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Month: February 2026

Monte-Carlo Television Festival opens Golden Nymph Awards submissions with revamped categories

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/02/2026

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is accepting entries for its 65th edition, which runs from 12th to 16th June, with notable changes to its competition categories reflecting shifts in how audiences consume content.

The 2026 Golden Nymph Awards Competition features four official categories: Fiction, Major News and Current Affairs, Digital, and the Prince Rainier III Special Prize. Partner organisations including the Monégasque Red Cross and AMADE will also award special prizes selected from submitted programmes.

The most significant change affects the Major News and Current Affairs category, which now prioritises in-depth, field-based investigative journalism over other news formats. The revised criteria emphasise direct observation, rigorous reporting and firsthand testimony, with a focus on content illuminating major societal, cultural and geopolitical realities, including contemporary conflict zones.

Digital category enters second year

The Digital Prize, introduced last year, recognises content created exclusively for digital platforms and distributed solely on YouTube. Eligible programmes must use unscripted formats without actors or pre-written dialogue. Two Golden Nymph Awards are presented: Best Original Digital Creation and Best Digital Documentary.

The category’s addition reflects broader industry trends as traditional broadcasters compete with streaming services and social media platforms for audience attention. YouTube reported over 2.5 billion monthly users in 2024, making it a significant distribution channel for audiovisual content.

Six decades of television recognition

The Golden Nymph Awards have been presented since the Festival’s inception, establishing themselves as among international television’s most recognised honours. The competition showcases programmes to audiences, press and industry professionals annually, with past winners including productions from major broadcasters and streaming services worldwide.

Entry remains free for all industry professionals globally, with formats produced for television and streaming platforms eligible for consideration. The submission deadline is Thursday 19th March, with the official selection announced in May. The awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday 16th June.

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Photo of Prince Albert II with actress Simone Ashley by Monaco Life

Harry Potter returns to Paris: 25 years of magic celebrated with spectacular events

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/02/2026

Twenty-five years after French cinemagoers first met a young orphan destined for greatness, Harry Potter returns to Paris in spectacular fashion. Warner Bros. Discovery France has unveiled an ambitious programme of events and experiences throughout 2026 to celebrate the enduring phenomenon that began when the first film premiered on 5th December 2001.

The anniversary celebrations centre on an unprecedented gathering at the Gardens of Versailles on 29th August 2026, marking the traditional “Back to Hogwarts” date when students board the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9¾. For the first time, this annual fan gathering—celebrated worldwide each year—will take place in the historic gardens of the Palace of Versailles, offering devotees an extraordinary setting to share their passion for the wizarding world.

A ciné-concert at Le Grand Rex

The crown jewel of Paris’s celebrations arrives in November with a special ciné-concert at Le Grand Rex, one of Europe’s most spectacular cinema venues. From 5th to 8th November, more than 80 musicians from the Yellow Socks Orchestra will perform John Williams’s iconic score live, synchronised with a screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in its original version with French subtitles.

The event marks the perfect full-circle moment for French fans, many of whom first discovered the boy wizard at this very cinema a quarter-century ago. The Grand Rex has hosted an annual Harry Potter marathon since 2020, but this anniversary concert represents something altogether more special.

“At Le Grand Rex, the Harry Potter marathon has become a fixture that brings together an increasingly devoted community of fans each year,” said Alexandre Hellmann, deputy managing director of Le Grand Rex. “Celebrating the saga’s 25th anniversary through this marathon is a natural way to continue experiencing the magic collectively on the big screen.”

France’s pioneering role

France holds a unique place in Harry Potter history. In 1998, it became the first country in the world to translate and publish J.K. Rowling’s novels, with Christine Baker, then editorial director at Gallimard Jeunesse, recognising the potential of the unknown British author’s work. That early faith has been rewarded: more than 40 million Harry Potter books have been sold in France to date.

The cinematic journey proved equally successful. When the first film arrived in French cinemas, it attracted 9.6 million spectators and has remained a cultural touchstone for an entire generation. Each of the eight films ranked in the top three at the French box office during their release years, with the saga accumulating more than 59 million cinema admissions across France.

“Harry Potter is Warner Bros. Discovery’s greatest success,” said Olivier Snanoudj, who handled distribution of the saga in France and serves as president of the Franco-American Cinema Syndicate. “It’s both a commercial and qualitative triumph, with the production of all eight films meticulously crafted. Nobody expected this would become such an extensive cinematic adventure.”

New products and collaborations

The anniversary has inspired numerous exclusive products and partnerships. LEGO has created special 25th-anniversary collector’s sets, several featuring exclusive translucent blue Patronus figures to collect. Lyonnaise silk house Malfroy has designed an elegant silk square showcasing the most emblematic Patronuses from the series, whilst Gallimard Jeunesse has launched “Potter & Company,” a new collection of playful, colourful guides introducing younger readers to the wizarding world’s characters and creatures.

For the first time in French dining, the beloved Butterbeer will be celebrated when the Au Bureau restaurant chain dedicates May 2026 to the wizards’ favourite beverage, with all 214 of its French locations adopting special décor and offering original recipes inspired by the magical drink.

Educational magic

The phenomenon has even reached French classrooms. Since September 2025, the Collège de Saint-Clément in Gironde has operated a Harry Potter-themed sixth-form class, where students are sorted into the four Hogwarts houses and participate in activities promoting team cohesion throughout the year, including potions and herbology lessons adapted to the national curriculum. The year culminates in a school trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.

“The real magic of the saga is that it continues to achieve immense success even fifteen years after the final film’s cinema release,” said Kelyan Blanc, the French voice of Harry Potter.

A transgenerational legacy

What distinguishes Harry Potter from other entertainment franchises is its remarkable transgenerational appeal. Parents who grew up with the films now introduce them to their own children, creating new layers of shared experience and memory.

“In 2001, I saw Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone at the cinema and immediately loved this universe,” said Barbara, a devoted fan. “When I became a mother, it was a pleasure to watch all the saga’s films again with my daughter. Now she loves the wizarding world as much as I do.”

This capacity for transmission, combined with the saga’s universal themes of friendship, courage and acceptance, has transformed Harry Potter from a successful film series into a genuine social phenomenon. The vocabulary of the wizarding world has entered everyday French usage—”Muggle” to describe a non-specialist, “Dementor” for someone who dampens the mood, “Azkaban” for a gloomy place—whilst the visual iconography of Hogwarts, wand duels and the lightning-bolt scar have become instantly recognisable cultural references.

Harry Potter 25th Anniversary Paris Highlights

29th August 2026: Back to Hogwarts celebration, Gardens of Versailles

5th-8th November 2026: Ciné-concert at Le Grand Rex with Yellow Socks Orchestra performing John Williams’s score

Throughout 2026: Exclusive product launches, restaurant collaborations, and special exhibitions

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Monaco pour ‘Emploi sees record turnout with tech taking centre stage

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
06/02/2026

Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino officially opened the fourth edition of Monaco pour l’Emploi Friday morning at the Grimaldi Forum, with this edition marking its biggest turnout to date.

The fourth edition of the employment forum attracted over 4,500 pre-registered attendees as of the day before the event. Since its first edition in September 2023, which drew 3,600 visitors, attendance has grown steadily – marking 5,000 in 2024, 6,000 in 2025, and reaching 6,300 total participants this year.

“The Principality comprises exactly 78,364 jobs, of which nearly 84% belong to the private sector,” Mirmand told attendees. “These figures illustrate both the vitality of our economic fabric and the structuring role of employment in the organisation of our society.”

Christophe Mirmand during his address, photo credit: Monaco Life.

Nearly 120 exhibitors participated in the forum, representing sectors from banking and hospitality to yachting and construction, with a dedicated space for digital careers.

Why tech is this year’s focus

After focusing on luxury industries last year, this year’s forum put digital careers in the spotlight with a dedicated exhibition space and multiple tech-focused sessions taking place.

The Chambre Monégasque du Numérique (Monaco Digital Chamber) had a prominent presence, engaging with both training institutes and students from Lycée Rainier III about future career prospects in the sector.

Christophe Mirmand, Christophe Robino and members of the Government and Town Hall at this year’s employment forum. Photo credit: Monaco Life.

The forum’s spotlight on digital careers and AI reflects both opportunity and uncertainty. Robino was honest about the challenges artificial intelligence presents.

“I really believe that today, it’s a current topic. The digital professions, the jobs of tomorrow, raise questions,” he said. “It also generates all these questions linked to how we understand and integrate artificial intelligence into the world of work. It generates concerns, it generates hopes. We don’t yet have a very clear idea of what the consequences will be depending on the sectors of activity.”

Christophe Robino during his address, photo credit: Monaco Life.

A new format for deeper dialogue

This year’s forum also introduced seven ‘rendez-vous croisés’: 30-minute focussed sessions bringing together institutions, employers, training providers and job seekers on specific topics.

“Rather than having a single vision, the aim was to cross perspectives,” explained Nathalie Julien, the project coordinator. “That’s why we call them cross-appointments, where we have different people who address the same theme.”

Sessions covered cybersecurity with the Monaco Public Security and insurance representatives, seasonal housing solutions involving CROUS student accommodation, and disability inclusion in the workplace.

During one of the rendez-vous croisés sessions, photo credit: Monaco Life.

Another positive outcome from this year’s edition was the employers’ confidence. According to Robino, “at the first version, they were a little reluctant. They had the impression that they would be competing with each other. Then finally, they realised that it was a good way to exchange.”

The February timing now targets seasonal recruitment ahead of the high season, though Robino acknowledges the forum’s growth may soon test the Grimaldi Forum’s capacity. “We will arrive at a saturation level at some point,” he admitted, suggesting future editions might span multiple days or additional events throughout the year.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Life

Zenirō: Nice’s stunning new Japanese-Provençal restaurant worth leaving Monaco for

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/02/2026

A new dining destination has arrived in Nice that’s already drawing crowds – and deserves to. Zenirō, which opened just two weeks ago, presents a sophisticated fusion of Japanese precision and Provençal soul that feels both luxurious and remarkably accessible.

The restaurant was packed on a Wednesday night – unusual for an establishment barely out of its soft launch. Word has clearly spread that Nice has a serious new player in its dining scene, and the early verdict suggests the hype is justified.

Zenirō occupies three levels in central Nice – opposite the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum – though currently only the main restaurant across the first two floors is operating, offering 120 covers alongside an intimate private dining room. The rooftop cocktail bar, complete with a three-metre bonsai-shaped olive tree, is scheduled to open in spring 2026.

The private dining space at Zeniro is luxuriously enveloped in the wine and champagne display

Japanese technique meets Riviera ingredients

Head Chef Ricardo Pérez, whose experience includes stints at Nobu London Shoreditch and Tapasake at One&Only Portonovi, leads a kitchen that celebrates Provençal seasonality through Japanese technique. The charcoal grill features prominently, bringing smoky depth to dishes like grilled artichoke hearts with salmon tartare and locally sourced red mullet with sesame sauce and rice salsa.

Main courses include Angus beef grilled on toban and a refined interpretation of ratatouille that elevates the classic Provençal vegetable medley.

The grilled lamb chops deserve particular mention – worth returning for even if they don’t exactly scream Japan.

Mediterranean touches to classic Japanese dishes offer a nice take on the traditional, while the flame grill is a highlight

Desserts like baba au limoncello with vanilla cream and raspberries, and a perfectly executed chocolate soufflé topped with black sesame ice cream also prove you can successfully bridge two cuisines without leaving anyone at the table disappointed.

Luxe without the luxury pricing – for now

The stunning interior, designed by Cannes-based architect Samy Chams (known for La Guérite Cannes, Bagatelle Courchevel and Jimmy’z Monaco), blends Japanese minimalism with Provençal warmth. Rich, tactile materials, softly backlit surfaces and an earthy palette create an intimate, cocooning atmosphere. Sculptural banquettes, textured upholstery and refined brass detailing nod to mid-century design, while low ambient lighting allows the space to evolve throughout the evening.

The level of finish and service feels decidedly luxurious, yet prices remain surprisingly reasonable – though one suspects this accessibility may not last as Zenirō establishes itself and word continues to spread.

Attention to detail includes the ‘Z’ stamped crystal clear ice cubes

Cocktails with precision

The bar programme reflects the same balance and precision found in the kitchen. Classic Japanese cocktails receive French Riviera reinterpretation: Raku combines Roku Gin with yuzu, sparkling sake and soda, while Yume blends Belvedere Vodka with red shiso, umeshu and grapefruit cordial. The signature mocktail Nami offers a non-alcoholic option with kombucha, apple-quince, ginger and lemon.

Ambitious plans ahead

“We wanted to showcase what Zenirō is really about – bringing Japanese technique together with the incredible produce we have here in Provence,” says Thomas Barazer, the restaurant’s General Manager. With multiple restaurant openings in Paris under his belt, Barazer brings both expertise and an approachable professionalism that immediately puts diners at ease.

“Right now we’re focusing on getting the restaurant experience perfect, and then the rooftop bar opens in spring – that’s when you’ll get the complete Zenirō experience.”

Dining options are spread out over three levels

Later in 2026, Zenirō will establish an exclusive farm in Provence dedicated to cultivating regional ingredients, allowing the kitchen to work in harmony with the seasons. Future expansion plans aim to bring the Japanese-Provençal philosophy to other Riviera destinations and beyond.

Verdict

This is the kind of restaurant worthy of drawing you out of Monaco for dinner, worth seeking out if you’re already in Nice, or simply worth trying if you want something new and genuinely good. The combination of sophisticated execution, beautiful design and accessible pricing makes Zenirō an early contender for one of the Riviera’s most exciting restaurant openings this year.

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All photos courtesy of Zeniro

 

Monaco’s Top Marques to return with its largest edition to date

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
05/02/2026

Top Marques Monaco will come back to the Grimaldi Forum this spring, with what organisers promise to be the largest edition yet. 

The 21st edition of the luxury automotive show, held under the high patronage of Prince Albert II, will take place from 6th to 10th May, brining around 235 vehicles under one roof, including a series of work premieres and Monaco debuts.

The event offers the opportunity for visitors not only to view but also to purchase some of the world rarest and most expensive vehicles.

A key new feature this year is the introduction of a 1,500 square metre Luxury Tuners Hall, dedicated to automotive craftsmanship, one-off builds and customised models, alongside the show’s classic Supercar Hall.

World premieres and Monaco debuts

Among the headline world premieres is the Giamaro Krafla, an Italian hypercar powered by a quad-turbo V12 producing 2,157 PS. Spanish manufacturer Baltasar will also unveil the Revolt, which it describes as the word’s first fully road legal electric track-focused car to meet FIA competition standards.

Additionally, French brand Hedonic Machines is set to debut two new bespoke creations insisted by automotive icons including the Porsche 911 and Land Rover Defender.

Several Monaco debuts are also planned, including the Bovensiepen Zagato, a limited edition grand tourer combining Italian design with German engineering, and a one-off hand-built automobile from Bulgarian manufacturer TP Atelier.

Renowned manufacturers expected to showcase their latest models include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani, Porsche, as well as Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, Audi and Morgan.

In addition to supercars, the event will also feature motorcycles, luxury boats, an aircraft, and a selection of high-end jewellery and watches.

Top Marques begins on 6th May with a VIP preview, followed by two business days aimed at collectors and buyers on 7th and 8th May, before opening to the public over the weekend. General admission tickets start from €40

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Main photo credit: Top Marques Monaco

Yacht Club de Monaco to host elite Superyacht Chef Competition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
05/02/2026

Monaco’s Yacht Club de Monaco will host the seventh edition of its Superyacht Chef Competition on 2nd April, uniting some of the world’s finest culinary talents to compete in a unique setting. 

The competition, organised through the club’s training centre La Belle Classe Academy with support from Bluewater, aims to shed light on a demanding yet little-known profession: the superyacht chef.

Heading the judging panel for the competition is Philippe Etchebest, a two Michelin starred chef and holder of France’s prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier title. He will be joined by an international lineup of culinary experts, including Italian chef Carlo Cracco, two-Michelin-starred Marcel Ravin from Monaco’s Blue Bay restaurant, and Venezuelan television host Jenny Maltese.

The panel also features superyacht specialist Duncan Biggs, co-founder of Ocean Waves Monaco, and Benjamin Ferrand, who won last year’s competition. German chef and restaurateur Tim Mälzer is expected to join, pending confirmation.

Real word-pressure

The competition format mirrors the demanding conditions chefs face at sea. Contestants will discover a mystery ingredient just moments before they begin cooking and must use all products provided, with penalties for food waste.

“This event showcases chefs who can excel in a challenging, mobile and international setting,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, the Yacht Club’s managing director.

The jury will assess not only technical skill but also adaptability and understanding of the unique constraints of onboard service, where chefs must work in confined spaces while maintaining high standards.

Educational focus

Students from Monaco Hospitality School will participate in running the event, gaining hands-on experience alongside working professionals.

In the run-up to the main competition, the Yacht Club will host the Battle des Chefs on 12th March, a networking event supporting the charity À Chacun Son Cap. Then, on April 1st, the Dîner des Grands Chefs will bring together jury members ahead of the competition itself

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Main photo credit: mesi_BD, Yacht Club de Monaco