Stephane Valeri, Director of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) kicked off the new year with a confident press conference on 7 January at the at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. During the conference, Valeri looked back on the Group’s popular end-of-year celebrations before sharing the SBM’s visions for 2030 and looking ahead to Monaco hosting the Michelin Guide Ceremony this March.
“This gathering also provided an opportunity to review a year full of new developments and events, culminating in magnificent end-of-year celebrations for our Group, images of which circulated widely on social media. I was also able to share our Group’s vision for 2030, outlining the new stages of our development both in the Principality and internationally,” said Stephane Valeri.
Double the amount of attendees…
Over 30,000 visitors attended the SBM’s holiday and end-of-year celebrations on the Place du Casino on 31 December. That’s double the amount of people compared to 2023 (15,000). Valeri also spoke about the millions of views that the SBM’s social media posts have been garnering over the holidays. A post about when Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were welcomed on the Casino Square by Stephane Valeri for the Casino Square illumination ceremony on 29 November has been viewed over 1 million times.
Kids Clubs
Valeri also spoke about the SBM rolling out more Kids Clubs in various establishments. Kids-Friendly restaurants and special activities, including a vegetable garden, an Oscars ceremony, sports tournaments, art workshops and open-air shows will all be available through the SBM’s Kids Club by Petit VIP.
La Rascasse to reopen in April
After undergoing it Formula 1-inspired redesign, Valeri announced that the iconic nightclub, La Rascasse, will reopen in April 2026. The establishment’s location is at one of the most famous corners of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.
Valeri said images of Charles Leclerc’s victory at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix may be featured in the design. La Rascasse celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025.
Courchevel
Last year, after the SBM acquired the “Palace des Neiges” in Courchevel 1850, the SBM unveiled the name of the ambitious hotel project: “Monte-Carlo One – Courchevel”. Now, construction has already begun on the much-anticipated project, with plans to add three more chalets, a Jimmy’z restaurant, and a Monte-Carlo Club 1863 restaurant.
Courchevel 1850 has been nicknamed “an alpine mirror of the Principality of Monaco” by Valeri, who looks forward to see the new establishment welcoming the Winter Olympic Games in 2030.
Michelin Guide Ceremony
Valeri also mentioned his excitement for the Michelin Guide ceremony, happening for the first time in Monaco, at the Grimaldi Forum in March. The initiative is jointly led by the Principality of Monaco and the SBM. The 2026 Michelin ceremony will mark an important milestone in the history of the Guide: for the fifth year in a row, the ceremony will celebrate the territories highlighted in the French and Monegasque selections.
“The choice of Monaco, a Mecca of haute gastronomie, perfectly illustrates this intention. Featured in the Michelin Guide France & Monaco since its very first edition in 1900, the Principality of Monaco is a benchmark in terms of gastronomy and art of living. Today, spearheaded by internationally renowned chefs, its culinary scene continues to shine thanks to its audacity, creativity and openness to global trends,” said a recent press release by Michelin.
After touching upon all the exciting projects on the SBM’s horizon, Valeri also hinted that there is more yet to be unveiled.
“For now, let’s focus on 2026 with the Michelin Guide Ceremony on March 16, as well as some exciting new developments in our hotels and casinos, which I will be sure to share with you,” said Stephane Valeri.
