The Place du Palais will transform into an open-air festival of culture, craft and gastronomy on 13th and 14th June 2026, as the Fédération des Sites historiques Grimaldi de Monaco hosts the seventh edition of its Rencontre des Sites historiques — a free, public weekend gathering that traces the centuries-old connections between Monaco’s ruling dynasty and the territories it once held across France and Italy.
This year’s invited regions span five areas with documented Grimaldi ties: the Alpes-Maritimes villages of Ascros and Marie, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence commune of Roumoules, Fontaine-Française in Côte-d’Or, the town of Mayenne, and the Piedmontese communes of Pianezza and Livorno Ferraris in Italy. Each carries a distinct chapter of Grimaldi history — from the 14th-century vassalage of the lords of Marie to the Grimaldi of Beuil, to the marriage in 1777 that brought the Duchy of Mayenne to the princes of Monaco through Cardinal Mazarin’s line, to Jeanne-Marie Grimaldi’s 17th-century union with the Marquis of Pianezza.
A weekend of living history
Prince Albert II will open proceedings on Saturday morning with an address and the presentation of trophies to the mayors of the invited communes. The day’s programme on the Palace stage moves between performances by La Palladienne de Monaco, the Orchestra Fiati Giovanni XXII from Piedmont, the Palio dij Sëmna Sal — a traditional flag-throwing display — and magic shows by Romain Fouques. The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince will perform the changing of the guard at 11:55am.
Sunday brings a different kind of spectacle, with two demonstrations of the Pàijeda — Monaco’s own martial art — by Claude Pouget, alongside further magic performances and all-day animations including calligraphy workshops by Christiane Galeotti and activities by Foi Action Rayonnement.
Throughout both days, artisans and producers from all five regions will fill the square with regional crafts and foods: handmade ceramics from Ascros, goat’s cheeses from the Alpes-Maritimes, the legendary Acquerello rice from Livorno Ferraris, handcrafted pasta and agnolotti from Pianezza, Mayenne textiles and mosaics, and luxury perfumes from Pianezza-based Xerjoff, among dozens of others.
Saturday night: a new son et lumière on the Palace facade
The highlight of the weekend arrives on Saturday evening, when the Orchestre des Carabiniers du Prince performs at 9pm before giving way, at 10pm, to a new son et lumière production projected directly onto the facade of the Prince’s Palace. This year’s show is a new creation conceived by Jean-Charles Curau, Secretary General of the Prince Pierre Foundation; Thomas Fouilleron, Director of the Palace Archives and Library; and Vincent Vatrican, Director of the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco. It is produced by Alexis Gabirot of Mageo Productions.
The projection traces the historical threads connecting the Grimaldi dynasty to each of the territories represented at this year’s gathering — a visual retelling of marriages, fiefs, alliances and inheritances that shaped the Principality’s reach across centuries of European history.
Entry to the entire weekend, including the son et lumière, is free. The event is accessible via the Parking des Pêcheurs on the Chemin des Pêcheurs. Security checks, including metal detectors and bag inspections, will be in place at the entrance.
Further information at federationsitesgrimaldi.mc and pavillonmonaco.com.
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Photo source: Government Communications Department