It begins with a glint, sunlight catching the curve of a hand-polished hypercar parked just beyond the Hôtel de Paris. From there, the spectacle unfolds. Monaco, already a synonym for opulence, somehow manages to outdo itself every May as Top Marques rolls into town. This is not merely a motor show. It is a pageant, a performance, a love letter to luxury in all its forms.
Held in the Grimaldi Forum, a glass-and-steel temple perched on the edge of the Mediterranean, Top Marques Monaco is more than a celebration of horsepower and high-net-worth engineering. It is a curated encounter between the world’s most discerning clientele and the artisans, designers, and visionaries shaping the future of extravagance.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary from May 7 to 11, 2025, the event has grown from a niche automotive fair into an international gathering of the elite. On any given afternoon, you may find a Qatari collector sizing up a bespoke electric roadster, a Hollywood producer sipping champagne beside a Swiss watchmaker’s latest skeleton dial, or a tech billionaire debating the virtues of carbon fibre with the designer of a $3 million yacht tender.
This milestone edition promises to be one of the most memorable in the event’s history. Beyond the thrilling world premieres, a retrospective exhibition will allow visitors to explore the event’s rich history. From May 8 to 11, the show will be open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to admire over 180 vehicles, including at least five world-first reveals.
A key highlight of Top Marques Monaco 2025 will be an exclusive buyers’ evening on May 8, providing potential clients with a unique opportunity to discover exclusive models. The exhibition will also feature luxury motorcycles, an EVTOL from sponsor nanoFlowcell, and a replica of the Junkers A50 Junior, the world’s first sports aircraft.
Due to high demand, the watches and jewellery pavilion will be expanded, showcasing brands such as Helfer, Artisan de Genève, and Infinit Jewels from Singapore, among others.
In recent years, sustainability has entered the conversation, but in a distinctly Monaco way. Forget eco-warrior minimalism. Here, green is glamorous. You’ll find hydrogen-powered supercars with interiors clad in vegan leather, and diamond-encrusted accessories made from upcycled aerospace alloys. The message is clear: the future of luxury isn’t just conscious, it’s still unapologetically captivating.
But what truly distinguishes Top Marques is its access. Unlike other invitation-only gatherings, this event allows the public (albeit the well-heeled public) a front-row seat to a lifestyle few get to glimpse. Test drives through the streets of Monte Carlo are on offer, if your credentials and bank balance pass muster. Watch collectors can commission bespoke designs over espresso with master craftsmen. The air is rich with opportunity, and yes, a little ego.
And yet, beneath the extravagance, there is sincerity. For the exhibitors and visitors alike, this is not just about showing off—it is about showing up. In a world where luxury is increasingly digital, Top Marques remains defiantly tactile. The scent of leather. The resonance of a V12. The quiet intimacy of a rare gem passed hand to hand.
It is this rare blend of theatre and authenticity that secures Top Marques Monaco’s place in the global luxury calendar. As one veteran attendee put it, with a wink and a raised flute of rosé, “You don’t come here to see what’s next, you come to decide it.”
