Time is running out for Monaco’s budding gardeners and art enthusiasts to join the “Let’s Design a Garden” competition, an initiative that blends creativity with urban renewal. With a deadline of Thursday, March 20, participants have just days left to register for this unique project, part of the Monegasque government’s “Renaturalise the City” policy, spearheaded by the Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain (DAU).
Open to all Monaco residents aged 10 and up—whether novice or seasoned gardeners—the competition offers a chance to transform the city’s neighbourhoods, one flowerbed at a time. Inspired by last year’s popular FLOWERS4ART event, organised by the Passion Sea association, this year’s theme, “Journey into Art,” invites participants to draw from iconic artists or movements like cubism, baroque, or Van Gogh’s vibrant palette. Using plants, flowers, and decorative elements, contestants will bring their artistic visions to life in flowerbeds across Monaco’s districts.
The hands-on action begins April 26, when participants, guided by DAU experts, will receive tools and plants to craft their designs. After completion, they’ll maintain their creations alongside DAU representatives, ensuring the gardens flourish for residents and visitors to enjoy. An awards ceremony in October 2025, coinciding with Heritage Day, will celebrate the top three designs for creativity, thematic fidelity, and aesthetic appeal.
“This is about more than just gardening—it’s about reimagining our urban spaces,” said a DAU spokesperson. “It’s a chance for everyone to contribute to a greener, more beautiful Monaco.” The competition aligns with the government’s broader push to enhance sustainability and liveability in the principality.
Interested participants can sign up online, with an informational session scheduled for Saturday, March 29, at the Saint-Laurent d’Eze nursery. Entries must meet safety and environmental guidelines, and younger gardeners (under 18) need adult supervision, with a limit of two people per flowerbed. Free to enter, the contest promises to turn Monaco’s streets into a living gallery by year’s end. For more details, visit the registration page here.
