From 20th to 23rd November, the Théâtre des Muses will present a bold and emotionally charged new interpretation of Hamlet, adapted and directed by Christophe Luthringer. This powerful production brings Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy into the present day — and into the bedroom of a 19-year-old navigating grief, rage, and isolation.
Far from a traditional staging, this adaptation centres around Hamm, a young man confined to his room following the death of his father. In this inventive and immersive setting, everyday objects become props for his inner drama: a guitar, a punching bag, puppets, and repurposed furniture all help him process betrayal, loss and the overwhelming weight of expectation.
Celebrated by critics for its raw energy and originality, the production stars Victor Duez in a standout solo performance that has drawn acclaim across France. Le Parisien called it “a modern and musical Hamlet, splendid in its fury”, while Vaucluse Matin praised it as “total theatre”.
A new way in for young audiences
Recommended for audiences aged 12 and over, Hamlet at Théâtre des Muses offers a fresh point of entry into Shakespeare’s iconic work — one that speaks to younger generations through emotion, music and visual storytelling.
Anthéa Sogno, who presents the production, describes it as “a deeply inventive and sensitive approach that captures the imaginative world of adolescence”. The result is a Hamlet that feels both universal and intensely personal.
Don’t miss it
Performances are in French and run from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd November at Théâtre des Muses, Monaco. Early booking is recommended.
The National Council of Monaco passed on 6th November stricter new laws marking a significant shift in how the Principality plans to tackle dangerous driving. Prompted by the tragic deaths of young drivers and a rise in serious road incidents, these new laws aim to reinforce both the prevention of road accidents and the protection of victims.
The reform, first tabled by the Government in April 2025 as Bill No. 1107, has undergone several months of consultation and amendment before being voted through unanimously. Backed by the Minister of State and driven through the legislative process by National Councillor Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo, the law reflects Monaco’s response to rising concerns around road safety — particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders.
“This law is not only about sanctioning – it’s about protecting lives,” said Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo.
Tougher penalties, broader controls
The law introduces harsher penalties for a range of serious driving offences, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and for refusing to comply with roadside checks. Notably, repeat speeding offences exceeding 50km/h above the limit are now classed as a criminal offence, rather than a traffic infraction.
Police are also now empowered to conduct preventative alcohol and drug testing — not just following an accident or observed infraction — but under certain conditions such as major events or targeted enforcement campaigns authorised by the Minister of State.
For professional drivers, including those holding permits in categories C, CE, D or DE, or licences for passenger transport, penalties for dangerous conduct committed while on duty have also been sharply increased. In these cases, offenders could now face up to three years in prison and higher fines.
From punishment to prevention
While the law is clearly more punitive in nature, it also includes measures aimed at prevention. Courts now have the option to order mandatory road safety awareness courses for offenders, paid at the individual’s own expense. In cases of repeat offences, vehicles can be confiscated and driving licences revoked for up to 10 years.
The revised legislation also clarifies the rules on vehicle seizures, ensuring that cars rented by third parties are not unfairly impounded. Additionally, the definition of “vehicle” has been expanded to include non-motorised road users like cyclists and mechanical scooters — reflecting Monaco’s changing urban landscape and the growing diversity of road users.
A national and European context
The tightening of Monaco’s road safety legislation follows concerning statistics both locally and across Europe. In 2023, Monaco recorded three fatal accidents resulting in six deaths, while in 2024, two serious accidents involved drunk driving. Alarmingly, two-wheeled vehicles are implicated in 75% of all injury-causing collisions in the Principality.
Across the EU, more than 19,800 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2024. Although this represents a modest 3% drop compared to the previous year, the pace of progress remains too slow to meet the bloc’s 2030 target of halving road fatalities. In this broader context, Monaco’s legislative overhaul aligns the Principality with European efforts to strengthen road safety through both deterrence and regulation.
Next steps
While the legal framework has now been updated, National Councillors have called for enhanced public awareness campaigns, particularly aimed at young people, and greater support for local road safety organisations. Suggestions also include encouraging hospitality venues to provide breathalysers for patrons to self-test before getting behind the wheel.
The Principality’s newly constituted national coordination committee for the fight against financial crime held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday 12th November, bringing together senior institutional leaders to assess Monaco’s progress in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategy.
Chaired by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, the session marked the first gathering of the committee’s “first College” — the high-level coordination body tasked with implementing and monitoring Monaco’s national strategy against money laundering, terrorist financing, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and corruption.
International recognition of Monaco’s efforts
According to a press statement, the Minister of State used the opportunity to commend the sustained engagement of Monaco’s institutions and services, noting that significant progress had been made since the Principality’s first progress report was submitted to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Those advances were formally recognised on the international stage during FATF’s most recent plenary session in October 2025, which Monaco attended with a dedicated delegation. At that meeting, FATF adopted Monaco’s second follow-up report, citing improvements in a number of key areas.
Among the developments highlighted were a steady increase in international requests to trace and, where appropriate, seize criminal assets abroad; the strengthening of the Monaco Financial Security Authority (Autorité Monégasque de Sécurité Financière); the recruitment of three new magistrates to the Public Prosecutor’s Office; and a higher number of successful asset seizures involving suspected proceeds of crime.
Looking ahead to FATF’s next assessment
Wednesday’s meeting also focused on Monaco’s upcoming third progress report, which is currently in preparation and will be submitted to the FATF in the coming months. Several milestones in the Principality’s national action plan have already been completed — some ahead of the original schedule laid out in June 2024.
As international compliance deadlines approach, the Minister of State called on all stakeholders to remain actively engaged in maintaining and accelerating Monaco’s efforts in financial crime prevention.
The Yacht Club de Monaco’s La Belle Classe Academy has earned official certification from the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), a key global benchmark for professional maritime education. The recognition confirms that its Yachting Masterclass meets the highest international standards, enhancing the programme’s value and credibility for those seeking careers in the yachting industry.
The announcement was made during the graduation ceremony for the 2025 class of the Masterclass, now in its fifth year. “This certification is proof that our programmes meet the high standards expected by professionals in the sector,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. “It is a unique, internationally focused course that offers a 360-degree view of the industry. My congratulations go to the 19 graduates from 13 nations — students and professionals alike — who now join the La Belle Classe Academy alumni and represent the future of a sustainable yachting sector.”
Training Tomorrow’s Industry Leaders
Launched in 2020, the Yachting Masterclass has already trained 151 participants. The course spans two months and 34 hours of instruction, delivered both in person and online, and covers all key aspects of the yachting ecosystem — from naval architecture and yacht management to interior design, maritime law, marketing and owner relations.
The programme is coordinated by Linda Lusignani and led by Marcela de Kern Royer, with sessions delivered by 17 industry experts from across Europe, including representatives from Monaco Marine, Feadship, Rosemont, Only Yacht, Althaus Yachting, Boat International and others.
A Gateway to Opportunity
Designed for students, industry professionals and yacht crew seeking to deepen their understanding of the sector, the course has become a springboard for career advancement. Graduates report gaining not only technical knowledge but also the confidence and insight needed to navigate the complexities of the yachting world. “It’s a high-standard, well-organised and inspiring course,” said 2025 graduate Yuliya Yakushenka. “The content is relevant and exceeded expectations.”
Some past students have already secured new roles or advanced into specialised positions, such as Lenka Baranova, who completed the course in 2021 and is now a sales representative at the Yacht Toy Company.
An Anchor of Monaco’s Yachting Strategy
The IAMI accreditation adds to the Academy’s existing RYA (Royal Yachting Association) certification and supports the broader ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative. It reflects the Principality’s commitment to raising professional standards and establishing Monaco as a global hub for sustainable and innovative yachting.
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.
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.
