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Day: 10 March 2026

Monaco parenting network marks fifth anniversary with free programme

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
10/03/2026

“Becoming a parent is not a straight line, and above all, no one should have to do it alone. We all need resources, support… and most certainly a village.” Now five years in, that founding belief is still what drives Entreparents, the Monaco-based parenting support network, which is celebrating its anniversary with an expanded spring programme.

Founded in 2021, the network has grown through community events, professional partnerships and word of mouth. This year, the team is launching several new initiatives with a particular focus on reaching international families.

About the programme

The programme kicked off this week with two session on 10th March: a ‘Let’s Meet on postpartum’ at Casa di Soci, and the first ‘International Let’s Meet’ at Marius.

Now, coming up on 12th March is ‘L’Apero des Papas’, which offers dads an informal evening of drinks and billiards at Bar Azzura in the Novotel Monaco, organised by fathers for fathers.

Then, on 18th March, ‘ParentalitĂ© IRL’ launches at Casa di Soci. Led by psychomotor therapist Agnès GuĂ©nin, who has worked with families for over 30 years, the monthly three-hour workshop helps parents understand their baby’s development through real-life situations — a crying baby, a child who won’t sleep alone, a father feeling pushed aside in the early weeks. No prescribed methods, just practical understanding.

Following, on 24th March, ‘Let’s Meet 9 months , 1000 questions’ offers a space for expecting parents to ask anything, however big or small.

On 25th March, ‘Let’s Meet Allaitement’ brings together parents to share experiences around breastfeeding.

Lastly, on 3rd April, ‘Let’s Meet Relations Familiales’ explored family dynamics for parents of children and teenagers.

Another event, called ‘Let’s Play Easter’ is also planned for April, with details to follow shortly.

Entreparents is also running a digitalparenting awareness campaign this year, including parent-teen screen workshops with the Fondation pour l’Enfance, and is working with the Monaco Parenting Support Committee on issues including neurodiversity, children’s rights and parenting in the workplace.

All events are free, funded by community contributions. Booking for all events can be made at hello@entreparents.mc.

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Main photo credit: Entreparents Facebook page.

Monaco Yacht Club upgrades its marina with smart mooring system

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
10/03/2026

The Yacht Club de Monaco has upgraded part of its marina with an intelligent hydraulic damping system aimed at keeping boats more secure and comfortable, particularly through the winter months when the sea is at its roughest. 

The device, known as Seadamp and built by Italian manufacturer Seares, reduces the impact of waves before the force reaches the mooring lines. This can cut the peak stress on the lines by up to 90%.

Tests in other Mediterranean marinas show the system can make boats twice as stable while docked, reduce pontoon movement by half, and lower the motion felt on board by nearly 50%.

Beyond the mechanical benefits, the technology has a digital side as well. Sensors inside the units constantly measure the tension on each mooring line and send the information to a central display.

The system being installed, photo credit: Seares

If the strain becomes too high, the system automatically issues a warning. Additionally, the device powers itself, generating electricity from the movement of the surrounding water rather than relying on the grid.

Over time, the data gathered is set to give port managers a much clearer picture of how infrastructure is performing, allowing maintenance and planning decisions to be based on solid evidence.

Seares had also previously worked with the Yacht Club through Monaco’s Smart Marina programme, a partnership that set the foundation for this new development.

Giorgio Cucè, CEO of Seares, said the partnership represented a significant milestone for the company. “This collaboration allows us to deploy and refine data-driven mooring solutions in one of the most demanding and visionary marinas in the world,” he said.

This installation makes part of the club’s Capital of Advanced Yachting initiative, which seeks to push marina operations toward greater sustainability.

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Main photo: Primo Cup Trophy, credit: Studio Borlenghi

Monaco to celebrates 20 years of friendship with Japan in a day of culture and art

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
10/03/2026

Monaco is set to welcome a taste of Japan next week as the Principality marks 20 years of diplomatic relations with the country.

Running from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 21st March, across the Japanese Garden and the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum, the day offers something for all ages, from craft exhibitions and taiko drumming to dance and hands-on workshops.

The day kicks off with an exhibition of traditional Japanese craft, including Bizen-yaki ceramics and Kyoto artisanship. Then at 11am, an official ceremony on the Grimaldi Forum esplanade will feature powerful taiko drum performances by Wako Rising Sun, followed by a dance performance by Mimosa Koike, principal dancer with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, accompanied by live taiko. Drums return at 2:30pm for a second performance.

Photo credit: Monaco Friend’s of Japan Association

Hand’s on Washi-Sakura workshop

Visitors can also take part in Washi-Sakura workshops, a traditional Japanese paper art in which participants create miniature cherry blossom bonsai using washi paper arranged on real branches in a glass vessel.

Two sessions are available, at 2pm and 3:30pm, led by floral artist Michiko and created Eiji Tanaka. Each session is limited to five participants aged 10 and over, lasts approximately one hour, and costs €25. Participants take their creation home. Advance booking is required at amfj-monaco.com.

