Fort Antoine Theatre

A small watchtower, arrow slits still visible—there’s little doubt: you’re standing on what was once a military zone. What’s now known as Fort Antoine was originally built in the early 18th century to strengthen the defense of the Principality. Monaco had been the target of enemy attacks on several occasions, especially from its Italian neighbor, Genoa. The fort was destroyed during World War II, between 1939 and 1945. However, its absence didn’t last long as Prince Rainier III had it rebuilt in 1953. A wise decision, since in 1970, just as it had regained its militaristic aura, Fort Antoine began an unexpected transformation. This former bastion of war, once commanded by Prince Antoine I, became a peaceful green setting for all kinds of performances. Today, it hosts plays, concerts, poetry readings, and many other shows—all presented in their original scale. It’s a bold artistic vision that lives on to this day, with the same mission as when it first began: to support artistic creation through magical summer evenings under the open sky of Fort Antoine.