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Month: August 2025

Motown All-Stars brings soul, sparkle and serious groove to the Salle des Etoiles

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/08/2025

Monaco’s summer season just got a whole lot funkier. Motown All-Stars – An Exclusive Show launched on Thursday 30th July with an electric opening night at the Salle des Étoiles, delivering soul, style and standing ovations in equal measure. From now until 10th August, guests can experience this dazzling dinner-and-show event that’s already the talk of the town.

There are few settings as magical as the Salle des Étoiles in full swing, and this summer’s Motown spectacular only enhances the venue’s glamour. Against the backdrop of the sparkling Mediterranean, diners are treated to five-course culinary experience, designed like a musical setlist. It begins with a ‘warm-up’ of barbagiuans and Iberian ham Bellota, moves into a fresh and vibrant first act featuring red prawns with fennel and orange, yellowtail crudo, and burrata from Puglia, and continues with a choice of signature pastas like aged parmesan risotto with asparagus and truffle or spaghetti al nero with seafood.

The main course offers oven-baked Mediterranean seabass, Angus beef fillet, or a vegetarian plate of grilled vegetables and falafels with lemony chickpea cream. Dessert arrives as a final encore: a sliced fresh fruit platter, lemon sorbet, or a rich 70% dark chocolate mousse with raspberries and crumble.

Throughout dinner, the stage belongs to the Ultramarine Girls Band, an all-female ensemble known for their effortlessly cool performances. Their vibrant mix of lounge, soul, and dance rhythms sets the perfect tone for the evening — stylish, upbeat, and full of energy. It’s more than background music; it’s a prelude to the main event.

The dress code is sharp (jackets required), but the mood is pure feel-good. From the first bite to the final bow, Motown All-Stars is a seamless blend of gastronomy and groove.

The unique open air experience of the Salle des Etoiles. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

the music that defined a generation — reborn on stage

The show itself is a high-octane tribute to the golden era of Motown, featuring unforgettable hits from Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, and more. It’s not just a concert — it’s a fully choreographed, full-throttle production.

Four powerhouse vocalists lead the charge, backed by a live seven-piece orchestra and a 12-member dance troupe, all performing with the precision and energy worthy of the Motown legacy. Every brass note, every bassline, every harmony is delivered with infectious joy and musicality that pulls the audience to its feet.

Expect iconic tracks like I Want You Back, Easy, Respect, and Superstition to light up the room, each performed with authenticity and flair. This is a show that doesn’t just honour the past, it revives it with freshness and fire.

a must-experience event this summer

Running on select dates through 10th August, Motown All-Stars is that rare thing: a night out that satisfies every sense. Whether you’re drawn by nostalgia, the thrill of live performance, or the sheer pleasure of great food and wine in a world-class venue, this is an evening that delivers.

It’s a celebration of rhythm, unity, and timeless music — wrapped in Monaco’s signature elegance. A perfect mid-summer treat for locals, visitors, and anyone looking to escape the ordinary.

Practical information

Motown All-Stars – An Exclusive Show is running on select nights at the Salle des Étoiles from 30th July to 10th August 2025, with performances scheduled for 30th and 31st July, and 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th and 10th August. This is a dinner-show format, with dinner served from 8.30pm and the concert beginning at 10.30pm. Tickets start at €250 and include a full five-course dinner. A smart dress code is required, with jackets mandatory for gentlemen. The show is open to guests aged seven and above. Valet parking is available.

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Main photo by Monaco Life

Quai des Artistes completes ambitious transformation under passionate new owner

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/08/2025

One of Monaco’s most recognisable dining institutions, Quai des Artistes, has emerged from a complete architectural and culinary reinvention that balances its iconic heritage with a modern sensibility. The full redesign, overseen by new owner Bertrand Letartre, has now reached completion three years after he acquired the restaurant, unveiling a brasserie that respects the past while confidently writing its next chapter.

Bertrand Letartre, who has lived in Monaco since 2019 and is known for his work in viticulture and hospitality, described the acquisition as a personal decision driven by affection rather than strategy. “I had been coming here for years, often for lunch or dinner,” he said. “One day the owner mentioned he was considering selling after 20 years. I told him, ‘I’ll take it.’ I didn’t hesitate, because I genuinely love this place and what it represents – it’s the finest location in Monaco for a true brasserie.”

Reinventing a classic, from floor to ceiling

Letartre’s vision involved a total renovation of both the interior and exterior, stripping the venue back to its bones to allow for a faithful reinterpretation of a traditional French brasserie. “I removed everything, including the outdoor bar,” he explained. “This is the first year that everything is finally complete. Now that it’s open, I can see how people are responding—they love it.”

To bring his vision to life, he collaborated with interior design firm Bleu Gris, who reimagined the space in the style of a 1930s brasserie, complete with velvet banquettes, art deco lighting, and an elegant library wall that adds a personal, almost domestic charm. “We wanted guests to feel at home,” Letartre explained, and the resulting ambience is both refined and welcoming.

Owner Bertrand Letartre purchased the iconic restaurant because he is passionate about true brasserie dining

Honouring tradition through cuisine and service

The menu, created by chef Étienne Barrier, is firmly rooted in French culinary heritage. From foie de veau in persillade to veal sweetbreads, sole meunière and house-made pâté en croûte, every dish evokes a sense of nostalgic familiarity. “Our aim was to recreate flavours that bring back memories,” said Barrier. “The taste of childhood, of Sunday lunches, of dishes from home.”

The service, too, has been carefully preserved and elevated. A significant portion of the original team was retained—a decision Letartre considers fundamental to the restaurant’s identity. “I changed the décor entirely, but I kept the team,” he noted. “Some of them have been here for 25 or 30 years. Their experience and connection with the guests are invaluable.”

Ezio Lugano, who has worked at the Quai since 2003, reflected on the restaurant’s enduring spirit: “Some clients I’ve known since they were children. Now they return with their own families. They come for the food, yes—but also because they feel recognised, remembered.”

The design is luxurious, warm and welcoming

The Bar des Artistes: a new rhythm by the water

Part of the transformation includes the rejuvenated waterfront space now called the Bar des Artistes. With sweeping views of the Port of Monaco and a curated cocktail menu, it welcomes guests into a more festive and artistic environment. Live music, comedy nights, and an evolving event programme have turned the bar into a vibrant after-dark venue that complements the brasserie’s refined atmosphere.

Designed for social moments and late-night energy, the bar features signature cocktails and a relaxed menu of sharing plates. “In the evening, it takes on a life of its own,” said artistic director Daniel Tristan. “It’s a celebration of culture, community and good humour—true to the name, and to the spirit of the artists who once inspired this place.”

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All photos courtesy of Quai des Artistes

Sneak peek inside the all-new Spa Metropole by Guerlain in Monte-Carlo

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
01/08/2025

The Spa Metropole has undergone a complete transformation, with haute beauty house Guerlain now at the helm, bringing its signature elegance and innovation to Monte-Carlo. Set within the prestigious Hôtel Metropole, the newly reimagined space promises an indulgent experience worthy of its iconic setting — including a selection of exclusive, tailor-made treatments you won’t find anywhere else.

Monaco Life was given an exclusive sneak peak of the luxurious new sanctuary, which represents a significant partnership between the iconic hotel and the prestigious French beauty house.

Designed by interior architect Samy Itani, the spa embraces a pure, mineral, and soothing aesthetic, contributing to the magical experience. It features natural stone, untreated wood, and textured wall finishes in a palette of soft, understated tones.  The 10 treatment rooms, including the individual Rose Chérie Suite and the Suite Impériale Duo, offer intimate settings for bespoke Guerlain rituals.

“We’re currently in a soft opening phase this summer,” explained Julie Chamber, the spa’s director. “We’re planning targeted events from September or October onwards, though nothing has been officially confirmed yet.”

The facility will also include a sauna, steam room, sensory shower, ultra-modern fitness room, and an elegant boutique designed as a private salon, complemented by a dedicated space for hand and foot care treatments by world-renowned specialist Bastien Gonzales.

Foot care treatment space, photo by Monaco Life. 

Breaking tradition

The spa takes a fresh approach, moving away from traditional treatments in favour of genuinely personalised care. “We’re not offering a standard one-hour relaxing massage or a one-hour facial,” said Chaumier. “Instead, we focus on individual needs and treat the experience like a toolbox, choosing the most effective combination of techniques for each person.”

This philosophy extends to the spa’s signature treatments, with three exclusive experiences created specifically for the Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo.

The first  is ‘Monaco Glow’, a tribute to the sun-kissed elegance of the French Riviera, combining expert techniques with white quartz tools and cotton veils. Special attention is given to the eye area to reveal facial radiance “like a breath of light across the face”.

Next is ‘Puissance du Rocher’, offering a powerful sculpting ritual for face and body through dynamic movements, stretches, and joint mobilisation, enhanced by heated stone tools for deep, long-lasting revitalisation.

The third – and most unique – experience is ‘Golden Sand’, a treatment that celebrates the Monégasque Riviera using a Gharieni Psammo Quartz massage table, combining the ancestral benefits of warm sand with sculpted quartz elegance. The body is enveloped while a massage of the face, hands, and feet is performed, with quartz crystals providing regenerating heat for deep relaxation.

The ‘Golden Sand’ room, photo by Monaco Life.

Luxury without restrictions

The spa caters to everyone, with treatments adapted for both men and women. Pregnant women can indulge in most treatments as well, as the spa avoids essential oils in favour of fragrance extracts.

With over 80 years of aesthetic experience, Guerlain transforms every treatment into an exceptional moment. The house draws inspiration from nature’s effectiveness, using rare orchids with outstanding longevity properties and healing bee products.

The Spa Metropole by Guerlain will operate, once open, daily from 7am to 9pm, with treatments available by appointment from 10am to 8pm.

See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video below…

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Main photo by Monaco Life.

Monaco establishes diplomatic relations with the Federated States of Micronesia

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/08/2025

Monaco has formalised diplomatic ties with the Federated States of Micronesia, marking the 163rd state with which the Principality has established official relations.

On 17th July, the Permanent Representatives of both countries to the United Nations, Jeem S. Lippwe for Micronesia and Isabelle Picco for Monaco, signed a joint communiqué in New York formalising the agreement.

The Federated States of Micronesia is an island nation located in the southwest of the North Pacific Ocean. It is composed of four states: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. Fishing remains the country’s primary economic sector.

During their meeting, the two diplomats discussed outcomes from the recent United Nations Ocean Conference, which took place in Nice in June. They also exchanged views on the importance of the BBNJ High Seas Treaty and its role in advancing marine protected areas.

Ambassador Isabelle Picco highlighted the work being carried out by the Monaco Scientific Centre, particularly in relation to coral research, ocean acidification, plastic pollution and climate change.

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Photo source: Government Department of Communications 

August: the month of music, sport and summer magic

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
01/08/2025

As summer reaches its peak, Monaco’s cultural calendar is packed with everything from jazz legends to fireworks shows. August promises to deliver a series of entertainment events that will keep residents and visitors captivated throughout the month. 

The month opens with buzz-funk pioneer James Mason bringing his eight-piece ensemble to La Note Blue on 1st -2nd August at 21:00. The creative genius behind ‘Rhythm of Life’ – named one of the ’20 Essential Jazz-Fusion Records Everyone Should Own’ by Discogs – returns to Europe for the first time in over a decade. This rare performance promises extended versions of beloved classics that have influenced generations of musicians and DJS worldwide.

The musical journey continues mid-month with 30/70 X Dreamcastmoe on 8th-9th August at 21:00. Their blend of jazz, broken beat, soul, funk, electronic music and R&B creates what organisers describe as “raw art in motion made for the dance floor”.

Palace concerts

Classical music lovers can enjoy two magnificent concerts at Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace. On Saturday 3rd August at 21:30, conductor Tianyi Lu will lead the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra alongside pianist Georgijs Osokins in a program featuring Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture Op. 62, Piano Concerto No.4 in G major Op. 58, and extracts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite.

The palace series continues on Thursday 7th August at 21:30 with conductor Emmanuel Tjeknavorian and violinist Sergey Khachatryan presenting a diverse program including Liszt’s Mephisto-Waltz No.1, Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor Op. 26, Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel, and Johann Strauss’s The Blue Danube.

Palace concert, photo credit: Palais Princier de Monaco

La Note Bleue’s summer festival will also reach new heights with Setenta on 15th-16th August at 21:00, promoting their acclaimed second album ‘Apollo Solar Drive’ – described as an ‘Afro-Latin retro-futurist tribute to the sun.’ The 7-piece ensemble promises to bring Latin heat to the Larvotto stage.

Additionally, the month features Afro-disco queen Oby Onyioha collaborating with Sai Galaxy on 22nd-23rd August at 21:00. The Nigerian pop star, whose 1981 hit’ Enjoy Your Life’ was re-edited by Soundway Records in 2016, joins forces with producer Simon Durrington’s Afro-disco project for an unforgettable experience.

Fireworks and summer fun

Families shouldn’t miss the spectacular fireworks show at Quai Albert 1er on Saturday 9th August. Starting at 18:00 with free access to inflatable castles until 21:30, the evening builds to the main fireworks display at 22:00, followed by a pop-rock party. The event is part of Monaco’s extensive summer entertainment program running until 24th August, featuring karting, basketball, courts, carousel rides, duck fishing, trampoline, small boat rides, temporary tattoo stands, and the popular Ninja Warrior course.

Firework display in Monaco, photo by Monaco Life. 

For those who love water activities, underwater diving initiatives are offered on Wednesday 6th August and Wednesday 27th August at 9:30am on Route de la Piscine. In collaboration with Monaco’s Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco, these sessions welcome adults and children from age 8 for approximately 10-minute experience.

Following, football fans can catch AS Monaco in action with a preparation match against Inter Milan on Thursday 8th August at 20:00, followed by league fixture against Havre AC on Friday 16th August at 19:00 and RC Strasbourg Alsace on Sunday 31st August. The month also features the 2025/2026 UEFA Men’s Club Competitions Season Kick-off on 28th-29th August.

August concludes with two distinctive musical experiences. Tamo Junto , the South of France’s most infamous Samba band, returns on Tuesday 27th August at 21:00.

The month’s final weekend features Dr Wu ‘A Steely Dan Tribute’ on 29th-30th August at 21:00, where a 10-piece French collective led by Jean Luc Léonardon and François Bodin celebrates the sonic legacy of jazz rock and ‘Yacht Rock’ icons Steely Dan with both classics and lesser-known compositions

See also: 

Games, go-karts and trampolines: Monaco’s summer village is back

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Main photo credit: Wendy Wei, Pexels.