On Tuesday, September 30, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II paid an official visit to Aix-en-Provence at the invitation of the city’s mayor, Sophie Joissains. The day’s program celebrated the deep-rooted connection between the Grimaldi dynasty and the Provençal city, a bond notably embodied by Cardinal Jérôme Grimaldi.
The Prince was welcomed with an official reception before unveiling a commemorative plaque and touring Aix Cathedral. He was later honored at the Arbaud Museum, during a gathering hosted by the Academy of Sciences, Agriculture, Arts and Fine Letters of Aix, which named him an honorary member.
The cultural dimension of the visit continued with stops at several of the city’s landmark institutions. At the Hôtel de Caumont, Prince Albert viewed the exhibition “Niki de Saint Phalle – The Magic Beast”, to which he personally contributed a loaned artwork. His itinerary also included the Granet Museum and the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, where the exhibition “Cézanne at Jas de Bouffan” sheds light on the intertwining of artistic heritage and history.
This official visit not only reinforced centuries-old historical links but also highlighted the role of culture as a living bridge between Monaco and Aix-en-Provence.
