Today I’m telling you about a 100% Monaco address. An address with a history. A local history. A history of women. An address more than 50 years old. Just between us: nowadays that’s exceptional. What’s most exceptional is that the spirit has stayed intact, and that every woman I met this morning is truly devoted to the cause. Even rarer today. This Monegasque address is Les Boutiques du Rocher. Catherine, the director for the past 20 years, told me the whole story. And believe me, this address deserves far more than a quick visit.
It all started as an idea from Princess Grace herself. In 1970, at a time when few women worked, she created these boutiques to give them independence. Widows, divorced women, craftswomen without a shop window of their own, all of them could sell their creations here. Catherine even found old files listing 500 names. 500!
Today, the spirit remains intact. There are knitters, seamstresses, potters, a man who makes keyrings from leather offcuts, a young student who makes small handmade pieces to top up her income. And a lady of almost 80 who still makes her little jointed teddy bears. By hand. Always.
What blew me away was the rigour. Catherine examines every piece that comes in, turns it over, checks the finishes. You don’t just improvise as a seamstress here: quality is non-negotiable. And yet, the human side comes first. “We’re a family,” she tells me. When a creator falls ill, someone calls to check on her. Some of them have been here since the 1980s.
As for the collections, Catherine plans everything each December with her lead seamstress, Christelle: the Circus, the Lemon Festival, Easter, the Prince’s Feast Day, Christmas… And every year, a special collection made from the recycled tablecloths of the Rose Ball. Unique pieces for those who couldn’t attend, a real treasure for lovers of tableware.
The margin on every sale goes to the Princess Grace Foundation. Buying here is anything but trivial.
Just between us: when you want to bring home a piece of Monaco, this is the perfect place for gifts! The boutique on the Rocher leans more towards homeware, while the one in Monte-Carlo is dedicated to babies (from 3 to 12 months). The blankets are simply incredible.
Les Boutiques du Rocher – Monte-Carlo: 1, avenue de la Madone – Monaco-Ville: rue Emile de Loth – +377.93.30.91.17
www.fondation-psse-grace.mc
