Contributors

Archives and Library of the Prince's Palace

The Palace Archives maintain one of the main collections about Prince Albert I. The “Annales monégasques” (Monegasque Annals) were founded in 1977. Establishment of the periodical represented a return to the tradition of the Palace Archives’ scholarly publications under the reigns of Charles III, Albert I and Louis II, during the era of the first two archivists, Gustave Saige and Léon-Honoré Labande.

Prioritising a variety of approaches and a wide range of themes and periods in each issue, the journal seeks to collaborate with a number of university researchers in order to offer substantive, objective work on the history of Monaco and its Princes, which is placed in context. The “Annales” have devoted many articles to the “Scholar Prince”, and these can be consulted online using a plain text search engine.

National Archives Preparatory Team

The National Archives Preparatory Team is responsible for implementation of Sovereign Ordinance no. 8.569 of 25 March 2021 on archives of public interest with operational assistance from the Central Records Office for the archives of the State’s executive branch. Its role is to lead modernisation of the State archives and harmonisation of archiving practices in the Principality, develop legislation and regulation of archives of public interest in the Principality in partnership with the
Department of Legal Affairs and relevant stakeholders, establish a national archives service with a remit to collect, conserve, classify, oversee, advise and communicate, and develop digital archiving in partnership with the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition and the Monaco Cyber Security Agency.

www.annales-monegasques.mc

Oceanographic Institute

Albert I of Monaco, nicknamed the “Scholar Prince”, was a pioneer of modern oceanography. To share his results and promote this new science, in 1906 he created the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation which was recognised as a public interest organisation by France. Two establishments were created: the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, built between 1899 and 1910, and the Institute of Oceanography in Paris (now the Maison des Océans – House of the Oceans), officially opened in 1911. Both contribute to the environmental outreach mission of the Oceanographic Institute, which is constantly reinventing itself and is now moving into digital tools. For more than 100 years, the Oceanographic Institute has brought together scientists, politicians, economists and the public to improve understanding of the ocean and protect it.

www.oceano.org

Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology

Following excavation work at the Grimaldi/Balzi Rossi caves (1895–1902), in Ventimiglia (Italy) and discoveries made in the Principality, it has very soon become essential to keep everything that had been collected in a single place for the purposes of preservation, study and exhibition. Prince Albert I therefore founded the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology in 1902 “to conserve traces of early humankind exhumed in the Principality and neighbouring regions.” In 1960, a new, larger building designed by Monegasque architect Louis Rué was officially opened by Prince Rainier III right in the centre of the Exotic Garden. The rich and varied collections on display enable visitors to trace the major steps in the evolution of humanity through the various glacial and interglacial periods. As a research institute, the Museum continues to conduct field digs and research in Monaco and abroad. Studies are carried out in the laboratory in parallel with scientific publications (e.g. Editions du M.A.P.). Frequent events are organised, including temporary exhibitions, lectures and scientific and cultural outreach events for adults and children.

map-mc.org

Audiovisual Institute of Monaco

The Institute collects, safeguards, preserves and promotes all sounds and images, still or animated, professional or amateur, that are related to Monaco in any way. These collections bear witness to the Principality’s audiovisual treasures and enrich our understanding of history. The Institute produces programmes and films using archive materials and engages in many collaborations with cultural organisations in Monaco. It maintains a collection of photographs and films devoted to Prince Albert I. The films from the Institute of Oceanography collections were recently restored.

www.institut-audiovisuel.com

Société des Bains de Mer

The history of the Société des Bains de Mer is closely linked to that of Monaco and the reign of Prince Albert I. Granted as a concession to businessman François Blanc by Charles III in 1863, the company was involved in the birth of Monte-Carlo and in its glory days during the Belle Époque period. In 1858, the ten-year-old Prince Albert I laid the foundation stone for the casino, which was officially opened five years later. Among the leading winter resorts due to its mild climate, Monte-Carlo was fashionable and brought together all of Europe’s high society. With a long-standing responsibility for public services and cultural creativity, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer retains many photographic plates of Prince Albert’s I era.

www.montecarlosbm.com

Albert II Foundation

In June 2006, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco decided to establish a foundation to respond to the worrying threats facing the environment of our planet. The Foundation acts at the international level, mobilising citizens, policymakers, scientists and businesses to protect nature and promote sustainable development. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation focuses on three main geographical areas: the Mediterranean Basin, the polar regions and the least developed countries (according to the United Nations list), which are heavily impacted by the effects of climate change, the loss of biodiversity and threats to water resources. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s actions continue the pioneering engagement of Prince Albert I.

www.fpa2.org

International Hydrographic Organization

An intergovernmental organisation established by Prince Albert I in Monaco in 1921 as the International Hydrographic Bureau. It is the global authority on hydrography, an applied scientific discipline which measures and describes the physical characteristics of the oceans. The IHO coordinates the activities of national hydrographic services to ensure that all of our seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted.

iho.int

Multimedia Library of Monaco

Committed to the cultural and moral development of his country, Prince Albert I wanted to create an establishment devoted to study and discovery. The municipal library was therefore founded by Sovereign Ordinance in 1909. Since then, it has expanded its activities. The Multimedia Library of Monaco today has a public reading area and a heritage service. It makes more than 250,000 documents available to the public across four sites and organises a wide range of literary sessions, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, film screenings and workshops on reading and writing.

www.mediatheque.mc

Institute of Human Palaeontology

In 1910, Prince Albert I founded the Institute of Human Palaeontology, dedicated to the study of human fossils. The establishment of the Institute was a major step in professionalising prehistoric science. For the first time, researchers had access to sustainable resources for carrying out research into humankind, from excavation to publication. Today, it hosts researchers from the French National Museum of Natural History, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, French National Centre for Scientific Research) and from all over the world, and coordinates research on the origins of mankind, as well as our morphological and cultural evolution.

www.fondationiph.org

Monaco Scientific Centre

The Monaco Scientific Centre (CSM) is the Principality of Monaco’s research agency. Although it was established more recently (the Centre was founded by Prince Rainier III in 1960), its activities are in keeping with the work carried out by Prince Albert I. The Monaco Scientific Centre conducts research in three fields: the biology of marine organisms, polar biology and medical biology. It focuses on the relationship between the oceans and human health, directly reflecting the Speech on the Ocean.

www.centrescientifique.mc

Stamp Issuing Office

Established in 1937 by Prince Louis II (Ordinance no. 2046 of 6 November 1937), the Stamp Issuing Office is responsible for the Principality’s stamp programme.
Its remit is, first, to create and supply the stamps required for the stamping of mail and, second, to promote Monaco’s stamps to collectors, highlighting Monaco’s history, cultural and artistic heritage and involvement in international issues. Fifty new stamps are issued each year. All stages in advance of stamp printing are subject to the approval of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince via the Stamp Collection Advisory Committee.

Between 1885 (when the first Monegasque stamp was issued) and today, the Office has issued numerous stamps devoted to Prince Albert I, including images and portraits as well as a series showcasing his passion for the sea and sailing, and his commitments on the international stage, commemorating the things that made him a man of science and peace who was renowned across the world. Four new figurines have also been issued to commemorate the centenary of his death.

https://www.oetp-monaco.com/