It has been 50 years since the Radio Monte-Carlo transmission centre was set up in Roumoules, and Prince Albert II recently travelled to the picturesque Alpes-de-Haute-Provence village to tour the facilities, meet the locals and welcome the municipality into the Grimaldi Historical Sites of Monaco network.

Nestled in the Verdon National Park and with a population of only 735, Roumoules is a small place with significant connections to the Principality of Monaco.

For the last 50 years, Roumoules has been home to the Radio Monte-Carlo transmitter centre, which is today managed by Claude Cottalorda and Jean-Charles Allavena, respectively the president and vice-president of Monaco Media Diffusion (MMD), the company responsible for the management and broadcasting of radio waves from this location.

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence village was also once a Grimaldi stronghold; its ties with the Principality date back to the 17th century, when the municipality was under the control of the Grimaldi-Régusse branch of the dynasty.

To mark both occasions, Prince Albert II spent 11th September in Roumoules. He was welcomed by Marc Chappuis, the prefect of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, and Gilles Megis, Mayor of Roumoules.

A ceremony marking the 50th anniversary took place, followed by the unveiling of a plaque commemorating his visit.

During his visit, the Prince unveiled a commemorative plaque and sign marking Roumoules as the latest member of the Grimaldi Historical Sites of Monaco network and held a meet-and-greet with the excited townspeople, who came out in large numbers to see him.

Prince Albert was later taken to the Place de la République, where he was awarded honorary citizenship of Roumoules.

To see more photographs of Prince Albert’s visit to Roumoules, click on the images below:

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Photo credits: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco