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Month: August 2026

In pictures: La Vuelta’s historic Grand Départ in Monaco

by: Kayla Sauceda
24/08/2026

La Vuelta took over the Principality from 20 to 23 August as Monaco welcomed the Spanish Grand Tour for the first time, with celebrations, activations and two stages unfolding across some of the country’s most iconic locations.

The historic Grand Départ added another milestone to Monaco’s rich sporting history, with the Principality now having welcomed all three of cycling’s Grand Tours following the Giro d’Italia in 1966 and Tour de France in 2009, and becoming the first city-state to do so. From the opening celebrations in Casino Square to the final departure from the Prince’s Palace, Monaco Life looks back at the historic weekend in photos.

The weekend began in Casino Square on Thursday evening, where all 23 teams were officially presented ahead of the first stage. Among them was Tadej Pogačar, who would go on to leave Monaco wearing La Vuelta’s red jersey.

Prince Albert II joined crowds in Casino Square for the opening celebrations, welcoming the riders to the Principality ahead of a historic weekend of racing.

On Saturday, attention returned to Casino Square as the ribbon was cut to officially launch Stage 1, an individual time trial entirely within Monaco.

With less than ten kilometers separating the start and finish, every fraction of a second counted as riders raced against the clock through the streets of the Principality.

Pogačar ultimately claimed the first victory of La Vuelta 2026, beating Ethan Hayter by just 0.09 seconds. The Slovenian celebrated his Stage 1 victory alongside Prince Albert II after taking the lead in the general classification.

Sunday began at the Prince’s Palace with the “Ride for Peace”, bringing together La Vuelta Peace and Sport, alongside former professional cyclists and sporting figures, to promote the role of sport in fostering unity and peace.

The full peloton assembled in Palace Square for the official Stage 2 ceremony, preparing for the 214.3-kilometer journey from Monaco to Manosque.

With Prince Albert II among those marking the occasion, the ceremony brought Monaco’s historic Grand Départ weekend to its final moments.

The peloton then rolled away from the Prince’s Palace, bringing four days of La Vuelta festivities in Monaco to a close as the race continued towards Spain.

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All photo credits: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

La Vuelta bids farewell to Monaco as Brennan claims Stage 2 victory

by: Kayla Sauceda
24/08/2026

The second stage of La Vuelta closed out the festivities in the Principality as riders began their journey from Monaco to Manosque on Sunday 23 August. James Matthew Brennan claimed the Stage 2 victory, followed by Pau Miquel Delgado and Tadej Pogačar.

Before Stage 2 began, a crowd gathered at the Prince’s Palace for the “Ride for Peace”, co-hosted by La Vuelta and Peace and Sport as part of their ongoing partnership to promote the role of sport in promotion of unity and peace. The initiative brought together former professional cyclists Alexandre Vinokourov, Stephen Roche, and Fabio Aru, alongside sporting figures including Antoine Zeghdar, Maxime Nocher, Marlène Nidecker and more.

Shortly after, La Vuelta riders gathered at the Prince’s Palace for the official ceremony marking the start of Stage 2 and the 214.3-kilometer journey from Monaco to Manosque.

Following his Stage 1 victory in the Principality, Pogačar entered the second stage wearing the red jersey with just 0.09 seconds separating him from Ethan Hayter. The British cyclist challenged his lead after picking up six bonus seconds at an intermediate sprint, but Pogačar’s third-place finish ultimately saw the Slovenian maintain his position at the top of the general classification and retaining the red jersey.

Meanwhile, Brennan’s victory marked a milestone in his first Grand Tour, with the 21-year-old claiming his first stage win at this level.

With Stage 2 complete, La Vuelta officially concluded its first-ever Grand Départ from the Principality, adding the race to Monaco’s history of hosting cycling’s three Grand Tours alongside the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

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Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

Charles Leclerc fights to fifth at a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/08/2026

Charles Leclerc came home fifth at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, the Monegasque making up a place from his third-row start but left to reflect on the qualifying position and a late safety car that denied Ferrari a shot at the podium, as Lando Norris took the win at Zandvoort.

Norris, starting from pole, recovered the lead he had briefly lost at a restart to claim his second victory in a row, finishing ahead of the championship leader Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who held off the two Ferraris for the final place on the podium. The race, the last to be held at Zandvoort, was thrown into chaos on the opening lap when the home favourite Max Verstappen crashed heavily and brought out the red flags. He was unhurt. Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton took fourth, one place ahead of the Monegasque, the pair chasing a podium until the closing laps.

Leclerc’s race

Leclerc made the most of the first start, gaining two places to run fourth, before losing a spot to Oscar Piastri at the restart that followed Verstappen’s crash. From there the Ferraris spent much of the afternoon in traffic, until Leclerc found a way past Piastri on lap 34 with a decisive move through the opening corners, Hamilton following a lap later. A Virtual Safety Car with 17 laps to go let both Ferraris pit for fresh soft tyres at reduced cost, and they emerged fourth and fifth and closing on the podium. But a second Virtual Safety Car, this time as Hamilton lined up a move on Russell, froze the order and ended the chase.

“Our pace was strong, and I believed in it until the very end,” said Leclerc, who felt the timing of the safety car had gone against Ferrari. He identified his grid slot as the main issue. “Our main limitation was probably our starting position, so we have to review and understand where we can improve our qualifying pace.”

The title race

At the front of the championship, Antonelli extended his lead, moving 59 points clear of Hamilton and Russell, who are now tied for second. Ferrari left the Netherlands with 31 points from the weekend, including Saturday’s sprint, though both drivers felt the car had the pace for more. “We had good pace today and brought some important points home for the team,” Hamilton said, while adding that Ferrari needed “to do more” to stay in the title fight.

Monza next

Ferrari now heads to its home race, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, on 6th September, and the backing of the tifosi. It is a circuit Leclerc knows well, having won there in 2019, and one he clearly relishes returning to. “I’m excited for Monza,” he said. “I have really great memories which I will never forget from there, and it’s just a really special place for us, where we meet so many of our tifosi year after year.”

Monaco Life is produced by qualified, multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, listen to our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Monaco now allows plea deals: here’s how they will work

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/08/2026

Monaco has introduced a new “plead guilty” procedure that allows certain criminal cases to be resolved without a conventional trial, alongside a separate mechanism for companies facing financial, economic and other specified offences. Here is what the changes mean and how they will work.

The reform was introduced under Law No. 1.593, passed by the National Council in June and enacted by Prince Albert II on 18th June. The latest edition of the Journal de Monaco has now published the legislative work behind the law, providing an opportunity to look more closely at one of the more significant recent changes to criminal procedure in the Principality.

At its heart are two new procedures: plaider coupable, or “plead guilty”, for individuals, and convention pénale, a separate mechanism principally relevant to companies and other legal entities.

What does ‘plead guilty’ mean in Monaco?

The new plaider coupable procedure allows the Prosecutor General to propose a penalty directly to an adult accused of an eligible offence, provided that person acknowledges both the facts of the case and their criminal classification.

The accused must be represented by a lawyer and must agree to the proposed punishment. The process can be initiated by the Prosecutor General or requested by the accused or their lawyer, and can also apply to a case that has already reached an investigating judge.

It does not mean every criminal case can now be settled with a guilty plea. Crimes — the most serious category of offences under Monaco law — are excluded, while contraventions can only be included when connected with the principal eligible offence.

The essential difference is that, in appropriate cases where the facts are accepted, Monaco now has a route to a criminal outcome without putting everyone through a conventional trial.

What happens after someone agrees to the penalty?

Accepting the prosecutor’s proposal is not the end of the process. The procedure retains judicial oversight, meaning the outcome must pass through the court rather than amounting to a private agreement between the prosecution and the accused.

That safeguard is an important part of the reform: the intention is to make suitable cases faster and more efficient without removing the judiciary from the process.

Companies get a different procedure

The second part of the law, convention pénale, is particularly relevant to Monaco’s substantial corporate and financial sectors.

This procedure allows the Prosecutor General, before prosecution has formally begun, to propose an agreement to a legal entity implicated in certain offences.

There is an important distinction from plaider coupable: the company does not have to admit guilt. Instead, it acknowledges the reality of the facts and agrees to comply with obligations set out under the convention.

The range of offences covered is significant and includes money laundering and related predicate offences, breaches of asset-freezing rules, tax offences, fraud, breach of trust, certain environmental offences, beneficial-ownership violations and offences involving the accuracy of company accounts.

That gives Monaco’s prosecutors another way of dealing with complex corporate and financial cases at a time when the Principality has been substantially strengthening its framework for combating money laundering and financial crime.

Is this a way of avoiding prosecution?

Not without conditions. A convention pénale remains subject to judicial validation, and the President of the Court of First Instance can refuse to approve an agreement. If the obligations contained in an agreement are not fulfilled, conventional proceedings can resume.

The two procedures therefore serve different purposes but share the same underlying idea: not every case necessarily needs to travel through the full traditional criminal trial process to reach an enforceable outcome.

For individuals who acknowledge an offence, Monaco now has a formal guilty-plea route. For companies facing certain financial, economic and other offences, prosecutors have a mechanism for reaching a judicially supervised resolution without necessarily pursuing a conventional prosecution.

Together, they represent a significant change in the way criminal justice can be administered in the Principality — and one that Monaco residents and businesses are now likely to encounter increasingly in practice.

Monaco Life is produced by qualified, multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, listen to our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life 

 

Splash Party 2026: The ultimate teen pool day in Monaco

by: Virginia D’Umas
24/08/2026

Monaco’s open-air swimming pool in Port Hercule, the Stade Nautique Rainier III, is set to host a fun-filled day out for local youth with its upcoming Splash Party on Saturday, 12th September.

Originally launched by the Mairie de Monaco to celebrate the end of the school year and the start of summer, this popular annual event will close the venue to the general public for the entire day, turning the facility into an exclusive zone for teenagers.

Designed specifically for school pupils and residents aged 12 to 17 (from 6ème upwards) who live or study in Monaco, the afternoon features a vibrant atmosphere complete with a live DJ, music, giant inflatables, water toys, and a free non-alcoholic open bar. 

Your ticket to the ultimate pool day

Set right in the heart of Port Hercule, participants can enjoy the heated Olympic-sized seawater pool, 45-metre water slide, and diving boards, all backed by reinforced security and qualified lifeguards to ensure everyone enjoys the party safely.

Tickets are priced at €20 for eligible school pupils and residents, while non-resident accompanying guests pay €25 (and must be accompanied by someone who lives or studies in Monaco). Entry is subject to the organisation’s discretion, and attendees must present a valid form of identification or a school record book upon arrival.

Further information and ticketing details are available through the Mairie website at www.mairie.mc.

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Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco 

Ocean’s filming begins in Monaco with major traffic and bus changes

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/08/2026
Larvotto monaco

Filming for the new Ocean’s movie got underway in Monaco this Monday, bringing five mornings of road closures and significant changes to bus services as the Hollywood production moves through some of the Principality’s most recognisable locations.

Monaco Life first revealed the filming schedule on 14th August, including plans for scenes around Port Hercule, Monte-Carlo and Larvotto. Now, as production begins, the Monaco Government has released a comprehensive traffic plan showing exactly how residents and commuters will be affected.

The restrictions run through to Friday 28th August, with most road closures in force between 5am and 10am. Residents are exempt where possible, although their journeys may be temporarily stopped while cameras are rolling, and authorities warn that arrangements could change according to the needs of the shoot.

Filming begins at Port Hercule

For anyone travelling through Monaco this Monday, the immediate impact is around Port Hercule.

Avenue J.F. Kennedy and Boulevard Louis II are closed between 5am and 10am, along with Route de la Piscine between Parking Louis Chiron and Quai des États-Unis.

The operation becomes considerably larger on Tuesday, when cameras move through central Monaco. Closures will include Boulevard Albert Ier, Avenue de la Costa, the Costa slip road, Avenue d’Ostende and the Sainte-Dévote roundabout, Passage de la Porte Rouge and Tunnel Rocher Albert Ier.

Sections of Boulevard de Suisse, Avenue Princesse Alice, Rue Suffren Reymond and Rue Louis Notari are also affected, together with Avenue Henry Dunant and Rue Princesse Antoinette.

Traffic will be reorganised around the closures. Vehicles leaving Quai Antoine Ier must head towards Tunnel Rocher-Noghès, while those coming from Boulevard Louis II will be directed towards Route de la Piscine. Parts of Rue Suffren Reymond will temporarily change direction and a section of Rue Louis Notari will operate two-way.

From Monte-Carlo to the Casino

On Wednesday, the production moves towards Avenue des Citronniers, Avenue des Spélugues and sections of Avenue Princesse Grace and Avenue de la Madone.

Thursday will see the production take over some of Monaco’s most prominent addresses.

Place du Casino will close between 5am and 10am, together with Boulevard Albert Ier, Avenue d’Ostende, Avenue de Monte-Carlo, Avenue des Spélugues, Avenue des Citronniers, Avenue Princesse Alice and Avenue de la Costa. Sections of Avenue de la Madone and Avenue Princesse Grace will also be inaccessible.

The final morning, Friday, shifts the disruption towards Portier and Larvotto, while also returning to parts of the port. Avenue des Spélugues, Avenue des Citronniers, Avenue d’Ostende, Avenue J.F. Kennedy, Boulevard Louis II and Avenue Princesse Grace are among the closures, together with the Portier roundabout and the Larvotto and Costa slip roads.

Bus passengers face widespread disruption

The Government’s latest announcement also gives a much clearer picture of what the shoot will mean for public transport.

From the beginning of service until 10am every morning through Friday, numerous stops on CAM Lines 1, 2, 3 and 5 will not be served.

More significantly, Line 6 and X3 will not operate at all before 10am. Line 4 and X1 are unaffected, while X2 will terminate at Monte-Carlo and skip Portier.

The disruption extends beyond Monaco’s own network. ZOU! Lines 600 and 80 will bypass a number of their usual stops in the Principality until 10am, with replacement stops being used at locations including Pont Sainte-Dévote, Crémaillère, Honoré II, Office de Tourisme and Place des Moulins.

Parking restrictions already in force

Parking bans will move with the production throughout the week, generally beginning at 3am on the morning of filming.

One longer restriction applies to Avenue des Citronniers from Wednesday morning through to the end of Friday, while parking opposite 4 bis Quai Antoine Ier has been prohibited since Sunday lunchtime and remains so until 11.59pm Friday.

Quai Albert Ier is also closed to pedestrians throughout the production period, from midday Sunday until 11.59pm Friday.

The Government continues to describe the project simply as an “important cinematographic production”. As Monaco Life previously reported, however, the dates correspond with the Monaco shoot for the upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel starring Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper.

Margot Robbie, Bradley Cooper and Monica Barbaro have been photographed filming the Ocean’s Eleven prequel in Paris this past week.

The production is expected to recreate Monaco around the time of the 1962 Grand Prix, with Cooper also directing.

See also:

Bradley Cooper spotted at Monaco Historic Grand Prix amid Ocean’s prequel buzz

Monaco Life is produced by qualified, multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, listen to our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life