On Monday 21st September, Prince Albert II travelled into the rugged hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes for an official visit to Aiglun and Puget-Théniers, two communities with profound historical connections to the Princely Family as part of the ‘Historic Sites of the Grimaldi of Monaco’ network.
The first part of the journey brought the Sovereign Prince to Aiglun—a village perched in the Estéron valley—where he inspected the striking 14th-century troglodyte fortress of the Château d’Aiglun, accompanied by Mayor Anthony Salomone.
Preserving the cliffside heritage of Aiglun
Prince Albert II has actively championed the preservation, restoration, and promotion of this dramatic cliffside heritage site, which served as a medieval refuge. The restoration was notably supported by Stéphane Bern’s Mission du Patrimoine.
During the visit, the Prince and the mayor unveiled a dedicated plaque recognising Aiglun as a ‘Historic Site of the Grimaldi of Monaco’. Following the tour, he attended an official civic ceremony outside the village town hall, meeting with local officials, residents, and figures such as former football international Youri Djorkaeff, who has local ties.
Inaugurating new community spaces in Puget-Théniers
The Prince then headed to Puget-Théniers—guided by Mayor Pierre Corporandy—where a major highlight of the visit was the dedication of a local sports complex proudly bearing his name.
Beyond the inauguration ceremony, the Prince took time to walk through the town, greet the gathered crowds, and explore several key architectural and historical landmarks of the ancient city, which was once a focal point during conflicts between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire.
A shared history across the mountains
Blending heritage preservation with modern community engagement, the visit underscored the enduring cultural and historical bonds uniting the Principality of Monaco with these mountain territories, tracing back to the legacy of the Grimaldi branch of Beuil.
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Prince Albert II with the mayor of Aiglun, Anthony Salomone. Photo Credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier