Major changes are coming to the French naturalisation process, with new rules set to impact anyone applying for French citizenship by decree, reintegration, or marriage. From 1st January 2026, the language and civic knowledge requirements will be significantly tougher – and the way they’re assessed will shift dramatically.
Applicants seeking French nationality after 1st January 2026 will need to demonstrate a B2 level of French (oral and written), replacing the current B1 requirement. That means an upper-intermediate command of the language, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
This applies to foreign nationals requesting nationality through naturalisation, reintegration, or declaration via marriage to a French citizen. Proof must be submitted via an accredited language certificate no more than two years old, or through a French diploma. Notably, those holding foreign diplomas and comparability certificates – a method previously accepted – will no longer be exempt.
From conversation to examination
Until now, an applicant’s understanding of French society, history and values was assessed during an individual interview known as the “assimilation interview”. Under the new system, this knowledge will instead be tested via a formal civic examination, designed and standardised by the Ministry of Naturalisation. The content will be published in an official online guide, with test centres accredited by the state.
While the exact format of the exam is still to be confirmed, the aim is to provide a consistent and objective benchmark for integration. The passing threshold will be clearly defined, and results will form part of the required application documents.
Who is exempt?
Applicants with chronic health conditions or disabilities that prevent them from participating in language or civic tests may be granted an exemption, provided it is certified according to official medical guidelines. This is one of the few remaining exceptions under the new system.
A more streamlined process
The decree also revises the procedural side of naturalisation requests. Now, only applications that meet all basic criteria and are deemed likely to succeed will progress to the assimilation interview stage. Appeals against decisions such as dismissal or rejection must be filed through the same online portal used to submit the application – marking a push toward full digitalisation of the process.
What remains unchanged – for now
These reforms apply only to applications submitted from 1st January 2026 onwards. Any files already under review or submitted before this date will follow the current rules, including the B1 language level and the interview-based civic assessment.
So, for those who are already in the process – or planning to apply this year – the window remains open to do so under the existing framework.
Artist Beata May will present her solo exhibition ‘Où est Vénus? – Where is Venus’ in Monaco this August, as part of an ambitious cross-continental art showcase by Unchained.Art,
The two-week pop-up runs from 9th to 22nd August, curated by Christina Hiltscher. The exhibition represents Unchained.Art’s vision of “showing art across borders and supporting emerging and experienced artists cross-continentally.”
The first week showcases May’s solo exhibition, described as “a powerful solo exhibition exploring myth and identity through her latest works.” The Polish artist’s piece ‘Icon III’, is created by acrylic mixed media on a 31.5-inch circular canvas.
May’s central question – Where is Venus? – forms conceptual foundation for the entire exhibition.
International artists respond
The second week expands the conversation as six additional Unchained.Art artists respond to May’s question. The group includes Ditte Sørensen, Juliette Lepage Boisdron, Raeanne Schachter, Larry Goode, Jeff Bush, and Magnus, representing artists from Austin, Canada, and Europe.
According to the organisers, “through their collective yet distinct voices, they reflect on identity, transformation, mythology, and the role of women in society” in what is described as “a cross-border dialogue showcasing bold perspectives and bridging artistic communities.”
Unchained.Art states they are “bringing our vision of showing art across borders and supporting emerging and experiences artists cross-continentally to life this Summer,” with the exhibition particularly aimed at Europe travellers.
The exhibition runs 9th to 22nd August at Espace 22 in Monaco.
Ten days after the dramatic crash that sent shockwaves through the E1 World Championship, Team Rafa pilot Tom Chiappe opens up in an exclusive interview with Monaco Life’s Kyriaki Topalidou, revealing the split-second decisions that saved his life and how the incident has united the team.
The French pilot was forced to abandon his sinking RaceBird after a high-speed collision with Team Brazil during the qualifying at Port Hercule on 20th July — the first time in E1 history that qualifying had to be abandoned due to a crash.
