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Month: September 2026

Spanish painter’s Hockney-inspired pools go on show in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/09/2026

Opera Gallery Monaco has opened the first major Monaco show by Spanish painter Xevi Solà, a set of swimming-pool paintings that borrow their subject from David Hockney. The exhibition, Thoughts of a Bigger Splash, runs until 15th October — its title a play on Hockney’s 1967 painting A Bigger Splash, three months after the British artist died in June aged 88.

Solà takes the pool that Hockney made a symbol of sunlit 1960s California and drains the glamour out of it. His pools are quieter and more unsettling, filled with tall, models-like figures who stare blankly past one another, gathering and drifting apart without ever connecting. He has said he draws on fashion photography, film stills and mugshots, working in bright, flat colour.

The show gathers works all painted this year, among them a diptych, Coupe du Monde, showing figures ranged around a pool; Rendez-vous and Sunrise, two pairs of figures set against a twilight sky and the sea; and Vestiaires, which moves away from the water but keeps the same mood.

Photo credit: Philippe Fitte

“We’re honoured to present Xevi Solà’s first major exhibition here in Monaco,” said Federica Beretta, Global Director of Opera Gallery. “His approach places him within a broader lineage of contemporary figurative painting, while his distinctive use of colour, composition and cinematic framing establishes a visual language entirely his own.”

Solà, 57, was born in Santa Coloma de Farners in Catalonia and lives and works in Girona. He has exhibited across Europe, the United States and Asia, and has been represented by Opera Gallery since 2025, a year after his first show with the gallery in Geneva.

Thoughts of a Bigger Splash is at Opera Gallery Monaco, at the Palais de la Scala on avenue Henri Dunant, until 15th October, open Monday to Saturday.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Main photo credit: Philippe Fitte

Women of Monaco Lunch to return with red theme this October

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/09/2026

The Women of Monaco Lunch will return to the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo on Thursday 8th October, bringing together women from across the Principality for an afternoon of fashion, conversation and fundraising.

Now in its 16th edition, the event will adopt a red theme, with guests invited to incorporate a touch of the colour into their outfits. The lunch will once again raise funds for the Princess Grace Foundation, continuing the charitable focus of the organisation’s annual October and March gatherings.

Created by Five Stars Events founder Sandrine Knoell, the lunch has grown alongside the Women of Monaco Club, an invitation-led community bringing together women of different ages, nationalities and professional backgrounds.

A community without traditional barriers

For Sandrine Knoell, the strength of the club lies in the diversity of its membership. English is used as its principal language, allowing women from Monaco’s international community to participate without nationality or language becoming a barrier.

The membership includes business leaders, mothers, philanthropists and women establishing new lives in the Principality.

Knoell said the club was deliberately created without distinctions based on age, profession, culture, politics or religion.

“We genuinely reflect everyone,” she said. “If one woman has a question or needs help, there is always someone stronger in that area who can support her.”

She added that the club can be particularly valuable for women who have moved to Monaco because of their partner’s career and are looking to establish their own connections and identity locally.

Women of Monaco Lunch – theme green – in 2025. Photo source: Five Stars Events

Fashion, finance and beauty

October’s lunch will take place at noon in the Salon Méditerranée, a location Knoell said has become an important part of the event’s identity.

“We love having it in the same place and with the same team,” she said. “The Métropole is one of the best places in Monaco for these lunches.”

The programme will include discussions relating to finance and beauty, alongside a fashion presentation by designer Irina Marchuk. Her haute couture collection features individually created pieces using premium fabrics and materials.

Cool Bay Monaco will create the makeup looks for the models, while guests will also be introduced to Anthésté, a collection of waterless botanical elixirs drawing on Greek and Mediterranean influences.

Barclays Private Bank will continue its support of Women of Monaco and will be represented at the lunch by members of its Monaco team.

From left to right: Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and Sandrine Knoell.

Supporting the Princess Grace Foundation

Proceeds will benefit the Princess Grace Foundation, which was established in 1964 and supports humanitarian initiatives for children as well as students pursuing cultural projects.

For Knoell, however, the lunch is intended to offer more than a social or fundraising occasion. Its purpose is to strengthen connections among women who might otherwise have few opportunities to meet beyond their existing professional or personal circles.

“What makes me happy is the community we have created and the women it has brought together,” she said.

The Women of Monaco Lunch Red will take place at 12pm on Thursday 8th October at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo. Reservations can be made through Five Stars Events.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photos provided

Pink Ribbon Monaco to unite sport and gala for annual health campaign

by: Virginia D’Umas
23/09/2026

Monaco will turn pink next month as Pink Ribbon Monaco is set to host its sixteenth annual awareness campaign dedicated to breast and gynaecological health. Held under the high patronage of Princess Charlene, the two-day programme on 2nd and 3rd October combines sport, philanthropy, and community action to support local medical initiatives.

The initiative will open with an exclusive reception hosted at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, setting a formal tone for a weekend centred on health awareness. The programme will expand with the inaugural Monaco Invitational golf tournament at the Royal Mougins Golf Club, directed by musician and golfer Cameron Avery.

“For more than fifteen years, Pink Ribbon Monaco has worked to place prevention at the heart of women’s health—promoting education, healthier lifestyles, physical activity and the importance of screening and early detection. Our aim is to give women, their daughters and future generations the knowledge and tools to reduce their risk and act early,” said Natasha Frost-Savio, Founder and President, Pink Ribbon Monaco

Photo Credit: Pink Ribbon Monaco

Illuminating the Principality

As evening falls, Casino Square will become the focal point of the campaign’s renowned illuminations. Twenty-four institutions across the Principality will light their façades in pink, creating a unified visual message in support of research and community vigilance.

Philanthropy at the Hôtel de Paris

Following the illumination ceremony, supporters will gather at the Salle Empire and terrace of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo for a black-tie gala. The evening will feature a live auction conducted by New York-based auctioneer C.K. Swett, with lots including a custom cocktail creation at the legendary Bar Américain.

A legacy of local action

Funds raised throughout the weekend directly support Pink Ribbon Monaco’s ongoing educational programmes, early screening initiatives, and specialised research into lobular breast cancer in partnership with the Princess Grace Hospital Centre.

Founded in 2011 by Natasha Frost-Savio, the independent Monegasque association has spent a decade and a half turning public awareness into tangible local action for women’s health. 

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Photo Credit: Pink Ribbon Monaco

MEB opens new business channels with Corsica and Bordeaux

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/09/2026

The Monaco Economic Board has expanded its ties with two major French economic regions, signing a partnership agreement with Corsica and opening discussions on future cooperation with the Bordeaux Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The two initiatives took place over 17th and 18th September, bringing regional officials and business leaders to the Principality for meetings focused on tourism, retail, yachting, training and cross-border commercial opportunities.

New economic partnership with Corsica

The central development was the signing of a framework agreement between Monaco Economic Board President Michel Dotta and Gilles Simeoni, President of the Public Establishment of Commerce and Industry of Corsica, during the Monaco Business trade fair.

The partnership is intended to increase contact between companies in Monaco and Corsica, facilitate the exchange of expertise and develop cooperation in sectors shared by the two economies.

Initial areas identified for follow-up include tourism, yachting and professional training for the hospitality and events industries.

The two organisations also shared a stand at Monaco Business, allowing companies and visitors to make direct contact with representatives of Corsica’s economic network.

The agreement follows earlier partnerships established by the MEB through Monaco Business with organisations including the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, the Nice Côte d’Azur CCI, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regional CCI.

MEB representatives are expected to travel to Ajaccio before the end of the year to identify opportunities for a future economic mission.

Bordeaux delegation explores Monaco’s retail and tourism sectors

The previous day, a delegation from the Bordeaux Gironde CCI visited Monaco through an initiative organised with payment application Carlo, which operates in both the Principality and Bordeaux.

The visit focused on retail and tourism, with the two regions exchanging information about changing consumer habits, destination marketing and the challenges facing local businesses.

A forum at MonacoTech opened with a presentation of Monaco’s economy before two panel discussions moderated by MEB Executive Director Guillaume Rose.

Corinne Bertani, Vice-President of the National Council’s Finance and National Economy Committee, and Alexandre Pasta, President of the Union of Traders and Artisans of Monaco, discussed the diversity of Monaco’s retail sector and how businesses are adapting to evolving customer behaviour.

A second discussion brought together Guy Antognelli, Director of Monaco’s Tourism and Convention Authority, and Axel Hoppenot, a former Marketing and Sales Director at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and current French Foreign Trade Adviser.

The speakers examined Monaco’s international tourism profile, with particular attention paid to the Formula One Grand Prix and its role in promoting the Principality worldwide.

The Bordeaux delegation also presented the Gironde economy and its experience in building an internationally recognised destination around the Bordeaux name.

The programme concluded with a networking reception connecting members of the delegation with Monaco-based entrepreneurs already active in Gironde or considering opportunities in the region. The MEB is also planning a visit to Bordeaux before the end of 2026 to assess the potential for further business exchanges.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo: Michel Dotta, President of the Monaco Economic Board, and Gilles Simeoni, President of the Public Establishment of Commerce and Industry of Corsica, sign a framework partnership agreement at Monaco Business. Also pictured, from left: Justin Highman, Deputy CEO of the MEB; Jean Dominici, First Vice-President of EPCI Corsica; Guillaume Rose, Executive Director of the MEB; Maurice Cohen, President of Monaco Communication; Lionel Beffre, Monaco’s Minister of the Interior; and Benoît Jourdan, Honorary Consul of Monaco in Marseille. Photo: EPCI Corsica/Charly Gallo

 

Guide: Make the most of rare access to Monaco institutions on Heritage Days

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/09/2026

Monaco will open the doors to some of its most important political, cultural and historic buildings for the 31st European Heritage Days, with 48 sites and activities included in the Principality’s 2026 programme.

The main programme takes place on Sunday 4th October, while several museums, exhibitions and cultural activities will also be available on Saturday 3rd October.

This year’s theme, Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine, examines the threats facing built, natural and intangible heritage, from climate change and environmental damage to urban transformation and the loss of traditional knowledge.

For visitors, however, the immediate attraction is the rare opportunity to enter institutions that are normally closed or only partly accessible to the public, alongside free or reduced-price access to many of Monaco’s best-known museums and landmarks.

The Palace, Government and National Council open their doors

On the Rock, the Prince’s Palace will open its State Apartments free of charge from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Visitors will be able to see the Palace’s restored Renaissance frescoes, uncovered as part of a major conservation campaign launched in 2015. More than 600 square metres of historic decoration have been revealed in the Galerie d’Hercule and other areas, with the final phase of restoration expected to continue until 2028.

Nearby, the Hôtel du Gouvernement will welcome visitors into the official residence and offices of the Minister of State. Its reception rooms and terrace overlooking Port Hercule will be accessible from 10am to 5pm.

The National Council, Monaco Town Hall and Palais de Justice are also participating, along with the private chapel and gardens of the Archbishop’s residence.

Traditional Monegasque culture will form part of the programme at the National Council and Town Hall, where U Cantin d’a Roca will perform songs in the Monegasque language. Performances are scheduled at the National Council at 10am and 11am, followed by appearances in the Town Hall’s Salle des Mariages at 3pm and 4pm.

A guided walk through Monaco-Ville will offer further insight into the origins of the Principality, its architecture, traditions and lesser-known stories. The 90-minute tour begins near the Malizia statue in Place du Palais and requires advance registration.

Oceanographic Museum explores a living heritage

The Oceanographic Museum will approach the theme through the natural heritage of the sea, examining the pressures facing marine ecosystems and the work being undertaken to protect them.

Founded by Prince Albert I and inaugurated in 1910, the museum was conceived as a place where art and science could come together to advance knowledge of the marine world. Today, it receives more than 650,000 visitors annually.

Special guided tours will take place at 10.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. Each lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes and is limited to 10 participants, with registration available at the museum ticket desks.

Unlike many participating sites, admission to the Oceanographic Museum is not free. A special Heritage Days rate will apply, with tickets priced at €9 for adults and €6 for visitors aged four to 17, students and people with disabilities. The museum will be open from 10am to 6pm.

Elsewhere on the Rock, visitors can explore the National Committee of Monegasque Traditions, Pavillon Bosio art school, Lycée Albert Ier and activities devoted to the preservation of Monaco’s traditional cuisine.

From the Casino to the Théâtre Princesse Grace

In Monte-Carlo, the Casino will offer free general access until midday on Sunday, with guided visits scheduled at 9.30am and 11am. Advance online registration is required for the guided tours.

The visit will focus on the building’s Belle Époque architecture, decorative arts and changing role within Monte-Carlo over more than a century. A retrospective film using archival photographs will also trace the evolution of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer over the past 160 years.

The Théâtre Princesse Grace is another major addition to the programme. Guided visits will take place at 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, offering access to the former Théâtre des Beaux-Arts.

Opened in 1932 and later restored at the request of Princess Grace, the theatre retains its Art Deco character and a history linked to performers including Édith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier. Registration is required through the Heritage Days website.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will open Villa Girasole and its gardens from 10am to 5pm. Visitors will also be able to see exhibitions devoted to Greenland and Antarctica, accompanied by walking talks on the protection of the polar regions.

Other Monte-Carlo participants include the Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation, Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Mémoria Archives and the Logoscope research and creative laboratory.

Museums, gardens and major sporting venues

The recently reopened Jardin Exotique will offer free admission from 9am to 6pm, giving visitors access to one of Monaco’s most distinctive landscapes following six years of work.

Guided visits to the Botanical Centre will be held at 10am and 2pm, with advance reservations required. Its glasshouses contain one of the world’s significant collections of cacti and succulents.

Also participating in the Jardin Exotique district are the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco and Villa Paloma, part of the New National Museum of Monaco.

At the Audiovisual Institute, visitors can see how Monaco’s film, television, photographic and sound archives are preserved, restored and digitised. Guided behind-the-scenes visits will be offered at 9.30am, 11am and 2pm, while screenings and exhibitions will be freely accessible during the day.

In Fontvieille, the programme includes Stade Louis II, the National Archives, the Museum of Stamps and Coins and Imprimerie Graphic Service.

The Museum of Stamps and Coins will open free of charge from 10am to 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Its collection traces Monaco’s monetary history from the first coins struck during the reign of Honoré II in 1640, as well as its philatelic history from the first Monegasque stamps issued in 1885.

The Prince’s Car Collection and the Quai Antoine Ier exhibition hall also form part of the programme.

Behind the scenes at Monaco’s institutions

Several participating venues offer a view of Monaco beyond its familiar visitor attractions. The Museum of the Princes of Monaco and Their Guards, at the Prince’s Carabiniers headquarters, will open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Guided visits and activities will trace the history of Monaco’s military guard from 1817 to the present day.

The programme also includes the Ballets de Monte-Carlo workshops, Princess Grace Academy, Rainier III Academy of Music and Theatre, Monaco Scientific Centre, Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace and Monaco-Monte-Carlo railway station.

The International Hydrographic Organization will open its headquarters on Quai Antoine Ier from 10am to 5pm, presenting the underwater drones, digital technologies and mapping techniques used to study the seabed.

Visitors can also explore the Caroline Multimedia Library’s heritage collection, learn about the conservation of public artworks through AMAPEI and join guided heritage walks through both Monaco-Ville and Monte-Carlo.

An exhibition titled Mémoire des lieux will run at the Quai Antoine Ier exhibition hall on both Saturday and Sunday. Through contemporary art, it examines how Monaco’s rapid urban transformation has reshaped buildings and landscapes while leaving traces of collective memory.

Reservations open on 25th September

Reservations for visits managed through the official Heritage Days website will open on Friday 25th September at 9am. Other venues use their own booking systems, telephone numbers or on-site registration, so visitors should check the conditions for each location carefully.

While many participating venues are free, this does not apply universally. Some, including the Oceanographic Museum, are offering reduced admission instead.

Monaco buses will be free for the occasion. A special daily parking rate of €9 will also be available at Les Salines, Condamine, Pêcheurs, Stade Louis II, Boulingrins, Grimaldi Forum and La Colle car parks.

The complete programme, booking information and interactive map are available at journeepatrimoinemonaco.com.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo source: MCSBM

 

Pierre Casiraghi assembles star crew for Tuiga’s Saint-Tropez campaign

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/09/2026

Yacht Club de Monaco flagship Tuiga will return to Mediterranean competition at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez with Pierre Casiraghi leading a crew drawn from the America’s Cup, The Ocean Race, IMOCA sailing, foiling and freediving.

The 1909 gaff cutter will join around 253 yachts for the 28th edition of Les Voiles, taking place from 26th September to 4th October. The fleet is expected to include 80 classic yachts, more than 20 of which are over a century old.

Tuiga arrives in Saint-Tropez following an East Coast tour of the United States linked to celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Spithill and Herrmann join Casiraghi at the helm

Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, will serve as skipper and tactician, sharing helming duties with two-time America’s Cup winner Jimmy Spithill and Team Malizia skipper Boris Herrmann.

The crew also includes Dutch offshore sailor Rosalin Kuiper, British sailor Tom Dawson and Italian Moth and foiling specialist Lorenzo De Felice.

French freediver Arnaud Jerald, who set a constant weight bi-fins world record with a dive to 126 metres in 2025, will make his first appearance aboard Tuiga. Nineteen-year-old Yacht Club de Monaco sailor Louise Debeaumont, an ILCA 6 competitor, will also take part in her first regatta on the historic yacht.

The line-up reflects Casiraghi’s aim of bringing together competitors from different disciplines while introducing a new generation to traditional sailing.

“The backgrounds are diverse yet complementary, involving different ways of reading the wind, trimming the boat and anticipating manoeuvres,” said Casiraghi.

He added that adapting those skills to Tuiga would require close coordination aboard a heavy and powerful yacht with considerable inertia.

“For every manoeuvre, preparation and timing between the helm, rig management and crew movement is critical,” he said. “It is this collective effort that interests me and which I believe can lead us to victory.”

Historic yachts return to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

Racing begins on 28th September, with the traditional yachts competing for the Rolex Trophy. The programme will also include the Centenarians’ Trophy on 1st October for vessels more than 100 years old.

The 2026 edition coincides with the centenary of the Comité International de la Méditerranée, whose rating system provides the framework for classic yacht racing.

For Tuiga, the regatta marks a return to familiar waters and one of the Mediterranean’s largest gatherings of historic sailing yachts.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Carlo Borlenghi