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Month: April 2026

Monaco’s open-air Olympic pool returns on 1 May with free diving tasters and a water safety day

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/04/2026

The Stade Nautique Rainier III, Monaco’s open-air swimming pool set in the heart of Port Hercule, reopens on Friday 1st May at 9am for the 2026 season.

The 50-metre Olympic pool holds 3,000 m³ of filtered, treated seawater heated to 27°C and is equipped with diving boards at one, three and five metres, a 45-metre water slide, and sun loungers and parasols available for hire. The facility is supervised by qualified lifeguards throughout the season.

Aquagym, aquabike and swimming lessons are all available from the opening date. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

For the third consecutive year, the pool is partnering with the Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco for free introductory scuba diving sessions — open to adults and children aged eight and over — on Wednesdays 8st July and 12th August. Standard entry fees apply on those days, with the diving tasters offered at no additional cost.

The Stade Nautique will also join the Princess Charlène Foundation on Friday 25th July for the World Drowning Prevention Day.

Full details on pricing, course schedules and opening hours are available at mairie.mc.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

 

AS Monaco Academy celebrates 50 years of excellence

by: Kayla Sauceda
23/04/2026

AS Monaco celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Academy on Sunday 19th April, marking five decades of player development, identity, and tradition at the heart of the club.

Founded during the 1975-1976 season, the Academy has become a defining part of AS Monaco’s DNA, producing nearly 150 professional players, including around 50 internationals and five World Cup winners: Emmanuel Petit, Lilian Thuram, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, and Kylian Mbappé.

A reunion of generations

The celebrations began with a lap of honor at Stade Louis-II, where more than 200 former and current Academy players took to the track alongside coaches, staff, and educators who have contributed to shaping the club’s youth system. The moment offered former teammates and colleagues the opportunity to reunite with one another, some for the first time in many years.

Among those present were club legends including Jean-Luc Ettori, Bruno Bellone, Claude Puel, Gaël Givet, Sébastien Squillaci, Valère Germain, and Nicolas Nkoulou, alongside current U19 coach Frédéric Barilaro.

Ultras Monaco 1994 unveiled a tribute banner celebrating “50 years of training in the Monegasque style, a club, an identity, our pride.”

Symbolic moments on the pitch

The celebration continued on the pitch with a symbolic kick-off led by Jean-Luc Ettori and Bruno Bellone, joined by Abdel Bakayoko, the Academy’s youngest current player, and first-team talent Maghnes Akliouche. AS Monaco’s first team wore a special 50th anniversary logo on their jerseys as a tribute to the Academy’s lasting impact.

From legacy to future at La Diagonale

Celebrations then moved to La Diagonale, the Academy’s training center, where guests gathered for a cocktail reception and an exhibition created in collaboration with collector Julien Bouron. The exhibition featured historic jerseys, rare photographs, and trophies including the Gambardella Cup.

Guests also had the opportunity to meet current Academy players, with many signing the doors of the rooms now named after former graduates, connecting past and present.

Prince Albert II and AS Monaco President Dmitry Rybolovlev mark the Academy’s 50th anniversary at La Diagonale. Photo credit: AS Monaco / Stéphane Senaux

Prince Albert II and AS Monaco President Dmitry Rybolovlev also toured the exhibition alongside senior club figures and former players. The occasion was marked by the ceremonial cutting of a commemorative anniversary cake to wrap up the celebrations.

This milestone served as a reminder of the Academy’s role in AS Monaco’s identity, built on a legacy of excellence, the transmission of knowledge, and a continued commitment to developing future generations.

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Main Photo Credit: AS Monaco

Road closures and parking restrictions ahead of Monaco’s Historic Grand Prix

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/04/2026

Dozens of streets across the Principality will be closed to traffic from Friday as the 15th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique gets under way.

The three-day event, scheduled from 24 to 26 April, will bring significant disruption to road, maritime and pedestrian access across Monaco. Authorities have issued ministerial orders detailing the scope of restrictions, which begin in some areas from Wednesday.

Road closures
A broad swathe of Monte-Carlo’s main arteries will be closed to all vehicles — including motorcycles — on each race day: from 9:30am on Friday, 6:15am on Saturday and 6:00am on Sunday, in each case until the end of the day’s racing programme.

The affected routes include boulevard Albert Ier, Place du Casino, avenue Princesse Grace (between avenue des Spélugues and boulevard Louis II), avenue J.-F. Kennedy, boulevard Louis II, avenue de Monte-Carlo, avenue d’Ostende, avenue des Spélugues, Quai Albert Ier, Quai Antoine Ier, avenue de la Costa (between no. 3 and avenue d’Ostende), part of rue Grimaldi, avenue de la Quarantaine and the Rocher Albert Ier and Rocher Noghès tunnels.

Between avenue des Papalins and avenue Albert II — including sections of avenue des Papalins itself (nos. 13 to 39) — traffic bans are in place from Friday 7:00am through to Sunday at 23:59.

Several streets will see their one-way directions reversed during racing hours, among them rue Princesse Florestine, rue de Millo, avenue du Port, rue Suffren Reymond, rue Saige and rue Terrazzani. Rue Grimaldi (between rue Suffren Reymond and Place d’Armes) and rue Notari (between rue Suffren Reymond and rue Princesse Antoinette) will operate as two-way roads.

Parking restrictions
Parking bans are already in force in parts of La Condamine from Wednesday 22 April at 7:00am, covering avenue Princesse Alice, rue Princesse Antoinette, avenue de la Madone and avenue de la Quarantaine, with restrictions remaining in place until Sunday evening.

In Monte-Carlo, no-parking orders begin on Thursday 23 April at 6:00am in passage de la Porte Rouge, avenue de Roqueville and part of boulevard de Suisse. From Thursday at noon, an extensive list of streets across both districts — including Place du Casino, boulevard Charles III, rue Grimaldi, boulevard Louis II and avenue des Spélugues — will be off-limits for parking until Sunday at 22:00.

Additional restrictions come into effect from Friday 24 April at 8:00am on avenue de la Costa, rue de la Colle, avenue Henry Dunant, rue Princesse Florestine, part of boulevard des Moulins and rue du Rocher. Rue Louis Aureglia (nos. 3 to 7) will be subject to a parking ban on Sunday only, from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

Pedestrian access
Pedestrians without tickets or passes issued by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) will be barred from Quai Albert Ier, Quai Antoine Ier, Escalier de la Costa, Escalier Sainte-Dévote, avenue de la Costa, avenue Princesse Grace, part of boulevard du Larvotto and avenue de la Quarantaine during racing hours on each of the three days.

Residents of buildings within the circuit perimeter may access their properties on presentation of identity documents. Those working within the zone may do so with a valid work permit, or an ACM or Sûreté Publique pass.

Public transport and EV charging
Bus lines operated by the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) will be diverted for the duration of the event; updated routes are available on the CAM website. ZOU regional bus services will also be affected.
Electric vehicle charging points will be deactivated at multiple locations across the Principality from as early as Monday 21 April, with the last restrictions lifting on 27 April on avenue des Ligures.

Motorists can track live road conditions via the Waze events page for the 2026 Historic Grand Prix.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2026 closes on a high note

by: Kayla Sauceda
22/04/2026

Monte-Carlo Fashion Week has concluded in the Principality as a resounding success, showcasing international creativity, innovation, and sustainability from 14th to 18th April.

The week culminated in a Fashion Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, where the Monaco Chamber of Fashion recognised leading creatives for their ethical vision and forward-thinking approach to the industry.

Fashion Awards highlight industry leaders

Among the evening’s standout moments was the presentation of the Legacy Award to Giorgio Armani, honoring his enduring impact on fashion through timeless elegance, cultural influence, and a vision that continues to shape the industry. Actress Kelly Rutherford presented the award to Anoushka Borghesi, International Communications Director of Giorgio Armani.

Kelly Rutherford presents the Legacy Award to Anoushka Borghesi, International Communications Director of Giorgio Armani, at Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2026.

Francesca Bellettini, President and CEO of Gucci, received the Positive Change Award, presented by Federica Nardoni Spinetta, President and Founder of the Monaco Chamber of Fashion and Monte-Carlo Fashion Week. The recognition highlighted her leadership and commitment to shaping a more responsible and forward-looking business model.

The Emerging Designer Award was presented to British designer Macy Grimshaw, recognized for her distinctive creativity and experimental approach to design. Her work has already been worn by figures such as Harry Styles, marking her as one to watch among the next generation of talent.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio received The Social Impact and Sustainable Innovation Award, recognizing his contribution to responsible innovation and global inclusion through his work at EssilorLuxottica and Ray-Ban.

Beyond the runway, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation took part in a series of conferences held throughout the week, bringing together designers and sustainability experts to further discussions around responsible innovation.

Runway shows bring Riviera-inspired elegance to Monaco

The final days of fashion shows unfolded within the Grimaldi Forum’s glass-roofed venue, providing a striking setting for the collections. The Twinset show, opened by Laila Hasanovic, embodied a fresh and refined elegance, with a collection inspired by the French Riviera and culminating in a grand finale of evening gowns that captured both modernity and timeless appeal.

Across the week, the runway brought together both Monegasque and international brands, each interpreting the event’s themes through their own lens.

  • Kalfar welcomed audiences with a chic and modern aesthetic
  • Beach & Cashmere Monaco emphasized responsible innovation, featuring a collaboration with fellow Monegasque brand, Di Iorio, unveiling intricate lace footwear
  • Portuguese designer Diana Mara highlighted the importance of ethical and responsible fashion
  • Yasya Minochkina presented a collection reflecting both glamour and the identity of Monaco
  • Macy Grimshaw showcased trompe-l’œil prints, inviting guests to question perception and form

With a program spanning runway shows, conferences, and exclusive events, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2026 further solidified its position as a platform for dialogue between fashion, sustainability, and innovation, while continuing to expand its influence on the international stage.

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Photo Credit: Monte-Carlo Fashion Week

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene open new maternity unit at Princess Grace Hospital

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/04/2026

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene inaugurated the new maternity wing at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace on Thursday 16th April, joining senior officials for a tour of the recently renovated spaces.

The ceremony began with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the obstetric emergency room. The Princely Couple were accompanied by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, CHPG Director Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, and Professor Bruno Carbonne, head of the maternity department.

A new standard of care
The refurbished wing encompasses a double parental room, a birthing pool room, a delivery suite, an obstetric emergency room, and new operating theatre spaces. The works are designed to provide modern, functional facilities suited to the needs of mothers and their birth partners.

The inauguration comes just days after the opening of the Parent-Child Unit at the same hospital. Together, the two projects complete the CHPG’s Pôle Mère-Enfant — a dedicated mother and child centre offering an integrated care pathway from birth onwards.

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger/Palais Princier

 

Monaco hosts Ancestral Wisdom Summit as Indigenous leaders meet National Council

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/04/2026

Monaco hosted the second edition of the Ancestral Wisdom Summit on 7th April at the Méridien Beach Plaza, bringing together spiritual leaders, institutional representatives, researchers and international participants in what organisers describe as an effort to open dialogue between ancestral knowledge, science and contemporary governance.

The summit was founded and led by Isabella Vieira, whose Respect 360° Code — a protocol for inner transformation in service of systemic change — has attracted interest from the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Systemic Change and is supported by Monaco’s National Council.

The day centred on an immersive experience led by Vieira alongside a spiritual leader of the Nai Baiya Council, during which participants underwent what was described as a collective energetic activation. Testimonials from attendees were strong. Cindy Forde of the University of Cambridge said the experience invited a fundamental rethinking of humanity’s relationship with the world and with life itself. Rhonda Hudson, President of the Kate Powers Foundation, noted that what had begun quietly a few years ago was now claiming its place with strength.

From Monaco to Istanbul

The following day, on 8th April, Monaco’s National Council — under President Thomas Brezzo and Foreign Relations Committee President Fabrice Notari — officially welcomed leaders of the Huni Kuin people of the Amazon. The official guestbook was signed by spiritual leader Pae Nawa and Isabella Vieira, carrying the message: “May the governments of the world open the way to the true leaders of this planet.”

The momentum continued in Istanbul, where Vieira represented Monaco at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union alongside the National Council — the first time leaders of the Huni Kuin people have carried their voice into an international political dialogue space alongside government representatives. Invited to speak within the WYDE Women’s Leadership initiative, supported by UN Women, Vieira addressed the assembly with a message: “The world does not simply need more leaders. It needs a different kind of leadership — one grounded in respect, connection, and consciousness.”

An Ancestral Parliament of the Earth

The longer-term ambition emerging from these gatherings is the creation of an Ancestral Parliament of the Earth — a space designed to bring together spiritual leaders, Indigenous leaders and international institutions to integrate ancestral wisdom into global decision-making. Academic and institutional partnerships are in development, alongside immersive multi-day formats intended to deepen the transmission of that knowledge.

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Main photo credit: Audrey Ollivier