Monaco is looking to strengthen its judiciary, with the Direction des Services Judiciaires announcing the recruitment of four référendaire magistrates through a formal selection process.
The move comes under Law No. 1.364 of 16th November 2009, which governs the status of the magistracy in the Principality. Full details of the process — including jury composition and the structure of examinations — have been published in the Journal de Monaco dated 20th February 2026.
Those interested in applying have until 20th March 2026 to register, with the list of successful candidates and examination dates to be confirmed once the registration period closes.
Hundreds of visitors gather at the Jardins Biovès every day for the 92nd Fête du Citron, which has transformed Menton into a breathtaking spectacle — and rightfully so, as its most striking element is entirely free.
Under this year’s theme ‘Merveilles du Vivant – Wonders of the Living’, seven gigantic sculptures line the gardens, each dressed in 10 to 15 tonnes of lemons and oranges, every piece of fruit placed individually by hand. The result is something that truly needs to be seen in person to be appreciated, as photographs barely do it justice.
Giraffes sculpture, photo by Monaco Life.
A giant whale appears to glide overhead, a tiger crouches ready to leap, while two parrots face each other across a sculptural double helix – perhaps a nod to the DNA that connects all living things.
Parrots sculpture, photo by Monaco Life
Mother Earth as the most breathtaking creation
However, it is the figure of Mother Earth, a pregnant woman with the planet forming in her belly, that stops visitors in their tracks.
As the only human figure among the sculptures, this one has attracted the most attention among visitors and become the most photographed in the gardens.
Mother Earth sculpture, photo by Monaco Life.
Up close, the craftsmanship is remarkable. Thousands of individual fruits are fixed to metal frames with unbelievable precision, creating textures and shadows that shift as the light changes throughout the day. From a distance, the sculptures look almost painted in citrus tones.
Behind the scenes, more than a hundred workers have been maintaining the displays since the festival opened on 14th February, replacing damaged fruit each morning to keep the colours sharp and the details intact.
Tiger sculpture, photo by Monaco Life.
While the famous Corsos parades require tickets, the garden exhibition remains free and open to all, from 9am until 11pm daily.
That accessibility is a big part of what makes the Fête du Citron so enduring. Families with young children, solo visitors, couples — everyone finds their own way through the pathways, at their own pace, and without charge.
Whale sculpture, photo by Monaco Life.
The display runs until 1st March. For those yet to visit, a final night-time parade takes place on Thursday 26th February at 9pm, with fireworks over Menton Bay at 10:30pm, and a last Sunday Corso on 1st March at 2:30pm. Standing tickets start from €16.
The Monte-Carlo Country Club pulled back the curtain on the 119th edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday evening, gathering press, dignitaries and partners at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort for the official tournament presentation.
With less than six weeks to go until the clay courts come alive, tournament director David Massey set out what promises to be another landmark edition — and there was plenty to talk about.
A tournament that has outgrown itself
Last year’s attendance of 154,169 spectators was a record, and according to Massey, it was also something close to a ceiling. “Last year we virtually reached maximum capacity — we won’t be able to welcome more people on site,” he told press following the presentation. The focus for 2026 is therefore not on numbers, but on what happens once fans are through the gates.
New glass staircases, expanded entertainment zones, redesigned spaces and additional screens mean spectators can now follow live match action from outside the courts. Food and beverage capacity has been increased in response to restaurants that run at full capacity on the busiest days. “The goal is truly to provide an even better all-day tennis experience,” Massey said.
A redesigned entertainment area has also been transformed into a more relaxed space away from the crowds, with a giant screen, deckchairs, refreshments and picnic tables. “We realised that outside the stands there were few, if any, places where people could sit and relax.”
In the partner area, four giant screens will broadcast matches live throughout the tournament.
Tournament Director David Massey during Thursday’s presentation. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life
An extra day, 60 cameras and a returning drone
New for 2026 is the addition of an opening Sunday, giving fans an extra day of competitive tennis with full television production from the first ball. “This gives fans an additional day to enjoy high-quality matches,” Massey confirmed.
On the broadcast side, around 60 cameras — including new additions on the main court and a return of the drone — will deliver longer rally tracking and a more immersive experience for a global television audience that reached 34 million viewers across seven days last year. “This is a level of innovation seen at Masters 1000 events. Television viewers will benefit from this enhanced coverage,” said Massey. The Electronic Line Calling Live system, which made Monte-Carlo the first clay court Masters 1000 to adopt electronic line calling last year, will also return.
