What to do in Monaco this March

Culture

Printemps des Arts Monte-Carlo

Spring might not officially arrive until 20 March, but the Printemps des Arts Monte-Carlo spring arts festival is already here! The landmark event runs from 2 March to 27 April and this year honours the memory of composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. Highlights will include a concert by the all-female quartet Akilone on 15 March, performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra on 22 and 23 March, and three ballets performed by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo from 23 to 27 April. The eclectic programme will feature no fewer than 40 composers and 80 pieces performed by some 400 artists!

Les Sérénissimes de l’Humour

The 19th edition of the popular comedy festival Les Sérénissimes de l’Humour is coming to the Grimaldi Forum from 12 to 15 March. Stand-up comedians Philippe Lellouche (12 March), Michel Boujenah (13 March) and Bun Hay Mean (15 March) will each be sharing their own unique brand of humour with audiences. As is now customary, there will be a special evening reserved for the rising stars of the French comedy scene on 14 March, with Le Comedy des Sérénissimes. Look forward to lots of laughs with the new generation of comedians!

Theatre, comedy, and music at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco

As usual, the Grimaldi Forum will be hosting a variety of events throughout the month. After two performances of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea on 1 and 2 March, the famous arts and culture venue will be the stage for the great contemporary comedy “On ne paie pas ! On ne paie pas !” on 18 March. There will also be fantastic music, with the entrancing sound of Francis of Delirium on 20 March, followed by Pascal Obispo on 1 April.

Théâtre Princesse Grace

Once again, there’s a busy month of theatrical excellence in store at the Théâtre Princesse Grace.  March kicks off with the great Yasmina Reza’s play “Art” (6 March), followed by the peerless Shakespearian tragedy “Richard III” (11 March). In addition to top-class thespianism, the Theatre will host a philosophical debate on 13 March in partnership with Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, on the theme “Dialogue, Division, and Conflict”. Ending the month is a police comedy by Robert Thomas, “Piège pour un homme seul” (27 March).

Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra

In the mood for an afternoon of cinematic music? The Orchestra will be accompanying a screening of the Charlie Chaplin classics “The Cure” and “The Property Man” at the Auditorium Rainier III on 9 March. Finally, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic will pay tribute to Ravel with a symphonic concert featuring one of the world’s greatest pianists, Nelson Goerner (27 March).

Opéra de Monte-Carlo 

After a performance of the Wagner opera “Tristan & Isolde” at the Auditorium Rainier III on 2 March, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo will follow up with Monteverdi’s choral concert “Vespro della Beata Vergine” at Monaco Cathedral (14 March). March will conclude in style with four performances of works by Ravel, the comic opera “L'heure espagnole” and the fantastical “L’enfant et les sortilèges” (21, 23, 25, and 27 March).

Smakelijk Comedy Club

The Méridien Beach Plaza is going all out for laughs, turning its Belgian brasserie Smakelijk into a comedy club with stand-up nights. Launched in November, the event has already proved a big hit with audiences, and has played host to top comics including Belgium’s Alex Vizorek, Lorenzo Mancini, and Nikoz. Coming this March: P.E., Sacha Ferra and Sarah Lélé. An all-Belgian line-up.

Current exhibitions

“Espaces ciselés” at the Exhibition Space on Quai Antoine Ier – until 12 March 2025
“Agora, Place of the Museum” at the Villa Sauber – until 4 May 2025
“Francisco Tropa, Paesine” at the Villa Paloma – until 21 April 2025
“The Butterfly Effect: the Prehistory of Animals” at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology - until 1 December 2025

Sport

AS Monaco Basket

The season is heading into the final straight - both domestically and in Europe! This March will see a succession of titanic tussles, as the Roca Team prepares to host two of their biggest French title rivals in the shape of Paris (9 March) and Lyon-Villeurbanne (23 March), currently second and fourth in the Betclic Elite championship respectively. In the Euroligue, AS Monaco Basket will be welcoming Fenerbahçe (20 March) and Kaunas (25 March). Vassilis Spanoulis’s players will need to bring their A game, and the challenge will continue after the end of March with the visit of Greek giants Panathinaikos on 3 April.

AS Monaco Football

A top-of-the-table Riviera derby! The Rouge et Blancs will host local rivals Nice on Saturday 29 March, for what promises to be a thrilling clash between two sides in the upper echelons of Ligue 1. All eyes will be on the Stade Louis II at 9.05 pm!

Gourmet food

Monaco is the place to find world-class food all year round, with Michelin-starred restaurants, ultra-refined establishments, and distinguished events.

On 21 March, Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, a restaurant by Yannick Alléno*, will host a stylish dinner in collaboration with the prestigious Château de Beaucastel. It promises to be a truly unique gastronomical experience, with exceptional wines from the historic vineyard married harmoniously with a five-course menu expertly created by the Pavyllon’s chefs. The cherry on the cake will see François Perrin, Beaucastel’s former Cellar Master, share enthralling anecdotes about the history of the iconic vineyard. An unforgettable experience, in a dream setting.

On 28 March, the Blue Bay Marcel Ravin** will add a dash of originality with its unique “Terre de naissance” dinner. The six-course menu will see Marcel Ravin’s creole cuisine matched perfectly with Martinique rums for an incredible sensory journey of discovery. This exclusive dinner will be an opportunity to celebrate creole flavours and the heritage of AOC rum from the “Isle of Flowers".