Alexandre Dumas published in 1854 Catherine-Charlotte de Gramont's (1639-1678) so-called "memoirs", under the title Vie et aventures de la Princesse de Monaco (Princess of Monaco's life and adventures). Written by Countess Dash, a friend of Alexandre Dumas, three "memoirs" actually are romanced biography of Marshal of Gramont's daughter, Princess of Monaco, Louis I's wife. The Duchess of Valentinois' life was adventurous, and shared between the intrigues of Louis XIV court, her love for the Duke of Lauzun and her stays in Monaco. She died when she was 39 yeasr old following a painful disease. Countess Dash présents in his way the historical reality in order to accentuate the romantic aspect of the heroine's life, even if it means making some nose-thumbing to the history. (full text in French)

The Archives of the Palace of Monaco keep approximately twenty letters written by the writer Colette, addressed to Prince Pierre of Monaco and Prince Rainier III, during her stays in Monaco between 1948 and 1954. This correspondence, presented and published in this article, allows us to find out more about the last years of Colette’s life, and on some traits of her personality. (full text in French)

Gaston Leroux was a compulsive gambler who settled in Menton then in Nice. His life is a good opportunity to take a close look at the Casino of Monte-Carlo, during a night of February 1902. Thanks to his writings, like Le sept de trèfle, Mister Flow or Décavé, this article shows the aristocratic and artistic life of this gaming establishment. (full text in French)

Princess Caroline played a significant role : she was the instigator of her husband’s politics, Prince Florestan, and her son, Prince Charles III. Discreet, as wife and mother, she was nevertheless at the origin of important upheavals, like the settlement of a casino in Monaco. (full text in French)

Louise-Félicité-Victoire d’Aumont, Duchess of Mazarin, married the future prince Honoré IV of Monaco, on July 15^th 1777. Their divorce in 1793 is the subject of this article which highlights the financial and family troubles that led to this separation. (full text in French)

Guillaume Apollinaire spent several years in Monaco and was at Saint-Charles school. He wrote down his memories in a collection entitled “La vie anecdotique”, and depicted several contemporary characters, famous or unknown. Among them, Adrien Blandignère, an eccentric writer. This subject is a good opportunity to go back to the Carnieri area in Beausoleil, in the end of the 19^th century, with pictures of that time. (full text in French)

Following a short stopover in Monaco in April 1887, Guy de Maupassant, then aged 37 and already well-known, dedicated some fantasy-based pages to the Principality, in a collection entitled “Sur l’eau”. This text rather humorist, describes Monaco as a military powerless state, without any moral and religious strengths, and devoiding a real judicial system. According to him, the Sovereign was using a vain authority and he considered the population as mindless subjects. (full text in French)

Prince Antoine I is well known to be the “musician prince”. However, his sensitivity led him to write poems. This article presents a collection of those poems, never published before. It is also a good way to know more about the family circle of this artist and prince. (full text in French)

Born in a Rotterdam surburb, Kees van Dongen settled in Monaco in 1949, after having stayed in Paris for several years. His death, in 1968, was undercovered by the political events of that time. This article presents the eccentric and talented painter, relying on an unreleased interview about his career. (full text in French)

This article presents the circus festival year after year until 2010, with the originalities depending on the represented countries. It also highlights the new circus acts which became more and more aesthetics. (full text in French)