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Day: 23 January 2026

Celebrate Australia Day with Monaco’s Australian Association 

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/01/2026

This Australia Day, Monaco’s expat community is invited to celebrate with the Principality’s official Australian Association — all while enjoying front-row views of the Sainte Dévote festivities.

On Monday 26th January, the Australian Association of Monaco will host its inaugural Australia Day celebration at a private venue overlooking Port Hercule, marking the first time the new group has formally come together to honour the national day.

Fresh off a recent trip to Sydney, the organisers have brought back a suitcase full of Aussie spirit — from flags and themed decorations to favourite snacks and drinks. And, of course, no Australia Day gathering would be complete without the classic sausage sizzle, ensuring that even from afar, the tastes of home are close at hand.

“It’s a celebration of community,” say organisers, who emphasise that in true Aussie fashion, everyone is welcome — you don’t have to be Australian to join in. Entry is €40 per person for non-members of the association, making it not only a chance to experience a relaxed and fun-filled national day, but also a perfect opportunity to connect with Monaco’s vibrant Australian community and learn more about the association.

To top off the evening, guests will also have a prime view of the Sainte Dévote drone and fireworks show, one of Monaco’s most cherished traditions.

The celebration runs from 5pm to 9.30pm, perfectly timed to take in both Australia Day revelry and the Principality’s own historic commemoration.

To reserve your spot, email magda@bespokemc.com.

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Security measures for Saint Dévote celebration set in place

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
23/01/2026

Monaco has set in place a series of security and traffic arrangements for Monday’s annual Saint Dévote celebrations on January 26th. 

From 5:30pm, security checkpoints with bag and container inspections will be set up at two key locations. The first is on place Saint Dévote for those attending the procession and the Salute of the Blessed Sacrament. The second is at the northern section of Quai Albert 1er for spectators of the traditional boat burning ceremony.

Travel disruptions

Train passengers should note that pedestrian access through the Saint Dévote valley will close at 5:30pm, along with the Saint Dévote stairs. Travellers are advised to use the Saint Dévote gallery to reach or leave the station via Rue Grimaldi.

Between 6:15pm and 7pm, Route de la Piscine will be closed between Avenue JF Kennedy and the Jules Social landing stage.

From 6:45pm to 7:45pm, temporary traffic disruptions will affect Boulevard Albert 1er, Avenue JF Kennedy, and Avenue d’Ostende to allow the event to proceed smoothly.

Public transport

Bus services (lines 1,2,3, and 6) and ZOU lines 600 and 80 will experience disruptions during the road closures. Public car parks will display diversion information at their access points.

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Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais princier

 

Monte Carlo Rally: road closures and parking restrictions

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
23/01/2026

Major road closures and parking restrictions will affect Monaco during the Monte Carlo Rally on Saturday January 24th as the principality hosts a special stage around Monaco’s F1 circuit.

Several key routes will close between 3pm and 11.30pm. The closures affect Quai des États-Unis from the restricted access zone to its junction with Route de la Piscine, Route de la Piscine itself, and Avenue J.F. Kennedy between Boulevard Louis II and Quai des États-Unis, though residents, parking subscribers, and ticket holders for the concert at Auditorium Rainier III retain access. The lower section of Rue Grimaldi and both the Rocher Antoine I and Rocher Albert I tunnels will also close.

Boulevard Albert I will be accessible via its service road until 4.45pm, then close completely until 11.30pm. Traffic will run in the opposite direction on Rue Suffren Reymond and Rue Princesse Florestine while Rue Imberty becomes one-way and Rue Notari operates as two-way.

Parking arrangements

The Chiron and Quai Antoine I car parks will be closed on January 24th. With the International Circus Festival also taking place that evening, authorities recommend planning journeys in advance.

Rally spectators are advised to use the Salines car park with 1,700 spaces and a 16-minute walk to the harbour, or alternatively the Gare car park via Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, or the Colle and Wurtemberg car parks via Boulevard Rainier III. The harbour can be reached using the Sainte-Dévote underground gallery, the footbridge lift near Théâtre des Variétés, or the temporary footbridge near the CFM.

Extended parking restrictions

Boulevard Albert I will be closed to parking between numbers 19 and 27 until  February 9th, between numbers 9 and 11 until 13 June, and entirely from 6am on January 23rd until 6am on January 25th. Access to Quai Antoine I is banned until 6pm on January 25th, Route de la Piscine until 6am on January 25th, and Quai Rainier III and Esplanade des Pêcheurs until 6am on February 8th.

The Jules Soccal jetty and Quai des États-Unis will close from 6am on January 24th until 6am on January 26th. Quai Rainier I is unavailable from 11pm on January 23rd until 6am on January 25th, and Avenue de la Quarantaine from 11pm on January 21st until midnight on January 25th. Rue Princesse Antoinette, Rue Baron Sainte-Suzanne, Rue Princesse Florestine (numbers 8-12), Rue Grimaldi, Rue Louis Notari, Rue Suffren-Reymond, and Avenue J.F. Kennedy all have restrictions from 6am on January 24th until 6am on January 25th.

Public transport and pedestrian access

Urban buses will be diverted on Saturday with details at cam.mc. The ZOU line 600 maintains its usual route towards Nice but diverts via Avenue Prince Pierre to the Monte-Carlo Tourisme stop in the opposite direction.

Pedestrians cannot access the Jules Soccal jetty, the south and north harbour basins, or cross between Boulevard Albert 1 and Quai Albert 1 between 3pm and 11.30pm and January 24th.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Life

Monaco welcomes 170 new nationals at traditional Town Hall reception

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/01/2026

The Town Hall of Monaco held its traditional reception on Thursday evening for individuals who obtained Monégasque nationality during 2025, either by law or by Sovereign Ordinance.

Mayor Georges Marsan, accompanied by members of the Municipal Council, welcomed the new Monégasques in the Salle des Mariages for an event focused on shared values and attachment to the Principality.

Annual institutional tradition

The reception, organised each year by the Commune, represents a key moment in Monaco’s institutional life. It provides an opportunity to officially welcome new nationals and emphasise the significance and commitment represented by acquiring Monégasque nationality.

The event included a presentation on the Municipal Institution before Mayor Marsan distributed symbolic gifts to attendees. These included a reproduction of the national anthem written in Monégasque language by Louis Notari in 1931, the traditional song booklet ‘Aiço d’aiçi II’ featuring six songs performed by the Rainier III Academy Children’s Choir and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, and a signed and numbered lithograph of an original drawing of Sainte-Dévote by Claude Rosticher.

Growing national population

In 2025, 170 people obtained nationality, an increase from 160 in 2024. Of these, 55% acquired nationality through filiation, 33% through marriage, and 12% through Sovereign Ordinance of Naturalisation.

As of 31st December 2025, the Principality counted 9,961 Monégasques.

The reception concluded with the Monégasque Anthem, performed by the Rainier III Academy Children’s Choir.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco