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Day: 7 October 2025

Fake Irish aristocrat jailed in Nice for defrauding French actor Dany Boon of €7 million

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/10/2025

A Frenchman who posed as an Irish aristocrat has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Nice Criminal Court for his role in a multimillion-euro fraud that reportedly involved luxury yachts, offshore accounts and high-society circles stretching from Monaco to Panama.

According to Nice-Matin, Thierry Fialek-Birles, aged 36, was convicted on 26th September of fraud, forgery, use of forged documents and money laundering. He was also fined €300,000. The court heard that he had deceived French actor and director Dany Boon out of nearly €7 million through a series of fictitious investments and marine management schemes.

Monaco connections under investigation

Fialek-Birles, who presented himself as Lord Terry Birles of Ireland, is now also reportedly the subject of a separate investigation by Monaco’s justice authorities, who have issued an international warrant for suspected money laundering linked to funds that allegedly passed through the Principality. The Nice-Matin report states that the Monegasque inquiry extends to one of his former partners and that investigators believe part of the missing money may have been routed through local accounts.

A con built on Riviera respectability

According to The Guardian, Fialek-Birles cultivated an image of wealth and sophistication, telling acquaintances that he had studied at Oxford and that his girlfriend worked as an adviser to the Prince Albert II Foundation. He was known to frequent yachting circles between Monaco, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and the Côte d’Azur, and appeared, by all accounts, entirely at ease in those surroundings.

In 2021, he reportedly met Dany Boon in Monaco through former America’s Cup sailor Marc Pajot, and offered to oversee the maintenance of Boon’s newly purchased 21-metre yacht Umaren. The actor subsequently transferred €2.2 million to a Dublin-registered company, South Seas Merchants Mariners Ltd Partnership, for yacht management and insurance. Later, he was persuaded to invest a further €4.5 million in what was described as a tax-free financial product allegedly linked to the Central Bank of Ireland.

Both the investment and the company were found to be fictitious. When Boon asked to withdraw his money, he was reportedly told the business had been sold to an Italian family — which, investigators later confirmed, did not exist.

Arrest and trial in Nice

After disappearing for more than two years, Fialek-Birles was arrested in Panama in February 2024 following an Interpol red notice, according to The Guardian. He was extradited to France in the summer of that year.

During his trial, Nice-Matin reported that he appeared composed and articulate, telling the court that he spoke seven languages and wished to “make amends” by releasing €9 million allegedly frozen in offshore accounts. Prosecutors rejected this claim, arguing that much of the stolen money had been spent on luxury goods, property and artwork.

The prosecution sought a six-year term, describing Fialek-Birles as a repeat offender with a history of deception. The court sentenced him to five years and imposed a €300,000 fine, citing the “scale and sophistication” of the fraud.

Wider implications for Monaco and the Riviera

The Nice-Matin report adds that Monaco’s separate investigation remains ongoing and is focused on tracing any funds that may have moved through the Principality. It comes amid heightened scrutiny of financial transparency laws in Monaco.

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Anahi Monaco: how a Parisian legend found its way to Monaco

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
07/10/2025

Some restaurants are born from grand ambitions. Others are created from something more: a feeling, an atmosphere, a bittersweet memory you want to hold on to for just a little longer. Anahi emerged from the latter category. 

The story begins in 1990s Paris, in a former butcher shop in the 3rd arrondissement. There, a charismatic woman named Carmina Lebrero created something unique. The space was tiny, just 25 seats, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in soul. Word spread quickly. This wasn’t just another Argentine steakhouse, it was somewhere people felt truly alive, where evenings stretched long into the night.

Riccardo Giraudi, a restaurateur who’s dined everywhere from Tokyo to New York, became a devoted regular. “I’ve never spent evenings like the ones I’ve had there,” he said. In 2017, captivated by what he’d experienced, he took over the address, bringing in architects Humbert & Poyet to refresh the space while preserving its welcoming spirit. The formula also remained unchanged: exceptional meat, an intimate setting, and a feeling of warmth.

This summer, that same spirit arrived in Monaco. The new address on rue du Portier brings Anahi’s Argentine cuisine to the Riviera, allowing more diners to experience what made that small Parisian butcher so beloved.

Anahi arrives in Monaco

When walking into Anahi Monaco, you immediately understand what drew Giraudi in that tiny Parisian butcher shop. The space is both elegant and comfortable, decorated with velvet couches and chairs in deep, rich tones, giving you that nostalgic feeling of a warm Christmas night.

The lighting, blending perfectly together with the decoration, is low but never gloomy, putting you in that sort of place where conversation flows as freely as the wine.

Anahi Monaco, photo credit: Marion Butet Studio

However, it’s the meat that is still the star of the restaurant. The kitchen works with top quality cuts, cooking them over charcoal in the traditional Argentine manner. The technique might seem simple, but their Black Angus cut, which arrives with a charred exterior and a rose interior needs no fuss to speak for itself.

The menu also includes playful openings such as Mini Churros with caviar, and an Empanada de Carne Cortada filled with beef fillet and charred vegetables.

Meanwhile, the restaurant’s service is as inviting as its menu, attending to every need before it arises, always attentive but without hovering, creating the perfect environment.

Perhaps the reason for Anahi’s success is they understand that great ingredients need little interference. Or perhaps it’s the warmth of the place, or the hospitality. Well, whatever the alchemy, it works.

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Main photo credit: Marion Butet Studio

Autumn fair set to return to Monaco’s Port Hercule

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/10/2025
monaco foire attractions

Monaco’s much-loved autumn fair is set to return from Friday 17th October to Wednesday 19th November, transforming Port Hercule into a world of rides, lights and festive flavours.

A highlight of the Toussaint school holidays, the Foire Attractions has long been a fixture for families and friends looking to enjoy the season together. This year, around 80 stallholders will bring an array of attractions to the harbour, from bumper cars and slides to traditional games of skill.

New rides for thrill-seekers

For visitors seeking a rush of adrenaline, two new rides, Party The Best and Gyroscope, will debut on the Darse Sud, joining the fair’s line-up of high-energy attractions.

The culinary offerings promise to be just as tempting, with waffles, doughnuts, toffee apples, crêpes, Hungarian brioches, hot dogs and more lining the quayside.

Practical information and safety

Food stands and children’s rides will open daily from 11am, with the fair closing at 11pm each evening. Opening hours will be extended to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays, with a special 1am closure on Tuesday 18th November, the eve of Monaco’s National Day.

As in previous years, security measures will be in place. Entry will be via eight designated gates along Quai Albert I, with bag checks at each. Visitors are advised to bring light bags to ease controls. On Halloween, costumes will be welcome, but accessories resembling weapons will not be permitted.

To ensure visitor safety, access will be limited once capacity is reached. Attendance can be monitored in real time on the Mairie’s website, www.mairie.mc, and residents are encouraged to check crowd levels before heading to the Port.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

Eva Longoria and Princess Stéphanie unite for Monaco’s first Global Gift Gala

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/10/2025

Monaco has added a new highlight to its social calendar with the successful debut of the Global Gift Gala, held for the first time on Saturday inside the Hôtel de Paris.

Organised by CMC, the agency co-founded by Camille Gottlieb and Medy Antony, the inaugural gala took place at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and raised more than €400,000 for charitable projects around the world.

A night of glamour with purpose

Eva Longoria, who serves as honorary chair of the Global Gift Foundation, was radiant as she walked the red carpet before presenting Princess Stéphanie of Monaco with the Philanthropy Award in recognition of her long-standing dedication to humanitarian causes, particularly Fight Aids Monaco. “We are present in around 10 countries, with galas in Paris and Cannes,” revealed Longoria. “This community is very generous and glamorous — it’s the perfect evening to raise funds to support a foundation that helps families in need.”

Longoria highlighted several key initiatives supported by the foundation, including Casa Ángeles, which provides therapies for children whose families cannot afford them, and Quan Châu, an orphanage in Vietnam that receives ongoing assistance.

A gala with a cause

The Monegasque Princely family turned out in full support of the event. Princess Stéphanie attended alongside her children Camille Gottlieb, Louis Ducruet and Marie Ducruet, as well as Alexandre Grimaldi, Prince Albert II’s son. The evening also featured appearances by singer Vitaa and music legend Daddy Yankee, who was among the night’s honourees.

A successful debut for Monaco

With over €400,000 raised on the night, Eva Longoria revealed that the funds would help more than 2,000 children worldwide. For Monaco, it marked the beginning of what could become a powerful annual tradition of giving.

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

Final phase of Larvotto beach protection works begins in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/10/2025

Monaco has launched the final stage of its long-term coastal protection and enhancement plan for Larvotto beach, with new eco-engineering works starting this October and continuing through to April 2026.

The project marks the continuation of interventions carried out over the previous winter and will see the removal of existing geotubes along the shore. These will be replaced by three newly constructed rock islets designed to stabilise the coastline and safeguard the beach’s long-term environmental and recreational value.

According to the government, the new infrastructure has been developed with ecological considerations in mind, supporting local marine biodiversity while providing a durable defence against coastal erosion. The aim is to reinforce the area’s resilience while preserving its appeal as one of the Principality’s most popular public beaches.

The Larvotto beach will remain open to the public throughout the works, with only a limited section temporarily affected during October. At sea, a restricted zone will be established for the duration of the operations to ensure safety. Swimming and diving will be prohibited within this clearly marked area during the intervention period.

All restaurants and shops within the Larvotto complex will continue operating as normal, without disruption.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

Time to get spooky: your guide to Halloween in Monaco

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
07/10/2025

From mid-October through early November, Monaco is welcoming the Halloween spirit with a packed programme of events for all ages. Whether you’re searching for family-friendly activities, themed dining experiences, or late-night costume parties, the Principality has something spooky for all. 

To start, the heart of Monaco is being dressed for the season, with the Casino Square set to feature oversized moths and illuminated pumpkins. Across Monaco, people will be able to witness witch hats dangling overhead, black and orange butterflies, and glowing jack-o’-lanterns decorating everything from hotel façades to shopping arcades. The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Casino de Monte-Carlo, and various restaurants and walkways are all joining in the fun.

Young guests staying at the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer hotels will receive a trick-or-treat kit in their rooms, complete with a map showing where to collect sweets around the properties.

For the little ones

On October 29th at New Moods, there are two separate children’s events. The afternoon session from 2:30pm to 4:30pm caters to four to seven-years-olds with magic performances, craft activities, sweet stands, and face-painting. Later, from 6pm to 9pm, eight to 12-years-olds can enjoy DJ music and snack buffet. Both cost €45 per child, with free entry for parents and drinks sold separately upstairs.

The Mairie is also hosting an afternoon party at Parc Princess Antoinette on October 31st between 2pm and 6pm. Open only to children aged three and up who live in or go to school in Monaco, the event features mascots, a witch character, a costume contest, a photo booth, face-painting, music from a DJ, loads of sweets, and brownie sales. Entry is through the upper part of the park on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, where brownies are also sold. There’s also a game area run by La Boîte de Jeux.

Halloween at Parc Princesse Antoinette. Photo credit: Michael Alesi, Government Communications Department

Later that evening, the festivities continue at the Centre Botanique from 7:30pm, where La Boîte de Jeux hosts a special Halloween game night. Free entry for students and Monaco residents aged eight and up, but registration is required by email at jardin-exotique@mairie.mc.

Meanwhile, the Foire Attractions at the Port of Monaco will stay open until midnight on October 31st. Costumes are welcome, though weapon-like accessories are prohibited for security reasons

Lastly, the Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique de Monaco is offering a unique twist on Halloween with two prehistoric-themed afternoons. On October 27th, five to seven year olds can participate in prehistoric engraving workshops, take a guided tour of “scary prehistoric animals,” and enjoy a candy hunt. 

The following day, on October 28th, caters to children aged eight and up with the sam activities. Both sessions cost €15 per child, with limited spaces available. Costumes are of course encouraged. Registration is requited via e-mail at map@gouv.mc or by calling +37798988006. 

Spooky dining

Café de Paris Monte-Carlo is embracing the Halloween spirit this year, with the hotel adorned in festive floral displays and a themed seasonal welcome. On 31st October, the iconic brasserie will add a playful touch to lunchtime by hosting two professional face-painters who will be creating imaginative designs for guests of all ages and handing out complimentary sweets. Young visitors taking part in the hotel’s treasure hunt will also be able to collect treats from the venue. Face-painting will be offered free of charge with every meal purchased from the standard menu.

Over at Marlow in the Mareterra neighbourhood, Halloween décor goes up from October 20th, building to a special brunch on November 1st. Served from 11:30am to 3pm with menus from €55, it includes decorations, sweet bags, and free face-painting for children.

On November 2nd, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort’s Calypso Room hosts a Halloween-themed version of its usual champagne brunch. From 12:30pm to 3pm, guests can enjoy a themed buffet, a sweet bar, a magician’s performance, and face-painting. It’s priced €35 for three to five-year-olds, €68 for 6 to 12 year olds, and €135 for those aged 12 and up (with unlimited Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut included).

Evening Entertainment

Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo is brining Halloween to its Asian fusion menu from October 29th to November 1st, with chef Eric Guillemaud creating pumpkin-based dishes alongside the restaurant’s usual menu in a mystical setting. Additionally, on 31st October, it’s costume-only for ‘Buddhalloween’, an immersive dining experience with special menu suggestions.

Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo, the Principality’s famous nightclub, throws a costume party on October 31st with atmospheric decorations and the Tantrüm collective providing music until sunrise.

At Sass Café, guests are invited to step into Tim Burton’s darkly whimsical world as the iconic hotspot transforms into Burton’s Café for one unforgettable night. Guests are invited to embrace the eerie glamour and surreal imagination of the legendary filmmaker, with the venue dressed in hauntingly elegant décor that blurs the line between fantasy and nightmare.

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Main photo credit: Kenny Eliason, Unsplash