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Day: 4 November 2025

Prince Albert II embarks on first official visit to Paraguay ahead of COP30 in Brazil

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/11/2025

Prince Albert II has begun a multi-day visit to Latin America, marked by a historic state visit to Paraguay and his participation in the 30th UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil, before concluding with a private engagement in São Paulo linked to his foundation’s environmental mission.

Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in Latin America on Monday 3rd November for a diplomatic and environmental mission that will take him across Paraguay and Brazil over six days.

The Prince was formally welcomed to Paraguay by President Santiago Peña in the capital Asunción, marking the first official visit by a Monegasque Head of State to the country. His arrival was commemorated with a military honour guard and a solemn visit to the Panthéon National des Héros, where he paid tribute to the country’s historical figures with a wreath-laying ceremony and moment of silence.

Accompanied by General Alcides Lovera, Chief of the Military Cabinet, and Ambassador Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Prince Albert then signed the Livre d’Or and attended a historical presentation at the site.

Photo credit: Michaël Alesi, Prince’s Palace

At the Presidential Palace, the Prince and President Peña held a bilateral meeting, followed by an extended session between the Monegasque and Paraguayan delegations. Both leaders exchanged official honours: Prince Albert received the Order of Marshal Francisco Solano López, while President Peña was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles.

According to the Palace, discussions focused on deepening cooperation between Monaco and Paraguay in key areas including environmental protection, trade and cultural exchange. The First Lady of Paraguay, Leticia Ocampos, also attended the ceremony.

Photo credit: Michaël Alesi, Prince’s Palace

On Tuesday 4th November, the Prince delivered the keynote speech at the country’s Economic Conference, held in the presence of senior government figures including vice-ministers and the President of the National Forestry Institute. A delegation of 11 companies from Monaco also took part, reflecting growing economic dialogue.

Later that day, the Sovereign travelled to the department of Alto Paraná to visit the Itaipu Binacional hydroelectric power plant, one of the largest in the world, and explored the UNESCO-listed Jesuit Missions of Jesús de Tavarangue and Santísima Trinidad.

The final day of the visit includes a stop at the Olympic Park of Asunción before Prince Albert departs for Brazil.

Photo credit: Michaël Alesi, Prince’s Palace

COP30: A global stage for climate leadership

On Thursday 6th November, Prince Albert will speak during the opening plenary of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), hosted in Belém, Brazil. The summit, convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, brings together world leaders, ministers and international organisations to drive forward the global climate agenda.

In addition to his opening speech, the Prince will participate in Roundtable 1: “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans”, which he will attend alongside the Brazilian President. He will also join the official group photograph of Heads of State.

A private mission in São Paulo

Prince Albert’s visit will conclude with a private trip to São Paulo on 7th and 8th November, where he will carry out engagements related to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. This includes a meeting with young entrepreneurs and students at the Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP), reinforcing the Foundation’s focus on youth and environmental innovation in Latin America.

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Main photo credit: Michaël Alesi, Prince’s Palace

Monaco publishes new guide for private sector staff on transferring unused holiday

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/11/2025

The Monaco Government has released an official guide to help employees and employers navigate the process of transferring unused holiday leave within the private sector.

The guide has been developed jointly by the Department of Social Affairs and Health and the Directorate of Labour, and is designed to ensure that the process is both legally secure and easy to apply.

The transfer of holiday leave allows staff to give some of their own paid days off to another employee facing exceptional personal circumstances. The scheme promotes solidarity in the workplace, but until now, has lacked an official reference document outlining the roles and responsibilities of those involved.

Step-by-step guidance for employees and employers

The guide presents the rules in a clear and structured format, dividing the information into three main categories: employees who may receive transferred days, employees who wish to donate them, and employers, who are responsible for validating and managing requests.

It has been distributed to social partners, who will relay the information to companies and their staff. According to the government, the guide is intended to help ensure the scheme is applied in a fair and transparent manner, with a strong legal foundation.

