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Month: September 2025

France takes win, Monaco second at Inaugural Monaco Underwater Photography Competition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
08/09/2025

Prince Albert II personally presented first-place trophies to winners on September 7th at the Monaco Underwater Photography Competition awards ceremony. The event concluded four days of competition at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. 

The competition featured two man contests: the 20th National Contest and the 2nd International Challenge, alongside a Junior Contest for young photographers.

France claimed overall victory in the International Challenge, beating Monaco in second place and Italy in third. Eleven countries participated including Germany, Belgium, Spain, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Tunisia.

Special category prizes went to different nations. Monaco’s Bassem Jammour and Anne Rodelato won the Fish Prize, while Italy’s Guglielmo Cicerchia and Iwona Moisa claimed the Atmosphere Prize. France’s Sebastien Ameeuw and Delphine Fraysse secured the Macro Prize, with Monaco also winning the Set Theme Prize for ‘Artistic creation around the bubble.’

The competition included three dives over the weekend, featuring a night photography session, a world first for underwater photography contests.

Prince Albert II with Monaco’s Underwater Photography team. Photo credit: Emilie Malaussena

National Contest champions

In the 20th National Contest, 13 teams competed in Monaco’s waters across two technical categories.

Philippe Lecomte and Christine Cazal won first place in the non-interchangeable lens camera category, while David Roger and Eric Dalmas topped the interchangeable lens division.

Special prizes were awarded in four themes. Véronique Wurmli-Baudot and Wendy Peyret claimed both the Atmosphere Prize and Jury’s Choice Award. Florence Roux and Béatrice Landreau won the Fish Prize, with Frédéric Bernard and Justine Brun d’Espagne taking the Set Theme Prize.

Young talent recognised

The Junior Contest ‘Underwater Eyes’ highlighted emerging photographers in two groups.

Charlene Barois dominated the Jellyfish category (ages 8-12), winning first place and the Jury’s Choice Award. Nathan Chaki came second, followed by Philippe Barois in third.

In the Seahorse category (ages 13-17), Shannon Tissot took first place, with Alexandre Charpenne second and Juliette Amsallem third.

Prince Albert II with the winners of the Junior Contest. Photo credit: Emilie Malaussena

The Monaco Underwater Exploration Club organised the event under their motto “To know better is to protect better”. The competition aims to showcase marine biodiversity while raising awareness about ocean conservation.

A seven-member jury evaluated the photographs captured during the competition, selecting winners across categories including macro photography, wide-angle shots, fish category and fish compositions.

Monaco Life was there! See more in our reel below…

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Main photo credit: Philippe Fitte, Government Communication Department

 

Monaco to host prestigious Michelin Guide 2026 ceremony

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2025

For the first time in its 124-year history, the Michelin Guide will unveil its France & Monaco restaurant selection in the Principality, shining an international spotlight on Monaco’s dynamic culinary scene.

The annual Michelin Guide France & Monaco awards will take place on 16th March 2026 at the Grimaldi Forum, organisers confirmed Friday. The ceremony will announce newly starred restaurants across both countries, along with the recipients of the Michelin Special Awards, which recognise excellence in service, sustainability, and emerging talent.

The event is being organised in partnership with the Government of Monaco and the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM). It marks a notable shift in the guide’s recent strategy of rotating the ceremony through regions that reflect France’s diverse gastronomic landscape.

“By hosting the Michelin Guide France & Monaco ceremony in Monaco for the first time, we are honouring one of the Guide’s historic destinations,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. He described the region as “a living culinary heritage” that continues to define gastronomic excellence and international influence.

Monaco has appeared in the Michelin Guide since its first edition in 1900 and is home to several renowned chefs and high-profile restaurants. Its dining scene is considered among the most refined in Europe, blending French tradition with international trends.

The 2026 ceremony is expected to draw a large contingent of chefs, hospitality professionals, and media, both local and international. Further details about the event programme will be released in the lead-up to March.

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Photo of the Hôtel de Paris by Cassandra Tanti

Princess Charlene honours Giorgio Armani as the world bids farewell to fashion legend

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2025

In a personal tribute, Princess Charlene of Monaco has shared her sorrow following the death of Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who not only changed the face of fashion but crafted her iconic wedding gown in 2011. Her message, issued alongside Prince Albert II, marks one of the most intimate royal reflections on the legacy of a man whose influence shaped not just catwalks, but cultural history.

In a heartfelt public statement on 4th September, Princess Charlene said, “It is with great sadness that the Prince and I have learnt of the death of Giorgio Armani. He was an emblematic figure in the fashion world and has created and shaped trends that have influenced generations. Amongst the variety of his works, was also my wedding dress in July 2011. His work and achievements will survive him and continue to be present in the future.”

The message was accompanied by a striking black-and-white image of the designer, captured by Patrick Demarchelier, highlighting the close and personal connection shared between the Princess and Armani. The wedding dress, a silk duchess creation with an off-the-shoulder neckline and over 40,000 Swarovski crystals, remains one of the most memorable couture pieces of the modern royal era.

Italy and the fashion world say goodbye

Armani passed away on 4th September at the age of 91, closing a chapter on a five-decade career that reshaped not only Italian fashion but global perceptions of elegance. In Milan, where his fashion empire was born, mourners gathered in silence at the Armani/Teatro to pay their respects as his coffin lay in state. White roses, flickering candles, and photographs from his illustrious runway shows formed a fitting tribute to a man whose name became synonymous with refinement.

To Milan, Armani was more than a designer. He was a cultural figure who helped redefine the city’s identity during the politically fraught 1970s and ’80s, turning it into a beacon of taste and sophistication. He also invested personally in the community, famously rescuing the Olimpia Milano basketball team, and supporting numerous sporting institutions under the EA7 brand.

Remembered by the greats

The response to Armani’s death has been a chorus of admiration from the worlds of fashion, film, and sport. Naomi Campbell remembered her early days in Milan, when a towering Armani billboard greeted her at the airport. Designers like Donatella Versace described him as one of the architects of modern Italian style, while actors and directors reflected on his role in cinema—from dressing Richard Gere in American Gigolo to outfitting entire casts in Hollywood blockbusters.

Armani’s minimalist aesthetic redefined red-carpet fashion and business attire alike. He stripped the formality from menswear, introduced power dressing to women, and built an empire that spanned haute couture, sportswear, interior design, and fragrance. Yet despite his reach, he remained famously reserved, preferring to let the clothes do the talking.

A legacy stitched into the fabric of modern style

From humble beginnings in Piacenza to becoming the face of Made in Italy across the globe, Giorgio Armani leaves behind a towering legacy. His creations spoke to a kind of elegance that resisted trends and transcended time, a vision now deeply woven into the identity of Italian fashion. His company, still privately owned, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on 28th September in Milan’s Palazzo Brera, a tribute that now carries added poignancy.

Princess Charlene’s words capture the sentiment of many who knew and admired him: a creator whose influence will continue to echo through future generations. As the fashion world mourns its king, Monaco joins the chorus of voices honouring a life lived in style, precision, and grace.

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Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier 

Le Méridien Beach Plaza launches ‘Celebrating The Riviera’ art exhibition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
08/09/2025

On 9th September, Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monaco is set to open a new art exhibition featuring four artists whose works explore the landscape and culture of the French Riviera.

The exhibition, titled ‘Celebrating The Riviera’, will run from September 9th to January 9th 2026, and it will display paintings and artworks in the hotel’s lobby space. The show has been organised in partnership with Tanya Baxter Contemporary, a London and Hong Kong based gallery.

Featured artists and their work

The exhibition includes works by four artists who each interpret Riviera themes differently. Carol Bruton, a local artist creates abstract paintings that focus on sea and water themes, incorporating Mediterranean light and coastal movement into her work.

Carol Bruton – Bubbles (installation), each segment is approximately 25 x 25 cm, photo provided.

Rip Todd-Warmoth produces detailed paintings of French Riviera locations, combining architectural elements with landscape scenes. His work captures both the physical structures and atmospheric qualities of the region.