The event is organised by the Embassy of Monaco in Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Monaco, and the Monaco Friends of Japan Association

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Main photo credit: Monaco Friends of Japan Association 

Caisse d’Épargne CĂ´te d’Azur opens private banking arm in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/03/2026

Caisse d’Épargne CĂ´te d’Azur has launched a wealth management branch in Monaco, expanding its private banking operations into the Principality as part of a wider push to grow its client base among high-net-worth individuals, according to a statement released on 9th March.

The bank already operates in Monaco through corporate and real estate activities. The new division extends that presence into private banking, offering advice on investment, tax optimisation, estate planning and asset structuring to entrepreneurs, executives and families based in or connected to the Principality.

A strategic move into private banking

According to the statement, the launch forms part of a strategic plan running to 2030, under which the bank has identified Monaco as a priority market. Delphine Rochas Zuffo, Director of the Wealth Management division, said the Principality’s profile made it a logical step. “Monaco is a unique ecosystem — at once residential, entrepreneurial and international. We regularly work with executives considering expatriation or international structuring of their assets. Being present in Monaco allows us to maintain continuity in those relationships.”

Part of the BPCE group

The new branch draws on the resources of the BPCE banking group, of which Caisse d’Épargne CĂ´te d’Azur is a member. The bank says it serves more than 650,000 clients across 117 branches in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Var and Monaco.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

Pope Leo XIV’s Monaco schedule revealed

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
10/03/2026

With Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to Monaco just weeks away, the Princely Palace has revealed the full programme for Saturday 28th March, from the first cannon salute to the final helicopter lift off.

The Holy Father is set to arrive by helicopter, touching down at Monaco’s heliport at 9am, where Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène will be waiting to welcome him.

As he steps onto Monegasque soil, 21 cannon shots will ring out across the Principality to mark the historic day, an act that last took place back in 2014 to celebrate the birth of Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

From the heliport, he will be transported to the Princely Palace for the formal welcome ceremony, set to take place at 9:25am, followed by a private audience with Prince Albert II at 9:40am.

Princess Charlène will then join them for the exchange of gifts and at 10:10am, the Prince and the Pope will appear together on the Palace balcony to address the crowd gathered on the Palace Square.

Afterwards, the Pope will board the papamobile for a procession through the streets, a moment that is expected to be the most visually striking part of the day, with the public able to witness and approach the vehicle throughout the route.

Following the procession, the Pope will arrive at Monaco’s Cathedral at 11am, where once again he will be received by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, this time accompanied by the Archbishop Dominique-Marie David for a meeting with the Catholic community.

He will then continue to the Church of Saint DĂ©vote at 11:45am for an encounter with young people and catechumens (those preparing to enter the Catholic faith).

The Stade Louis II pontifical mass

After a lunch break, the main event arrives: a pontifical mass at the Stade Louis II, set to kick off at 3:30pm.

The stadium will be transformed into a true place of worship, with Prince Albert II, Princess Charlène and civil and religious authorities in attendance alongside the faithful. Entry to the mass is free, with registration details to be announced shortly.

Pope Leo XIV is expected to depart for the Vatican at 5:35pm, in time to celebrate Palm Sunday mass the following morning, marking the beginning of Holy Week.

This is the first time a reigning pope has formally visited Monaco in the modern era. The last papal presence in the Principality dates back to 1802, and even then, it was the cortege of the deceased Pope Pius VI passing through. So, this upcoming visit on the 28th presents something genuinely without precedent.

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Main photo of Prince Albert II and Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in January 2026, credit: Vatican Media

 

Monaco Yacht Show opens applications for expanded Blue Wake programme

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/03/2026

The Monaco Yacht Show is accepting applications for the 2026 edition of Blue Wake, its environmental initiative developed with the Water Revolution Foundation, after a pilot year in which 59 environmental improvement solutions were identified across exhibitors.

The programme asks exhibitors to describe their environmental focus and submit supporting evidence, which is then reviewed by the Water Revolution Foundation against the Blue Wake framework. For 2026, the initiative has been extended to include brokerage and yacht management companies — a change that reflects the argument that environmental responsibility applies across the full lifecycle of a vessel, not only during its build.

Industry response

“Blue Wake represents a pivotal moment for the Monaco Yacht Show, as we continue to evolve into a platform where technical transparency and environmental sustainability redefine industry standards,” said Toby Moore, CEO of Informa Prestige. “By introducing a rigorous, evidence-based framework, we empower exhibitors to showcase their operational progress with credibility. Expanding the programme to include brokerage and yacht management companies recognises that environmental improvement can come from different stages of the yacht lifecycle.”

Leah Werner, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Water Revolution Foundation and a biological oceanographer by background, said the 2026 framework builds on last year’s pilot while offering exhibitors a more structured way to document their initiatives. “Blue Wake 2026 is a crucial milestone in embedding standards that enable exhibitors and the wider yachting industry to advance together,” she said. “Building on the solid foundations established last year, this edition further develops the framework introduced during the pilot programme, offering exhibitors a structured way to present environmental improvement initiatives that are supported by available evidence.”

How to apply

Applications can be submitted via the dedicated module in the MYS Exhibitor Zone. The deadline is 1st July 2026.

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