Architectural Heritage

Built cultural heritage includes historic buildings, urban complexes and cultural sites which have exceptional world or national value from a historical, artistic or scientific perspective. Natural heritage includes natural environments, resources and habitats, areas, landscapes and views, animal and plant species, and aspects of biological diversity.

Historic buildings

The Principality is home to several iconic buildings which qualify as historic buildings in Monaco’s urban landscape. According to the definition provided by the Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales (National Centre for Textual and Lexical Resources), an historic building is "a building which is imposing in size and remarkable in terms of its historical or aesthetic interest or its religious or symbolic value". In Monaco, several buildings fall into this category of “historic building” due to their religious, political or scientific symbolism.

Remarkable architecture

In addition to the historic buildings familiar to everyone, Monaco has an abundance of buildings whose architecture is anonymous but nonetheless remarkable, such as residential buildings and villas.

The Principality has put in place several measures to protect its architectural heritage. For example, Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.647 of 09 September 1966 concerning urban development, building and road works, stipulates that the Old Town and Vallon Saint-Dévote districts, both part of the reserved sector, are subject to special protection due to their historical character and symbolism within the Monegasque landscape. Renovation, extension or new construction projects must adhere to very precise specifications in order not to spoil these areas.

Monaco has 110 buildings and 41 façades deemed to be of remarkable quality and subject to special protection. These buildings are listed on an inventory, on which their heritage features are detailed. The inventory is kept by the Department of Forward Studies, Urban Planning and Mobility.

The Heritage Council, established in 2017, is consulted on heritage issues, particularly those relating to architectural heritage. It can put forward proposals to improve and better guide the processes of identifying, conserving, protecting and promoting national heritage.

In addition, permits are reviewed by an advisory committee, which carefully considers applications, particularly from an aesthetic perspective and, where appropriate, taking into account the history and heritage of the Principality.

This remarkable architectural heritage encompasses all periods and a variety of styles. Examples include the Villa Sauber, Villa Ribéri and Villa Ispahan from the beginning of the last century, the Rotondes building, constructed in the 1940s, the Palais Héraclès, completed in 1957, and Le Roccabella, an example of 1970s–1980s architecture.