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Day: 14 August 2026

Ocean’s filming to close major Monaco roads over five mornings

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/08/2026

Motorists in Monaco face widespread road closures from Monday 24th to Friday 28th August as filming for the upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel moves beyond the waterfront and into streets across Monte-Carlo, Port Hercule and Larvotto.

A municipal order confirms that roads will close each morning from 5am to 10am, with parking restrictions beginning as early as 3am. The production will move through different parts of the Principality each day, reaching Place du Casino on Thursday before finishing around Larvotto and the Portier on Friday.

The order refers only to a “superproduction”, but its dates correspond with the Warner Bros. film starring Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper, which is due to film in Monaco during the same period.

Road closures begin around Port Hercule

The first closures will take effect on Monday 24th August, when Avenue J.F. Kennedy and Boulevard Louis II will be closed to traffic from 5am to 10am. Parking will be prohibited from 3am to 11am on those roads and Quai des États-Unis.

On Tuesday 25th August, filming will move across a much broader section of central Monaco. Between 5am and 10am, traffic will be prohibited on Boulevard Albert I, Avenue de la Costa, the Costa slip road, Avenue d’Ostende, the Sainte-Dévote roundabout, Passage de la Porte Rouge and the Tunnel Rocher Albert I.

Restrictions will also affect parts of Boulevard de Suisse, Avenue Henry Dunant, Avenue Princesse Alice, Rue Suffren Reymond, Rue Princesse Antoinette and Boulevard des Moulins.

Vehicles leaving Quai Antoine I will be directed towards the Tunnel Rocher-Noghès, while those arriving from Boulevard Louis II must continue towards Route de la Piscine.

Filming moves into Monte-Carlo

On Wednesday 26th August, closures from 5am to 10am will affect Avenue des Citronniers, Avenue des Spélugues, part of Avenue Princesse Grace between Avenue des Spélugues and the Portier roundabout, and part of Avenue de la Madone.

Thursday 27th August is expected to bring the most significant disruption in Monte-Carlo. Place du Casino will close alongside Avenue d’Ostende, Avenue de Monte-Carlo, Avenue des Spélugues, Avenue Princesse Alice, Avenue de la Costa and the Costa slip road.

Closures will also affect Avenue des Citronniers, sections of Avenue de la Madone and Avenue Princesse Grace, and Boulevard des Moulins between the Avenue de la Madone roundabout and Avenue Saint-Michel.

Larvotto and Portier affected on final day

On Friday 28th August, the production will move towards the eastern side of the Principality.

From 5am to 10am, traffic will be prohibited on Avenue des Spélugues, Avenue des Citronniers, Avenue J.F. Kennedy, Boulevard Louis II and Avenue Princesse Grace. The Portier roundabout and the Larvotto slip road will also close.

The direction of traffic at the Portier roundabout will be temporarily reversed from Rue du Portier towards Avenue Princesse Grace.

Parking and pedestrian restrictions

Parking will be prohibited on part of Quai Antoine I, opposite 4 bis, from midday on Sunday 23rd August until 11:59pm on Friday 28th August.

Avenue des Citronniers will be subject to extended restrictions from 3am on Wednesday until the end of Friday, while additional parking bans will apply each morning along streets being used for filming.

Pedestrians will not be permitted inside production areas on Quai Albert I from midday on 23rd August until the end of the shoot.

Residents and authorised vehicles will retain access where possible, although the order warns that journeys may be temporarily interrupted when cameras are rolling. Emergency vehicles, public services and authorised production vehicles are exempt from the restrictions.

The film is expected to recreate Monaco during the 1962 Grand Prix, with Robbie and Cooper playing the parents of Danny Ocean as they carry out a heist in the Principality. Cooper is also directing the production, which is scheduled for cinema release in June 2027.

See also: 

Ocean’s Eleven prequel confirmed to film on Monaco waterfront in August

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

New EU packaging rules take effect to reduce waste and boost recycling

by: Virginia D’Umas
14/08/2026

New regulations concerning packaging and packaging waste entered into force across the European Union on Wednesday 12th August.

The legislation aims to tackle environmental damage and protect public health by changing how goods are packaged, while simultaneously creating new commercial opportunities for sustainable businesses.

Tackling waste and harmful materials

Packaging currently consumes vast quantities of raw materials and generates substantial waste that frequently ends up in landfills or the marine environment. In addition, certain chemicals historically used in manufacturing can pose health risks.

The new rules establish strict manufacturing and composition standards for all packaging sold within the EU single market. Under the framework, all packaging must be reusable or recoverable, ensuring it can be used again or processed into secondary materials. Also, a ban on specific single-use items—such as miniature hotel shampoo bottles and small condiment sachets—will come into effect in 2030 where sustainable alternatives exist.

Key changes for consumers and industry

The legislation introduces several core requirements designed to make packaging more sustainable and practical. Plastic packaging must incorporate a minimum percentage of recycled content, with mandatory targets escalating towards 2030 and 2040. All packaging must be fully recyclable by 2030, ensuring its components can be effectively reprocessed.

To assist consumers, standardised and clear colour-coded labels will be introduced to simplify waste sorting, indicating the material composition, correct disposal bin, and return instructions for reusable items. Manufacturers are also required to eliminate unnecessary packaging layers and reduce empty space in product deliveries.

Deposit and return schemes will be expanded to make reuse and refill options more accessible. Companies must provide these options where feasible, without imposing extra charges on consumers. Brands using non-recyclable or environmentally harmful materials will face financial penalties to cover clean-up costs. Additionally, harmful synthetic chemicals, known as PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’, will be restricted in food contact materials.

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Photo Credit: Kampus Production – Pexels

Monaco prepares to mark the 82nd anniversary of its liberation

by: Virginia D’Umas
14/08/2026

To mark the 82nd anniversary of the Principality’s liberation, Mayor Georges Marsan has announced that a formal Remembrance Ceremony will take place on Thursday 3rd September at 4pm at the Monaco Cemetery.

The commemorative event will pay tribute to all those who fought and sacrificed their lives during World War II. 

A look back: World War II and the occupation of Monaco

To understand the significance of this anniversary, it helps to look back at what Monaco endured during the Second World War.

Although the Principality initially declared its neutrality, its strategic location on the Mediterranean coast made it a target. As the global conflict escalated, Monaco was subjected to foreign military control.

The Italian Occupation lasted from 1942 to 1943. Following Allied military operations in North Africa, Italian forces moved into Monaco to secure the coastline.

The German Occupation followed from 1943 to 1944. When Italy surrendered to the Allies in September 1943, German troops quickly replaced the Italians, tightening control over the region until the Allied advance finally forced them out in September 1944.

During these years of occupation, local residents faced severe food shortages, political pressure, and the constant threat of the war. Despite these dangers, an underground resistance movement formed within the Principality to fight back.

Programme of remembrance and honouring heroes

The 3rd September commemorations will begin at the cemetery before moving to the municipal Monument aux Morts, where official wreaths will be laid.

A central focus of the ceremony will be paying tribute at the graves of René Borghini and Joseph Lajoux, two of Monaco’s most revered Resistance heroes. Borghini, who served as Secretary to the Presidency of the National Council, and Lajoux were key leaders in the underground network. They were captured by occupying forces and executed just weeks before Monaco’s liberation, leaving a lasting legacy of bravery and sacrifice.

Participation of patriotic societies

Local patriotic associations and veterans’ groups are formally invited to join municipal authorities in the ceremony.

Organisations wishing to participate must register with Vanessa Guillot, Protocol Officer for the Mairie, by Wednesday 26th August. Enquiries can be sent via email to protocole@mairie.mc or by telephone at 93.15.28.05.

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Photo Credit: Mairie de Monaco 

Monaco Yacht Show reimagines layout with the new Designer Gallery

by: Virginia D’Umas
14/08/2026

The Monaco Yacht Show is reshaping its approach to naval architecture for its upcoming edition, replacing its previous Yacht Design & Innovation Hub with a unified, consolidated space known as the Designer Gallery.

Organisers have restructured the layout to bring creative studios together onto a single continuous platform, positioned partly across the port’s rock formations and closer to the main superyacht and tender docks. This shift aims to move away from fragmented exhibition zones, giving visitors direct access to the architects behind major superyacht projects and creating a more integrated flow between the docks and the design displays.

Elevating the creative process

Toby Moore, CEO of the show’s parent organisation Informa Prestige, explained that the redesign reflects an ongoing effort to give the creative side of the industry greater prominence.

“By bringing designers closer to the superyacht and tender docks in the Dockside area, and enhancing the quality of the exhibition structures, we’re ensuring that both the creative process and the final designs are showcased in the best possible setting,” Moore said.

Interactive technology and sensory exhibits

Complementing the static displays, the nearby MYS Immersive Experience by VBH introduces interactive elements aimed at visualising unbuilt or in-development concepts. Developed alongside participating shipyards, the installation features three-dimensional virtual walkthroughs of yacht projects, alongside a sensory zone called ‘Sense by VBH’, which uses environmental technology to simulate lighting, acoustics, and onboard climate systems.

