Monaco’s National Day celebrations will kick off on the eve of the holiday with fireworks over Port Hercule on Wednesday 18th November.
The funfair will stay open late that night, while the Condamine Market will host its own celebrations on Thursday 19th November with local specialities, a giant stockfish lunch, and an evening of music.
FIREWORKS AND A LATE NIGHT ON THE PORT
The annual fireworks display is scheduled for 8:10pm on Wednesday. This year’s show will be set to music under the theme ‘Monaco, une nation en lumière’.
The funfair will remain open until 1am after the fireworks, before wrapping up for the year on Thursday 19th November.
STOCKFISH AND MUSIC AT THE CONDAMINE MARKET
On National Day itself, visitors can sample local specialities at the Condamine Market from 10am. At noon, the market will serve its traditional giant stockfish, a Monégasque dish made with dried cod. The programme will resume in the evening with music from 7:30pm.
Both the fireworks and the market programme are free to attend and open to all. Monaco Town Hall has also scheduled free shows at Espace Léo Ferré for Monégasque nationals and residents, with the invitation period closing last week.
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Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco
SBM opens staff training academy as Monaco’s largest private employer tackles workforce development
Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) has opened a new training academy at its Monaco headquarters, expanding its in-house education programme as the Principality’s largest private employer seeks to develop and retain skilled workers across its hotels, restaurants, casinos and other businesses.
The academy, inaugurated on 1st October alongside a new staff dining facility, represents an expansion of the group’s employee training infrastructure. SBM employs approximately 5,000 people, with its workforce increasing to around 6,000 during the peak season, across 130 different professions.
Both facilities are located on the 11th floor of SBM’s Aigue-Marine headquarters and were officially opened by President-Delegate Stéphane Valeri and Human Resources Director Sophie Vincent.
Training 1,700 employees in a year
The new Monte-Carlo SBM Academy occupies 226 square metres and can accommodate up to 40 employees at a time across three training rooms.
It offers courses in 20 areas, taught by external specialists, qualified employees and the group’s training department. Some programmes carry certification from Switzerland’s EHL Hospitality Business School, including a qualification designed to prepare experienced employees to train their colleagues.
According to figures released by SBM, more than 1,700 employees completed at least one company-funded training course during the 2025–2026 financial year. That represents approximately one-third of its core workforce, although the group has not disclosed how many courses were completed overall or how the training was distributed across different departments.
The physical academy builds on a digital learning platform launched in 2025, allowing employees to access courses remotely.
SBM says it intends to increase the number of certified programmes delivered internally and may eventually extend some courses to people outside the company.
Photo source: MCSBM
New staff restaurant opens at headquarters
The second facility, a 327-square-metre dining area named Espace Marie Blanc, provides 113 seats for employees working at SBM’s headquarters.
Open seven days a week, the restaurant includes two dining areas, a lounge and a meal delivery section. Its name was selected through an internal employee competition.
Designed by Saguez & Partners, the space incorporates stained-glass elements previously used at the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, alongside views of Monaco’s Rock and the Mediterranean.
The company has not disclosed the total cost of either development.
Staff accommodation remains part of employment strategy
The new facilities follow other employee welfare initiatives introduced or expanded since Valeri took over as President-Delegate in 2023.
SBM provides access to workplace wellbeing activities, including exercise classes, meditation and preventative health workshops. Employees may also qualify for various bonuses, including profit-sharing payments and a Grand Prix bonus.
Accommodation is another element of the group’s employment arrangements, particularly for seasonal workers. SBM currently reports having 334 beds available in its staff housing portfolio.
With its workforce expanding by approximately 1,000 people during the busiest periods, the company faces the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining employees across a broad range of hospitality and service roles.
Developing skills within Monaco’s hospitality industry
The academy’s opening reflects the importance of workforce development to one of Monaco’s biggest economic operators.
SBM’s activities span luxury hospitality, gaming, entertainment, wellness and property management, requiring employees with both specialist technical qualifications and customer-facing experience.
By expanding internal training and offering recognised professional certifications, the group is seeking to develop more of those skills within its existing workforce rather than relying exclusively on external recruitment.
The academy also provides a dedicated facility for transferring knowledge between experienced staff and newer employees, particularly in specialist hospitality roles.
Princess Charlene took a direct look at the making of Monaco’s future law enforcement on Monday 9th November, paying a visit to the Sûreté Publique Police School alongside her brother, Gareth Wittstock.
The Princess was received by top officials, including Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre, and Director of Public Security Éric Arella. The visit offered a comprehensive run-through of the school’s curriculum, from initial classroom modules to the hands-on operational tools used to train incoming officers.
Tactical demos and range training
The morning wasn’t limited to briefing rooms. The delegation headed to Stade Louis-II, where recruits demonstrated real-time intervention techniques.
The tour wrapped up at the Sûreté Publique shooting range at La Carabine de Monaco, featuring a detailed briefing on the service arms and marksmanship training provided to the recruits.
Princess Charlene at the Sûreté Publique Police School with Monaco’s next generation of officers. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier
Throughout the visit, Princess Charlene spent time speaking with department heads, instructors, and the recruits themselves, highlighting the school’s central role in keeping the Principality safe.
