13 ° C
Profile

Day: 6 March 2026

Monaco’s Jardin Exotique to reopen at the end of March after years of renovation

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/03/2026

One of Monaco’s most iconic landmarks is set to reopen its doors later this month, following several years of closure for extensive safety and renovation works.

The Jardin Exotique de Monaco will welcome the public from Monday 30th March, open daily from 9am to 6pm. Before that, on Sunday 29th March, the garden will hold a free preview opening exclusively for Monegasque nationals and residents, accessible on presentation of an identity document or residence permit.

Perched on the western cliffs of the Principality, the Jardin Exotique is home to one of the world’s most remarkable collections of succulent plants, gathered from across the globe, and offers sweeping views over Monaco and the Mediterranean. For many residents, the reopening will be the first opportunity in years to rediscover a site that has long been considered part of the Principality’s essential heritage.

Full details and visitor information are available at jardin-exotique.mc.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Flickr

Prince Albert II visits MonaCollecte meeting Monaco’s youngest recyclers

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
06/03/2026

Prince Albert II opened the fifth edition of MonaCollecte Friday morning, making his way through every stand at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, speaking with representatives and taking a close interest in the sustainability initiatives presented. 

The Prince was accompanied by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and guided through the exposition by Pierre Bardy, Directeur Général of the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement, one of the organising bodies behind the annual initiative alongside the Prince’s Government.

Local schoolchildren were also in attendance, taking part in this year’s theme ‘Zero Waste’, and enthusiastically getting involved in the multiple workshops spread throughout the venue.

Schoolchildren involved in the workshops, photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Communications Department

As the Prince moved along the stands, he witnessed the young pupils enthusiastic hands-on approach to their workshops which included cooking without waste, crafting objects from repurposed materials, sorting recycling on tricycles and scooters, and rescuing symbolic sea creature from ocean pollution displays.

He stopped and greeted many of them along the way.

The Prince touring the stands, photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Communications Department

The event continues until Saturday 7th March at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, with free entry from 10am to 7pm.

Saturday’s programme also includes the Mùnegu Repair Café, run in partnership with the Repair Café de Nice association, where visitors can bring in everyday objects to be fixed between 10am and 6pm.

Inside the venue, photo by Monaco Life

<

p style=”font-weight: 400;”>Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Main photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Communications Department

Monaco’s 500-year-old olive tree finds a permanent home in Osaka

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/03/2026

A commemorative plaque marking one of Monaco’s most unusual diplomatic gifts has been unveiled in Osaka, formalising the donation of a 500-year-old olive tree from Prince Albert II to the Japanese city.

The tree, presented by the Prince to the Mayor of Osaka on Monaco National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, has been planted in Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, where it will remain as a lasting symbol of the relationship between the Principality and Japan.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Kristina Djordjevic, Deputy Commissioner General of Monaco’s Pavilion at Expo 2025, and by Tomonori Misono, Director General of the Osaka World Expo Promotion Bureau, representing the city of Osaka.

An olive tree of this age carries considerable symbolic weight — associated across cultures with peace, longevity and cooperation between peoples. That Monaco chose such a gift, rather than a conventional diplomatic offering, reflects the particular character of the relationship the Principality has sought to cultivate with Japan over recent years.

The plaque unveiling marks the latest step in the development of ties between Monaco and Osaka, and ensures that the tree’s origins and meaning are permanently recorded at its new home in one of the city’s most visited public parks.

See also: 

Monaco and Japan to celebrate 20 years of friendship

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo source: Government communications department