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Monaco to host International Épée Tournament this weekend

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
07/01/2026

Monaco will welcome some of the world’s top fencers this weekend when the International Épée Tournament takes place from January 10th to 11th at the Espace Saint-Antoine.

The prestigious event, held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II, will host nearly 200 athletes set to compete across 17 pistes in individual men’s and women’s categories, competing for one of the sport’s most valued prizes: the Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup.

More than 130 of France’s leading female fencers are expected to take part in the National Senior Women’s competition, offering a unique opportunity for European and international competitors to test themselves at the highest level.

The tournament is open to senior épée fencers as well as juniors who have been moved up to compete in the higher category. International participants must hold a valid licence from their national federation.

The finals will take place on Sunday January 11th at 4pm in the Espace Saint-Antoine’s multi-sports hall, with the awards ceremony taking place later in the afternoon.

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Photo credit: Fédération Monégasque d’Escrime

Théâtre Princess Grace explores life of playwright Jean-Luc Lagarce

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
06/01/2026

The Théâtre Princesse Grace of Monaco is set to present an intimate portrait of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated French playwrights this month.

Il ne m’est jamais rien arrivé (Nothing ever happened to me), based on the personal journals of Jean-Luc Lagarce, will take to the stage on Tuesday 20th January at 8pm. The one-hour production, performed without an interval, offers audiences a glimpse into the private life of the acclaimed dramatist.

French actor and comedian Vincent Dedienne brings Lagarce’s diaries to life under the direction of Johanny Bert. The performance draws from the writer’s intimate reflections, chronicling his experiences as a young man moving between Paris and Besançon during the 1980s.

The journals reveal a complex portrait of a theatre enthusiast navigating a solitary yet deeply emotional life during a turbulent period in French history. Lagarce’s writings document the emergence of the AIDS crisis and the deaths of French cultural icons Coluche and Simone Signoret.

The production is adapted from Le Journal de Jean-Luc Lagarce, published by les Solitaires Intempestifs.

January programme

The production is part of a diverse January season, which also includes David Lescot’s ‘Je suis trop vert‘ on January 6th and Clea Petrolesi’s ‘Personne n’est ensemble sauf moi‘ on January 13th.

Theatre enthusiasts can also attend the Philosophical Encounters of Monaco on January 15th, focusing on the theme of redemption. On January 28th at 8pm, the theatre also presents a special film screening of Claude Autant-Lara’s ‘Occupe-toi d’Amélie‘ in partnership with the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco.

The month concludes with Léna Breban’s staging of Beaumarchais’ classic ‘Le Mariage de Figaro‘ on January 30th.

Tickets are available through the theatre’s box office on +377 93 25 32 27 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am-1pm and 2pm-5pm), by email at spectateurs@tpgmonaco.mc, or online at montecarloticket.com.

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Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud De Lage

 

Workers in Monaco and France set for bumper year of long weekends in 2026

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
05/01/2026

Workers across Monaco and France can look forward to a particularly generous year of long weekends in 2026, thanks to a favourable calendar that places public holidays alongside weekends. 

The year offers five guaranteed three day weekends without using any annual leave, plus several opportunities to create extended breaks by taking just one or two days off. The French call this practice “faire le pont” or “making the bridge”.

Monaco’s public holidays

The Principality celebrates 12 public holidays. The year already begun with New Year’s Day on January 1st and soon Saint Dévote’s Day follows on Tuesday January 27th, honouring Monaco’s patron saint.

Easter Monday falls on April 6th, followed by Labour Day on Friday May 1st. Ascension Day comes on Thursday May 14th, with Whit Monday on May 25th. Monaco also uniquely celebrates Corpus Christi on Thursday June 4th. The Assumption of Mary falls on Saturday August 15th.

All Saints’ Day arrives on Sunday 1st November, but thanks to Monaco’s rules workers gain Monday November 2nd as a holiday instead. The Prince’s Day – Fête Nationale – then falls on Thursday November 19th. Lastly, December brings the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday December 8th and Christmas Day on Friday December 25th.

Monaco bridge opportunities

Taking Friday May 2nd creates a four-day weekend from May 1st to 4th. Workers could also take Wednesday January 28th for a five-day break around Saint Dévote’s Day, or Friday June 5th for a four-day weekend following Corpus Christi. In November, taking Friday November 20th extends Fête Nationale into a four-day weekend, while taking Monday December 7th creates a four-day break around the Immaculate Conception.

France sees five automatic long weekends

French workers will benefit from public holidays falling on three Fridays and two Mondays throughout the year, automatically creating five three-day weekends.

These dates includes Easter Monday on April 6th, Labour Day on Friday May 1st, Victory in Europe Day on Friday May 8th, Ascension Day on Thursday May 14th, and Whit Monday on May 25th (though not all employers grant this). Bastille Day falls on Tuesday July 14th, and Christmas Day on Friday December 25th providing a final guaranteed long weekend.

Workers in Alsace and Moselle get two additional holidays: Good Friday on April 3rd and Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th.

May offers 17-day break using eight days of leave

May 2026 presents an exceptional chance for workers to maximise their time off. With holidays on May 1st (Friday), May 8th (Friday), May 14th (Thursday), and May 25th (Monday), employees can take a 17-day break from May 1st to 17th, by using just eight days of annual leave covering 4th-7th May, 11th to 13th May and May 15th.

However, employers are not required to approve these requests. French companies face particular pressure in May as employees must use up any time off in lieu before the month ends, or lose it.

Another bridge opportunity for France is taking off Monday July 13rd creating a four-day weekends around Bastille Day, while Friday May 15th extends the Ascension holiday into a four-day break.

What the law says

In both jurisdictions, public holidays are paid rest days separate from annual leave. If a holiday falls during booked annual leave, it does not count towards the leave allowance.

French law does not require employers to move holidays that fall on weekends. Monaco’s legislation however offers more protection, automatically shifting certain Sunday holidays to Monday.

When employees must work on public holidays, they are entitled to either equivalent payment or a compensatory day off.

Lastly, workers are advised to submit holiday requests well in advance, particularly for popular periods like May.

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Main photo credit: Nubia Navarro, Pexels 

Grimaldi Forum unveils ‘Shrek’ the musical for 2026

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
04/01/2026

Lovers of Shrek the animation will have the chance to see the award-winning Broadway adaption when it arrives at the Grimaldi Forum next December.

The musical, based on the hit animation, brings what producers call “the greatest fairy tale never told” to the stage with its cast of beloved characters, from the grumpy green ogre himself to his wisecracking donkey sidekick and a princess with a few surprises up her sleeve.

Running from 11th to 13th December 2026, the production will take over the Salle des Princes for five performances across the weekend.

The stage version stays true to the film’s unique humour that has left its audience crying of laughter when it first aired in 2001, all while adding theatrical spectacle through elaborate sets and costumes. At approximately two hours plus interval, it provides entertainment for the whole family.

Audiences should note the production will be performed in English, though French subtitles will be provided throughout.

Tickets are priced from €47 and can be booked through the Grimaldi Forum box office on +377 99 99 30 00, which operates Tuesday to Saturday between noon and 7pm. Bookings are also available online at montecarloticket.com

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Main photo provided by the Grimaldi Forum

Five artists set to explore the power of silence in Monaco exhibition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
03/01/2026

An unusual collective exhibition opening in Monaco next month invites visitors to experience art through quietness and contemplation.

‘Shared Silences’, running from January 8th to 31st at Espace 22, brings together five international artists whose work explores themes of intimacy, emotion and “invisible resonances”.

The exhibition features painters, photographers and mixed-media artists from diverse backgrounds, each offering their own interpretation of silence.

Among them is Bénédicte Ansaud, a French artist of Andalusian and Corsican heritage who grew up between Africa and Réunion. Working primarily in oils during night-time hours, she creates deeply personal pieces informed by cultural diversity and solitary reflection.

Following, Romanian photographer Florin Mihai takes a different approach, combining monochrome photography with gold and silver leaf, punctuated by touches of red. His graphic compositions examine the relationship between light, image and feeling.

Then, Turin-born born Caterina Reviglio Sonnino, now based in Monaco, draws inspiration from historic Sèvres porcelain techniques and watercolour painting. Her delicate works use colour to evoke calm and lightness.

Ukraine born actress and self-taught artist Julia Jakonda, who lives in Cannes, works with oil, acrylics and specialised pencils to create pieces rooted in imagination and inner emotion. Her drawings, which she has practised since childhood, find beauty in nature and everyday moments

Lastly, Brazilian visual artist Arlette Lima De Matos completes the group. A trained psychologist who has lived abroad since 2014, she divides her time between Monaco and southern France. Since her first solo show in New York in 2015, she has developed a distinctive handmade practice in abstract mixed media.

The exhibition opens with a public vernissage on January 8th at 6pm at Espace 22, located at 24 boulevard d’Italie, Monaco, and will be open daily afterwards from 11am to 7pm throughout the exhibition’s run

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Main photo credit: Florin Mihai 

Monte-Carlo Printemps des Arts Festival returns with ‘Utopias’ theme

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
01/01/2026

The Monte-Carlo Printemps des Arts festival has unveiled its 2026 programme, providing a chance to music lovers to experience 27 concerts featuring more than 80 works performed by 260 artists from March 11th to April 19th. 

Artistic director Bruno Mantovani revealed the season’s highlights during a presentation at the Oceanographic Museum on December 5th, which will present 12 world premiere performances, and showcase works by 50 different composers.

The 42nd edition is titled ‘Utopies – opus 1’ and will place musical instruments at the heart of the programme. Both period and modern instruments will feature in dialogue from Renaissance masters to contemporary composers.

The festival, presided over by Princess Caroline of Hanover, will open on March 11th with works by Gesualdo and Monteverdi performed by La Venexiana and Duo Xamp at the Église Saint-Charles. The following evening, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will present pieces by Stravinsky, Monnet and Debussy at the Auditorium Rainier III.

Concerts will take place in various locations including the Oceanographic Museum, the Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection, as well as venues in Nice such as the Théâtre National’s Franciscan hall.

Highlights include a candlelit concert on March 14th featuring violinist Tedi Papavrami and pianist Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, and ‘La Grande Battle’ by Ensemble I Gemelli at the Oceanographic Museum on 13th March.

The programme also features performances from earlier centuries, including ‘Laude Novella’ by Ensemble Gilles Binchois and ‘Harmonia Artificiosa’ by Ensemble Artifices, alongside major works such as Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie performed by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Grimaldi Forum on 4th April.

The festival concludes with ‘Miniatures’, a series of ballet performances by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo from 16th to 19th April.

Accessible pricing

In a significant change for 2026, the festival has introduced the same pricing for most concerts at €20, making the festival more accessible to audiences.

Exceptions include concerts in partnership with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. The festival remains free for under 25-year-olds with advance booking.

Tickets are now available online via the Monte-Carlo Ticket platform: https://indiv.themisweb.fr/0526/fListeManifs.aspx?idstructure=0526 or at the box office in the Casino de Monte-Carlo’s entrance hall, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm, and on concert Sundays from 10am to 4pm (closed 24th and 25th December).

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Photo credit: OPMC