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Photo credit: Richard McCreery, Monaco Life

Maison Gigi is the retro-chic Italian trattoria Monaco didn’t know it needed

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/11/2025

If you’ve ever wished for a cozy, soul-hugging Italian trattoria with Monaco flair, one that also knows when to hand you a glass of champagne on cue, Maison Gigi Monte-Carlo has arrived.

Perched along Port Hercule, Maison Gigi bills itself as a contemporary Italian trattoria, but don’t be fooled by the modesty. The moment you step through the door, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere that feels like your nonna’s kitchen… if your nonna had a keen eye for retro design and lived somewhere between Milan and Monte-Carlo.

Comfy textile-covered seating, shelves lined with homemade preserves, and soft lighting give the space a vintage, lived-in charm. It’s elegant without being intimidating, chic without the chill. Even the bar leans into the nostalgia: its front is clad with ceramic kitchen cabinet and oven doors, and charming retro fittings that look like they were lifted straight from a 1960s Italian home. It’s a clever design choice that adds a unique, playful warmth and sets the tone before the first spritz even lands.

Pasta to Write Home About

Let’s get straight to the point: the pasta is the standout. The kind that makes you pause after the first bite, raise your eyebrows across the table, and say, “Wait — this is really good.”

Take the linguine with sea urchin: briny, creamy, perfectly al dente. Or the risotto with saffron and oxtail—comforting, rich, and deeply satisfying. Even the simpler plates, like a classic pomodoro or lemony aglio e olio, sing with freshness. There’s no over-complication here. Just high-quality ingredients, cooked with respect and restraint.

Maison Gigi is serious about its food, and it shows. The citrus sea bream carpaccio is delicate and bright, the meat dishes hearty but refined. It’s all presented with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you’ve nailed the flavours.

And the prices? Surprisingly down-to-earth — for Monaco, at least. Dishes are generously portioned, fairly priced, and arrive with warm, attentive service that never feels rushed.

A Button for Bubbles

But now, to perhaps the most delightful surprise of all: the champagne call button.

Yes, you read that right.

At Maison Gigi, if you excuse yourself to freshen up in the ladies’ room and suddenly think, “You know what would make this moment better? Champagne,” you simply press a discreet button. When you reemerge — lipstick reapplied, mood elevated — a server will be waiting with a perfectly chilled glass on a tray.

It’s that kind of playful, thoughtful detail that elevates Maison Gigi from great to unforgettable. It also speaks volumes about how well this team understands its clientele. Monaco loves a bit of glamour, and Maison Gigi delivers it with a wink.

Monaco’s New Must-Visit

Whether you’re dropping in for a long lunch, celebrating something special, or simply craving the kind of Italian food that feels like a warm embrace, Maison Gigi hits every note: excellent food, stylish interiors, thoughtful service, and a few fun surprises along the way.

It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, where nonna’s recipes get a Monaco makeover, and where — let’s be honest — you’ll want to bring all your friends, just to show them the champagne button.

See more in our video below…

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All photos courtesy of Maison Gigi

Monaco United Women cruise to six goal victory ahead of historic home debut

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
04/11/2025

Monaco United Women’s Football Club have made it three wins from three in their debut season after achieving 6-0 against Villeneuve-Loubet on Sunday. 

Coach Marco Simone’s side were in excellent form throughout, controlling the game from start to finish, barely allowing their opponent any chances to attack.

Monaco United quickly took control with sharp passing and intelligent movement that proved too much for the home side’s defence. Marina Makanza opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Monaco’s early pressure paid off, setting the tone for what would become a comfortable afternoon.

Monaco went into half-time leading 2-0. Then, the second half followed a similar pattern, with two quick goals early on effectively ending the match. The team’s recent training work was clearly effective and evident in their organised play.

Sara Lakhssassi was the standout performer during the game, managing an impressive goal that showcased Monaco’s attaching style. The last goal of the game was then scored by Sarah Magnier, completing the incredible 6-0 victory.

The result keeps Monaco United top of the league table, with their technical quality and tactical discipline proving to be highly effective during these opening weeks.

Next Saturday, the historic moment that everyone has been waiting for finally arrives for the club, as they are set to play their first home match at the Didier Deschamps Stadium in Cap-d’Ail. After their original home fixture was forfeited, Monaco will at last play in front of their own supporters when they host Mougins, aiming to continue their perfect start to the season

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Photo snippets of the game can be found in the photo gallery below… (all photos credit: Dylan Garino)

Monaco gender pay gap narrows sharply, but experts warn figures do not tell the whole story

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/11/2025

Monaco has made substantial progress in closing the gender pay gap, particularly in the public sector, where women now earn more than men on average. But while the median wage difference in the private sector has nearly disappeared, statisticians and economists are urging caution before calling the issue resolved.

The Principality of Monaco is edging closer to pay equality between men and women, according to a new report from the national statistics institute, IMSEE, released Monday 3rd November. The study, based on 2024 data, reveals that the median pay gap in the private sector has fallen to just 0.1% – down from 5.9% in 2019. In practical terms, that equates to a difference of just €1.90 per month.

The report is the second of its kind, following the 2019 study initiated by Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights. To ensure meaningful comparison, the methodology remains unchanged. It draws from private sector payroll data supplied by Monaco’s social security funds, alongside salary indices for public sector workers provided by the Directorate of Human Resources and Civil Service Training.

Public sector shows reversal in pay gap

In the civil service, women now earn 2.4% more than men on average. That gap has widened since 2019, when it stood at just 0.7%. Women are also increasingly present in senior positions, holding 49.1% of top roles in 2024 – up from 47% five years ago. However, salary differences persist across individual job categories. In each group – whether high-level managerial roles, mid-level administrative posts, or frontline positions – men continue to earn more on average, although the disparity has narrowed.

The private sector paints a more uneven picture. While the median salary shows near parity, the average monthly salary for women is still 18.6% lower than that of men. This equates to a real-world difference of approximately €744 per month, based on a notional male monthly salary of €4,000. On an hourly basis, the gender gap stands at 16.4%, or €5.10 more per hour in favour of men.

Christophe Robino, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, acknowledged the progress but said statistical averages must be understood in context. “Very high salaries—athletes, portfolio managers—pull the average upward, which artificially increases the gap,” he said at a press conference Monday. According to Robino, median pay offers a more accurate view of pay equity. “I can only be pleased that the gap has decreased, especially regarding the median salary, which I believe is a good comparator.”

Interpretation challenges rooted in structural and cultural factors

While the narrowing gap is statistically significant, experts say it cannot be interpreted in isolation. Pierre-André Chiappori, economist and advisor to the government, cautioned against drawing overly confident conclusions from aggregate figures.

“It is very important to understand the limitations of these statistical results,” he said, pointing to the influence of unmeasured variables such as education, sector of employment, and family responsibilities. “What we attribute to gender may actually be linked to other factors, like education, which are not measured here.”

Chiappori also said Monaco’s business environment requires a tailored approach to reform. “Today, we’re not pursuing a coercive approach. We don’t want to impose laws or indexes… Monaco’s business structure is largely made up of very small companies.”

In such environments, informal practices around hiring and promotion often prevail. According to Chiappori, one key issue is how confidence influences career trajectories: “Salary negotiation… it’s not something that’s necessarily taught. It often comes naturally to men, but much less so to women.”

This difference in approach can be seen even before hiring takes place. “A man will apply for a job even if he has only 60% of the required skills. A woman often won’t unless she’s sure she has at least 80%,” he said. These patterns, he explained, contribute to gender imbalances that cannot be resolved by legislation alone.

Early influences and everyday barriers

Céline Cottalorda, Monaco’s Women’s Rights Officer, said the origins of the gap run far deeper than the workplace. “In our current education system, from a young age, little girls are still unconsciously assigned to certain roles,” she said, describing how societal norms and expectations shape ambitions from an early age.

She also described the cumulative effect of domestic responsibilities, which continue to fall disproportionately on women. “There are also everyday obstacles: mental load, the logistics related to children… these responsibilities still mostly fall on women,” she said.

In response, Monaco has launched targeted initiatives to support women’s advancement in the workforce. One such project, L’Effet A, is designed to equip women in the public sector with skills in negotiation, self-confidence and professional networking. Thirty participants have already completed the training, with more sessions to follow.

A statistical milestone, not an endpoint

Despite Monaco’s progress, experts caution against interpreting the near-parity in median wages as a sign that equality has been achieved. Structural realities continue to shape careers in ways that statistical snapshots cannot fully capture. Many women entering previously male-dominated sectors remain at early or mid-career stages, while their male counterparts benefit from decades of seniority.

Chiappori argued that resolving these imbalances requires more than just improved data collection. He said a broader cultural shift is needed—one that encourages equal access to opportunity and rewards merit without bias. “The best way to fight discrimination is through competition,” he said.

See also: 

New report confirms gender wage gap in Monaco, finance sector sees biggest loss for women

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Photo credit: Stephane Dana, Government Communications Department 

La Mala Beach set for major makeover as Cap-d’Ail unveils coastal renewal plans

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/11/2025
plage mala cap d'ail

Hidden beneath the cliffs just west of Monaco, the secluded and beloved Plage de la Mala is preparing for its most ambitious transformation in decades.

Often hailed as one of the most picturesque beaches on the Côte d’Azur, La Mala’s turquoise waters, steep limestone backdrop, and quiet exclusivity have long attracted a mix of locals, Monaco residents, and Riviera jet-setters. But behind the beach’s serene image lie ageing infrastructure, growing environmental pressures, and a tangle of legal issues — all of which have now prompted a major rethink.

Balancing Beauty and Modernisation

The town of Cap-d’Ail, in coordination with French coastal authorities, has launched a sweeping redevelopment project aimed at modernising La Mala while safeguarding its fragile charm. The plans, approved earlier this year, are already in motion and promise a reimagined beach by the 2026 summer season.

The redesign includes the removal of illegal structures, new safety installations, and better access for the general public — a shift toward greater inclusivity on a stretch of coast that has often felt reserved for those in the know.

A new 2.5-metre-wide wooden walkway will connect the coastal path to the centre of the beach, passing alongside the two iconic beach clubs — Eden Plage Mala and La Réserve de la Mala. This scenic route will not only improve visitor safety but also provide a more welcoming entrance for all.

Making Space, Legally and Physically

Several century-old cabanons and non-compliant facilities, which were built on the maritime public domain, are currently being dismantled. These removals are in line with French coastal protection laws and aim to restore parts of the natural shoreline while reducing the beach’s environmental footprint.

Safety is also central to the new layout. After a 2023 rockslide near the railway tracks above La Mala, urgent cliff reinforcement works began. The new design includes additional stabilisation, protective barriers, and a permanent lifeguard post near Eden Plage.

One of the more surprising — and welcome — changes is the planned addition of a small snack kiosk offering affordable food and drink. Positioned near the base of the coastal path stairs, it’s a rare nod to accessibility on a beach known more for champagne than casual refreshment.

All new installations, including decks and sunbed platforms, will use removable, eco-conscious materials designed to be dismantled outside of the summer season.

Redefining Luxury on the Riviera

Under a new 12-year beach concession, La Mala will now operate for up to eight months each year — reflecting the growing popularity of the Côte d’Azur during the spring and autumn months. The local mairie says the extended season could help balance tourism with sustainable development.

Yet while the changes are being pitched as necessary and forward-thinking, not all regulars are convinced. Some long-time visitors worry that the beach’s quiet magic — its narrow access stairs, art deco tunnel, and near-hidden location — may be at risk of being tamed too far.

Cap-d’Ail’s mayor has acknowledged the challenge of respecting La Mala’s identity while improving access and safety. “Our ambition,” he said, “is to make La Mala a model of responsible, elegant coastal development.”

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Photo by Monaco Life