been made regarding its future, and it remains unclear whether a full reconstruction has been paused indefinitely or simply deferred.

For now, the focus has shifted to delivering visible, tangible improvements that meet the needs of Monégasque residents and local businesses. As officials continue to consult and revise their long-term urban strategy, the Fontvieille Shopping Centre appears—at last—to be entering a new chapter.

See also:

Government defends record after National Council highlights Fontvieille decay and project delays

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Photo credit: Monaco Life

August-September showings at Open Air Cinema Monaco revealed

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

28/07/2025

Monaco’s iconic Open-Air cinema is maintaining a blockbuster programming for August and September, transforming the rooftop of ‘Chemin des Pêcheurs’ into a premier movie destination.

August sessions begin at 9pm with films starting at 9:30pm, allowing audiences to settle in during the sunset. The month features an impressive line-up on new releases that will continue screening throughout the season.

Already made their debut with screenings throughout August and September

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2h49) – Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in Christopher McQuarrie’s spy thriller, promising the death-defying stunts and intricate plotting that have made the franchise a global phenomenon.

F1 (2h35) – Joseph Kosinski’s high octane racing drama featuring Brad Pitt as former F1 driver Sonny Hayes making his comeback after 30 years. The story follows Hayes as he partners with young talent Joshua Pearce while navigating the dangerous world of Formula 1 racing.

Jurassic World: Renaissance (2h13) – The latest instalment in the beloved franchise features Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali in another dinosaur-filled adventure. Director Gareth Edwards brings his distinctive vision to this continuing saga.

Les 4 Fantastiques, premiers pas (2h10) – Matt Shakman’s retro-futuristic take on the superhero team stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn. The film transports audiences to a 1960s-inspired universe where the Fantastic Four face Galactus and his enigmatic herald, the Silver Surfer.

Les Bad Guys 2 (1h44) – The animal criminals return in this animated sequel, struggling with their new lives as good guys only to be pulled back for ‘one last job’ by an all female crew.

Dracula (2h09) – Luc Besson’s French reimagining of the vampire legend starring Caleb Landry Jones and Christophe Waltz. The film explores Prince Vladimir’s transformation into Dracula following the brutal loss of his wife in the 15th century.

Screenings to come starting August

Freaky Friday 2: Encore dans la peau de ma mère (1h51) – Debuts August 6th. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return for more body-swapping comedy as Anna, now a mother herself, faces new family challenges when lighting strikes twice.

Karate Kid: Legends (1h34) – Debuts August 13th. Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio team up in this martial arts adventure about Li Fong, a young kung-fu prodigy forced to move from Beijing to New York following personal tragedy. When Li needs help for a karate competition, his teacher Mr. Han enlists Daniel LaRusso.

Y a-t-il un flic pour sauver le monde? (1h25) -Debuts August 13th. Liam Neeson starts as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. in this reboot of The Naked Gun franchise. Following in his father’s footsteps, he takes charge of a special task force to save the world in this action-comedy.

Film Surprise – September 1st. The ultimate cinematic mystery! This special screening keeps audiences guessing until the very last moment, adding an element of excitement to the programming. A perfect way to kick-off September’s schedule.

As September arrives, screening times shift earlier to 8:30pm with films beginning at 9pm, taking advantage of the earlier sunset. All August releases continue with multiple screening throughout September.

Tickets are priced at €12 for general admission, with student discounts available at €10.

The venue is equipped with 500 seats which come with cushions for a more comfortable experience. The CinéBar also ensures that refreshments are always within reach, whether you’re seeking a glass of champagne to complement the romantic atmosphere or grabbing a quick bite before the film begins.

For the full schedule, click here.

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Photo courtesy Open Air Cinema Monaco

Olivia Cognet’s ‘Visions’ transforms Mareterra with monumental ceramic works

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

28/07/2025

Artist Olivia Cognet has unveiled her latest exhibition ‘Visions’ at Monaco’s Mareterra district, presenting monumental ceramic works designed specifically for Renzo Piano’s floating architecture.

Following a four-month residency at Mareterra, Cognet decided to create these new works dedicated to Monaco’s newest district. Located at 8 Quai du Petit Portier, the exhibition opened with a vernissage on 25th July.

Cognet’s practice sits at the threshold of sculpture and poetic language, exploring ceramics as what she describes as “a living material— instinctive, raw, and sensitive.” The works include bas-reliefs, enameled lava pieces, sculptural lights, vertical totems, expansive tables, and hybrid forms.

*Works from Olivia Cognet’s ‘Visions’ exhibition, photo by Monaco Life.*

Dialogue with space and architecture

The artist has created what she calls “a dense, silent ensemble where each peace enters into dialogue with space, with gravity, with light, with emptiness.” Each work has been conceived specifically in resonance with Piano’s architecture suspended between sea and sky.

“Here, earth is memory: shaped through a gesture that is both primal and precise, where the strength of form never overshadows the delicacy of line,” Cognet explains.

Cognet’s approach draws from both architectural principles and artisanal knowledge, focusing on “the trace of the hand, the insistence of matter, the breath of form.”

Exploring tension between earth and sky

The exhibition also explores what Cognet identifies as “the fertile tension between grounding and ascension.” Her ceramic works provide an earthen counterpoint to Mareterra’s high-tech floating urbanism.

“Vestiges and Visions becomes a sensory passage— a crossing where past, present, and future are bound in clay, in silence, in gesture,” according to the artist.

Rather than simply being displayed, the works are described as “opened” within Piano’s unprecedented landscape of floating urbanism, creating an ongoing dialogue between ancient ceramic traditions and contemporary architectural innovation.

The exhibition continues until 23rd November 2025 at Mareterra Monaco, 8 Quai du Petit Portier.

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Leclerc fends off Verstappen for podium in dramatic wet-dry Belgian Grand Prix

by: Cassandra Tanti

28/07/2025

Charles Leclerc delivered a fierce and calculated performance in Spa to finish third in the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, holding off a relentless Max Verstappen in a tense final stint to secure his fifth podium of the season for Scuderia Ferrari.

On a soaked Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the Monegasque driver kept a cool head as chaos unfolded early on, navigating a delayed and disrupted race that finally got underway after an 80-minute stoppage.

Leclerc praises team effort after intense podium finish

All cars began on intermediate tyres due to heavy rain, but a red flag was quickly thrown during the formation lap due to near-zero visibility. After several recognition laps behind the Safety Car, racing began properly on lap 5. The decisive moment came shortly after the restart, when early calls to switch to slicks became crucial. Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc both pitted early—on laps 11 and 12 respectively—for medium tyres, a move that would shape the outcome of their races. Leclerc remained composed throughout, managing tyre wear and resisting intense pressure from Verstappen to finish third behind the two McLarens.

“I’m pleased with the steps forward we are making and I think we should all be proud because I know how much work went into our upgrades from the whole team back home in Maranello,” said Leclerc. “It definitely helped us to get the podium and to keep Max behind today, which was not easy because he was very close until the very end of the race. Once we were on slicks, I knew I just had to keep my head down and push for P3 to be ours, and it is, so I’m very happy we brought it home.”

McLaren dominate at the front as Ferrari scores strong points

Out front, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took a commanding win, overtaking team-mate and polesitter Lando Norris on the Kemmel Straight on lap 5 before building a gap that he managed to the finish. Despite some late-race pressure and tyre degradation, Piastri held on to win by 3.4 seconds, extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship by 16 points. Norris settled for second, while Leclerc rounded out the podium, finishing 20 seconds behind the leader.

Verstappen, unable to pass the Ferrari despite several close attempts, finished fourth, with Mercedes’ George Russell completing the top five. Williams’ Alex Albon impressed in sixth, having started fifth and resisted Hamilton’s charge in the final laps. Hamilton, starting from the pit lane after an engine change, gained 11 positions to finish seventh.

Piastri takes control as F1 heads to Budapest

With his victory, Oscar Piastri now leads the championship and carries momentum into next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. McLaren’s one-two underlined their title credentials, while Ferrari’s upgrades proved encouraging as they continue to chase both Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors’ standings.

As for Leclerc, his third place at Spa marked his 48th career podium and further proof that when conditions are tough, the Monégasque can be counted on to deliver.

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Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre

Pierre Casiraghi leads Admiral’s Cup as Monaco eyes historic sailing victory

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

28/07/2025

Pierre Casiraghi and his Monaco crew aboard Jolt 6 are leading their class in one of sailing’s most exhausting races, putting Monaco on course for a historic first Admiral’s Cup victory.

