Month: July 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 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

On 16th July, the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Embassy to Monaco announced a high-impact humanitarian initiative in collaboration with an international Rotary Club network. This partnership launches a vital neonatal healthcare mission in Bethlehem, aiming to support preterm infants with advanced medical equipment.

Thanks to contributions totalling €45,000, the initiative will supply two premium neonatal incubators to the Hospital of the Holy Family in Bethlehem. As the only facility in the region equipped to treat babies born before 32 weeks of gestation, the hospital handles over 60% of local births and maintains a survival rate close to 100%.

The donation, organised by the Rotary Club ‘Small States’ (Monaco and San Marino), Rotary Club Milano Morimondo Abbazia, District 2452 (Dubai), and Rotary Club of Bethlehem, exemplifies the Order’s enduring commitment to global cooperation and lifesaving healthcare.

“Small country, immense solidarity”

“This initiative reflects the spirit of Monaco: a country small in size but immense in its ability to build bridges of solidarity across the world,” said His Excellency Alberto di Luca, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Monaco. “We thank the Rotary Clubs for their commitment and vision: together, we save lives and invest in the future.”

Next steps: project timeline and impact

The official handover of the incubators in Bethlehem is scheduled for February 2026, with the project due to reach completion by the end of 2025. Its objective is to bolster maternal and child health in a region that remains fragile yet resilient, ensuring vital care for newborns and hope for their families.

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Photo provided

As Monaco prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the reign of Prince Albert II on Saturday 19th July, a series of logistical and security measures are being put in place in and around the Place du Palais to manage traffic and crowd flow during the official celebration.

The event, which will be held from 6.30pm to 10.30pm and is exclusively open to Monegasques, will require the partial closure of roads, regulation of vehicle access, and controlled entry for pedestrians. In anticipation of the festivities, Place du Palais will be closed to general traffic from 12pm to 4pm on the day of the event, with the area becoming a pedestrianised and secure zone. Access to Monaco-Ville via the Rampe Major will remain available, and businesses located at the far ends of Rue Basse, Rue Comte Félix Gastaldi, and Rue Emile de Loth will continue to be accessible.

Controlled pedestrian access and invitation-only checkpoints

From 4pm onwards, only authorised vehicles will be allowed into the Place du Palais, with pedestrian access subject to strict controls. Entry will be granted solely to those in possession of an official badge. Between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, all invited guests will be able to pass through checkpoints located at the start of the Rampe Major and at the entrances of Rue Basse, Rue Comte Félix Gastaldi, and Rue Emile de Loth. Access will be permitted upon presentation of an invitation card, a Monegasque identity card, or a resident’s card for spouses of Monegasques.

Bus services maintained and Oceanographic Museum remains open

Despite the closures, Avenue de la Porte-Neuve will remain accessible to authorised vehicles, and public transport via the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) will continue to operate throughout the day. To facilitate movement during the celebration, CAM services will be free of charge across the entire network on 19th July.

Meanwhile, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco will remain open to the public, as will the Chemin des Pêcheurs car park.

Special access for people with reduced mobility

A limited number of vehicle access permits are available for people with reduced mobility. These can be obtained in advance from Monaco Town Hall by contacting the protocol office via email at protocole@mairie.mc or by calling +377 93 15 29 19. The access permit will allow vehicles to drop off passengers near the Rock before 6pm.

Palace visits suspended and Guard ceremony cancelled

In line with the event preparations, visits to the Prince’s Palace will be suspended from 17th to 20th July between 5pm and 11pm. Additionally, there will be no Changing of the Guard ceremony from 15th to 20th July inclusive.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life