Monaco, A Century of Automotive : Excellence and Elegance

Monaco’s rich automotive heritage comes to life this summer in a highly anticipated exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum, as highlighted by Dany Rubrecht, Director of Communication.

In the collective imagination, few places in the world share such an intimate bond with the Automobile as the Principality of Monaco. Nestled between sea and mountains, it has been the stage for iconic moments in mechanical history for over a century.

In 1911, the very first Rallye Monte-Carlo placed Monaco at the heart of the international automotive scene. A few years later, in 1929, the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix secured the Principality’s place in Formula 1 legend, symbolizing its fascination with performance, innovation, and automotive elegance.

This unique relationship will be celebrated this summer at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, with a major exhibition dedicated to the Principality’s automotive identity. Designed as an immersive journey into a living heritage, it will invite visitors to explore more than a century of mechanical passion, legendary competitions, and encounters between automobiles and Monaco’s refined lifestyle.

A History Inseparable from Competition

Today, Monaco is a global reference for automotive enthusiasts, largely thanks to its legendary competitions. The Principality’s winding streets quickly became an open-air laboratory for manufacturers.

The Rallye Monte-Carlo remains one of the most demanding and iconic events in the world. Its sometimes snow-covered Alpine roads have showcased some of the most prestigious brands, from Alpine to Lancia, and Renault. Over the decades, it has become a symbol of excellence and adventure.

The Monaco Grand Prix, meanwhile, remains one of the most prestigious races in Formula 1. Its urban circuit winds through the harbor, past buildings, and around the famous Fairmont hairpin.
Driving in Monaco demands absolute precision, making it one of the ultimate challenges for both drivers  and engineers. Over the years, the most iconic single-seaters have raced here under the banners of Ferrari, McLaren, or Lotus.
In Monaco, performance and tradition combine to
create a truly unique spectacle.

The Great Names of the Automobile

The exhibition will showcase an exceptional panorama of brands that have marked mechanical and aesthetic history. Some exemplify French excellence, such as Bugatti or Delahaye whose creations defined the golden age of coachbuilding. Others, like Gordini, Alfa Romeo or Ferrari, reflect a time when mechanical innovation and aesthetic audacity went hand in hand.

The exhibition will also feature models representing luxury and automotive refinement, including Rolls-Royce, with the actual car used for the marriage of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace Kelly in Monaco in 1956. The vehicles on display, from the most iconic to the most unexpected, reveal how the automobile has evolved into a true cultural object.

An Immersive and Living Exhibition

At the heart of the scenography, the exhibition offers far more than a simple car display. Automotive platforms, documentaries, collectibles, and previously unseen archives from the Automobile Club de Monaco create an immersive journey.

Visitors will discover rare memorabilia: vintage posters, trophies, historic photographs, and technical documents tracing the evolution of mechanics and design. Interactive and audiovisual installations immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the great races, from the Rallye Monte-Carlo to contemporary duels at the Monaco Grand Prix.

A Thematic Journey

The exhibition unfolds around several dimensions illustrating the unique bond between Monaco and the Automobile. It first highlights the historical links between the Princely Family and the automotive world, from supporting early competitions to promoting a deeply rooted automotive culture. Another part is dedicated to the Concours d’Élégance, a celebration of design and coachbuilding through emblematic documents demonstrating how the Automobile can become an object of emotion and beauty.

Finally, the legendary competitions take center stage.
The Rallye Monte-Carlo and Monaco Grand Prix are presented complementarily, revealing mechanical performance, technical challenges, and historic feats that have forged the Principality’s legend. Each section combines cars, collectibles, and interactive elements, offering visitors a dynamic and immersive experience.

Monaco, an Automotive Identity

Held at the foot of the Grand Prix’s legendary circuit, this exhibition conceived by Rodolphe Rapetti, Chief Heritage Curator, is a first: Monaco has never before celebrated its automotive identity so comprehensively.

At the crossroads of history and culture, it reminds visitors how the automobile has shaped the Principality’s international image and transformed mechanical passion into living heritage. For visitors from around the world, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to rediscover Monaco through the lens of the Automobile, where machinery becomes spectacle and cars embody an art of living.

Organised with the collaboration of the Automobile Club de Monaco, it is supported by CMB Monaco, Sotheby’s, Groupe Marzocco, Groupe Segond Automobiles, and Acqua Fiuggi.

Practical Information:

EXHIBITION « Monaco and the Automobile, From 1893 to the present day »

GRIMALDI FORUM MONACO

Dates: July 1 – September 6, 2026
€15
Details at: grimaldiforum.com