The great charity event known as the Rose Ball has been taking place in Monaco for almost 70 years. This early spring soirée is one of the Principality’s most popular annual festivities. Far beyond being a run-of-the-mill social occasion, it is as highly anticipated by the public as it is watched by the press, drawing in various stars and celebrities. Below, we take a closer look at an unmissable VIP event which never fails to charm.

The most glamorous event of the year  

As the photographers’ cameras flash, the jet set and celebrities make their entrance. The Rose Ball is a key date in the diary for high-profile people, first and foremost Monaco’s royal family. The event is born in 1954, hosted by Henry Astric, Artistic Director of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, supported by his friends. In 1957, this high society gathering took on an international aura when Princess Grace invited theatre designer André Levasseur, and the sensual dancer Colette Marchand, to present a major ballet. In 1964, the gala became a charity event with the creation of the Princess Grace Foundation, which spearheads humanitarian actions to help children. 

This event is now presided over by her daughter, HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover. She traditionally opens the ball alongside her brother, HSH Prince Albert II. The evening is lent a special magic by members of the Grimaldi family (Monaco’s aristocracy) and stars from the worlds of film, music, sport and television. International stars are all in attendance, including Dita Von Teese, Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni, Pedro Almodovar and many others. 

The Bal de la Rose celebrates the Disco era

The Rose Ball, a symbol of glamour in Monte-Carlo, took place on Saturday night, March 23, at the sumptuous Salle des Étoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo. For this new edition of the Bal de la Rose 2024, H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover, choose the theme Disco, and gave to Christian Louboutin, free rein to imagine it. A wind of glitter blew over Monaco! This year, guests travelled back in time to the crazy days of Disco. The Salle des Etoiles sparkled with a thousand lights and was decked out in its finest disco balls for an evening of « Back to the Future”. This event benefited the Princess Grace Foundation with the participation of Stéphane Bern. For this exceptional occasion, Shangela and Chad Michaels, two wonderful drag-queens straight from the 80s, took the stage to perform the greatest hits of two Disco icons: Donna Summer and Cher. Renowned choreographer Sadeck Berrabah and his dancers performed the greatest hits of the 80s, before giving way to the iconic Gloria Gaynor for a grand finale! Charly Voodoo, undisputed master of cabaret, also performed for a spectacular show. A dreamlike ambiance to the delight of spectators.

Beautiful red carpet looks  

The dress code for the Rose Ball is evening gowns for the ladies and black tie for the gentlemen, so prepare to be dazzled! Every year, attendees shine in sophisticated outfits that are as elegant as they are refined. Pieces by great designers, including Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent, all stake their claim on the spotlight and are often inspired by the evening’s theme evoking a particular culture or era. The royal family’s gowns are, of course, some of the most avidly scrutinised, including the dresses worn by Charlotte Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo, wife of Pierre Casiraghi, both of whom have become genuine fashion icons. Who can forget the elegant Roaring Twenties-style white Chanel dress worn by Charlotte Casiraghi at the jazz age-inspired 2022 event? 

A show to beat them all  

Each annual event has its own unique live entertainment devised by a major name from the art and culture world. Karl Lagerfeld served as artistic director for many years, leading landmark shows themed around Cuba, Manhattan and Swinging London, to name but a few. In recent years, Christian Louboutin has taken the reins in his flamboyant style, as exemplified at the 2023 Bollywood evening. For the show’s duration, dance, music and a fabulous décor dotted with thousands of roses transport guests into a world one can normally only dream of. It takes place in one of Europe’s finest venues, the Salle des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo. It is the kind of experience one can only describe as magical! 

Expect top performers  

The Rose Ball’s exceptional live entertainment is topped off by performances by some very special guests. Famous singers and DJs are helping to spread the Rose Ball’s renown. Singer Mika took top billing in 2023. Past years have seen performances from singers Imany and HollySiz, as well as Britons Rita Ora, Lily Allen and Mark Ronson and the reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. Renowned dancers including Jérémy-Loup Quer from the Paris Opera and prestigious orchestras such as the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Prague Concert Philharmonic bring their own talents to this grand spectacle. 

A very special dinner  

The evening includes a luxurious dinner, live entertainment and an opening dance. The tables are elegantly laid with a succession of dishes in keeping with the evening’s theme. Guests can relish a premier meal superbly prepared thanks to the culinary skills of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.  

An evening devoted to giving  

The Rose Ball is a major charity event organised in aid of the Princess Grace Foundation chaired by HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover since 1983. Proceeds from the evening’s events – including a raffle with a very special set of prizes – support humanitarian programmes aimed at helping children and paediatric research. As major source of funding for the Foundation, the Rose Ball raised almost €295,000 in 2022.  

A highly popular event  

If you would like to experience the thrill of one of Monaco’s biggest events alongside more than 800 guests, you can book your place at the Rose Ball 2024. Admission includes dinner, raffle tickets, live entertainment and the ball itself. Both evening gowns for ladies and evening jackets for gentlemen are compulsory, so it is also advisable to reserve your outfit ahead of time as demand is high every year. 

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Gastronomy and delectable foodie pleasures are an essential part of Monaco’s inimitable lifestyle. There is no shortage of top dining experiences in the Principality so, to help you find the right ones for you, we have made our selection of the best restaurants in Monaco. It covers everything from dishes featured in the Michelin Guide to healthy tasting menus and world cuisine. You will also spot a few places where you can combine casino nights with gourmet food; fine dining restaurants where you can eat your dinner or lunch with your toes dipped in the Mediterranean sea; and destinations for quick bites on the go. In short, it is a snapshot of all the dining experiences the French Riviera has to offer! 

Which Michelin-starred restaurants in Monaco should you choose? 

Luxurious gourmet meals await in Monaco’s most highly regarded gastronomic destinations. One of them – the triple Michelin-starred Louis XV–Alain Ducasse in the Hotel de Paris – has been a sparkling example of what the best restaurants in Monaco have to offer for more than 30 years. In the prestigious setting of the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, this gourmet restaurant uses the Riviera’s finest ingredients to make beautiful French cuisine under the aegis of executive chef Dominique Lory. Every dish is composed with precision and a sense of excellence, and there is also an outstanding wine list to choose from. This is the kind of unforgettable culinary experience you have to try at least once in your life! 

The Michelin-starred Yannick Alléno à l’Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo crafts its fine cuisine in the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo and is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Monaco. Produce of the terroir is given pride of place here too in star dishes featuring plenty of local fish and garden vegetables. The sea-view terrace and light-filled dining room are the perfect setting for a delectable gourmet lunch or dinner. 

The second-smallest country in the world also has two other eateries to thrill and delight foodies. In the heart of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the Blue Bay** serves up the freshest, most inventive cuisine that brilliantly blends Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors. And for a truly exclusive experience, you can even eat at chef Marcel Ravin’s own table and watch the brigade at work in their open kitchen. Finally, the Grill*, its panoramic terrace and its roof that retracts when the sun comes out enjoy a choice location on the eighth floor of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. It founded its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Monaco on its seafood and grilled meat specialties.

The Best Restaurants in Monaco for Dining Experiences near the Casinos

In Monaco, fine dining experiences and gaming tables often go hand in hand. Two restaurants in the prestigious Casino de Monte-Carlo give gamblers and visitors alike the chance to eat in gourmet style. The boudoir-style Salon Rose is a cozy space for generous midday and evening meals filled with pasta, steaks tartare, burgers and other on-trend inspirations. In its Belle Epoque décor reminiscent of a train’s luxurious restaurant car, the Train Bleu takes diners on a voyage through the delights of Italian cuisine. It does not offer a lunch menu, but it serves from dinner until the casino closes. 

Not far from the Train Bleu, the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo overlooking the Place du Casino has become an essential Monaco institution any time of day. Seven days a week from morning until night, the restaurant’s brasserie-style menu is composed of top-quality local ingredients. Because it is so close to the Casino de Monte-Carlo and Casino Café de Paris, it is undeniably attractive to gambling aficionados, as well as being one of the best restaurants in Monaco. This is a relaxed, friendly space for sipping a few cocktails or glasses of wine or champagne.

A Menu Filled with Nourishing Foodie Delights

The latest food sensations are well-balanced and healthy – yet no less delectable for it. The Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo’s L’Hirondelle restaurant is fully on-board with this trend, so its menu is not just tasty, it is good for you too. Whether you are a vegetarian, you follow a gluten-free diet or you are simply a gourmet diner looking for a well-balanced meal, you will be delighted by the dishes head chef Jean-Laurent Basile has designed in partnership with nutritionist Véronique Liesse. Its three themed menus are replenished daily to include the freshest homemade ingredients. And, to complete the scene during your lunchtime well-being break, the restaurant and terrace offer perfect views over Monaco port and its yachts.

Our Selection of the Best Restaurants in Monaco for Exotic Dining Experiences

Are you ready to set off on a culinary world tour? Check out some of Monaco’s most exotic specialties.

Your journey continues eastwards at the Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo. This restaurant in this chilled-out but lively lounge welcomes guests for dinner. Its menu is packed with spicy, sophisticated Asian flavors, sushi, Japanese maki and Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. The décor is warm and totally unique, and the ambiance is unfailingly lovely thanks to the bar’s excellent music selections.

The last stop-off in your gourmet world tour is delectable Latin America, or COYA Monte-Carlo to be precise. Here, Peruvian dishes such as ceviche and tiradito are given pride of place. COYA’s fusion food is a gorgeous blend of all kinds of Latino savors and flavors, all served up in a colorful seaside setting. Open April to November a stone’s throw from Sporting Monte-Carlo, it is also one of the Principality’s party hotspots.

Restaurants in Monaco: Summer Options

If you are visiting the Cote d’Azur for a summer vacation, there are a few places you should check out in the Principality of Monaco for a gourmet beachfront break. They only open in summer, when their splendid setting overlooking the Mediterranean coastline really comes into its own. The chic, glamorous ambiance of the luxury Monte-Carlo Beach hotel is the perfect setting for Elsa, a 100% organic and wild-caught fish certified restaurant. As you look out over the glittering blue sea, you will tuck into healthy cuisine made using fresh, seasonal ingredients locally sourced in regions from Provence to Liguria. It is possible to reserve a table there every day from early April to early October, noon and evening.  

Another of the hotel complex’s summer restaurants is the heavenly La Vigie Lounge & Restaurant, which opens from end of June until beginning of September. It serves up a fine dining experience from 6pm until midnight, perched between a pine forest and Mediterranean coastline. Its grilled fish and sharing platters set the scene for warm and friendly moments in a chic, bohemian ambiance.

The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort’s beachfront Las Brisas restaurant serves lunch from beginning of July until the end of August. The tasty menu has been accented with Caribbean flavors by the chef Marcel Ravin. Pull up a chair around one of its huge tables for meals with friends or settle down under a parasol a romantic tête-à-tête in one of Monaco’s best restaurants.

Chic Yet Casual Dining

The Principality of Monaco’s most exclusive destinations also have some great cafes and eateries for simple food on the go. Limùn is an elegant setting in the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo for delectable lunches midway through a shopping session or during a day of sight-seeing. It serves guests non-stop from 8 am to 8 pm, so you can head there any time of day for sweet or savory treats. Mada One in the One Monte-Carlo district is also the perfect place to grab a bite from breakfast until late afternoon. Its creative snacks are designed by one of Monaco’s top chefs, Marcel Ravin, and you can take them out or pull up a seat and savor them there and then. L’Orange Verte at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort serves bistronomic cuisine. Because service is non-stop, you can head there from morning until night or even grab a takeout deal.

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