It is a day that will find its place in the guestbook of the city of Luchon. This Tuesday, the spa town is visited by SAS Albert II of Monaco. The sovereign arrived in the middle of the afternoon, received a Republican welcome at the town hall, before strolling through the streets and going to the Casino de Luchon, where he organized an exhibition dedicated to his great-grandfather, Albert 1st. The detail of this tribute with Serge Brunet, curator of the exhibition “Albert 1er, prince de Monaco, et les Pyrénées (1861-1921).

How did the idea for this exhibition come about?

As a university professor, I worked on several occasions with the archives of Monaco. The director, Thomas Fouilleron, introduced me to the life of Albert 1er and we discussed the idea of ​​an exhibition. Albert 1er was really a great character, a scientist who dedicated his life to science. He is at the origin of oceanography and the oceanographic museum in Monaco, but also of the institute of anthropology. I can’t find any fault with it. He will spend the last years of his life trying to set up a pacifist project for an international park, between France and Spain. He preferred that it was the best way to protect the fauna and flora.

Of the Pyrenees that he has heard a lot?

Yes, he wanted to create this ideal place, with also the desire to develop tourism, hydrotherapy, it was a very innovative project. By virtue of his function, he had the possibility of addressing people who had weight. For example, on the night of December 24, 1920, he wrote several letters to protect the Gavarnie site, which was threatened by the installation of a water reservoir. The following year, the site was saved!

What will the public discover through this exhibition?

Albert 1er, who was interested in science, took many photos, which I commented on. When you move around the exhibition, you have the impression that Albert 1er is talking to you, with his notes and his diary. The public will be able to discover his drilling, his favorite gun. He hunts, but never the young or the females and he wrote a manifesto concerning the need for a reasoned hunt. There will be pieces ready by Monaco. Just an anecdote about his doctor, who accompanies him to the Pyrenees. It was Ferdinand Loüet, born in St-Gaudens, who studied in Toulouse. This will be the founder and first president of Stade Toulousain.

Who did you think of this exhibition for?

For everyone, from 7 to 77 years old! There will be interactive tools on the mountain, films, loaned by the Toulouse cinematheque, objects, such as a bobsleigh… I advise visitors to come several times, admission is free. We have made sure that it is accessible to the most demanding public, as well as to neophytes, but also to the Monaco family.