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Museums in Monaco: seven addresses to inspire and intrigue

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/04/2023
Musée Océanographique de Monaco

From art to cars and history to the sea, here are the museums in Monaco that just can’t be missed.  

With the school holidays upon us, many will be making plans to keep children interested, occupied and active over the next two weeks so here’s a list of our favourite museums to help you on your way.  

Let’s start with the local powerhouse: the Oceanographic Museum or Musée Océanographique de Monaco. Beautiful both inside and out, it is housed in a gorgeous Baroque Revival building that overlooks the Mediterranean and boasts a dominant position on the coastline of the Principality. It was founded by Prince Albert I in 1910 and is home to collections and exhibits showcasing all things marine-based.  

There is a vast selection of sea life in its aquariums but the real added value of this museum are the plentiful exhibits, from model ships and objets d’art to the lab from L’Hirondelle, the Explorer Prince’s first research ship, and the site where Nobel Prize winner Dr Charles Richet learned about anaphylaxis, the severe allergic reaction caused by things like shellfish and bee stings.

This non-profit museum is also home to many events and holiday camps for children through the Club Oceano. It’s currently open daily from 10am to 7pm. Tickets are €19 for adults and €12 for children aged four to 17.  

Recently relocated in Port Hercule, the Automobile Collection of the Prince of Monaco is a car lover’s dream. Many come from the personal collection of Prince Rainier III, who amassed over 100 rare and classic vehicles over a 30-year period, including some serious gems such as the Bugatti Type 35 car driven by the unfortunately-named William Grover-Williams, the winner of the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. There are also some incredible examples of early automobiles, an army jeep, American classic muscle cars and a vast selection of Europe’s finest through the decades, from Ferrari and Rolls Royce to Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lamborghini and the like.  

The museum is open from 10am to 6pm. Adults can enter for €10, children aged six to 17 for €5, and under 5s come in for free.  

museum monaco car collection
The Prince’s Car Collection was recently relocated to a prime position in Port Hercule. Photo: Monaco Communications Department

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco is home to an incredible collection of contemporary art housed across two buildings – the Villa Paloma and the Villa Sauber – as well as acting as a location for exciting modern art exhibitions. In 2023, for example, it is featuring a retrospective on American artist George Condo.

Spring opening hours are from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is €6, but free on Sundays.  

museum monaco nmnm
Prince Albert is pictured with the artist George Condo alongside other members of the Grimaldi family at the NMNM. Photo: Monaco Communications Department

The Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique was opened in 1902 by Prince Albert I. This fascinating museum lets visitors take a step back – way back – in time with a series of collections that include prehistoric fossils and artefacts excavated from sites around the Principality over the years. The exhibitions retrace the glacial and interglacial periods of the region, as well as documenting local human evolution. Over a million years ago, “the Côte d’Azur was already, for our distant ancestors, a privileged habitat site”, according to the website.  

The museum is open daily from 9am to 6pm, and the entry price is €1 per person, but children aged four and under can visit for free.  

The Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco in Fontvieille. Photo: MTM

Located in Fontvieille and founded by Prince Rainier III in 1995, the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco or the Stamp and Coin Museum tells the history of the Principality through, you guessed it, stamps and coins. There are many examples of rare items on display as well as the private philatelic and numismatic collections of Rainier himself. There are often special international exhibitions held here and visitors can also observe a range of vintage machines for stamp-making as well as old coin presses and tools for the trades.  

The museum is currently open from 9.30am to 5pm. Tickets are €3 for adults and €1.50 for children aged 12 to 18.  

Monaco’s maritime heritage demands a naval museum. Also located in Fontvieille, the Musée Naval de Monaco is home to naval objects from all over the globe and from ancient times to present day. There are over 250 items on display, including models of famous ships and pieces belonging to the private collection of Prince Rainier III. It is open every day from 10am to 6pm. Entry is €4 for adults and €2.50 for children aged eight to 14.  

Once a chapel and school for young ladies, the Chapelle de la Visitation is now a museum. This Baroque beauty dates from the 17th century and houses pieces from Piasecka Johnson’s remarkable collection of religious art, which features masterpieces by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and other great Italian baroque painters. It is open daily from 10am to 4pm, except Mondays, when it is open until 8pm.  

 

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And don’t forget the newly relaunched visits to the the Palais Princier de Monaco! While the working palace doesn’t really count as a museum, it is well-worth adding to your list of possible excursions in the Principality.

Read more:

Prince’s Palace reopens to reveal new hidden frescos under restoration

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Main photo credit: M. Dagnino / Musée Océanographique de Monaco

Basketball: Roca Team end Euroleague regular season with defeat

by: Luke Entwistle
17/04/2023
roca team euroleague

AS Monaco Basketball ended the Euroleague regular season with a defeat against Anadolu Efes (87-72) before bouncing back in the Betclic Elite against Fos-sur-Mer (98-83) on Sunday.

Nothing was riding on Friday’s Euroleague game for either side. Monaco were already guaranteed fourth place; synonymous with home-court advantage for the post-season playoffs.

Pre-match, players evoked a need to “keep the rhythm” against Anadolu Efes, but they failed to do that after a second-half capitulation. Mike James (seven points, four assists) was largely contained as the Roca Team struggled for attacking fluidity.

Emerging French stars Yoan Makoundou (16 points) and Matthew Strazel (14 points) were Monaco’s main sources of points on a night of no consequence. Sasa Obradovic’s side will, however, have to refind their rhythm by the time the playoffs come around later this month.

“Naturally, we’re starting to think about Maccabi Haifa,” admitted Captain Yakuba Ouattara post-match.

Top spot guaranteed in the Betclic Elite

Monaco’s final four Betlclic Elite games will also be about rhythm rather than results. A comfortable victory against Fos-sur-Mer means that the Roca Team are guaranteed top spot.

Whilst Monaco didn’t pierce the 100-point mark, the team refound their attacking flow, with big performances from Alpha Diallo (30 points) and James (19 points), ensuring a comfortable afternoon for Obradovic’s men.

“I tried to bring some turnover to a side that played physically. We’re happy to be mathematically assured of the first place, and to therefore have home-court advantage,” said Obradovic.

Monaco have been imperious, on a European and domestic level in the regular season, but they now need to replicate that form in the post-season. With the Coupe de France final coming up next Saturday, we’re now into ‘money time’.

 

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Photo by AS Monaco Basket

French tax declarations: important dates and information

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/04/2023

Annual income tax returns are now due in France, and online declarations are mandatory for anyone with an internet connection in their home. Here is some other useful information.

From 2023, the French Government is aiming to streamline the annual tax declaration process by encouraging everyone to complete the process online. Those without an internet connection to their home can file a paper tax return, but the deadline is shorter.

The deadlines for filing declarations depends on department of residence:

25th May: departments 1 to 19 and non-residents; 1st June: departments 20 to 54; and 8th June: departments no. 55 to 974/976.

For users who cannot declare online, the deadline for filing paper declarations is 22nd May 2023, regardless of place of residence, including for French residents abroad.

Anyone who resides in France and has a professional activity in the country must file a tax return with French authorities, as well as those aged over 18 and those who live abroad but have an income from French sources.

After completing the 2022 income declaration online, people will know immediately the tax rate that will apply to their income from August 2023.

From the end of July, people will receive their 2023 tax notice based on their 2022 income statement.

Further information can be found at Service-Public.fr.

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Photo compiled by Monaco Life

 

Monaco’s workforce is almost double its resident population

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/04/2023
monaco job

The first-ever wholescale analysis of Monaco’s job market was a major undertaking given the fact that the vast majority of workers live outside of the Principality’s borders.  

Monaco’s labour market is rather unique in that it draws on a workforce derived from sources both domestic and beyond its borders. 

As such, certain traditional labour market indicators – unemployment rates, for example – can’t accurately be calculated. Nonetheless, the Principality’s statistical agency IMSEE has now put together a first-of-its-kind paper tracking the information it can gauge, and the report has thrown up some interesting figures. 

25% more jobs in a decade 

The total number of workers is nearly twice as high as the number of residents, with French and Italian employees making up the largest proportion of non-resident staff. Also, the salaried workforce, which mainly works in the private sector and most often for small companies, resides primarily outside of the Principality. Workers of Monegasque nationality are in the minority.  

The study found that employment has increased by nearly 25% since 2013, equalling 14,000 extra jobs, with the main driver being the private sector, which has added 12,000 of these positions.  

During the same 10-year period, payroll increased by 28% and the volume of hours worked by 17.3%.  

Private sector 

At the end of 2022, the Principality had 71,314 jobs; more than 65,000 of these were salaried positions. Nearly 6,200 of these were self-employed or entrepreneurs. This shows a healthy increase of 4.7% over the previous year.  

The private sector employed 55,472 people at the end of 2022, who worked 97.5 million hours. They were broken down into nearly 34,000 men and over 21,500 women. In 2022, an employee in the private sector was 42.4 years old on average: 42.2 years old for women and 42.6 for men. This is up on 2013 figures, when the average age was 40.9. Nearly 80% of these workers live in the local French communities that are adjacent to Monaco.  

Teleworkers are on the rise, with 4,324 private sector employees able to take advantage of this system. This is 25 times the number recorded in 2017. Those who work from home are split roughly evenly between men and women.  

Public sector 

The public sector has 5,047 employees, with men being slightly more present, holding 55.9% of these jobs, though the male-female balances vary by department. For example, the Department of Social Affairs and Health appears to be the most feminised with over 76% posts held by women, while the Department of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning is by far the one with the largest proportion of men: 80%. 

 

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Photo by Antoine Contenseau for Unsplash

Architecture through the lens: a Massimo Listri exhibition

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/04/2023
MASSIMO LISTRI

A new exhibition by photographer Massimo Listri and featuring a selection of “transcendental” photos that trace the artist’s long and storied career is being featured at the Moretti Fine Art Gallery.  

Italian photographer Massimo Listri has made a career out of photographing empty rooms. This may sound anti-climactic until one actually sees the rooms he has put to film. Grandiose, imposing spaces are his forte and include castles, abandoned houses, libraries, cathedrals and theatres, which he presents in all their isolated beauty.  

From 15th to 28th April, Moretti Fine Art has selected 15 of his most dramatic works to exhibit at the gallery on Avenue de la Costa in Monaco, each following his artistic journey and each as breath-taking in scope as the last.  

A STYLE THAT AROSE FROM PASSIONS 

Listri’s choice of subjects was born out a deep passion for interior design and antiques, along with his interest in art history.  

MASSIMO LISTRI
Massimo Listri, Palazzo Butera II, Palermo 2016, 120 x 150 cm ©PH. MASSIMO LISTRI

As Apostolos Mitsios, the self-confessed design addict and renowned psychologist, writes: ”What makes his work unique is how he has made interiors look so absolutely vivid, as if they had a secret life of their own that only he knows how to portray. Listri has the extraordinary ability to capture all the small details that make the difference, and reveal all the stories that remain hidden behind the surface. Listri’s photos transmit an almost deafening silence, as if time had stopped and humans had suddenly disappeared and the only thing reminiscent of them are the interiors they’ve left behind, the remains of their lives and their passions, their art and their culture.” 

For more information on how to see these incredible pieces in real life, please click here.

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Main photo: Massimo Listri, Musei Vaticani XX, Roma 2014, 120 x 150 cm ©PH. MASSIMO LISTRI

ISM welcomes head of International Baccalaureate Organization

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/04/2023
ISM International Baccalaureate

The International School of Monaco has received a visit from two distinguished guests from the world of education: the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Olli-Pekka Heinonen and Monaco’s Isabelle Bonnal from the Department of Education, Youth and Sport. 

As the only International Baccalaureate (IB) school in the Principality, the International School of Monaco is understandably proud to be part of a prestigious system that is recognised and revered by higher learning establishments worldwide.  

Welcoming visitors 

On Wednesday 12th April, the school was singled out for a real honour, when it was visited by Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization, and Isabelle Bonnal, Monaco’s Commissioner General of the Department of Education, Youth and Sport. 

Students across all grades treated the visitors to speeches and performances, which were followed by a discourse from Heinonen on the topic of the future of international education. 

The guests then visited several of the school’s classrooms, speaking with students and staff about their experiences. It was wrapped up with a luncheon attended by the ISM Board of Trustees, its Senior Leadership Team, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and IB Educator Network staff. 

What is the International Baccalaureate? 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme  (IBDP) and its cousin, the IB Career-Related Programme, were created in the mid-1960s by a group of educators as a common curriculum for international schools by which children could be tested for university entry or in the pursuit of career-specific secondary education.  

The two-year programmes are aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds and are available in 140 countries around the world. They provide an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education or specific practical employment, and are recognised by many top universities worldwide.  

 

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Photo credit: Ed Wright