The second leg of the princely family’s historic journey through Brittany and Normandy concluded with powerful gestures of remembrance and renewed ties, as His Serene Highness Prince Albert II continued to honour the centuries-old legacy of the Grimaldi and Matignon families…
On this poignant final day in Normandy, the Sovereign visited the commune of Percy, where locals gathered to warmly welcome him and celebrate their shared history with the Principality of Monaco.
The visit featured the awarding of the prestigious Label of Excellence to four local producers, a symbolic blessing of a recently restored bell dating back to 1593, once belonging to the Grimaldi family, and the ceremonial opening of a special market uniting producers from Grimaldi Historic Sites.
In emotional addresses, local representatives highlighted the commune’s deep-rooted ties to the barony of Moyon and the enduring significance of Jacques I of Matignon’s 1715 marriage to Princess Louise-Hippolyte Grimaldi. This key union made Jacques I Prince of Monaco, forging the noble lineage that continues to this day.
The day also included a visit to the Church of Saint-Laurent in Torigni, home to the Matignon family’s funeral chapel, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, now officially part of the Grimaldi Historic Sites network.
The restoration of the Hôtel-Dieu chapel — supported by the princely family — further cemented Monaco’s role in preserving shared European heritage. Reflecting on the journey, HSH Prince Albert II described the public’s welcome as “extraordinary” and said it was important to share this history with Princess Charlene and their children, Gabriella and Jacques, who joined him on the first day of the visit.
Image: @palaisprincierdemonaco
