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Month: May 2026

Renzo Piano to transform Monaco’s Villa Sauber into a 4,000 m² cultural landmark

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/05/2026

One of Monaco’s most significant cultural investments in a generation is about to begin. The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco has announced a major restoration and extension of the Villa Sauber, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, that will transform the building from a 600 m² exhibition space into a 4,000 m² cultural complex — more than six times its current size.

According to a statement released by the Prince’s Government on Friday, Work begins in September 2026 and is expected to complete in September 2029, during which time the NMNM will continue to operate from its Villa Paloma site.

What is being built

The project goes well beyond a simple expansion. The future Villa Sauber is conceived as an open cultural ecosystem, incorporating permanent collection galleries alongside spaces for large-scale temporary exhibitions — a capacity the museum has long lacked. New additions include a library, educational workshops, an auditorium, a café and a redesigned landscaped garden.

That garden is central to the architectural vision. Designed as the connective tissue between the historic villa and its new extension, it will be structured in sequences: a stone forecourt, a central clearing, an orangery planted with citrus trees, roses and jasmine, and an exotic wooded border that creates a green buffer between the museum and the surrounding urban environment. The garden will remain publicly accessible during museum opening hours throughout the works, with only three brief interruptions of two weeks each anticipated over the three-year construction period.

In preparation for the September start, Monaco’s urban planning authority has already begun transplanting trees and plants from the existing garden. The citrus trees have largely been replanted along the central reservation of Avenue Princesse Grace and in the terrace gardens of the Fairmont.

A new home for Monaco’s national collections

The project also addresses a long-standing gap in Monaco’s cultural infrastructure: the permanent housing of the national collections on Monegasque territory. From 2028, the NMNM’s reserves will be installed beneath the hill at Mareterra — Monaco’s newest land extension — ensuring that the Principality’s artistic heritage is preserved and stored within its own borders for the first time.

Accessibility has also been factored into the design, with improved pedestrian routes for those with reduced mobility between Avenue Princesse Grace and the Boulevard du Larvotto forming part of the broader works.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

Prince Albert II retraces a 500-year-old family legacy across the French countryside

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/05/2026

Prince Albert II spent two days this week travelling through the Drôme, Indre-et-Loire and Maine-et-Loire regions of France on a journey that was equal parts history lesson and family pilgrimage — following in the footsteps of an ancestor who served the kings of France five centuries ago.

The trip, undertaken at the invitation of local elected officials, centred on Imbert de Batarnay (1438–1523), a remarkable figure from the Dauphiné who rose to become a trusted counsellor and diplomat to several French kings during the Italian Wars of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His effigy in the collegiate church of Montrésor remains one of the finest examples of funerary architecture from that era.

Wednesday 6th May: Bathernay and Montrésor

The Prince began in Bathernay in the Drôme, the ancestral home of Imbert de Batarnay, where he was welcomed by the Prefect of the Drôme and the town’s mayor. He visited the Romanesque church of Saint-Étienne, the former seigneurial residence, and a newly created interpretive museum space that benefited from his personal patronage.

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

The afternoon took the Prince to Montrésor in the Indre-et-Loire, where he paused in contemplation before the tomb of Batarnay in the collegiate church before continuing on foot to the château, whose ramparts and interior rooms were presented to the visiting delegation. Both the mayor and the Prince addressed residents gathered in the château grounds.

The day concluded in Loches, where Prince Albert met privately with three business leaders from the department, each at the forefront of high-technology sectors.

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

Thursday 7th May: Bridoré and Saumur

In Bridoré, another village closely associated with Batarnay, the Prince unveiled a plaque marking the site’s entry into the Grimaldi Historic Sites network — a promotional and heritage initiative connecting locations historically linked to the Grimaldi family across Europe. A visit to the village fortress and its keep followed, before an official ceremony on the steps of the town hall brought the local community together to mark the occasion.

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

The visit concluded at the military schools of Saumur in Maine-et-Loire, under the theme ‘Lieutenants of yesterday and today: a year that educates and prepares for combat’. It was a homecoming of sorts: Prince Albert’s great-grandfather Louis II studied at the cavalry school there in 1894–1895. Military honours were rendered in the Cour Austerlitz under the command of General Olivier Baudet, followed by a review of troops and a tour of the 2nd training division, where the Prince was shown the latest advances in military instruction alongside cutting-edge equipment including the Jaguar armoured vehicle, the renovated Leclerc tank and military drones.

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

The visit to the Musée de la Cavalerie preceded the day’s final moment: Prince Albert gave the starting signal for the ‘Race for the Wounded’, a fraternal event mixing civilian and military participants that has become a symbol of the bond between the French armed forces and the nation they serve.

