Monaco’s Museum of Stamps and Coins is presenting a unique perspective on the Principality’s architectural heritage through a new exhibition running until December 31st.
‘Architecture in Philately: A History in Miniature’ features 120 rare and exceptional philatelic pieces that follow Monaco’s architectural evolution from historic landmarks to contemporary developments.
“I arrived in February as the new head of the museum with the main mission of revitalising this place, which had been somewhat forgotten,” Flavie Bonnin-Novaretti, head of the Museum of Stamps and Coins, told Monaco Life.
The exhibition, which opened on October 4th, was timed to coincide with European Heritage Day on October 5th.
The stamps provide a visual timeline of Monaco’s changing landscape. The oldest piece in the collection dates from 1939 and shows Port Hercule and the Rock extending to Spélugues. This is contrasted with a 2023 block depicting the extensive urban development that has since transformed the area.
“Architecture is a theme that has been enormously covered in philatelic issues,” said Bonnin-Novaretti. “The idea is that we can trace neighbourhoods or the evolution of buildings through time.”
The exhibition tracks the transformation of entire districts, including Larvotto from its 1966 appearance through to Renzo Piano’s recent redesign and the inauguration of the Marettera extension.
One of the stamp collections, photo by Monaco Life.
Tracking evolution
Additionally, one highlight is a series of stamps showing the evolution of the Prince’s Palace, featuring lesser-known architectural details. The collection spans from depictions of the Rock in the 17th century through to the most recent stamp issued, which shows modifications made before 2015. The series includes the Serravalle Bastion, the Clock Tower, the Odeon Tower, and the All Saints Tower.
“It allows people to gain cultural knowledge in a slightly different way, while admiring the beauty of stamps, which are truly works of art.” explained Bonnin-Novaretti.
The exhibition also demonstrates the artistic process behind stamp creation, particularly those produced using the intaglio printing technique, which requires a definer, an engraver, and a specific printing method recognised as an artistic discipline.
Machine used for stamp printing, photo by Monaco Life.
The display includes cultural monuments on one side and religious buildings on the other side, with particular attention give to Fontvieille’s development, from the initial sea expansion and land reclamation through to the construction of the district’s iconic buildings.
The Museum of Stamps and Coins is located at the Terrasses de Fontvieille and is open Monday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5pm.
Captain Paul Watson doesn’t wear a cape, but he’s been called a hero. He’s also been labelled a pirate, a terrorist, a troublemaker. Sitting across from him in Monaco, however, you meet a man who is remarkably calm, reflective, and poetic. The 73-year-old has spent his life in service of the sea — chasing whalers, confronting navies, ramming illegal ships, getting arrested, and, more recently, writing poetry.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 10,” he tells me ahead of a talk at the Monaco Press Club. “That summer, I spent every day swimming with a family of beavers in New Brunswick. But the next year, they were gone. Trapped. Killed. That made me angry, so I started walking traplines, freeing animals and destroying traps. I guess I’ve been doing the same thing ever since.”
Watson’s unwavering sense of justice has been his compass ever since. As a co-founder of Greenpeace and the founder of Sea Shepherd, his legacy is filled with controversy, conviction, and results. Now, through the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, he’s continuing the fight — more focused than ever.
Aggressive Non-Violence
Watson’s split from Greenpeace in the 1970s came down to philosophy. Greenpeace, guided in part by Quaker principles, encouraged “bearing witness” but not taking action. That didn’t sit well with Watson.
“One day, during the seal campaign, a sealer was about to kill a pup. I grabbed his club, threw it in the ocean, and rescued the seal. Greenpeace said they couldn’t support what I had done. I said, ‘Well, I’d do it again.’” And so I left.
That break led to the formation of Sea Shepherd and a new strategy: “aggressive non-violence”.
“We intervene directly, but we’ve never injured anyone, never lost a lawsuit, and never been convicted of a crime. It gets confusing, though, because many of these criminal operations are supported by governments, which means there are confrontations with navies and policing agencies. But we’ve always been consistent: what we oppose is illegal. I’ve been arrested and jailed many times, but there’s nobody else who does quite what we do.”
Over the course of eight years, Captain Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherds saved over 6,500 whales and eventually drove the whalers out of the southern ocean.
“There are international regulations, but no enforcement. That’s the biggest issue. We need a global marine enforcement agency, a kind of ocean police.”
“If the oceans die, we die”
Watson’s mantra is simple, terrifying, and true: “If the oceans die, we die.” The oceans, he explains, are our life support system, and it’s failing.