“Everything happened in a fraction of a second”
Recounting those terrifying final moments, Chiappe described how quickly events unfolded:“I remember hearing a few words from my radio operator in my headset — ‘Watch out, watch out’ — and then, boom. Despite the warning, everything happened in a fraction of a second. The crash was inevitable.”
The impact was so violent that water immediately began flooding the boat. “In less than a minute, the water was coming in,” Chiappe recalled. “So, I untied myself and executed the exit procedure I had been trained for at the E1 Pilot Academy.”
The dramatic footage shows Chiappe leaping clear of his damaged RaceBird as it began taking on water, while team owner Rafael Nadal watched in horror from the sidelines.
“Looking back, I do not believe we would have done anything differently,” Chiappe told Monaco Life. “My sporting director and team members provide me with all the information I need to attempt overtakes as safely as possible. None of us could have predicted that the Team Brazil driver would choose to change course at that moment and find himself perpendicular to me at full speed.”
The collision proved costly for Team Rafa’s championship ambitions. Having entered the Monaco weekend as championship leaders, they were forced to start Saturday’s race from eighth position on the grid—a mountain to climb that ultimately saw Team Blue Rising claim their first-ever E1 victory whilst Team Brady reclaimed the championship lead.
The unique challenge of Monaco
Chiappe also provided insight into what makes the Monaco E1 race so special — and so treacherous. “The E1 Monaco race is unlike any other. Every pilot dreams of winning this race once in their career,” he explained. “The pressure and the stakes are felt like nowhere else, with several team owners in attendance to watch the race.”
This year’s conditions were particularly brutal, with Chiappe describing “waves, very choppy waters, wind” that made the already complex RaceBirds even more challenging to handle.
“The E1 RaceBird literally flies above the water, and you have to keep it afloat for as long as you can, to go as fast as possible,” he explained. “If you add tricky weather conditions to that and choppy waters, the difficulty of piloting it increases.”
Photo of the collision, credit: Sca-events/E1
Mental reset after championship blow
The phycological challenge of bouncing back from such a setback while leading the championship is unfathomable, but Chiappe demonstrated the mindset that has made him one of E1’s top pilots.
“We know very well that in motorsport competitions, these things happen,” he reflected. “However, the team and all its members are leaving Monaco stronger and closer together. We all had a challenging weekend, but everyone supported each other.”
Perhaps most significantly, Chiappe revealed how tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s presence during the weekend proved to be a source of strength rather than additional pressure.
“Rafa’s presence during the E1 championship race in Monaco was a blessing and a wonderful moment,” Chiappe explained. “Unfortunately, we would have liked to celebrate a victory together, but the accident deprived us of that opportunity. However, I think the moment we shared together was even more powerful.”
The pilot described how Nadal’s reaction to the crash brought the entire team closer: “Rafa and my team members were all shocked, frustrated, and disappointed by the accident. But we were all able to count on Rafa’s support and encouragement to keep going and move forward. The incident brought us together and we are now so much more than a team: we are a family.”
Eyes on Lagos revenge
With the championship very much still alive—Team Brady leads with 135 points to Team Rafa’s 134—Chiappe is already looking ahead to the next round in Lagos, Portugal.
“The team and I have one goal: to become Champions of the Water this year,” he declared. “We’re working hard to prepare for the upcoming races, and I have full confidence in our abilities for the end of the season.”
When asked whether the Monaco setback would change their approach, Chiappe was emphatic: “I do not think the Monaco result has affected our competitiveness or determination in any way. The team cohesion we have within E1 Team Rafa has grown stronger now, and each member, including myself, is looking forward to one thing: getting our revenge in Lagos!”.
As the E1 World Championship heads towards its conclusion, Tom Chiappe and Team Rafa have shown that sometimes the greatest victories come not from crossing the finish line first, but from how you respond when everything goes wrong.
New insights from Altrata’s just-released Residential Real Estate 2025 report reveal that the global ultra-wealthy elite are becoming more mobile, strategic, and city-savvy – and Monaco remains a standout with the highest density of ultra-high-net-worth homeowners anywhere in the world.
