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Month: May 2026

Everything we now know about White Lotus Season 4 — and it’s all happening on our doorstep

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2026

The Cannes Film Festival is set to become the backdrop for the most ambitious season of HBO’s hit anthology series The White Lotus, with creator Mike White turning his satirical lens on the international film industry for Season 4.

Production is now underway across Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Paris, with filming expected to span seven months and a reported budget of approximately $120 million, according to Variety. The new season will centre on two rival film teams arriving on the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival, each staying at competing luxury hotels while navigating fame, power struggles and cultural clashes.

The series will use some of France’s most iconic luxury properties as filming locations, including the Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez, which has reportedly been transformed into the fictional “White Lotus du Cap”, alongside Cannes’ legendary Hôtel Martinez and Paris’ Hôtel Lutetia. While the production remains highly discreet, local interest has grown steadily, particularly after large-scale casting calls for extras attracted crowds eager to take part in recreating the festival atmosphere.

Cannes becomes the ‘beating heart’ of the story

Producer David Bernad described the Cannes Film Festival as the “beating heart” of the new season during an appearance at Canneseries in April. According to Bernad, the setting allowed the writers to explore themes of celebrity, influence and social hierarchy within one of the world’s most glamorous cultural events.

“When we located the show at the Cannes Film Festival specifically, this idea of fame popped up,” Bernad said, according to Variety. “Who has the world’s attention, who are the people that can grab the world’s attention, who are the plus-one in a relationship, who’s the person that has that power — and how that shapes a dynamic.”

The production will reportedly recreate its own version of Cannes immediately after this year’s festival concludes, using the Palais des Festivals and surrounding Croisette locations once crowds have departed.

French cast joins international ensemble

French actor Vincent Cassel has reportedly joined the cast as the hotel manager, alongside French performers Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Laura Smet. International stars set to appear include Steve Coogan, Kumail Nanjiani, Sandra Bernhard and Rosie Perez.

Variety also reported that Helena Bonham Carter had originally joined the production before departing over creative differences, with Laura Dern later stepping into a newly developed role.

The season is expected to continue the franchise’s signature exploration of social awkwardness and cultural misunderstanding, this time fuelled by the contrast between Hollywood excess and French Riviera sophistication. Bernad told journalists that experiences with French hospitality staff during location scouting helped shape the creative direction of the series.

Major economic boost for Cannes

Local officials have welcomed the HBO production as a major coup for the region after coordinated efforts helped secure the project for the Côte d’Azur. According to Cannes deputy mayor Sophie Mouysset, the shoot is expected to generate approximately 17,000 hotel nights while bringing substantial economic activity to the city.

The production will temporarily leave the Riviera during the height of the summer tourist season before resuming filming later in the year.

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Photo is an AI generated image and is not an official representation of The White Lotus season four

A floating sofa, a Monaco showroom and the ‘DB’ connection: meet designer David Bitton

by: Virginia D’Umas
06/05/2026

Where does furniture end and art begin? For architect-designer David Bitton, the question is beside the point. His latest creation, the ‘Floating Sofa’ — a limited-edition piece developed in collaboration with artist Astro and currently on display at the Aston Martin showroom in Monaco — uses 45-degree mirrors in place of legs to create the illusion of a sofa suspended in infinite space. It is, like everything Bitton makes, both an everyday object and something else entirely.

What started as a passion eventually became a full-time career for David Bitton—an extremely successful one at that. Blurring the lines of reality, his signature lies in illusion. The architect-designer is constantly in motion, always searching for new inspiration. What he creates goes beyond design; it is art in its purest form. With his latest project, the ‘Floating Sofa’, currently on display at the Aston Martin showroom in Monaco, David Bitton, in collaboration with artist Astro, has created a piece that plays with perspective, offering the impression of an infinite view.

“I’ve been working with the artist Astro for several years and greatly appreciate his sense of perspective,” David Bitton tells Monaco Life. “We previously created a rug together where you feel as though you are stepping inside the piece. The Floating Sofa came from one of our conversations: I had sketched the idea of a suspended sofa and asked him to develop it with me. The concept was to create a sense of infinite perspective, using mirrors in the armrests, which also serve as the structural support in place of legs. It was a complex project, but the 45-degree mirrors create an optical effect where the sofa appears to continue endlessly.”

