Summer is certainly heating up on the Rock. While the number of tourists is slowly growing, events along the Riviera are looking to welcome more people into their venues after a slow year for the industry.
Below is a handpicked selection of things to do in Monaco this month. As always, both online and real events have been included for those who are still self-isolating.
50 ans Théâtre du Fort Antoine
Fort Antoine is set to be the cultural event of the summer in the Principality. This year, luckily just missing the most difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Performances are free to the public but tickets must still be booked from the Théâtre Princesse Grace box office as seating is limited.
The Department of Cultural Affairs is marking this year’s anniversary in two separate seasons. The “Guests of Fort Antoine” season will showcase pieces from the Principality’s major cultural institutions from July 8th to August 7th. They will then bring in the traditional theatre season from August 18th to September 4th 2020.
Shows will include performances from Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, discussions, concerts and artwork that would have been featured at Printemps des arts de Monte-Carlo Festival as well as film screenings by the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco.
Guest theatre performances will include plays from various troupes in France.
For the full line-up at Fort Antoine, as well as more information on ticketing and availability, go to the amphitheatre’s website.
Les soirées de la Villa Masséna — Le soleil de Naples
Join Le soleil de Naples for a night of opera classics in the beautiful setting of Villa Massena on July 12th. The trio met in 2016 when part of the Monte-Carlo Opera together.
They have since performed across Europe introducing audiences around the world to Neapolitan song, and playing at prestigious events such as at the Chorégies d’Orange, the Monte Carlo Opera, the “Salle Empire” of the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo and at the Monte Carlo Beach for the Italian Embassy in Monaco.
For more information, visit the Facebook event.
Atelier Jeune Public
The Nouveau Musée National Monaco’s Atelier Jeune Public (or youth workshops) are no novelty, but after transferring online during lockdown, July seems to be getting back into full swing. These interactive daily activities are a great option to keep the kids entertained while the school holidays rattle on, running Monday to Friday throughout July.
Activities include stop motion workshops, discovering the NMNM’s current exhibition through interactive film making and gardening.
They run in the afternoons and cost €15 per session. Spaces are limited so must be pre-booked. For more information, go to the NMNM’s website.
Open-air screening at Nouveau Musée National Monaco
Initially programmed in collaboration with the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco, this open-air screening offers a short introduction to your evening after the sun has set. With the best view in the Principality, you can enjoy views of the Rock and the ports before settling in to watch this short film on July 23rd.
Sunstone by Filipa César and Louis Henderson presents a portrait of Roque Pina, the keeper of the Cabo da Roca lighthouse on the westernmost tip of continental Europe. Register for the screening.
Monaco Open Air Cinema
The curtain is once again rising at The Monaco Open Air Cinema, with film enthusiasts able to settle back and watch big-screen classics some weeks ago. Despite that the cinema release calendar is on hold this year, organisers have decided to rerun classics from earlier this year.
The first post-COVID films will be screened now with Irresistible, starring Steve Carell and Rose Byrne. Tenet and Mulan should follow on July 22nd.
Ticket prices have been reduced by up to 30%. For more information, visit their website.
Visit Monaco’s museums
There’s still a swathe of events leading on from June to keep you occupied around the Principality as well as from the comfort of your home.
- “Variations, Eugène Frey’s Light Set Projections”, an exhibition by João Maria Gusmão
In our review of the exhibition “Variations” — Eugène Frey’s Light Set Projections presented by João Maria Gusmão, we told art enthusiasts that they must go. Here is our reminder that the exhibition will run until August 30th, so head down to the museum while you can.
Venturing into the pre-cinema world, this exhibition contextualises Eugène Frey’s theatrical projects through these contemporary experimental creations, artworks which would be right at home in the Centre Pompidou.
- Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
After their month-long celebrations for World Ocean Day, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is still ready and waiting for flocks of keen tourists to discover its stunning halls and exciting sea life. Since its reopening on June 2nd, the museum has welcomed back visitors to enjoy their permanent exhibitions and interactive exhibits alike, such as the touch pool and ImmerSEAve 360°.
- Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection
Last month, the Prince of Monaco Car Collection reopened its doors to the public for the first time in over three months. Some F1 rally cars are on display, as well as a special exhibition of some Grand Prix models so that the public won’t have to go a whole year without their GP fix.
In July, the Artcurial auction at the Hôtel Hermitage is going ahead and it is at the Prince’s Collection where these cars up for grabs are going to be housed. The Collection’s own auction, to raise money for the children at the L’Archet Hospital in Nice, will see a selection of racing helmets, customised by big artists, go under the gavel.
To get involved in more exhibitions at the collection, see their website.