Let’s talk about one of life’s simplest, cheapest, and most underrated wellness rituals: swimming in salt water. Yes, that same thing you accidentally swallow when trying to impress friends with a dive turns out to have real medical merit.
The healing magic of saltwater first caught scientific attention back in World War II. As one plastic surgeon put it, “saline baths helped the healing process after he noticed that patients who had floated in the ocean prior to rescue recovered from burns better than those who had crashed on land”. This observation inspired early protocols treating burns with cleanliness, Vaseline‑soaked gauze, and, most importantly, soaking in saline as a natural antiseptic.
The benefits continue in modern medical studies. A narrative review concludes that cold ocean swimming provides a wide variety of health benefits, including better endocrine and haematological function, fewer upper respiratory infections, improved mood, and enhanced general well‑being.
In another example of emerging science, an evolutionary biologist explains that cold‑water immersion significantly boosts dopamine (by 250%) and noradrenaline (by 520%), key neuro modulators linked to vigilance, reward, memory, and mood through the body’s adaptive response known as hormesis.
But the benefits don’t stop at the surface. Swimming in the Med invigorates circulation, helps rebalance minerals, and eases joint inflammation. Mentally, there’s the “blue mind” effect, spending time by water lowers psychological distress and enhances clarity and mood, as water sights and sounds have proven more relaxing than even music.
Socially, swimming with friends beats the gym hands-down. Salt water levels the field, makes CEOs human again when their goggles fog, and, emotionally, it humbles us, reminding us we’re part of something vast and timeless.
So next time you’re choosing between the treadmill or tide, go tide. Monaco offers you one of the world’s finest free healing pools. Dive in, float a little, breathe deeply and let the sea do what it’s been doing forever: healing, helping and making you happy.
Nathan’s Prescription
Dosage: 20 minutes, three times per week
Method: Slow swims, lazy floats, or full-blown Michael Phelps!
Side effects: Salt-crusted hair, unshakable positivity, and the urge to tell strangers “you really should get in”
Top 10 swimming spots on the Côte d’Azur
Plage du Larvotto, Monaco – Central, glamorous, and your daily dip without leaving town
Mala Beach, Cap d’Ail – Cliffside path, turquoise water, and worth every step down
Paloma Beach, Cap Ferrat – Picasso’s pick, art meets aquamarine perfection
AS Monaco will feature their community initiative AS Monacoeur on player jerseys for the second consecutive Champions League season.
The charity logo will appear at the bottom of the back of the players jerseys throughout the 2025/26 European campaign. Last year AS Monacoeur had also been imprinted on the players’ jerseys, accompanying the team through their wins against Barcelona and Aston Villa.
AS Monacoeur was launched back in 2017 under the direction of president Dmitry Rybolovlev and it operates under four key areas: community engagement, education, health, and environmental initiatives. The programme also works closely with local organisations whose values align with their own. Additionally, the club uses its social media platform to promote community activities across the Principality.
Key programmes
The charity’s activities include the Kids Tour, Munegu Cup, and the ÜNSEME and Zuventura programmes. AS Monacœur also provides backing to the Flavien Foundation, Princess Grace Hospital Centre , and the Scientific Centre of Monaco.
Additional initiatives include ‘Tous au Stade’ operations conducted alongside the Mediterranean League and Côte d’Azur District, the My Wish programme for vulnerable children, and participation in corporate social responsibility campaigns coordinated by the Professional Football League across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
At one point during the time I spent with the Grecale I asked my wife, “Shall we take the Maserati, darling?” Speaking those words is enough to make you feel more glamorous and more sophisticated, as well as more fortunate, than the driver of the average family car.
The Italian marque that celebrated 110 years of history in 2024 is one of those names that rank near the top of the tree in the world of automobiles, just below Ferrari and Rolls Royce, but more exotic than Porsche and with a greater racing heritage than Lamborghini. And compared to those brands, it is almost an alternative choice, a way to highlight your own individuality, especially if you choose this particular model.
