Prince Rainier III centenary celebrations: the (very) full programme

With cake and fireworks to finish!

Advertising

The Principality will be celebrating on May 31. And with good reason: it’s when the Prince Rainier III centenary celebrations kick off! The organising Committee, chaired by Princess Stéphanie, has pulled out all the stops and is looking forward to seeing you on the Rock at 2.15 pm for the 21 cannon shots that will herald a unique afternoon and evening’s events!

Place du Palais Princier: the heart of the festivities

Naturally, the Palace square is the place to be on 31 May. Here’s what’s planned:

2.30 pm: Inauguration of the sculpture trail – Malizia statue
3 – 3.10 pm : La Palladienne de Monaco
3.25 – 3.35 pm: Performance by the Petits Chanteurs de Monaco
3.50 – 4 pm: Performance by the Prince Rainier III Academy of Music Children’s Choir
3 – 6.30 pm: “Le Prince chez Lui, Rainier III en images (1923-2005) ” – the Prince at Home exhibition.
3 – 7.25 pm: Entertainment by artist Mr OneTeas
4.10 – 4.30 pm: Performance by the Bingo Theatre Circus Troupe
4.45 – 5.05 pm: Entertainment by the U Cantin d’A Roca association
5.15 – 5.35 pm: Performance by the Glenn Miller Band
5.50 – 6.10 pm: Performance by the Rosati Jazz Sextet
6.15 pm: Release of 100 doves by Monaco schoolchildren
6.30 – 6.50 pm: Performance by the Prince’s Carabinieri orchestra
7 – 7.30 pm: Performance by the Warm-Up Jazz Band
7.45 – 8.45 pm: Performance by the Eric Giausserand Quintet Cool Jazz band
9 – 10.10 pm: Performance by the Rendez-Vous musette band

The Cathedral square and Place Saint-Nicolas: magic in the air

If you make your way to Monaco’s iconic Cathedral, you’ll find workshops, clowns and a magician, with music to boot!

3 – 3.15 pm: Entertainment by the Studio de Monaco
3.30 – 8.30 pm: Flower workshops
3.30 – 3.50 pm: Entertainment by the U Cantin d’A Roca association
3.55 – 4.05 pm: La Palladienne de Monaco
4.20 – 4.30 pm: Performance by the Petits Chanteurs de Monaco
4.45 – 4.55 pm: Performance by the Prince Rainier III Academy of Music Children’s Choir
5.10 – 5.30 pm: Entertainment by magician Romain Fouque
5.45 – 6.05 pm: Entertainment by classical duo Monoïkos
6.10 – 6.15 pm: Performance by the Petits Chanteurs de Monaco
6.20 – 6.40 pm: Performance by the Bagad Salicornes folk troupe from Saint-Cast Le Guildo
6.55 – 7.15 pm: Performance by the group Folk en Rouge
7.30 – 7.50 pm: Entertainment by magician Romain Fouque
8.05 – 8.25 pm: Performance by the Vallée des Baux Tambourinaires
8.30 – 9.10 pm: Soap bubbles
8.40 – 9.10pm: Performance by Les Clowns en Folie
9.30 – 10.10 pm: Performance by the group Folk en Rouge

And at the Town Hall too!

Running late for an event? No need to panic! Most of the shows take place several times, in different locations. Including at the Town Hall for a majority of the performances.

3 – 3:10 pm: Performance by the Prince Rainier III Academy of Music Children’s Choir
3.25 – 3.45 pm: Performance by the Prince’s Carabinieri orchestra
4 – 4.20 pm: Entertainment by magician Romain Fouque
4.35 – 4.45 pm: La Palladienne de Monaco
5 – 5.10 pm: Performance by the Petits Chanteurs de Monaco
5.25 – 5.45 pm: Entertainment by the U Cantin d’A Roca association
5.30 – 6.25 pm: Soap bubbles
5.55 – 6.15 pm: Performance by the group Folk en Rouge
6.25 – 6.45 pm: Performance by the Glenn Miller Band
6.30 – 7.25 pm: Balloons
7 – 7.20 pm: Performance by Les Clowns en Folie
7.35 – 7.55 pm: Performance by the Bingo Theatre Circus Troupe
8.10 – 10.10 pm: Performance by the Warm-up Jazz band

Around the Rock: a myriad of parades

Wherever you go, you’ll be be able to join in with the festivities! As well as the little train that goes by every hour, keep your camera handy to snap the many parades:

2.40 – 3 pm: Musici e Sbandieratori dei Sestieri di Lavagna
3.40 – 4 pm: Parade of HSH the Prince’s cars
4.40 – 5 pm: The Rhine and Danube vehicle parade
5.40 – 6 pm: The Vallée des Baux Tambourinaires
6.40 – 7 pm: Parade of HSH the Prince’s cars
7.40 – 8 pm: Clown parade
8.40 – 9 pm: The Rhine and Danube vehicle parade
9.20 – 10 pm: Clown parade

Saint-Martin gardens, for all ages

Take advantage of the shade in the gardens overlooking the Mediterranean, for an idyllic moment with the family.

2.30 – 6.30pm: Children’s face painting
3 – 6.30 pm: Treasure hunt “Following in the footsteps of Prince Rainier III” (ages six to eleven; the winners will be selected as Junior Jury members for the 2024 Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival)
7 – 8.30 pm: Glam Jazz piano and vocals
7.10 – 7.30 pm: Performance by the Eric Giausserand Quintet Cool Jazz band
8.45 – 10.10 pm: Entertainment by classical duo Monoïkos

Special 100% kids’ area!

