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Day: 27 August 2025

A new era for Stade Louis II as modernisation works get underway

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/08/2025
stade louis II

The Government of Monaco has launched the first phase of major renovation works at Stade Louis II, a long-term project designed to modernise facilities, improve comfort, and prepare the Principality’s iconic venue for the future.

This summer marks the start of a programme led by the Department of Public Works, in close collaboration with the management of Stade Louis II. The initial phase focuses on renovating refreshment stands, sanitary facilities, and spectator tribunes, with circulation within the stands being rethought to improve accessibility and comfort.

The aim of the upgrades is to not only enhance the day-to-day experience of fans and users but also bring the stadium in line with international standards of safety and quality expected of global sporting competitions.

Works planned in phases until 2027

The modernisation project will take place in carefully planned stages between 2025 and 2027, ensuring that the stadium remains fully operational for Monaco’s major sporting events, including AS Monaco football matches, the Herculis athletics meeting, and the Games of the Small States of Europe.

During this period, certain facilities will be temporarily relocated, with provisional solutions put in place to guarantee spectator comfort.

A vision for 2035

This first stage is part of a broader vision to progressively renovate Stade Louis II through to 2035, securing its role as a central hub for sport in Monaco and beyond.

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Photo source: Monaco Life

Uber to take on Eurostar with new cross-Channel rail services by 2029

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/08/2025

A new partnership between Uber and Gemini Trains aims to bring a fresh wave of digital convenience and competition to the Channel Tunnel, with cross-border rail services expected to launch by 2029.

Uber is set to move beyond ride-hailing and food delivery, venturing into international rail travel through a partnership with the ambitious newcomer Gemini Trains. The collaboration will allow passengers to book and manage cross-Channel journeys directly through the Uber app, offering an all-in-one booking experience designed to rival the convenience of air travel.

Services are expected to operate from Stratford International and Ebbsfleet stations, challenging Eurostar’s long-standing dominance of the route and potentially offering travellers lower prices and more flexible options. With Eurostar currently commanding around 80% of the market, industry analysts are already describing the move as a game-changer.

Competition and convenience

By combining Gemini’s rail operations with Uber’s digital expertise, the partnership seeks to deliver a more seamless passenger experience. For travellers, that could mean simplified bookings, real-time updates, and integrated journeys from city streets to continental rail hubs. For Eurostar, it marks the arrival of its first serious competition since services began through the Channel Tunnel in 1994.

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Image: AI generated by Monaco Life

France maintains 11th place in global university rankings for second year

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
27/08/2025

France has maintained its standing as a global education leader, keeping its 11th position worldwide for the second year running in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The 2025 results show 27 French higher education institutions amongst the world’s best 1,000 universities, an increase of two from 2024’s total of 25 and a validation of France’s reputation for scientific excellence.

The University of Paris-Saclay remains the country’s standout institution, achieving 13th place worldwide and 3rd position across Europe. Three additional French institutions feature in the global top 100: Paris Sciences at Lettres claimed 34th place, Sorbonne University 43rd, and Paris Cité University 60th.

Meanwhile, eight French universities are now listed in the top 200, including Strasbourg, Aix-Marseille, Grenoble-Alpes, and Montpellier. Additionally, two institutions have made their debut in this year’s ranking: the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and the University of Picardy Jules-Verne.

A growing presence over the decades

Over the past two decades, French representation in the rankings has expanded significantly, with the number of listed institutions growing by 50% from 18 to 27. This rise is mainly due to strategic institutional partnerships and consolidations.

Yet these achievements come amid escalating worldwide academic competition. Alternative international rankings, such as Times Higher Education, alongside findings from the Science and Technology Observatory, point to persistent difficulties. The Observatory’s December 2024 analysis revealed France’s slip from 6th to 13th position globally for scientific publication numbers.

Responding to these competitive dynamics, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research has launched the ‘Choose France for Science’ initiative, committing €100 million domestically and €500 million at the European level to enhance research appeal. The ministry is also pursuing comprehensive reforms to reinforce institutional strategies and engage private sector participation.

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Photo credit: Dimitri Iakymuk, Unsplash

 

What changes in France from 1st September?

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
27/08/2025

September is set to bring a series of new measures across France, with families, students and healthcare systems all benefiting from policy changes.

French families can now apply for enhanced financial support to help with educational expenses. Two grant schemes will open for applications on September 1st, with parents having until October 16th to submit their applications.

Students at middle school may be eligible for grants ranging from €120 to €516 per child annually, while high school students can receive between €495 and €1,053 per year. The amount depends on household income and number of children.

Single-parent families are also set to receive additional help, with childcare benefits through the ‘Complément de libre choix du mode de garde’ (CMG) now extended until children turn 12.

The changes also benefit existing CMG recipients from households with modest resources and significant childcare needs. Payments are processed automatically, requiring no additional paperwork from families.

New rules for sick leave and health screening

Healthcare systems are also seeing significant changes coming in September. Medical professionals use new, secure sick leave forms, with any unsecured paper versions being returned from September 1st. The new forms feature seven authentication points to prevent fraud.

Meanwhile, the biggest change is in newborn care. France has expanded a national screening programme to test for three additional serious conditions: severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCAD).

The programme now screens all France newborns for 16 serious diseases that aren’t visible at birth, allowing for early treatment that can prevent or reduce symptoms.

These updates are part of France’s broader push to support families while strengthening healthcare and administrative systems.

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Main photo credit: Natalie Bond, pexels.

Jondal at La Vigie: Ibiza’s culinary star shines on Monaco’s shoreline

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/08/2025

There’s still time to indulge in one of the Principality’s most exciting new culinary experiences: Jondal at La Vigie Monte-Carlo, a summer escape blending fresh Mediterranean seafood, Ibiza vibes, and the serene beauty of Monte-Carlo Beach.

Unveiled on 21st June, Jondal quickly became the talk of Monte-Carlo Beach. Tucked beneath the pines of La Pointe de la Vigie, in a coastal refuge protected by the Bird Protection League (LPO), the restaurant offers a setting that feels at once secret and spectacular. Imported from Ibiza, where chef Rafa Zafra made the concept a sensation since its 2020 debut, Jondal is built on one principle: The Joy of Living.

Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

Seafood at the centre

Here, the Mediterranean’s bounty is celebrated in every form: seafood and fish arrive raw, grilled, or fried, presented with an elegance that never overshadows their natural freshness. Lunches bask in the sunlit blues of the sea, while dinners take on a more intimate magic as the horizon softens into twilight. It is both refined and relaxed.

Highlights include silky Iberian ham, caviar served on warm grilled toast, melt-in-the-mouth red tuna belly, mussels infused with onion and paprika, and grilled king crab with hollandaise. To finish, a playful Pina Catalana with roasted pineapple ice cream captures the sun-soaked spirit of the Mediterranean. The menu is inventive and refined, each dish a celebration of flavour and place.

Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

An oasis between sea and sky

What sets Jondal apart is its atmosphere. The soundtrack is not a DJ but the lapping of waves, birdsong, and laughter, creating a rare tranquillity on the Riviera. It is a true escape — a dining experience suspended between sea and sky, where the essence of Ibiza’s convivial spirit finds a natural home in Monaco.

A fleeting invitation

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has already transformed this season with fresh concepts including Le Deck, Maona, and the newly Michelin-starred Elsa. With Jondal at La Vigie, it adds another jewel to its crown.

But this gem is fleeting: the restaurant is open only until 7th September 2025 — giving just weeks to discover its irresistible blend of flavours, scenery, and joie de vivre.

Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

Practical information
Jondal à La Vigie Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Beach, Avenue Princesse Grace, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Open daily until 7th September 2025
Lunch: 1 pm – 3:30 pm | Dinner: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

See more in Cassandra Tanti’s video below…

See more: 

Fresh, timeless, unforgettable: The new Le Deck at Monte-Carlo Beach is an instant success

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Main photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM