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Day: 14 May 2026

Monaco reveals €4.36 million redesign for Fontvieille shopping centre overhaul

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/05/2026

The long-awaited transformation of Monaco’s Fontvieille Commercial Centre has taken a concrete step forward, with the Princely Government revealing both the design and the €4.36 million budget for a comprehensive makeover set to begin next month.

The project, designed by architecture firm TAG (The A Group – Jérôme Hein), represents a significant shift from the centre’s originally envisaged future — a full demolition and rebuild that has given way to a pragmatic renovation of the existing space. Rather than waiting for a ground-up reconstruction, the government has opted to invest substantially in transforming what is already there, covering all common areas across the ground floor and mezzanine level with the intention to make the centre brighter, simpler and more attractive.

Rendering of the new Fontvielle shopping centre redesign, source: The A Group

The plans were presented on Tuesday to members of the Commercial Centre’s economic interest group, Carrefour Monaco management and the President of the Union des Commerçants et Artisans de Monaco — and reflect feedback gathered directly from the traders who animate the site daily.

Works will include new wall finishes, backlit stretch ceilings, dressed columns, updated signage and a complete lighting overhaul. The six-month programme runs from June to December 2026 and will be carried out while the centre remains fully open, with strict controls on noise, dust and disruption maintained throughout.

Image source: The A Group

The announcement follows a series of recent infrastructure improvements at the site, including the replacement of escalators serving the Léo Ferré forecourt and four travelators connecting the parking levels, which returned to service on 11th May.

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Main image source: The A Group

Team Monaco claims silver at World Young Chef Waiter Mixologist finals in London

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/05/2026

The Principality’s rising stars in the hospitality sector have proven their world-class calibre once again. Following a rigorous four-day competition in London, Team Monaco has secured a prestigious second-place finish at the 2026 World Young Chef Waiter Mixologist (YYY) Awards.

The podium finish marks a significant achievement for the trio—Clara Germain (private chef and owner of Gioia), Clara Babkine (demi-chef de rang, Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris), and Eric Maccario (mixologist, Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo). After winning the national selection at the Lycée Rainier III last November, the team travelled to the UK to face off against 27 of the world’s most talented young professionals representing nine different nations.

A global stage for local talent

The competition, designed to emulate a high-pressure, live restaurant operation, took place across London’s most prestigious venues, including the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and The Peninsula London. The young professionals were judged by a panel of industry titans, including Michelin-starred chefs and senior hospitality directors.

The results were announced during a glittering ceremony on 19th March at the newly opened Chancery Rosewood Hotel on Grosvenor Square. Attended by 300 guests, the event served as a “melting pot” of international talent, allowing the Monégasque team to engage with their global peers.

“We were so delighted to represent Monaco at this global event, to be challenged and to work as a team,” the trio said in a joint statement. “Working together closely has resulted in our achieving individual and team milestones, and collectively we are humbled with such a great result representing the Principality.”

Ambassadors for the Principality

Robert Lee Mulcahy, President of YYY Monaco, praised the team’s performance both on and off the clock. “A fantastic result,” he noted. “All three team members not only brought home a very well-deserved award but were also great Culinary and Hospitality Ambassadors, representing the Principality on the world stage.”

The success of the initiative relies heavily on local institutional support. The team extended their gratitude to Leslie Giobergia, Principal of the Lycée Rainier III, and Christophe Joublin, Director of Hotel Training, for their unwavering encouragement during the preparatory phase.

Mulcahy also acknowledged the vital role of the competition’s partners, including the Lycée Rainier III, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) as the premier Patron, and NEFT Vodka, the global brand sponsor.

Fostering the next generation

The YYY Monaco competition has become an annual fixture in the Principality, dedicated to championing hospitality professionals under the age of 28. Its mission is two-fold: to reward excellence in those already working in the sector and to attract new, ambitious talent to the industry.

For those looking to follow in the footsteps of this year’s silver medallists, the door is already open. Entries are now officially being accepted for the YYY Monaco 2026 national competition. Interested young professionals can find more information and register at youngchefyoungwaiter.com/monaco/.

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Photo source: YYY

 

Monaco monitors hantavirus outbreak but confirms no cases linked to the Principality

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/05/2026

Monaco’s Princely Government says it is closely monitoring the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, following the disembarkation of passengers in the Canary Islands on 10th May before their repatriation to their home countries.

According to a statement released Thursday, no contact cases residing in the Principality have been identified at this stage.

Monaco’s health authorities are nonetheless fully mobilised, maintaining continuous surveillance of the situation in line with international recommendations and in coordination with local and regional health professionals. According to the government, the Principality holds strategic stocks of surgical masks and FFP2 masks should an epidemic risk materialise.

The government has characterised the current situation as a limited international cluster linked to a single index event, with no evidence of wider spread within the general population. It calls for heightened vigilance to enable the rapid detection of any imported cases and to ensure the health system remains prepared — without any impact on normal healthcare operations or the need for specific measures for the general public.

See also: 

Europe locks down hantavirus cruise passengers for 42 days as they return home

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

 

Qantas’ first ultra-long-haul aircraft leaves Toulouse factory ahead of historic Sydney-London route

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/05/2026

The first aircraft destined to operate Qantas’ groundbreaking non-stop flights between Sydney and London has officially rolled out of Airbus’ Toulouse factory, marking a major milestone for one of commercial aviation’s most ambitious projects.

The specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR is the first of 12 aircraft being built for Qantas’ long-awaited Project Sunrise programme, which aims to connect Australia’s east coast directly with major global cities including London and New York on flights lasting up to 22 hours. The aircraft has now entered its testing phase ahead of delivery to the Australian airline by the end of 2026.

The world’s longest commercial flights

When the Sydney-London service launches, expected in 2027, it will become the first non-stop commercial route between the two cities and one of the longest flights ever operated. Qantas has also confirmed direct Sydney-New York flights as part of the programme.

The Wellbeing Zone is an integral aspect of the aircraft to encourage passengers to move during the flight

The aircraft has been heavily customised for ultra-long-range travel. Airbus engineers added an extra fuel tank capable of carrying 20,000 additional litres of fuel, extending the jet’s range to more than 18,000 kilometres. To accommodate the additional fuel and improve passenger comfort on flights lasting almost a full day, seating capacity has been reduced to 238 passengers — significantly fewer than a standard A350-1000.

More than 40% of the cabin will be dedicated to premium seating, including first and business class suites. The aircraft will also feature a dedicated Wellbeing Zone where passengers can stretch, hydrate and move during the flight, alongside circadian-rhythm lighting designed to minimise jet lag.

Business Suite on the new Sydney-London route

Paris identified as future possibility

While Sydney-London and Sydney-New York remain the launch routes, Qantas has previously identified Paris as a potential future destination for direct Project Sunrise services. The airline first outlined ambitions to connect Australia directly to European cities including Paris when the initiative was unveiled in 2017.

Qantas already operates flights between Sydney and Paris via Perth, but a direct Sydney-Paris connection would represent another major shift in ultra-long-haul travel between Australia and Europe.

Premium Economy on the aircraft

A new era of ultra-long-haul travel

Project Sunrise has faced several delays since it was first announced, including pandemic-related disruptions and engineering changes required for certification of the aircraft’s additional fuel tank. However, the rollout of the first completed aircraft in Toulouse signals that the programme is now entering its final development phase.

For Qantas, the project represents far more than simply launching longer routes. The airline sees the aircraft as redefining long-haul travel itself — reducing total journey times, eliminating stopovers and reshaping how passengers move between Australia, Europe and North America.

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