The eight chocolate artworks created for Chokolashow’s second edition went on display at Wannenes Art Contact in Monaco at September 25th and will remain there, open to public voting until October 10th.
In a unique twist, the artworks are displayed anonymously, each identified only by a number from one to eight. This technique ensures visitors vote based solely on the artistic merit of each piece rather than the reputation of the artist.
Visitors can view the chocolate creations during the gallery’s opening hours and cast their vote by placing a numbered ballot in the designated box. The most popular artwork will be revealed at the Chokolashow Village on 13th and 14th October.
The main event ahead
The Chokolatsow Village will take place at the Méridien Beach Plaza from 10am to 6pm on both days, with free entrance to the public. The two-day programme includes chocolate tastings, creative workshops, and a special ‘Choco therapy’ session led by artist Monica Di Rocco on October 14th from 3pm to 5pm.
The highlight of the village will be a charity auction on the evening of the 14th, where all eight chocolate artworks will be sold. Proceeds will be distributed equally among eight charities, which will be drawn by lottery that evening. The auction will be followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by the hotel’s executive chef, Laurent Collin. Reservations for the evening event can be made through this email: info@chokolashow.com
This unique initiative is organised by the Monaco International Hub Association and chaired by journalist Maria Bologna
The iconic Monaco hot air balloon made a spectacular appearance in front of the Place du Palais on Thursday evening, marking the launch of a new partnership with Moravia Yachting and celebrating Prince Albert II’s appointment as Honorary President of the Club des Aéronautes de Monaco.
The evening presentation at Place du Palais offered a breathtaking spectacle for invited guests, who watched in awe as organisers prepared the site, inflated the balloon, and attempted the first flight. Afterwards, VIP guests boarded the basket and enjoyed a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon experience.
The event coincided with the Monaco Yacht Show and followed an earlier flight from the Terrasses du Soleil on Wednesday morning, which served as the balloon’s first public presentation in its new suit.
Prince Albert II’s acceptance of the Honorary Presidency represents a significant milestone for the club, which has operated for 25 years under the leadership of founder and president Alain Cruteanschii.
“The Sovereign’s decision to support us by accepting the Honorary Presidency filled me with joy and pride,” Cruteanschii admitted to Monaco Life.
The Prince has previously flown in the balloon during private flights and has been a long-standing supporter of the club’s environmental initiatives.
Prince Albert II with Alain Cruteanschii, photo credit Aeronauts of Monaco.
New partnership takes flight
Moravia Yachting has signed on as the club’s principal partner for the next two years. As part of this collaboration, the Monaco ballon has been redesigned while preserving its distinctive Monaco colours and imposing ‘Monaco’ inscription, with the addition of the Moravia Yachting logo.
Niall Robinson, CEO of Moravia Yachting and founding partner of Hill Robinson Group, explained the natural connection between ballooning and yachting: “Its silence, its grace, and its dependence on the wind echo my passion for classic yachts, which I consider true works of art — propelled by the wind, sustainable, and in harmony with nature.”
The partnership aims to expand the balloon’s international presence, with plans to fly in countries Saudi Arabia and participate in major global events.
The club has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainable ballooning, developing what they describe as an ecological hot air balloon. The balloon features double-layered fabric for improved insulation, advanced lightweight materials, and runs on bio-propane made from waste products rather than petroleum-based fuel, resulting in 70% lower CO2 emissions.
“We’ve divided our carbon footprint in half over ten years,” Cruteanschii explained during an interview with Monaco Life. “We’re not dogmatic about solutions – we test everything and share our findings with pilots worldwide.”
International ambitions
The Monaco-Moravia balloon will represent the Principality at upcoming international festivals, including the Qatar International Balloon Festival from 11th to 20th December in Doha, and events in Italy and Switzerland early next year. The club is also planning an ambitious journey across the United States from Philadelphia to Albuquerque, planned for 2026 or 2027.
“Thanks to this new partnership, we will have the means to proudly fly the colours of the Principality around the world,” said Cruteanschii.
“Wherever it goes, this unique balloon will carry a positive impact, both for Monaco and for Moravia Yachting, as one of its ambassadors,” concluded Robinson.
Luxury is evolving, and so are the women who wear it. In Monaco, where sparkle is a social currency and elegance a daily standard, a new stone is taking centre stage—moissanite. Ethically made, endlessly brilliant, and refreshingly smart, moissanite is redefining what it means to shine in the Principality.
For decades, diamonds have reigned supreme in jewellery boxes and engagement rings across Monaco. But times—and values—are changing. The new generation of women, whether at the helm of businesses or hosting at black-tie galas, are questioning the old rules of luxury. And increasingly, they’re choosing brilliance with a conscience.
Enter moissanite: a lab-grown gemstone with more fire than a diamond, fewer environmental consequences, and a price tag that reflects intelligence rather than excess. Unlike cubic zirconia or synthetic stand-ins, Moissanite Extra Quality is a stone of its own class — technically superior in sparkle, almost identical in hardness, and virtually impossible to distinguish from a diamond with the naked eye.
In the words of Anna Khainak, founder of Boutique Eco Diamant, Monaco’s first moissanite-focused fine jewellery house: “It’s very difficult to identify a moissanite stone without a lab test. Even a gemologist with 30 years of experience once complimented my ‘diamond’. I told her it was moissanite, and she was impressed.”
Poissanite is a stone of its own class
Monaco’s new gemstone for women who know what they want
The women of Monaco are no strangers to jewellery — they wear it to work, to dinner, to red carpets, and charity balls. But with so many events, expectations, and outfit changes, traditional diamond jewellery simply doesn’t fit every need. As Anna puts it, “Even the most successful women in Monaco don’t want to spend €200,000 on new jewellery every month. My pieces offer that wow factor without the excess.”
Moissanite Extra Quality offers freedom. It allows women to own large, statement pieces that turn heads and capture light, without compromising ethics or practicality. It’s not a step down—it’s a step forward. Whether worn to the Rose Ball or Sunday brunch at Club La Vigie, Moissanite Extra Quality delivers the same glamour without the hidden cost.
And for the men buying jewellery for the women in their lives, moissanite is no longer a “compromise”. It’s a sign of thoughtfulness—an understanding of her values, her style, and her intelligence. It says: I see your power, and I honour it with something just as strong.
Moissanite outshines diamond with extra rainbow sparkle and exceptional durability, making it perfect for everyday luxury.
Smart, sustainable, and spectacular
Scientifically speaking, Moissanite Extra Quality has a higher refractive index than diamond—2.65 compared to 2.42—which means it reflects more light and delivers more of the rainbow sparkle often associated with luxury. It’s also extremely hard, rated 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it ideal for everyday wear.
What sets Moissanite Extra Quality apart is the high level of scrutiny each stone must pass before it earns the designation. Unlike standard moissanite, which varies widely in clarity, cut, and brilliance, Moissanite Extra Qualityundergoes a meticulous selection process to ensure only the most visually flawless and optically brilliant stones are chosen. Not every moissanite can meet these strict criteria, which is why this grade is considered rare and more valuable. While standard moissanite is already a remarkable gem, Moissanite Extra Quality elevates it to a new level of refinement, making it especially sought-after among discerning buyers in the fine jewellery world.
Its history is just as compelling. Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by Nobel Prize–winning chemist Henri Moissan, who found shimmering crystals inside a meteor crater in Arizona. Initially, he believed he had found diamonds, but later learned they were something even rarer — silicon carbide, a gem of celestial origin. Because of its extraordinary brilliance and durability, scientists eventually learned how to grow moissanite in laboratories, making it available in sizes and qualities nature could never provide. Its cosmic birth, its initial confusion with diamond, and its transformation into one of the most luxurious gemstones give moissanite a uniquely romantic identity. This story of “stardust turned jewel” also inspires part of the brand’s visual narrative and cinematic imagery.
For Monaco women, moissanite represents a modern luxury rooted in self-expression, responsibility, and the joy of beauty.
That’s where Boutique Eco Diamant comes in. Based in the French Riviera, the boutique offers large-stone jewellery — crafted in silver for added sustainability — that caters specifically to the lifestyles of Riviera women. “After spending time in Monaco, I realised there was a need for jewellery with very large stones,” says Anna. “Each occasion here demands something different. Women want to shine, but they also want to feel smart about their choices.”
For clients in Monaco and the French Riviera, Anna also offers personal consultations, bringing selected pieces directly to them to try on in the comfort of their own home.
The end of the diamond illusion?
In the high jewellery world, not all diamonds are created equal, and not all of them hold value. As Anna explains, “Only investment-grade diamonds—those starting at 4 carats with perfect clarity—actually retain value. And you can’t even wear them. They need to stay in a safe or a bank. If you wear them, they lose value.”
Meanwhile, one to two carat diamonds—the kind most consumers are sold — have become commodities, traded cheaply in global markets. Their mystique is fading. And yet, the allure of sparkle hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s simply shifting to smarter alternatives.
For Monaco women, Moissanite Extra Quality offers a new kind of luxury — one that’s not about legacy marketing or outdated ideals, but about self-expression, responsibility, and the joy of owning something beautiful.
Moissanite gives women the freedom to shine with bold, ethical glamour, whether at the Rose Ball or Sunday brunch by the sea.
A new symbol for a new era
Jewellery has always been a language — of love, of status, of identity. With moissanite, that language is being rewritten by women who know their worth. Women who want the shine, but not the sacrifice. Women who want their jewellery to say more than “I have”. They want it to say, “I choose”.
As Anna says, “Luxury is being reshaped. It’s about the woman. The goal is to shine. And moissanite lets her do exactly that.”
France is preparing for a fresh wave of national strike action on Thursday 2 October, with unions across education, transport, and public services rallying under a common call for a major mobilisation against austerity and stagnant wages.
The movement, initially sparked by the inter-union coalition’s frustration over failed negotiations with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, is now gaining strength across key sectors — particularly transport. All four of the SNCF’s representative unions — CGT-Cheminots, Unsa Ferroviaire, Sud Rail, and CFDT Cheminots — issued a joint communiqué on Thursday 25 September urging “massive mobilisation, through strike action and in the streets.”
“The Prime Minister has confirmed, if there was still any doubt, that he has no intention of changing course,” said the unions. “His government is continuing the agenda of privileging the wealthiest at the expense of workers. We demand real change — not just from the government, but from SNCF as well.”
The transport sector is expected to be particularly hard hit. While the previous strike on 18 September caused only moderate disruption — with around 90% of TGV trains still running — union leaders have warned that the impact on 2 October will be far more significant.
“This time, we’re united and determined,” said Sud Rail in a statement broadcast on French television. “The government has never looked so fragile. Now is the moment to strike hard — we have scores to settle.”
Education sector joins calls for better funding and pay
Education unions have also renewed their call for mobilisation. The CGU, which represents national education workers, reiterated its demands for more resources, new statutory positions, and fair wage increases after decades of stagnation. “October 2 must mark the beginning of a long mobilisation,” it said, urging staff to prepare general assemblies and consider strike extensions wherever possible.
The pressure on Prime Minister Lecornu has continued to mount since his appointment earlier this month. His newly announced “Effective State” plan — which includes spending freezes, administrative restructuring, and a freeze on communications budgets — has done little to ease tensions.
Unions demand end to austerity and meaningful government reform
While business groups prepare their own rally in mid-October, unions remain at the forefront of public opposition to the government’s economic policy. Over one million people reportedly joined the last protest day on 18 September. This second act, just two weeks later, could be even larger.
If confirmed, the scope of Thursday’s strike would mark the first major showdown between Lecornu and a united trade union front — and a significant test of the new Prime Minister’s ability to navigate France’s increasingly volatile political and social landscape.
Prince Albert II continued his diplomatic engagements in New York this week with a meaningful exchange at the United Nations, this time with Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara. The meeting, held on Wednesday at UN headquarters, focused on shared environmental goals and support for Indigenous-led climate action.
Accompanied by her chief of staff Francisco Filippo, Minister Guajajara discussed Brazil’s ongoing efforts to empower Indigenous communities in the protection of tropical forest ecosystems — a mission closely aligned with Monaco’s expanding environmental outreach in Latin America.
Monaco’s Sao Paulo branch and Indigenous-led conservation
The conversation spotlighted Monaco’s deepening commitment to the region through the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s new outpost in São Paulo. At the centre of that work is the ‘Forests and Communities’ initiative, which supports Indigenous populations in safeguarding fragile ecosystems across the tropics.
According to the Palace, Prince Albert II and Minister Guajajara found clear alignment in their environmental visions, reinforcing the role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in global conservation strategies.
Prince Albert II Welcomes Dialogue with Global Youth Compassion Leader
Later that afternoon, the Prince met with Asmita Satyarthi, Executive Director of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, during a private visit to Monaco’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Representing Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, she presented the movement’s core mission: to train the next generation of youth leaders through the lens of compassion.
Their ‘Compassion Leadership Academy’ focuses on building what the organisation calls a “compassion quotient” among young people — an emotional intelligence-based approach to tackling global injustices, from child labour to climate inequality.
Satyarthi praised Prince Albert II’s leadership in environmental advocacy and child protection, and expressed interest in forming a future partnership with Monaco to scale the programme’s impact.
Compassion meets policy
Described as a form of “compassionate diplomacy”, the meeting reflected a shared belief in education and empathy as driving forces for global change. With Monaco’s strong track record in youth engagement and sustainability, a collaboration between the Principality and the Satyarthi Movement could mark a new chapter in socially-driven international policy.
We have always talked about cars having their own personality, whether that comes from the styling, the brand image or the way it drives, and some people think that modern cars have less character, especially as they are becoming electrified. However, the pendulum is swinging the other way as new technology can improve the way the driver interacts with the vehicle. Your car was once just a carriage made of steel, rubber and glass, whereas now you can almost have a conversation with it. Or, at least, with the AI living in your car.
Mercedes seems to have taken a leap forward with the technology in the new CLA 250+ with EQ Technology. You no longer fiddle with buttons or even touch screens because now you talk directly to it in order to control many of the car’s functions.
You wake up the AI by saying “Hey Mercedes” and off you go. Tell it to increase the fan speed or lower the passenger window and it understands. Ask it to find you a nearby restaurant and it will give you several options before directing you there. You can even ask it any sort of question, just as you would enter a question into Google, and it will give you a response. Voice commands have been around for decades but never really caught on. Here, it’s positively impressive, because it’s so easy to use and it works. It won’t be long before you are chatting away to your car like it was a trusted friend.
The high-tech interior of the new Mercedes CLA 250+
Technology takes centre stage in the CLA, literally. A large screen stretches from one side of the car to the other, including a personal screen for the passenger. It is colourful, it works smoothly and if you can use a smartphone then you’ll feel at home in here.
The sunroof is a huge piece of glass that stretches uninterrupted from front to back and it can be darkened with a single command when the sun gets too hot or, at night, it will display a field of stars. The car can even park itself, which can be a bit unnerving the first time you take your hands off the wheel, as it spins by itself, but is actually a brilliant feature that might help save your alloy wheels.
The AI-powered electric vehicle signals a new era for Mercedes
Battery technology is also improving rapidly – this one has 20% better energy density than any electric Mercedes before it. The CLA eliminates one of the concerns of EVs with its huge 922 kms of potential range around town (orup to 791 kms on the combined WLTP cycle) and 800v electrical architecture that can give you up to 325 kms of range in just 10 minutes on a fast charger. Four levels of braking regeneration are possible, and it is relatively discreet when driving, but regen becomes less of an issue for the driver when the range is so good to start with.
Around town, the CLA 250+ is serene, even with one of several artificial noises engaged, and rides very well on less than perfect roads. At one point, the car even warned me of a particularly large pothole coming up in the road ahead (called a “nid-de-poule, a hen’s nest in French, in case you were wondering), giving the impression that this car is really looking out for you.
The Mercedes CLA 250+ is a comfortable size for city driving
It’s not a huge saloon, so is easy to manoeuvre in traffic, and the single e-motor has enough instant power to respond quickly when you need it. 0-100km/h takes 6.7 seconds. Handling is more ‘reassuring’ than ‘sporty’ and in terms of speed it is nippy rather than furious, although the more powerful CLA 350+ should cater for drivers who desire a bit more oomph. As with all the best electric cars, at low speeds it feels more powerful than it is despite the extra weight of the battery.
Overall impressions? Well, it’s a talking car that is able to carry out your instructions and answer your questions, that is able to park itself, can understand the world around it and which actively helps make your drive easier and safer. It’s almost as if the car is alive, and it is certainly intelligent. It drives very nicely, it goes a long way on a charge, it has good luggage space (front and back), the massive glass roof is a nice feature and the interior is very modern without being too bling. With a starting price of 52,900€, you get a lot for your money in a very attractive package.
Richard McCreery is Monaco Life’s Car Contributor. See more of his reviews:
