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Day: 27 November 2025

Pétanque tournament raises €10,000 for hospital research

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
27/11/2025

The third Monaco Liver Disorder (MLD) Challenge Pétanque, which took place on Sunday in Monaco, raised €10,000 for medical research, with proceeds going towards improving staff facilities at a Paris neonatal unit.

The tournament’s winning team was SGP-sécurité from Beaulieu, consisting of Yves Roux, Moncef, and Marcio Dos Santos, while second place went to the trio of Nathalie Nardone, Jean-Pascal Dominici, and Franck Albanom. Meanwhile the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation team finished third.

Trophies for the competition were designed by artist Jordane Saget.

The funds will support Professor Olivier Baud’s neonatology service at AP-HP Port-Royal Cochin Hospital in Paris, helping to refurbish the relaxation area and kitchen facilities used by medical staff and nurses.

The winning team, photo by Monaco Liver Disorder.

Dual mission of the charity

According to Carla Fadoul Shechter, who founded and heads MLD, the tournament achieves two things: generating resources for medical research and providing families dealing with illness some respite away from hospitals.

“It’s a way to maintain connections between parents, patients, and volunteers, while reminding everyone never to give up.” she said.

The competition included a team created by Grand Cordon d’Or chefs and forms part of MLD’s wider charitable activities. These include taking hospitalised, transplanted, or recovering children to the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, and involvement in the Girù de Natale alongside the Monaco Fire Brigade.

MLD also work to raise awareness about organ donation, which can be life-saving for many young patients. Fadoul Shechter highlighted that transplantation often represents the final treatment option for the most serious conditions, and encouraged the public to consider the importance of donation.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Liver Disorder 

SBM reveals ‘The Magic of Christmas’ theme for this year’s festivities

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2025

The end-of-year festivities in Monaco will officially begin on 29th November, when Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) launches its annual Christmas celebrations under the theme La Magie de Noël. This year’s programme will centre around an all-new décor in Casino Square, with animations, festive experiences and winter charm spread throughout the Monte-Carlo SBM Resort until 6th January 2026.

Casino Square will once again be the beating heart of the holidays in Monte-Carlo, with the return of the beloved giant snow globes for one final season. Surrounding the iconic 20-metre Christmas tree, the globes will each display one of five new scenes capturing the spirit of La Magie de Noël Monte-Carlo: The Enchanted Ballet, The Christmas Choir, The Reindeer’s Tea Party, The Christmas Sky, and Midnight. Each one invites visitors to step into a whimsical world of storytelling, light and visual delight.

Children will be especially charmed by five reindeer characters—Flocon, Rose, Hercule, Stella and Rudolph—who guide visitors through the different Christmas tales. Father Christmas himself will also make appearances in Casino Square, accompanied by his traditional choir, on 20th, 21st, 24th and 25th December between 1pm and 5pm.

Every weekend in December, and daily during the school holidays, the façade of the Casino de Monte-Carlo will light up with a sound and light show featuring the reindeer characters. Shows will run every 30 minutes between 6pm and 10pm.

A Resort-wide celebration of the season

The magic won’t stop at Casino Square. Festive decorations and displays will continue along Avenue des Beaux-Arts, Allée François Blanc and One Monte-Carlo, where luxury boutiques will open daily in December, with the exception of Christmas Day. On Avenue de Monte-Carlo, a row of chalets will offer seasonal treats and decorations from 14th November to 4th January, open daily from 10:30am to 7pm and until 8pm during the holidays.

Inside the Resort’s iconic hotels, visitors can admire elegant Christmas trees and bespoke decorations, including a Chopard tree at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a Marco Traverso creation at the Hôtel Hermitage, and charming music boxes in the lobby of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.

Holiday joy for families and children

SBM is also bringing festive cheer to younger guests. From 20th to 23rd December, the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo will host its Christmas Teas in the Belle Epoque Room. With creative workshops, a sweet and savoury buffet, magic shows and a visit from Father Christmas, it’s a highlight for local families. Tickets cost €100 for adults, €50 for children under 12, and are free for children under six.

At New Moods, two special events will take place on 21st December: The Christmas Dream for ages 3–7 and The Christmas Dance Party for ages 8–12.

A season for indulgence

Monte-Carlo SBM is also offering a range of gourmet experiences, from specially created holiday yule logs to an elegant Christmas Tea Time by Cedric Grolet at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, available from 17th December to 4th January. The festive tea includes seasonal pastries, cakes, scones and drinks for €120 per person.

On 12th December, Pavyllon Monte-Carlo at the Hôtel Hermitage will host a special Black Truffle Dinner (€240 per person; children’s menu available on request).

Pop-ups and seasonal surprises

From 13th December to 4th January, visitors can stop by the Perrier-Jouët pop-up on Square Beaumarchais at the Hôtel Hermitage for champagne and festive fare in a whimsical setting with snow globes and music boxes. A traditional chalet will also open in the Jardins Boulingrins from 8th November to 8th March, near the carousel, offering crêpes, churros and hot drinks.

The Blue Gin chalet at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort returns from 18th November to 1st March, serving signature cocktails with a live DJ every evening from 6:30pm in an alpine-inspired setting with sea views.

Throughout the holiday period, the chefs of Monte-Carlo SBM will offer festive menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, including an ABBA Tribute concert at the Sporting Monte-Carlo to ring in 2026.

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Princess Charlene congratulates young artists at annual Noël de Frankie performance

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
27/11/2025

Princess Charlene attended the 28th edition of ‘Noël de Frankie’ at the Rainier III Auditorium on November 26th, where children facing serious health challenges delivered a performance themed ‘Dancing with Frankie’.

Founded in 1997 by Francien Giraudi, the association dedicates itself to supporting children facing illness, living with disabilities, or experiencing difficult circumstances, providing daily comfort and assistance to those who need it most.

The event took place under the high patronage of Prince Albert II, who also serves as Honorary President of the charity since 2023.

What distinguishes this Christmas perfomarnce from others is that the young performers themselves are dealing with medical challenges. Each year, they present two exceptional shows that create unforgettable moments for audiences while celebrating their own strength and resilience.

Princess Charlène with the young performers, photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

This year’s production featured vibrant choreography and touching performances that captivated everyone present.

Following the final curtain, Princess Charlène stepped onto the stage to personally congratulate the young artists. She took time to acknowledge both their remarkable achievement and the dedication of volunteers whose tireless efforts make the annual event possible

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All photos credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

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Monaco adopts landmark labour reform introducing mutual contract termination

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2025

Monaco has officially modernised its labour legislation with the adoption of Law n°1.108, which introduces rupture conventionnelle — a mutually agreed termination of employment — for the first time in the Principality.

The reform was adopted by the National Council this week and immediately welcomed by the Government, which described it as a long‑awaited tool that brings Monaco’s employment framework in line with contemporary workplace realities.

Government Counsellor for Social Affairs and Health, Christophe Robino, told elected officials during Wednesday evening’s National Council public session that the measure represents “a balanced mechanism that provides legal security while protecting both parties”. He added that it is designed to “improve the work environment and encourage dialogue between employers and employees”.

The new system offers an alternative to traditional dismissal or resignation procedures, allowing employers and employees to agree on the terms of ending a contract, with safeguards overseen by Monaco’s Labour Department to ensure fairness.

Alongside the introduction of rupture conventionnelle, the reform also updates rules governing trial periods, notice periods and part‑time contracts, with the aim of improving clarity and strengthening protections for workers.

In its statement following the vote, the Government said the adoption of the law “marks an important step in the progressive modernisation of labour law in the Principality”, the result of collaborative work between the administration and the National Council.

The new provisions will now be implemented into the existing framework of Law n°729 of 16 March 1963, further reinforcing legal certainty for both businesses and employees in Monaco.

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Photo source: Government Communications Department 

Monaco government formally confirms it will not support abortion bill

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2025

The Monaco Government has formally confirmed that it will not move forward with the National Council’s proposed legislation to legalise abortion, reiterating the position expressed by Prince Albert II earlier this month and drawing a firm line under one of the most widely discussed political issues of the year.

The announcement came during a public session of the National Council on 26th November, when Minister of State Christophe Mirmand delivered a detailed statement explaining why Proposition de loi n°267 — adopted by the Council on 15th May — will not be transformed into a government bill.

The decision follows the Prince’s interview with Monaco-Matin, during which he confirmed that he would not promulgate the legislation. His comments quickly made headlines around the world, as Monaco’s abortion framework remains one of the most restrictive in Europe.

“The Prince asked the government to formally notify the Council that the bill will not be promulgated,” Christophe Mirmand told elected officials, confirming the head of state’s instruction.

