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Month: November 2025

Road closures and detours for Beking Monaco this Sunday

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/11/2025

Beking Monaco returns on Sunday 23rd November, bringing world-class cyclists and community energy to the Port Hercule area. With it comes a series of traffic and parking restrictions that locals should prepare for.

Now in its fifth year, Beking Monaco has become more than just a cycling race — it’s a celebration of sport, community and charity. Set against the iconic backdrop of Port Hercule, the event draws international athletes, local cycling fans and families together for a festive day of competition and cause. But while the atmosphere promises to be vibrant, residents should brace for significant disruptions to vehicle access and parking throughout the day.

Roads closed for Sunday’s festivities

Vehicle traffic will be halted from 4am to 6:30pm on Sunday 23rd November along key arteries around the port. These include Quai des États-Unis, from the restricted zone to its intersection with Route de la Piscine, as well as Route de la Piscine itself, Avenue J.F. Kennedy, and the southern dock, known as Darse Sud. While access to the Jules Soccal dock will be maintained under controlled conditions, it will only be allowed during fixed windows managed by event organisers. Meanwhile, traffic will continue on Boulevard Albert I, but only in its service lane, and a one-way traffic flow will be imposed along Quai Antoine I, beginning just after the Rocher Noghès tunnel and continuing to the Esplanade des Pêcheurs. Vehicles exiting Parking Antoine I, as well as those coming from the tunnel, will be required to turn right toward the Esplanade.

Parking bans to begin days in advance

Parking restrictions will begin well ahead of race day. From 6am on Thursday 21st November until 6am on Monday 24th, no vehicles will be allowed to park along Quai des États-Unis between the regulated access area and Route de la Piscine, on Route de la Piscine itself, in the Louis Chiron bend, on the first part of the Jules Soccal dock, or at Darse Sud. Further bans will apply on Boulevard Albert I from 11pm on Saturday 22nd November until Sunday evening, and on Quai Antoine I from 4am to 6:30pm on the day of the race.

Public transport also affected

CAM Line 1, which connects Monaco-Ville and Saint-Roman, will be rerouted via Avenue d’Ostende, meaning the “Kennedy” and “Auditorium Rainier III” stops will be out of service for the day. The stops at “Spélugues”, “Citronniers” and “Place du Casino” will only be served by Lines 5 and 6.

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Department of Communications 

Through the lens: A visual journey through Monaco’s National Day with the Princely Family

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/11/2025

Monaco’s National Day, celebrated on 19th November, unfolded in a rich display of tradition, grandeur, and ceremonial precision. From the solemn rhythms of the cathedral mass to the regal choreography of the military parade and the symbolic wave from the Palace balcony, every moment reflected the enduring bond between the Sovereign and the people.

All of it — the pageantry, the heritage, the quiet emotion and national pride — was captured with striking clarity by Palace photographers Michaël Alesi and Frédéric Nebinger, whose images offer a visual chronicle of a day that blends coveted tradition with the spirit of modern Monaco.

Click on the gallery below to view the full selection of images…

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Baroque concerts set to enchant Monaco in December

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/11/2025

Monaco’s Department of Cultural Affairs will host two evenings of sacred baroque music in early December, featuring renowned ensembles Les Passions, Dulci Jubilo, and Concerto Soave in two historic churches.

Monaco’s cultural calendar will close the year on a harmonious note with a pair of Baroque music concerts presented by the Direction des Affaires Culturelles. The first will take place on 2nd December at 8:30pm at the Église du Sacré-Cœur in the Moneghetti district, where the Ensemble Les Passions will perform a programme entitled 1643, l’héritage italien.

This intimate ensemble of four musicians — including two violins, a viola da gamba and an organ — will be joined by the chamber choir Dulci Jubilo for a moving exploration of early Baroque music. The concert will trace the lineage from the Venetian master Claudio Monteverdi through Giacomo Carissimi to Marc-Antoine Charpentier, featuring Carissimi’s dramatic oratorio Jephte, composed in 1648 and considered a landmark of Italian sacred music.

A luminous finale at Saint-Charles

On 4th December at 8:30pm, the Église Saint-Charles in Monte-Carlo will host the second concert, Des Ténèbres à la Lumière, performed by the acclaimed Ensemble Concerto Soave. Led by Jean-Marc Aymes, the group was founded following his collaboration with Argentine soprano María Cristina Kiehr and is celebrated for its refined interpretations of 17th-century music.

This performance will take audiences on a contemplative journey from darkness to light, culminating in the jubilant promise of Christmas. The ensemble will perform cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach, whose sacred compositions remain central to the Western canon. A distinguished vocal quartet will accompany the instrumentalists, delivering both spiritual depth and exquisite musicality.

Free entry and pre-concert gatherings

Both evenings will be preceded by a convivial welcome at 8pm. Entry to the concerts is free, subject to availability. Full programme details are available via the Department of Cultural Affairs at culture.mc.

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Photo credit: Larisa Birta Slbocnlwnha, Unsplash

Princely family celebrates National Day with adoring crowds

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
19/11/2025

Monaco marked its National Day on Wednesday with a rich display of heritage, dignity, and national pride. From solemn religious observance to the precision of military ceremony, the celebrations reflected the Principality’s enduring traditions and close ties between the Sovereign and his people.

The day began solemnly at 9:30am with a Te Deum at Monaco Cathedral, where Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were joined by Princess Caroline and Princess Stéphanie. Archbishop Dominique-Marie David led the thanksgiving mass, accompanied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Monaco Cathedral Choir.

Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella at Monaco’s National Day, photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

By 11am, attention shifted to the Palace’s Cour d’Honneur, where Prince Albert presided over military ceremonies honouring Monaco’s four uniformed units.

The Prince personally awarded rank insignia to 31 promoted members of the Force Publique and presented the Order of Saint-Charles to three servicemen, along with medals of honour to 16 Palace staff.

The Princely Family enjoying a demonstration by the Carabiniers, photo by Monaco Life.

This year’s celebrations also marked 150 years of Monaco’s diplomatic representation in Italy, with 33 musicians from the 3rd Carabinieri Regiment of Lombardy joining the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra in a specially adapted musical programme.

But the day’s most anticipated moment arrived at the Palace Square, where crowds had gathered in eager anticipation. When Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, and twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella finally appeared at the Palace window, cheers erupted across the historic square. Princess Stéphanie and her children Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb also appeared at a separate window, adding to the joyous scene.

The crowd gathered outside the Palace, awaiting for the Princely Family, photo by Monaco Life.

“I would do anything to be here, even if it was raining, I would have come,” one Monegasque resident told Monaco Life. She couldn’t single out a favourite moment: “I loved everything from start to finish, everything was amazing.”

Another local reflected on what the day represents: “The National Day is always a great joy, there is always so much prestige, but it’s also a reflection of a prosperous Principality and a Prince who is close to the population.” The appearance of the Princely Family, she added, remained the emotional highlight: “That is something that always brings joy.”

The day proved once more that Monaco’s National Day continues to be one of the Principality’s most beloved annual celebrations, drawing not only residents but visitors alike to honour Monaco, it’s heritage, the Sovereign Prince, and the entire Grimaldi family.

See more in our video reel below…

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Main photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

Princess Stéphanie and daughter Camille brings cheer to Monaco’s seniors

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/11/2025

On the eve of Monaco’s National Day, Princess Stéphanie paid a heartfelt visit to the Foyer Rainier III, sharing a warm and festive moment with the Principality’s senior residents.

Joined by her daughter Camille Gottlieb, the Princess personally handed out more than 900 gifts to Monaco’s elderly community, continuing a cherished tradition that has become a highlight of the National Day season.

Laughter, smiles, and meaningful exchanges marked the afternoon, as the Princess took time to speak with residents, listen to their stories, and spread a spirit of kindness and togetherness ahead of the holiday.

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene deliver Red Cross parcels to Monaco’s elderly ahead of National Day

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/11/2025

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene visited the Monaco Red Cross on Friday 15th November to hand out festive parcels to senior citizens, continuing a long-standing tradition of National Day outreach. Camille Gottlieb also took part in the visit, which extended support to elderly residents in neighbouring French towns.

In the lead-up to Monaco’s National Day celebrations, the Princely couple made a quiet visit to the headquarters of the Monaco Red Cross on Friday morning to distribute parcels to elderly residents of the Principality. Each gift, assembled by Red Cross volunteers, contained a variety of sweet and savoury items.

The event is part of a broader tradition marking National Day, when the Princely Family carries out a series of engagements with community groups. The distribution of gift parcels to the elderly has become a familiar fixture in the calendar.

Camille Gottlieb joins the annual effort

Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stephanie, joined her uncle and aunt during the visit. Gottlieb has been a regular participant in charitable work linked to the Monaco Red Cross, where she is also known for her involvement in campaigns on road safety and youth support.

Gesture extends beyond Monaco’s borders

While the recipients at the Monaco Red Cross were residents of the Principality, similar parcels are being distributed this week to elderly people in neighbouring French towns, including Beausoleil, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, La Turbie, Peille and Cap-d’Ail. Local social services are supporting the outreach.

A consistent tradition

The Monaco Red Cross, established in 1948, maintains close ties with the Princely Family. Prince Albert II serves as its president, and Princess Charlene has regularly participated in its charitable activities. The annual gift-giving tradition has taken place for decades and remains one of the more personal engagements on the royal calendar.

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Photos credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace