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Month: April 2026

Monaco’s building boom explained: total floor space now larger than the country itself

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/04/2026

Monaco is, by almost any measure, an exercise in the extreme. At 2.08 square kilometres, it is the second smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City, and the most densely populated. Yet within that sliver of Mediterranean coastline, the Principality has managed to construct a built environment of remarkable density — and the latest data from Monaco’s statistics office IMSEE puts precise numbers on just how much space has been carved out of so little land.

As of 31st December 2025, Monaco’s 1,473 buildings — including those under construction or authorised — contain a combined usable floor area of 3.4 million square metres. To put that in perspective: the total land area of the Principality is 2.08 million square metres. The built floor space already exceeds the entire surface of the country by more than 60%, a figure that speaks to Monaco’s extraordinary vertical density and its relentless upward ambition.

Of that 3.4 million square metres, housing accounts for 2.03 million — or just over 60% — the remainder occupied by commercial, office and other uses. More than 40% of the residential floor area is concentrated in just two districts: Monte-Carlo, with 453,500 m² of housing, and La Rousse, with 389,300 m².

Where people actually live

The district breakdown reveals the stark contrasts within Monaco’s eight neighbourhoods. Monte-Carlo dominates with 314 buildings and the largest housing footprint. Fontvieille, primarily an industrial and commercial district, has the greatest cumulative floor area of any district at 605,000 m² — but a comparatively modest residential share of 228,700 m², reflecting its mixed-use character.

At the other end of the scale, Monaco-Ville — the historic Rock, home to the Prince’s Palace — accounts for just 56,700 m² of residential space across 220 buildings, the smallest housing footprint in the Principality by some distance. Larvotto, despite its seafront cachet and some of the highest per-square-metre prices recorded anywhere in Monaco, has only 57 buildings and 197,900 m² of housing — though that is set to shift as recently completed developments including Jardins d’Eau and Le Renzo begin to register fully in IMSEE’s data.

The price of scarcity

The physical constraints of the Principality have a direct and well-documented effect on prices. The 2025 Real Estate Observatory, published by IMSEE in February 2026, records an overall price per square metre of €57,569 — historically elevated even by Monaco’s own standards, though marginally below the 2024 peak of €58,402. In the Larvotto district, prices have crossed €70,000 per square metre for the first time, driven by the arrival of new luxury developments on the resale market.

For properties built since 2020 — the decade that includes Mareterra, L’Exotique and Bay House (Testimonio 2) — the average price per square metre reaches €65,602, the highest of any construction era in the dataset. Even the oldest stock, buildings dating from before 1940, commands more than €42,000 per square metre. In Monaco, age is not much of a discount.

See also: 

Monaco real estate 2025: high-value flips, limited new supply and a revamped price index

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Main photo credit: Cassandra Tanti 

 

Monaco’s population tops 38,000 as British residents cement fourth place in nationality rankings

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/04/2026

Monaco’s population reached 38,857 residents in 2025, according to the latest census data published by IMSEE in March 2026 — an increase of 1.1% on the previous year, equivalent to 434 additional residents.

The Principality now draws residents from 144 different nationalities, with Monegasques remaining the largest single group at 24% of the population — 9,333 nationals in total. French residents follow at 21.3%, with Italians close behind at 19.5%.

British residents rank fourth, accounting for 7.9% of Monaco’s population — a significant share that underscores the Principality’s growing appeal as a destination for UK nationals seeking fiscal stability and security in an increasingly uncertain world. That figure places the British community well ahead of the Swiss (3.2%), Russians (3.1%), Belgians (2.7%) and Germans (2.5%).

Who is moving to Monaco

Among adults who established residency in Monaco between 2023 and 2025 and remained as of 31st December 2025, France accounts for the largest share of new arrivals at 30.6%, followed by the United Kingdom at 18.9% and Italy at 9.4%. The strong showing from British newcomers in particular reflects a pattern Monaco Life has tracked over recent years: post-Brexit tax and residency planning has made Monaco an increasingly attractive base for high-net-worth individuals from the UK.

The average age of new adult residents is 44.7 years — 46.1 for men and 43.3 for women — suggesting a population arriving in its prime earning and wealth-accumulation years.

A population getting slightly older

Monaco’s overall average age stands at 47.2 years, with men averaging 46.5 and women 47.7. The largest age cohort is the 50 to 64 bracket, accounting for 23.4% of residents, followed by the 65 to 79 group at 17.9%. Just over half of residents aged 18 and above — 50.6% — are married.

Women make up a slim majority of the population at 50.8%, or 19,730 residents, compared to 19,127 men.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

Tennis: Alcaraz and Sinner progress in Monte-Carlo Masters as Monfils waves goodbye

by: Luke Entwistle
07/04/2026
Alcaraz lifts his hands as he celebrates beating Sebastien Baez at the Monte-Carlo Masters

It was a day for the favourites at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz progressed, as did the rampant Jannik Sinner, whilst Gael Monfils waved an emotional goodbye.

Whilst the main court was not drenched in sun as it so often is, there was no doubt that it was the place to be on Tuesday, with the world’s top two in action. Both had been given byes for the first round and were strong favourites in their respective ties. With the first game of the day ending prematurely, with Roberto Bautista Agut shaking Matteo Berrettini’s hand after just four games, confirming the latter’s progression, Sinner came on a little past midday.

In his way stood Frenchman Ugo Humbert. However, it was Sinner who evidently had the court on his side, with the Monte-Carlo Country Club awash with Italians who had made the short trip to support their national icon. This pair last met back in 2021, also on clay in Rome. On that day, it was Humbert who got the better of Sinner, but the chances of repeating the feat always looked slim.

Alcaraz wary of Sinner threat

It is not merely the fact that Sinner has since won four Grand Slams, but it was also a question of bad timing. No one wants to oppose Sinner at the minute. The Italian recently became just the third tennis player, after Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive Masters events and the first to pull off the feat without losing a single set. Going into the Monte-Carlo Masters, he had won 34 consecutive sets, winning firstly in Paris and then completing the prestigious “Sunshine Double” by triumphing at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

His impressive run never looked like ending on the Monégasque clay. Sinner broke in the fifth game of the first set. He almost broke the Frenchman again in the seventh, but around a packed Court Rainier III, there was never an impression of momentum shifting. Another break from Sinner concluded the first set. By the start of the second, the meek resistance was broken. Humbert failed to keep serve once, Sinner wasn’t broken as he punished his opponent’s errors, taking five of his eight break points (6-3, 6-0).

Alcaraz in action against Baez. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

That is now 36 sets unbeaten for Sinner in a Masters event. Over to you, Alcaraz, who was next up on main court and made short work of his opponent. It took Sinner 64 minutes to dispatch Humbert, and Alcaraz 69 to overcome Sebastien Baez. Alcaraz was almost walking on water as he secured the first set emphatically (6-1), and he continued his saunter towards victory in the second, at least until 3-0.

Then came a period of resistance from his Argentinian opponent. Baez saved his serve from 40-0 down and then began to rally. He then broke Alcaraz in the seventh game before the Spaniard dialled back in, breaking immediately and seeing out the win (6-1, 6-3). Alcaraz and Sinner were passing ships in the night on Tuesday, but the former is looking over his shoulder at the latter. “Honestly, I am going to lose my No.1 ranking. I don’t know if it will be at this tournament or at the next,” admitted Alcaraz, who on his best surface is well aware of how hard it will be to defend his Monte-Carlo Masters title this week.

Monfils reflects on “honour and privilege” on playing at Monte-Carlo Masters

The final act of the day provided a moment to say goodbye. On a day for favourites, it was Alexander Bublik, the No.8 seed, who held that title as wildcard Gael Monfils walked onto the Monégasque clay, ultimately for the final time. This is Monfils’ final season in professional tennis; he is now on the lap of honour, and he was warmly greeted by fans at the MCCC. “I am trying to be as competitive as possible,” said the Frenchman, who once ranked as high as sixth in the world. There were still moments of panache, of deftness, nonchalance even, in the image of his no-look drop shot, and so, whilst Monfils put on a show, he could not overcome Bublik, his former sparring partner.

Monfils was broken in the fourth game of the first set but then immediately hit back, before faltering when serving to keep in the set (6-4). He incredibly held serve in the eighth game of the second set as the fans roared him on. He would not go meekly, but serving to extend his final stay at the MCCC, Bublik struck to win 6-4, 6-4. “You try and put the emotions to one side, but when it’s over, everything comes back,” said Monfils, who stood motionless in the middle of the court as images of his exploits at the Monte-Carlo Masters of yesteryear were played in front of him and the crowd.

Gael Monfils walking off Court Rainier III. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

He made his debut at the MCCC in 2005. 11 years later, he waves goodbye. “You’re learning to turn a page. It isn’t easy,” said the Frenchman, who, despite being on the wind-down, has not lost his competitive spirit. He apologised to the fans post-match. “I really wanted to do better. Sometimes I want to do better, but the body doesn’t allow it,” he said.

“It was an honour and a privilege for me [to play here]. It is a magnificent tournament, if not one of the most beautiful in the world,” said Monfils. It will now go on without him.

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All photos credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

Monaco to host back-to-back ocean governance and blue economy forums in May

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/04/2026
Monaco Blue Initiative

Two major ocean-focused events will take place in Monaco in late May,  — the Monaco Blue Initiative on 27th May at the Musée océanographique, followed by the Blue Economy and Finance Forum at the Grimaldi Forum on 28th and 29th May.

Romain Ciarlet of the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and Cyril Gomez of the Institut océanographique de Monaco presented both events at a virtual press conference on Tuesday 7th April as a deliberate sequence: moving from high-level governance dialogue to financial mobilisation, timed to land just weeks before World Oceans Day.

From recognition to action

Romain Ciarlet set the tone by identifying what he sees as the central challenge facing ocean policy. “The main issue today is not knowledge or science — it is the transition to action,” he said.

Despite a growing stack of international agreements and political commitments, implementation continues to lag. “States spend around 22 billion dollars a year on harmful fishing subsidies, compared to just over one billion for conservation. We continue to finance what destroys rather than what regenerates.”

Monaco Blue Initiative: talking candidly at the top

The Monaco Blue Initiative is a restricted-format gathering designed for senior policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to speak without constraint. “We are not here to make announcements,” Ciarlet said. “It is a format where participants can speak freely and align on key priorities.”

This year’s edition will focus on the post-2025 ocean agenda, implementation of the high seas biodiversity treaty — known as the BBNJ agreement — and the way geopolitical tensions are complicating environmental cooperation. “Without clear rules and reduced uncertainty, it is extremely difficult for the private sector to move in the right direction,” he added.

Blue Economy and Finance Forum: putting capital to work

Where the MBI focuses on strategy, the Blue Economy and Finance Forum — drawing around 400 participants including investors, corporations and entrepreneurs — is oriented toward execution. For Cyril Gomez, mobilising private capital is essential to any meaningful progress. “We will never be able to protect the ocean effectively without strong engagement from the private sector,” he said.

He pointed to the scale of activity already under way. “There are more than 3,000 companies working across the blue economy today. It is now possible to align business performance with ocean protection.” Through panels, investor sessions and an innovation showcase, the forum will cover maritime decarbonisation, sustainable food systems and ocean data technologies.

The message from both organisers was the same: the tools and solutions exist, but capital has yet to follow. “An underfunded ocean is an ocean in poor health,” Gomez said.

Ciarlet was equally direct: “The challenge now is to make solutions known to those who hold the capital and can truly drive change.”

See also:

What to expect from this year’s Green Shift Festival

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Photo source: FPA2

 

Monaco United reach Mediterranean Cup final in historic debut season

by: Kayla Sauceda
07/04/2026

Monaco United have advanced to the Mediterranean Cup final after a commanding semi-final performance, continuing an impressive first season.

Monaco United continues making history in their first season by already securing a place in the final of the Mediterranean Cup. Sunday 5th of April marked Monaco United’s match against Hyères FC, a club playing one division higher. In this semi-final match, Monaco was confident in their skills, having already beaten a team competing two divisions above them in the quarterfinals. 

A dominant semi-final performance

Marco Simone’s players began the game playing without fear, as they have learned to do and developed since the beginning of the season. Monaco United controlled the match, maintaining composure and dominating possession throughout. Mia Lawrence, one of the day’s standout performers, opened the scoring, following it up with a quick second shortly after. By halftime, Monaco was up 5-0, putting their aspirations well within reach. 

In the second half, Monaco returned with determination to finish out what they had started. By utilizing the skills they have been developing, including ambition, rhythm, and intensity, they maintained their lead, finishing out the game with an 8-1 victory.

Monaco United had already secured their role as District 06 champions; however, they have now also secured a place in promotional playoffs to move up to the next level. Monaco will now compete in the Mediterranean Cup final against Olympique de Marseille Reserves, who compete two tiers above them. 

On a massive day for Monaco United, Peace and Sport was also welcomed, the club’s official partner and an early supporter. Their presence was part of the White Card awareness campaign. These initiatives shine a light on the shared values between Monaco United and Peace and Sport, including inclusion, commitment, and togetherness. 

With a place in the final now secured, Monaco United’s debut season continues to exceed expectations, as the club prepares for its biggest test yet against higher-level opposition.

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Main photo courtesy of Monaco United

 

Art Monte-Carlo marks 10th anniversary with 26 galleries and new curatorial section

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/04/2026

Art Monte-Carlo returns to the Grimaldi Forum from 29th April to 1st May for its 10th edition, under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco. The anniversary brings the fair’s most ambitious programme to date, with 26 international galleries, a new curatorial section and a spring calendar intended to cement its position among Europe’s significant art market events.

The fair has historically focused on modern and contemporary art, and this edition maintains that scope while expanding its geographic reach. Among the returning galleries are Almine Rech, Cortesi, Galleria Continua, Suzanne Tarasieve, Semiose, Van de Weghe, Voena and Wilde — names that have been present across multiple editions and represent the fair’s established collector base.

New participants joining for the first time include A&R Fleury from Paris, Cecilia Hillström Gallery from Stockholm, Fabienne Levy from Lausanne, Giovanni Martino Projects from Lugano, Lee & Bae from Busan, Mitterrand from Paris, Ritsch-Fisch Galerie from Strasbourg, and Secci from Milan. Two Monaco-based galleries also join the roster: Hartford Fine Art – Lampronti Gallery and M.F. Toninelli Art Moderne.

The full list of exhibitors spans galleries from across Europe, the Americas and Asia, including Galleria Accademia, Galleria Barbara Paci, Barovier & Toso, Durazzo, Galleria Traits Noirs & Co, Olivier Varenne Art Moderne & Contemporain, Opera Gallery and 193 Gallery.

Details of the new curatorial section will be announced ahead of the opening. Art Monte-Carlo runs concurrently with Monaco Art Week, which brings a further 14 galleries and auction houses across the Principality over the same period, making the final days of April one of the most concentrated moments in Monaco’s cultural calendar.

See also: 

Monaco Art Week set to return to its spring roots with 14 galleries and auction houses

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Photo by Monaco Life