28 ° C
Profile

Tag: monaco

U Cavagnëtu marks Monaco’s return from summer

by: Kayla Sauceda
21/09/2026

More than 800 Monegasques gathered at Parc Princesse Antoinette for the traditional U Cavagnëtu picnic, bringing the community together for its annual gathering.

The picnic took place on Saturday 19th September, with Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attending alongside Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, Leticia de Massy, and several other members of the Princely Family.

Welcomed by Mayor Georges Marsan and members of the Municipal Council, the Princely Family joined fellow Monegasques for the event, which traditionally marks the return from summer and offers an opportunity for the community to come together again.

MONEGASQUE TRADITIONS AT THE HEART OF THE EVENING

The evening began with the presentation of bouquets and traditional dances by La Palladienne, before an outdoor Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Dominique-Marie David, accompanied by traditional songs from the U Cantin d’A Roca choir.

Families gathered under the olive trees of Parc Princesse Antoinette with baskets brought for the occasion, along with Monaco City Hall’s selection of local specialties, including socca, barbecues, Monegasque fougasses, ice cream, and other treats.

The menu also extended beyond the Principality’s specialties as fresciœi di baccalà, a Ligurian specialty made with cod, was prepared on site in recognition of Monaco’s twinning with Dolceacqua, which will celebrate its third anniversary this November.

AN EVENING FOR ALL GENERATIONS

Music continued throughout the evening with a jazz quartet led by Académie Rainier III professor Lionel Vaudano, as well as performances from U Cantin d’A Roca.

Younger guests had the opportunity to take part in a tote bag decorating workshop and enjoy roaming clowns, while a photobooth gave families the chance to take home a memory from the evening.

Bringing together food, music, and traditions, U Cavagnëtu once again offered the community a chance to reunite following the summer and mark the beginning of a new season in the Principality.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger and Michaël Alesi / Palais Princier

Tennis: Monaco’s Davis Cup rise continues with historic win over Finland

by: Kayla Sauceda
21/09/2026

Monaco has made Davis Cup history after defeating Finland 3-1 to secure a place in the 2027 Davis Cup Qualifiers for the first time.

The historic result played out in Espoo, Finland, where Monaco faced the home team in a World Group I tie on 18th and 19th September. Entering the weekend ranked 35th in the Davis Cup nations rankings compared to Finland at 20th, Monaco looked to continue its quick rise after reaching World Group I for the first time earlier this year.

CATARINA MAKES HIS RETURN

The weekend began on Friday with Lucas Catarina making his return to competition following his retirement last year, facing Finland’s Otto Virtanen, currently ranked world No. 108.

Having not competed professionally in more than two years due to injury, Catarina struggled in the opening set, losing 6-0. He put up a stronger fight in the second, but Virtanen ultimately secured the match with a 6-3 second-set victory.

Catarina later revealed to Monaco Life that he had not originally expected to compete in Finland. However, after returning to training ahead of the tie, his level proved better than expected and he was ultimately selected to play. Despite his appearance in Finland, Catarina confirmed that he does not currently plan to make a full-time return to professional tennis.

Valentin Vacherot then faced world No. 446 Eero Vasa in Monaco’s second match of the day. The Monaco representative, world No. 21, took the first set 6-3 before a closer second set went to a tiebreak, where Vacherot secured a 7-6(3) victory, levelling the score at 1-1 heading into Saturday’s competition.

MONACO TAKES THE LEAD

Romain Arneodo and Hugo Nys opened Saturday’s competition against Finland’s Patrik Niklas-Salminen and Harri Heliövaara in doubles.

After losing the first set 6-3, the Monegasque duo turned the match around to win the following two sets 6-4, 6-3, giving Monaco a 2-1 advantage heading into the remaining singles matches. The comeback proved crucial, putting Monaco within one victory of securing its historic place in the Davis Cup Qualifiers.

Vacherot returned to the court next, this time facing Virtanen, with the opportunity to secure the decisive third victory for Monaco.

The opening set remained close before Vacherot took the tiebreak 7-6(3). Virtanen responded with a 6-4 victory in the second, sending the match to a deciding third set.

Vacherot ultimately came out on top, taking the third and final set 6-4, securing Monaco’s third victory of the weekend and making the fifth scheduled match unnecessary.

HISTORY MADE FOR MONACO

The result marks another historic step for Monaco’s Davis Cup team, which reached World Group I for the first time earlier this year and will now advance to the 2027 Davis Cup Qualifiers for the first time.

Vacherot played a key role in the achievement, winning both of his singles matches across the weekend. He spoke about the development of the Monaco team, particularly over the last five years, as well as the longstanding relationships between its players.

For Catarina, returning to the Monaco team also meant being part of a historic first for the Principality. Having first joined the Davis Cup team over 10 years ago, he has witnessed Monaco’s progression from fighting to remain in the lower divisions to now earning the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s leading tennis nations.

“Being back with the team for me was a very strange feeling, between nostalgia of my life as a tennis player that I could feel again for a week and the excitement of being able to live that again,” Catarina told Monaco Life. “I thought I would never feel that again. Just to be there with my friends and feel the emotions was amazing, playing the match even more.”

Catarina also credited the team’s rise to the development of its players and the strong friendships built across generations of Monaco’s Davis Cup team, including former players Benjamin Balleret and Thomas Oger, as well as current captain Guillaume Couillard.

“We managed through the years to build strong friendships between all of us and it’s always a big week of joy to be all together,” he said. “Everybody wants to win for the friends.”

