A new exhibition opening next month in the Principality seeks to shed light on the complex and often overlooked relationship between Monaco’s ruling Grimaldi family and the Napoleonic era, a period that reshaped the political map of Europe and left its mark on the Mediterranean microstate.
Titled “Monaco and the Napoleons: Intertwined Destinies”, the exhibition will run from July 11 through August 31, 2025, at the Grimaldi Forum. It is held under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco — a testament to the project’s cultural and historical significance.
Organizers describe the exhibition as a major event, one that brings together rare artifacts, archival materials, and personal objects that illuminate the Principality’s connections with both the First and Second French Empires. Most of the materials on display have never been shown to the public, offering visitors a fresh perspective on Monaco’s role during a tumultuous era in European history.
In recent years, Monaco has made concerted efforts to invest in historical scholarship and cultural diplomacy. This exhibition, with its blend of archival rigor and curatorial ambition, is emblematic of that strategy — positioning the Principality not only as a luxury destination but also as a thoughtful custodian of its layered past.