On a state visit to Monaco, Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron take a private trip from Monte Carlo to the sea

Given the extremely tight schedule of this historic state visit to Monaco, this was the only window of free time identified for the presidential couple. Around 7:30 p.m., after leaving the Prince's Palace, and before returning for the state dinner organized in their honor, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron made a brief stop at the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte Carlo, before exiting through the main entrance and receiving the first greetings from people seated on the terrace.

Hand in hand, the Macrons then strolled through the luxury boutiques of One Monte-Carlo, exploring the architecture of the district, which opened in 2019, and walking up its Princess Charlene Avenue. The couple then paused for a moment to exchange a few words with the Director of Monaco's Public Security, Eric Arella, whose teams escorted the presidential couple and their regular bodyguards.

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron then wandered through the Jardins des Boulingrins, which overlook the Monte-Carlo Casino, passing astonished tourists delighted to come face to face with them. They then crossed the Casino Square in front of the crowded terrace of the Café de Paris, creating a certain euphoria among onlookers and car-spotters (hunters for beautiful cars) and attracting all the smartphone lenses.

The couple continued on their way—called "Macron" in every language—past the Opéra Garnier and the Casino Terraces. Out of sight, Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron paused once again to admire the panoramic view overlooking the sea. At their feet, the footprints of the greatest football players in history, set in marble to form the "Promenade des Champions."

With their white shirt sleeves rolled up to their elbows for the gentleman and their black outfits and sunglasses for the lady, they then resumed their brisk walk past the Buddha Bar and once again crossed the Jardins des Boulingrins.

Upon their return to the Hôtel Hermitage, where they were to spend the night, the deputy president of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), Stéphane Valeri, was waiting for them. Brigitte Macron then returned to her room after a kiss from her husband, who was led to the wine cellars of the Hôtel de Paris, beneath the Hôtel Hermitage, for a quick tour of this legendary SBM venue, which has just celebrated its 150th anniversary.