Monaco unveils its cultural programme for summer Monaco unveils its cultural programme for summer

Monaco has unveiled its cultural programme for summer, giving you plenty of reasons to visit the microstate beyond the glitz and glam (and the chance to spot a few celebrities and F1 drivers…).

From 8 July until 31 August, you’ll be able to explore the modern history of colour through a number of 20th century masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou collection as part of the Colours! exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.

More than 100 artworks will be going on display, including works from renowned artists such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Sonia Delaunay.

Designed to be a multi-disciplinary, multi-sensory experience, the exhibition will also have seven monochromatic spaces enhanced with sound creations by composer Roque Rivas and scents created by perfumer Alexis Dadier. Along the exhibition path, there will also be iconic design pieces by Ron Arad, Jean Prouvé, Ettore Sottsass, and Philippe Starck.

Read next: Alternative Monaco: 5 unusual things to do

This year’s Monte-Carlo Summer Festival, hosted at the Salle des Étoiles, is set to kick off on 5 July with a Jean-Jacques Goldman during the Fight Aids Monaco evening. Over the course of the festival, the venue will host a mix of rock, pop and electronic music, including Billy Idol on 12 July and Benson Boone on 16 July.

From 30 July until 10 August, there will be ten shows from the Motown All-Stars, followed by a final show from Kool & The Gang on 13 August and Giorgia on 15 August.

Elsewhere in music, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais Princier throughout the summer, being joined by renowned conductors and soloists, including Lawrence Foster with violinist Daniel Lozakovich on 10 July, Kazuki Yamada with pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen on 20 July, and Charles Dutoit with pianist David Fray on 31 July.

Finally, Monaco Art Week will be held between 7 and 12 July this year. This year, 15 galleries and and auction houses will be taking part, preparing a new exhibition for the week that showcases their particular field, artists, and history.

More information: grimaldiforum.com / montecarlosbm.com / opmc.mc / visitmonaco.com