Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum is opening its summer exhibition tomorrow with Monaco and the Napoleons: A Crossed Destiny, an exploration of the little-known links between the Principality and the French emperors…
Initiated by Louis Ducruet, the exhibition brings together nearly 200 works, many displayed in Monaco for the first time, ranging from portraits and letters to personal objects including Napoleon’s iconic hat and military-issued clocks.
Visitors can discover how Prince Honoré V witnessed Napoleon’s return from exile in 1815, and learn about deeper family ties, such as Prince Charles II’s near marriage to Princess Annamura and Prince Albert I’s marriage to Stéphanie de Beauharnais’ granddaughter. These stories reveal a web of diplomatic, affectionate, and blood connections that shaped Monaco’s past.
The exhibition is divided into thematic sections tracing more than a century of Monaco’s history, from moments of glory to times of turmoil such as the 1793 annexation by France. Among the highlights are exchanges between Prince Honoré and Alexandre Dumas, as well as rare objects collected by passionate private collectors, including snuffboxes that reflect diplomatic traditions of the era.
Running until August 31, the exhibition weaves art, politics, and family into a powerful narrative, offering visitors a chance to discover Monaco’s hidden Napoleonic heritage this summer.
Image: Monaco Info