The Player Village returns
The Player Village at Monte-Carlo Beach — which expanded the site by around 35% in 2025 — returns for a second year, this time enhanced with a high-performance gym and a quiet zone dedicated to player wellbeing ahead of matches.
“Today, players travel with larger teams — sometimes up to ten people. It is therefore essential to provide enough space for both the players and the general public,” said Massey.
Additional comforts for fans will be a highlight at the 2026 Rolex Masters tournament. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life
The Monegasque moment everyone is waiting for
If there was one revelation that generated the most energy in the room, it was the confirmed presence of Valentin Vacherot in the singles main draw — entering on ranking alone for the first time, without a wild card or qualifying. His Shanghai Masters 1000 title last October made him a genuine contender on home clay.
“It will be the first time that a Monegasque player enters the Monte-Carlo Masters main draw directly in singles, outside of qualifying or a wild card. This is excellent news for tennis in Monaco,” said Massey. “He now has a ranking that allows him to choose the tournaments he wants to play. We hope to see him remain in the top 30 — or even go higher.”
Almost gone
Tickets are nearly sold out, with limited availability remaining for the first Saturday on centre court and some grounds passes still on offer. “We are on track to reach full capacity, as we did in 2025. Now, all we need is ideal weather,” Massey said.
Player registrations close on 9th March, with the full entry list announced on 10th March in Paris. The draw ceremony takes place in Monaco on Friday 10th April at 5pm. If last year’s crowd is anything to go by — around 34% French, 40% Italian, and a Monegasque contingent that will be louder than ever with Vacherot in the main draw — the atmosphere at the Monte-Carlo Country Club promises to be something special. The prize fund for this edition exceeds €6.3 million.
Monaco marked the Chinese New Year on 11th February with an evening of cultural celebration organised by the Monegasque association Monaco-Chine, with the support of the Embassy of Monaco in China.
Around one hundred guests gathered for the occasion, among them diplomatic representatives from both Monaco and China — a reflection of the bilateral ties between the two countries, whose 30th anniversary of relations was celebrated in 2025.
The evening marked the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of dynamism, creative energy and action in the Chinese calendar, with traditional culture taking centre stage throughout. Guests were treated to lion dances, calligraphy demonstrations and live Guzheng — the Chinese zither — over a dinner prepared with Asian flavours.
A surprise from Monaco’s classrooms
The highlight of the evening, however, came from an unexpected quarter. More than 90 students currently studying Mandarin at the Collège Charles III and the Lycée Albert I joined the celebrations, performing a series of carefully prepared Chinese songs and dances for the assembled guests.
Ranging from sixth-form beginners to final-year students, the young performers delivered fan dances, a Tai Chi demonstration and a series of contemporary tableaux drawn from Chinese cultural tradition — all rehearsed and guided by their teachers.
A new electronic music festival is coming to Monaco, with the first edition of Mona in Wonderland set to take place at the Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille on Saturday 30th May.
Organised by AEG Presents France, the event runs from 6pm to midnight and promises an immersive production built around an electronic music lineup in the setting of Fontvieille’s iconic big top venue.
The first confirmed acts include Miss Monique and Worakls, with further names still to be announced.
Tickets are on sale now via Shotgun, with standard entry from €45.50 and VIP packages from €111.50. The platform also allows ticket holders to resell their tickets securely through the app if plans change.
The Stade Louis II will swap football for rugby on the 20th and 21st March, when Monaco hosts the 14th edition of the Saint Dévote Tournament, one of the largest under 12s international rugby competitions in the world.
Now in its 14th edition, the event is officially backed by both World Rugby and Rugby Europe. The format is seven on each side, with players all under 12-years-old, and matches run across both days from 9:30am.
This year’s edition is the most international to date. Twenty four teams representing 23 nations have confirmed their participants, with teams travelling from South Africa, Argentina, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Greece, Japan, India, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Ecuador, the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Andorra, the United Arab Emirates, and Monaco itself.
The Saint Dévote Rugby Tournament in 2025, photo credit: FMR
The tournament is organised by the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby, presided over by Princess Charlene, in partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
Beyond the competition, there are several weekend activities which are free of charge. Children aged two to seven can take part in the introductory rugby sessions for a first experience of the sport, while dedicated workshops for children and young adults with disabilities will run in collaboration with local schools. Additionally, a fan zone with inflatable games will be open throughout the day.
Doors open at 9:30am on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March.
