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Day: 12 October 2026

Women of Monaco Lunch turns red as bidding duel breaks auction record

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/10/2026

A diamond ring, two determined bidders and a room thoroughly enjoying the spectacle helped the 16th Women of Monaco Lunch raise €35,000 for the Princess Grace Foundation at the HĂ´tel MĂ©tropole Monte-Carlo, the highest amount in the event’s history.

The lunch, created by Sandrine Knoell and organised by her company 5 Stars Events, took place on Thursday 8th October in the hotel’s Salon MĂ©diterranĂ©e, with the support of Barclays Private Bank. Continuing its steady progress through the colour chart, this edition was dressed in red, with guests arriving in every shade from scarlet to deep burgundy.

A duel for a diamond ring

The Women of Monaco Club, an invitation-only circle that brings together women of many nationalities and professional backgrounds, drew some well-known names to this edition. Lady Tina Green, Lady Monika Bacardi and Victoria Silvstedt were among the guests, and all three made their support felt.

Lady Green set the tone early, pledging €10,000 to the foundation before the lunch had even begun.

The afternoon’s most memorable moment came during the charity auction. When the Vertigo II ring by De Trazegnies, crafted in 18-carat palladium white gold and set with 38 natural white diamonds, went under the hammer, Lady Green and Lady Bacardi found themselves bidding against each other, much to the amusement of the room. Neither was prepared to give way, and the contest ended with both women securing a ring, each in return for a €7,000 donation.

From left to right: Lady Monika Bacardi, organiser Sandrine Knoell and Lady Tina Green. Photo credit: Alena Borodina

Other lots included a Grace Kelly sculpture in wood by Marcos Marin, an exclusive couture gown by Irina Marchuk, six bottles of SGC’s La LibertĂ© wine, and an embroidered set celebrating the 70th anniversary of the ‘Wedding of the Century’ between Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly in April 1956.

Together, the donations and auction brought the total to €35,000, comfortably ahead of the €13,700 raised at the green-themed edition last October.

Barclay’s Private Bank Team: Camille Franchini, Irina Phillips, Stéphanie Tanucci, Claudia Carrieri, Cécila Mondon

Two-star cooking in red

The menu, signed by Christophe Cussac, the chef behind the two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs at the MĂ©tropole, carried the theme onto the plate. Prawns with walnuts and red endives were followed by veal in fine leaves with aromatics, before a raspberry pavlova with hibiscus infusion and chocolate bonbons. Veuve Clicquot Champagne was served alongside wines from Provence, and the food drew warm praise from around the room.

After a welcome speech from Sandrine Knoell, Irina Phillips of Barclays Private Bank gave an address, before designer Irina Marchuk presented a collection of daywear and evening gowns, with hair and make-up for the models by Cool Bay Monaco, while guests left with beauty gifts from ANTHÉSTÉ, the Greco-Azuréan luxury skincare house.

Fashion show by Irina Marchuk. Photo credit: Alena Borodina

Supporting children and families

Founded in 1964 by Princess Grace, the Princess Grace Foundation supports hospitalised children and their families, funds paediatric medical research and encourages cultural initiatives for young people.

For Sandrine Knoell and 5 Stars Events, the record afternoon caps another successful chapter. Her attention now turns to the next date in the calendar, the Bal de Noël.

 

Monaco Life was there. See more in our video below…

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See also:

Bal de Noël to open a new chapter in support of Monaco’s animal shelter

Main Photo credit: Alena Borodina

France pushes nationwide licence suspensions for drivers caught holding phones

by: Virginia D’Umas
12/10/2026

Drivers in France caught holding a mobile phone behind the wheel could face a licence suspension of up to six months, even if they have committed no other traffic offence. The French Interior Ministry has urged prefects across the country to apply the tougher administrative sanction, which goes well beyond the existing €135 fine and three-point penalty.

While prefects in around twenty departments – including the Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pas-de-Calais, Charente-Maritime, and Yonne – had already begun suspending licences without waiting for a judge’s ruling, the Ministry of the Interior issued a formal directive on Tuesday, 29th September urging all territorial prefects to adopt the measure.

Immediate administrative sanctions

Under the French Highway Code, holding a mobile phone while driving already carries a standard fixed fine of €135 and a three-point deduction on the driving licence. However, prefects now have the authority to suspend a driver’s licence for up to six months administratively, without waiting for judicial proceedings. This administrative suspension can be applied even if the driver has not committed a secondary offence, such as speeding.

How the suspension works

Unlike roadside withdrawals carried out directly by law enforcement officers during a traffic stop, an administrative suspension is officially decided and notified by the prefect. Affected drivers are given the opportunity to present their observations through a formal adversarial procedure, and the duration of the suspension is determined by prefectural services, taking into account the specific circumstances of the infraction.

Since 1st July 2015, the Highway Code has also strictly prohibited driving while wearing any audio device in the ear, such as earphones, headsets, or earpieces.

