After more than twenty years, I found myself back in Monaco. The view from the taxi was precisely as I remembered – sunshine, symmetry and more supercars than road space. It’s still the world’s most precise contradiction: a place built on luxury, powered by order.
I was in town for a conference, and my daughter joined me for the weekend. She studies economics, so Monaco was certainly interesting for her – a living example of how wealth, regulation and scale can coexist in such a concentrated space. Seeing the city through her eyes made the familiar details feel sharper. The calm streets, the rhythm of languages, the quiet choreography of wealth – all somehow both real and surreal.
Monte-Carlo felt perfectly rehearsed. Banks, boutiques and Bentleys coexisted in near-mathematical balance. Nothing seemed rushed, not even the people. Later, in a small wine bar overlooking the harbour, a group of bankers were deep in discussion about compliance and the Grey List. It felt like the most Monaco moment imaginable: regulation served with rosé.
In the evening, my daughter and I walked along the waterfront, watching the lights settle on the bay. For all its polish, Monaco felt almost peaceful – like a well-kept system that had learned how to rest.
It struck me how such a tiny state can reflect so many global themes – ambition, discipline, and the delicate balance between freedom and framework.
Source: LinkedIn