Photo credit: Virginia D’Umas, Monaco Life 

Design without walls: Bringing art, cars and Monaco together

With only 25 numbered and signed pieces, the ‘Floating Sofa’ is a limited-edition design work, yet it remains visible to all in the window of the Aston Martin showroom. For David, “design is not something that should be hidden; it needs to be seen. It is an everyday object—a sofa is a sofa. Of course, it comes with a certain price.”

At the same time, it remains accessible in its own way. David explains that a young visitor recently came with his mother and said he found it beautiful, while she added that she was introducing him to design so he could one day collect pieces himself. For David, this is also what design is about: transmitting taste and culture. He grew up in a similar environment, with an artist father and regular visits to galleries and museums. Design, he believes, should not be confined to galleries—it can exist anywhere as an installation meant to be seen and experienced.

His work ultimately sits at the intersection of function and sculpture, an approach he sees as the very essence of design. Or, in his own words: “Design must be both beautiful and functional.”

Photo credit: Virginia D’Umas, Monaco Life

When luxury automobiles inspire design

Why did David Bitton choose a luxury automobile showroom to present his latest design pieces? The answer is simple: for him, the automobile represents the ultimate design exercise—and arguably the most complex one. Beyond the elegance of its lines, a car embodies a high level of technical precision, from aerodynamics to lighting and wind dynamics.

“For me as an architect, the car is an extremely complex object. It shares a clear parallel with design, which must be both functional and aesthetically refined,” he explains. “I am particularly drawn to the shape of headlights; they are fascinating because they extend the identity of the car and set its tone—whether sporty or more classic. They are the ‘gaze’ of the vehicle, reflecting its personality. It is therefore a very precise exercise. During my studies, I often drew inspiration from the automotive world.”

Beyond this personal connection, the project also finds a broader coherence between the ‘Floating Sofa’ and the automotive universe. Astro has previously worked within the car industry, applying his signature to racing cars, while Monaco Art Week counts Aston Martin as an official partner, with the ‘Floating Sofa’ featured in its showroom during this important artistic moment.

“Everything aligns: an artist rooted in automotive design, an installation presented within Aston Martin’s universe, and the brand’s close link to Monaco Art Week. Then there is the DB reference—the iconic Aston Martin initials, and coincidentally, mine as well: David Bitton. In that sense, this collaboration did not happen by chance; it came together naturally for all these reasons,” concludes the artist. 

See also: 

Monaco Art Week 2026: from rare masterpieces to bold contemporary visions

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Monaco brings 79 nations together for General Assembly of the International Military Sports Council

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2026

In 1948, five generals — including a French one — sat down together in the aftermath of the Second World War and founded an organisation built on a simple but radical idea: that the armed forces of the world might be better united through sport than divided by conflict. Seventy-seven years later, the International Military Sports Council they created now counts 142 member nations, and this week, 79 of them have sent delegations to Monaco for the 81st General Assembly — gathered under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II in a Principality that has made international dialogue something of a speciality.

At a press conference at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo on Tuesday 5th May, Captain Denis Raymond of the Prince’s Carabiniers Corps, Knight of the Order of Grimaldi, explained how that original vision continues to shape everything the organisation does today.

“The motto says it all: ‘Friendship through sport,'” he said. “It fosters dialogue and mutual understanding that goes well beyond competition — creating lasting bonds between servicemen and women across the world.”

Captain Raymond also highlighted the role of military structures in elite sport. While military athletes compete on equal terms at events such as the Olympic Games, they often rely on institutional support to reach the highest level.

“Many disciplines lack visibility and funding, so military frameworks provide athletes with the stability, training conditions and financial security they need to perform,” he said, noting that a significant share of France’s recent Olympic medals has been won by athletes competing under military contracts.

Captain Denis Raymond at Tuesday’s press conference. Photo by Virginia D’Umas, Monaco Life

Monaco, a hub for dialogue through sport

True to its long-standing commitment to international cooperation, Monaco has once again positioned itself as a meeting point for global exchange. Throughout the week, the Principality is hosting senior military delegations, institutional representatives and experts in sports diplomacy, all gathered to strengthen ties and reinforce sport’s role as a driver of lasting peace.

The programme includes conferences and high-level discussions, notably a ‘Peace & Sport’ forum, alongside the official presentation of two major upcoming events: the 2027 Summer Military World Games in Charlotte, United States, and the 2027 Military World School Games in Kazakhstan.

The press conference on Tuesday brought together key figures of the CISM organising committee. Photo by Virginia D’Umas, Monaco Life

The Force Publique takes centre stage

The smooth running of the Assembly relies heavily on Monaco’s Force Publique. Bringing together the Prince’s Carabiniers Corps and the Monaco Fire Brigade under the authority of the Department of the Interior, the Force Publique is central to both the security and the ceremonial life of the event in Monaco this week.

On Tuesday morning, the Place du Palais provided the setting for a military ceremony bringing together Prince Albert II and senior representatives attending the 81st General Assembly of the International Military Sports Council.

The Prince arrived via the Honour Gate, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Rebaudengo. The ceremony, conducted under the orders of Colonel Tony Varo, began with the deployment of the troops.

A series of formal sequences followed, starting with honours to the Standard, then military honours to the Sovereign. The Monegasque and CISM anthems were performed as the flags were raised, marking a key moment in the proceedings.

Prince Albert II then carried out a review of the troops before the ceremony concluded with final honours. The occasion ended with an official group photograph featuring the heads of delegations alongside the Prince.

A shared commitment to peace

The 81st General Assembly ultimately reinforces the CISM’s mission: to make sport a genuine instrument of peace for present and future generations.

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Main photo: Virginia D’Umas, Monaco Life

 

Monaco’s most sociable charity ride returns — 140km, two great causes, one street party

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/05/2026

On 31st May, cyclists will set off from Saint-Tropez at dawn and pedal 140 kilometres along the Côte d’Azur to Monaco, raising funds for two foundations whose work could not be more different — and more important. The 12th edition of the Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club charity ride is back, and after more than a decade of bringing together the Principality’s yachting, business and sporting communities on two wheels, the organisers are pushing for their biggest fundraising year yet.

Founded in 2011 by seven friends who shared a passion for cycling, the COCC has grown into one of Monaco’s most recognisable charitable sporting fixtures. Past riders have included Prince Albert II, professional cyclists, and Formula One drivers including Eddie Jordan, Mika Häkkinen and Daniel Ricciardo — a testament to the event’s reach across the Principality’s international community.

Two foundations, one ride

The 2026 edition once again supports the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which has delivered over 510 water safety and swimming education projects across 43 countries, reaching more than one million people. With an estimated 2.5 million drowning deaths recorded globally over the past decade, the Foundation’s Learn to Swim, Water Safety and Sport & Education programmes address one of the world’s most preventable causes of death.

The second beneficiary is the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, established by Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir OBE following his motor neuron disease diagnosis in 2017. The foundation funds research aimed at finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND. The number 5 in its name honours the jersey Weir wore throughout his career at Melrose, Newcastle Falcons and Scotland.

The route and the party

Riders depart Saint-Tropez at 8am on Sunday 31st May — the evening before, a pre-ride drinks reception takes place in Saint-Tropez for participants and sponsors — with arrival in Monaco expected around 5pm. The day concludes with the COCC Street Party in front of Slammers Pub at 6 Rue Suffren Reymond, running from 2pm until late, with live music, a Chilli No. 5 BBQ and the kind of atmosphere that has become as much a part of the COCC tradition as the ride itself. Tickets are €25 in advance or €35 on the day.

Get involved

Each year, the ride raises approximately €100,000 for charity, with sponsors receiving prominent branding on the official cycling kit and visibility at both the Saint-Tropez start and Monaco finish line. Sponsorship packages start from €3,000, with bespoke options available. Riders are required to raise a minimum of €1,000 in sponsorship, which covers professional kit, mechanical support, insurance, a halfway brunch and an after-party ticket.

Sponsorship applications are available at coccmonaco.com/sponsors, or by emailing info@coccmonaco.com. Donations to both foundations can be made directly via the COCC website.

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Photo credit: Ed Wright Images

From haute couture to horsepower: what drives Monaco’s retail economy

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/05/2026

Monaco’s retail sector generated €2.48 billion in 2025 — growing 6.1% at a time when the Principality’s broader economy contracted by 7.6%. But behind that headline figure lies a more revealing story about what the world’s second-smallest country actually sells, and who is buying it.

The single largest slice of Monaco’s retail economy is the category encompassing clothing, watches and jewellery, health and beauty, and leisure — collectively generating €1.15 billion, nearly half of the sector’s entire turnover, according to IMSEE’s latest focus report on retail trade within the Principality. Within that group, it is clothing stores and watch and jewellery retailers that carry the most weight, growing 4.5% in 2025 to maintain their position as the defining commercial identity of the Principality.

That identity is written into the geography of Monaco itself. In Monte-Carlo, which hosts 386 of the sector’s 815 active establishments, nearly 30% of retail businesses are clothing stores and almost 20% are jewellers. The Principality is home to 92 watch and jewellery establishments alone — more than one in 10 of all retail businesses — a density that reflects the spending power of Monaco’s clientele and the concentration of luxury maisons that have long made the Principality a flagship address.

Motor vehicles: a market of its own

The second-largest retail segment is one that surprises many: motor vehicles, motorcycles and related parts and accessories, which reached €708.7 million in 2025, representing 28.6% of total retail turnover and growing 5.4% year-on-year. For a jurisdiction of roughly two square kilometres, that is a remarkable sum — and a reflection of both the wealth of resident buyers and Monaco’s status as a showcase market for the world’s most prestigious automotive brands.

In Fontvieille, Monaco’s industrial quarter, motor vehicle retail is the second most common business type after clothing, accounting for 15.2% of the district’s establishments.

Cultural and recreational goods: the breakout performer

The standout result of 2025 belongs to a less obvious category. Retail of cultural and recreational goods — covering items such as art, sports equipment and leisure products — posted growth of 36.2%, rising from €121.5 million to €165.5 million. While it remains a smaller share of overall revenue at 6.7%, the scale of that increase points to shifting consumer patterns and perhaps the continued buoyancy of Monaco’s art market and lifestyle retail offer.

Food and fuel: steady but secondary

Non-specialised retail — predominantly food-led supermarkets and general stores — contributed €206.9 million, up 2.2%, while food, beverages and tobacco added €79.6 million, growing 2.4%. Automotive fuel retail, though modest at €26.4 million, grew 16.4%. Together, these categories provide the everyday commercial infrastructure of a resident population rather than the luxury expenditure that defines Monaco’s retail reputation.

The bigger picture

What the IMSEE data makes clear is that Monaco’s retail economy is effectively a tale of two markets: a high-value luxury and automotive sector that generates the overwhelming majority of revenue, and a supporting layer of everyday retail that serves the needs of residents and workers. The former is thriving. In a year when Monaco’s overall economy declined, it was the boutiques, jewellers and car showrooms that kept the sector growing.

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Photo of the Scuderia Monte-Carlo Ferrari dealership by Cassandra Tanti

Monaco Grand Prix 2026: the after-parties, concerts and music events taking over race weekend

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/05/2026

The Monaco Grand Prix will take place from 4th to 7th June, marking the Principality’s first June edition under Formula 1’s revised calendar. But as ever in Monaco, the race is only part of the spectacle. Once the engines quieten, the city transforms into one of the most concentrated nightlife scenes in the world, with beachfront stages, superyacht parties, headline DJs, luxury club nights and live music running deep into the weekend.

One of the biggest race-weekend events confirmed for 2026 is Sunset Monaco, which returns to the private beach of Le Méridien Beach Plaza from 5th to 7th June. The event is an energetic three-day beach experience running from noon to midnight, combining music, Mediterranean glamour and a festival-style atmosphere on the seafront.

There’s always a great lineup of artists at Sunset, which has contributed to its legendary status in Monaco. This year, the line-up is stellar and includes Blondish, Ramyen, and Rammo on Friday, and Prospa and Seth Troxle on Saturday, and Adam Ten, Alex From Tokyo and Matteo Diop on Sunday.

