Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur reached a major aviation milestone on Sunday 17th May, welcoming its first-ever direct flight from Boston. The new transatlantic connection marks the airport’s seventh direct route to the United States—a market experiencing unprecedented growth—and stands as the third route operated out of the French Riviera by Delta Air Lines.
The post-pandemic travel landscape has seen a new direct service established between the French Riviera and the United States every single year. This steady expansion highlights the region’s booming appeal to North American visitors, while simultaneously answering a strong demand from residents across Southern France, Monaco, and Northern Italy looking for seamless travel across the Atlantic. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 300,000 passengers utilised these direct US routes in 2025, a figure that has tripled since 2019.
As of 17th May, the seasonal service will operate three times a week through to 23rd October, utilising a spacious Airbus A330 aircraft configured with 282 seats, which includes 34 Business Class berths, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 227 in Economy. For Delta Air Lines, a long-standing partner at the Riviera hub, the Boston connection joins its established year-round and seasonal services to New York JFK and Atlanta.
A new gateway for transatlantic tourism
“We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the teams at Delta Air Lines for once again demonstrating their confidence in and commitment to our region, which is the best connected to the United States in France after Paris,” stated Franck Goldnadel, President of the Executive Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur. “Delta Air Lines is our leading transatlantic partner in terms of both longevity and the number of routes and seats it operates.”
Eleonore Roger-Martin, Commercial Director France for Delta Air Lines, echoed this enthusiasm, noting that the connection is designed to bridge the gap between New England and the Riviera. “Our new non-stop service between Nice and Boston represents far more than just an additional route: it offers passengers on both sides of the Atlantic a simpler and more seamless travel experience,” she explained. “This new service complements our existing operations to New York JFK and Atlanta, increasing capacity in the market and demonstrating our long-term commitment to the region, which we have served for the past 35 years.”
AS Monaco has become the first Ligue 1 club to join Collectibol, launching an official digital card album that gives supporters a new way to collect, trade and engage with the Club du Rocher universe.
Available now on iOS and Android via the Collectibol app, the album features around 80 digital cards across three chapters: the current season’s professional squad, a retrospective of the club’s visual identity from its foundation to the present day, and a celebration of Rouge & Blanc supporter culture and stadium atmosphere. The album has been created as a special end-of-season edition for the 2025/26 campaign.
How it works
Cards are issued across five rarity levels — Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary and Mythic — with progressive visual effects at each tier. Mythic cards are the scarcest in the collection and include a digital signature when they feature a player. Player cards also display real statistics updated with live match data provided through Sofascore.
A digital grading system inspired by physical card collecting allows fans to seek out cards in perfect condition, known as Gem Mint. Through the app, supporters can open packs, collect and trade cards with other users, and complete the album to unlock rewards including jerseys, match tickets and exclusive cards.
Two premium collections add further depth. Signed Series cards are ultra-limited editions — ranging from 1/3 to 3/3 — issued in Gem Mint condition and paired with a real player signature on a physical item such as a shirt or card, available only at Legendary rarity. Legacy Edition cards, also Legendary, run from 1/5 to 5/5 and each guarantees a premium physical replica delivered with special packaging and an acrylic display stand.
A growing platform
Collectibol is already well established in Spain, with partner clubs including FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Real Betis, Valencia CF, Girona FC and RCD Espanyol. Available in 189 countries and eight languages, the platform has recorded 3.2 million packs opened and more than 20 million cards generated since its launch.
The collaboration forms part of AS Monaco’s broader strategy to develop digital experiences for its supporters, combining official club content with collecting mechanics and fan engagement.
The Racing Stars Football Cup will return to Stade Louis-II on Wednesday 3rd June at 3:30pm to kick off Monaco Grand Prix week, bringing together Formula 1 drivers, football legends, and international celebrities for a charity gala match led by the Barbagiuans Monaco.
Organised by the Barbagiuans Monaco, under the leadership of President Louis Ducruet, the event will see the Barbagiuans Monaco facing off against the Nazionale Piloti, a team of determined drivers looking for a comeback after last year’s defeat. “Once again this year, we are going to experience a great moment of sport, sharing and emotion, all in support of causes that are especially close to our hearts,” said President Louis Ducruet.
With an ambitious programme following a successful 2025 revival, the match is expected to be a festive curtain-raiser to open one of the Principality’s most anticipated sporting weeks.
Among the headline names confirmed for this edition is Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, who will represent the Barbagiuans Monaco for the first time. With a decorated history, Ronaldinho won the 2005 Ballon d’Or, became a world champion with Brazil in 2002, was a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and won the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona, making him one of the event’s biggest attractions. “I didn’t hesitate for a second. Receiving this invitation was an immense joy, and it will be an even greater joy to play and make my contribution,” Ronaldinho shared when discussing his participation. He further added that Monaco’s connection to motorsport made this occasion especially meaningful, noting his longtime passion for Formula 1.
Along with Ronaldinho, several other names are expected to take part in this event. Drivers including Carlos Sainz Jr. and Pierre Gasly are set to participate, while Formula 2 drivers Luke Browning and Oliver Goethe are also expected. French comedian Paul Mirabel, presenter Nikos Aliagas, and Tibo InShape are also expected to attend. Former footballers Ludovic Giuly, Flavio Roma, and Leonardo Bonucci have been confirmed for the event.
Following Mika Häkkinen serving as the event’s official ambassador in 2025, 2026 will feature motorsport icon Jacky Ickx filling the role. “What is beautiful is using energy, talent, and passion in support of positive causes. This event embodies exactly that: beautiful football, people united by enjoyment, sharing, and solidarity,” Ickx said.
Beyond the field, the event focuses on solidarity and commitment as it supports two major charities. Mercy Ships is an organization that provides free surgical care to those in need around the world, particularly in Africa. For over 45 years, Mercy Ships has sailed across the world, bringing hope and healing to those who need it most. Additionally, Les Soins de l’Espoir focuses on disadvantaged communities in Southeast Asia in the medical and paramedical fields. This organisation helps fund surgeries and develop healthcare structures.
As the event draws closer, more surprises and participants are expected to be announced. Tickets for the Racing Stars Football Cup can be purchased here.
The Féderation Monégasque de Rugby looks to build on its recent success as it prepares for the start of the Rugby Europe Trophy Championship, beginning on 5th June. The competition will take place in two stages, starting in Makarska, Croation from 5th June to 7th June, before continuing in Chișinǎu, Moldova from 26th to 28th June.
With high ambitions, the team enters the competition riding strong momentum from a historic 2025 season. Monaco won the gold medal at the Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra before also being crowned Conference 1 European Champions, earning promotion to the next tier of competition.
The momentum did not end there. Led by David Bolgashvili, the team has already won two tournaments in 2026. Monaco first claimed victory at the Winter Sevens in Blagnac in February, before winning the inaugural Monaco Sevens tournament on home soil. Still undefeated since its victory in Andorra, the team will look to continue its momentum at the upcoming championship.
A strong performance in the Rugby Europe Trophy Championship could further establish Monaco’s growing presence in European rugby sevens. However, the challenge will not be without difficulty, as Monaco is set to face Romania, Moldova, and Denmark in the opening stage of the tournament.
“The players have followed an intensive and demanding daily programme under the supervision of Gaëtan Boissard, strength and conditioning coach for the French national rugby union team,” said Thierry Danthez, Vice President of the Féderation Monégasque de Rugby. “The Winter Sevens and Monaco Sevens were key stages in our preparation and confirmed the progress made.”
There is a moment, just after you ease a car out of a sun-dappled driveway and feel the road open up before you, when you know. Before you have touched the accelerator properly, before the bends arrive, before the engine has fully had its say — you just know. That was the moment, somewhere in the hinterland above Nice and Vence, with the hills stretching out on either side and a yellow Aston Martin Vantage S beneath me, when I understood why people fall in love with this brand.
A small group of journalists and influencers had gathered at Domaine du Mas de Pierre, one of those quietly exceptional Relais & Châteaux properties the south of France does so well. It was there, over lunch, that I sat beside Dan Connell, Director of Communications and PR for Aston Martin Europe, before being handed the keys.
The car
The Vantage name has been part of Aston Martin’s story since the 1950s, originally used for higher-performance versions of its grand tourers. Over time, it became a model line of its own — one that has always sat slightly apart from the more refined DB cars. The new Vantage S stays true to that identity, with a more aggressive look and a stronger focus on performance.
Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 680PS and 800Nm of torque, delivering 0–100km/h in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 325km/h. The figures are impressive. The sound is so much better.
The Aston Martin Vantage S in ultra yellow at Domaine du Mas de Pierre. Photo credit: Tobias Kempe
I drove with the windows down and the radio off the entire afternoon. Before I left, Connell smiled and told me exactly what would happen. “When you start the car, you’ll smile,” he said. “And later, when the engine’s hot and you lift off the accelerator and hear the pops and crackles, you’ll smile again. You can’t fake that.”
He was right.
The Vantage S feels fast and controlled without being intimidating. Aston Martin has reworked the suspension and sharpened the handling, but the car still feels surprisingly balanced and easy to drive. On the winding roads above Vence, it handled corners with confidence and never felt overly aggressive or difficult to manage.
The design updates are subtle, but they give the car a more purposeful look. A full-width rear spoiler improves stability at higher speeds, while the new bonnet vents — available in gloss black or carbon fibre — add a sharper, more aggressive edge to the overall design.
The full-width rear spoiler adds 44kg of downforce at top speed, giving the Vantage S greater stability while reinforcing its sharper, more aggressive stance. Photo credit: Tobias Kempe
Inside, Aston Martin has kept things elegant and understated. The cabin is finished in leather, Alcantara and satin carbon fibre, with a level of craftsmanship that feels genuinely luxurious without trying too hard. It is modern, but still warm and tactile, and importantly, it does not feel overly digital or generic.
Increasingly, Aston Martin also understands that luxury means individuality as much as performance. Through its bespoke Q division, owners can personalise almost every aspect of the car, from paint colours to interior finishes and one-off detailing.
Inside the Aston Martin Vantage S. Photo credit: Tobias Kempe
Even the exclusive 21-inch Y-spoke wheels, available with discreet red detailing unique to the Vantage S, reflect the brand’s growing focus on tailored specification.
