His Serene Highness Prince Albert II officially inaugurated the new premises of the Direction des Archives nationales de Monaco in Fontvieille on Monday, June 16, marking a major step in preserving the Principality’s documentary heritage…
The ceremony was held in the presence of key government figures, including Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and acting State Minister, along with representatives from Monaco’s institutions.
This launch follows the sovereign ordinance of May 16, 2025, which formally created the national institution tasked with preserving and managing archives of public interest. The newly formed Direction des Archives nationales now incorporates the former Service central des archives, housed within the Ministry of State, and builds upon four years of development by the dedicated mission to establish a centralised archival authority.
Historically, Monaco’s government and sovereign archives were intertwined until the Constitution of 1911. As such, many early records remain within the Archives du Palais, which continues to collect materials related to the Sovereign and the royal family. In contrast, the new Archives nationales will focus on governmental, public, and private collections of national importance, offering access to researchers, citizens, and institutions.
With newly renovated 500 m² facilities in Fontvieille and a public website now live, archivesnationales.gouv.mc, the institution provides searchable inventories, digital archives, and virtual exhibitions. The portal also allows other archival entities, including communal services and private collections, to publish their holdings online. This milestone reflects Monaco’s commitment to modernising heritage preservation and offering public access to its rich historical record.
Images: Ed Wright and Manuel Vitali – Direction de la Communication
