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Month: October 2026

Nice bans Saturday protests across city centre as 450 officers prepare to deploy

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/10/2026

Demonstrations and protest gatherings will be banned across central Nice from 8am to midnight on Saturday 24th October, one week after shops were looted and police attacked during protests against the cost of living. Around 450 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed in the city as authorities seek to prevent further violence.

The prefectural restrictions cover a broad area stretching from Boulevard Gambetta to Port Lympia, taking in the main railway station district, Carré d’Or, Place Masséna and Vieux-Nice. The map published by the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture also includes the central seafront along the Promenade des Anglais and Quai des États-Unis.

The ban applies to protest-related gatherings and marches within that perimeter, rather than imposing a general daytime curfew on residents and visitors.

According to local reporting of the prefecture’s security arrangements, 650 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilised across the Alpes-Maritimes, including 450 in Nice. Reinforcements include CRS riot police, a RAID unit and dog teams.

Weapons, fireworks and protective equipment restricted

The prefecture’s published notice also lists restrictions on weapons, objects used as weapons, firework mortars and other pyrotechnics, flammable or corrosive products, and fuel carried in small containers.

Wearing equipment associated with public-order disturbances, including ski goggles, gas masks and helmets, is also prohibited under the announced measures.

The existing curfew for minors remains a separate restriction. Introduced on Monday 19th October, it runs from 9pm to 6am in designated districts until Monday 26th October at 6am.

The measures follow last Saturday’s violence in Nice, when businesses were looted, street furniture damaged and police vehicles attacked. Prosecutors subsequently reported 85 people in police custody, including 40 minors.

Wider restrictions draw criticism

Nice is among at least 10 French cities where authorities have announced restrictions on demonstrations or gatherings for Saturday’s renewed mobilisation. President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that prefects should prohibit demonstrations organised by groups he described as lacking legitimacy, while union-organised marches could be considered on alternative routes designed to protect city centres and businesses. The government said decisions would be taken case by case.

The approach has drawn criticism from the Ligue des droits de l’homme, which argues that the right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom and should not depend on whether organisers belong to a trade union.

People travelling around Nice should also check public transport before setting out. The city has warned that industrial action could disrupt Lignes d’Azur services throughout Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October.

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Photo credit: Marc Lapolla.

In pictures: Prince Albert II receives credentials from four new ambassadors

by: Virginia D’Umas
23/10/2026

Prince Albert II received the letters of credence from four newly accredited foreign ambassadors during an official diplomatic ceremony at the Prince’s Palace on Thursday 22nd October.

The diplomats presenting their credentials to the Sovereign were Joanna Kempkers of New Zealand, Alfred Nguiabanda of the Gabonese Republic, Diedre Mills of Jamaica, and Ioannis-Miltiadis Nicolaidis of Greece.

Prince Albert II receiving credentials from Mr. Alfred Nguiabanda of the Gabonese Republic. Photo Credit: Palais princier

The significance of the presentation of credentials

The presentation of letters of credence is a formal foundation of international diplomacy. Through this ceremonial handover of official credentials signed by their respective heads of state, newly appointed foreign ambassadors formally establish their mandate to represent their nations in the Principality of Monaco.

Prince Albert II and Ms. Diedre Mills of Jamaica. Photo credit: Palais princier

Following the formal presentation in the Palace State Rooms, Prince Albert II held individual audiences with each representative. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, shared international priorities, and prospective avenues for future economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation between Monaco and their respective nations.

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

Members of Francophone Parliamentary Assembly visit Prince’s Palace 

by: Virginia D’Umas
23/10/2026

On Wednesday 21st October, a delegation of more than 20 female parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) undertook an official guided tour of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.

The visit provided the delegates with a detailed insight into the Principality’s political history and architectural heritage, including its recently restored State Rooms.

Official welcome on the Escalier d’Honneur

To mark the occasion, an official photograph was taken on the Palace’s historic Escalier d’Honneur. Prince Albert II and Thomas Brezzo, President of the National Council, joined the delegation for the portrait, underlining Monaco’s diplomatic ties with the broader Francophone world.

Strengthening parliamentary ties

The gathering highlights Monaco’s ongoing engagement within the APF, an international network promoting democratic governance, political dialogue, and cultural cooperation across French-speaking nations.

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Photo Credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

Football: Monaco return to winning ways with dominant Conference League performance

by: Luke Entwistle
23/10/2026

AS Monaco returned to winning ways against Freiburg in the Conference League on Thursday night (3-0) in a match that more than anything marked a welcome return to form.

When Filipe LuĂ­s walked into his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, he felt the need to reintroduce himself. “Nice to meet you,” he told the auditorium up in La Turbie. We hadn’t seen this version of LuĂ­s, the one that had to front up to the media after a defeat. He was unchanged, as he reassured us. “It is not easy for a coach when you lose, but I’m very normal after this. We looked at what we can do better with the players,” said the Brazilian. Level-headed, calm, but still demanding.

Freiburg fail to turn up in Monaco

Lorient’s win over the Principality club over the weekend ensured that LuĂ­s’ unbeaten run would not stretch into double figures. Numerous were his frustrations with Sunday’s performance at the Moustoir, but chief among them was a lack of creativity. Issues pre-existed the trip to Brittany, but they were accentuated by a well-organised and dogged Lorient side.

Returning to winning ways would not be simple. Freiburg, like Monaco, were one of the few sides in Europe’s top five divisions that had been unbeaten going into last weekend. Like Les MonĂ©gasques, they slipped up and were looking to quickly wash away the unfamiliar flavour of defeat.

Their 850 fans turned up at the Stade Louis II; the players that they came to support did not. “We weren’t up to it tonight,” admitted Freiburg’s manager Julian Schuster, who nonetheless bemoaned the scoreline, a little too flattering to the hosts in his eyes.

He didn’t deny their superiority, however, and he couldn’t. From the off, it was Monaco who did the probing. After the weekend defeat, LuĂ­s sought to instil a fresh energy, and he did so by making five changes. One of those changes, Mamadou Coulibaly, was on the receiving end of a cute chipped ball from Edan Diop. On the volley and on the swivel, he tested Mio Backhaus with his volleyed effort.

Brunner “close to becoming one of the best strikers in the world” – LuĂ­s

Paris Brunner, another returnee for this game following his suspension over the weekend, then tested his compatriot with a sharp effort to the near post. Les MonĂ©gasques weren’t exactly overrunning the Bundesliga side, but their efforts in the first half were rewarded when Brunner netted his eighth goal in nine games in all competitions.

The Germany U21 international has been a scorer of goals great in quantity and in quality this season. This was from the top drawer. One touch on the chest as he backed into his defender, he used his second to tip it up and around his opponent and bear down on the Freiburg goal before finishing calmly. “It is his moment. He is close to becoming one of the best strikers in the world,” said LuĂ­s. Against a German side, Jurgen Klopp is surely now taking note.

Freiburg have been scoring at a rate of three goals a game since August and so a response was expected in the second half. There was one, but it wasn’t so emphatic. There wasn’t a flurry of chances but certainly a flurry of corners. The Germans had 11 of them but could only fashion a chance out of one of them. Lukas Kubler had two shots, both blocked, the second quite miraculously, but there would be no bombardment, no storm to weather.

Freiburg sank meekly as their fans continued to chant long into the night. Monaco, leading, “showed another side” in the second half. It is building on the first 45 minutes that has been Les MonĂ©gasques’ Achilles heel. Here, they adopted a more positive mindset, but were still happy to soak up pressure.

When they did get the ball, they immediately looked forward. Breaking through the press didn’t represent a major hurdle but making the most of the room in behind often did. But as Freiburg ramped up the aggression, they left more and more space and it was inevitable that the hosts would finally find the right combination.