“For the last few years, the average selling price of an Aston Martin has been at record levels,” revealed Connel. “Q by Aston Martin allows you to create your dream personalised specification. It can be anything you want.”
The range of Aston Martin Vantage S available for media test drives in Vence. Photo credit: Tobias Kempe
The brand reborn
Over lunch, Connell spoke about Aston Martin’s transformation since Lawrence Stroll assumed the executive chairmanship in 2020 and committed to what he describes as “the strongest portfolio of Aston Martin cars in the history of the business”.
“What is interesting about all these cars is that they are at least 25% more powerful than the models they replaced,” he said. “That’s because customers wanted Aston Martin to add performance to what they already loved: design, beauty and everything associated with the brand since the Bond era.”
The current range spans the Vantage and DB12 sports cars, the V12 Vanquish, the DBX707 SUV and, at the top of the line-up, the Valhalla hybrid hypercar, limited to 999 examples. According to Connell, Aston Martin’s next chapter will depend on balancing the brand’s heritage with the expectations of a younger, increasingly international clientele drawn not only to performance, but also to craftsmanship and personalisation.
And that emotional connection, he says, remains central to the brand’s appeal.
“Today, people still want cars that give emotion. Emotion comes from sound and power, and the V8s and V12s we offer do exactly that.”
The Vantage S delivers the performance Aston Martin is known for, but in a way that feels approachable rather than intimidating. Photo credit: Photo credit: Tobias Kempe
For women, too
The Vantage S is also a car that women can very easily see themselves driving, and Aston Martin knows how important that audience has become.
“In the first year of the DB12, 50% of buyers were new to Aston Martin, and roughly one third of that group were female,” Connell said. “We had never seen that before.”
He believes the shift reflects changing expectations around luxury, comfort, technology and overall refinement, rather than performance alone.
“A lot of that comes down to the design, but also the safety, quality, luxury finishes and technology,” said Connell. “Traditionally, Aston Martin buyers often focused on two things: is it fast and is it loud? Female customers tend to look more closely at the overall experience. But ultimately, when you get those details right, they matter to everybody.”
That broader attention to comfort, refinement and usability is exactly what makes the Vantage S so compelling. It delivers the performance Aston Martin is known for, but in a way that feels approachable rather than intimidating. Fast, unquestionably, but never overly technical or difficult to enjoy.
Photo credit: Tobias Kempe
By the time I pulled back into Domaine du Mas de Pierre that evening, the engine ticking softly in the fading heat, there was only one problem with the entire day: I really did not want to give the keys back.
The new Aston Martin Vantage S is available now, with prices starting from around €210,000, though a fully specified example — as tested, with carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fibre roof, full body packages and Inspire S Alcantara interior — moves well past €240,000.
In the second race of the weekend, Formula E took to the streets of Monaco to compete in another highly competitive battle. Reigning champion Oliver Rowland of Nissan claimed victory ahead of Felipe Drugovich, with Antonio Felix da Costa finishing out the podium.
The race began with Dan Ticktum and Antonio Felix da Costa on the front row, while Rowland started from eighth position and Drugovich from fifth. However, an eventful race quickly created opportunities for overtaking and dramatic position changes.
Unlike Saturday’s race, this one began with drama from the jump as Ticktum, the polesitter, lost his position and Edoardo Mortara took the lead, while da Costa similarly fell down the order quickly. Another difference in this race was that there was no Pit Boost stop for extra power, meaning strategy came primarily from the efficient use of Attack Mode opportunities.
Photo: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life
By Lap 4 of 28, penalties had already begun to be handed out, including one to Mortara for causing a collision, while Attack Mode had been initiated early by Nico Müller, allowing him to claim the lead only a couple of laps later and build an advantage of over two seconds.
The race was nothing short of drama, as further penalties, collisions, yellow flags, and even a DNF for Norman Nato ensued before even reaching Lap 10. After activating his Attack Mode, current championship leader Mitch Evans took the lead on Lap 11.
Laps 16 and 17 saw a strong push from Mortara of Mahindra Racing as he moved past Drugovich for second before overtaking Evans to reclaim the lead. A Full Course Yellow was then triggered following a collision at Turn 18 between Nick Cassidy and Josep Maria Martí.
After briefly losing the lead to da Costa, Mortara found himself back in front by Lap 23, with his Attack Mode activated. Rowland, however, followed in third with 30 seconds more Attack Mode time remaining than Mortara. That same lap saw Rowland take the lead over Mortara, even before Mortara’s Attack Mode expired.
By the final lap, Rowland, Mortara, and Drugovich held the podium positions. However, Mortara’s time penalty, given earlier in the race, pushed him down to a fifth place finish.
Rowland remained relatively quiet for much of the race, fighting well without drawing too much attention to himself. Yet, impressive strategy and efficiency allowed the Nissan driver to come out on top in the end. Charging from P8 to victory, Rowland proved that sometimes playing the long game can be the most effective strategy.
Monaco now gears up for another major motorsport weekend in the Principality as the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco returns in just a couple of weeks.
