France has officially appointed senior diplomat Christophe Lemoine as its next ambassador to Monaco, replacing Jean d’Haussonville after three years in the Principality.

The appointment was made by presidential decree on 18th August and published in France’s Official Journal the following day. Lemoine will take up the position on 1st September as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Monaco. The appointment was formally confirmed by the Élysée.

He succeeds Jean d’Haussonville, who announced his departure during France’s Bastille Day celebrations in Monaco on 14th July.

From the Quai d’Orsay to Monaco

Born in 1974, Lemoine is an experienced diplomat whose career has combined senior government communications roles with postings in the United States and Italy.

He began his career with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees before joining the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. From 2012 to 2015, he served as chief of staff to then foreign minister Laurent Fabius.

Lemoine was subsequently appointed Consul General of France in Los Angeles, a position he held from 2015 to 2019. He later became first counsellor and deputy head of mission at the French Embassy in Rome.

In 2023, he returned to Paris as deputy director of communications and press at the foreign ministry. He was promoted to director and ministry spokesperson in July 2024, placing him at the centre of France’s diplomatic communications.

A closely connected bilateral relationship

Lemoine takes up the role at a time when France and Monaco continue to cooperate across areas including taxation, social security, policing, healthcare, education, transport and cross-border employment.

The relationship is underpinned by more than 200 bilateral treaties and agreements, according to the French foreign ministry. Tens of thousands of French residents also travel into Monaco for work each day, making practical cross-border issues an important part of the ambassador’s responsibilities.

France’s representation in Monaco was elevated from a consulate general to an embassy in 2006, following the signing of a new friendship and cooperation treaty between the two countries in 2002.

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Photo credit: X/Christope Lemoine