The exhibition “Monaco and the Napoleons: Intertwined Destinies,” officially opened by Prince Albert II on July 10th at the Grimaldi Forum, uncovers the deep yet little-known connections between the Principality of Monaco and the two Napoleonic Empires. The exhibition sheds light on a fascinating history that shaped the fates of the Grimaldi and Bonaparte dynasties throughout the 19th century.
Grand opening and noble descendants
The grand opening was graced by the exhibition’s ambassador, Louis Ducruet, his wife Marie Ducruet, as well as descendants of Napoleon Bonaparte. Prince Albert II personally toured the exhibits, which illustrate how the destinies of these two powerful families became intertwined during the tumultuous 19th century.
The beginning of the connection: The Meeting of Napoleon I and Prince Honoré V
The exhibition is divided into seven sections, beginning with the pivotal meeting of Napoleon I and Prince Honoré V in 1815 near Cannes, during the Emperor’s return from Elba. This encounter, later recounted by Alexandre Dumas, though disputed by the Prince himself, laid the foundation for the complex relationship that would define Monaco’s fate.
The Grimaldis in the Napoleonic era: From courtiers to allies
The exhibition clearly demonstrates how members of the Grimaldi family actively participated in the Napoleonic era. Prince Honoré V, after Empress Joséphine’s divorce from Napoleon, served as her equerry at Malmaison, managing her stables and becoming deeply involved in the daily life of the imperial court. His descendant, Prince Charles III, would later establish crucial ties with Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie during the Second Empire’s festivities.
The Great Alliance of 1861 and Monaco’s rebirth
A central part of the exhibition is dedicated to the story of the “Great Alliance” of 1861, when an agreement between Napoleon III and Charles III transformed Monaco from a principality in crisis into today’s world-renowned destination. In exchange for ceding the towns of Menton and Roquebrune to France, Monaco received four million francs, recognition of its sovereignty, and a promise of a railway connection.
Personal items and the Grimaldis in Napoleon’s world
The personal dimension of these relationships comes to life through artifacts from the private collection of David and Mikhail Iakobachvili. Among them are Empress Joséphine’s malachite cameo jewelry, Marshal Lannes’ desk gifted to him by Napoleon I, and extraordinary snuffboxes with imperial portraits. These objects reveal how members of the Grimaldi family served as both soldiers and courtiers in Napoleon’s world.
The Second Empire’s influence on Monaco’s cultural renaissance
The final part of the exhibition shows how Monaco’s cultural renaissance under Albert I was influenced by the Second Empire. The Monte Carlo Opera, designed by Charles Garnier—architect of Napoleon III’s Paris Opera—became a “little Paris,” continuing the tradition of supporting the arts, even after the fall of the Second Empire.
The exhibition’s curators are Pierre Branda from the Napoleon Foundation, along with Thomas Fouilleron and Thomas Blanchy from the Archives of the Prince’s Palace. The display includes almost 200 works. The exhibition is open until August 31st, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore this hidden chapter of European history.