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Photo Credit: Pexels – Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush

Prince Albert II strengthens historic ties with Piedmont

by: Virginia D’Umas
12/10/2026

Continuing his tradition of visiting territories with deep historical ties to the Principality, Prince Albert II travelled to the Piedmont region of Italy on Friday 9th October.

The journey follows the recent State visit to the Principality on 2nd and 3rd October, during which Italian President Sergio Mattarella publicly commended the network of Historical Sites for its ongoing cultural promotion.

The visit focused on three municipalities within the province of Cuneo: Niella Belbo, Cerreto Langhe, and Novello. All three belong to the Italian Association of Historical Sites of Monaco, a connection forged through historic 14th- and 15th-century marital alliances between the local Del Carretto land-owning family and the Grimaldis.

Inaugurating tradition in Niella Belbo

The day began in the rolling hills of the Langhe. Prince Albert was welcomed in Niella Belbo by Mayor Emanuele Sottimano to inaugurate the Ca’ Balon cultural hub. The new facility houses the region’s first museum dedicated to pallapugno, a traditional Piedmontese team sport rooted in local history.

Exploring the Del Carretto heritage in Cerreto Langhe

The Prince then travelled to Cerreto Langhe. Guided by Mayor Flavio Borgna, the Prince toured the historic ancestral home of the Del Carretto family, examining the tangible architectural links that connect the rural Italian hills to the history of Monaco.

Prince Albert II visited historic sites linked to the Grimaldi family in Piedmont, including the town of Novello. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi

A public welcome in Novello

The final stop of the afternoon took place in Novello. Welcomed in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II by Mayor Marco Pallaro, Prince Albert II visited the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.

Accompanied by traditional local flag-throwers (Sbandieratori), the Prince walked through the historic centre to the village castle, concluding the visit with a public ceremony in the estate park surrounded by local residents, civic leaders, and regional economic stakeholders.

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Click on the gallery for more images of the event. Photos credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

Trains to Monaco suspended for nearly two days in November as major rail works begin

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/10/2026

Thousands of commuters travelling between Monaco, Nice and the Italian border will need to make alternative arrangements next month, with all train services on the Nice–Ventimiglia line suspended on Tuesday 10th November and for much of Wednesday 11th November due to major engineering works.

The disruption, announced by the Prince’s Government, will affect Monaco-Monte-Carlo station and the entire coastal rail corridor between Nice and Ventimiglia, one of the principal transport routes for workers travelling into the Principality.

SNCF RĂ©seau will carry out infrastructure works as part of a wider programme to modernise the region’s railway network, with the aim of improving reliability and eventually allowing more frequent services.

According to the Government, trains will not operate throughout Tuesday 10th November, with services remaining suspended until the evening of Wednesday 11th November.

The closure coincides with France’s Armistice Day public holiday on 11th November, although the disruption on Tuesday will affect a normal working day for thousands of cross-border commuters.

Government urges commuters to plan ahead

With the closure expected to affect journeys into and out of Monaco, the Prince’s Government is encouraging passengers to reconsider their travel arrangements well in advance.

Among the options suggested are working from home, postponing non-essential journeys, adjusting working hours or annual leave, and using public transport or car-sharing services.

For those who must travel, the Government recommends checking the latest information from regional transport operators, including the ZOU! bus network, SNCF TER and Zestbus, which will provide updates on available services.

Another alternative highlighted by the Government is BlaBlaCar Daily, the car-sharing service supported by the Principality.

Under the scheme, passengers travelling on eligible journeys starting or ending in Monaco can travel free of charge, while drivers receive financial support from the Monaco Government.

Further rail closures expected

The November disruption forms part of a longer-term modernisation programme being undertaken by SNCF RĂ©seau across the region.

The Prince’s Government has warned that further temporary line closures should be expected over the coming years as infrastructure upgrades continue.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

Monaco team races for 42 hours in Jules Bianchi charity karting marathon

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/10/2026

A Monaco-based team has finished 11th out of 35 competitors in the Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon at Circuit Paul Ricard, completing more than 42 hours of continuous racing to raise funds for patients and families affected by serious brain injuries. The team also secured second place among amateur competitors.

The 11th edition of the Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon brought together motorsport enthusiasts, professional drivers and volunteers for an endurance challenge lasting exactly 42 hours, 19 minutes and 50 seconds — a reference to the traditional marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres.

Among the competitors was MyCROWN – YellowKorner Monte Carlo, whose drivers and support crew worked in shifts throughout the event to finish 11th overall, ahead of 24 other teams.

The event, held at Circuit Paul Ricard’s karting track, was established in memory of French racing driver Jules Bianchi, who died in July 2015 from injuries sustained during the Japanese Grand Prix the previous year.

This year’s participants included racing drivers Doriane Pin, Norman Nato and Tom Bianchi, as well as former tennis champion Henri Lecomte.

Racing in memory of Jules Bianchi

The marathon supports the Jules Bianchi Association, established in 2015 to help people living with severe brain injuries and their families.

The organisation funds medical research, contributes towards specialist equipment and supports families dealing with the consequences of serious neurological injuries.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Nice’s L’Archet Hospital and initiatives supporting patients and their relatives.

The hospital has a particular connection to the Bianchi family, having cared for Jules during the final months of his life.

Monaco businesses unite for a third year

The MyCROWN – YellowKorner Monte Carlo team was supported by MyCrown Collection, founded by Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, and YellowKorner Monte Carlo, operated by Leonidas Kambanis.

The two businesses have partnered for three consecutive years to support the Jules Bianchi Association through the karting marathon.

Managed by Benjamin Laurens and Sophia Tsouvelekakis, the team brought together approximately 20 volunteers, including drivers and personnel responsible for logistics, coordination and race support.

Seventeen drivers represented the Monaco team, including Leonidas Kambanis, SĂ©bastien Chardonnet, Enzo Dubois, Teddy Thompson and Spyros Tsouvelekakis.

Their combined efforts secured second place in the non-professional category, alongside their 11th-place finish in the overall standings.

For the Monaco participants, the event was an opportunity to combine a demanding motorsport challenge with fundraising for a cause closely connected to the region’s racing community.

More than a decade after Bianchi’s death, the annual marathon continues to bring competitors together in his memory while providing practical support to patients and families facing serious brain injuries.

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Photo source: MyCROWN – YellowKorner 

 

Monaco’s €660 million yachting boom outpaces wider economy

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/10/2026

Monaco’s yachting industry generated nearly €660 million in revenue in 2025, growing almost five times faster than the Principality’s wider economy over three years. New figures from Monaco’s statistics institute reveal a sector expanding in both the number of businesses and jobs, with yacht brokers accounting for more than half its turnover.

The latest Maritime Economy and Yachting report, published in October by the Institut MonĂ©gasque de la Statistique et des Études Économiques (IMSEE), shows that Monaco’s yachting industry generated €659.7 million in turnover in 2025, an increase of €92.6 million, or 16.3%, compared with 2022.

Over the same period, turnover across the Principality’s economy grew by just 3.6%, making yachting one of the more dynamic areas of Monaco’s business landscape.

The industry also welcomed 64 additional establishments, bringing the total to 475, a rise of 15.6% since 2022. Yachting businesses now represent 3.8% of all establishments in Monaco.

Yacht brokers dominate the industry

The figures underline the importance of yacht brokerage to Monaco’s maritime economy. Of the 475 establishments operating in yachting, 222 are classified under wholesale trade, including 212 businesses involved in yacht brokerage. These intermediaries generated €343.1 million in turnover in 2025, accounting for more than half of all yachting revenue. Their turnover increased by €53.8 million compared with 2022, making them the principal driver of the industry’s growth.

The wider wholesale trade category generated €361 million, up 16.7% over the three-year period.

Other important contributors included maritime passenger transport, which generated €55.5 million, transport support activities at €44.7 million, and auxiliary water transport services at €34 million.

Design and technical services record strong growth

Beyond yacht sales, Monaco’s specialist maritime services are also expanding. Businesses operating in scientific, technical and specialised activities, including yacht design, engineering and business consultancy, recorded a 40.6% increase in turnover between 2022 and 2025, reaching €73.8 million.

The number of establishments in this category grew by 31.2%, from 77 to 101, the largest numerical increase of any major yachting business category. It shows the importance of the wider professional services network supporting Monaco’s yachting industry, extending well beyond yacht sales and charter operations.

Nearly 1,500 jobs supported by yachting

The industry employed 1,495 people in the private sector at the end of 2025, an increase of 4.6% compared with 2022. Wholesale trade was the largest employer, accounting for 527 jobs, including 510 in yacht brokerage. Employment in the category increased by 21.3% over the period.

Arts, sports and recreational activities accounted for another 312 jobs, followed by transport and storage with 269.

However, employment growth was not uniform. Transport and storage lost 66 jobs, a decline of 19.6%, which IMSEE attributes to a single establishment operating in transport support services.

Despite the industry’s substantial turnover, most yachting businesses remain small. Almost 70% have no salaried employees, while just 12.4% employ more than five people.

Monaco’s wider maritime economy reaches €1.7 billion

The report also examines the broader maritime economy, which includes yachting alongside commercial maritime activities, marine engineering, vessel maintenance, maritime transport and other sea-related services.

In 2025, this wider sector comprised 734 establishments, supported 3,316 jobs and generated €1.655 billion in turnover.

The number of maritime establishments increased by 15.6% compared with 2022, with 99 additional businesses operating in the sector. Employment also rose, although more modestly, by 1.5%.

Overall maritime turnover declined by 7.3% over the three-year period. However, IMSEE attributes the entire decrease to a single wholesale trade operator, rather than a general contraction across the industry.

Yachting accounted for nearly 40% of maritime turnover, 45.1% of its jobs and almost two-thirds of its establishments in 2025.

The latest figures demonstrate the considerable economic weight of yachting in Monaco, with growth driven particularly by yacht brokerage, specialist technical services and an expanding network of businesses supporting the international superyacht industry.

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 by Cassandra TantiÂ