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Monaco opens rarely seen spaces for European Heritage Days

by: Kayla Sauceda
07/10/2026

Nearly 2,900 guests visited Monaco’s municipal cultural sites during the European Heritage Days over the weekend, with Monaco’s Exotic Garden attracting over half of the weekend’s total attendees.

The 31st edition of the event took place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October under the theme ‘Heritage at Risk: Revive – Resist – Reinvent’, opening several typically restricted areas to the public and introducing new experiences.

Throughout the weekend, a total of 2,878 visitors were recorded at participating sites, including 1,592 at the Exotic Garden and 873 at Monaco City Hall. At City Hall, visitors were given access to the Wedding Hall, Council Chamber, and Mayor’s Office, along with musical performances by the Rainier III Academy and the U Cantin d’A Roca choir. QR codes were also introduced during this edition, giving access to a virtual guide. A treasure hunt for families also took place.

Visitors take part in activities during Monaco’s European Heritage Days. Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

The Rainier III Academy opened behind-the-scenes areas and its instrument-making department while hosting concerts throughout the weekend. Pavillon Bosio presented its Garden Club #6 – What if the sun were blue, would we see it? exhibition, exploring recycling, repurposing, and assemblage.

Visitors also had rare access to the heritage collection archives of the Caroline Media Library, where guided tours and demonstrations of document restoration highlighted the work that goes into preserving cultural heritage.

The weekend concluded with free access to the Exotic Garden throughout Sunday, while the Botanical Centre offered guided tours of its cacti and succulent collections.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Vacherot’s Japan Open run ends as focus turns to Shanghai title defence

by: Kayla Sauceda
05/10/2026

Valentin Vacherot’s impressive run at the Japan Open came to a close on Monday as he fell to Jiri Lehecka in straight sets in the semifinals in Tokyo.

After consecutive victories, including wins over former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas and world No. 9 Arthur Fils, Vacherot was unable to deliver another comeback as Lehecka secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

The two remained evenly matched through the opening stages before Lehecka found an opportunity to break Vacherot at 2-2. Although Vacherot had an opportunity to respond, he was unable to convert, allowing the Czech to protect his lead and finish the set 6-4.

Lehecka’s momentum carried into the second set as he took control early with a 3-0 advantage. Vacherot recovered one of the breaks; however, he was unable to complete the comeback before Lehecka reclaimed control to end the match with a 6-2 set.

This defeat marks the end of a strong performance in Tokyo for Vacherot as he overcame Alexander Blockx, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Arthur Fils to earn his place in the semifinals. Despite falling short of the final, Vacherot leaves Tokyo having reached a new career high of world No. 14.

Eyes will now be on Vacherot as he returns to the Shanghai Masters as defending champion, following his historic 2025 title run. The main draw begins on 7 October, with Vacherot receiving a first-round bye. With a career-high ranking and an impressive Tokyo performance, the Monaco player will look to continue the momentum in a place that has brought special moments before.

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Photo credit: Rolex Shanghai Masters

Vacherot reaches Japan Open semifinals after three-set Fils victory

by: Kayla Sauceda
04/10/2026

Valentin Vacherot maintained his impressive run at the Japan Open on Sunday with a victory over world No. 9 Arthur Fils in a three-set battle, securing his place in the semifinals.

Monaco’s tennis player found himself facing challenging positions throughout this quarterfinal, ultimately overcoming Fils 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in Tokyo.

Fils took control of the match early, breaking Vacherot and earning opportunities to seal the opening set at 5-3. However, Vacherot refused to let the set fall out of reach as he saved both set points before shifting the momentum in his favour. Vacherot broke as Fils served for the set, winning four consecutive games and turning the set around to finish 7-5.

The top-10 player responded in the second set, finding the break before serving for the set at 5-4. Although Vacherot continued applying pressure, Fils held onto his lead to end the set 6-4 and force a decisive third set.

The final set found Vacherot chasing the match once again as Fils took a 4-2 lead, leaving little room for error. Vacherot responded by recovering the break, then taking control towards the match’s end, winning four consecutive games for the second time in the quarterfinal. With Fils serving to stay alive in the competition at 4-5, Vacherot earned match point and completed the victory to secure his position in the final four.

This was the second career match between Vacherot and Fils, marking Vacherot’s first win over the top-10 player. This victory marks a significant milestone for Vacherot as he has now reached his first ATP 500 semifinal, having previously reached the semifinals at the Shanghai Masters in 2025 and the Monte-Carlo Masters this year.

Vacherot will now face Czech world No. 23 Jiri Lehecka for a place in the Japan Open final on Monday. The two met in 2025, when Vacherot won 6-1, 6-3 in Paris. A win would send Vacherot into his first ATP 500 final ahead of his return to Shanghai to defend his title.

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Photo credit: Groupe Michel Pastor

Monaco’s Museum of Stamps and Coins launches interactive experience for kids

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Monaco’s Museum of Stamps and Coins has launched an interactive experience, inviting children to discover the stories hidden within the museum’s collections.

Offered since 30th September, this new activity allows young visitors to become explorers, using a booklet filled with puzzles, games, and challenges to guide them through the museum. Rather than simply observing, children are encouraged to search and investigate collections as they discover the history of stamps and coins, how they’re made, figures who have shaped Monaco’s history, and some treasures that have been preserved by the museum.

The experience was created for children aged eight to fifteen to complete independently, while visitors aged six and over can participate alongside an adult. At the end of the experience, a surprise awaits young explorers.

The activity costs €5, and to mark its launch, the museum is offering one free adult admission with each children’s booklet purchased until 2 November. Adult admission otherwise costs €3. The Museum of Stamps and Coins is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm, giving families the opportunity to discover the museum’s collections through a new, interactive experience.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Former AS Monaco striker Sonny Anderson to chair Sportel Awards 2026 jury

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Former AS Monaco striker Sonny Anderson will return to the Principality this month, chairing the jury for the 2026 Sportel Awards.

The Brazilian footballer played for AS Monaco from 1994 to 1997, and now takes on a new role as President of the seven-member jury responsible for selecting this year’s standout works in sports broadcasting, imagery, and storytelling.

Anderson had a successful career during his time in France, winning three French league titles and finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer three times. His return brings a familiar face to Monaco for an event celebrating the relationship between sport and media for over thirty years. Joining Anderson on the jury will be figures from both sides of that relationship.

Elite sport will be represented by World and European handball champion and Olympic silver medallist Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic, Cameroonian international footballer and Champion for Peace with Monaco-based Peace and Sport Nicolas Nkoulou, and Monegasque open-water swimmer Lisa Pou, who recently claimed bronze in the 10km at the 2025 World Championships.

Enduro and Freeride mountain biker and filmmaker Kilian Bron will join them, alongside award-winning sports photographer Catherine Steenkeste, and Georges Mohammed-Chérif, President and Chief Creative Officer of creative agency Buzzman.

Bron will represent the French National Olympic and Sports Committee on the jury, while Pou will represent the Monaco Olympic Committee.

MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF SPORTING STORYTELLING

Created in 1990, the Sportel Awards recognise productions and images capturing some of the most memorable moments in sport. The programme includes the Golden Podiums, honouring directors and producers behind outstanding sporting sequences, as well as the Renaud de Laborderie Book Prize, recognising a significant publication dedicated to sport.

The jurors will now review this year’s entries and determine which will receive the competition’s honours. The winners will be revealed in Monaco on 19th October as the Sportel Awards ceremony takes place at 7pm at the Grimaldi Forum.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Valentin Vacherot fights back to defeat Tsitsipas in Tokyo

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot continues his successful run in Tokyo, producing a comeback victory over former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday, battling from a set down to secure his place in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open.

This victory over the Greek came 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, continuing his run after defeating Alexander Blockx in his previous match. Tsitsipas took early control of the match, breaking Vacherot in the opening set to finish 6-4. The second set brought further challenges as Vacherot fell a break behind as Tsitsipas looked to secure a victory in the opening two sets.

Vacherot proved he would not go down without a fight as he recovered, forcing the set into a tiebreak. With the possibility of elimination on the line, Vacherot remained composed, taking the tiebreak 7-5 and forcing a deciding third set.

By the final set, Vacherot found his momentum, securing a decisive break to move ahead 3-2. Although Tsitsipas remained within reach throughout, Vacherot protected his lead to complete the comeback with a 6-4 final set.

Statistically speaking, the match proved competitive between the two players. Vacherot delivered seven aces compared to Tsitsipas’ nine, while both converted two break points. When his opportunities came, Vacherot proved his effectiveness, converting two of five break points compared to Tsitsipas’ two from eight.

FILS AWAITS IN THE QUARTERFINALS

This encounter marked the first meeting between the two and Vacherot’s first victory over the Greek, sending him into the final eight remaining in Tokyo. Vacherot will now face France’s Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals.

In their only previous match, a closely contested three-set battle ended in victory for Fils in Miami. Vacherot will now look to even the score and secure victory over the world No.9 to earn a place in the semifinals.

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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life