Participating design studios

The Designer Gallery brings together top international designers, shaping the future of yachts, including Espen Oeino International, Philippe Briand, and Pininfarina.

See also: 

Forty-three world premieres set for Monaco Yacht Show 2026

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MYS Immersive Experience by VBH. Photo source: Monaco Yacht Show

Interview: Isabella Star LaBlanc on Indigenous Storytelling, Finding Joy, and Building Community Through Art

by: Kelli Acciardo
14/08/2026

In partnership with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, Monaco Life proudly presents a monthly series spotlighting the lives and artistic contributions of the Foundation’s remarkable Award winners.

For actress, writer, and Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota artist Isabella Star LaBlanc, storytelling is an act of connection. Whether performing on stage, appearing on screen, or lending her voice to audiobooks, she is drawn to work that challenges her creatively while bringing honesty, empathy, and authentic representation to audiences.

After receiving a Princess Grace Honoraria in 2021, nominated by McCarter Theatre Center, LaBlanc has continued to build a dynamic career across theater, television, and film, championing Indigenous stories and expanding opportunities for Native artists. With upcoming projects including Nice Fish, directed by and starring Mark Rylance alongside Michelle Williams, she remains committed to pursuing work that inspires curiosity, community, and joy.

In this conversation, LaBlanc reflects on the impact of the Princess Grace Foundation, how her Dakota heritage shapes her approach to storytelling, the importance of authentic Indigenous representation, and why the most meaningful creative journeys begin by embracing the unknown.

Looking back, what did receiving the Princess Grace Honoraria mean to you personally, and how has that support influenced your career since?

In 2021, I had just been cast in my first TV show and was living in a new city, not sure when or if theater would ever be back to what it was pre-2020. To be honored as a theater artist then, first as a nomination from McCarter, and then as the Honoraria from Princess Grace, felt like a reminder to stay the course. It was invaluable to know I had folks who believed in me, and to be reminded to hold tight to what theater had taught me: flexibility, craft, and community.

Let’s go back to the beginning. Growing up in Minnesota, when did storytelling first become a meaningful form of expression for you?

I don’t think I would’ve been an actor if I hadn’t grown up where I did. Being from Minnesota, theater, spoken word, and dance were intrinsically part of our lives. I don’t remember a time without them and I’m grateful for that. 

As a proud Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota artist, how has your cultural heritage shaped your perspective as a performer and the stories you’re drawn to tell?

Dakota translates to “The Friendly People” and I’ve always been told that to be Dakota is to be a good relative. For me, being an artist is a way to take care of each other. 

Throughout your career, you’ve championed authentic Indigenous representation. How have you seen conversations around representation evolve, and what progress would you still like to see?

Sometimes I still can’t believe how many Indigenous stories have been produced recently. I’m hopeful and excited that it will only continue to expand. Indigenous people are everywhere! I’d love to see our media reflect that. 

Your work spans theater, television, film, and audiobook narration. What have these different mediums taught you about the many ways stories can connect with audiences?

I’m lucky that my toolbox is ever evolving and I can always draw on what I’ve learned in one medium to help me round out another. It’s an important reminder that really all an audience cares about is honesty, you just have to figure out how best to get there. 

How do you decide which roles or projects resonate with you personally and artistically?

I like for each new project to require something I don’t know if I can do yet. 

What advice would you give to young Indigenous artists hoping to build careers in the performing arts, particularly those who may not see a traditional path into the industry?

Focus on how you want the work to make you feel and follow that wherever it takes you. 

Have you ever visited Monaco? What would your ideal day in the Principality look like?

I’ve never been to Monaco but I dream about it! I’d love to see a performance at the Théâtre Princesse Grace.

What stories or creative challenges are inspiring you most right now, and what can audiences look forward to next?

I’m very inspired by anything that’s going to make us laugh right now. Next I’ll be working on the feature film Nice Fish directed and starring Mark Rylance, alongside Michelle Williams. 

Princess Grace believed deeply in supporting emerging artists. Why do you think programs like the Princess Grace Awards remain so important today?

Having a career as an artist requires having a community to hold you up along the way. The Princess Grace Awards serve as a vital community to emerging artists.

And finally, if you could speak directly to your younger self, what would you tell her about the journey ahead?

I’d tell her to be patient, stay present, and to learn how to pack a suitcase really quickly.

Follow Isabella Star LaBlanc on Instagram @isabellalablanc.

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Photo credit: Nicole Feest