Monaco, a rock with Norman roots
On June 4 and 5, 2022, a delegation from La Manche (50), headed by the city of Saint-Lô, will take part in the 3rd meetings of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco. The opportunity to show Monegasques the Norman heritage and to recall the links which unite the principality to the Manchois department.
Prince Albert II of Monaco following in ideas. For several years, the Monegasque sovereign has undertaken to renew ties with the former fiefdoms of his principality. We remember his visits in 2011 and 2019 to Saint-Lô, in 2015 to the Abbey of Hambye (50) and in 2019 to Granville where he revealed the exhibition dedicated to his mother “Grace of Monaco Princess in Dior”.
The Manche department includes a set of former “fiefdoms” that belonged to the Grimaldi through its alliance with the Matignon family. Originally from Brittany, the Matignon family arrived in Manche in the 15th century. Jean Goyon, lord of Matignon and La Roche-Goyon takes Marguerite de Mauny, the daughter of Baron de Torigny, as his wife.
In the 16th century, Jacques II de Matignon founded the barony of Saint-Lô. On this occasion, the Norman family joined the nobility, close to the King of France. But it was in 1715 that the link was forged that would unite the Norman department and the principality. That year, Jacques IV de Matignon, Baron de Torigny, married Princess Louise-Hyppolyte, daughter of Prince Antoine 1er of Monaco. On this occasion, he abandoned his name and arms to adopt those of the Grimaldi.
We are proud of our heritage. It is on our commune that the story began. The Château des Matignons is here. It dates from the 16th century, although it was rebuilt after the war. This trip to Monaco is an opportunity to let the new generations of our town know the history of this castle.
Mickael GrandinMayor of Torigny-les-Villes
300 years of history that in 2015, the Museum of Modern Art of Granville, commemorated through an exhibition entitled “1715-2015… from Granville to Monaco, dreaming history”. From this exhibition produced with the archives of the prince’s palace, there remains a catalog that can be obtained at the museum.
His Serene Highness Albert II of Monaco still bears the title of Count of Torigny-sur-vire and Baron of Saint-Lô. The sovereign is also Baron of Hambye, a small town in the center of the Channel.
The Monegasque sovereign is very attached to his Norman titles, as to the others he has on French territory. 150 titles in all, acquired following diplomatic agreements or matrimonial alliances. Albert II has been making many trips to his former “fiefdoms” for years to show his attachment to the history of his family. Since 2018, the prince has organized in June on the Place du Palais, “the Meeting of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco”.
For this 3rd edition, a Manchoise delegation will travel to Monaco, at the invitation of the sovereign. The city of Saint-Lô, the municipalities of Hambye, Torigny-les-Villes, Percy, Moyon and Granville will make the trip to the principality on June 4 and 5, 2022. The Manche department will also be on the trip. “ It is a Mancho delegation which goes to Monaco, to highlight the Norman know-how. The Prince is reconnecting with his old “fiefdoms” and he has created this event to promote the terroir of his family’s former possessions” specifies Frédéric Martin, director of communication for the city of Saint-Lô. Mancho companies are also part of the delegation. Companies that will highlight the traditions and products of the Normandy region.
The commune of Percy-en-Normandie (50) answers in its luggage for the representatives of its heritage. In 2020, the town obtained the label “Grimaldi Historic Site of Monaco”. CE mark a vocation to discover and promote the traditions and know-how of the former strongholds of the Grimaldi family. To obtain this label, it is necessary to respect a set of specifications. The products must in particular be from artisanal and local production. This is the case of the “Gourmandises du Manoir”. This artisanal jam producer will go to the Monegasque rock to promote his creation, a jam created for this label.
I created a jam especially for the label. An organic apple, organic orange flavor that links Normandy and the Mediterranean. Going to Monaco will allow us to make our traditions known and why not to make ourselves known to Monegasques and tourists.
David LetemplierThe delicacies of the Manor
The Manchois heritage that will be exhibited in principle does not only concern local products. The former strongholds are invited to introduce themselves to visitors to the Place du Palais, their culture and their tradition. The Norman Bocage museum and the national stud farm of Saint-Lô will be represented. And entrepreneurs and creators also make the trip to their “former lord”.