Facing the Mediterranean in Larvotto, the Grimaldi Forum is Monaco's cultural heart. Exhibitions, concerts and conventions: here is everything to plan your visit and experience the summer 2026 motoring exhibition.
Facing the Mediterranean in the Larvotto district, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco has become, in just a quarter of a century, the cultural heart of the Principality. A convention centre by day, an opera and ballet stage by night, and the setting for major summer exhibitions all season long: this glass vessel built partly over the sea welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors each year. Whether you are coming for the summer 2026 motoring exhibition, a Philharmonic concert or a professional trade show, this complete guide gives you everything to plan your visit to the Grimaldi Forum: programme, exhibitions, tickets, opening hours, parking and access from the centre of Monaco.
What is the Grimaldi Forum Monaco?
Inaugurated on 20 July 2000 by Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert, the Grimaldi Forum is Monaco's flagship cultural and events venue. It bears the name of the dynasty that has ruled the Rock since 1297 and has established itself as a place where business, art and high-society gatherings meet.
Its distinctive feature lies in its location: part of the building was reclaimed from the sea, giving visitors light-filled spaces and terraces opening onto the horizon. In 2025, for its 25th anniversary, the Forum unveiled an extension designed by architects Alexandre Giraldi and Patrick Raymond, further enlarging its surface facing the Mediterranean.
A cultural and convention centre by the sea
The Grimaldi Forum plays on two fronts. On the business side, it hosts international trade shows, corporate conventions and professional summits that drive Monaco's business tourism. On the cultural side, it is home to the Monte-Carlo opera and ballet season, symphonic concerts, shows, and the much-anticipated grand summer exhibition. This dual vocation makes it a lively venue all year round, just steps from the Larvotto beaches.
Architecture and key figures of the Grimaldi Forum
Designed by architects Notari, Genin and Allavena, the building unfolds its contemporary lines across a total surface of 70,000 sqm, including around 35,000 sqm of modular spaces reclaimed from the sea. Here is what to remember to grasp the scale of the venue:
- Two modular halls (Espace Diaghilev and Espace Ravel) for exhibitions and trade shows
- Three auditoriums: the Salle des Princes (the largest, dedicated to operas, ballets and concerts), the Salle Prince Pierre and the Salle Camille Blanc
- 22 meeting rooms for conventions and seminars
- Three dining spaces and a panoramic sea-view terrace
- Around 100 events per year and nearly 300,000 visitors
☉ Good to know
For the summer 2026 exhibition, the full price is 15 EUR and admission is free for under-18s. Reduced rates of 12 EUR are available for students under 25, seniors over 65 and groups of more than 10 people. Remember to check for any online advance sales before your visit.
The summer exhibitions at the Grimaldi Forum
Every summer, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco stages a major themed exhibition that has become one of the cultural highlights of the French Riviera. After exhibitions devoted to art, fashion and great civilisations, the 2026 programme celebrates a quintessentially Monegasque passion: the automobile.
"Monaco and the Automobile, from 1893 to the present day" (summer 2026)
From 1 July to 6 September 2026, the exhibition "Monaco and the Automobile, from 1893 to the present day" traces more than 130 years of history between the Principality and the car. Presented in the Ravel Hall, it brings together more than fifty iconic vehicles across 4,000 sqm: Monaco Grand Prix racers, Monte-Carlo Rally cars, concours d'elegance models and legendary automobiles.
It is an ideal experience for motorsport enthusiasts and families alike, in a carefully curated museum setting. The exhibition echoes two major Monegasque events, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Top Marques show, which share the same fervour for fine machines.
Concerts, ballets and shows at the Salle des Princes
In the evening, the Grimaldi Forum takes on a new face. The Salle des Princes, its largest auditorium, hosts the Monte-Carlo Opera season, the evenings of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the concerts of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. The programme also makes room for variety shows, galas and international headliners throughout the year.
To find out the Grimaldi Forum programme and the list of upcoming concerts and shows, the safest option is to check the official calendar and online ticketing. The best seats sell quickly for prestige evenings, so it is wise to book in advance.
💡 The concierge's tip
"For opera or ballet evenings at the Salle des Princes, aim for weekday performances: the atmosphere is just as prestigious and the best seats are easier to secure. When you stay at the Port Palace, your concierge can take care of booking your tickets and your transfer in just a few minutes."
The Grimaldi Forum, a leading venue for Monegasque conventions and trade shows
If Monaco shines so brightly in business tourism, the Grimaldi Forum has much to do with it. Its modular halls and 22 meeting rooms host some of the Riviera's biggest professional gatherings: international trade shows, conventions, product launches and themed summits.
For business travellers, staying just minutes from the Forum is a real comfort. From our rooms and suites overlooking Port Hercule, the convention centre is reached in a few minutes, and our guests enjoy a concierge service and private transfers to make every journey between meetings effortless.
How to visit the Grimaldi Forum? Practical information
Whether you are coming for an exhibition, a show or a trade fair, here is the essential practical information to organise your visit to the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.
Opening hours and tickets
Opening hours vary depending on the event. For the summer 2026 exhibition, the Forum is open daily from 10am to 8pm, with a late opening on Thursdays until 10pm. Tickets are available on site or online via Monte-Carlo Ticket. For concerts and shows, tickets are sold through the Grimaldi Forum's official box office.
Parking and access
The Grimaldi Forum has its own underground car park, accessible directly from Avenue Princesse Grace, which makes arriving by car easy. The Larvotto district is also well served by the buses of the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco. From Monaco station, allow around ten minutes by bus or taxi.
The Grimaldi Forum from the Port Palace
Set on Port Hercule, the Port Palace, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, lies a short distance from the Grimaldi Forum. A stroll along the harbour and the seafront is enough to reach Larvotto, or just a few minutes by car with the valet. It is one of the most convenient starting points to combine a visit to the Forum with a day at the beach or an evening in Monte-Carlo.
What to see around the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco?
The Grimaldi Forum is ideally located to extend your visit. Right next door, the Japanese Garden of Monaco offers a serene interlude, while the Larvotto beach and its beach clubs are just steps away. Culture lovers can continue towards the Rock and its must-sees, which we detail in our guide to what to see in Monaco.
After an afternoon at the Forum, the evening can end in style. The hotel's rooftop restaurant, La Mome on the 6th floor of the Port Palace, serves Mediterranean cuisine with views over the harbour and the Prince's Palace: a lovely way to round off a cultural day in Monaco.
Staying in Monaco near the Grimaldi Forum
To make the most of the Grimaldi Forum and Monaco's cultural life, there is nothing like a stay in the heart of the Principality. The Port Palace, a four-star boutique hotel set on Port Hercule, places its guests just minutes from the Forum, the Monte-Carlo Casino and the Grand Prix circuit. All our rooms offer a harbour view, and when you stay with us, your dedicated concierge can arrange your tickets, transfers and reservations for every occasion.
Port Palace Monaco
Experience Monaco's culture in the heart of Port Hercule
Just minutes from the Grimaldi Forum, our rooms and suites with harbour views place you closest to Monaco's great exhibitions, concerts and shows. Dedicated concierge service included to arrange every detail of your stay.
Book your stayFAQ: frequently asked questions about the Grimaldi Forum Monaco
What is the exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum in 2026?
The summer 2026 exhibition is titled "Monaco and the Automobile, from 1893 to the present day". It runs from 1 July to 6 September 2026 in the Ravel Hall and brings together more than fifty iconic vehicles linked to the Principality's motoring history.
How big is the Grimaldi Forum?
The Grimaldi Forum spans a total surface of around 70,000 sqm, including nearly 35,000 sqm of modular spaces reclaimed from the sea. It has two exhibition halls, three auditoriums and 22 meeting rooms.
Where can I buy tickets for the Grimaldi Forum?
Tickets are available on site at the Grimaldi Forum box office or online. For the summer exhibition, tickets are sold notably via Monte-Carlo Ticket. For concerts and shows, it is advisable to book in advance as prestige seats sell quickly.
Is there parking at the Grimaldi Forum?
Yes, the Grimaldi Forum has an underground car park accessible from Avenue Princesse Grace. The Larvotto district is also served by Monaco's buses, and arriving by taxi remains easy from the station or the centre.
What is the origin of the Grimaldi family?
The Grimaldi dynasty has ruled Monaco since 1297, when Francois Grimaldi seized the Rock. The Grimaldi Forum bears the name of this princely house that shaped the history of the Principality.
Final word
A leading convention centre, a major cultural stage and the showcase for grand summer exhibitions, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco deserves a place in any stay in the Principality. With the summer 2026 motoring exhibition and a season rich in concerts and shows, now is the ideal time to discover this unique venue set over the sea. And to experience Monaco at its closest, treat yourself to a room with a harbour view: your cultural stay will be all the more memorable.
