Armoured fighters delivered bone crunching combat at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on Saturday evening, with Italy’s Bande Nere eventually winning the Malizia buhurt tournament.
The big top was filled with spectators who watched 10 teams from France, Italy and Spain battle it out in seven-versus-seven full contact medieval combat, their cheers rising as warriors clashed with blunted weapons in historically accurate armour.
While the spectacle might have appeared chaotic to the untrained eye, buhurt is in fact a highly tactical and strategic discipline. Each fighter has a specific role and position, with individual combat techniques woven into broader team strategies that draw on elements of rugby and judo.
Italy’s Bande Nere fought with particular rigour throughout the evening, their intensity and coordination setting them apart from the other teams.
During the battles, photo credit: Stéphane Danna, Communications Department
The Italian squad ultimately claimed first place, with France’s Les Comtois taking second and La Confrérie des Loups finishing third. Philippe Rebaudengo and Evgeny Strzhalkovskiy, founder of the Magna Carta project, presented the awards.
Adding to the medieval atmosphere, the wives and children of the fighters attended in period clothing, showing their support and adding to the spirit of the event.
The tournament serves as the opening stage of Magna Carta’s 2026 calendar, which brings together over 25 teams from four continents.
The 28th Monte Carlo Rally Historique concluded with high drama as 244 crews navigated the challenging but legendary alpine routes under a new format featuring closed roads for the first time.
From six starting points across Europe including JohnO’Groats in Scotland, Bad Homburg in Germany, Barcelona, Turin, Reims, and the Principality itself, the historic rally cars converged on Valence before tackling the competitive stages.
Notable competitors included 1988 Monte Caro Rally winner Bruno Saby in a Renault 5 Turbo, former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato, and defending champions Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo.
Turini decides victory
The rally’s fate was sealed on the Col de Turini as Spanish crew Climent Asensio and Jimenez Valls, sitting fourth overall with just two stages remaining, stormed through the night stage to claim an unlikely victory in their 1981 BMW 323i.
After completing the final mountain stages on 7th February, the crews returned to Monaco for the official finish at 12:25am, with the awards ceremony held later that evening at the Monte-Carlo Sporting.
“We are over the moon,” said Climent Asensio. “This year, second place was not an option.”
The victory marked redemption for the Spanish pair, who finished runners-up in the 2025 driving the same car.
Of the 244 starters, 204 crews were classified at the finish. French crew Ludovic De Luca and Sébastien Chol finished second overall in a Peugeot 104 ZS, with Monaco’s Olivier and Lydia Campana claiming third in their Volkswagen Golf GTI, marking their first podium on the historic event.
The Grimaldi Forum hosted the government’s fourth edition of Monaco pour L’Emploi on Friday, drawing thousands of candidates looking for employment in Monaco.
Monaco Life’s Kyriaki Topalidou talked to recruiters behind the polished stands from sectors as diverse as yachting, hospitality and private equity, and they shared a surprising consensus: the perfect candidate isn’t necessarily the one with the most impressive CV.
“For us, what is most important is the attitude,” said Aurélie Arent, co-founder of Athos Partners, a private equity firm attending the forum for the first time. “We believe anyone can always learn, but attitude is something that is more difficult to change.”
Her firm seeks analysts with top business school backgrounds and at least two years in strategic consulting or investment banking, yet she highlighted what matters most: “We love to see people who take ownership, who act as if they are working in their own company, and are proactive and thriving in what they do.”
The preparation problem
Multiple recruiters also identified the same critical mistake: candidates arriving without basic knowledge of the company they’re approaching.
Hugo Debast, recruiting for Hill Robinson’s yacht and villa operations in Antibes, was blunt about the issue. “A lot of candidates come here without a clear idea what they’re looking for,” he said. “I think it’s better to see less companies and approach them with a clear idea of what they are doing. Everybody has a phone in their pocket. They can Google what the company is before coming and asking, ‘What are you doing, and what is your job?'”
Hill Robinson’s stand, photo credit: Monaco Life.
Isabelle Walker from the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco’s luxury hotels and restaurants, shared the same view. “I think it’s important to know a little bit about our establishments, since we have many – and in many different sectors. So, the moment you show that you know the company, it’s already a very good sign.”
Transferrable skills trump narrow experience
For luxury sector employers, adaptability matters as much as expertise. Debast outlined what Hill Robinson seeks: transferable skills like IT capabilities, people skills, hospitality experience and languages, combined with the right mindset. “People must be passionate and ready to learn different things,” he said. “There is never a one-job-fits-all.”
The SBM is currently seeking cooks and kitchen staff for the seasonal period, but Walker stressed personality over credentials. “We’re looking for people who have personality and interpersonal skills. It’s important in our professions since we’re in excellence. So, someone who combines these two skills would be very welcome to join our team.”
Arent added that she values candidates who demonstrate high energy and think proactively. “I like people who already think as if they would be here and what they can do.”
Lastly, Walker’s advice was simple but important. “Above all, talk about yourself and make people want to work with you, because for us, the goal is to get to know people and to be able to work with them if the feeling is right.”
Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino officially opened the fourth edition of Monaco pour l’Emploi Friday morning at the Grimaldi Forum, with this edition marking its biggest turnout to date.
The fourth edition of the employment forum attracted over 4,500 pre-registered attendees as of the day before the event. Since its first edition in September 2023, which drew 3,600 visitors, attendance has grown steadily – marking 5,000 in 2024, 6,000 in 2025, and reaching 6,300 total participants this year.
“The Principality comprises exactly 78,364 jobs, of which nearly 84% belong to the private sector,” Mirmand told attendees. “These figures illustrate both the vitality of our economic fabric and the structuring role of employment in the organisation of our society.”
Christophe Mirmand during his address, photo credit: Monaco Life.
Nearly 120 exhibitors participated in the forum, representing sectors from banking and hospitality to yachting and construction, with a dedicated space for digital careers.
Why tech is this year’s focus
After focusing on luxury industries last year, this year’s forum put digital careers in the spotlight with a dedicated exhibition space and multiple tech-focused sessions taking place.
The Chambre Monégasque du Numérique (Monaco Digital Chamber) had a prominent presence, engaging with both training institutes and students from Lycée Rainier III about future career prospects in the sector.
Christophe Mirmand, Christophe Robino and members of the Government and Town Hall at this year’s employment forum. Photo credit: Monaco Life.
The forum’s spotlight on digital careers and AI reflects both opportunity and uncertainty. Robino was honest about the challenges artificial intelligence presents.
“I really believe that today, it’s a current topic. The digital professions, the jobs of tomorrow, raise questions,” he said. “It also generates all these questions linked to how we understand and integrate artificial intelligence into the world of work. It generates concerns, it generates hopes. We don’t yet have a very clear idea of what the consequences will be depending on the sectors of activity.”
Christophe Robino during his address, photo credit: Monaco Life.
A new format for deeper dialogue
This year’s forum also introduced seven ‘rendez-vous croisés’: 30-minute focussed sessions bringing together institutions, employers, training providers and job seekers on specific topics.
“Rather than having a single vision, the aim was to cross perspectives,” explained Nathalie Julien, the project coordinator. “That’s why we call them cross-appointments, where we have different people who address the same theme.”
Sessions covered cybersecurity with the Monaco Public Security and insurance representatives, seasonal housing solutions involving CROUS student accommodation, and disability inclusion in the workplace.
During one of the rendez-vous croisés sessions, photo credit: Monaco Life.
Another positive outcome from this year’s edition was the employers’ confidence. According to Robino, “at the first version, they were a little reluctant. They had the impression that they would be competing with each other. Then finally, they realised that it was a good way to exchange.”
The February timing now targets seasonal recruitment ahead of the high season, though Robino acknowledges the forum’s growth may soon test the Grimaldi Forum’s capacity. “We will arrive at a saturation level at some point,” he admitted, suggesting future editions might span multiple days or additional events throughout the year.
Top Marques Monaco will come back to the Grimaldi Forum this spring, with what organisers promise to be the largest edition yet.
The 21st edition of the luxury automotive show, held under the high patronage of Prince Albert II, will take place from 6th to 10th May, brining around 235 vehicles under one roof, including a series of work premieres and Monaco debuts.
The event offers the opportunity for visitors not only to view but also to purchase some of the world rarest and most expensive vehicles.
A key new feature this year is the introduction of a 1,500 square metre Luxury Tuners Hall, dedicated to automotive craftsmanship, one-off builds and customised models, alongside the show’s classic Supercar Hall.
World premieres and Monaco debuts
Among the headline world premieres is the Giamaro Krafla, an Italian hypercar powered by a quad-turbo V12 producing 2,157 PS. Spanish manufacturer Baltasar will also unveil the Revolt, which it describes as the word’s first fully road legal electric track-focused car to meet FIA competition standards.
Additionally, French brand Hedonic Machines is set to debut two new bespoke creations insisted by automotive icons including the Porsche 911 and Land Rover Defender.
Several Monaco debuts are also planned, including the Bovensiepen Zagato, a limited edition grand tourer combining Italian design with German engineering, and a one-off hand-built automobile from Bulgarian manufacturer TP Atelier.
Renowned manufacturers expected to showcase their latest models include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani, Porsche, as well as Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, Audi and Morgan.
In addition to supercars, the event will also feature motorcycles, luxury boats, an aircraft, and a selection of high-end jewellery and watches.
Top Marques begins on 6th May with a VIP preview, followed by two business days aimed at collectors and buyers on 7th and 8th May, before opening to the public over the weekend. General admission tickets start from €40
Monaco’s Yacht Club de Monaco will host the seventh edition of its Superyacht Chef Competition on 2nd April, uniting some of the world’s finest culinary talents to compete in a unique setting.
The competition, organised through the club’s training centre La Belle Classe Academy with support from Bluewater, aims to shed light on a demanding yet little-known profession: the superyacht chef.
Heading the judging panel for the competition is Philippe Etchebest, a two Michelin starred chef and holder of France’s prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier title. He will be joined by an international lineup of culinary experts, including Italian chef Carlo Cracco, two-Michelin-starred Marcel Ravin from Monaco’s Blue Bay restaurant, and Venezuelan television host Jenny Maltese.
The panel also features superyacht specialist Duncan Biggs, co-founder of Ocean Waves Monaco, and Benjamin Ferrand, who won last year’s competition. German chef and restaurateur Tim Mälzer is expected to join, pending confirmation.
Real word-pressure
The competition format mirrors the demanding conditions chefs face at sea. Contestants will discover a mystery ingredient just moments before they begin cooking and must use all products provided, with penalties for food waste.
“This event showcases chefs who can excel in a challenging, mobile and international setting,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, the Yacht Club’s managing director.
The jury will assess not only technical skill but also adaptability and understanding of the unique constraints of onboard service, where chefs must work in confined spaces while maintaining high standards.
Educational focus
Students from Monaco Hospitality School will participate in running the event, gaining hands-on experience alongside working professionals.
In the run-up to the main competition, the Yacht Club will host the Battle des Chefs on 12th March, a networking event supporting the charity À Chacun Son Cap. Then, on April 1st, the Dîner des Grands Chefs will bring together jury members ahead of the competition itself
