Prince Albert II of Monaco officially opened a new public exhibition at Stade Louis II on Thursday 25th April, unveiling the second phase of celebrations marking the stadium’s 40th anniversary. Titled Il était une première fois (“It was a first time”), the retrospective brings to life four decades of sporting and cultural moments that have shaped the venue’s legacy.
Accompanied by Acting Minister of State Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, the Prince explored the newly renovated pedestrian gallery inside the stadium, which has been transformed over the past five weeks to house the large-scale exhibition. Exhibition Commissioner Gérard Holtz guided the tour, sharing anecdotes from the stadium’s rich past, which was first inaugurated on 25th January 1985.
Following the initial ceremony held earlier this year on 4th February that focused on the construction and opening of the stadium, this second phase shifts the spotlight to the athletes, fans, and key moments that have brought the venue to life. Fourteen custom-built display cases feature jerseys, equipment, and personal memorabilia from events spanning football, athletics, judo, and more.
The exhibition is designed to take visitors on a reverse chronological journey, travelling from 2025 back to 1985. Among the highlights are press clippings from the 1991 international athletics meet, which featured legendary athletes such as Carl Lewis. The visual timeline also includes memories of concerts, national medal ceremonies, and milestone sporting achievements, all marked with bold red arrows and date-stamped commentary along the route.
“Whatever your age, as you walk through and travel back in time, there’s something that will move you or spark a memory,” said Gérard Holtz. “It’s lively, colourful, full of contrast. Just speaking about it gives me goosebumps—we’re entering into history: the history of sport, of Stade Louis II, and of Monaco.”
The exhibition will remain open to the public until 31st October, with a possible extension through to the end of the year. According to curator Sylvie Bertrand, the display cases themselves are designed for future use and may eventually be available for hire.
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Photo credit: Stephane Danna, Government Communication Department