Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene inaugurated the new headquarters of Monaco’s electricity and gas company, SMEG, on Wednesday 15th October, in a ceremony attended by government officials, company representatives, and notable figures from across the Principality.
Now officially named Immeuble SMEG, the 10-storey building spans 12,000 square metres and marks a major new chapter for the company, which celebrates its 135th anniversary this year. The new site will house SMEG’s operational teams, as well as private tenants and several government departments.
Speaking at the event, Thomas Battaglione, CEO of SMEG, welcomed Their Serene Highnesses and underscored the significance of the building not only as a modern workspace, but as a symbol of the company’s long-standing role in Monaco’s infrastructure.
Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace
This latest inauguration also holds historical resonance. It comes more than 35 years after the original SMEG headquarters was opened by Prince Rainier III, who was joined at the time by then–Hereditary Prince Albert. The moment was recalled during the ceremony as a reminder of the continuity between generations and the evolution of public service in the Principality.
The new building is part of a broader effort to modernise public infrastructure while meeting current environmental and efficiency standards, in line with Monaco’s long-term energy strategy.
Ever Monaco’s 20th edition opened on October 15th with sessions examining how extreme-condition testing and urban infrastructure development are advancing electric mobility. The forum has been held annually in Monaco and is focusing on renewable energy and sustainable transport.
The two-day event runs until Thursday evening, when winners of a start-up competition with €20,000 in prizes will be announced.
Desert racing tests electric limits
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc, a women-only off-road rally held annually in Morocco, shared how desert racing has contributed to electric vehicle development. The rally introduced an electric vehicle category in 2017 and is ISO 14001 certified for environmental management.
Dominique Serra, founder and director of the rally, speaking to Monaco Life, explained the technical challenges faced in extreme conditions.
“When we set up the electric category, we had to make improvements to the vehicles for batteries, cooling and kilometre optimisation,” she said. “We’ve been able to provide information so that we can work more sustainably and concretely on vehicles in the city.”
Dominique Serra, photo by Monaco Life.
The rally initially created a separate electric route due to range constraints. “We didn’t have charging points all along the desert,” Serra said. “Battery optimisation was very important because you had to check that you were taking the most direct route possible to save your battery.”
However, retrofit technology has changed the picture. “For two years now, we’ve integrated retrofit vehicles into the race and the four-wheel-drive category,” she said. “It’s been a real performance and success.”
Serra, though, was clear about current limitations. “We hope to have 100% electric four-wheel-drives. It’s not quite ready yet, because the manufacturers aren’t quite there.”
She also noted what she sees as different approaches to sustainable technology. “Women are more pragmatic,” she said. “Women don’t just look for power and speed, they also look for what they can do in terms of use and relevance of use.”
Monaco’s electric infrastructure
SMEG, Monaco’s electricity and gas company which has operated in Monaco for over 133 years, outlined its electric mobility services at the event. David Passini, a sales representative at the company, explained that the Mobee car-sharing system now runs approximately 80 vehicles available to both Monaco residents and visitors.
The service includes Renault Twizys for journeys within Monaco and neighbouring towns like Cap d’Ail, Beausoleil and Roquebrune, while Smart and Tesla Model 3 vehicles allow users to travel freely across the PACA region in France and into the Italian regions of Liguria and Piemonte.
On electricity sourcing, Passini told Monaco Life: “Any electric contract up to 36 KVA has 100% green electricity guaranteed in the contract.” The 36 KVA threshold covers most standard residential properties in Monaco.
Wednesday’s session included a morning conference on luxury sector corporate social responsibility, while the afternoon’s conference focused on future energy and vehicles.
Fifteen start-ups pitched throughout the day, competing for prizes from a €20,000 pool including an €8,000 first prize. The companies are developing technologies ranging from CO₂ conversion systems to mobile solar stations and electric foil boats.
Technical roundtables ran in the late afternoon, examining electric vehicle deployment challenges, charging infrastructure rollout, and the role of alternative fuels like hydrogen and bioGNV alongside electrification.
Thursday’s schedule
Thursday morning’s programme continued the technical roundtables on electromobility and renewable energy.
At 2pm, a conference on 20 years of mobility in Monaco will feature Bernard Fautrier, EVER’s honorary president, Deputy Mayor Marjorie Crovetto, SMEG’s Anthony Dupont, and Environment Minister Céline Caron Dagioni.
The start-up competition winners will be announced at 3:30.
Monaco is preparing to mark its Fête Nationale 2025 with a vibrant and diverse cultural line-up that will unfold over several days. Organised by the Mairie de Monaco, the programme is designed to appeal to all ages and backgrounds, with a blend of music, theatre, comedy, fireworks, and time-honoured local traditions. All events are free of charge for Monégasques and residents.
The celebrations begin on Saturday 15th November with a theatrical performance of L’Île au Trésor at Espace Léo Ferré. Designed for children aged five and up, the show invites families on a high-seas adventure featuring pirates, mysterious maps, and hidden treasure. It promises an engaging and lively afternoon for the youngest residents of the Principality.
On Tuesday 18th November, the sky above Port Hercule will be lit up with a pyromelodic fireworks display starting at 8:10pm, setting the tone for the National Day festivities. The evening continues with a concert by Superbus at 9pm at Espace Léo Ferré. The French pop-rock band, whose early 2000s hits remain widely recognised, will perform a mix of their classic tracks and newer material. The event is expected to draw a wide audience of fans and first-time listeners alike.
The following evening, on Wednesday 19th November, comedian and actress Philippine Delaire will take to the stage at Espace Léo Ferré with her show Fille à papa. Known for her quick wit and energetic delivery, Delaire brings a refreshing and generational take on modern life, with sketches that combine sharp humour and self-awareness.