Le Méridien will also unveil Casa Sunset x Mauro Colagreco, an elevated open-air dining concept that brings a new gastronomic dimension to the race weekend experience. Created in collaboration with Mauro Colagreco, the chef behind the three Michelin-starred Mirazur, the concept will offer an exclusive four-act tasting menu inspired by some of his most iconic dishes. Designed to evolve throughout the evening, Casa Sunset begins as an intimate Mediterranean dinner setting before transitioning into a late-night celebration with DJs and a more festive atmosphere until 3am. “I like the idea of sharing our cuisine in a freer, more spontaneous way, surrounded by nature, music and beautiful energy,” said Colagreco. “It’s another way to experience gastronomy — more relaxed, but always deeply rooted in pleasure and sharing.”

Jimmy’z during Monaco Grand Prix is an event in itself. Photo source: MCSBM

Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo lines up for Grand Prix weekend

Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo, one of Monaco’s most iconic nightlife venues, will run Grand Prix programming from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th June, with a full four-night schedule tied to race weekend.

The club’s Grand Prix edition builds across the weekend, starting Thursday with opening parties, before moving into headline DJ nights. Hugel is set to play on Friday 5th June, Fisher takes over on Saturday 6th June, and Black Coffee closes out the weekend on Sunday 7th June.

Doors typically open late evening, with peak sets running into the early hours. As usual for race weekend, table reservations and entry packages are expected to be in high demand, with a mix of advance bookings and limited door access depending on capacity.

Lilly’s Club

Twiga, Lilly’s and Shellona add to the headline music scene

Twiga Monte Carlo will run a full Grand Prix programme combining dining, live performances and late-night club sets. Evenings typically begin with restaurant service before transitioning into a nightclub format, with headline names including 50 Cent, Anyma, Argy, Jamie Jones and Bob Sinclar across the weekend. Expect a high-energy, mixed music format and a dress-to-impress crowd, with table bookings strongly recommended.

Lilly’s Club Monte-Carlo focuses on a pure club experience, with a four-night line-up running from Thursday to Sunday. Rampa opens on 4th June, followed by Pawsa on the 5th. The weekend peaks on Saturday with Lil Baby and Central Cee, before closing on Sunday with John Summit and Travis Scott. Doors open late, and the venue operates primarily on guest lists and table reservations during Grand Prix weekend.

Shellona offers a beachside alternative at Turbo Monaco – Grimaldi Forum Monaco, blending daytime lounging with sunset DJ sets and evening parties from the 5th to the 7th. The line-up leans electronic, featuring &ME, Adriatique, ANOTR and WhoMadeWho. Service runs from lunch through late evening, making it one of the few venues that bridges day-to-night without a full club transition.

New Moods offers a live music alternative

For those looking beyond the club scene, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) has confirmed three Grand Prix evenings at New Moods from 5th to 7th June, with Coldshivers performing a Coldplay tribute show. The programme includes dinner and live music packages, with performances running later on Friday and Saturday and an earlier Sunday schedule.

Four Kicks performing for a yacht party organised by Hunter Moss during the Monaco Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Lion Stone Events

Yacht parties remain Monaco’s most exclusive after-hours scene

No Grand Prix weekend in Monaco is complete without the yacht parties in Port Hercule, widely seen as the centre of the action once the racing ends. While terraces around the circuit, from Casino Square to the harbourfront, offer prime viewing and lively daytime atmospheres, it’s the port itself where the energy builds into the night.

Throughout the weekend, superyachts line the track, hosting trackside hospitality during the day before transforming into private party spaces after sunset. Many of these events are invitation-only or tied to high-end hospitality packages, often including open bars, DJ sets and late-night entertainment on deck.

Access is typically controlled through guest lists or premium bookings, with security at marina entry points. Even from the quayside, the atmosphere is unmistakable, with music carrying across the water and a steady flow of guests moving between yachts and nearby venues.

A city-wide soundtrack to Grand Prix weekend

From Sunset’s beachfront stage at Le Méridien to Jimmy’z late-night sessions, Twiga’s international names and Lilly’s club line-up, to Shellona’s electronic beach atmosphere and live music at New Moods, the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix is once again as much about the music and social weekend as the sporting event.

With race action taking place from 4th to 7th June and Monaco hosting the first European round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Principality is preparing for four days in which every terrace, yacht, club and beach venue becomes part of the spectacle.

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