You are on the Terrasses de Fontvieille, at the foot of the Rock, facing the harbour. Behind this discreet façade lies a princely passion: stamps and coins. It all began in the late 19th century with the collection of a clergyman, the Reverend Barbier. Prince Albert I bought it, his son Louis II added to it, and then Prince Rainier III, a keen philatelist, created a museum in 1950 to display his collections. The present museum opened here in 1996. In the main hall you can follow the whole history of Monaco’s money since the 17th century, under Prince Honoré II, and every Monegasque stamp since the first one in 1885, with their mock ups and colour trials. Machines show how a stamp or a coin is engraved and made. Don’t miss the rare stamps room, a real jewel box: among other things you will see the Sardinian stamps used in Monaco before the Principality issued its own. At the counter you can even buy the latest issues.
History
In the late 19th century the Reverend G.G. Barbier assembled a major collection of stamps connected with Monaco. After his death Prince Albert I bought it. His son, Prince Louis II, greatly expanded it, and his grandson, Prince Rainier III, inherited it and added to it in turn.
A passionate philatelist, Rainier III founded a museum at the Palace in 1950 to show his collections of stamps, coins, medals and banknotes. The present museum was created by a sovereign ordinance of 14 December 1995 and opened in 1996 on the Terrasses de Fontvieille, facing the harbour, in the new district reclaimed from the sea.
Art and architecture
The museum has two spaces. The main hall presents the complete chronology of Monegasque coins, from the 17th century, and of all stamp production since 1885: stamps, but also mock ups and colour trials that reveal the work of engravers and designers. Machines and engraving tools explain how stamps and coins are made.
The more intimate rare stamps room holds pre-philatelic documents, the Sardinian and French stamps used in the Principality, and the first Monegasque stamps from the reigns of Charles III and Louis II.
Anecdotes
Highlights include the first Monegasque coins struck under Prince Honoré II, a strip of 5 five-franc stamps bearing Charles III’s portrait, and an envelope posted from Menton on 12 April 1851 with a stamp from the first Sardinian issue.
The museum is also a real sales counter: you can buy Monaco’s stamps and coins here, which is unusual for a museum. It is also the work of 3 generations of princes: Albert I, Louis II and Rainier III each enriched the same family collection before it went on public display.
What to look for
Start with the main hall to follow the timeline, then save time for the rare stamps room. Look closely at the colour trials: the same design tried in several shades tells of the hesitations before the final issue. Temporary exhibitions change regularly.
Beyond the stamps, look for the medals and banknotes: they too belong to Prince Rainier III’s private collections. Enthusiasts will note that the museum also hosts international philately and numismatics events.
Practical
The museum is on the Terrasses de Fontvieille, at the foot of the Rock, next to the Prince’s Car Collection. From Place d’Armes, walk down to Fontvieille in about ten minutes; a "Port de Fontvieille" bus stop is close by. It is usually open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm (6 pm in July and August). In 2026 the official website lists 3 euros for adults and 1.50 euros for 12 to 18 year olds, pensioners and students. Check mtm-monaco.mc.
Nearby
Continue with the Prince’s Car Collection on the same terrace, then Fontvieille Harbour. For new stamp issues, see also the website of the stamp issuing office, oetp-monaco.com.
On site, look for: In the main hall, find the very first Monegasque stamp from 1885 and note which prince’s portrait it bears.
Test yourself
Which prince founded the museum in 1950?
- Albert II
- Charles III
- Rainier III (answer)
In which year was the first Monegasque stamp issued?
- 1860
- 1885 (answer)
- 1911
Since when has the museum been on the Terrasses de Fontvieille?
- 1950
- 1976
- 1996 (answer)
Sources
- Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco (site officiel)
- Wikipédia : Musée des timbres et des monnaies de Monaco
- Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies : historique
- Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies : présentation
- Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies : informations pratiques
Information checked on 30 September 2026.