Grimaldi Forum

This glass building by the sea is the Grimaldi Forum, a convention and cultural centre opened in 2000. Its architecture has a special feature: much of the building is underground, partly even below sea level, so as not to block the view from neighbouring buildings. Only its great glass front rises up, like the bow of a ship. It hosts international trade fairs, concerts, performances by the Monte Carlo Ballet and, every summer, a major themed exhibition that draws visitors from all over Europe. The name pays tribute to the dynasty that has ruled Monaco for more than seven centuries. If an exhibition is on, it is often worth the detour, and children frequently find workshops made for them. Right next door, the Japanese garden and Larvotto beach invite you to take a break. At night, the lit glass facade reflects beautifully in the water.

History

The Grimaldi Forum grew out of an ambition of Prince Rainier III: to make Monaco a European centre for business tourism, able to host major congresses as well as performances. It was inaugurated on 20 July 2000 by Rainier III and his son, the future Prince Albert II. Its name pays tribute to the Grimaldi family, which reigns over the principality.

The building stands at 10 Avenue Princesse Grace, in the Larvotto district, on land entirely reclaimed from the Mediterranean. In fact, nearly a third of this district was won from the sea through landfill, which made room for the Forum, the neighbouring Japanese Garden and a large hotel complex. On 16 January 2025, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene inaugurated a 6,000 square metre extension, 2,000 of them outdoors.

Art and architecture

From the street you only see part of the building: a great glass roof whose shape recalls the bow of a ship facing the open sea. Most of the space lies lower down, which keeps the building discreet on the seafront.

Inside, it is designed as a flexible toolbox. There are two large halls, three auditoriums named Salle des Princes, Salle Prince Pierre and Salle Camille Blanc, 22 meeting rooms and three dining areas. Several international events can take place at the same time: congresses, trade fairs, gala dinners, operas, ballets or concerts. The Monte-Carlo Ballets and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra are at home here.

Anecdotes

Every summer the Forum stages a major exhibition. In 2023, the one devoted to Claude Monet and his stays on the Riviera brought together nearly 100 works and about 120,000 visitors, a record for the venue. In 2024, the Turner exhibition, organised with Tate in London, showed 80 paintings and drawings by the English master alongside contemporary artists.

The venue also has a less expected life. It hosted the Miss France 2001 pageant, the start of the 2009 Tour de France, and the group stage draws for the European football cups, followed by a huge audience. It is also home to the Monte-Carlo Television Festival and the Top Marques supercar show.

What to look for

From the promenade, look at the glass roof and the way the building slips between the avenue and the sea. In the evening, when it is lit, it is reflected in the water. If an exhibition is on, step inside: the hall gives a good idea of the size of the hidden spaces. And take a moment to read the programme on display, which often mixes ballet, concerts and congresses in the same week.

Practical

The Grimaldi Forum is on Avenue Princesse Grace, about 10 minutes on foot from Casino Square, heading down towards the sea. Bus line 5 stops at Grimaldi Forum. Access depends on events: the summer exhibitions are open to all with a ticket, while many congresses are reserved for participants. Opening times and prices change with each event, so please check the official website grimaldiforum.com before you come.

Nearby

Right next door, the Japanese Garden offers a quiet break, and the Villa Sauber, one of the two sites of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, is a little further along the same avenue. Continuing east, you reach Larvotto beach and its promenade. To plan an outing, the Forum’s official website presents the Monte-Carlo Ballets season and the summer exhibition. You will also find some performances of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, which regularly uses the Forum’s halls.

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipédia : Grimaldi Forum
• Wikipedia: Grimaldi Forum
• Wikipédia : Le Larvotto
• Grimaldi Forum : infos pratiques

Information checked on 30 September 2026.