Monegasque Gastronomy in the Spotlight

Intangible cultural heritage is defined as the practices, representations, knowledge and skills that populations recognise as an integral part of their heritage. It is manifested in particular through oral traditions and expressions, skills linked to traditional crafts, as well as social practices. The Principality is bound by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, having accepted it on 4 June 2007, and therefore commits itself to work in favour of its protection.

Monaco possesses a rich cultural heritage which includes its traditional cuisine, passed down from generation to generation. Among its typical dishes, prepared with certain products once grown in the Condamine, we find Swiss chard pie, Monegasque fougasse, barbajuans, Monegasque stuffed vegetables and stocafí.

The association Mémoire et Transmission de la Cuisine Monégasque (Memory and Transmission of Monegasque Cuisine) was presented on Tuesday 6 May 2025, at Casa d'i Soci. Its mission is to enhance the history of this cuisine, to pass it on to younger people, in particular by presenting it within educational establishments, and to have it recognised, in the longer term, as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. It also intends to list and collect various family recipes of the same dish, highlighting the variations that existed according to districts and families. This collection aims to constitute a complete and representative panel of Monegasque cuisine, thereby preserving the diversity and richness of its culinary traditions.

People wishing to send their family recipes can do so via this address: asso.mtcm@gmail.com.

Photo: Jean-François Ottonello - Monaco-Matin