“A question of identity, values and constitutional balance”

In a lengthy address, the Minister of State said that the bill had been examined “with the greatest attention — and even with gravity”, given that it touches on “our identity, our shared values, and our conception of solidarity”.

Central to the government’s position is Article 9 of the Constitution, which establishes Catholicism as the state religion. Mirmand described Monaco’s Catholic identity as “an essential component” of its history and sovereignty dating back to the 13th century — a constitutional foundation the government considers non-negotiable.

“This religious and even spiritual dimension is not a secondary element that can be removed with the stroke of a pen,” he said, calling it part of the “collective equilibrium” that has shaped the Principality.

Why the bill cannot move forward

The Minister cited the opinion of the Comité Supérieur d’Études Juridiques, which found that the Council’s proposal would amount to recognising a legal right to abortion, a concept incompatible with the current penal framework and with constitutional obligations requiring consideration of Catholic principles, including “the protection of life from conception”.

He reminded the Council that Monaco has already enacted significant reforms in 2009 and 2019, which, he said, already represent “the furthest the Constitution allows”, a conclusion previously acknowledged by both the Government and the National Council.

Support for women, but within existing limits

Mirmand said that although the Government will not legalise abortion, it plans to expand support services for women. A new sexual‑health roadmap is being prepared, with increased information on contraception and free, anonymous gynaecological consultations for minors and women up to 21. He described the measures as a way to provide practical help “without altering the constitutional balance.”

A “difficult but necessary” decision

Mirmand acknowledged that not supporting the bill had been “a difficult decision to take”, but insisted that the reasons were essential for preserving Monaco’s institutional foundations.

“Respectful of our Constitution, we wish not to call into question the great balances that underpin our political and social model,” he concluded. “We will continue to work together so that Monaco advances on the path of progress, justice and equality.”

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Annales monégasques: 49th edition delves into Monaco’s medieval past and royal legacy

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2025

The 2025 edition of Annales monégasques – Revue d’histoire de Monaco, the official historical journal published by the Archives of the Prince’s Palace, has just been released, offering a captivating journey through the centuries of Monaco’s rich and complex past. Now in its 49th year, the latest edition places a spotlight on the Middle Ages and other defining moments of the Principality’s heritage.

Among the highlights is a deep dive into the life of Admiral Rainier I Grimaldi (c.1267–1314), a legendary figure often seen as one of the founding members of the Grimaldi dynasty. Despite never officially holding the title of “Seigneur of Monaco”, his naval prowess and close connection to François Grimaldi, known as Malizia, make his story a fascinating one.

Another feature explores the tumultuous late 15th century, focusing on Lambert Grimaldi (1458–1494) and the political power struggles he faced within the family — notably from his wife’s grandmother, Pomellina Fregoso — as well as from separatist movements in Menton and Roquebrune.

The issue also includes two art history articles inspired by recent restoration works on the Renaissance frescoes at the Prince’s Palace. One reevaluates the attribution of a monumental fresco in the Honour Court’s northeast façade to Caravaggio, while another revisits the painted decorations of the Hercule Gallery and York Room, created by artists Jean Murat and Jean-Baptiste Carbillet in the 1860s.

In an unexpected literary gem, the journal republishes a critical edition of naturalist Charles Contejean’s travel journal from 1861, which documents his journey through the Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco.

The political and cultural impact of Rabagas, a vaudeville play by Victorien Sardou, is also examined. Premiering in 1872, the play features a fictional Prince of Monaco and uses the Menton-Roquebrune secession as a lens to explore revolutionary tensions in 19th-century France.

Two essays stem from the 2022 conference Les carrières d’un prince, celebrating Prince Albert I. One examines the discovery of anaphylaxis during his scientific voyages, a breakthrough that earned Charles Richet the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1913. The other explores Albert I’s pacifist ideals through his collaboration with Max Waechter, an industrialist and philanthropist who championed a federation of European states.

Finally, this edition includes a richly illustrated 50-page section dedicated to the exhibition Monaco libéré! commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Principality’s liberation, on display at the Prince’s Palace from 3rd September 2024 to 31st January 2025.

The issue concludes with its regular bibliographic chronicle, offering an overview of the latest French and international publications related to Monaco and the Grimaldi dynasty.

The 2025 edition of Annales monégasques is available for €30, with annual subscriptions priced at €25. Subscribers also receive online access to all archived issues dating back to 1977.

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Photo taken from the cover of the 2025 edition of Annales monégasques