As well as the Saint-Martin gardens, the little ones will be able to have fun in an area that will be just for them, at the Pêcheurs car park exit.

2.30 – 8.55 pm: Inflatable structures
2.30 – 6.30 pm: Children’s face painting
2.30 – 3.25 pm: Soap bubbles
4 – 4.30 pm: Stilt walkers
5.45 – 6.15 pm: Entertainment by magician Romain Fouque
6.25 – 6.55 pm: Stilt walkers
7 – 7.55 pm: Soap bubbles
8 – 8.55pm: Balloons

“Monaco’s Got Talent” on the Esplanade de Gouvernement…

The Centenary celebrations will also be an opportunity for the Principality’s young athletes to shine.

3 – 3.20 pm: Performance by L’Etoile de Monaco gymnastics school
3.30 – 3.50 pm: Performance by the Paijeda martial arts school
4 – 4.20 pm: Performance by the Circus School
4.30 – 4.50 pm: Performance by the Paijeda martial arts school
5 – 5.20 pm: Performance by the Femina Sports club
5.30 – 5.50 pm: Performance by L’Etoile de Monaco gymnastics school
6 – 6.20 pm: Performance by the Circus School
6.30 – 6.50 pm: Performance by the Femina Sports club
7 – 7.20 pm: Performance by the Circus School

… and on stage at the Oceanographic Museum

As well as sport, art will also be in the spotlight at this iconic venue on the Rock.

3 – 6 pm: Drawing competition, organised by the Princess Charlene Foundation
3 – 3.20 pm: Entertainment by magician Romain Fouque
3.35 – 3.55 pm: Entertainment by the Studio de Monaco
4 – 4.55 pm: Soap bubbles
4.10 – 4.30 pm: Entertainment by classical duo Monoïkos
4.45 – 5.20 pm: Performance by the Prince’s Carabinieri orchestra
5 – 5.55 pm: Balloons
5.35 to 5.55 pm: Les Clowns en Folie
6.10 – 6.40 pm: Performance by the Bingo Theatre Circus Troupe
6.55 – 10.10 pm: Performance by the Add Vengers variety orchestra
7.40 – 8 pm: Performance by the Warm-up Jazz band

Pétanque competition at the Club bouliste

The famous Club bouliste du Rocher is also contributing to the festivities with a major international pétanque competition. Here are the details:

3.30 – 7.10 pm: International Pétanque Competition
7.15 – 7.30 pm: Presentation of the trophy
8.10 – 8.30 pm: Performance by the group Folk en Rouge
8.45 – 9.10 pm: Entertainment by magician Romain Fouque

In the streets of Le Rocher, “wandering around”

As you stroll through the typical streets of Monaco-Ville, you’re bound to come across musicians, clowns and stilt-walkers:

2.55 – 3.15 pm: Performance by the Bagad Salicornes folk troupe from Saint-Cast Le Guildo
3.10 – 3.30 pm: Performance by the Rosati Jazz Sextet
3.25 – 3.55 pm: Stilt walkers
3.55 – 4.15 pm: Vallée des Baux Tambourinaires
4.10 – 4.30 pm: Clown parade
4.55 – 5.15 pm: Performance by the Musici & Sbandieratori Sestieri Lavagna
5.10 – 5.30 pm: Performance by the Bagad Salicornes folk troupe from Saint-Cast Le Guildo
5.25 – 5.55 pm: Stilt walkers
5.55 – 6.15 pm: Performance by the Warm-up Jazz band
6.15 – 6.35 pm: Clown parade
6.55 – 7.15 pm: Performance by the Vallée des Baux Tambourinaires
7.10 – 7.30 pm: Performance by the Rosati Jazz Sextet
7.25 – 7.55 pm: Stilt walkers
7.55 – 8.15 pm: Performance by the Bagad Salicornes folk troupe from Saint-Cast Le Guildo
8.10 – 8.30 pm: Performance by the Musici & Sbandieratori Sestieri Lavagna
8.55 – 9.15 pm: Performance by the Rosati Jazz Sextet
9.40 – 10 pm: Performances by the Tambourinaires de la vallée des Baux, the folk group Bagad Salicornes from Saint-Cast-Le-Guildo and the Musici & Sbandieratori Sestieri Lavagna

Going out with a bang: birthday cake and a fireworks display

A feast for the tastebuds and the eyes to finish up. You can have a serving of birthday cake from 9.15 pm onwards on the Place du Palais Princier (Palace square), the Parvis de la Cathédrale (Cathedral square), the Place de la Mairie (Town Hall square), the Saint-Martin gardens, the Club Bouliste and the Oceanographic Museum.

And at 10.15 pm, a firework display launched from the Port Hercule breakwater will light up the sky. A word to the wise, the Club bouliste has a panoramic view!

Don’t forget your commemorative coin

Calling all Monegasque nationals: to mark the centenary of Prince Rainier III, the Sovereign Prince is giving a numbered commemorative coin to all Monegasques (including children born up to and including 31 May 2023).

You can collect your coin:

31 May from 2.30 to 10.30 pm from the desk located at the entrance to Monaco Town Hall (please note: the Town Hall itself will be closed to the public from midday)
From 1 June through 30 June, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays) at the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies (Stamp and Coin museum)

Remember to take ID with you when you collect your coin.

Minors must be accompanied by one of their parents. You can show your identity card or livret de famille.

If you are collecting one on behalf of a third party, you will need to provide a letter of proxy, dated and signed by the Monegasque person who is unable to attend, a copy of their Monegasque identity document and your own ID.