In Monaco, where exclusivity is part of daily life and luxury experiences compete endlessly for attention, creating an event that feels genuinely authentic is increasingly rare. Yet for more than a decade, SUNSET has managed to do exactly that.
What began as a private gathering on the beach during Formula 1 weekend has evolved into one of the Principality’s most sought-after invitations — a three-day celebration of music, gastronomy, art and Riviera lifestyle that now attracts international tastemakers, celebrities, athletes and creatives from around the world.
Behind SUNSET are two Monaco-based entrepreneurs whose vision has quietly reshaped the social landscape of Grand Prix weekend: Thomas Peeters and Cédric Houdrouge.
Their story is not simply about building an event. It is about creating a feeling.
Returning from June 5 to 7, 2026, at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, SUNSET celebrates its 13th edition with its most ambitious evolution yet: Casa SUNSET x Mauro Colagreco, an open-air gastronomic collaboration with the celebrated chef behind Mirazur in Menton.
For Peeters and Houdrouge, however, SUNSET’s success was never only about glamour or prestige. From the beginning, the ambition was to create something more human, more immersive and more emotionally connected to Monaco itself.
“Since 2013, each edition has been designed to refine the experience and push it further,” says Thomas Peeters. “With Casa SUNSET x Mauro Colagreco, SUNSET 2026 marks a new milestone and opens a new chapter.”
That philosophy of constant evolution defines the founders’ approach.
Unlike many events tied to the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco, SUNSET intentionally moves away from traditional codes of exclusivity. Instead of rigid formality, the atmosphere embraces freedom: barefoot guests dancing in the sand, sunset cocktails by the Mediterranean and music that stretches from daytime energy into late-night celebration.
This year’s edition introduces a fully reimagined scenography, artistic installations, immersive beach activations and a redesigned La Petite Plage concept featuring local DJs and a more expressive Riviera atmosphere.
But perhaps what makes SUNSET resonate internationally is that its founders are not simply event organizers — they are cultural curators.
Houdrouge, a true globe-trotting entrepreneur, has spent years immersed in fashion, international trade and music culture. His passion for discovering emerging artistic talent continues to shape the creative identity of SUNSET today.
Peeters, is a serial entrepreneur whose work spans consulting, event management and music, driven by a constant desire for exploration and new experiences.
Together, the pair have built something that feels uniquely Monaco while remaining globally relevant.
That balance is visible throughout SUNSET 2026. International DJs perform alongside Riviera artists. Contemporary art installations coexist with relaxed beach culture. Fine dining by Mauro Colagreco unfolds beside after-parties lasting until 3am.
“Choosing Mauro Colagreco felt entirely natural,” says Cédric Houdrouge. “At the helm of Mirazur, voted the world’s best restaurant, he embodies a cuisine that is exacting, sensitive and profoundly open to the world — in perfect resonance with the DNA of SUNSET. With Casa SUNSET x Mauro Colagreco, we share the same vision: an experience that is international, elegant and alive.”
The collaboration signals SUNSET’s continued transformation from beach party into full-scale luxury lifestyle destination.
Yet despite its growth, the founders have preserved the spirit that made the concept successful in the first place: a sense of spontaneity and collective energy rarely found during Monaco’s famously orchestrated Grand Prix weekend.
“The artist selection is approached with great precision, always driven by the desire to create an energy that feels both immersive and unforgettable,” explains Houdrouge. “What we seek are those suspended moments where the music, the setting and the crowd become one. Rare and precious moments that stay with people long after SUNSET is over.”
That atmosphere has helped SUNSET become a magnet for international personalities over the years. Celebrities including Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, Adrien Brody, Jason Derulo, Bob Sinclar, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have all been part of the experience.
Still, SUNSET’s greatest achievement may be how it captures a changing vision of modern luxury.
Today’s most desired experiences are no longer defined solely by access or extravagance. They are defined by emotion, energy and authenticity — qualities that cannot easily be manufactured. Peeters and Houdrouge understood this long before experiential luxury became a global trend.
As Monaco prepares once again for the return of Formula 1, SUNSET 2026 promises more than a party. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience the Principality differently: through music, art, gastronomy and human connection, directly beside the Mediterranean.
And for those fortunate enough to secure an invitation, SUNSET may ultimately become the memory that defines the entire Grand Prix weekend.
For More Information: https://www.sunsetmonaco.com/
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