November is going to be a busy month for the centenary celebrations of Prince Rainier III, with everything from film projections and new exhibitions to the unveiling of a gold €50 coin bearing his image planned for the coming weeks.
Prince Rainier III ruled over Monaco for nearly 56 years. His legacy quite literally shaped the Principality we see today and his forward-thinking vision saw Monaco transformed into a modern state.
Many of the events held in his honour this month, and in the 100th year since his birth, will pay homage to these efforts, while others will commemorate the passions of the great man.
NEW COIN
Between 2nd and 5th November, coin collectors and fans of the late Prince will be able to get their hands on a flashy €50 coin embezzled with the image of Prince Rainier III from the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies.
It is the first time a piece of this denomination has been issued by Monaco since the creation of the euro in 2002. It measures 28mm in diameter and features 16.2g worth of gold.
FILM EVENT
The Rainier III par Lui-Même documentary by Yann-Antony Noghès is set to be screened at the Cinema des Beaux-Arts on 2nd November at 6.30pm and then again at the Théâtre des Variétés on 15th November, also at 6.30pm.
The film uses personal sound recordings made by Prince Rainier himself to tell the story of his fascinating life in his own words. It was created by Check Productions, assisted by historians Thomas Fouilleron and Vincent Vatrican, and with the support of the Comité de Commemoration Rainier III. To read more about the film and to watch a trailer, click here.
EXPOSITION: La Vision du Prince
The next in a series of fascinating exhibitions on a range of themes related to Prince Rainier will open on 6th November. Access to La Vision du Prince: Jacques Rueff, Ministre d’Etat du Prince Rainier III will only be possible by reservation until 17th November, but will then be fully open to the public until 26th January 2024.
Held at the Place de la Visitation, the exhibit explores the relationship between Prince Rainier and his first Minister of State, the prominent economist Jacques Rueff, and how it ultimately shaped the political direction of the Principality. Read more about the exhibition here.
Exhibition: Le Chantier d’un Règne: La Mise en Souterrain de la Voie Ferrée
Then, on 7th November, an exhibition on the development of the underground railway in Monaco will open at the Gare de Monaco.
Le Chantier d’un Règne: La Mise en Souterrain de la Voie Ferrée depicts Prince Rainier’s influence on the construction of the rail line and station beneath the Principality. With space at a premium, the idea of rerouting the railway line and making it subterranean was nothing short of inspirational. This exhibit runs until 31st December. Read more about it here.
Exhibition: Le Prince au Cœur du Cirque
From 22nd November to 28th January, the public can get an insight into one of the Prince’s great passions, the circus, at Le Prince au Cœur du Cirque every day from 11am to 7pm at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille.
The exhibition will feature a vast collection of circus-related photos, footage and costumes collected over the years, as well as never-before-seen papers and personal memorabilia.
Recent article: ‘The Prince at the Heart of the Circus’ to tell the story of Prince Rainier’s love of the Big Top
Exhibition: Rainier III sur les Pas de Sainte-Dévote
Rounding out the new set of exhibitions is Rainier III sur les Pas de Sainte-Dévote. This special tribute is actually not being held in Monaco, but in the birthplace of the Principality’s patron Saint Dévote: Lucciana in Corsica.
The Musée de Mariana is hosting the exhibit between 24th November and 22nd September 2024. Read all about it here.
MUSIC, THEATRE & TRADITIONS
On 10th November, the second of a two-part concert and conference event by Raphaëlle Doubli will be held at the Théâtre des Variétés at 6.30pm. It will feature music by the Orchestre des Carabiniers du Prince and numerous special guests. Reservations can be made here.
As part of Monaco’s National Day celebrations, the annual lightshow will be dedicated to Prince Rainier. It will take place at 8.15pm on 18th November above Port Hercule.
The commemorations continue on 19th November, the official date for the Fête National de Monaco, with a display by the 1st Tirailleurs regiment, in which Prince Rainier III served at the end of the Second World War, in front of the Palais Princier de Monaco and accompanied by the La Nouba military band.
See also: What’s happening in Monaco for National Day on 19th November?
Finally, the Théâtre des Variétés will host a performance of Claude-Andre Puget’s Les Jours Heureux by the Studio de Monaco on 24th and 25th November.
This play is particularly special as the late Prince actually performed in a production of this when he was a schoolboy in Montpellier in May 1942. Prince Rainier took on the role of Bernard Gassin, the sincere but slightly awkward boy who nonetheless had charm to spare.
The 1938 play was modern for its time, and still enchants today with its hide-and-seek love story featuring misunderstandings, jealousies and frustrations handled with a light touch.
For more information and a full schedule of each of these events, visit the Rainier III Centenary website here.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Main photo credit: Direction de la Communication / Frédéric Nebinger
