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Day: 17 November 2025

Monaco braces for sudden cold snap following weekend storms

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/11/2025

After an unusually warm start to November, temperatures across France and Monaco are set to tumble sharply this week, with meteorologists forecasting conditions up to 5°C below seasonal norms. The drop comes in the wake of a weekend of torrential rain that swept through the southeast, which endured localised flooding and transport disruptions.

In Monaco, the contrast will be particularly stark. After enjoying balmy highs of 20°C, residents can expect a shift beginning Tuesday, with daytime temperatures falling to around 13°C by Thursday. Overnight lows are expected to dip to just 6°C. Météo-France attributes the drop to a polar air mass descending from the north and funnelling through the Rhône Valley, producing a cold, dry north-westerly wind not unlike a mild mistral.

The coming chill follows a prolonged period of unseasonable warmth along the Riviera, with recent weeks consistently registering well above average.

The weather shift also arrives on the heels of significant rainfall over the weekend. Torrents hit the southeast of France, with four departments — Drôme, Isère, Ardèche and Alpes-Maritimes — placed on orange alert by Météo-France. In the Ardèche, a 74-year-old man was reported missing on Sunday morning after being swept away by a flooding river near Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès while trying to retrieve his vehicle. Despite an extensive search involving firefighters, gendarmes and helicopter support, he had not been found as of Monday morning.

In the Alpes-Maritimes, areas around Grasse and the middle country saw the heaviest downpours, though authorities said river responses remained moderate. In Nice, Mayor Christian Estrosi activated a crisis unit, with roads in the Haut Magnan district temporarily closed due to flooding and water level concerns along the Paillon River.

By Sunday evening, Météo-France had lifted most flood alerts as the storm system moved east and weakened. Still, saturated ground and falling temperatures raise concerns about potential frost and slippery road conditions later in the week, especially inland, where lows could dip below freezing.

As the Riviera swaps sunshine for scarves, officials urge residents to prepare for the season’s first real cold spell. The sudden shift is expected to persist through the weekend, with grey skies, cool air and the chance of light rainfall setting the tone for the final stretch of November.

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Artists reveal their inspirations behind ‘Celebrating the Riviera’ exhibition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
17/11/2025

On November 13th, Le Méridien Beach Plaza welcomed guests for the vernissage of their ‘Celebrating The Riviera’ exhibition, offering a rare opportunity for people to speak with the featured artists and learn about their creative processes and interpretations of the French Riviera. 

Their artworks have been decorating the hotel’s lobby since September and will continue to adorn the walls until January 9th.

A 20 year love affair with the Riviera

For Pip Todd-Warmoth, the French Riviera holds a particular place in his heart. “20 years ago, my wife and I were married in Menton and had a reception on the beach,” he recalled. “So the French Riviera holds a very special place for us.”

His paintings chronicle Monaco’s shifting skyline, preserving views of buildings that may soon disappear. “The city is always changing,” he said, gesturing toward pre-Mareterra structures in his work. “In five years, I don’t think these will still be standing.”

When asked about his favourite piece in his collection, Todd-Warmoth selected a landscape painting. “It’s that moment where man meets nature, the whole idea of looking up to the sky and the mountain,” he explained.

Pip Todd-Warmoth, photo by Monaco Life.

Swimming with inspiration

Local artist Carol Bruton finds her inspiration beneath the surface of the Mediterranean. “I swim all year, even through winter,” she said. “When I’m underwater and I turn to look up, these are the shapes I see floating between the sea and the sky.”

Additionally, her technique is quite unconventional. “I used to use paintbrushes, but now I use dried seaweed from the beach as my paintbrushes,” Bruton said.

Gesturing to her ‘Bubbles’ series, Bruton recalled a moment of underwater inspiration. “I was swimming with an octopus when it released a perfect oxygen bubble,” she said. “I took that image and recreated it again and again,” using cold glass and crystal to evoke the marine creature’s delicate breath.

Her ocean-inspired works have resonated in the Principality. “My biggest collector is Prince Albert II, so I’m very honoured,” she shared. “He’s deeply passionate about the ocean, and I’m proud to have that connection.”

Carol Bruton, photo by Monaco Life

An Irish take on the Riviera

Irish artist Jesse Grylls brought a different perspective to the exhibition, one shaped by the wild Atlantic coast. “I’m very influenced by the Atlantic and the wild Irish dark light,” he said, explaining his challenge in capturing the Riviera’s character. “The Riviera is gorgeous but it’s too soft. It needs a bit of roughness.”

His solution was to create a mashup of Riviera and Ireland. The works, as a result, blend the azure Mediterranean light with the wildness of Ireland’s western shores.

“Each painting takes months and months to create. There are layers and layers, and it goes on and on.” The challenge, he noted, lies in knowing when to stop. “It’s sometimes the colour ten layers down that actually makes the magic happen.”

Jesse Grylls, photo by Monaco Life

For Grylls, exhibiting in Monaco presented an additional challenge as well. “I show in New York, Hong Kong, London and Mexico, but I’ve never shown here. I found it a challenge just to tone myself down a bit and be a bit more ‘Rivieran’.”

The exhibition at Le Meridien also features works by Paul Hughes, who creates paintings that connect natural elements like land, sea and sky through colour and texture, drawing on his background in both fine art and design.

The show runs until January 9th, with works displayed throughout the hotel’s lobby space. The exhibition is organised in partnership with Tanya Baxter Contemporary, a London and Hong Kong based gallery.

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Main photo provided. 

France’s Human Rights Ambassador to lead high-level dialogue and public discussion on gender-based violence

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/11/2025

Monaco will welcome Isabelle Rome, France’s Ambassador for Human Rights, on Wednesday 20th November for a day of exchange focused on gender equality, legal reform and the fight against violence towards women.

A respected figure in France’s legal and political landscape, Rome’s visit comes at the invitation of Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, just ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November.

From Courtrooms to Cabinet

A former magistrate and Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Isabelle Rome has spent her career at the intersection of justice and social reform. As a judge, she presided over criminal courts and helped steer the landmark Grenelle on Domestic Violence in 2019. As Minister, she brought gender equality to the G7 table and presented France’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

Since her appointment as Ambassador for Human Rights in 2024, Rome’s remit has expanded to include Holocaust remembrance and the restitution of looted cultural assets — making her one of France’s most active voices in human rights diplomacy.

Closed-Door Talks, Open-Door Dialogue

In Monaco, Rome will meet with state institutions, public service actors and civil society leaders for a series of closed-door exchanges on gender-based violence prevention, support systems for victims, and effective legislative tools. The discussions will also spotlight cross-border cooperation between France and Monaco, where Rome’s experience as both judge and policymaker is expected to spark constructive debate.

A Public Conference at Lycée Rainier III

The visit will culminate in a public conference at 6pm at Lycée Rainier III, where Rome will speak on the frontlines of legal and institutional efforts to combat violence against women. Drawing from her own career and international collaborations, she will examine how public policy can be used not only to protect victims but to shift societal attitudes.

Educators, students, policymakers and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

A Voice That Bridges Law and Activism

Beyond her formal roles, Isabelle Rome has long championed civil society initiatives. She is the founder of Femmes de Libertés, an association supporting women’s empowerment, and has contributed to humanitarian missions from Rwanda to the Balkans. Her advocacy has extended to refugee support, prison reform, cyberharassment awareness and national drug policy.

Her writings — including Plaidoyer pour un droit à l’espoir and Dans une prison de femmes — reflect a justice system not just rooted in rules, but in empathy.

With her visit to Monaco, Rome brings decades of experience and a deeply personal understanding of justice to a country actively shaping its own policies for gender equality and human rights.

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Photo source: Monaco Government Communications Department 

Colourful luxury arrives in Monaco with NeverNoT

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
17/11/2025

On November 13th, jewellery lovers were treated to an exclusive glimpse of NeverNoT’s vibrant fine jewellery collection as the London-based brand hosted a trunk show at Ferret Joaillier. 

The event, accompanied by cocktails and canapés, showcased the brand’s philosophy that luxury jewellery should be worn every day, not locked away for special occasions.

Founded in 2018 by Georgian born friends Nina Dzhokhadze and Natia Chkhartishvili, NeverNoT has carved out a distinctive niche in the fine jewellery world with its bold use of colour and contemporary designs. The brand’s name itself depicts their “always on” philosophy; jewellery should never not be worn.

Travel inspired designs and every day elegance

At the event, Dzhokhadze walked Monaco Life through the collection’s bestsellers, starting with their signature ‘Grab and Go’ ring. “It’s quite big, but I love it,” she explained, displaying the chunky yellow gold and turquoise piece she wore on her index finger. The ring showcases even more of NeverNoT’s approach: serious craftsmanship meets playful design. The ring is available in multiple variations including paraiba tourmaline, blue sapphires, white opal, and malachite. However, the diamond version remains their top seller.

The ring, photo provided by NeverNoT

The travel inspired suitcase collection also drew particular attention, with pieces ranging from dainty ‘carry one’ pendants to statement ‘extra large’ designs.

“This particular one is with amazonite and malachite sides,” Dzhokhadze noted, demonstrating how the double-sided pieces can be styled. “You can choose which ever you want to wear, or you can really wear all of them.”

The suitcase collection, photo by NeverNoT

Meanwhile, the most intriguing was the introduction of fig leaf brooches, challenging traditional notions of when and how pieces should be worn.

“We really want to introduce brooches as something you can wear on an everyday basis,” Dzhokhadze explained. “It fits with a denim jacket or dress or jumper. It’s nothing that you keep aside for special occasions. You can wear it every day, for both men and women.”

The leaf brooch, photo by NeverNoT

The trunk show marked an expansion of NeverNoT’s presence in Monaco, where the brand has been stocked at Ferret since March. “We’ve been selling here very well, and we decided to partner with our retailer to bring more pieces to customers before Christmas and the holiday season,” Dzhokhadze said.

Their pieces prove that fine jewellery needn’t be formal or conservative… sometimes the best occasion to wear something special is simply today.

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All photos provided by NeverNoT.

Photos: Princess Charlene kicks off Monaco’s No Finish Line marathon

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
17/11/2025

Princess Charlene officially launched the 26th edition of No Finish Line on Saturday at 2pm, joining runners and walkers for a symbolic lap around the Chapiteau de Fontvieille. 

The charity marathon, which runs until 23rd November, got off to a lively start with a strong turnout and a truly festive atmosphere under the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on November 15th. Members of the Princess’s foundation walked alongside her, leading the never-ending line of participants through the designated circuit, with everyone proudly walking, jogging, and running for the cause. Even the weather proved kind to participants, a welcome relief from the previous night’s heavy rainfall.

No Finish Line has become a fixture in Monaco’s calendar since its inception in 1999. The concept is that participants can complete as many laps as they wish around a 1,140 metre circuit, with the charity Children & Future donating one euro for every kilometre covered.

Princess Charlene during the walk, photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

This year’s goal is to attract 14,000 participants and collectively cover 325,000 kilometres, raising €325,000 for projects supporting sick and disadvantaged children. A goal, judging from Saturday’s strong turnout, very much possible.

The course remains open 24 hours a day throughout the week, with volunteers providing support and refreshments available around the clock. Each participant receives a tracking chip to record their distance and can return to the circuit as many times as they like until the event concludes on Saturday at 2pm.

Among the participants, 40 ultra-runners will attempt the full eight-day challenge, while a 24-hour trophy challenge is scheduled to take place from 9am on November 22nd to 9am on November 23rd.

Since 1999, nearly 190,000 people have taken part in No Finish Line, covering more than 5.1 million kilometres combined and raising over €5.4 million for children’s charities.

The event is open to runners and walkers of all abilities. Registration costs €15 for adults (plus a €10 chip deposit) and €8 for children over 10 (plus deposit), and remains open until Monday at www.childrenandfuture.com or on-site at the venue.

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See more in the photo gallery below…(all photos credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier)

 

130 years of automotive passion to be celebrated in major Monaco exhibition

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/11/2025

From the roar of Formula 1 engines to the elegance of vintage design, Monaco’s long-standing love affair with the automobile is set to take the spotlight next summer in a landmark exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum.

Titled Monaco and the Automobile, from 1893 to the Present Day, the exhibition will run from 1st July to 6th September 2026 and promises an exceptional journey through 130 years of automotive history. More than 50 iconic vehicles and rare artefacts will be showcased across 4,000 square metres, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the Principality’s unique relationship with the car.

Curated by Rodolphe Rapetti, Conservateur général du Patrimoine, and produced with the full support of the Automobile Club de Monaco, the exhibition will explore everything from the early days of motoring to the golden age of rallies and the cutting-edge world of Formula 1. Expect historic rally cars, Grand Prix legends, concours d’élégance classics, and behind-the-scenes material never before shown to the public.

Crucially, the exhibition also highlights the central role the Princely Family has played in nurturing Monaco’s automotive culture — from racing traditions to innovation and preservation.

For motorsport fans, design enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how Monaco became one of the world’s most iconic automotive capitals, this exhibition offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to dive into the archives, stories, and machines that shaped the journey.

Pre-sales open on 1 December 2025.

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Main photo: Bugatti 35B Grand Prix de Monaco 1929 – Collection : « Stiftung Nationales Automuseum, The Loh Collection, credit Xavier de Nombel