Monaco’s Extraordinary Automotive Passion

Text & Images: Patrick Hornstein

There is no doubt that Monaco is an important centre for the historic vehicle movement, given that it has three important events, such as the Classic Monte Carlo Rally, the Historic Monte Carlo Rally and the Historic Grand Prix.

Plus, two avant-garde events in the Monte Carlo E-Rally and the Monaco E-Prix, as well as the legendary Monte Carlo Car Rally and the Monaco F1 Grand Prix.

And a very successful show, the Top Brands Monaco.

Plus, the Automobile Museum, now known as the ‘Automobile Collection of His Highness the Prince’.

For decades, the Monaco automobile museum was located at the Terrasses de Fontvieille.

On 1 December, 2019, the Principality appointed Valérie Closier as the new manager, succeeding Philippe Renzini upon his retirement.

This decision was far from trivial; hiring a woman showcased an open-mindedness and modernism still too rare in automobile museums.

Valérie Closier’s passion for cars began in childhood, with a rally driver father and a friend, Jean-Charles Rédélé, who introduced her to rallies, leading to numerous participations with prominent figures.

Clearly, the ‘automobile fairy’ had blessed her.

Her philosophy aligns perfectly with Monaco’s ethos: creating something beautiful and exceptional, striving for excellence to offer a memorable experience to museum visitors.

Every detail matters.

This dedication was evident when she inaugurated the Ferrari exhibition in a red suit matching Ferrari’s signature colour. Even His Highness the Prince paid tribute to Maranello with a Ferrari tie. Perfection, indeed, is in the details.

Why the Ferrari Exhibition?

Ferrari is the favoured team in the Principality.

The first Grand Prix on 21 May, 1950, saw driver Alberto Ascari finish second in a Ferrari 125 S.

Ferrari has since won the Monaco Grand Prix 10 times. Valérie Closier, leveraging her networks and determination, secured the loan of the most iconic cars.

The Ferrari F1 History and Victories exhibition features an exceptional range, from Maurice Trintignant’s 625 (1955) to Sébastien Vettel’s SF70 (2017).

Highlights include three cars from 1950, notably Villoresi’s green Ferrari, and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari on permanent display.

Also featured are the single seaters of Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, and Sébastien Vettel.

The last Ferrari victory in Monaco was in 2017, and Ferrari is the only team to have competed in every Formula 1 grand prix since the championship's inception in 1950.

The Ferrari Museum, under Michele Pignatti, lent four cars, while the Schlumpf Museum, through Guillaume Gasser and dynamic deputy Bruno Fuchs, contributed another two.

Useful Information:

Address: 54 route de la Piscine on Port Hercule, Monaco

Dates: Open until 31 August 2024

Hours:

May/June: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July/August: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Prices:

Adult: €10

Child and Student: €5

Entrance also grants access to the entire collection