Movable heritage

Movable heritage

Introduction

Movable cultural assets are assets which, whether religious or secular, have been designated as important for archaeology, prehistory, history, literature, art or science. 

This category includes, among other things: rare items in the field of zoology; objects of palaeontological or ethnological interest; archaeological discoveries; objects relating to the history of the Principality; objects of artistic interest; rare manuscripts; stamps; private archives; items of furniture and ancient instruments. 

Public sculptures and fountains

The Heritage Institute, with support from the Department of Urban Amenities, manages works exhibited in public spaces. More than 200 works are spread throughout Monaco (sculptures, ceramics, fountains and sundials), inviting visitors to take a stroll through the Principality’s artistic heritage.

Religious heritage

The wealth of religious art collections to be found in Monaco’s churches is remarkable. Among Monaco’s religious buildings, the Monaco Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, built on the site of the former Church of St. Nicolas, preserves treasures from the country’s long Christian history.

It is worth noting that the Principality of Monaco has an important heritage of organs, which is stunning in terms of its aesthetic richness. Seven instruments which can be found in the Principality’s religious buildings are currently subject to maintenance contracts managed by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The collections of Monaco’s museums

Several institutions hold and work to preserve and promote these movable assets, notably the Oceanographic Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, the Museum of Philately and Coinage, the Museum of "Vieux Monaco", the Vintage Car Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco, the Prince’s Palace Archives, the Monaco Multimedia Library, the Société des Bains de Mer and the Monaco Audiovisual Institute.  

Permanent and temporary exhibitions allow visitors to discover the collections held by Monegasque museums. 

Events

EXHIBITION
Exposition - Mémoire des lieux

Exposition - Mémoire des lieux

01
Oct
20 26
24
Jan
20 27
La Direction des Affaires Culturelles de Monaco présente « Mémoire des lieux », une exposition consacrée au patrimoine et aux souvenirs qui façonnent le territoire monégasque. Du 1er octobre 2026 au 24 janvier 2027, la Salle d’exposition du quai Antoine Ier devient le lieu d’une réflexion sensible sur ce qui demeure lorsque les bâtiments disparaissent, que les paysages se transforment et que la ville se réinvente.À travers photographies, œuvres monumentales, installations audiovisuelles et créations contemporaines, l’exposition propose de parcourir Monaco autrement : une ville en perpétuelle mutation, où les œuvres, les architectures, les récits et les expériences de ses habitants constituent autant de fragments d’une mémoire vivante.Sous le commissariat de Célia Bernasconi, Directrice de l’Institut du Patrimoine, l’exposition s’inscrit dans les missions de préservation et de valorisation des œuvres qui participent à l’histoire de la Principauté.Une exposition collective réunissant Albert Diato, Luis Molné, Roger Capron, Victor Vasarely, Denis Morog, Keith Haring, Gabriele Basilico, Gabriel-Noé Rosticher, Lidwine Prolonge, Mathilde Janson, Jürgen Nefzger.Artiste invité : Gabriel-Noé RosticherDiplômé du Pavillon Bosio en 2023, Gabriel-Noé Rosticher développe une pratique centrée sur l’écoute et la perception de notre environnement. Vidéo, installation et volume lui permettent d’explorer les espaces urbains et leurs dimensions sonores, visibles comme invisibles.Pour « Mémoire des lieux », il réalise un film inédit consacré à Monaco, proposant une cartographie sensible de la Principauté à travers ses tunnels, galeries, infrastructures, axes de circulation et espaces en transformation.La scénographie de l’exposition est réalisée par Louise Chatelain et Théophile Sargenti dans le cadre du programme « Décors » du Pavillon Bosio.INFOS PRATIQUESEntrée libre et gratuiteOuvert du mardi au dimanche de 12h à 18hFermé le 24, 25 et 31 décembre 2026 et le 1er janvier 2027
Proposed by : Direction des Affaires Culturelles
Location : Salle d’Exposition du Quai Antoine Ier
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
MOVABLE HERITAGE
All Audiences
Reduced mobility access

News posts

Restoration of the Diaghilev Bust
19 May 2026

Restoration of the Diaghilev Bust

The bust of Sergei Diaghilev, founder of the Ballets Russes, was restored in February 2026 by the Heritage Institute. The sculpture by artist Paul Belmondo continues to face the Opéra Garnier, where the Ballets Russes company performed before the Ballets de Monte Carlo dance there today.
News
MOVABLE HERITAGE
Restoration of the Charles Samuel High Relief at Princess Grace Hospital
19 May 2026

Restoration of the Charles Samuel High Relief at Princess Grace Hospital

At the initiative of the Heritage Institute, the medallion created by Belgian artist Charles Samuel in 1902 on the occasion of the inauguration of Monaco's hospital was restored in May 2026.
News
MOVABLE HERITAGE
"The Metamorphosis" by Folon, a Major Restoration Project
9 July 2025

"The Metamorphosis" by Folon, a Major Restoration Project

"La Métamorphose" (the Metamorphosis) is a work by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, born in Brussels in 1934. Dusty and soiled, this monumental tapestry will undergo a restoration operation to reinforce and thoroughly clean it.
News
MOVABLE HERITAGE