The Louis-II stadium, soon to be renovated? What we know
Its refined architecture, its ability to marry the Monegasque landscape and its ability to accommodate several infrastructures within the same building make the Louis-II a unique stadium in Europe and in the world. Built in the 1980s, the sports arena could soon be refurbished, as requested by the National Council in early December.
Remember. It was January 25, 1985. After four years of work, nearly 120,000 m3 of concrete, 9,000 tons of iron and more than 2,000 tons of metal framework on a platform reclaimed from the sea, the new Louis -II taken place to replace the old one (1939-1985), razed and taken place in the shopping center of Fontvieille.
The day after this date, which remained forever engraved in history, AS Monaco inaugurated its new enclosure in the most beautiful of ways, with a net success (3-0) against RC Lens. The following years marked the beginning of an idyll between the club and its new enclosure.
A multi-faceted stadium, the cradle of sport in Monaco
In its cradle, AS Monaco experienced the greatest hours of its history, on the European scene in particular, with memorable victories against Real Madrid (3-1) and Chelsea (3-1) during the dazzling course of the Red and White during the Champions League 2003-2004.
The enclosure even hosted the France team in 1988, during a friendly match against Morocco, won by the Blues (2-1).
But the new-generation Louis-II stadium is not just about AS Monaco and football. Within it, the complex houses many facilities. In total, more than thirty associations sit in the bowels of the stadium.
In addition to the lawn and the athletics track, the Louis-II includes the Prince Albert II nautical center and its Olympic swimming pool, the Gaston-Médecin sports hall, home of the Roca Team, a certain number of Monegasque administrations and a private English-speaking university: the International University of Monaco (IUM).
Before moving to the Performance Center in La Turbie and La Diagonale in Cap d’Ail, all the administrative offices and the training center of AS Monaco were also present in the stadium.
With so many disciplines under its belt, the sports complex has its share of memorable moments. Since 1987, the stadium has hosted the prestigious Meeting Herculis and was even the scene of the World Athletics Final in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
And beyond its sporting aspect, the Louis-II has also seen great names in music pass through it, such as Muse during a concert given in 2007, or the Eagles in 2011, on the occasion of the wedding of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.
If the Louis-II immediately won over in the 1990s with its authenticity and modernity, today regulars would like to see their stadium renovated, as would the National Council, which raised the subject during a public budget meeting. , last December 12. “ I ask you, Minister, to implement as soon as possible the necessary repair work on the arches, which are regularly shown on television during sporting events, and whose state of degradation does not show an image worthy of our Principality. I remind the Government of the importance of renovating as quickly as possible the infrastructures in connection with the users, such as the refreshment bars or the bleachers, which must be a priority.commented in particular on the elected Marine Grisoul, President of the Commission for Education, Youth and Sports.
In almost 40 years, the enclosure has indeed begun to deteriorate, but the Prince’s Government recalled, in the columns of the Gazettethat ” the Louis-II stadium is a sports infrastructure which was put into service in January 1985 and which, since its opening, has been used every day of the year from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. With its almost 40 years, it is not abnormal that the building and its equipment are considered to have aged. In view of the frequency of use mentioned, we can however say that this infrastructure has aged rather well. »
And to respond to the fears of the Hemicycle, Patrice Cellario said that the structural state of the arches mentioned above “ poses no risk. The elements of definition of the aesthetic renovation project of these arches will be undertaken during the first quarter of 2023. The report is expected for the first days of January. Regarding the necessary restructuring of the stadium’s public reception areas, it must be part of the overall restructuring project for the Louis-II stadium. It would be damaging to undertake work that would then be doomed to demolition in the short or medium term. On the other hand, a study has already been introduced concerning the improvements that we could make, in particular at the level of the refreshments, for the experience of the spectators to be improved on this point. “, proof once again of the involvement of the Executive in this file.
Renovations are expected to accelerate in the coming years
And for good reason: on the Government side, the renovation of the Louis-II has been confirmed as a priority since 2017. To date, nearly 20% of the 355 million euros validated for the restructuring of the Louis-II have been disbursed over the past five years to renovate the Albert II Nautical Centre, the VIP boxes, the lawn (which now allows better grip on the ground), the athletics track, the lighting (replaced by LEDs), the forecourt and the Gaston-Médecin roomas recalled in 2020, on Monaco Info, Sylvie Bertrand, director of the Stadium.
🔴⚪️ The new Gaston-Doctor room is revealed! @ASMonaco_Basket pic.twitter.com/Xg051KfjdM
— Romain Boisaubert (@R_Boisaubert) September 27, 2022
The new Gaston Médecin room was inaugurated on September 28, 2022 after 13 weeks of work at an intense pace
This room, a veritable little aesthetic gem, immediately won over the public. Football fans therefore hope that the Government will succeed on this beautiful product, so that the supporters in turn encourage AS Monaco in a refurbished stadium.
And the idea cannot be ruled out, since, as Patrice Cellario’s teams indicated in Monaco-Morning : “ advanced work in phases. The phases that could be started without too much difficulty have been (Nautical Center, VIP boxes, lawn, athletics track, forecourt, Gaston-Médecin room). At the same time, the studies continue and will last another two years at least. The subject is particularly complex, particularly in terms of the engagement of the phases and works vis-à-vis the operation of the building. Given the constraints linked to the operation of the stadium, which must be maintained, the restructuring operation can reasonably be completed over ten years. »
For its part, AS Monaco, to which the stadium does not belong, wanted to reassure everyone during the subscribers’ evening, which took place at the start of the season.
According to club officials: “This is one of the very important subjects for our development. We are by far the biggest user of the stadium. We are in discussion with the Monegasque authorities to consider work in the stadium. It’s a complicated project, but it’s ongoing and it’s very ambitious. »
New refreshments and red and white seats
For their part, fans have no shortage of ideas to breathe new life into this mythical place.
Among them, the provision of new refreshment bars and the replacement of the current yellow seats with seats in the colors of AS Monaco. For the anecdote, the yellow color had been wanted by Prince Rainier III in 1985, who wanted a uniform color for all sports halls, as Sylvie Bertrand explains. ” I think that one day, they will have to be changed, and it will be the choice of the Sovereign Prince “, she specifies.
Hello Monegasque community 👋
— Romain (@MilieuRelayeur) August 12, 2021
Here is a proposal to revamp our aging Louis II stadium a little, in the colors of the club. I hesitated a lot about the color of the seats, and I still hesitate, so your comments are welcome!
RT appreciated👍#Daghe🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/XNQompnP3n
This question, however, is not new. Through banners, the Ultras Monaco 1994 have repeatedly been part of their wish to see red and white seats for the club’s 100th anniversary, which will be designated in 2024.
“The opening of the stadium was a fantastic timeremembers Raymond Viano, subscriber since the 1965-1966 season. We had one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe, even the English were impressed when they went there. But the stadium has aged badly.”
For his part, Michel Debrieuvre, member of the AS Monaco supporters club, proposes to install a restaurant within the Louis-II, like other stadiums, or at least to increase the number of refreshment bars. to prevent them from being attacked.
Avoid full closure
As they travel away, Monegasque fans hope that after recent renovations to other Ligue 1 stadiums, the Louis-II will soon get a makeover as well.
“Yellow” seats in the Lodge…😡
— 🏎🇲🇨GlennTheBest🇲🇨⚽️ (@glenthe_best) October 28, 2021
What a shame to host VIPs in such filthy seats. I’m not even talking about the state of the corridors to access the boxes and the stands. Worthy of a National club and again!@GvtMonaco @AS_Monaco pic.twitter.com/bBgLJQZdxV
In Toulouse, which has renovated its Stadium, in Angers, which has refurbished almost all of the Raymond Kopa stadium with brand new black seats, or even sometimes in Nice, which changes into an Allianz Riviera understands there are less than ten years, many examples have been put forward by Monegasque fans to suggest ways to improve the Principality’s enclosure.
But the Louis-II stadium is not the only one in metamorphosis: the Costières de Nîmes stadium (opened in 1989), should be demolished in 2023 and completely rebuilt in 2026. The François-Coty stadium, in Ajaccio (opened in 1962 ), a final questionnaire offered online for supporters, to find out where they can improve after the major works carried out this summer.
More recently, Prince Albert II himself raised the subject of Louis II, ahead of the Monegasque National Day. “I hear the frustration of our supporters whom I want to salute for the 70th anniversary of their club [des supporters, ndlr] and for their faithful supportdid he name for Monaco-Morning.
The Louis-II stadium is not only a football stadium but a sports complex, delivered in 1985 with prerequisites that no longer meet current requirements. This does not prevent us from welcoming athletes in good conditions. But, I see it myself, some places in the stadium have aged badly.”
A finding that could push the Government to act quickly. The building is undergoing gradual renovationexplained the Sovereign. This renovation program will no doubt have to be increased. We are in the process of reviewing this program, updating it. By avoiding a complete closure of the stadium, while arriving at a phasing that could satisfy everyone.
This is indeed the whole point of this modernization of the Louis-II stadium. Continue to welcome all sports disciplines and supporters, at the same time as major works.
With the contribution of Camille Esteve