Admission to the theatre performances and the Superbus concert is by invitation only. Invitations will be distributed in person at Espace Léo Ferré from 11am to 6pm, and at the Mairie de Monaco from 9am to 4pm. Valid identification must be presented, including ID cards, residency permits, or family books for children. On Tuesday 4th November, distribution will be open to Monégasque nationals, their spouses, and children. On Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th November, invitations will also be available to residents. One invitation will be issued per eligible document, subject to availability.
In keeping with tradition, Marché de la Condamine will host its own Fête Nationale festivities on Wednesday 19th November. From morning until early afternoon, visitors will be invited to sample local culinary specialties. At midday, a giant Stockfish lunch will be served, continuing a much-loved custom. The day will close with a lively musical performance at 7:30pm, adding a festive soundtrack to this important national occasion.
The second edition of Chokolashow took place on 13th and 14th October at the Méridien Beach Plaza, positioning itself as both a gourmet event and a platform for cultural exchange and fundraising. Held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, the event brought together artists, patrons, and non-profits for two days of programming centred around chocolate as both material and metaphor.
The artistic heart of Chokolashow was an exhibition of eight original works engraved onto slabs of chocolate, created by international artists and displayed ahead of the event from 25th September to 10th October. Each piece explored a nautical theme and was paired with a charitable cause, with proceeds from the closing auction—€9,300 in total—distributed across nine beneficiary organisations, including Action Innocence, Fight Aids Monaco, and the Prince Albert II Foundation.
Prince Albert attended the final evening, viewing the works and meeting the artists before signing a ceremonial chocolate bar — one of two symbolic pieces created for the occasion.
The first, encased in resin and set with diamonds by Italian jewellers Caffaro Rore, drew particular attention for its blend of craftsmanship and spectacle.
Prince Albert II with Artist Marcos Marin (left) and Maria Bologna, organiser of Chokolashow. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace
The event format
Organised by Monaco International Hub, led by Maria Bologna, Chokolashow was structured as a village-style gathering, with installations, tastings, and a formal dinner. The format allowed guests to move between experiences — an art installation, a table conversation, a product showcase — rather than follow a rigid programme.
The gala dinner, curated by chef Laurent Colin with support from Antonio Fochi, focused on the nuances of cacao, used both as an ingredient and as a motif. The evening also featured experimental contributions from partners like Casa Amodio, which introduced a cocoa-infused mozzarella, and Frenk Bar, which created both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cacao-based cocktails.
Gift bags were filled with artisanal products from Italian producers, including Parmigiano ganaches from I Portici, gianduiotti by Ziccat, and vintage-style chocolates from Atelier 45, reinforcing the event’s cross-cultural intent.
Prince Albert II with the Chokolashow participants. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace
Highlights and announcements
Artist Tony Belfatto was awarded the public prize for most appreciated work, and will design the official Chokolashow trophy for the next edition. Francesca Bergesio, Miss Italia 2023, was in attendance as guest of honour, alongside event partner Gerardo Di Maio, who announced that the final of The Look of the Year will return to the same venue on 16th November 2025.
Another key moment came with the announcement of Chokolashow 2026, which will be themed around the Grimaldi dynasty — a nod to heritage, continuity and Monaco’s evolving cultural landscape.
Monaco’s Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo saw more than just fine dining and high fashion on 14th October. The Women of Monaco Lunch, now in its 13th edition, brought together a diverse cross-section of women for a purpose-driven afternoon that balanced elegance with meaning, and raised €13,700 for the Princess Grace Foundation in the process.
Created by Sandrine Knoell and produced by 5 Stars Events, this year’s event was anything but formulaic. Women from across Monaco’s cultural, professional and social circles gathered in the Salon Méditerranée — some leading businesses, others raising families, many doing both. The dress code was green, a visual thread that tied the room together, but the real cohesion came from shared intent: conversation, contribution and community.
This isn’t a gathering built on status or job titles. It’s about proximity — bringing people into the same space who might not normally cross paths. An investment adviser might be seated next to a gallery curator, or a new resident might be discovering her place in Monaco’s rhythm for the first time. That mix is by design, and it’s what gives the event its edge.
Sandrine Knoell (centre) with lunch guests
A showcase of local creativity
This year’s lunch also included a fashion presentation by Allure Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, featuring incredibly curated pieces from Elie Saab, Brunello Cucinelli, and Magda Butrym. Models, styled by Cool Bay Monaco, moved through the space without fanfare, an understated interlude that blended into the rhythm of the day rather than pulling focus.
Guests were also introduced to NOA Fine Jewellery, with founder Frieda Kaplan Gross presenting pieces that reflect both craftsmanship and character.
The pieces felt less like statements and more like companions — subtle, enduring, wearable.
Art, finance and the questions that still need asking
Supported by Barclays Private Bank, the lunch struck a balance between refinement and real conversation. While the tone remained elegant, the content went deeper, touching on finance, art, and the value of visibility. A standout moment came from Bérénice Antoinette Robaglia, founder of the FAMM Museum
(Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins), who posed a pointed question to the room: “How many female artists have sold works for over €30 million?” The answer—just three, compared to over 100 men—cut through the buzz of the afternoon, shifting the energy from admiration to reflection. It was a moment that reminded everyone present why these gatherings matter: they make space not just for celebration, but for honest recognition of what still needs to change.
Reframing what gatherings like this can be
As ever, proceeds from the event support the work of the Princess Grace Foundation, but the deeper takeaway was about what these gatherings represent. In Monaco, where glamour is often expected, Women of Monaco Lunch offers something a little different: a reflection of how women in the Principality are creating space — for ideas, for community, and for each other.