In an increasingly borderless world, where mobility and strategic planning are central to wealth management, the global luxury real estate map is undergoing a major reshuffle. Altrata’s latest edition of Residential Real Estate 2025: Spotlight on the World’s Leading Markets for the Wealthy, sponsored by REALM, explores the evolving footprint of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) – defined as those with a net worth exceeding $30 million – across both established and emerging property markets.
Monaco, though compact, continues to wield extraordinary influence. The Principality has the highest concentration of UHNW residents and second-home owners in the world, with one ultra-wealthy individual for every 22 residents. This figure points to the enduring allure of Monaco’s fiscal and lifestyle advantages but positions it as a strategic hub amid growing global uncertainty and wealth preservation planning.
New York, meanwhile, retains its crown as the world’s top city for ultra-wealthy residential ownership, with more than 33,200 UHNW individuals calling the city home or owning secondary property there. Los Angeles and Hong Kong follow, each approaching a footprint of 20,000. Yet, it is Miami that emerges as the top global destination for second-home ownership among UHNW individuals, now surpassing New York in that category. Over 13,200 of the ultra-wealthy hold second residences in the Floridian city, drawn by its tax advantages and expanding cultural and financial appeal.
Across the Atlantic, London remains the top non-US location for second-home ownership, followed closely by Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Geneva. According to the report, this trend highlights a growing sophistication in how the wealthy diversify their real estate portfolios. “Affluent families are no longer driven solely by lifestyle or prestige; they focus on security, legal reliability, and long-term strategy,” said John Eric, Founding Realm Member and Co-Managing Partner of The Luxury Collective.
Beyond headline cities, emerging hotspots such as Lisbon, Abu Dhabi and long-favoured Aspen are attracting attention for their blend of exclusivity and investment resilience. Altrata’s data further signals a rising number of female UHNW homeowners, particularly in Asia, pointing to a broader demographic transformation within global wealth circles.
In a world marked by volatility and globalised movement, the ultra-wealthy are distributing their assets – and their lives – more widely than ever. Monaco’s unique position, combining stability, discretion and location, continues to make it a keystone in the global property portfolios of the world’s wealthiest.
One of the world’s most celebrated pastry chefs, Cedric Grolet, has officially landed in Monaco. With over 12 million followers on social media and a cult-like fan base that queues for hours outside his boutiques in Paris and London, the arrival of Cedric Grolet Monte-Carlo at the Hôtel de Paris marks a defining moment for the Principality — and for the future of luxury pâtisserie.
On Wednesday 30th July, the courtyard of the iconic Hôtel de Paris was transformed into a temple of haute pâtisserie as Grolet opened the doors to his newest boutique and tea room. The atmosphere was electric. Fans turned out in numbers to sample his famed fruit-shaped desserts and meet the chef himself, who spent the morning posing for selfies, sharing moments on Instagram, and personally welcoming guests into his world.
“It’s a huge milestone for us,” Grolet told Monaco Life during an exclusive press preview the day before. “This space reflects everything I believe in: refinement, clarity, and a certain emotional connection between the dessert and the person eating it.”
Cédric Grolet’s famous peanut dessert
His signature style — desserts sculpted to resemble real fruits or delicate flowers — is not just about visual theatrics. Each creation delivers flavour with surgical precision. “If I make a lemon tart, it must taste like lemon. Pure, fresh, unmistakable. That’s how I work,” he said.
It’s this minimalist intensity that defines what Grolet calls simplexity — the pursuit of simple things executed with extraordinary precision, where the apparent ease of each dessert hides a deeply complex process.
inside the boutique: flavour meets form
The Cedric Grolet Monte-Carlo experience is more than dessert — it’s a carefully choreographed sensory journey. The 200m² boutique and tea room, co-designed by Grolet alongside Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s construction team, flows from a striking interior space out onto the newly reimagined courtyard of the Hôtel de Paris.
Inside, the design features soft curves, warm-toned stone, and a soothing neutral palette that sets the tone for a calm, sculptural environment. “It’s not just about putting cakes on a counter,” said Grolet. “It’s about how people move through the space, what they feel when they enter, how the pastries are displayed. Everything has to make sense.”
Outdoors, the terrace is framed by Mediterranean light and elegant gazebos, creating a relaxed al fresco setting. “There’s a lot of light here, but it’s still a courtyard,” he explained. “So we went to the quarry ourselves to select the stone and colours that would bring warmth and brightness. I always work closely with my architect — design is as much part of the experience as the dessert itself.”
At the centre of the boutique is a see-through kitchen, that allows customers to see the little creations in the making
At the heart of the boutique is a glass kitchen where chefs are on full display, crafting viennoiseries and trompe-l’œil desserts with near-balletic precision. The tea room offers an all-day service, from breakfast through to an elevated afternoon tea. Morning options include avocado toasts and warm croissants; lunch brings gourmet takes on café classics like croque-monsieur and truffle baguettes; while tea time showcases Grolet’s sculpted fruit, delicate flower confections, and classic French flans.
For those on the move, takeaway offerings include cookies, tarts, and his famed fruit illusions — each made with minimal sugar, gluten-free ingredients, and a seasonal, local approach wherever possible.
The Monte-Carlo menu, for example, includes a reimagined fraisier made with almond paste, inspired by a private dinner with Prince Albert II. “My research had led me completely in the wrong direction,” Grolet said with a laugh. “He told me he liked almond paste, which really surprised me. So I adapted our fraisier recipe to include it. It’s a little nod to tradition, and a little wink to the Prince.”
The elegant exterior of Cédric Grolet Monte-Carlo in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Paris
monaco, meet the man behind the magic
Crowned World’s Best Pastry Chef by 50 Best in 2018, Cédric Grolet is now as much a global brand as he is a chef — and that ascent was powered by social media. His breakout moment came with a single Instagram post at age 28. “I thought, ‘If I get 100 likes, that would be amazing.’ It got 3,500 likes,” he recalled. “I didn’t understand who all these people were who loved my work and didn’t even know me. That’s when something clicked.”
From that moment, Grolet began to approach Instagram not just as a platform, but as a professional tool. Over the next decade, he transformed his pastry vision into a creative empire, blending craft, content and performance. Today, he operates seven social accounts, employs a dedicated media team, and oversees boutique locations in Paris, London, Saint-Tropez, Singapore and now Monaco — each with its own aesthetic and creative direction.
“Twenty-five years ago, being a pastry chef wasn’t glamorous,” he said. “It was what you did if you weren’t smart enough for school. But I loved baking. And now it’s become trendy. We helped make it that way.”
And yet, Grolet is adamant that visuals are not enough. “Beauty bring people in, but flavour brings them back,” he said. “I want to create desserts people remember — not because they’re flashy, but because they’re focused, intentional and lasting.”
Cédric Grolet with SBM Chairman and CEO Stéphane Valeri
a bold alliance between tradition and trend
The partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is a strategic move for both sides — one that blends heritage with modernity. In addition to launching his new boutique and tea room, Grolet has been appointed Executive Pastry Chef of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, overseeing desserts across its venues (with the exception of Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse).
It’s a statement of intent: introducing one of the world’s most followed and forward-thinking pastry chefs into one of Europe’s most iconic hospitality institutions. The result is a new expression of luxury — where timeless elegance meets digital-era desirability.
“We share with Chef Cédric Grolet the same spirit of excellence, creativity, and innovation,” said Stéphane Valeri, Chairman and CEO of Monte-Carlo SBM. “His arrival strengthens our position as one of the world’s top gastronomic destinations.”
Grolet added: “This is more than just a new boutique. It’s a place where people can discover my world. To win the hearts of people here, I wanted to create something that blends into the heritage of the Hôtel de Paris, but also speaks to a younger generation. We kept the elegance, but made it warm, open, and bright. I want this space to feel alive.”
practical information
Cedric Grolet Monte-Carlo is located in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino. The tea room and boutique are open daily from 8:30am to 7:00pm during the summer season, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from October to May. The venue offers indoor seating for 36 guests and outdoor seating for 60, with a full takeaway selection available.