The historic qualification adds another chapter to what has already been a remarkable period for Monegasque tennis. It comes less than a year after Vacherot surprised the tennis world with his victory at the Shanghai Masters. He will now return to China for the Asian portion of his season carrying another milestone with him, this time one achieved alongside his team.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali

Rokethon set to return to Monaco for a day dedicated to animal welfare and adoption

by: Kayla Sauceda
14/09/2026

The Rokethon is returning to Monaco for a day dedicated to animal adoption and supporting local animal welfare. Held under Princess Charlene and organised with the Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA) de Monaco on Sunday 27th September, the event will offer a full day of activities.

Held at the Chapiteau de l’Espace in Fontvieille, the morning will kick off with a speech from Princess Charlene, followed by a walk/run for participants and their dogs held in solidarity against animal abandonment. Awards will then be presented to Dr. Thierry Bedossa, founder of Agir pour la Vie Animale (AVA), and Ozeki, a deserving dog. The afternoon will continue with an agility course, a fashion show with dogs available for adoption, animal art, a photo studio, a raffle, food trucks, and a dog park.

Although the fashion show at 3pm will give added visibility to dogs seeking their forever homes, the entire day will offer visitors the opportunity to meet dogs available for adoption.

Registration opens on-site from 8:30am and entry is free, although donations will be accepted. Dogs must meet all regulatory requirements to participate, ensuring that the necessary hygiene and safety conditions are met.

Although the day is designed around dogs, bringing one is not mandatory to participate. Animal lovers looking to support the cause are welcome to join, whether or not they have a four-legged friend of their own.

Rokethon’s objectives are simple: to raise awareness, give visibility to associations and shelters, promote adoption, and bring together animal lovers to take action. This annual event brings each of these aims together for a day dedicated to animal welfare in the Principality.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Rokethon

Monaco’s annual Braderie returns to Parc Princesse Antoinette

by: Kayla Sauceda
11/09/2026

The Braderie de la Mairie de Monaco is returning to the Principality on Saturday 26th September. The free-to-enter event will take place at Parc Princesse Antoinette from 10am to 4pm.

Throughout the day, visitors will have the chance to browse clothing, books, home décor, toys, and various accessories offered for sale by individuals. Held around the back-to-school period, the event gives unwanted items a second life while encouraging reuse, in line with Monaco’s wider sustainability objectives.

Beyond the opportunity to pick up second-hand finds, the annual braderie offers residents a simple way to participate in the circular economy while also bringing the local community together.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Benjamin Vergely, Tourism Department of Monaco

#BougeMonaco: Seven days of sport and solidarity for World Alzheimer’s Day

by: Kayla Sauceda
10/09/2026

The Monegasque Association for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease (AMPA) will bring sport and solidarity together for a weeklong campaign from 15th September to 21st September in support of World Alzheimer’s Day as part of #BougeMonaco. The initiative will be held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II.

World Alzheimer’s Day is observed annually on 21st September to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

At the heart of the campaign are seven days of sport and solidarity, offering seven different ways to exercise the brain. Each day will feature a different form of physical activity designed to highlight the connection between movement, brain health, and Alzheimer’s awareness. Research has shown that staying physically and socially active may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

The week will begin on Tuesday with cardio and strength training at Port Hercule. The following day will focus on cognition and reflexes through paddleboarding and sea rescue. Afro Jazz at the Yacht Club of Monaco will then bring a focus on rhythm and energy, followed by an aquagym session centred on energy and lightness.

Saturday’s meditation, Qi Gong, Zumba, and yoga will emphasise balance and harmony, while Sunday’s aquathon initiation will showcase coordination and transitions. The programme will conclude on Monday 21st September with movement and endurance during the Alzheimer’s Walk Monaco. Beginning at Place Anne-Marie Campora in Larvotto, the path will take participants between Larvotto and Mareterra before returning to the starting line. Held on World Alzheimer’s Day itself, the walk is free and open to all.

Beyond the sporting elements, the event aims to bring the Monegasque community together around the prevention of cognitive decline through social connection and physical activity. Education is also a key objective, with partnerships focused on awareness sessions in Monegasque schools.

Monaco’s own Valentin Vacherot, currently ranked world No. 23 in tennis, is the patron of this year’s campaign. With local roots and a strong presence in the Monaco community, Vacherot can bring greater visibility and awareness to the cause.

To participate in the campaign, AMPA bracelets can be purchased online from https://ampa-monaco.com/ for €15. The funds raised will benefit the Rainier III Centre, an essential partner in the campaign whose teams are also involved in its awareness and prevention initiatives. Participants can then reserve places for their chosen activities before collecting their bracelets and taking part. Wearing the bracelet is mandatory for participation.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti / Monaco Life

Xiaoxin Yang claims Mediterranean Games silver in Taranto

by: Kayla Sauceda
04/09/2026

Xiaoxin Yang has successfully secured her third consecutive Mediterranean Games table tennis medal, claiming silver in Taranto after winning gold in Oran in 2022 and silver in Tarragona in 2018.

Throughout the tournament, Yang remained undefeated heading into the quarterfinals, where she overcame France’s Camille Lutz 4-1. The semifinal brought another 4-1 victory over Serbia’s Izabela Lupulesku to take her to the final. Despite winning the opening game 12-10, Egypt’s Hana Goda came back to win the next four games and claim the gold medal.

The result comes less than one year after Yang returned to competition following a maternity break. Although she was initially disappointed not to win gold, further reflection left her positive about the result and her progress. She shared, “It’s a good comeback and good progress. With two years to go until the Los Angeles Olympic Games, it’s a good sign.”

With this third consecutive medal added to her record, Yang’s Taranto performance marks another promising step in her return to competition. With Los Angeles 2028 approaching, the Monégasque table tennis player will look to build on this momentum and continue to progress over the next two years.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Comité Olympique Monégasque