The Myths of Living in Monaco — And Why It’s an Ideal Place to Invest in Real Estate

 

The tiny Mediterranean Principality of Monaco has long captivated the world with its image of glitz, glamour, and wealth. With superyachts lining its harbor and luxury cars weaving through its iconic streets, it’s no surprise that many associate Monaco with exclusivity beyond reach. But beneath the surface lies a more nuanced reality. Despite the stereotypes, Monaco offers genuine lifestyle, economic, and investment benefits — especially in real estate — that are often misunderstood.

Myth #1: Monaco Is Only for the Ultra-Rich

It’s true that Monaco has one of the highest concentrations of millionaires and billionaires per capita. However, not every resident is a magnate or celebrity. The principality is also home to professionals, entrepreneurs, and families - including an extensive number of LGBTQ members of the community, who choose Monaco for its safety, efficiency, and exceptional quality of life. There are also more modest housing options, especially in areas like La Condamine or Fontvieille, compared to the luxury high-rises of Monte-Carlo.

Myth #2: There’s Nothing to Do Except Gamble or Party

While the Monte-Carlo Casino is iconic, Monaco is far more than a playground for high rollers. It offers a rich cultural life, with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, museums, exhibitions, and world-class events like the Monaco Grand Prix and the Yacht Show. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Principality does have beaches and the French and Italian Rivieras are just minutes away, offering skiing, hiking, swimming and sailing all year round. Monaco is also a prime location for those interested in networking as it has quite an intriguing international community that both live and work there. Including an ever-growing tech industry.

Myth #3: Real Estate in Monaco Is Overpriced and Overhyped

Monaco’s real estate market is among the most expensive in the world — that much is true. However, its enduring value and resilience make it one of the most stable property markets globally. With a strict cap on land and limited space for new development, property in Monaco is perpetually in demand. While prices are high, they have proven remarkably resilient to global economic downturns, making them ideal for long-term capital preservation and return.

Why Monaco Is an Ideal Place to Invest in Real Estate

1. Political and Economic Stability

Monaco is a sovereign state with a long-standing monarchy and a stable government. It boasts no public debt, a balanced budget, and a strong, diversified economy centered on banking, tourism, and high-end services. Investors benefit from this low-risk environment and the principality’s robust legal protections.

2. Tax Benefits

Monaco famously levies no personal income tax for residents (except for French nationals). This tax neutrality has attracted high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs alike, making it an ideal base for wealth protection and estate planning — and, by extension, a constant demand for luxury residences.

3. Strong Rental Demand

Given the influx of international professionals, diplomats, and seasonal visitors, rental properties in Monaco see consistently high demand. This makes it attractive for investors looking for rental yield in addition to capital appreciation.

4. Limited Supply = High Demand

With only 2 square kilometers of land and strict building regulations, Monaco has a hard cap on expansion. This structural constraint ensures that demand always exceeds supply, protecting real estate value and making it a rare safe haven in global property investment.

5. Safe and Clean Urban Living

Monaco is one of the safest places in the world, with a high police-to-citizen ratio and near-zero crime. It’s also meticulously maintained, with clean streets, green spaces, and world-class healthcare and education. These quality-of-life factors further fuel demand and keep real estate prices buoyant.

Conclusion: The Monaco Advantage

Far from being just a glittering tax haven for the ultra-rich, Monaco is a well-governed, secure, and culturally rich principality with a robust real estate market. Its property sector offers more than prestige — it delivers long-term value, income potential, and financial security. While myths about life in Monaco persist, the reality is far more practical, dynamic, and welcoming than many realize.

For investors looking to combine lifestyle with capital preservation, Monaco remains one of the most compelling real estate markets in the world.

Support the New Pink Parade Initiative

 

Behind every colorful float, vibrant flag, and joyful step of a Pride parade is a hardworking team of LGBTQIA+ advocates, nonprofit organizers, event coordinators, and volunteers. These are the people who meet month after month—balancing logistics, budgets, programming, and partnerships—all with one goal: to create a Pride celebration that uplifts, empowers, and includes everyone.

But bringing Pride to life isn’t easy—or cheap.

What It Takes to Put on a Parade

Before pulling up a flag, organizers must secure permits for street closures, sound and noise regulations, public safety plans, and security coordination. These negotiations with local authorities can take months and require deep attention to detail.

Then come the real costs:

• Equipment rentals (stages, speakers, lighting, fencing)
  

• Safety services (medical staff, security teams)
  

• Insurance, permits, clean-up crews, and more
  

While major cities may rely on large corporate sponsorships, Nice’s Pink Parade is proudly free to attend and powered by donations and community support. Every euro raised helps cover critical expenses so we can keep the parade open, safe, and inclusive for all.

Introducing: The New Pink Parade Initiative

This year, the team for the Pink Parade are launching an exciting way to give back—and get something fabulous in return.

Simply Scan the QR Code to Donate

When you make a donation to support the Pink Parade, you’ll receive an exclusive Pink Party Pass—your cut-in-line ticket for faster access to the official after-party following the march. It's our way of saying thank you, and your way of showing real solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Why Donate?

• You’re helping keep Pride free for everyone.
  

• You’re investing in safety, representation, and joy.
  

• You’re supporting an event that celebrates visibility, love, and resistance.
  

Pride isn’t just a day—it’s a movement. Be a part of it.

Donate. March. Celebrate.

Together, let’s make this year’s Pink Parade unforgettable.

Coco Chanel’s Roaring Riviera: A Dazzling New Exhibition Opens at Villa Paloma in Monaco

 

On 19 June 2025, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco at Villa Paloma unveiled Les Années folles de Coco Chanel, a captivating new exhibition dedicated to the creative brilliance of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel during the exuberant 1920s along the Côte d’Azur.

The opening ceremony was attended by Princess Caroline of Hanover, joined by her daughters Charlotte Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra, as well as Alexandra’s partner, Ben‑Sylvester Strautmann. Princess Caroline’s presence, as President of the NMNM board, underscored the exhibition’s cultural weight and its celebration of the intersection between fashion and the arts.

Curated by Célia Bernasconi, the exhibition brings together more than 200 works. Among them are 30 iconic Chanel ensembles and accessories, paired with 40 pieces by artistic giants like Picasso, Van Dongen, Laurencin, Gontcharova, Delaunay, and Cocteau. Vintage photography by Man Ray and Edward Steichen adds further depth to this visually rich journey.

The exhibition unfolds across three thematic chapters:

• Outdoor Living & Seaside Leisure Highlighting Chanel’s revolutionary jersey garments designed for an active lifestyle on golf courses, tennis courts, and yachts.

• Ballets Russes & Slavic Influence Featuring Chanel’s famed Le Train Bleu costume, a collaboration with Jean Cocteau and inspired by the Monte-Carlo ballet scene.

• The Birth of Riviera Style Showcasing Chanel’s early Riviera boutique in Monte-Carlo, the launch of her iconic No. 5 perfume in Grasse in 1921, and the creation of her Villa La Pausa in 1928.

  
  Complementing the historical content, contemporary artist Chloé Royer offers a modern counterpoint with her sculptural installation Of Limbs and Other Things, which explores themes of feminine identity and transformation—echoing Chanel’s own legacy.
  
  Exhibition Information:

• Dates: 19 June – 28 September 2025

• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00 (extended to 11:00–19:00 in July and August)

• Admission: €6 (reduced €4); free entry on Sundays

Les Années folles de Coco Chanel is not just an exhibition—it is an ode to Chanel’s radical influence on fashion, femininity, and freedom. Through the lens of the Riviera's golden age, it paints a portrait of a woman who reshaped modern style and cultural expression.

If you’re in Monaco this summer, don’t miss this elegant journey into the heart of Chanel’s artistic revolution.

First LGBTQ Retirement Home Set to Open in France

France is on the verge of a historic milestone with the upcoming opening of its first LGBTQ+ retirement home in Lyon. Scheduled to welcome residents in autumn 2025, the Maison de la Diversité — or House of Diversity — is located in the city’s charming Croix-Rousse neighborhood. More than just a housing project, it is a bold response to the isolation, discrimination, and invisibility that many LGBTQ+ seniors face.

Why It Matters

Older LGBTQ+ individuals have often lived through decades of repression, many without the support of children or extended families. Studies show that 65% of LGBTQ+ seniors live alone — a stark contrast to 15% of heterosexual seniors under 70. Suicide rates among them are 2–7 times higher. The Maison de la Diversité aims to counter this isolation with a safe, inclusive, and supportive living environment.

 A Place to Be Yourself

Inclusive and Intergenerational

Primarily designed for those over 55, the home also reserves one unit for a student resident to promote cross-generational exchange. The goal is to build a community rooted in mutual respect and solidarity.

Community-Driven Design

The 680 m² residence spans five stories and houses 16 apartments (T1 and T2), each accessible via elevator and connected by outdoor walkways. In addition to private units, residents share 120 m² of communal space and a 200 m² garden — fostering daily interaction and companionship.

 

Charter of Shared Values

All residents agree to a charter emphasizing LGBTQ+ values, inclusion, and cooperation. While LGBTQ+ people are the primary focus, the home is also open to allies who support its mission.

Design & Comfort

 

Modern and Eco-Conscious

The building is fully accessible and constructed using hemp-based materials, targeting high environmental standards.

Functional Living Spaces

It features 9 units at intermediate rent and 7 at subsidized social rates, with apartments ranging from 24 to 42 m², each equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and living/sleeping areas.

Shared Amenities

The residence includes activity rooms, a laundry area, guest accommodations, a bike garage, and a garden, all designed to support healthy aging and social connection.

From Vision to Reality

A Community Effort
First proposed in 2022, the project received unanimous support from Lyon’s city council. Construction began in mid-2023 and is slated for completion by late 2024 or early 2025.

Broad Support Network

Backers include the City of Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, Croix-Rouge Habitat, and nonprofit Les Audacieuses & Les Audacieux. Mayor Grégory Doucet called the project a reflection of Lyon’s commitment to inclusivity and human dignity.

Scalable Model

Organizers hope this pioneering project will be just the beginning, with plans to establish 10 similar retirement homes across France over the next decade.

Voices from Within

Christophe Dercamp, general coordinator, describes the home as “a cocoon... a bubble of kindness, mutual aid, and solidarity between generations and neighbours.”

One future resident, François, told LyonMag:

“I could leave home wearing glitter — I know I’ll be safe.”

A National Movement Begins

While LGBTQ+-focused senior housing exists in countries like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, Maison de la Diversité is a first for France. Lyon’s initiative could inspire similar projects in cities such as Paris, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, and Nantes, which are reportedly considering their own LGBTQ+ senior residences.

Looking Ahead

Set to open at 65 rue de Belfort, the Maison de la Diversité is more than a housing complex — it’s a symbol of social progress and belonging. For LGBTQ+ seniors, it offers not just a home, but a place to live freely, authentically, and surrounded by community.

In Summary

Lyon’s Maison de la Diversité challenges the invisibility that too often accompanies aging within the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a place where dignity, safety, and joy converge — proving that you can grow old and still sparkle on your own terms.