Photo credit: Richard McCreery
The all-electric Grecale Folgore SUV (‘folgore’ means lightning in Italian) may also be the alternative choice within the range of cars that Maserati produces, because most people would associate them with loud, roaring engines rather than silent electric motors. Don’t let the lack of thunder fool you, there is plenty of power here, and after you’ve been driving it for a while you won’t miss the engine noise. Two electric motors and a 105 kWh battery with 400v technology provide 550 bhp and a 0-100km/h time of just 4.1 seconds. As Maserati is keen to point out, it is lightning quick.
A low thrum accompanies your progress, very reminiscent of the kind of subtle engine noise you experience in a V12 Rolls-Royce. It Is unobtrusive and enhances the driving experience, building in intensity as you gather speed. In the standard GT mode, the power delivery is smooth and builds almost gently. Remember, this is a fairly large SUV, smaller than its sister model – the Levante – but weighing almost 2.5 tonnes. Toggle the dial on the steering wheel and it flips into Sport mode. Now, a push on the accelerator produces an instant response that causes the car to dart forwards and you can feel all of that 820 Nm of torque at work, which is 80% more than a base Porsche 911 produces. It even has a drag race setting for when you really need to make a quick getaway.
Photo credit: Richard McCreery
Four wheel drive also means that there is the option to go off road, as the active air suspension can raise the ride height. But I feel that a dirt track would be rather alien to a car with such a racing heritage. Unlike Lamborghini, whose road cars were born out of a tractor business, Maserati had racing blood right from the beginning and enjoyed success in Grand Prix, Formula One and the Indianapolis 500. It is most at home on the open road, especially when you get the chance to exploit some of that power.
The Grecale performs well at speed when descending the winding Grande Corniche; it is easy to direct into corners and the active suspension eliminates too much body roll. It is easy to drive confidently, even on narrow roads, and perhaps more importantly, the reassurance it provides allows you to have fun. As well as the nimble handling that reflects its race car heritage, you’ll also enjoy punting it up a straight stretch of road at full power, and fortunately the Brembo brakes are really effective at hauling it back in. In town, as with all luxury EVs, it is a joy just gliding smoothly around in almost total silence. Personally, if I was in the market for a sporty SUV, I’d choose electric over petrol any day. I’m pretty sure the rest of the world will come round to my way of thinking eventually as its character is so well suited to urban driving.
Photo credit: Richard McCreery
Cars are becoming more intelligent all the time and the Grecale is no exception. At higher speeds, the ride height lowers automatically so it hugs the ground more closely, improving aerodynamics, roadholding and energy efficiency. There is an optional head-up display to remind you of the speed limit or give you directions, and I was particularly impressed with the climate controls – the touchscreen display contains a lot of data and functions, but one confident swipe anywhere on it from left to right increases the fan speed, whilst a swipe from the top of the screen to the bottom alters the temperature. No more trying to jab your finger at tiny buttons whilst also concentrating on the road.
As for fuel efficiency, the driver can play their part in maximising the battery’s range by using the paddles on either side of the steering wheel to increase or reduce the amount of regen. The Grecale Folgore has a range of up to 501 kms and, whilst you may never see that figure (why buy a Maserati if you are going to drive slowly?), the nature of your driving and judicious use of the paddles can extend your range more than you might expect. With the Maserati app, you have access to Europe’s largest charging network of 400,000 chargers and the ability to fast charge to 80% within 29 minutes, so range anxiety is not going to bother most people.
Photo credit: Richard McCreery
Inside, a traditional circular clockface on the dashboard harks back to Maserati’s vintage years, but this clock is digital and can change its style to either ‘Sport’ or ‘Design’, and it can even be used to display pop-up notifications. The seating is sporty and hugs your body tightly when needed, but is also highly adjustable to improve comfort for those of us with a more generous build. Some fabrics are made from old fishing nets, I kid you not, in the form of Econyl, an innovative new fibre that is fashioned from recycled nylon. Maserati says this material is“inspired by the movements of a ballerina immortalised in a photograph, it speaks of a controlled performance, a movement made eternal.” I don’t know about that, but it’s a lot nicer than it sounds, and it highlights how – at every turn – the interior works hard to reflect the futuristic nature of this hi-tech alternative to old-fashioned combustion engine SUVs.
The Maserati Grecale Folgore, which starts at 109,300€ before you add any options, is up against several competent rivals in this segment, not least its own ICE-powered siblings, but it does a good job of finding its place in the market. The styling both inside and out has just enough Italian flair to set it apart from the mostly-German challengerswhich, on paper at least, provide stiff competition. However, whereas you might admire their Teutonic efficiency, the car from Modena – the home of the world’s greatest sports cars – is something you might actually fall in love with because it has a secret weapon: character.
Photo credit: Richard McCreery
You can put all the technology in the world into a car’s design but that doesn’t mean it will have its own personality, whereas that is exactly what you get with a Maserati. It is a digital car for the 21st century, but it also stands out from the crowd thanks to its Italian flair and storied heritage, which you can appreciate in the way it drives and the way it looks. The Grecale Folgore scores another win for Maserati’s well respected ‘lightning’ EV range.
See more in the photo gallery below, all photos by Richard McCreery:
The Monaco Yacht Club set the stage on Wednesday night for what may well be the most extravagant product launch of 2025. Aboard the sleek Loewe Yacht, luxury electronics house Loewe and haute horlogerie icon Jacob & Co. unveiled an exclusive collection of diamond- and sapphire-encrusted, limited-edition headphones — creations as dazzling and rare as the setting in which they were revealed.
The collaboration has produced just 10 pairs of headphones split into two different designs: the Noir Rainbow, adorned with 15.97 carats of multicoloured sapphires set in 14k rose gold – priced at €99,000, and the Ice Diamond, featuring 12.47 carats of white diamonds in 14k white gold, priced at €119,000. With only five pairs of each design available worldwide, these aren’t merely headphones, they’re luxurious jewellery pieces that conveniently happen to deliver exceptional sound.
“When we first decided to put this project together, the concept was really to create something that is both technical, high performance, and luxury,” explained Aslan Khabliev, CEO and Owner of Loewe Technology.
The Ice Diamond headphones, photo provided.
Star-studded guest list
The highlight of the evening came when Kylian Mbappé, the French football superstar, stepped onto the luxurious yacht. VIP guests gathered to meet him, with the player taking photos and signing autographs before entering the parlour to try on the headphones for himself.
“By far” the best he’d ever experienced, Mbappé told Monaco Life enthusiastically, before adding that the collaboration represents a big opportunity for him too.
The exclusive guest list also included Tom Claeren, Jeetendr Sehdev, Zarina Yeva, Victoria Silvstedt, and Bianca Bonomi, creating an intimate gathering of influencers and luxury enthusiasts.
Kylian Mbappé trying on the headphones, photo provided.
Blind listening test puts headphones to the test
Beyond the obvious visual spectacle, the evening included a blind listening test, proving the headphones’s technical credentials. Six different pairs of high-end headphones from various manufactures were covered in velvet and presented to guests anonymously.
Remarkably, attendees easily identified the Loewe x Jacob & Co model, suggesting the audio performance truly lives up to the test and matches its luxurious aesthetics.
The American audio engineer behind the technological development brought 25 years of industry experience to the project. The devices feature active noice cancellation, AI-driven intelligence, real-time translation capabilities, and an impressive 65-hour battery life.
As champagne flowed throughout the event, guests were able to observe the impressive headphones up close and admire the precision craftsmanship.
As French pupils prepare to head back to class on Monday 1st September, Education Minister Élisabeth Borne has confirmed that mobile phones will be banned in all collèges (middle schools) from the start of the new academic year.
Speaking at her back-to-school press conference on Wednesday 27th August, Borne reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the “Portable en pause” policy, which aims to ensure that no middle school student uses their phone during school hours.
