Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene officially inaugurated the new Crèche Ida inside the Héméra Residence on Tuesday 13th October, marking a key moment in the Principality’s ongoing expansion of early childhood care. The Princely Couple was joined at the ceremony by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, Mayor Georges Marsan, and senior representatives from the Mairie and Princely Government.
Following official speeches, Father Dominique Arz, representing Archbishop Dominique-Marie David, formally blessed the premises before the guests toured the new facility.
A 700-square-metre haven for Monaco’s youngest
Though officially inaugurated this week, Crèche Ida has been welcoming families since 2nd September. The facility provides 30 new nursery places spanning 700 square metres, complemented by a spacious 140-square-metre outdoor terrace. Day-to-day operations are managed by a team of 13 childcare professionals led by Director Manon Deloison.
Situated in the heart of the residential La Condamine district, the facility directly serves neighbouring state housing developments, expanding local capacity alongside the nearby Crèche de l’Île aux Bambins. The name Ida pays tribute to local heritage, referencing a historic villa that once stood on the site.
Strategic expansion towards 2030
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Georges Marsan highlighted that the project sits at the core of municipal family policy, strengthening the Principality’s capacity to support working parents.
The creation of Crèche Ida stems from a joint strategic review by the Mairie de Monaco and the Princely Government to anticipate early childhood requirements heading towards 2030. Under this initiative, modern nursery spaces are being directly integrated into new state housing construction projects.
With Crèche Ida now operational, Monaco’s communal nursery network capacity reaches 430 places, delivering immediate support to local families.
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Click on the gallery for more images of the event. Photos credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier
