Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo has unveiled Le Salon by Maison Moghadam, a new private dining space created in collaboration with the Monaco-based luxury interior design house. Blending bespoke craftsmanship with refined hospitality, the project introduces an exclusive experience while highlighting the expertise of one of the Principality’s longest-established design houses.
Founded in Paris in 1996, Buddha-Bar became known for its unique combination of Asian-inspired cuisine, intricate interiors, and its signature music. In 2010, a partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer brought the concept to the Principality, where Buddha-Bar established itself as one of Monaco’s most recognizable dining destinations. Seeking to create a more intimate, unique experience for guests, Buddha-Bar partnered with Maison Moghadam to bring its vision to life.
Tucked away from the main dining room, Le Salon immediately feels distinct from the rest of Buddha-Bar. While the luxury is evident, it’s the intentionality behind the design that stands out most. Every texture, finish, and material appears to have been selected with purpose, creating an unparalleled sense of depth throughout the space. From the distinct wall coverings and carefully curated color palette to the handcrafted onyx tableware, each element contributes to an immersive atmosphere. Rather than competing for attention, each individual design element works together to blend into a cohesive environment where the space itself becomes part of the experience.
For Jérôme Viale, Managing Director and Head of Design at Maison Moghadam, the collaboration represented more than simply creating a beautiful new space. “This collaboration was an opportunity to show that projects like this can be imagined, designed, and brought to life entirely in Monaco. It reflects what already exists within the Principality and what can be achieved when Monaco’s design and hospitality come together,” he said.
This collaboration highlights the strength of creative industries within Monaco. Rather than looking outside the Principality for this project, Buddha-Bar chose to showcase the craftsmanship, design, and manufacturing that already exist here.
Established more than 50 years ago, Maison Moghadam began as a specialist in Persian carpets before evolving into one of Monaco’s leading luxury interior design houses. Today, the family-run company offers bespoke interiors, furnishings, fabrics, wallpapers, and its own Marbellous collection of handcrafted onyx creations.
With Le Salon by Maison Moghadam, Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo has introduced more than an elevated private dining experience. The collaboration demonstrates how thoughtful design can blend with hospitality while showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship found within the Principality.
Having stepped into the role of E1 CEO earlier this year, Jamie Copas sat down with Monaco Life to discuss his vision for the championship, its ambitious growth plans, and Monaco’s role in shaping its future.
E1 is the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing championship, bringing celebrity-owned teams to iconic waterfront destinations while promoting innovation and sustainability on the water.
With more than 30 years’ experience in advertising, brand building, and sports marketing, including the last decade in motorsport, largely around Formula 1, the opportunity to lead E1 was one he couldn’t ignore. After meeting E1 founder and chairman Alejandro Agag, he quickly understood the championship’s vision.
“The foundational stories are sustainability, gender equality, and innovation,” said Copas, adding that building awareness around those values is central to his vision for E1’s growth. While his experience in Formula 1 gave him a strong foundation in motorsport, Copas said E1 offered the chance to build something entirely different – an emerging championship built around sustainability and innovation. “Beyond building the brand, we build awareness so that we can tell our stories.” With races in destinations such as Monaco, Lake Como, and Dubrovnik, E1 has a unique opportunity to share those stories on a global stage.
Copas said his career has always centered on building brands and delivering commercial growth. “My history has always been about building brands… building brands is also building financial growth and return on investment.”
Despite fundamental differences from the agency side to the new CEO side, the objectives remain the same. “Working on the agency side, it’s about story mining and storytelling. And here it is the same, how do we find the right stories to tell around the races?”
Growing E1 through innovation and global partnerships
For Copas, growth is about far more than adding races to the calendar. He believes expanding E1 begins with strengthening its identity and attracting partners who share the championship’s values. “The partners that we speak to already know who we are… they want to be with us because of those stories.” He said sustainability, gender equality, STEM, and technological innovation are increasingly becoming the conversations that open meetings with potential partners, demonstrating how those values are helping shape E1’s commercial future.
Looking ahead, Copas hopes to grow the championship from its current 10 teams and 8 races to 12 teams and 15 races.
Why Monaco remains central to E1’s ambitions
Asked about Monaco’s place on the calendar, Copas was quick to emphasise its significance. Having this race on the calendar “is critical for us because it positions E1 within the heart of motorsport”.
Beyond providing a spectacular backdrop, Monaco brings a level of prestige few locations can match, reinforcing E1’s place within the wider motorsport world.
Team Monaco competes in its home race at the E1 Monaco GP, marking the team’s debut season in the all-electric powerboat championship.
Team Monaco will be competing in their home race this weekend as a new entrant into the series this season. Copas highlighted the commitment behind this decision to enter, from the team, its owners, and pilots, which strengthens the relationship between E1 and Monaco as a whole.
Copas also recognised the support E1 has received from both the Principality and the local community, describing it as an important part of the championship’s continued growth.
Accelerating the future of sustainable marine technology
While electric vehicles have become increasingly common on roads, Copas believes the marine industry still has significant ground to cover. He pointed to Formula E’s influence on automotive technology as an example of how motorsport can accelerate innovation beyond the race circuit. “On the water, it’s so much further behind. So the reality is, there is momentum there, but our storytelling helps to speed that up.” He said increasing awareness around electric marine technology is a key part of E1’s wider mission, helping encourage greater adoption of cleaner alternatives across the industry.
That mission aligns closely with initiatives already taking place in Monaco. Last week, the Principality hosted the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, where students and industry leaders showcased new sustainable maritime technologies. Asked how initiatives such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge align with E1’s ambitions, Copas shared, “We are in the process of looking at our second fleet and looking at the technological developments since developing the first fleet. We want to be at the forefront of that developing technology. We’re very close to it, it’s an important aspect of what we do.”
As E1 continues to expand its calendar and develop its next generation of electric race boats, Copas hopes the championship can do more than entertain. By combining elite sport with innovation and sustainability, he believes E1 can help accelerate the future of clean marine technology, with Monaco continuing to play a central role in that journey.
Monaco’s temporary workforce fell sharply in 2025 following the completion of several major construction projects, according to the latest report from IMSEE.
Temporary employment agencies employed 6,458 people at the end of the year, including 122 permanent agency staff. This was 1,350 fewer than in 2024, representing a decline of 17.3%.
The number of hours worked fell by 23.8% to 8.7 million, while temporary employment revenue declined by 16.4% to €269 million.
Despite the slowdown, the sector remains close to historically high levels. Monaco had more than 700 additional temporary workers in 2025 than it did in 2021, while industry revenue has increased by 23.7% over the same period.
Construction remains the largest user of temporary labour
Construction accounted for 40.3% of Monaco’s temporary assignments and almost 70% of all days worked in 2025, explaining the significant impact of completed building projects on the overall figures.
Across all sectors, 48,752 temporary assignments were recorded, down 13.9% from 2024 and broadly returning to 2023 levels.
The number of days worked fell more dramatically, decreasing by 35.3% to just under 1.7 million.
One-day assignments continue to rise
While overall activity declined, very short contracts became more common. More than 17,000 assignments lasted only one day, representing 35.5% of all temporary contracts.
These assignments were concentrated heavily in hospitality, with almost six out of 10 taking place in food and beverage services.
Monaco’s temporary workforce also remained overwhelmingly male, with men accounting for 86.1% of workers. Almost all temporary employees—98.4%—lived outside the Principality.
Monaco is making it easier for visitors to explore the Principality on foot with the launch of a digital platform, a new initiative designed to encourage walking tours across its various districts.
The ‘Visit Monaco City Walk’ scheme invites tourists to leave their vehicles behind upon arrival and instead discover the destination at a more leisurely pace. By following the designated routes, visitors can explore the city’s diverse neighbourhoods while engaging with the various local experiences situated along the paths.
This project is the result of a cross-departmental collaboration between the Department of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, the Department of Finance and Economy, and the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition. It forms part of a wider suite of measures already in place to improve mobility and reduce reliance on cars within the territory, aligning with Monaco’s ongoing commitment to sustainable urban development.
Improving navigation for visitors
A key driver for the initiative was identifying the barriers visitors face when navigating the city’s unique urban topography. Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Congress, explained that feedback from tourist surveys revealed a common struggle with the Principality’s network of public lifts and escalators.
“From all our surveys, it is clear that tourists find it difficult to use the lifts and escalators, as this is not common practice in many other cities,” said Antognelli in an interview with Monaco Info. “Entering a building to take a public lift does not come naturally to them. We identified a lack of visibility regarding these routes for tourists, and this initiative has been developed to address that gap.”
Putting the routes to the test
By creating cohesive, well-signposted walking trails, the government aims to demystify the city’s layout and enhance the overall visitor experience. The new system is designed to provide clarity where there was previously confusion, effectively turning the city’s infrastructure into a more accessible and intuitive network.
The initiative serves as a practical solution to modern urban challenges, proving that a compact, hilly landscape can be traversed with ease.
Ultimately, there is no better way to understand the ease of movement offered by the new system than by trying out one of the suggested routes for yourself.
The Museum of Stamps and Coins is marking the 70th anniversary of the wedding of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly with a new exhibition exploring how one of Monaco’s defining moments was immortalised through philately and numismatics.
Running from 13th July to 15th October 2026, the exhibition, Marriage of the Century in Philately and Numismatics, brings together an exceptional collection of commemorative medals, postage stamps, first-day covers, souvenir cards, philatelic documents and historic artefacts celebrating the royal wedding that captivated the world in 1956.
The marriage of Prince Rainier III to the Hollywood actress attracted unprecedented international attention, with millions following the ceremony around the globe. Widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the Principality’s modern history, the event significantly enhanced Monaco’s international profile and inspired a wealth of commemorative memorabilia that remains highly prized by collectors today.
Through its carefully curated displays, the exhibition illustrates how this landmark occasion was documented, celebrated and preserved for future generations, offering visitors a unique perspective on the role that stamps and coins play in recording history.
The exhibition also builds on the museum’s broader exploration of Monaco’s postal and monetary heritage, following the section dedicated to the Belle Époque of philately currently presented at the Prince’s Palace.
More than simply collectors’ items, the objects on display demonstrate how philately and numismatics serve as important vehicles for preserving cultural heritage and passing history from one generation to the next.
The exhibition is open from 13th July to 15th October 2026 at the Museum of Stamps and Coins in Monaco.
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In photos: Records tumble during spectacular Herculis Monaco
Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke the men’s 1000m world record as eight meeting records and two Diamond League records fell during an exceptional edition of the Herculis EBS Monaco at Stade Louis II on Friday 10th July.
The Olympic and world 800m champion completed the rarely contested distance in 2:11.83, eclipsing the 2:11.96 record set by fellow Kenyan Noah Ngeny in 1999.
Wanyonyi remained close to the required pace after the final pacemaker withdrew shortly before 800m, before pulling away from Britain’s Jake Wightman in the closing stages to secure his first world record.
Wightman finished second in a lifetime best of 2:12.77, moving to fifth on the world all-time list, while Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati placed third in 2:13.94. All eight finishers recorded personal bests, with Ko Ochiai setting a Japanese record of 2:15.24 in seventh.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Duplantis sets new Monaco meeting record
Armand Duplantis marked his first Herculis appearance as a Monaco resident by clearing 6.07m in the men’s pole vault, adding two centimetres to the meeting record he established in 2025.
The Olympic champion cleared the winning height on his first attempt before making three unsuccessful attempts at 6.15m.
France’s Baptiste Thiery finished second on countback ahead of Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, with both athletes clearing 5.85m.
In the women’s competition, Olympic champion Nina Kennedy produced an Oceanian record of 4.95m. The Australian cleared the height on her first attempt, improving her previous personal and national record of 4.91m and surpassing the 4.94m Oceanian record held by New Zealand’s Eliza McCartney since 2018.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Julien Alfred climbs to third on all-time 200m list
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred delivered another of the evening’s standout performances, winning the women’s 200m in a world-leading 21.51.
The Saint Lucian’s time moved her to third on the world all-time list, behind only Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 21.34 and Shericka Jackson’s 21.41.
Alfred also broke Merlene Ottey’s Herculis meeting record of 21.77, which had stood since 1993, and finished just 0.03 seconds outside Jackson’s Diamond League record.
Adaejah Hodge placed second in 21.76, while reigning Olympic champion Gabby Thomas recorded 21.84 — the fastest third-place time in the history of the women’s 200m.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Kebinatshipi breaks second Diamond League record in a week
Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi continued his strong season by winning the men’s 400m in 43.44, breaking the Diamond League record for the second time in less than a week.
The 2025 world champion had run 43.54 in Eugene on 4th July. His Monaco performance improved his national record and moved him to equal sixth on the world all-time list.
Kebinatshipi also erased Wayde van Niekerk’s Herculis record of 43.73, although he remained narrowly outside Samuel Ogazi’s world-leading time of 43.38.
Jacory Patterson finished second in 43.96, with Olympic 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin third in 44.13.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Paulino and Russell rewrite Stade Louis II records
Marileidy Paulino broke the women’s 400m meeting record with a winning time of 48.67. The Olympic champion overtook American Aaliyah Butler in the final 30 metres to improve the previous Herculis record of 48.97 held by Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
Butler also broke 49 seconds for the first time, finishing in 48.84 and moving to fourth on the United States all-time list.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Olympic champion Masai Russell recorded another meeting record with a time of 12.20. She led an American one-two ahead of Alaysha Johnson, who finished in 12.38, while the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser placed third in 12.49.
Russell now holds four of the seven fastest performances in the history of the event.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Ngetich narrowly misses longstanding 3000m world record
Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich came within three seconds of breaking one of athletics’ longest-standing world records in the women’s 3000m.
Ngetich remained ahead of world-record pace through 2000m before losing ground over the closing 600 metres. She won in 8:08.95, the third-fastest time in history, but fell just short of Wang Junxia’s 8:06.11 mark from 1993.
Her performance nevertheless comfortably broke Gabriela Szabo’s Herculis record of 8:21.42, which had stood since 2002.
Ethiopia’s Alesighn Baweke finished second in 8:23.81, followed by compatriot Senayet Getachew in 8:24.02. Faith Kipyegon placed fourth in 8:24.21 on her return from a hamstring injury.
Olympic triathlon champion Cassandre Beaugrand finished eighth in a French record of 8:32.86, breaking a national mark that had stood since 2005.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Tentoglou and Perez Hernandez pass major milestones
Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou produced the second-longest jump of his career to win the men’s long jump with 8.61m.
The Greek athlete surpassed Ivan Pedroso’s 1995 Herculis record of 8.58m and finished ahead of Jamaica’s Wayne Pinnock, who recorded a season’s best of 8.39m. Cuban teenager Jorge Hodelin placed third with 8.38m.
World champion Leyanis Perez Hernandez also passed a significant milestone in the women’s triple jump, joining the 15-metre club with a personal best of 15.06m in the sixth round.
The Cuban overtook Senegal’s Saly Sarr, who produced a lifetime best of 14.99m, one centimetre short of her country’s national record. Olympic champion Thea Lafond finished third with 14.79m.
Photo credit: Enrico Bottero for Monaco Life
Seville closes record-breaking Herculis programme
World champion Oblique Seville brought the meeting to a close with victory in the men’s 100m. The Jamaican won in 9.88 ahead of American Jordan Anthony in 9.92 and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme in 10.00.
Elsewhere, China’s Yan Ziyi extended her unbeaten javelin season with a winning throw of 68.75m, while Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk cleared 2.32m to win the men’s high jump.
Dominic Lobalu claimed his first Diamond League 5000m victory in 12:52.54, edging American Graham Blanks by 0.06 seconds, while Kenya’s Simon Koech won the 3000m steeplechase in 8:03.35.
