Karl-Henry Edström gives a preview of Robb Report Monaco & Côte d’Azur’s anticipated annual Ultimate Gift Guide edition—out now across Monaco and the French Riviera.
Around the same time of year that Place du Casino is imbued with a festive buoyancy, thanks to light installations and a monumental 18-metre Christmas tree, another annual ritual marks the beginning of Christmas in the Principality: the launch of Robb Report’s annual Ultimate Gift Guide.
For the uninitiated, the Ultimate Gift Guide is, in a sense, an annual gift from us to you: one that sees us become part-concierge, part fairy godfather, as we curate a range of highly covetable pieces and experiences—the likes of which you will not find offered anywhere outside of these pages.
The word “Ultimate” is not one we take lightly. For months, leading up to the publication of this special edition, our team of international editors scours the globe, seeking out the finest gifts imaginable. The results make the Ultimate Gift Guide the epitome of what Robb Report stands for: excellence exceeded, to the point of sublimity.
One of the trickiest tasks in my working year comes each late-November when I write this letter: cherry-picking my favourites from the list to mention here. After much deliberation, I’ve decided to draw reader attention to the exclusive experience at Maison Belle Époque in Épernay (including guided tastings of Perrier- Jouët’s finest cuvées), the wonderful BoHo ring created by Charlotte Lynggaard (page 101) and the hidden home audio system by L-Acoustics (pages 94-95). Just three of the highly covetable items on the list, for the delectation of readers and their nearest and dearest.
Elsewhere, this issue is also packed with delights for oenophiles, horolophiles and autophiles alike (in Robb Report’s social circles, that’s a Venn diagram whose circles practically merge). On pages 34-35, Mark Ellwood visits Château de la Commaraine—a restored 12th-century Burgundy institution on a mission to make the region’s magical secrets more accessible to discerning palates. On pages 70-77, Paige Reddinger examines the pivotal role in-house historians are playing in helping watch brands fulfil the ubiquitous promise of heritage-based innovation for the future.
And, our regular Dream Machines section this issue sees us take to the wheel of the Bugatti 1,578 hp Mistral—“an ode to open-air motoring”, according to writer Basem Wasef— as well as the Maserati GranTurismo (pages 52-58). Driving the latter, with its purring 3.0L V6 “Nettuno” mill and plush interiors, around the contours surrounding the Principality, the vehicle seemed to be in its spiritual home.
Elsewhere, we examine the renaissance in commercial business travel (pages 64-65), the sterling work being carried out by interiors masterminds F/LIST (pages 60-63) and the new lease of life boat-builders are giving the classic race craft (pages 66-69). Our travel expert Rachel Ingram also spotlights the best places to sleep, dine and celebrate in St Barths (pages 118–123) and Courchevel (pages 124–127) this season—with an eye to special editions in 2026.
Enjoy the issue, and the entire festive season: and please do so keeping in mind our core philosophy—the finer things in life are the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.
