La Vuelta kicks off in Monaco with team presentation in Casino Square

Thursday 20th August marked the official kickoff of La Vuelta in Monaco, as Casino Square welcomed riders, teams, and fans ahead of an exciting weekend of racing in the Principality.

Prince Albert II attended the celebrations, welcoming the 23 teams competing in the 81st edition of La Vuelta and the race’s first-ever Grand Départ from Monaco. The occasion adds another milestone to the Principality’s sporting history, having previously hosted the Grand Départ of the Giro d’Italia in 1966 and the Tour de France in 2009.

The evening saw the competing teams take to the stage in Casino Square, with the presentations accompanied by live musical performances, dances, interviews, and entertainment throughout the night. Riders were welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd as Monaco prepared for two days of racing through the Principality and beyond.

The action begins on Saturday 22nd August with Stage 1, a 9.4-kilometre individual time trial held entirely within Monaco. Beginning in Casino Square, riders will make their way through some of the Principality’s most recognisable locations, including Larvotto, Port Hercule, and Fontvieille, before finishing on Boulevard Albert I.

Stage 2 follows on Sunday 23 August, beginning with a ceremonial start at Place du Palais Princier before the official start at Jardin Exotique. From there, riders will leave Monaco and head into France on their way to Manosque for a 214.3-kilometer stage, a significant contrast to Saturday’s short individual time trial.

The weekend marks the beginning of three weeks of racing as La Vuelta gets underway in the Principality for the first time.

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

Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

Matthis Abline and Mathys Detourbet Meet Fans at AS Monaco Summer Village

AS Monaco’s newest arrivals – Matthis Abline and Mathys Detourbet – met fans at the AS Monaco Summer Village on Monday during an autograph session at Port Hercule.

More than 100 fans attended the event, lining up for the opportunity to collect signatures, take photos, and welcome the duo to the Principality. The appearance followed last week’s meet and greet with fellow summer signing Flávio Nazinho.

French striker Matthis Abline recently joined AS Monaco on a five-year contract, while Mathys Detourbet arrived on loan from Premier League club Manchester City for the 2026–27 season.

The AS Monaco Summer Village remains open daily at Port Hercule until 9 August from 4pm to 10:30pm. Visitors can enjoy a range of football-themed activities, including interactive games and family entertainment. The program continues on Wednesday 5 August with a 18+ 3v3 tournament beginning at 7pm.

Beyond the player appearances, the Summer Village continues to bring supporters together throughout the summer, offering fans of all ages the opportunity to connect with the club through a mix of football activities, competitions, and community events.

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

Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

Fans meet Flávio Nazinho at AS Monaco Summer Village in Port Hercule

The AS Monaco Summer Village welcomed one of its first major events on Monday 27th July as new signing Flávio Nazinho met fans during an autograph session at Port Hercule.

Families and young supporters gathered to meet the Portuguese footballer, taking the opportunity to receive autographs and take photos with him. While waiting for Nazinho’s arrival, fans took part in AS Monaco trivia and interactive games, with some children winning prizes and meeting the club’s mascot, Bouba.

The AS Monaco Summer Village at Port Hercule offers football-themed activities, games and family entertainment through 9 August.

Away from the autograph session, the Summer Village continues to offer a range of football-themed activities, including human foosball, precision contests on a giant target, and a mini football pitch. The on-site pop-up shop also gives fans the opportunity to browse the club’s official merchandise. Donations are also being accepted following last year’s successful initiative to benefit Les Enfants de Frankie, with school supplies being collected and donated to families in need.

The next event at the Summer Village will see a 4v4 football tournament for 12 to 15-year-olds take place on 29th July from 6pm. The Summer Village runs until 9th August and is open daily from 4pm to 10:30pm, with additional activities and surprises planned throughout the event.

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

Photos by Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

AS Monaco Summer Village to return to Port Hercule with free activities and events

Returning for a third consecutive summer, the AS Monaco Summer Village will once again transform Port Hercule into a hub of football-themed activities, events, and fan experiences from 24th July to 9th August. The free event will be open daily from 4pm to 10:30pm.

The program of activities includes precision contests on a giant target, human foosball, quizzes about AS Monaco, and other on-site surprises.

A mini football pitch will provide space for visitors of all ages to put their skills to the test, while additional tournaments will be held throughout the two-week program. A 4v4 football tournament for 12 to 15-year-olds will take place on 29th July from 6pm, with team registration available via inscriptions.tournoi@asmonaco.com.

The village will also host appearances from various members of the club, offering fans the opportunity to meet club personalities, take photos and create lasting memories.

Portuguese footballer Flávio Nazinho will kick off these festivities with an autograph session on 27th July at 6:30pm, marking one of his first public appearances since joining AS Monaco.

Additionally, a pop-up shop featuring the club’s new 2026/27 jerseys will be available, alongside official merchandise.

Following the success of the initiative last year, the collection of new school supplies to benefit Les Enfants de Frankie will return throughout the event. Visitors are invited to drop off items including notebooks, pens, glue, and rulers with the club staff present on site. The collected supplies will be donated to families in need across the region to help them prepare for the beginning of the school year.

Alongside the AS Monaco Summer Village, Port Hercule will also feature rides, sports activities, and food stalls throughout the summer festivities. Fireworks displays are also scheduled for 25th July at 10pm and 1st August at 9:30pm, followed by evening entertainment.

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: AS Monaco

Team Drogba Global Africa claims maiden E1 Monaco GP victory

Team Drogba Global Africa secured its first E1 victory on Saturday 18th July, claiming the Monaco GP after an afternoon of intense racing in the Principality. While the team celebrated an impressive result, local fans were left wondering what could have been after Team Monaco displayed race-winning pace throughout the weekend before a critical mistake ended its hopes of a podium finish.

After securing its first ever pole position in Friday’s qualifying, Team Monaco entered race day as one of the favorites. Maxime Nocher led the opening race, later setting the fastest lap of Race 1 with a time of 1:15.422, demonstrating the speed the team had shown throughout the weekend.

Team Monaco with E1 CEO Jamie Copas after securing the team’s first-ever pole position during Friday’s qualifying in Monaco. Photo by Getty for E1

Difficulties for the home team appeared in the second race after missing the first corner of the mandatory start lap. Although Oban Duncan recovered to fourth on the water, accumulated penalties resulted in a DNF, sending Team Monaco into the Place Race instead of the Finals. The team later finished second in the Place Race to end the weekend seventh overall, falling short of the pace the team had displayed across the weekend.

Reflecting on the weekend, Maxime Nocher told Monaco Life: “There are a lot of emotions, actually. I did everything I could. It’s a bit hard to refocus after a disqualification. We have our first trophy, and it says ‘Monaco’ on it, so we did enough of a job yesterday. We would prefer another today, but this is good.”

The team also welcomed Prince Albert II to the paddock, where he congratulated the drivers and engineers on the progress made in its inaugural E1 season.

Although Team Monaco did not finish with the results they had hoped for, Team Drogba Global Africa delivered a near-perfect performance to secure a historic maiden victory. Tara Pacheco guided the team to victory in the opening Final, before teammate Micah Wilkinson held off Sam Coleman of Team Brady to seal the win. Team Brady finished behind them in second, with Sports.com Predict Team Miami Powered by Magnus completing the podium in third.

Team Drogba celebrated its first victory of the season, with its previous best result being a seventh-place finish at Lake Como. Wilkinson’s performance also earned him the PIF Pilot of the Day award. Speaking to Monaco Life after the victory, Tara Pacheco said: “We definitely knew that we had the pace on the qualifying laps, and today Monaco woke up with flat water and we knew how to perform with the boat on it and we did it.”

These results also moved Team Brady into the overall lead of the standings for the first time this season, leading Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola by nine points. Team Drogba Global Africa also climbed to sixth in the standings, while Team Monaco now sits in ninth place.

The Monaco GP marked the final European round of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship before heading to Angola on 12 and 13 September for the next stop of the season.

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

Main photo credit: Getty for E1

Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo unveils Le Salon by Maison Moghadam

Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo has unveiled Le Salon by Maison Moghadam, a new private dining space created in collaboration with the Monaco-based luxury interior design house. Blending bespoke craftsmanship with refined hospitality, the project introduces an exclusive experience while highlighting the expertise of one of the Principality’s longest-established design houses.

Founded in Paris in 1996, Buddha-Bar became known for its unique combination of Asian-inspired cuisine, intricate interiors, and its signature music. In 2010, a partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer brought the concept to the Principality, where Buddha-Bar established itself as one of Monaco’s most recognizable dining destinations. Seeking to create a more intimate, unique experience for guests, Buddha-Bar partnered with Maison Moghadam to bring its vision to life.

Tucked away from the main dining room, Le Salon immediately feels distinct from the rest of Buddha-Bar. While the luxury is evident, it’s the intentionality behind the design that stands out most. Every texture, finish, and material appears to have been selected with purpose, creating an unparalleled sense of depth throughout the space. From the distinct wall coverings and carefully curated color palette to the handcrafted onyx tableware, each element contributes to an immersive atmosphere. Rather than competing for attention, each individual design element works together to blend into a cohesive environment where the space itself becomes part of the experience.

For Jérôme Viale, Managing Director and Head of Design at Maison Moghadam, the collaboration represented more than simply creating a beautiful new space. “This collaboration was an opportunity to show that projects like this can be imagined, designed, and brought to life entirely in Monaco. It reflects what already exists within the Principality and what can be achieved when Monaco’s design and hospitality come together,” he said.

This collaboration highlights the strength of creative industries within Monaco. Rather than looking outside the Principality for this project, Buddha-Bar chose to showcase the craftsmanship, design, and manufacturing that already exist here.

Established more than 50 years ago, Maison Moghadam began as a specialist in Persian carpets before evolving into one of Monaco’s leading luxury interior design houses. Today, the family-run company offers bespoke interiors, furnishings, fabrics, wallpapers, and its own Marbellous collection of handcrafted onyx creations.

With Le Salon by Maison Moghadam, Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo has introduced more than an elevated private dining experience. The collaboration demonstrates how thoughtful design can blend with hospitality while showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship found within the Principality.

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

Photos provided