Monaco’s official taxi app has completed its first year of operation with more than 21,000 rides booked through the platform and over 36,000 downloads recorded across 154 countries.
The Taxi Monaco application, launched in 2025 to modernise and streamline transport in the Principality, has attracted more than 7,000 individual passengers since its debut, according to a government statement. In 2026, more than 10% of all taxi journeys in Monaco are now being made through the app, rising to 15% of rides taken by private clients.
Strong user satisfaction
Ratings across both major app stores point to a high level of satisfaction among users, says the government. The application holds 4.9 out of 5 on the Apple App Store based on 401 reviews, and 4.6 out of 5 on Google Play from 49 reviews.
The platform is used predominantly on iPhone, which accounts for 89% of usage against 11% on Android. Integrated in-app payment, available since launch, has proven particularly popular — nearly one in two rides is now settled directly through the application.
International reach
The app’s user base is spread across France, Monaco, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Italy, reflecting the international profile of both Monaco’s residents and its visitors.
To meet growing demand from non-French and non-English speaking users, Taxi Monaco will shortly add Spanish, Chinese, and Russian to the platform. Apple Pay integration is also planned before the end of the year.
Princess Stéphanie, godmother of the Corps des Carabiniers du Prince, has officially presented the Corps insignia to two new student Carabiniers of the “Jules Rigoard” promotion during a military ceremony held at the Moneghetti barracks in Monaco.
The ceremony took place on the helicopter landing area of the Caserne des Moneghetti in the presence of Colonel Tony Varo, Commander-in-Chief of the Public Force, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard, Chief of the Fire Brigade Corps, and the families of the new recruits.
Following a welcome from Lieutenant-Colonel Martial Pied, Chief of the Corps, and a formal troop inspection, the Company’s Fanion was presented to the future Carabiniers. Princess Stéphanie then personally handed over the Corps insignia, which had been blessed by Abbé Christian Venard, chaplain of the Public Force.
The ceremony concluded with the Monegasque national anthem performed by the Orchestra of the Prince’s Carabiniers alongside the assembled military personnel.
The two young recruits had sworn allegiance to Prince Albert II and the Princely Family on 4th May, formally committing themselves to the demanding mission of serving the Sovereign Family and the Principality with the Corps’ motto of “Honour, Fidelity and Devotion”.
The promotion was named in honour of Jules Rigoard, a historic figure within the Corps des Carabiniers who served both Monaco and France during the First World War.
Rigoard joined the Corps in 1913 before entering the French army following the general mobilisation of August 1914. Assigned to the 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment, he took part in the Champagne offensive in 1915, where his unit distinguished itself in particularly difficult combat conditions.
After contracting tuberculosis during his service, he was discharged from active duty in October 1915 and died from the illness on 4th November that year. Officially recognised as having “Died for France”, Jules Rigoard remains a symbol of sacrifice and duty, and his memory continues to hold an important place within the traditions of the Prince’s Carabiniers.
Hybrid working arrangements established during the health crisis have generated a modest but tangible increase in corporate labour productivity, according to a newly published joint study by France’s national statistics bureau, Insee, and the research body Dares.
Economists Philippe Askenazy, Ugo Di Nallo, and Ismaël Ramajo analysed non-financial and non-real estate companies to evaluate the lasting economic impacts of working from home. The data reveals that a 10-point increase in the proportion of remote workers correlated with a 0.7 to one percent gain in productivity growth between 2019 and 2022.
The primary work arrangement to emerge across the corporate landscape is a hybrid framework, typically combining two days of remote work with three days on-site.
Office configuration as a catalyst
The positive impact on performance was most pronounced in companies that rented office space distinct from their primary production facilities prior to the pandemic. These specific firms adopted remote working at a significantly higher rate, averaging 36 percent of employees teleworking in 2022, compared to just 10 percent for companies with integrated premises.
For these office-dependent corporations, the post-crisis reorganisation of work yielded substantial dividends. Within this group, a 10-point increase in the share of remote workers led to a 2.7-point improvement in productivity growth over the three-year analytical period.
Beyond cost-cutting measures
The researchers noted that the observed productivity boost cannot be attributed solely to corporate cost-cutting or technology upgrades.
While a reduction in rented office square footage and increased investment in information technology equipment played a part, they only partially explain the gains. Instead, the data suggests that these high-performing companies possessed existing operational frameworks and production processes inherently more conducive to autonomous, remote execution.
Macroeconomic offsets
Despite clear internal advantages for individual businesses, the study warns of broader economic consequences. At the macroeconomic level, the internal productivity gains achieved by companies adopting hybrid models may be counterbalanced by negative externalities. The structural shift away from traditional office models continues to exert downward pressure on adjacent sectors, most notably the commercial real estate market.
MonacoUSA is marking a milestone Fourth of July this year — the 250th anniversary of American independence — with an evening party at Norma Restaurant above the Place d’Armes on Saturday 4th July.
Organised by MonacoUSA, the event kicks off with a happy hour cash bar from 6:30pm, followed by an American BBQ buffet from 7:30pm featuring ribs, chicken wings, hot dogs, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, baked beans and more. Apple pie, cheesecake and brownies round off the menu, with wine, soft drinks and coffee included.
The evening will also feature country western music, a free tombola, americana décor and a Best Look prize — with the dress code fittingly set as “Born in the USA.”
Tickets are €70 for members and €95 for non-members, with all reservations to be paid in advance. Places are limited and the booking deadline is 15th June. The event is open to those aged 18 and over.
In the fast-paced, high-energy environment of the Principality, finding a true sanctuary for both the body and the mind can feel like a rare luxury. However, a collaborative exhibition in Monaco is redefining the boundaries of self-care.
Titled ‘Garden of Life – A Wellness Journey Through Art,’ the exhibition brings together the visionary work of international mixed-media artist Fiona Tan and the serene atmosphere of Lidia and Lola’s luxury, Japanese-inspired Head Spa, ‘L&L Wellbeing’. Running until July, this unique showcase transforms a holistic wellness space into an evocative, living gallery.
A synergy of art and organic healing
The partnership between ‘L&L Wellbeing’ and Fiona Tan sparks a natural synergy, or what the wellness salon’s owners describe as a “magical osmosis”. For Lidia, a beauty and wellness expert with twenty years of industry experience across Monaco and Dubai, integrating Fiona’s art was a natural evolution for her holistic sanctuary.
“Her pieces fit perfectly because she focuses on natural elements,” Lidia explains. “Not everyone has fully embraced the concept of using entirely natural products for their hair and body yet, even though it’s so much better for our health. We have built a specific space where clients can fully switch off, step away from the frantic world outside, and enter an environment prone to exchange, sharing, and well-being.”
Fiona’s artistic philosophy elevates this physical refuge. A certified holistic health coach trained in nutrition and naturopathy, Fiona infuses her creations with a profound understanding of inner alignment.
Water for the soul by Fiona Tan
Crafting the layers: shimmer, silk, and stardust
Fiona’s artwork is highly complex, combining cutting-edge digital techniques with traditional, tactile craftsmanship. Her creative workflow bridges multiple mediums to achieve a captivating depth.
Fiona’s intricate creative process begins on the computer, where she breaks down an original photograph into abstract digital fragments. Using this photographic base as her digital canvas, she meticulously layers custom digital drawings and digital paint to reconstruct the image, shifting its reality into something entirely new.
“Once the digital composition is finalised, the multi-layered artwork is printed onto premium, fine materials, often utilising a custom blend of rich velvet and delicate silk rather than a standard canvas,” explains the artist to Monaco Life.
Finally, she breathes tactile life into the physical print by hand, reworking the surface with physical acrylic paint, applying delicate gold leaf accents, and completing the piece with a signature dusting of diamond dust and glitter that catches the light from every angle.
The result is a collection of vibrant, abstract textures that shift under different angles and lighting conditions.
A new beginning in creation by Fiona Tan
The philosophy of the trenches: transmuting chaos into peace
Fiona’s artwork goes far deeper than pure aesthetics; it serves as a therapeutic tool designed to interact with the human brain. Her perspective on the creative process challenges the idea that peace is static.
“For me, my art always aims to find peace and something even deeper, like truth,” Fiona shares. “To be able to do that, it is inevitable that I go through phases of chaos and torment—to confront darkness and shadows that people generally hide from. I go about it in a disciplined way to ascend from situations and find real peace, because peace is an evolving state.”
By doing the emotional heavy lifting in her studio, Fiona creates a finished refuge for others. In an approach that relies heavily on neuro-esthetics, the artwork operates as a living mirror where shifting shapes and fluid colours adapt dynamically to the viewer’s personal mood and gaze. This fluid abstraction serves as an intentional neurological break, jolting the brain out of its habitual autopilot thinking patterns and cognitive ruts. Ultimately, engaging with these complex, shifting layers stimulates the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS), anchoring the viewer firmly in the present moment while inducing a deep neurological state of profound ease, joy, and somatic relaxation.
Capturing the fleeting beauty of Japan
A heavy Japanese influence runs seamlessly through the heart of the ‘Garden of Life’ collection. Fiona, who is a quarter Asian and a long-time member of the Monaco Japan Association, draws profound inspiration from the ephemeral nature of the cherry blossom (sakura), translating its philosophy of impermanence onto her canvases.
This artistic homage perfectly mirrors the physical environment of the salon, where ‘L&L Wellbeing’ offers an authentic Japanese head spa treatment—a unique, one-of-a-kind experience in Monaco. In this tranquil oasis, guests begin their journey by immersing themselves in a personalised scalp analysis to identify specific needs, tailoring the path forward with targeted care such as deep detoxifying or rich, nourishing treatments.
What follows is a holistic ritual designed to activate all your senses. Through a carefully curated blend of relaxing ambient music, aromatic essential oils, and expert head and face massages by one of the salon’s talented owners, Lola, the treatment coaxes you to completely escape the frantic buzz of everyday life. This sensory immersion bridges beautifully with the philosophy of Fiona’s artwork.
“For me, the cherry blossom is a symbol of the soul, of the cycle of life, of the beauty of spring, and the renewal of mind and body,” says the artist. “It embodies perfection but also an ephemeral narrative, because it is only there for two weeks each season. It disappears, but the essence remains.”
Just like the head spa ritual, her abstract landscapes serve as a lingering sanctuary, reminding the viewer that even when the outside world pulls you away, the underlying essence of inner renewal and calm remains permanently accessible.
Experience the sanctuary
‘Garden of Life – A Wellness Journey Through Art’ runs until July. For those looking to realign their internal harmony and escape Monaco’s frantic summer rush, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to step inside a living shelter of magic, nature, and absolute calm.
As Lidia notes, “When you just listen to us talk, you think, ‘Oh yes, that sounds interesting,’ but living it is entirely different. To truly understand, you have to experience it firsthand.”
Salle Gaston Médecin hosted the start of AS Monaco Basket’s latest title push as Monaco defeated JL Bourg-en-Bresse 81-75 in the opening game of their Betclic Elite playoff campaign.
Following their second-place finish in the regular season, Monaco has home-court advantage in this playoff series against the seventh-place finishers. After some time to rest since their last outing, Monaco showed up with a nine-man roster, including seven senior professionals and two espoir players. From the opening minutes, the tone of the matchup reflected how the night would unfold. After Elie Okobo opened the scoring, both teams were rather quiet for the following minutes.
Although the game lacked many standout moments, Monaco immediately showed a different level of defensive intensity than we typically see, forcing five turnovers in the first quarter alone. However, that intensity often felt disorganized, with defensive pressure often contrasted by inconsistent ball movement and a lack of offensive fluidity.
Because of this, Monaco’s at one point double-digit lead did not bring much comfort in the arena. JL Bourg received many opportunities for second- and even third-chance shots due to a lack of rebounding from the Roca Team. By halftime, Monaco found their lead reduced to a mere five points with a score of 37-32, an extremely low score for both sides at this stage of the game.
Action from AS Monaco Basket’s playoff opener. Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life
Early second-half points brought the game within one possession, fully eliminating any sense of comfort in the arena. From this point on, the momentum shifts became increasingly apparent. After Bourg tied the game up at 39 points, Monaco responded with an 8-0 run, however still not in the organized, composed manner expected at this stage of the playoffs.
The next minutes saw momentum shift toward Bourg, as they reduced Monaco’s lead back down to two points. Monaco refused to give up its lead, but struggled to hang on as the team continued to make critical mistakes and miss important shots.
This pattern remained consistent throughout the remainder of the game, with momentum continuing to shift between the two sides. Bourg finally claimed the lead in the fourth quarter with four minutes remaining. However, less than one minute later, Monaco reclaimed the lead.
The game truly came down to the final minute, as Bourg remained within one possession of Monaco with under a minute left to play. However, two points from Jaron Blossomgame, followed by two key free throws, ultimately sealed Monaco’s night with a victory.
Although Monaco came out victorious, the game highlighted key areas for improvement. Shooting just over 14% from beyond the arc, struggling with offensive rebounds, and committing 16 turnovers are not statistics teams favor in their playoff runs. Before Game 2 on Wednesday, the team must focus on improving in these areas as they continue their push for another trophy this season.