This morning, an update was published from the Celtic Sea, where the Yacht Club de Monaco vice-president elaborated on the challenging conditions his team has endured during their third day at sea.

“We had a pretty brutal night,” Casiraghi said. “Wind picked up. We had quite a lot of waves, but all is good on board. Starting to feel everyone a bit tired, but this race has a reputation for a good reason.”

The Monaco team expects to round the iconic Fastnet Rock around noon, marking the halfway point of their 695-nautical-mile odyssey from the Isle of Wight to Plymouth. Despite the punishing overnight conditions, Jolt 6 has held onto first place in AC Class 2, though Casiraghi acknowledged the pressure from rival boats closing in behind.

“We’re still leading. We’re happy with our position. We can see our competitions behind us, they’re close. They’re fighting, pushing strong, but so are we,” he said.

*Pierre Casiraghi and his crew on the Jolt 6, photo by Yacht Club de Monaco.*

Fastnet finale approaching

With approximately two days remaining to Plymouth, the race is entering its crucial phase. The fleet is finally turning downwind after grinding upwind since Saturday’s start from Cowes.

“Probably two more days to go. We’re all quite excited to be able to go downwind finally. Been going upwind since pretty much the beginning of the race,” Casiraghi noted, with clear anticipation for the tactical shift ahead.

Conditions have eased from the overnight battle, providing some relief for the exhausted crews. “It is a bit more calm now. Sea state came down, so pushing ahead,” he added.

This year’s Fastnet Race has attracted a record 451 boast from 34 countries, with some 4,000 sailors taking part. For Casiraghi, who finished third in the 2017 Fastnet alongside Boris Hermann, the race holds special significance beyond the Admiral’s Cup ambitions.

Monaco entered this weekend’s decisive offshore race sitting second overall in the team standings, just one point behind the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. With the Fastnet Race worth triple points, Pierre Casiraghi’s performance could deliver Monaco’s first Admiral’s Cup trophy.

Monaco is represented by two boats: Casiraghi’s Jolt 6 and fellow YCM member Peter Harrison’s Jolt 3.

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Main photo credit: Mars Entertainment A.F Dall’Ora

Maximilian Günther ends Formula E season in London with gritty points finish

by: Cassandra Tanti

28/07/2025

Monaco resident Maximilian Günther ended his 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship campaign with a determined seventh-place finish at the London E-Prix on 19th July, rounding off the season at the ExCeL Circuit.

After a promising yet unfulfilled home race in Berlin, Günther arrived in London with renewed ambition and a custom helmet designed by Bianchet. He showed strong pace throughout practice and reached the duel stages of qualifying, eventually lining up sixth for Saturday’s race. However, his efforts were cut short when he was forced into the barriers on lap one. “Qualifying had gone really well… by Turn 5, another driver pushed me into the wall. The suspension broke, and that was it… but I guess that’s racing!” he said.

Günther bounced back on Sunday, defeating Pascal Wehrlein in the duels and starting from second after a grid penalty ahead. He challenged Nick Cassidy at Turn 1 and pushed into the top six, but two mid-race neutralisations cancelled out the benefits of his Attack Modes. “Sunday started really well with second place on the grid,” he said. “But understeer and those two neutralisations really complicated matters. I did everything I could, finishing in seventh place and scoring points.”

The result secured him 85 points for the season, placing him 10th in the Drivers’ Standings with two wins and two poles.

Porsche crowned champions as Jaguar shines in season finale

The final race of the 2024/25 Formula E season saw Nick Cassidy deliver back-to-back victories for Jaguar TCS Racing in London, securing a strong finish for the British outfit and marking an emotional farewell for the driver. Despite Jaguar’s late surge, it was TAG Heuer Porsche who clinched both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ Championships, thanks to consistent performances throughout the season from Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa.

Nissan, led by newly crowned Drivers’ Champion Oliver Rowland, ended the year third in the Teams’ standings after a difficult weekend in London. Mahindra Racing and NEOM McLaren completed the top five, while DS Penske concluded their campaign in fifth with Maximilian Günther contributing crucial points in the finale.

The 2024/25 season proved once again that Formula E remains one of motorsport’s most unpredictable and fiercely contested series.

See also:

Exclusive interview with Formula E driver Maximilian Günther: “It’s like playing chess while driving a high-speed race car”

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Photo source: DS Penske

Day: 28 July 2025