Under the 2002 Franco-Monegasque friendship treaty, France’s armed forces serve as guarantors of Monaco’s independence and sovereignty — a relationship that gave the Saumur visit a significance that extended well beyond ceremony.

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Main photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

25 years later: Swiss Air Force aerobatic team returns to Monaco for commemorative reunion

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/05/2026

Monaco has welcomed back members of the PC-7 Team, the official aerobatic display team of the Swiss Air Force, for a commemorative visit marking their celebrated performance during the 2001 Monaco Grand Prix.

In 2001, the team made aviation history when it was invited to perform a spectacular aerial display for the opening celebrations of the Monaco Grand Prix. Ten aircraft and a helicopter were deployed from Switzerland, operating out of Le Luc-Le Cannet airfield before flying over the Principality to deliver a precision formation display showcasing Swiss aviation expertise at its finest.

Since its creation in 1989, the PC-7 Team has served as a flying ambassador for the Swiss Air Force, formed to mark its 75th anniversary. What began as a commemorative initiative quickly evolved into an internationally recognised aerobatic team, performing across Switzerland and abroad. The team completed its first international displays in 1992 and continues to represent Swiss precision, discipline and elegance using the iconic Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer, later upgraded in 2007 with the modernised NCPC-7 cockpit system.

The 2001 Monaco visit was marked not only by its aerial spectacle but also by memorable moments off the runway. The team was received at the Prince’s Palace by Prince Rainier III and later joined guests, organisers and Formula 1 figures at an exclusive event at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, closing a landmark Grand Prix weekend in style.

Shared skies, lasting ties: PC-7 TEAM reunion celebrates Swiss-Monaco friendship

A quarter of a century later, that historic moment has brought key figures back to the Principality. From 1st to 3rd May, former PC-7 TEAM commander Lieutenant Colonel Rudolf Wattinger, former team leader Peter Merz—who later served as Commander of the Swiss Air Force and is now CEO of Skyguide—and former PR officer Philippe Hertig, now Senior Partner at Egon Zehnder, reunited in Monaco alongside their spouses.

They were welcomed once again by the Club Suisse de Monaco, which organised the commemorative visit. The gathering served not only to celebrate a defining moment in Swiss aviation history, but also to highlight the enduring ties between Switzerland and Monaco.

From left to right: Captain Philippe Hertig, Club President Arik Roschke, Lieutenant Colonel Rudolf Wattinger and Captain Peter Merz

Marked by shared memories, friendship and pride, the reunion underlined how a single aerial performance 25 years ago continues to resonate today—still remembered as a highlight of Monaco’s Grand Prix legacy. 

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All photos courtesy of Club Suisse de Monaco

The EU-Mercosur trade deal takes effect — here is what it means for Europe

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/05/2026

A trading zone of 700 million people came into force on Friday 1st May as one of the world’s largest trade agreements began its provisional application.

The EU-Mercosur deal — 25 years in the making — links the European Union with the four founding Mercosur nations of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Negotiations began in 2000 and ran through multiple phases before a political agreement was reached on 6th December 2024, with EU member states formally endorsing it on 9th January 2026.

By 2040, the European Commission projects it will deliver more than €77.6 billion in increased EU GDP, boost annual EU exports by up to €50 billion — a rise of 39% — and support up to 600,000 jobs across Europe.

What changes for businesses

The most immediate practical effect for European businesses is the reduction of tariffs on industrial goods. Duties on cars, which currently run as high as 35% in Mercosur countries, will come down significantly, as will those on machinery, currently between 14% and 20%, and pharmaceuticals, currently up to 14%. The Commission estimates EU firms will save more than €4 billion per year as a result.

European companies will also gain the right to bid on Mercosur government procurement contracts for the first time. Brazil’s federal procurement market alone exceeds €8 billion per year.

The agreement also secures more reliable access to critical raw materials. The EU currently imports 82% of its niobium — used in superconducting magnets for MRI scanners and cancer treatment — from Mercosur countries. Formalising that supply relationship is considered strategically important given the EU’s broader green and digital transition ambitions.

What it means for food and farming

For EU agricultural producers, the deal reduces tariffs on key exports into Mercosur markets, with wine and spirits facing duties of up to 35% in those countries, chocolate 20% and olive oil 10%. EU agricultural exports are projected to increase by almost 50% overall, with dairy exports expected to rise by more than 100% by 2040 and beverages by 54%.

The agreement also protects European geographical indications — products such as Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano or Prosciutto di Parma — from imitation in South American markets, ending what Brussels describes as unfair competition.

The more contentious question has been the direction of agricultural trade flowing the other way. Beef and poultry imports from Mercosur into the EU are capped at 1.5% and 1.3% respectively of total EU annual production. Rice, honey and ethanol carry additional protections. A €6.3 billion safety net has been established to protect EU farmers in the event of market disturbances, and the European Commission has committed to monitoring agricultural markets closely as the agreement beds in, with safeguard provisions that can be triggered if sensitive sectors come under pressure.

Standards and sustainability

The EU has been explicit that the deal does not lower European food safety or environmental standards. Only imports that meet EU food safety rules will be permitted, border inspections are being reinforced, and audits in exporting countries will increase over the next two years. Meat produced using substances banned in the EU — including certain hormones and antibiotics — remains prohibited.

Beyond trade, the agreement includes binding commitments to implement the Paris Climate Agreement, preserve biodiversity and tackle deforestation in Mercosur countries, strengthen workers’ rights and enforce intellectual property protections. Whether those commitments prove enforceable in practice has been a central concern of critics, particularly given deforestation pressures in Brazil.

The Commission will continue working towards the agreement’s full ratification in line with EU treaty requirements, with provisional application covering the trade elements while the broader partnership agreement works through national parliaments.

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Image has been created by Monaco Life using AI

Monaco’s EuroLeague journey ends after loss to Olympiacos

by: Kayla Sauceda
07/05/2026

It was another tough night for the Roca Team on Tuesday 5th May as they fell to Olympiacos in a 105-82 loss at home, marking an end to their EuroLeague season. In this do-or-die matchup, Monaco had to show up ready to perform – but without Daniel Theis and Alpha Diallo available due to injury, the fatigued team was reduced to a roster of only eight players.

Monaco started the game strong with a 7-0 run before Olympiacos could finally respond with a three-point shot, foreshadowing the night ahead. The team showed up with high intensity and aggressive defense. Despite struggling a bit beyond the arc, it appeared that Monaco had rediscovered their shot and was finding more success than in their first two matchups.

AS Monaco players prepare for tip-off before their home playoff battle against Olympiacos. Photo Credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

The energy in the arena was powerful, as many Olympiacos fans traveled to support their side and made themselves heard. But Monaco’s fans responded with equal enthusiasm, lighting up the atmosphere from the moment the team stepped onto the court.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, fatigue appeared to be catching up to the Roca Team as energy began to fade and mistakes were being made, allowing Olympiacos to take their first lead of the game and pull away.

The second quarter further emphasised these struggles, as Monaco’s efforts made little ground against an Olympiacos team that played at a pace far quicker than Monaco could keep up with. Although the Roca Team found their momentum again briefly, this short-lived effort ended with a turnover and points for Olympiacos, allowing the Greek side to enter halftime with a 61-40 lead.

The second half of the game only continued to reinforce the damage done by Olympiacos. Not only was the team’s energy fading, but it was felt across the arena as cheers softened and hope began to disappear. A strong start to the final quarter reignited a brief moment of hope as Monaco reduced the deficit to just 12 points. However, Monaco was unable to sustain this momentum. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Matthew Strazel suffered an injury, reducing their already small roster even further.

Although Monaco’s EuroLeague season has now come to an end, the Roca Team still has national competition ahead and another championship to fight for. After overcoming injuries, roster limitations, and a demanding playoff run, reaching this level of competition was still an achievement for the club.

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Featured Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Info

Star Wars is coming to the Grimaldi Forum — with a live orchestra

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/05/2026

A galaxy far, far away is coming to Monaco. On Saturday 17th April 2027, the Grimaldi Forum’s Salle des Princes will screen Star Wars: A New Hope with John Williams’ legendary score performed live by the Sinfonia Pop Orchestra, under the musical direction of Jordan Gudefin.

The concert forms part of a touring celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. An orchestra of nearly 100 musicians will perform in precise synchronisation with the film as it plays on screen — from the opening fanfare to the medal ceremony finale — placing the audience inside the music in a way no recorded soundtrack can replicate.

A score that changed cinema

Williams’ music for the original Star Wars, released in 1977, won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and remains among the most recognised pieces of film music ever written. Heard live, across a full symphonic ensemble, it transforms what is already one of cinema’s most beloved films into something else entirely.

The screening runs for two and a half hours including an interval, with the film presented in its original version with French subtitles.

Practical information

Tickets and accessibility enquiries for those with reduced mobility can be directed to the Grimaldi Forum on +377 99 99 30 00.