Just days after Monaco’s National Council unanimously passed a comprehensive anti-tobacco reform aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment, the Principality welcomed a new chapter in its long-standing luxury tradition: the inauguration of the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club…
The timing offers an intriguing juxtaposition; on one hand, a progressive legislative move banning disposable e-cigarettes and extending smoke-free zones, and on the other, the launch of what is billed as the world’s most exclusive cigar club, celebrating artisanal craftsmanship and the heritage of fine tobacco.
Unveiled on 19 May in the historic office of François Blanc, founder of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), the club was inaugurated by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II alongside SBM Chairman Stéphane Valeri and Dominique London CEO Frédéric Deschamps. The ceremony marked the culmination of a two-year project led by SBM CEO Albert Manzone, a noted cigar connoisseur, in partnership with Dominique London and with contributions from key stakeholders including Christophe Navarre and Philippe Gatti.
Located on the first floor of the Monte-Carlo Casino, the 200 m² space offers sweeping sea views and a terrace, blending heritage and elegance with 275 handpicked cigar references from Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, amounting to 35,000 cigars in total.
The richly designed interiors, shaped by architects Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille, evoke the sensory world of cigars, with embossed leathers, larch wood, marble, and brass setting the tone for an intimate, immersive experience.
While the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club aligns with Monaco’s tradition of refined living, its opening in the context of landmark health legislation adds a thought-provoking dimension, highlighting how the Principality continues to balance its heritage of luxury with its commitment to public wellbeing.
Image: Monte Carlo Cigar Club