“The issue of screens is a matter of public health, of mental health, and no one can deny the effects,” said the minister, highlighting that one in five young people in France now shows signs of psychological distress.
A National Roll-Out of the “Portable en pause” Scheme
The ban, already tested in more than 100 schools during the 2024-2025 academic year, will now be extended to all public collèges before the end of 2025. Early results have been positive, with schools reporting improvements in classroom concentration and overall school climate.
Each institution will be responsible for deciding how best to enforce the rule, whether through lockers, sealed pouches, or collection systems. “What matters,” Borne stressed, “is that students are learning in an environment free from the constant distraction of mobile phones.”
Extending Beyond Collège
The legal framework already prohibits the use of mobile phones and connected devices in primary schools and collèges. However, it also gives high schools (lycées) the option to adopt similar restrictions through their internal regulations.
In practical terms, this means that schools can confiscate a student’s phone if the rule is broken, provided the procedure is clearly defined in the school charter.
The policy also goes beyond phones: updates and notifications on educational platforms such as Pronote and ENT (digital school platforms) will now be suspended by default in the evenings (from 8pm to 7am) and over weekends, in order to encourage a “right to disconnect” for students, families, and teachers.
Protecting Students from Digital Risks
The government argues that the ban is necessary not only to support learning, but also to protect young people from the risks linked to excessive screen time: cyberbullying, exposure to violent or pornographic content, theft or racketeering, and reduced attention spans.
“The use of mobile phones undermines the quality of listening, concentration, and the collective life of the school,” said the Ministry of Education in its July release on the subject.
Exceptions will be made for pupils with medical needs, such as diabetic students who rely on connected devices to monitor their health. Limited pedagogical use of phones will also remain possible, provided it is explicitly authorised by a school’s regulations.
A Back-to-School Shift in Culture
The decision forms part of a broader government roadmap entitled “For Responsible Digital Use in Schools”, which also includes student training on digital literacy and greater support for families in managing screen time.
A new grassroots movement, ‘Bloquons tout’ (‘Let’s block everything’), is calling for a nationwide shutdown across France on 10th September 2025 in response to budget cuts announced by Prime Minister François Bayrou.
The movement appeared online in July, shortly after Bayrou unveiled austerity measures. Its central message is stark: “On 10th September we’re not paying, we’re not consuming, and we’re not working.”
The movement’s origins remain murky. A collective called Les Essentiels, linked to far-right and conspiracy circles, first circulated the date of 10th September in a TikTok video, which was quickly amplified by former figures of the Yellow Vests. Since then, activity has spread across Facebook, Telegram (where the group has more than 7,000 subscribers), and a website dedicated to the cause. Local meetings of a dozen or so supporters have also begun taking place.
From the streets to politics
The slogan has resonated with thousands online, and some former Yellow Vest protesters say they will take part. One supporter, quoted by RFI, described plans to block supermarkets and petrol stations, reminiscent of the 2018–2019 protests.
In France’s political landscape, the movement has exposed clear divisions. Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed party has openly supported the initiative, calling on supporters to ensure its success. The Greens, led by Marine Tondelier, have also signalled involvement, though she cautioned against political parties “co-opting the struggle.” The Communist and Socialist parties have expressed solidarity, while the far-right National Rally has dismissed the mobilisation as the work of the far left.
Trade unions remain cautious
Despite early September already being marked by calls for strike action from several unions, there is no confirmation yet that organised labour will formally back Bloquons tout on 10th September.
For now, the government has limited its response to stressing that it remains attentive to public concerns. The movement itself insists it is “apolitical”, though its roots and support base suggest otherwise.
Why it matters
For France—and by extension its neighbours such as Monaco—the scale of mobilisation on 10th September will be closely watched. With calls to “block everything” spreading online, the day could see anything from scattered demonstrations to nationwide disruption. What is certain is that Bayrou’s budget cuts have reignited discontent across the political spectrum, and the anniversary of the Yellow Vests looms large in many minds.
