Photo credits: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Stéphane Valeri, Deputy Chairman of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, accompanied by Christophe Navarre, SBM Administrator, and Patrice Frank, Director of the Cercle and the Caves of the Hôtel de Paris.
MONACO — Beneath the opulent Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a subterranean treasure has been reborn. On June 11, 2025, Prince Albert II and Stéphane Valeri, deputy chairman of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), unveiled the newly renovated Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a 1,500-square-meter labyrinth carved into rock 10 meters underground. These cellars, the largest of any hotel in the world, now house an ultra-exclusive wine club, the Cercle des Caves, cementing their status as a global beacon of oenological excellence.
Originally envisioned in 1874 by Marie Blanc, the forward-thinking matriarch behind SBM’s founding, the Caves have long embodied Monaco’s commitment to the art of fine living. Marking their 150th anniversary in 2024, the cellars underwent a transformative renovation, led by Parisian firm Moinard Bétaille in collaboration with Monégasque architect Gabriel Viora. The project, phased across 2024 and 2025, blends heritage with innovation: light wood, Turbie stone, and meticulously crafted lighting create a timeless ambiance in the grand hall, while the reception room narrates the legacy of Marie and François Blanc, SBM’s founding couple.
The Caves’ crown jewel is the Réserve Marie Blanc, a collection of rare, non-commercial vintages, including a Cognac Grande Champagne from 1809 and 1811, a 1945 Mouton-Rothschild, and a 1945 Petrus. A new Cellier showcases France’s finest wine regions—Champagne, Bourgogne, Bordeaux—guided by expert sommeliers. Visitors can explore through exclusive experiences, from private tastings to lavish dinners.
Photo credits: montecarlosbm Instagram.
The Cercle des Caves, launched alongside the renovation, caters to the world’s most discerning wine aficionados. Members, inducted through a formal ceremony, gain access to rare vintages, bespoke food-and-wine pairings, and intimate encounters with top vintners, all curated by Patrice Frank, director of the Caves and the Cercle. Prince Albert II was among the first to be inducted, a nod to the principality’s deep ties to this storied institution. “These Caves leave unforgettable memories,” Valeri remarked at the inauguration, crediting the renovation’s strategic vision to the Moinard Bétaille-Viora collaboration and its homage to Marie Blanc.
Photo credits: montecarlosbm Instagram.
The Caves’ allure extends beyond Monaco. At the Universal Exposition in Osaka, open since April 13, 2025, Monaco’s pavilion, themed “Take Care of Wonder,” spotlights the Caves through a partnership with SBM. Two elegant spaces, the Lounge and Belvédère, offer curated tastings of grand crus and a Cognac Grande Champagne XO, crafted by Frank. A pop-up boutique sells refined keepsakes, bringing Monaco’s art de vivre to a global stage.
Monte-Carlo SBM, Monaco’s largest private employer, continues to redefine luxury with purpose. Since 2007, it has pursued sustainability, from energy transition to local gastronomy, and in 2023, it introduced its fourth ethical charter. The Caves’ reinvention reflects this ethos: a sanctuary where history, craftsmanship, and exclusivity converge, inviting the world to savor wonder, one glass at a time.