“Since 1950, phytoplankton — which provides 70% of our oxygen — has declined by 40%. If we lose that, we don’t survive. The ocean is the life support system of the planet. It needs to be protected and we all have an obligation to do everything we can to protect life and diversity in the sea.”
While trying to prevent a whale hunt, Captain Paul Watson’s future was sealed. Photo credit: Todd Cravens, Unsplash
A Whale’s Eye and a Turning Point
One of the most powerful stories Watson shares is the moment that changed him forever.
“It was my first direct confrontation with whalers. We positioned ourselves between them and the whales — that standoff lasted about 20 minutes. Then they fired a harpoon over our heads. The harpoon struck one of the whales in the back, and she screamed — I never knew whales could scream like that. She rolled over in a fountain of blood, and for a moment, I thought she was going to launch herself onto our boat.
“In her final throws, I caught her eye… and what I saw there changed my life. That whale had the power to kill us — but she didn’t. She chose not to. I believe she understood what we were trying to do.”
That’s when aggressive intervention became a moral imperative.
Since then, Watson and his crew have shut down 90% of the world’s whaling operations. “Australia went from being a whaling nation to the whales’ greatest defender. That’s real change.”
A Prince, A Protest, and A Walkout in Monaco
Watson’s connection with Monaco dates back to 1997, when the International Whaling Commission held a meeting here.
“Prince Rainier invited us, and our ship docked right outside the meeting. I wasn’t allowed inside — I was banned. But then Prince Albert came aboard and gave me a personal invitation to the reception for the delegates.”
The result? The entire Japanese and Norwegian delegations walked out in protest.
Photo credit: Jonathan Xu, Unsplash
The poet behind the pirate
Watson has been arrested multiple times — in Newfoundland, the Netherlands, and most recently in Greenland in 2024, on a 14-year-old Interpol Red Notice initiated by Japan. The charge? “Conspiracy to trespass and obstruct business,” he says, “over actions where no one was hurt and nothing was stolen.” The Red Notice system, typically reserved for war criminals and drug lords, had been weaponised against an ocean activist. “They were furious about our Southern Ocean campaigns,” he adds.
He spent five months in detention, during which France, Brazil, and French Polynesia came to his defence. Even President Emmanuel Macron reached out personally. “He said I would always be safe in France, as long as I’m a resident.” Interpol eventually ruled the charges politically motivated, and Watson’s freedom was restored.
“Every situation can be used as an opportunity,” he reflects. “My arrest in Greenland brought global attention back to Japanese whaling and the killing of dolphins in the Faroe Islands.” During his time in custody, he received more than 7,000 letters and tried to answer as many as he could. He smiles, quoting Gandhi: “Going to jail is a good time to catch up on your reading and writing.” He used that time to write — not only books, but poetry. “Writing keeps me centred,” he says. “Poetry — that’s what keeps me safe.”
And as for the pirate label? “A U.S. federal judge officially called me one. I’ll take it. Pirates, after all, challenge empires.”
When Fame Becomes a Liability
In 2022, Watson was ousted from Sea Shepherd — the organisation he founded — due to growing corporate discomfort with his confrontational methods.
“Because of the success of the TV shows Whale Wars, we attracted major funding, including from insurance companies and lotteries. And suddenly, I became a liability. Too controversial. Too confrontational.”
A court later ruled his dismissal illegal, and Sea Shepherd France, Brazil, and the UK remained loyal to the philosophy of aggressive non-violence. So, Watson set up the Captain Paul Watson Foundation to continue the original mission.
Krill trawlers are now the target of Captain Paul Watson and his Foundation. Photo source: Sea Shepherd
The Foundation’s New Frontlines
With two ships now under his command, Paul Watson’s foundation continues its direct-action campaigns in hotspots around the globe — from protecting sea turtle hatchlings in Central America to confronting dolphin and whale hunts in Japan and the Faroe Islands.
But his most urgent fight now lies in the Southern Ocean.
“We saved the whales in the Southern Ocean, but now they’re being threatened by these krill harvesters,” he says. “They’re pulling out 650,000 tonnes a year — the base of the food chain for whales, penguins, seals — and turning it into a cheap protein paste for salmon farms and chicken feed. It’s just another case of exploitation of all living things in the ocean for the purpose of making money.”
Watson plans to bring the issue to COP30 in Brazil, backed by President Lula, as his Foundation pushes to make krill trawling a defining battleground in ocean conservation.
Captain Paul Watson during the Monaco Press Club event on Wednesday 9th October. Photo source: Monaco Press Club
Legacy and imagination
When asked what he hopes his legacy will be, he hesitates. “I’ve never really thought about it. It’s not for me to define.”
But he smiles as he recalls some of the people who’ve crewed for him — over 5,000 volunteers in total. “One of my crew, Alex Pacheco, was 18 when he joined us. After our campaign against the pirate whaler Sierra, he told me he wanted to do something about the way chimpanzees were treated in labs. I told him, ‘Then do it.’ He went home, infiltrated a lab, exposed the cruelty, shut it down, and founded PETA. That’s the point — to inspire people to act.”
He pauses before adding quietly:
“The strength of an ecosystem is in diversity. The strength of a movement is, too. Real change comes from individuals who are inspired by passion, courage, and imagination. That’s what changes things, not governments.
“So if you see something that you really love – an ecosystem or a species – in danger, then do something about it. You really can make a difference.”
Stade Louis II is set to receive a fresh red and white colour scheme as part of its current refurbishment works, the government confirmed.
During a National Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Minister of State Christophe Mirmand disclosed that Prince Albert II has chosen a mosaic featuring red and white seats distributed across all areas of the ground. The red seating will also include a gradient effect.
A notable addition will see supporter sections and general admission areas fitted with retractable seats. This will allow spectators to either stand during football matches, similar to traditional supporter sections in other European stadiums, or sit for other sporting events such as the Herculis athletics meeting.
With the initial stage of renovation work now underway, the new seating will be fitted progressively as each phase of the project advances. The entire renovation is scheduled for completion by May 2027.
France is preparing for the appointment of a new Prime Minister after President Emmanuel Macron’s office announced on Wednesday that a replacement would be chosen within the next two days. It comes as the country struggles through its worst political crisis since Macron took office in 2017.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who stepped down after just 27 days in office, has confirmed he completed his mission to negotiate with other political parties. His brief tenure makes his government the shortest in modern French history.
“I tried everything,” Lecornu told France 2 television. “This evening, my mission is finished.”
Lecornu stressed that despite three weeks of intense negotiations, political parties refused to compromise, leaving him unable to form a functioning government.
At the heart of the crisis is a spending cuts package designed to tackle France’s mounting dept. When Lecornu unveiled his cabinet, it sparked immediate backlash from both left and right. Many complained that his team included the same people from the previous government; the one that had just failed.
He resigned the next day.
Macron then asked Lecornu to spend 48 hours trying to find a solution that different parties could agree on. What Lecornu found was that parliament members did not want new elections. “There is an absolute majority in the National Assembly opposed to dissolution,” Lecornu said, noting that “210 parliament members want a platform of stability”.
This meant Macron could try appointing a new government without calling fresh elections. The presidential office said there was “a platform for stability” that could allow a budget to pass by the end of the year.
Why parliament is stuck
The very root of the problem is that no single party controls parliament. Last year, Macron called snap elections hoping to strengthen his position. Instead, the results left parliament split between multiple parties with no clear majority.
Macron’s centrist party now works alongside the centre-right Republicans party, but even together they don’t have enough votes to pass legislation without support from the other parties.
This weakness has already overthrown two prime ministers before Lecornu. Both Michel Barnier and François Bayrou were voted out by parliament. The far right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, has made clear it will “vote against everything” that any new government proposes.
The biggest source of tension remains a pension reform that raises the retirement age and sparked months of protests. It remains deeply unpopular. However, Lecornu warned that abandoning it would cost at least three billion euros by 2027.
Macron has now found himself increasingly isolated. Even Édouard Philippe, a former prime minister and once his close ally, has called for presidential elections to resolve the crisis.
However, Lecornu strongly rejected the idea that Macron himself should step down. He said “it’s not the moment to change the president”, pointing to global tensions and France’s international responsibilities as reasons to maintain stability.
Instead, Lecornu suggested the next government should be less focused on politics and more focused on solving problems. He said ministers should not be thinking about running in the 2027 presidential election. They should simply focus on governing.
What now?
A new budget proposal will go to cabinet on Monday. “It won’t be perfect,” Lecornu acknowledged. “There will be a lot of debate”. But he gave no hint about who might replace him.
Macron could reappoint Lecornu, choose someone entirely new, or try a different approach altogether. Whatever he decides though will shape how France tackles its budget crisis and tries to restore some stability.
For now, the next 48 hours are crucial. France has already had five prime minsters in less than two years, leading to questions as to whether the country can still be governed effectively.
In celebration of the upcoming International Day of the Girl, Monaco’s Town Hall has unveiled an exhibition featuring the reflections of children aged six to 12 on gender equality, alongside the announcement of a new initiative to support young girls in the Principality.
The opening took place on Monday morning in the presence of Mayor Georges Marsan, Deputy Mayor Chloé Boscagli-Leclercq, and Céline Cottalorda, Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, as well as members of the Communal Council, institutional representatives and local associations.
The display, now installed in the Town Hall atrium, showcases the words of 18 children from the Mini-Club who participated in a creative workshop led by the Town Hall and the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights. The initiative, now in its third year, offers insight into how Monaco’s youngest citizens perceive gender equality. It will remain on view until 13th October.
During the event, the Town Hall also announced the extension of its free period product programme to key municipal sites frequented by young people. The project, initially launched at Pavillon Bosio in 2022, is being expanded in partnership with SheCanHeCan, led by Vibeke Thomsen, and has been recognised by the FIA Formula E Better Futures Fund.
Monaco’s new Minister of State Christophe Mirmand appeared to pass his first major political test this week, presenting the revised 2025 budget to the National Council in a session marked by constructive tone and broad alignment on key priorities. From housing and transport to environmental policy and major infrastructure, the debate was characterised by what Council President Thomas Brezzo called a welcome “convergence of views”.
Held on 7th October, the session followed the release of Monaco’s revised financial plan, which revealed a striking reversal of the Principality’s fiscal outlook: a budget surplus of €86 million, up from a projected deficit of €88.6 million earlier in the year.
From Deficit to Surplus — and the Need for Caution
Much of the surplus is attributed to a sharp rise in property-related VAT revenues, particularly linked to transactions at the Mareterra development. However, Mirmand urged caution, noting that such income remains volatile and often depends on private reporting by developers.
“We are studying a legal mechanism to make the registration of private sales agreements mandatory,” he told lawmakers, “to better forecast fiscal income linked to real estate and reduce uncertainty in future budget planning.”
Fontvieille Shopping Centre Project Gains Momentum
Among the most discussed topics was the long-awaited redevelopment of the Fontvieille Shopping Centre. The government’s updated plans — unveiled in July — were welcomed by Council members for meeting expectations in terms of commercial scope, public services, and cultural ambition.
The new project includes at least four next-generation cinemas, while key services such as the supermarket and pharmacy will remain open throughout the works. Minister Mirmand said every existing tenant would receive individual support from the state’s real estate department. “Negotiations with the private operator are ongoing,” he said, “with the goal of securing a balanced concession agreement.”
Infrastructure and Mobility: Rail Takes Priority
Mobility, long a challenge for the Principality, remains high on the agenda. Finance and Economy Commission President Franck Julien stressed the need for a multimodal transport system, while the government reinforced its focus on regional rail upgrades.
Mirmand confirmed that ERTMS modernisation will increase train frequency between Nice and Monaco from every 15 minutes to every 10, with hopes of reducing this further. Improvements to the Zou! and Zest bus systems were also cited, alongside continued development of the La Brasca park-and-ride project, which is now undergoing candidate evaluation. The project, estimated at €1.2 billion, includes a proposed express underground link.
The government confirmed that Monaco would now pursue the reconstruction of its waste treatment facility on the current site, following the cancellation of the costly ‘Symbiose’ project. While broadly supportive of the move, the Council requested further details on costs and capacity.
In housing, the government confirmed 696 state-owned units have been delivered since 2019, with six new projects – totaling 460 homes – scheduled over five years. In response to calls for more three-bedroom state units, especially to support multigenerational households, Mirmand said the issue “deserved further examination”. He also introduced plans for a reimagined urbanisation of La Rousse, replacing earlier Annonciade II nomenclature with a more comprehensive district vision.
FATF Grey List and Financial Reforms
On financial transparency, the Minister reiterated Monaco’s progress toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list, describing the Principality’s reform trajectory as “positive”.
“All required actions scheduled before the June 2025 plenary were deemed largely addressed,” he said, adding that Monaco expects a further evaluation in October, with potential removal from the grey list in 2026.
Hospital and Media Sectors Also in Focus
The revised budget includes an additional €90 million for the new Princess Grace Hospital Centre, bringing total allocated funding to €200 million. The first phase is expected to open by late 2025, with full operations by 2026.
The Minister also confirmed that Monaco would consolidate its public broadcasters under a new, independent channel, following a completed audit of TV Monaco and Monaco Info. Operational changes are expected to begin in 2026.
A Constructive Tone to Close
Despite moments of debate — particularly over long-term forecasting and waste infrastructure — both the executive and elected officials closed the session on a note of consensus.
Council President Thomas Brezzo praised the government’s decision to remove a controversial €20 million CTVD provision from the budget and welcomed the general spirit of cooperation. “There is clearly room for dialogue,” he said. “This revised budget reflects both prudence and ambition.”
