In late June, Monaco opened his new yacht club. His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince Albert II, accompanied by the royal family, the building’s architect Lord Foster and government ministers officially opened the new premises of the Yacht Club de Monaco. It was a historic occasion for the 3,000 guests and all those who participated in the Giraglia Rolex Cup, with Pierre Casiraghi in the team which took line honours on Esimit Europa 2 in this offshore race that finished in Monaco for the first time in its 62-year history.

Speeking to over 3000 guests, the Sovereign Prince of Monaco said: “The flag I raised today flies proudly on the mast at the top of our new premises. It marks an important phase in the life of our Club, for Port Hercule and for the Principality. With this architectural masterpiece we are affirming our Monaco yachting identity, our ambition being to continue to orient our country’s future prosperity to the sea.”

The Monaco government chose Lord Norman Foster to design the YCM’s new flagship, as the renowned British architect is famous for his hi-tech approach to the environment.

“When designing this building which is open to the sea, at the centre of the harbour and embracing the city, we wanted to preserve the traditional spirit so dear to the Principality,” said Lord Foster, adding that if this building was a real liner he would call her Free Spirit.

The project was carried out in partnership with the Monaco architect Alexandre Giraldi, supervised by the Public Works Department. Designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and state of the art, it has been built to HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) standards. A stunning showcase, the building symbolises Monaco in the third millennium, looking ahead to the future and the sea.

We already advice you Monaco as a yacht destination, so what you’re waiting for?