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Day: 16 July 2026

Monaco Yacht Club launches global qualifying series for Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/07/2026

The Monaco Yacht Club is taking the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge global with the launch of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge World Series, an international qualifying circuit designed to meet growing demand while preserving the event’s reputation as a showcase for the world’s most advanced sustainable marine technologies.

The new format will debut in 2027, following this year’s 13th edition, which attracted 54 university teams from 21 countries. Teams competing in the Challenge’s Energy Class, introduced in 2018, will qualify for the Monaco final through regional events.

“The Challenge attracts the best maritime engineering talent from all over the world,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, Director and General Secretary of Yacht Club de Monaco. “To develop it further has led us to take this next step. It will allow us to welcome new teams while upholding the high sporting and technological standards that define this event.”

Darwin named first international qualifier

The first World Series event will be held in Darwin, Australia, which will host the Asia-Pacific Qualifier from 2027. The event will provide university teams from across the region with a pathway to Monaco while bringing together researchers, industry leaders and institutions focused on sustainable maritime innovation.

“It’s a real privilege to be selected to host the World Series Asia-Pacific qualifiers; for Darwin, this is a major milestone that puts us on the same level as Monaco,” said Michael Canaris, Director of Big Blue Ventures APAC and the Australian event coordinator. “Our priority now is to attract university teams from Australia and the wider region.”

Monaco remains the final destination

Rather than creating a series of standalone competitions, the World Series will serve as a qualification pathway to the Monaco final, which remains the flagship event under the Principality’s Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachtinginitiative.

Since its launch in 2014, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has grown into a leading platform for sustainable maritime innovation, bringing together students, researchers, shipyards and industry to develop the next generation of clean marine propulsion. Additional continental qualifying events are already under consideration as Yacht Club de Monaco works towards creating a global network dedicated to advancing sustainable yachting.

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Photo source: YCM

Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo earns prestigious Wine Spectator honour

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/07/2026

The Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, home to the world’s largest hotel wine cellar, has been recognised with Wine Spectator’s 2026 Best of Award of Excellence, reinforcing Monaco’s reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for fine wine and gastronomy.

Awarded by the influential American publication Wine Spectator, the distinction recognises restaurants and wine programmes that demonstrate exceptional depth, quality and diversity in their wine selections.

For the Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the award acknowledges a collection that spans more than 300,000 bottles and 11,000 wine references, with particular recognition given to its extensive holdings of Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux.

Carved into the rock 12 metres beneath Monaco in 1874 at the initiative of Marie Blanc, the 1,500-square-metre cellar has been at the heart of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s culinary identity for more than 150 years. Following an extensive renovation completed in 2025, the historic cellars continue to supply the resort’s 30 restaurants and bars, while also welcoming guests for private tours, exclusive tastings and exceptional dining experiences.

The venue has also expanded its offering through the recently established Cercle des Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, an invitation-only club that gives wine collectors and enthusiasts access to intimate evenings centred on rare bottles and prestigious vintages.

The latest accolade further strengthens Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s standing in the international wine world and adds to a growing list of honours from Wine Spectator.

Last year, Le Grill, the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, received the publication’s Best of Award of Excellence for its wine programme. Meanwhile, Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse has held Wine Spectator’s highest distinction, the Grand Award, since 1995, making it the only restaurant within the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer group to receive the publication’s top honour.

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Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

Monapass simplifies payments with Apple and Google Pay

by: Virginia D’Umas
16/07/2026

For the thousands of residents, commuters, and tourists who navigate the Principality daily, the Monapass app has long been the go-to tool for managing everything from bus routes to event tickets. Now, a new update promises to make that experience even smoother.

The Direction des Services Numériques (DSN) has officially integrated Apple Pay and Google Pay into the platform, a move designed to eliminate the friction of manual payment entry. For the regular user, this means that paying for a bus ride, booking a bike, or securing a pass for a weekend event at the Grimaldi Forum can now be finalised in seconds using familiar device authentication.

A growing digital hub

Since its launch in 2021, Monapass has evolved from a niche mobility tool into a central pillar of digital life in Monaco. The app’s footprint has grown significantly, now supporting approximately 2,700 ticket activations every day and serving over 1,450 unique daily users.

Over the past five years, the platform has consistently expanded its feature set to keep pace with the needs of the Principality. Beyond simple ticketing, users now rely on the app for real-time transport data, push notifications regarding city services, and access to Monaco’s busy calendar of sporting and cultural events.

Getting started

The integration is live, and for those who may need assistance navigating the new payment options, support is available. Advisors are currently stationed at the Monaco Telecom boutique in Fontvieille to assist users in person without the need for an appointment.

For more information, residents and visitors can visit monapass.mc or contact the support team directly at +377 98 98 80 0.

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Photo: AI generated using main photo by Monaco Life

 

Step back in time with the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology’s summer holiday workshops

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/07/2026

The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology of Monaco is inviting young explorers to discover the fascinating world of prehistory this summer through a series of interactive holiday workshops.

Designed to combine education with hands-on fun, the Summer 2026 Holiday Workshops will give children the opportunity to travel back in time as they learn about prehistoric life, archaeology and some of the scientific discoveries that have helped shape our understanding of humanity’s earliest ancestors.

The programme features activities tailored to different age groups, encouraging participants to explore the past through games, practical workshops and educational experiences led by the museum’s team.

The workshops form part of the museum’s ongoing mission to make archaeology and prehistoric science accessible and engaging for younger audiences during the school holidays.

Full details, including workshop dates, times, age requirements, prices and registration information, are available on the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology’s website.

For more information and bookings, visit: https://map.gouv.mc/visites-et-animations/ateliers-de-vacances-ete-2026

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Smithsonian to honour Princess Grace with permanent National Mall tribute

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/07/2026

Princess Grace of Monaco will be honoured with a permanent tribute on Washington D.C.’s National Mall this September, as the Smithsonian Institution celebrates her enduring cultural legacy with a special public programme marking the 70th anniversary of her marriage to Prince Rainier III.

Hosted by Smithsonian Associates in collaboration with the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco and Smithsonian Gardens, Princess Grace: Celebrating an Enduring Legacy will take place on 1st September at the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building.

The event will begin with a private dedication ceremony in the Smithsonian’s Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden, where four reproductions of a historic swan bench will be unveiled, including one dedicated to Princess Grace. The bench will be permanently installed on the National Mall alongside a Princess Grace rose, creating a lasting public memorial to the former Hollywood actress turned Princess of Monaco and celebrating the longstanding friendship between Monaco and the United States.

The blush-pink Princess Grace rose reflects one of the Princess’s lifelong passions. An avid gardener, she was particularly fond of roses and spent time tending the gardens at her homes in Monaco.

The evening programme, which is already fully booked, will explore Princess Grace’s remarkable life and lasting influence through a presentation by a historian followed by a panel discussion featuring experts on her legacy. Discussions will examine her transition from Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly to Princess of Monaco, her commitment to the performing arts and her enduring influence on fashion, film and philanthropy.

The event will also highlight the continuing work of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, established by Prince Rainier III in 1982 to honour his late wife’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent in theatre, dance and film. Since its creation, the Foundation has supported generations of artists who have gone on to become some of the most recognised names in the performing arts, including playwright Tony Kushner, filmmaker Jon M. Chu, actors Oscar Isaac and Leslie Odom Jr., and choreographer Kyle Abraham.

Guests attending the evening reception will be invited into a space decorated with a bespoke rose installation by Smithsonian Gardens, alongside a commemorative display inspired by To Catch a Thief, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 classic that was filmed on the French Riviera and remains one of Princess Grace’s most celebrated performances.

The celebration coincides not only with the 70th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, but also the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Monaco’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. Organisers say the event will recognise the enduring diplomatic, cultural and artistic ties between Monaco and the United States, while celebrating Princess Grace as an enduring symbol of international friendship and cultural exchange.

The programme forms part of Smithsonian Associates’ Enduring Power of International Exchange series, an initiative exploring the role diplomacy, culture and international partnerships have played in shaping relationships between the United States and countries around the world.

Although tickets for the public event have sold out, those wishing to attend can join a waiting list through Smithsonian Associates.

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Photo source: Palace Archives

 

Near-perfect results for Monaco’s graduating students

by: Virginia D’Umas
16/07/2026

Monaco’s schools have recorded another exceptional year of examination results, with a 99.5% pass rate in the 2026 Baccalauréat and a 100% success rate across all Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) programmes.

The results, released by the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports on Tuesday 14th July, also show a 98% pass rate in the Diplôme National du Brevet, continuing the Principality’s consistently strong academic performance.

Lycée Albert Ier and Lycée François d’Assise – Nicolas Barré both achieved 100% pass rates in the general and technological Baccalauréat streams. At Lycée Rainier III, students in the professional stream recorded a 97.3% success rate.

More than 70% of candidates in the general stream graduated with honours, including 53 students awarded the highest Très Bien distinction. Six of those also received the jury’s congratulations.

At higher education level, every student enrolled in Monaco’s BTS programmes passed their examinations. Two students also topped the regional Academy rankings: one in the Management Support programme with a final average of 19/20, and another in Accounting and Management with 19.14/20.

Among middle school students, 401 candidates sat the Diplôme National du Brevet examinations, with 98% passing. More than 86% received a distinction, while 29 students earned the jury’s congratulations.

Following the publication of the results, the Prince’s Government congratulated the students on their achievements and thanked teachers, school staff and families for their continued support throughout the academic year.

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Photo Credit: Manuel Vitali, Direction de la Communication