History of Monaco in Timeline

Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, is the second smallest and most densely populated country globally. Bordered by France and the Mediterranean Sea, it boasts a population of over 38,000 within its 2.08 square kilometers. Despite its small size, Monaco holds significance as a microstate. French is the official language, while Italian and Monégasque are also prevalent. Notably, Monaco possesses the shortest national coastline among non-landlocked nations.

1910: Monégasque Revolution

In 1910, the Monégasque Revolution forced the adoption of the 1911 Constitution of Monaco, limiting the powers of the ruling prince.

1911: Constitution of Monaco

According to the constitution of 1911, the principality was subdivided into three municipalities.

1911: Adoption of the Constitution of Monaco

In 1911, the Constitution of Monaco was adopted, slightly reducing the autocratic rule of the Grimaldi family.

1911: Monaco becomes a constitutional monarchy

Monaco has been governed under a constitutional monarchy since 1911.

1911: Monte Carlo Rally

Since 1911 part of the Monte Carlo Rally has been held in the principality.

1917: Municipalities merged into one

In 1917, the municipalities were merged into one and accorded the status of Wards or Quartiers thereafter.

July 1918: New Franco-Monégasque Treaty signed

In July 1918, a new Franco-Monégasque Treaty was signed, providing for limited French protection over Monaco.

1918: French Treaty Supports Monaco's Independence

The French Treaty of 1918 supports Monaco's independence from France.

1919: Treaty of Versailles endorses Franco-Monégasque Treaty

In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles endorsed the Franco-Monégasque Treaty, aligning Monégasque international policy with French interests and resolving the Monaco succession crisis.

1925: Dedication of St Paul's Church

St Paul's Church, an Anglican church in Monte Carlo, was dedicated in 1925.

1928: AS Monaco Basket Founded

In 1928, AS Monaco Basket was founded as part of the multi-sport club AS Monaco.

1929: Monaco Grand Prix

Since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually in the streets of Monaco.

1932: Monaco at the Olympics

Monaco did not compete at the Olympic Games in 1932.

September 1943: German Wehrmacht occupies Monaco

In September 1943, following Mussolini's fall, the German Wehrmacht occupied Italy and Monaco, leading to the Nazi deportation of the Jewish population.

August 1944: Execution of Resistance leaders

In August 1944, the Germans executed René Borghini, Joseph-Henri Lajoux, and Esther Poggio, who were Resistance leaders.

1946: Grotte de l'Observatoire opens

In 1946, the Grotte de l'Observatoire was opened to the public.

1948: Association Culturelle Israélite de Monaco

In 1948, the Association Culturelle Israélite de Monaco was founded; it is a converted house containing a synagogue, a community Hebrew school, and a kosher food shop, located in Monte Carlo.

1949: Rainier III succeeds to the throne

In 1949, Rainier III succeeded to the throne upon the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II.

1953: AS Monaco competes at top level

Since 1953, AS Monaco FC has competed at the top level of French football for all but six seasons.

April 1956: Prince Rainier marries Grace Kelly

On April 19, 1956, Prince Rainier married the American actress Grace Kelly, an event that drew worldwide attention to Monaco.

1956: Monaco at the Olympics

Monaco did not compete at the Olympic Games in 1956.

1958: Reformed church building

From 1958 to 1959 the Reformed church's building was erected, located in Rue Louis Notari.

1959: Reformed church building

From 1958 to 1959 the Reformed church's building was erected, located in Rue Louis Notari.

1959: Monaco Participates in Eurovision

In 1959, Monaco began participating in the Eurovision Song Contest.

1962: Amendment to the constitution

In 1962, an amendment to the constitution abolished capital punishment, provided for women's suffrage, and established a Supreme Court of Monaco.

1962: Taxation Tension between France and Monaco

In the early 1960s, particularly after 1962, there was some tension between France and Monaco over taxation.

1962: Constitution of Monaco shares veto power

Under the 1962 Constitution of Monaco, the prince shares his veto power with the unicameral National Council.

1963: Charles de Gaulle blockades Monaco

In 1963, Charles de Gaulle blockaded Monaco due to its status as a tax haven for wealthy French citizens, causing a crisis.

1963: Special Agreement with France

In 1963, Monaco made a special agreement with France, applying French customs laws in Monaco and its territorial waters.

1966: Division of the principality

For town planning purposes, a sovereign ordinance in 1966 divided the principality into reserved sectors, whose current character must be preserved, and wards.

1967: Minouche Barelli Represents Monaco

In 1967, French-born Minouche Barelli represented Monaco in Eurovision.

1971: Monaco Wins Eurovision Song Contest

In 1971, Monaco won the Eurovision Song Contest, although none of the artists participating for the principality was originally Monegasque.

1973: World Rally Championship

From 1973 to 2008, the Monte Carlo Rally was the opening round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

1979: Monaco Participates in Eurovision

Until 1979, Monaco participated regularly in the Eurovision Song Contest.

1980: Monaco at the Olympics

Monaco did not compete at the Olympic Games in 1980.

1981: Archdiocese of Monaco

In 1981, the diocese, which had existed since the mid-19th century, was raised to a non-metropolitan archbishopric as the Archdiocese of Monaco.

1984: Monte Carlo Open Held at Mont Agel

Golf's Monte Carlo Open was held at the Monte Carlo Golf Club at Mont Agel in France between 1984 and 1992.

1992: Monte Carlo Open Held at Mont Agel

Golf's Monte Carlo Open was held at the Monte Carlo Golf Club at Mont Agel in France between 1984 and 1992.

1993: Monaco becomes a UN member

In 1993, Monaco became a full voting member of the United Nations.

1993: Monaco joins the United Nations

In 1993, Monaco became a member of the United Nations, gaining full voting rights.

1993: IAAF Headquarters Located in Monaco

Since 1993, the headquarters of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has been located in Monaco.

1994: International School of Monaco Founded

In 1994, the International School of Monaco was founded.

1994: OS Monaco Plays in Division 1 Féminine

In the 1994–95 season, OS Monaco played in the Division 1 Féminine but was quickly relegated.

1997: Jacques Villeneuve

In 1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve raced for Maserati MSG Racing.

1997: Audiovisual Institute of Monaco Founded

In 1997, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco was founded to preserve audiovisual archives and showcase Monaco's representation in cinema.

1998: Stade Louis II hosts UEFA Super Cup

From 1998, the Stade Louis II hosted the annual UEFA Super Cup, a match between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

1998: OECD Report on Tax Havens

In 1998, the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration issued a first report on the consequences of the financial systems of known tax havens.

1998: Council of Europe Report

In 1998, the Council of Europe began issuing reports naming tax havens, and 22 territories, including Monaco, were evaluated in the first round.

1999: New Monaco-Monte Carlo Station Opened

In 1999, the current Monaco-Monte Carlo train station, built partly underground, was opened.

2000: Foreign Residents in Monaco

As of 2000, nearly two-thirds of the residents of Monaco were foreigners.

2000: Council of Europe Report

Between 1998 and 2000, twenty-two territories, including Monaco, were evaluated by the Council of Europe.

2000: Report on Money Laundering Policies

In 2000, a report by French politicians Arnaud Montebourg and Vincent Peillon stated that Monaco had relaxed policies with respect to money laundering.

2000: FATF Statement on Money Laundering in Monaco

In 2000, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) stated that while Monaco's anti-money laundering system was comprehensive, international investigations faced difficulties, and the FIU of Monaco (SICCFIN) lacked adequate resources.

2001: Second Round of Council of Europe Report

In 2001, Monaco refused to perform the second round of evaluations by the Council of Europe.

2001: End of Monégasque Franc Coinage

In 2001, Monaco's first decimal coins of the Monégasque franc stopped being issued.

2001: Minting of Euro Coins

In 2001, the minting of the new euro coins in Monaco started early in preparation for the 2002 introduction. The first euro coins from Monaco feature the year 2001.

2002: Minouche Barelli Acquires Monegasque Citizenship

In 2002, French-born Minouche Barelli acquired Monegasque citizenship, 35 years after representing the principality in 1967.

2002: Euro Currency

In 2002, Monaco's currency became the euro, the same as that of France, due to a customs union. Before 2002, Monaco minted its own coinage, the Monégasque franc.

2002: New treaty between France and Monaco

In 2002, a new treaty between France and Monaco specified that the principality would remain independent even without heirs to the Grimaldi dynasty.

2002: Introduction of Euro Coins

In 2002, euro coins were introduced in Monaco, with Monegasque designs on the national side, by arrangement with the Council of the European Union.

2002: Constitutional amendment

Until 2002, the Minister of State was a French citizen appointed by the prince; since a constitutional amendment in 2002, the Minister of State can be French or Monégasque.

2003: Second Round of Council of Europe Report

Between 2001 and 2003, Monaco refused to perform the second round of evaluations by the Council of Europe.

2003: Georges Marsan becomes mayor

Georges Marsan has been mayor of Monaco since 2003.

2004: Monaco Participates in Eurovision

Between 2004 and 2006, Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.

2004: AS Monaco Reaches UEFA Champions League Final

In 2004, AS Monaco reached the UEFA Champions League Final with players like Dado Pršo, Fernando Morientes, Jérôme Rothen, Akis Zikos, and Ludovic Giuly, but lost to FC Porto.

2004: OECD Denouncement of Monaco

In 2004, Monaco appeared in the OECD's list of tax havens, along with Andorra, Liechtenstein, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands, due to its lack of cooperation regarding financial information disclosure and availability.

2004: Monaco joins the Council of Europe

In 2004, Monaco joined the Council of Europe, expanding its international affiliations.

March 2005: Rainier III relinquishes duties to Albert

On March 31, 2005, Rainier III, due to illness, relinquished his duties to his son Albert.

July 2005: Prince Albert II formally assumes the crown

On July 12, 2005, Prince Albert II formally assumed the princely crown in Monaco.

November 2005: Reception held for Prince Albert II at Prince's Palace

On November 18, 2005, a reception was held at the Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville for heads of state celebrating Prince Albert II's accession to the throne.

2005: Death of Rainier III

In 2005, Rainier III died after a 56-year reign, and was succeeded by his son Albert II.

2005: Third Round of Council of Europe Report

In 2005, the 21 other territories planned to implement the third and final round by the Council of Europe.

2005: IMF and FATF Reports

In 2005, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified Monaco as a tax haven, but the FATF report of the same year viewed Monaco's measures against money-laundering positively.

2006: Monaco Participates in Eurovision

Between 2004 and 2006, Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.

2006: Change in Coin Design

In 2006, the design of the Monégasque coins was changed after Prince Rainier's death to feature the effigy of Prince Albert.

2007: Membership of St Paul's Church

In 2007, St Paul's Church had a formal membership of 135 Anglican residents but also served a considerably larger number of Anglicans temporarily in the country, mostly as tourists. The church also accommodates an English-language library of over 3,000 books.

2007: Third Round of Council of Europe Report

The third and final round by the Council of Europe was planned between 2005 and 2007.

2008: World Rally Championship

From 1973 to 2008, the Monte Carlo Rally was the opening round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

2008: Monaco's Population

In 2008, the population of Monaco was 35,000.

2008: Consideration of expansion called off

Monaco had previously considered an expansion in 2008, but had called it off.

2009: Intercontinental Rally Challenge

From 2009 until 2011, the Monte Carlo Rally served as the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

2009: Monaco on the "White List"

In 2009, Monaco secured a place on the "white list" after signing twelve information exchange treaties with other jurisdictions.

2009: Monaco Stage of Global Champions Tour

In 2009, the Monaco stage of the Global Champions Tour took place between 25 and 27 June.

2009: End of plans

Prince Albert II announced in his 2009 New Year Speech that he had ended plans due to the economic climate at the time.

2009: Tour de France in Monaco

The 2009 Tour de France started from Monaco with a 15 km closed-circuit individual time trial on the first day, and the 182 km second leg started there on the following day.

2010: Firm restart of the programme

Prince Albert II in mid-2010 firmly restarted the land reclamation programme.

2011: Intercontinental Rally Challenge

From 2009 until 2011, the Monte Carlo Rally served as the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

2012: International Religious Freedom Report

According to Monaco's 2012 International Religious Freedom Report, Roman Catholics are the largest religious group, followed by Protestant Christians. There is also a Greek Orthodox church and two Protestant churches, an Anglican church and a Reformed church.

2012: Monaco's Real Estate Market

In 2012, Monaco had the world's most expensive real estate market for the fourth year in a row, with an average price of $58,300 per square metre.

2012: Return to WRC Calendar

In 2012, the Monte Carlo Rally returned to the WRC calendar and has been held annually since.

2012: Greek Orthodox church

Monaco's 2012 International Religious Freedom Report states that there is one Greek Orthodox church in Monaco.

2012: Stade Louis II hosts UEFA Super Cup

Until 2012, the Stade Louis II hosted the annual UEFA Super Cup, a match between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

2013: Additional wards dissolved

In 2013 three additional wards were dissolved.

2013: Monaco's Population

In 2013, the population of Monaco was 36,000, with about 20% being native Monegasque.

2013: Saint Michel becomes part of Monte Carlo

Most of Saint Michel became part of Monte Carlo again in 2013.

2013: Latest division of sectors and wards

The latest division of sectors and wards dates from 2013 and created two reserved sectors and seven wards.

July 2014: Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup Inaugurated

From 10 to 12 July 2014, Monaco inaugurated the Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup, a series of ocean races exclusively for solar-powered boats.

2014: Planned ward in 2014

An additional ward was planned by new land reclamation to be settled beginning in 2014

2014: ROKiT Venturi Racing

ROKiT Venturi Racing was active from 2014 to 2022.

August 2015: Apology for Monaco's role during WWII

On August 27, 2015, Albert II apologized for Monaco's role during World War II in facilitating the deportation of 90 Jews and resistance fighters.

2015: Approval of land reclamation expansion

In 2015, Monaco unanimously approved a land reclamation expansion intended primarily to accommodate housing and a park area.

2015: Monaco's population

In 2015, Monaco's total population was 38,400.

2015: Immigrant Population Estimated

In 2015, the immigrant population in Monaco was estimated at 60%.

2015: Formula E Racing

Starting in 2015 Formula E started racing biennially with the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco on the Monaco ePrix and used a shorter configuration of the full Formula 1 circuit, keeping it around Port Hercules.

2016: World's Most Expensive Apartment

According to Forbes, the world's most expensive apartment was located in Monaco, a penthouse at the Odeon Tower valued at $335 million in 2016.

2016: AS Monaco Wins Ligue 1

In 2016–17, AS Monaco FC won Ligue 1, marking their eighth title in the French league.

2017: Charismatic Episcopal Church

In 2017, the Monaco Parish of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (Parish of St Joseph) was founded and meets in the Reformed Church's Rue Louis Notari building.

February 2018: Snowfall in Monaco and Monte Carlo

On 27 February 2018, both Monaco and Monte Carlo experienced snowfall, which is an extremely rare occurrence in the area, generally happening only once or twice every ten years.

2018: High real estate prices

In 2018, real estate prices in Monaco reached €100,000 ($116,374) per square metre, reflecting the country's status as one of the most expensive places in the world.

April 2019: Monaco's Rugby Team Ranking

As of April 2019, Monaco's national rugby team is ranked 101st in the World Rugby Rankings.

2019: Millionaires in Monaco

According to 2019 studies, 31% of Monaco's population is reported to be millionaires equalling up to 12,248 individuals

February 2020: First case of COVID-19 announced in Monaco

On February 29, 2020, Monaco announced its first case of COVID-19.

September 2020: Launch of the first Monégasque satellite

On September 3, 2020, the first Monégasque satellite, OSM-1 CICERO, was launched into space.

2020: Monaco's Real Estate Market

In 2020, although the average price went down to $53,378 per square metre, Monaco remained one of the most expensive places in the world to buy property.

2021: Formula E configuration

Until 2021, Formula E used a shorter configuration of the full Formula 1 circuit.

2022: Tourist Arrivals in Monaco

In 2022, Monaco had approximately 300,000 international tourist arrivals.

2022: Maserati MSG Racing

ROKiT Venturi Racing was renamed to Maserati MSG Racing from 2014 to 2022.

July 2023: Monaco's population

As of 1 July 2023, the United Nations estimated Monaco's population to be 36,297.

2023: Monegasque National Union holds all seats

Following the 2023 Monegasque general election, all 24 seats in the National Council are held by the pro-monarchist Monegasque National Union.

June 2024: FATF "Grey List"

In June 2024, the FATF added Monaco to its "grey list", which includes countries needing "increased monitoring" due to statewide issues of money laundering and terrorist financing.

June 2024: Increased monitoring to combat money laundering

In June 2024, the Financial Action Task Force placed Monaco under increased monitoring to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, following its recognition as a global hub of money laundering.

December 2024: Opening of Le Portier

A new 6-hectare neighbourhood, Le Portier, has been built by land reclaimed from the sea and was opened in December 2024.

2024: Monaco's population

As of 2024, Monégasques made up 24.1% of Monaco's residents, followed by French (21.8%), Italian (19.5%), British (7.6%), Swiss (3.1%), Russian (3.1%), Belgian (2.7%), and German nationals (2.5%).