“I really felt that the team represented me on the pitch” – LuĂ­s

It came late on. Ansu Fati worked his way in behind, stung the palms of Backhaus, who could only divert it to Lamine Camara to finish first time. It was the goal that he deserved. “What. A. Performance. He doesn’t stop surprising me. He is special,” reacted LuĂ­s. “What he did tonight, very few players can do.”

Fati then got in on the act himself in stoppage time to add a certain gloss to the scoreline. “Is 3-0 a fair reflection? I’m not sure, but I congratulate Monaco,” reacted Schuster.

His mood was in stark contrast to LuĂ­s’. “I am very proud of the performance today. We had control of the match; we found the spaces, we dominated. Today, I’m going home very happy […] I really felt that the team represented me on the pitch tonight. That is why I am so happy.” A happy LuĂ­s and normal service resumed in the Principality.

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: AS Monaco

Vacherot falls to Van Assche in Lyon last 16

by: Kayla Sauceda
23/10/2026

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot saw his Lyon campaign come to a close in the last 16 on Thursday 22nd October, as French player Luca Van Assche recovered from a set down to claim a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Coming off a well-fought campaign in Asia, Vacherot returned to Europe with a strong start. Currently No. 32 in the live ATP rankings, he comfortably took the opening set 6-2. However, Van Assche won the next two sets 6-4 to secure his place in the quarterfinals, completing his comeback in just over two hours.

LITTLE SEPARATING THE TWO

The overall statistics reflected a tight contest, with both players finishing with 85 points won, despite Van Assche taking the victory.

Vacherot landed 10 aces to his opponent’s eight and kept his double-fault count to two, while Van Assche committed five.

Both players also registered three breaks of serve. Vacherot converted three of his four break-point opportunities, while Van Assche converted three of his seven chances created.

As the season draws to a close, Vacherot is completing his first year navigating the demands and expectations that came with his breakthrough rise in 2025. Lyon brings another disappointment, but also forms part of a season spent establishing himself at the sport’s highest level.

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department

Meeting Herculis EBS reveals 2027 programme ahead of 40th anniversary

by: Kayla Sauceda
22/10/2026

Monaco’s Meeting Herculis EBS will return to the Principality to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Friday 9th July 2027, with organisers unveiling the programme of events and announcing that tickets are now available. 

The international athletics meeting will return to Stade Louis-II for another evening of world-class competition, bringing some of the sport’s leading athletes to Monaco.

Across four decades, Meeting Herculis EBS has established itself as a major event on the international athletics calendar. The meeting has witnessed 10 world records, including the men’s 1,000m record set during its most recent edition, and has been named the world’s best athletics meeting on seven occasions.

The anniversary edition will look to build on that reputation, with a programme featuring sprint races, middle-distance events, hurdles, and field competitions.

A NEW ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMME

One of the highlights of the 2027 edition will be the return of the men’s 1,500m, an event that has previously produced memorable performances in Monaco.

In 2024, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen set a European record of 3:26.73 in the event, further strengthening the meeting’s reputation for exceptional performances.

The programme will also feature both men’s and women’s 400m races for the first time, alongside the women’s 400m hurdles and men’s 3,000m steeplechase.

With a strong field of disciplines expected, organisers are anticipating another highly competitive evening as the meeting marks its milestone anniversary.

FOUR DECADES OF ATHLETICS IN MONACO

The women’s programme will feature the 100m, 400m, 3,000m or 5,000m, 400m hurdles, high jump, and long jump.

Meanwhile, the men’s events will include the 200m, 400m, 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, 400m hurdles, pole vault, and javelin.

The meeting has become known for attracting some of the biggest names in international athletics, with Stade Louis-II providing the setting for numerous record-breaking performances.

Organisers have also indicated that special plans are being prepared to commemorate the 40th anniversary, although further details have yet to be announced.

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: Herculis EBS