Jesse Grylls uses bold colours and flowing paint techniques in his marine-themed pieces, creating works that reflect ocean movement and changing water colours. Paul Hughes, who has experience in both fine art and design, creates paintings that connect natural elements like land, sea and sky through colour and texture.

The exhibition forms part of Le Méridien Beach Plaza’s annual arts programme and can be admired by both guests and the general public. The hotel also participates in Le Méridien’s ‘Unlock Art’ programme, giving guests free access to the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco by presenting their room key

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Main photo featuring Pip Todd Warmoth – View of the Casino from the Promenade, 2011, oil on board, 100 x 150cm, provided. 

‘Action! Classic Yachts’ film history on display at Monaco Classic Week

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
07/09/2025

Monaco’s harbour will become both a floating museum and photographic showcase in a couple of days when the 17th Monaco Classic Week introduces a new exhibition exploring classic yacht’s film appearances. 

Running from September 10th to 13th, ‘Action! Classic Yachts and the Big Screen’ will feature 40 photographic panels tracing cinema’s fascination with the very boats docked in Monaco’s waters. The exhibition, produced by the Yacht Club de Monaco with André Z. Labarrère, creates a unique chance to see maritime film stars both on screen and in person.

Hollywood’s floating stars

Several famous vessels will attend, including Kalizma (1906), the motor yacht once owned by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, and Marge (1930), which starred in ‘Plein Soleil’ with Alain Delon. Errol Flynn’s legendary Zaca (1928) will also be present, alongside Invader (1905), where Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard met and fell in love.

The exhibition also celebrates the Riva powerboats that became icons of the Dolce Vita era and appeared in James Bond films.

Lastly, Marine photographer Kos Evans adds to the artistic programme with her ‘Rock & Royals’ series, created on old sailcloth and displayed in the event’s ballroom.

Photo source: Monaco Classic Week

The fleet

The 160 vessels attending the Monaco Classic Week include 50 classic sailing yachts, 70 vintage powerboats (including 52 Rivas), 14 period motor-yachts, and 25 Dinghy 12′ boats. Among the highlights is Partridge, celebrating its 140th anniversary after being rescued from river mud and restored over 17 years.

Traditional competitions continue, including the Elegance Contest and the popular Chefs Competition, where crews create dishes from mystery ingredients.

The quays and village are free to visit from 10am to 7pm throughout the event.

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Main photo: Kirk Douglas and Anne Buydens boarding one of the Riva boats, photo provided.

 

Testing the SAY 42: a sports car experience on water

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
06/09/2025

Monaco Life recently took to the Mediterranean for a private trial of the SAY 42, a carbon fibre yacht that offers something quite different from the traditional cruising experience. Imagine the thrill of a sports car, only on water, and you are close to what this German-built vessel delivers. 

At 42 feet and just 4,5 tonnes, the SAY 42 is remarkably light for its size. Its construction, entirely in carbon fibre, paired with twin Volvo Penta engines, makes it fast, responsive and efficient.

However, what truly makes it stand out is the boat’s composure in sharp manoeuvres. SAY’s patented Petestep hull design reduces drag and spray, allowing for tight turns and high speeds without unsettling the ride. During testing, the SAY 42 felt steady and controlled, even when edging close to its 50-knot top speed.

Lightweight engineering also brings efficiency. At a cruising speed of 20 knots, the SAY 42 consumes just 45 litres of fuel per hour, notable figures for a yacht designed with performance in mind.

The SAY 42 yacht, photo provided

Sports car engineering meets luxury

The cabin features a digital cockpit with integrated controls, carbon fibre seats with shock absorption, a pop-up deck shower, and an electro-hydraulic diving ladder. These elements are designed to combine functionality with onboard comfort.

The SAY 42 on board, photo provided.

The SAY is priced at around €1.2 million, positioning it among the more performance-focused yachts in its class. The company also produces the larger SAY 52, a 16-metre model prices at approximately €2 million, which applies the same lightweight design principles with additional space.

The trial wrapped up at ANAO Beach Club in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where SAY sponsors a waterfront venue that offers the perfect vantage point to admire the vessels from shore.

See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video below…

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Main photo by Monaco Life.