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Month: January 2026

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

 

Monte Carlo Rally gets underway with spectacular official kick-off

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
22/01/2026

The 94th Monte Carlo Rally departed from Monaco’s Port Hercule on Thursday afternoon, with 66 crews heading into the Alps to face what competitors are calling exceptionally challenging conditions. 

Minister of State Christophe Mirmand was the one to officially flag away the first car from Port Hercule at 2:30pm, with Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino and Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre signalling later departures. Cars left at two-minute intervals for the liaison route to Gap.

Christophe Mirmand flagging off the first cars, photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life.

Hundreds of spectators filled the port to witness the departure, and despite light rain they lined the barriers as crews waved before heading off.

Meanwhile, Port Hercule saw large crowds gather earlier in the day, as well as during the autograph sessions, where Rally1 drivers signed everything from books and photos to T-shirts and posters.

Immediately after the autograph sessions, fans also had the opportunity to watch the rally cars line up for their official photo, followed by the drivers gathering around the trophy for a group shot of their own.

Rally cars lining up for the official photo, credit: Monaco Life

The highlight came when Sébastien Ogier unveiled Toyota’s new car to an enthusiastic crowd.

Even the 10-time Monte Carlo winner expressed caution about the rally ahead. “It’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

Sébastien Ogier unveiling the new Toyota car, credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life

Three treacherous stages await

Adrien Fourmaux echoed the sentiment during the podium talks.

“Conditions tonight will be really tricky. But it should be spectacular with the night-time spectators and the snow.”

During the podium talks, photo by Monaco Life.

The opening day features three stages between the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. After the 21.90km Toudon-Saint-Antonin test, crews face two night stages: the 23.80km Esclangon-Seyne-les-Alpes run and the 15.06km Vaumeilh-Claret stage. The Col du Fanget summit could prove particularly treacherous, with ice and snow forecast.

The rally now runs through January 25th, with all crews spending Thursday night in Gap before Friday’s stages.

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Main photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life

Monaco students dive into coral conservation with new AMPN and CSM partnership

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/01/2026

A new collaboration between the Association Monégasque pour la Protection de la Nature (AMPN) and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM) is giving Monaco schoolchildren a hands-on understanding of the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

As part of the Aire Marine Éducative (AME) programme, launched in 2018 and supported by the Prince Albert II Foundation and the Monaco Government, a Year 6 class from Institution François d’Assise–Nicolas Barré is learning about rising ocean temperatures and coral bleaching through an innovative science project.

“The transmission of knowledge is an integral part of our work as scientists,” said Dr Sylvie Tambutté, Scientific Director of the CSM. “We’re committed to sharing our expertise with young people, especially through the AME.”

Two aquariums were set up at the CSM with coral colonies — one maintained at a healthy 25°C, and the other raised to 31°C to simulate the effects of warming seas. Students have been tracking the changes remotely via video, and in January, visited the CSM to observe the results in person.

Photo: Back row, from left to right: Xavier Maccario, Senior Technician at the CSM; Flora Ginocchio, Secretary General of the CSM; Dr Sylvie Tambutté, Scientific Director of the CSM; Jacqueline Gautier-Debernardi, Director of the AMPN; Anne-Cécile Jaadi, Primary School Teacher; Eric Tambutté, Research Scientist at the CSM; Natacha Segonds, Senior Technician at the CSM. Credit: Stéphane Danna, Government Communications Department

Dressed in lab coats, the children took part in workshops examining coral species, observing feeding habits, and identifying signs of bleaching under the microscope. The experience, said AMPN Director Jacqueline Gautier-Debernardi, helps students connect with nature in meaningful ways. “Each concrete experience sparks curiosity and shapes their desire to protect the environment.”

The AME programme aims to inspire environmental stewardship among Monaco’s youth by linking education with real-world conservation science.

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Main photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Government Communications Department

Monaco police report moderate crime levels at annual New Year ceremony

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/01/2026

Prince Albert II presided over the annual New Year ceremony of Monaco’s Public Safety Department on Wednesday, where Director Eric Arella reviewed 2025’s security performance and presented a generally positive assessment.

The traditional event, attended by the Minister of State, Interior Minister Lionel Beffre and Monaco’s highest authorities, saw Arella address the 628 men and women who make up the department’s personnel.

The director highlighted key moments from the past year and presented statistics showing moderate crime levels that remained “globally under control” throughout 2025.

Reform progress and 2026 priorities

Arella reviewed the main areas of progress in the reform plan launched since his arrival as director.

For 2026, he outlined objectives focused on internal modernization and rationalization, development of international cooperation, and particular preparation for major events.

The ceremony reflects the department’s annual tradition of taking stock of public safety challenges while setting priorities for the year ahead.

Monaco’s Public Safety Department, which combines police and security functions, plays a central role in maintaining the principality’s reputation for safety—a key element of its appeal to residents and visitors.

Official thanks

Arella concluded his remarks by thanking Prince Albert II and members of the Princely Government for their presence and daily support of the Public Safety Department.

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department