The Matignon familyA prestigious link between Granville Terre & Mer and the Principality of Monaco

The Matignon family, a prestigious link between Granville Terre & Mer and the Principality of Monaco

On 19 November, the Principality of Monaco celebrates its bank holidays. It’s the perfect opportunity to recall a surprising historical link: the princely family of Monaco is partly descended… from our territory! In fact, the Grimaldi dynasty is allied to a great Norman lineage, the Matignon family, whose roots lie in La Manche and Granville to be precise.

The family of

Matignon

The Matignon family is one of the oldest aristocratic families in Normandy. They have left their mark on regional history through their political and military influence, and have left their mark on many heritage sites in La Manche and beyond. In 1715, Jacques IV de Matignon, Count of Thorigny and Marshal of France, married Louise-Hippolyte Grimaldi, sole heir to the Monegasque throne, and became Jacques I of Monaco. Thanks to this union, the descendants of the Matignons were united with those of the Grimaldis, ensuring the continuity of the dynasty. Since then, all the sovereign princes of Monaco, right up to the current Albert II, have descended from this historic alliance. The Monegasque princely line still bears the dual Grimaldi-Matignon name.

Former home of the Matignon family

in the Upper Town

As you stroll through the Upper Town, stop off at 4 rue Notre-Dame. Behind this elegant façade lies theformer home of the Matignons, Princes of Monaco. A commemorative plaque, unveiled by Prince Albert of Monaco in 2015, recalls this prestigious link.

Albert II of Monaco

on a visit to Granville

In June 2015, Prince Albert II of Monaco paid a two-day official visit to Granville to celebrate the tercentenary of the marriage of his ancestors from the Matignon family to the Principality of Monaco. Albert II of Monaco was welcomed at the Hôtel de Ville, unveiled a commemorative plaque in front of the former Matignon home and inaugurated a new building.and inaugurated the exhibition “1715-2015 Granville – Monaco, Dreaming History”. A few years later, in April 2019, Albert II was back in Granville for theopening of the “Grace de Monaco, Princesse en Dior” exhibition at the Villa Les Rhumbs.

©La Maison Des Matignon|Benoit GALLETEAU

Monaco and GranvilleLinks that span time

From the shared origins of the Matignon and Grimaldi families to recent visits by Prince Albert II, the links between Monaco and Granville Terre et Mer continue to span time. They are a reminder of the extent to which history, the sea and culture bring these two territories closer together, while leaving our destination its authenticity.

Granville Terre et Mer