A new exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum, inaugurated on July 10, 2025, by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and developed by Louis Ducruet, presents over a century of political, cultural, and familial connections between the House of Grimaldi and the Napoleonic dynasty. Titled Monaco et les Napoléon(s). Destins croisés, the show features more than 200 historical objects, including personal items, military uniforms, artworks, and rare documents. One-third of the pieces are being displayed publicly for the first time.
The project is a joint effort by the Fondation Napoléon, the Archives and Library of the Palais Princier, and the David and Mikhail Iakobachvili Museum Collection of the Arts. It is organized into seven rooms, each inspired by the design of the Légion d’honneur, highlighting key episodes in the long-running relationship—from imperial heritage and state diplomacy to private exchanges.
The exhibition traces the encounter between Napoleon I and Prince Honoré V in 1815 at Golfe Juan and follows the diplomatic ties formed in later years, including those between Prince Albert I and Empress Eugénie. The curation underscores how these intersecting histories shaped Monaco’s position in Europe over time.
The exhibition runs through August 31, 2025.
Photo credits: Axel Bastello | Palais Princier