The automobile, a Monegasque culture

In Monaco, the automobile has never been merely a means of transport. From the late 3th ^century onward, it has contributed to shaping the image of the country, embodying technical innovation, social prestige, and the adrenaline of sport. In 1903, Dr. Ernest Guglielminetti experimented with tarring the roads to combat the dust storms. This idea was encouraged by Prince Albert I ^, who helped transform the Principality into a stage for modernity. From 1897, concours d'élégance enlivened the area around the Casino, the Monte Carlo Rally was born in 1911, and from 1929, the spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix swept through the streets. Organized in collaboration with the Automobile Club of Monaco and international lenders, this exhibition presents 55 vehicles in an area of ​​approximately 500 square meters. "These are not similar models but the cars themselves that raced and often won the events," enthuses Rodolphe Rapetti, curator of the exhibition, punctuated with photos, films and mediation tools.

The image of international influence

The automotive adventure has contributed to building Monaco's aura. The exhibition features a Panhard & Levassor type P2D, the oldest working petrol-powered vehicle in the world, the first examples of which arrived in Monaco in small numbers starting in 1893. Also on display is the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, the original car from the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III in 1956. It's no wonder the sovereign chose this superb four-door convertible with its cream and black bodywork for his appearances with the Hollywood actress. "The automobile can thus be viewed as a true work of art, at the crossroads of design, engineering, and imagination."

When technology defies the elements

From the very beginning, two objectives guided inventors and drivers: to go further and as fast as possible. For the automobile rally, crews converged on Monaco, tackling roads in often extreme weather conditions. Among these racing cars was a Delahaye Type 58, a double saloon known as the "Obus," which departed from Paris in 1912. In addition to the 7^e In this position, it won first prize for elegance in the closed vehicle category. "We will be welcoming a Morris Mini Cooper S,
"An incredible model in terms of its size and handling, whose victory in Monaco created a shockwave," adds the specialist. Between this car, the monumental Bugatti Type 46 (4^e (at the 1932 rally) and the very sporty Lancia Stratos HF (winner in 1977), the contrast is striking.

Adrenaline and racing heroes

“Behind every car, there are trajectories, risks taken, moments of success or uncertainty. We wanted to highlight these figures, particularly the Monegasque drivers Louis Chiron and Charles Leclerc,” the curator continued. Featured in this exhibition is the Delahaye 135 MS Coupé (Henri Chapron) bought by Chiron, one of the greatest pre-war drivers, as well as the Ferrari that Charles Leclerc won in 2024, a symbol of a generational renewal.

From yesterday to today, the route features a Formula E single-seater, a witness to new energy directions in motorsport, and the Mona Luna rover from Venturi Space, designed for lunar explorations by 2030.