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Day: 23 March 2026

Monaco PropTech Symposia: how technology is reshaping the property market

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
23/03/2026

Nearly 300 investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers gathered at the Yacht Club de Monaco on 19th March for the fifth edition of the Monaco PropTech Symposia, an annual forum organised by Monaco’s government to track how technology is transforming the global property industry.

The event, held under the theme ‘PropTech: Accelerator of Innovation & Growth in Real Estate’, brought together some of the sector’s leading voices to assess both where the market stands and where it is heading.

While previous editions had largely celebrated the arrival of new technologies, this time, the conversation was about real world impact. The main question was: how are these tools now actively changing how property is built, bought and managed?

Nearly $45 billion and counting

Real estate technology attracted $44.81 billion in global investment in the 2024–25 financial year, according to the annual Real Estate Tech Barometer produced in partnership with ESCP Business School.

To put that in context, the entire sector raised less than $10 billion a year before 2018.

Artificial Intelligence featured heavily in discussions, with speakers pointing to practical applications already in use: tools that can predict property values with high accuracy, software that automates buffing management, and platforms that speed up mortgage approvals from weeks to hours.

During the conference, photo credit: Monaco Life

A new way to spot opportunities

One of the centrepieces of this year’s Barometer is a new analytical tool: the Real Estate Tech Market Penetration Opportunity Index, developed by the ESCP team in Monaco.

Professor Jaime Luque, who directs the Monaco Real Estate Tech Innovation program, explained to Monaco Life what it offers. “You pick a technology, pick a country, and I will tell you the opportunity for your company to penetrate that market — in terms of competitors, the industry, innovation. We have already incorporated around 200 technology niches, and next year it’s going to be the whole world.”

In plain terms, the index helps investors understand whether a given technology in a given country is still wide open or already crowded. For example, early findings point to France and Germany as strong opportunities for AI-driven property valuation, while France and the UK lead for digital mortgage platforms.

The symposium was organised by Monaco’s Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition. Speakers included Miguel Nigorra, Partner and Head of Europe at Fifth Wall, one of the most active real estate technology investors globally, alongside Ahmed Mahil, chief executive of construction technology firm LUYTEN 3D, and Jesse Witkowski, founder of DFX.

The event was opened by Ludmilla Raconnat Le Goff, the delegate responsible for attractiveness at the Minister of State’s office, who framed innovation as central to Monaco’s appeal to international business. Pascal Rouison, head of the digital transition delegation, closed proceedings

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Main photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Communication’s Department 

Photos: Inside the jaw-dropping galaxy-themed Rose Ball of 2026

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/03/2026

Monaco’s Princely Family gathered at the Salle des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday 21st March for the 70th edition of the Bal de la Rose — one of the Principality’s most established charity events — for a night that balanced tradition with spectacle in equal, and sometimes surprising, measure.

Presided over by Princess Caroline of Hanover, the evening raised funds for the Princess Grace Foundation in its habitual setting of black tie glamour, extraordinary entertainment and Monaco’s most recognisable faces. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène attended alongside Princess Caroline, Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo, Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Ben-Sylvester Strautmann, and Princess Akiko of Mikasa — the Japanese princess who had opened Japan Day in Monaco that same morning. Among the guests was Charles Leclerc, attending with his wife Alexandra.

The galaxy arrives at Sporting Monte-Carlo

For its landmark 70th edition, Princess Caroline chose the theme ‘Galaxy Rose Ball’, once again giving her friend Christian Louboutin carte blanche over the artistic direction. The Sporting Monte-Carlo was transformed into an immersive, space-inspired universe — portholes that changed colour according to the planets being explored during the evening, laser shows, and scenography of a scale and ambition that ran through every detail of the night. It was theatrical without apology, and the galaxy theme held from the moment guests arrived until the early hours.

An evening of deliberate contrasts

The entertainment, however, was where the evening made its most unexpected choices — and delivered its most memorable moments.

It opened with masked violinists in elaborate 18th century orchestral dress, all powdered wigs and period precision, before pivoting — quite dramatically — to the Crazy Horse, the famous Parisian cabaret whose barely-dressed performers brought a level of sensuality that raised an eyebrow or two in a room steeped in seven decades of refined tradition. It was risqué, deliberate and undeniably effective.

What followed was no less theatrical. Ballet Kalinka took to the stage with dancers in sweeping black cloaks carrying giant silver discs on their heads — an image somewhere between avant-garde choreography and The Handmaid’s Tale. Berlin-based Dulce Compania then brought stilt performers dressed as towering metallic figures, part alien, part sculpture, crossing the stage with an otherworldly presence entirely in keeping with the galaxy theme.

Then came the UFO – and from it emerged auctioneer Simon de Pury, who descended on to the stage to conduct the charity auction in support of the Princess Grace Foundation.

The second half of the evening shifted tone once more. Choreographers Céline and Cain Kitsaïs filled the stage with dancers split between black and white, before a galactic light show brought the formal programme to its close. Then Leee John took to the stage with his band Imagination, filling the room with the soul and funk sounds of the 1980s — and the dance floor filled almost immediately. DJ Josh Quinton kept it going until the early hours.

Seven decades and still going

Established in 1954 and supporting the Princess Grace Foundation since 1964, the Rose Ball has outlasted trends, political upheavals and changing tastes to remain one of Monaco’s most recognisable occasions. Its 70th edition was proof that longevity and reinvention are not mutually exclusive — that a night can carry the weight of decades of tradition while still managing to surprise the room.

Tickets for the evening were priced at €1,800 per person.

Click on the gallery below for images from the 2026 Rose Ball. All photo courtesy of Monte-Carlo SBM

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Princess Akiko joins Prince Albert and Princess Charlene to open Japan Day in Monaco

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
23/03/2026

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, joined by Princess Akiko of Mikasa, officially opened Japan Day in Monaco on Saturday morning, marking 20 years of diplomatic relations between the Principality and Japan. 

The ceremony took place at 11 am on the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum, where a large crowd of officials, guests and members of the public gathered to watch the celebrations unfold.

On arrival, a bouquet was presented to Princess Charlene, followed by a second bouquet to Princess Akiko, before the official speeches got underway.

Twenty years of friendship

Prince Albert II spoke in French, while Princess Akiko addressed the crowd in Japanese, with translators on hand for both.

The Prince talked about the closeness of the two nations, noting that throughout 2026, a series of events are set to take place in both Monaco and Tokyo, spanning the arts, food, culture and music, as well as deeper exchanges at a diplomatic level.

Prince Albert II during his speech, photo credit: Sarah Steck, Prince’s Palace

He also pointed to the 1.5 million Japanese visitors Monaco has welcomed as a testament to the affection the two peoples share, and expressed his personal gratitude to Princess Akiko for making the journey to the Principality.

On her part, Princess Akiko spoke warmly of the ties between the two countries, and drew attention to the Japanese Garden as a symbol of that friendship. Special mention was also made to Prince Rainier III, who built the garden with stones and materials brought directly from Japan.

Princess Akiko during her speech, photo credit: Sarah Steck, Prince’s Palace

After the speeches, the esplanade came alive with a powerful taiko drumming performance by Wako Rising Sun, followed by a poetic choreography from Mimoza Koike, principal dancer with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, performed to live taiko accompaniment.

During the spectacle, photo credit: Monaco Life

Into the Japanese Garden

When the spectacle wrapped up, Princess Akiko walked through the Japanese Garden with members of the public, as the rest of the day’s programme including craft exhibitions, Washi-Sakura workshops and a second taiko performance continued across the garden and the Grimaldi Forum esplanade until 5pm.

The event was 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: Sarah Steck, Prince’s Palace

A busy season of local events for car fans

by: Richard McCreery
23/03/2026

If you enjoy seeing rare and interesting cars up close and personal, there are several events worth knowing about in the region over the coming weeks.

On Sunday 29th March, there are three car meets on the same day, so you’ll have to plan a tour to fit them all in. First, in Monaco from 10am, you’ll find the Cars and Coffee group located just behind the Casino de Monte Carlo, where you can see some of the rarest cars in the world. Past participants include a Lynx Eventer, which is an estate version of the Jaguar XJS, and a Lamborghini LM002, the Hummer-like SUV that the Italian car company made in the 80s. 

Next,  head over to Vence where the Azur Classic will be taking place in the Place du Grand Jardin. It promises an interesting mix of classic vehicles and ‘youngtimers’ (the classics of the future). Then it’s time to take a drive in the country, to Bagnols en Foret, to check out the very first edition of the Rassemblement Annuel des Voitures Anciennes, de Prestige et de Rallye for what promises to be an interesting new addition to the car lovers’ calendar.

The 26th April is National Classic Vehicle Day (the Journée Nationale des Véhicules d’Époque) and the village of Castagniers near Nice will see the Club à L’Ancienne host a meeting of classics and sports cars from 9am. Past participants include a Citroen XM (the only Citroen to have a Maserati engine) and a Ford Anglia (the flying car in Harry Potter). Or go for a spin along the Route Napolean, one of the best driving roads in Europe, where you’ll discover classic and rare cars lined up next to the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Gratemoine at Séranon.

The Rade Classique based in Villefranche-sur-Mer will span three days from the 1st to the 3rd May and include a demonstration on the legendary Course de Côte de La Turbie, a road trip, and you’ll find a collection of cars in the Citadelle alongside food trucks and stalls with automobile paraphernalia. It’s a good opportunity to see a large display of very special cars in a beautiful setting. 

The following weekend, the 9th and 10th May, Valberg will celebrate 90 years as a ski resort with the Week-End Passion Rallye, which will feature a display of legendary cars, modern Alpines and electric cars. There will also be stands, activities, a photo exhibition and a chance to see the participating cars running on closed roads.

In the next few months, we’ll cover the Top Marques supercar show in Monaco and the Prestige show in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, but for now there are plenty of fun car events to keep young and old car fans alike busy.

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Full programme revealed for the Jardin Exotique’s exclusive residents’ reopening day

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/03/2026

After nearly six years of renovation work, the Jardin Exotique de Monaco is preparing to reopen its doors — and residents will get the first look. On Sunday 29th March, the iconic botanical garden will host a free preview day exclusively for Monégasques and residents of the Principality, ahead of its official reopening to the public on Monday 30th March.

The day runs from morning until early evening and is designed for all ages, with guided tours, workshops, street art and an aerial acrobatic performance among the highlights. Every visitor will leave with a cactus in a pot bearing the Jardin Exotique’s colours as a memento of the occasion.

Art, botany and a treasure hunt

From 9:30am, Monégasque street artist Mr. OneTeas will run workshops using stencils and ecological spray paint throughout the day, culminating at 16:30 with the unveiling of a collective artwork titled ‘Puzzle Reveal Jardin Exotique 2026’.

Guided tours of the botanical centre run at 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm, with tours of the garden itself at 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm. The Grotte de l’Observatoire will be open for guided visits from 9:30am, with departures every 30 minutes. Gardeners will also lead hands-on workshops covering sowing, cutting and repotting throughout the day.

For younger visitors aged seven and above, a treasure hunt through the garden will challenge participants to solve a series of riddles, with a diploma awarded on completion.

Aerial performance

Between 2:00pm and 3:00pm, acrobatic and aerial performance company Eklabul will take to the garden plateau for a flower-themed show.

The Jardin Exotique de Monaco officially reopens to the general public on Monday 30th March at 9:00am.

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Photo source: Jardin Exotique de Monaco Facebook page

 

Far-right sweeps Nice and Menton as Alpes-Maritimes municipal elections reshape political landscape

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/03/2026

The second round of municipal elections in the Alpes-Maritimes on Sunday 22nd March delivered a significant shift to the far right across the department, with Éric Ciotti winning the mayoralty of Nice and Alexandra Masson of the Rassemblement National taking Menton — results that carry direct implications for Monaco’s nearest neighbours.

The most consequential result of the evening came in Nice, France’s fifth largest city, where Ciotti — president of the Union des Droites pour la République, allied with the RN — won with 48.54% of the vote against incumbent mayor Christian Estrosi of Horizons, who received 37.20%. A third candidate, left-wing écolo PCF-PS candidate Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux, took 14.26% and declined to stand aside in the second round — a decision Estrosi blamed directly for his defeat.

“The republican front is dead in Nice tonight,” Estrosi said in an emotional concession speech, before announcing his withdrawal from local political life. He had been 15,000 votes behind Ciotti in the first round and never closed the gap.

The result follows Cagnes-sur-Mer, the department’s fourth largest city, where RN deputy Bryan Masson had already eliminated the centre-right incumbent Louis Nègre in the first round a week earlier.

Menton falls to the RN

In Menton, RN deputy Alexandra Masson won with 49.09% of the vote. The rival right-wing list backed by LR, Horizons and Renaissance — headed by Sandra Paire and featuring Louis Sarkozy, son of the former French president — took only 34.69%, with a third right-wing candidate drawing 16.22% of the remaining vote.

The presence of LR senator Henri Leroy and his nephew, LR mayor Sébastien Leroy of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, at Masson’s victory celebration — despite their party having officially backed the opposing list — illustrated the fractures now running through the traditional right in the department.

Mixed results elsewhere

Not every contest went to the far right. In Saint-Laurent-du-Var, LR mayor Joseph Segura held on by the narrowest of margins — 186 votes, or 50.69% against 49.31% — against 26-year-old RN candidate Rafaël Quessada. In Vence, LR-aligned candidate Anne Sattonnet defeated the incumbent mayor Régis Lebigre by just 109 votes. In Carros, the sitting mayor lost to his challenger, and in Roquefort-les-Pins, a 20-year-old independent candidate defeated a seven-term incumbent by 39 votes.

The RN also took Peymeinade, where Brigitte Vidal won with 52.85%.

Cannes mayor David Lisnard, while congratulating Ciotti, called on him to break from his RN alliance and “join the independent right to give France new energy”.

Turnout in the second round was 55.92%, marginally higher than the 55.7% recorded in the first round.

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Photo source: Eric Ciotti social media