It was a day steeped in culture, memory and affection as Prince Albert II and Princess Stéphanie joined the celebrations for Dr Alain Frère’s 90th birthday in the hilltop village of Tourrette-Levens. The heartfelt reunion highlighted not only the Prince’s commitment to heritage but also the deep, personal bond between the Princely Family and a man who has shaped Monaco’s circus legacy for half a century.
Dr Alain Frère’s name is inseparable from the story of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival. In 1974, Prince Rainier III called upon the doctor — already an impassioned devotee of the circus arts — to help bring the event to life. Frère went on to become a central architect of the festival, which remains one of the world’s greatest celebrations of circus tradition.
His longstanding friendship with the Princely Family was warmly evident as Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie marked his milestone birthday in the village he once led as mayor.
Celebrating a legacy in Tourrette-Levens
The visit began at the Musée du Cirque, founded by Dr Frère, where the pair – joined by Member of Parliament and Departmental Councillor for the Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti, admired a collection of rare posters, costumes and memorabilia dedicated to legendary clowns. They were greeted by Tourrette-Levens Mayor Bertrand Gasiglia.
The exhibition, Les clowns rois du cirque, runs until 21st September alongside the annual Festival of Magic.
The visit continued at the village church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, also known as Sainte-Rosalie, a baroque gem that has long been at the spiritual heart of Tourrette-Levens.
Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, though the church was expanded over the centuries and is currently undergoing restoration works.
From there, the Princely guests made their way to the Château de Tourrette-Levens, a medieval fortress that now serves as home to an exceptional natural history museum. Its butterfly and insect collection ranks among the most significant in Europe, admired both for its scientific value and its beauty.
The château also houses dioramas of exotic animals, many once belonging to Prince Rainier III’s menagerie, creating a poignant bridge between Monaco’s past and the cultural wealth of its neighbouring valleys.
Honouring a life of passion and service
In 2023, Prince Albert elevated Dr Frère to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Saint-Charles in recognition of his devotion to Monaco’s cultural life.
Monday’s celebration, attended by current mayor Bertrand Gasiglia, was as much a tribute to Dr Frère’s achievements as to the affection that binds him to the Principality.
See more in Cassandra Tanti’s video below…
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Main photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace