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Day: 5 November 2026

Behind the barre: Jean-Christophe Maillot’s ‘Ma Bayadère’ comes to the Grimaldi Forum 

by: Virginia D’Umas
05/11/2026

Jean-Christophe Maillot’s ‘Ma Bayadère’ will bring a deeply personal vision to the Grimaldi Forum from 28th to 31st December and 2nd January. Reflecting his transition from a dancer injured in an accident to a visionary director, the ballet steps behind the curtain to parallel his own career. 

The production will explore the intense realities, rivalries, and romances of life inside a dance company. 

Photo credit: Hans Gerritsen

Inside the studio

Instead of using far-off or distant lands, the production takes audiences straight into the studio where dancers rehearse La Bayadère. Act I exposes the raw tensions and friction between rising talent Niki and star dancer Gamza before tragedy strikes. Act II then shifts into a dreamscape where Solo escapes into an artificial paradise, leading to a temporary reconciliation and celebration of movement before reality sets back in.

Photo credit: Alice Blangero

The creative team

To bring this studio drama to life, Maillot teams up with assistant Bernice Coppieters and dramaturges Samuel Thery and Geoffroy Staquet. The sonic landscape blends Léon Minkus’s classic score, with arrangements by John Lanchbery and Kevin Galiè, with fresh, original music by Bertrand Maillot, all brought to roaring life by the live Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo under conductor Garrett Keast. 

Meanwhile, set and costume designers Jérôme and Paul Kaplan team up with lighting designer Samuel Thery to transform the stage. 

Practical information and tickets

Performances will take place at 7:30pm in the Salle des Princes at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, with a running time of one hour and fifty minutes including an interval. Individual ticket prices range across three series from €25 to €39, with special reduced rates of €15 available for visitors under 25, alongside group pricing options.

 Tickets can be reserved through balletsdemontecarlo.com, montecarloticket.com, or the Grimaldi Forum box office.

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Main photo credit: Hans Gerritsen 

Princess Charlene delivers powerful message on protecting children in sport at Monaco summit

by: Kayla Sauceda
05/11/2026

Ministers responsible for sport have adopted a resolution aimed at strengthening the protection of young athletes, following a Council of Europe conference in Monaco attended by nearly 300 participants.

Held at the Grimaldi Forum on Wednesday 4th November, the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport brought together government representatives, international sporting organisations, and experts under the theme “A safer and healthier sport for all children”.

Discussions focused on the prevention of violence and abuse in sport, alongside protecting children’s physical and mental health.

WELLBEING AHEAD OF PERFORMANCE

Prince Albert II opened the conference alongside Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset and International Paralympic Committee Vice-President Leila Marques. Monaco’s Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre chaired the proceedings.

In his opening address, Prince Albert II highlighted sport’s ability to unify people and pass on values of respect, solidarity, and personal achievement. He also stressed the importance of ensuring every child can participate in a safe and trusting environment.

Princess Charlene introduced the afternoon session, emphasising the role of sport in children’s personal and social development. She said their health, wellbeing, and enjoyment should take priority over performance, while highlighting the need to give children a voice and ensure they are heard and supported.

Athlete Caroline Mohr, a Peace Ambassador for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, also contributed to a panel examining practical measures to improve conditions for young athletes.

Prince Albert II and fellow participants at the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport. Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Direction de la Communication

A COMMON APPROACH TO PROTECTION

The resolution adopted at the conference sets out shared priorities to strengthen prevention, improve responses to violence, and encourage closer cooperation between public authorities and sporting organisations.

The gathering formed part of Monaco’s presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and was its final major event held in the Principality before the presidency concludes.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadeï delivered one of the closing addresses in her capacity as Chair of the Committee of Ministers.

MONACO SIGNS SPORTS MANIPULATION CONVENTION

Alongside the meeting, Monaco signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, known as the Macolin Convention. It is the only international legal instrument dedicated to tackling the manipulation of sporting competitions.

The programme also included a meeting on Tuesday 3rd November marking the 10th anniversary of the Saint-Denis Convention, which addresses safety, security, and services at football matches and other sporting events. Participants reviewed its first decade of implementation and considered future cooperation.

The conference concluded with a government-hosted dinner at the Fairmont hotel, attended by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.

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: Stéphane Danna / Direction de la Communication

MonacoUSA to spotlight honorary consuls’ role at November gathering

by: Kayla Sauceda
05/11/2026

MonacoUSA will host an evening introducing Monaco’s honorary consuls in the United States and Canada on Tuesday 17th November, offering residents an opportunity to learn more about their role and the support they can provide.

The event will take place from 6pm to 8pm at Rumore at Zeffirino. Entry is free for MonacoUSA members and €20 per person for non-members.

Alongside assisting Monegasque citizens, the consuls work to strengthen business, tourism, and cultural connections between the Principality and North America. The evening aims to raise awareness of those responsibilities and help residents understand when they can get in touch.

BUILDING CONNECTIONS ACROSS OCEANS

Their work includes encouraging trade and investment, supporting business partnerships, and promoting Monaco’s cultural heritage and tourism offerings to North American communities.

They also help facilitate introductions between regional leaders, Monegasque officials, and private organisations, providing a point of contact for those looking to develop connections across the Atlantic.

Organiser Emma-Jane McCormack hopes the event will make these functions better known among Monaco residents, who may not realise that they can approach the consuls.

POINT OF CONTACT

McCormack also highlighted the potential reassurance for parents whose children are studying at universities in the United States or Canada, explaining that consuls can be a contact for assistance when needed.

The evening will provide an opportunity to hear more about their work and the circumstances in which they may be able to help. The participating consuls are still being confirmed.

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: MonacoUSA

Yoann Perrin appointed General Manager of Novotel Monte-Carlo

by: Virginia D’Umas
05/11/2026

A seasoned hospitality leader with a quarter-century of French and regional expertise has taken charge at the Novotel Monte-Carlo, as Yoann Perrin assumed the role of General Manager on 1st October 2026.

Succeeding Guillaume Rapin, now at the helm of the Pullman in Cannes, Perrin steps into the Monaco property with a distinct philosophy: combining rigorous operational groundwork with a renewed focus on local engagement and guest connection.

A hands-on background in hospitality

Perrin began his career in 2000 with the Novotel brand in eastern France, where he developed a strong grounding in field operations and restaurant management. He took on his first general management role in 2013, followed by a multi-site appointment in 2016 overseeing two establishments in Aix-en-Provence: the Novotel Aix-en-Provence Pont-de-l’Arc and the Novotel Aix-en-Provence Beaumanoir.

In 2021, he took charge of the Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux-Port before making his move to Monaco.

Vision for the Monte-Carlo property

Reflecting on his new appointment, Perrin described leading the Monaco property as a significant milestone and a motivating challenge. “Monaco is a destination apart, recognised for its dynamism and level of demand, and being able to represent ESSENDI here and carry the group’s values is a wonderful opportunity,” he said.

Perrin intends to lean heavily on his operational roots. “My background is deeply rooted in the field, marked by catering, a universe to which I remain very attached,” he explained, adding: “It taught me that to manage a hotel well, you must first understand those who bring it to life every day. I will bring to the Novotel Monte-Carlo this field culture, hands-on management and a lot of listening.”

His primary operational goals include consolidating the hotel’s performance across individual accommodation and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector, while giving fresh momentum to the culinary offerings. Specifically, he aims to promote the Azzurra Kitchen beyond resident guests and position the Azzurra Bar as a key social rendezvous for locals and visitors alike.

Centred on the team

For Perrin, the core of hotelier management remains human connection. “Being a director is not simply about driving results: it is about giving meaning, creating a collective dynamic and allowing everyone to find their place in a shared success,” he said.

Situated at 16 Boulevard Princesse Charlotte, the 218-room Novotel Monte-Carlo operates under the ESSENDI group, featuring rooftop gardens supplying seasonal produce for the kitchen, wellness facilities, and flexible event spaces.

See also: 

Azzurra Kitchen launches new Sunday buffet lunch

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Photo credit: Novotel Monte-Carlo 

Monaco’s Le Louis XV returns to the world’s 50 best restaurants

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/11/2026

Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris has been ranked 47th in The 50 Best Restaurants 2026, making it Monaco’s only entry on one of the most closely watched lists in global gastronomy.

The ranking, formerly known as The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, was revealed at a ceremony in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday 4th November. It is voted for by more than 1,100 chefs, food writers and industry specialists from around the world. Asador Etxebarri, in Spain’s Basque Country, was named the best restaurant in the world.

Le Louis XV is one of five restaurants to return to the list this year. The news comes two months after the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was ranked 40th in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026, its second consecutive appearance in that list.

The Hôtel de Paris. Credit: Matteo Carassale, SBM

A Monte-Carlo landmark

Opened by Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris in 1987, Le Louis XV became the first hotel restaurant in the world to be awarded three Michelin stars, a rating it has held ever since. Its Mediterranean cuisine, which Ducasse calls ‘Naturalité’, is built around vegetables, fish and produce from the Riviera.

The kitchen is led today by Executive Chef Emmanuel Pilon, alongside Head Pastry Chef Sandro Micheli, Head Sommelier Hélène Tessera and Restaurant Manager Giovanni Pitton.

“I salute the hard work and talent of the entire team at Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse, which continually brings a fresh perspective to haute cuisine and gives our guests a truly memorable experience,” said Ducasse, who holds 18 Michelin stars across his restaurants worldwide, according to Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

Emmanuel Pilon (left) with Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris. Credit: Matteo Carassale, SBM

A boost for Monaco’s dining scene

The ranking adds to the growing international profile of Monaco’s restaurants. The Principality holds 14 Michelin stars across nine establishments, ten of them within the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer group, which operates more than 30 restaurants and bars.

“I warmly congratulate Chef Alain Ducasse and his outstanding team at Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse on their immense talent and internationally acclaimed exceptional cuisine, which helps raise the profile of our Group and the destination as a whole around the world,” said Stéphane Valeri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

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: Matteo Carassale, SBM

Monaco and Dolceacqua celebrate third twinning anniversary at the Exotic Garden

by: Virginia D’Umas
05/11/2026

Five hundred years of shared history took centre stage at Monaco’s Exotic Garden on Tuesday 3rd November, as Prince Albert II joined local leaders to mark three years of a historic cross-border partnership.

Monaco’s Mayor Georges Marsan welcomed Dolceacqua Mayor Fulvio Gazzola, alongside top diplomatic figures, for a high-profile anniversary celebration highlighting a booming alliance of culture, gastronomy, and sport between the Principality and its Italian neighbour.

A year in review

Guests enjoyed a musical interlude by the Rainier III Academy before gathering in the Salle Marcel Kroenlein for a photographic retrospective of the past year’s milestones. Highlights included an organ concert at St. George’s Church, scenic walks linking Dolceacqua and Monaco, the Carugi in Fiore, the Festa del Rossese, the Sainte-Dévote celebrations, and the Cavagnëtu.

Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

Shared heritage and future vision

“Cooperation across culture, heritage, art, gastronomy, and sport, alongside the strengthening of ties between our populations, forms the fundamental objective of this twinning,” said Mayor Georges Marsan in his address, adding: “This alliance is the culmination of a centuries-old heritage. History itself united us over 500 years ago, and this commitment must now be sustained for the future. It will fall to upcoming generations to maintain these bonds of friendship, just as we have striven to do.”

Strengthening cross-border ties

Formalised in 2023, the partnership with Dolceacqua is Monaco’s third municipal twinning, following previous agreements with Ostend in Belgium and Lucciana in Corsica. Three years on, joint initiatives across the region continue to demonstrate the strength of the relationship and both towns’ shared commitment to promoting their respective identities.

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Prince Albert II with Monaco’s Mayor, Georges Marsan (on his right) and Dolceacqua’s Mayor, Fulvio Gazzola. Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco