Prince Jacques followed in his father’s footsteps when he made a historic visit to Les Baux-de-Provence on Saturday 5 September. Accompanied by Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and Princess Gabriella, the heir to the Monegasque throne visited his marquisate for the first time, as his father had done in 1982. His title, Marquis of Baux, honours the historical ties between the princes of Monaco and the kings of France.
Receiving the keys to the city
Anne Poniatowski, the town’s new mayor and vice-president of the French association of Grimaldi Historic Sites, welcomed the Princely Family on the esplanade of the village’s castle, where Prince Jacques received the keys to the city. The mayor also presented the young prince with a small sword as a gift.
One of Princess Grace’s final trips
Prince Albert II also received the keys to the city when he visited the town with his mother, Princess Grace, in June 1982. It was one of Princess Grace’s final trips, as she passed away just five months later.
Stained glass windows donated by Prince Rainier III
The family then visited the Church of Saint Vincent, which had benefited from a generous donation by Prince Rainier III many years ago. The stained-glass windows, created by master glassmaker Max Ingrand, were gifted to the Church to commemorate the birth of Prince Albert II.
Les Baux-de-Provence is a major tourist destination, attracting over 1.5 million visitors per year.
Only about 22 people live in the upper historic Les Baux-de-Provence village, with around 300 in the broader commune.
The History of the title of Marquisate of Baux
In 1612, Lord Honoré II placed his territory under the protection of Spain, receiving financial benefits from King Philip III, and Monaco was elevated to the status of a principality. Prince Honoré II, the first Prince of Monaco, switched sides when the Thirty Years’ War broke out between Spain and France.
The Treaty of Péronne, in which King Louis XIII guaranteed the protection of the Principality, was signed in 1641. The new alliance with France resulted in the confiscation of the Prince of Monaco’s Spanish properties. As compensation, King Louis XIII granted the Prince several titles, including the Marquisate of Baux. Since then, the title has been passed down to the heir of the Monegasque throne.
Upon the birth of his twins in 2014, Prince Albert II upheld the tradition and conferred the title of Marquis of Baux upon Jacques. He also bestowed the title of Countess of Carladès upon Princess Gabriella.
