Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène Inaugurate State-of-the-Art Collège Charles III at Îlot Pasteur in Monaco

Monaco Unveils Landmark 24,000-Square-Metre Educational Campus

LA COLLE, Monaco — In a crowning milestone for national education and modern civic infrastructure in the Principality, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène have officially inaugurated the magnificent new campus of Collège Charles III. Situated at 7 Promenade Honoré II within the transformative Îlot Pasteur complex, the ultra-modern secondary school represents one of the most sophisticated public works developments ever executed by the Prince’s Government of Monaco.

Attended by Minister of State Didier Guillaume, National Council President Thomas Brezzo, government ministers, and civic dignitaries, the inauguration ceremony featured the unveiling of an official commemorative plaque and an inaugural blessing bestowed by the Archbishop of Monaco, Monseigneur Dominique-Marie David. The completion of the facility marks the culmination of eight years of precision engineering and civil construction led by the Department of Public Works.

Cutting-Edge Pedagogical Infrastructure for 1,500 Students

Encompassing nearly 24,000 square metres of bespoke educational floor space, the campus is engineered to accommodate between 1,200 and 1,500 middle school students in world-class conditions:

• 64 Digital Classrooms: Equipped with interactive digital whiteboards, high-speed fiber-optic data connectivity, and ergonomic acoustic architecture.
• Advanced Scientific & STEM Labs: Dedicated laboratories for physics, chemistry, natural life sciences, robotics, and coding design.
• 300-Seat Amphitheatre: A state-of-the-art auditorium featuring professional stage lighting and acoustic panelling for civic lectures, drama productions, and academic conferences.
• Arts and Music Wings: Soundproofed rehearsal studios, fine arts workshops, and digital media suites fostering creative student expression.

The campus also integrates a dedicated school chapel, an extensive multi-level library and documentation centre (CDI), and an eco-friendly dining refectory prioritizing regional Mediterranean and organic produce.

Premier Athletic Facilities: 25-Metre Swimming Pool and Sports Complex

Exemplifying Monaco's deep sporting heritage, the new Collège Charles III incorporates exceptional athletic amenities rarely seen in secondary educational establishments. Below the main academic concourse, the complex features a 25-metre indoor swimming pool with eight swimming lanes, variable-depth floor technology, and computerized water filtration systems.

Adjoining the aquatic centre is a massive 1,000-square-metre multi-sport gymnasium capable of hosting competitive basketball, volleyball, handball, and gymnastics tournaments, complemented by a dedicated martial arts dojo and outdoor panoramic rooftop recreation terraces overlooking the Mediterranean coast.

Mediterranean Sustainable Building Certification (BD2M) and Green Energy

In strict conformance with Prince Albert II’s statutory environmental goals to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, Collège Charles III was built to prestigious Bâtiments Durables Méditerranéens de Monaco (BD2M) Gold-level standards. The complex incorporates rooftop photovoltaic solar arrays generating clean renewable electricity and connects directly to the Principality’s subterranean seawater heat pump thermal grid for emissions-free heating and cooling.

Monegasque authorities affirmed that the delivery of Collège Charles III at Îlot Pasteur guarantees future generations of young residents an intellectually stimulating, architecturally inspiring, and environmentally exemplary environment, reaffirming Monaco’s international reputation as a leader in educational excellence.