As part of His regular visits to territories historically linked to His family, H.S.H. Prince Albert II visited the Roya Valley on October 9, 2023.
H.S.H. the Prince was welcomed in the morning at Piène-Haute, a village belonging to the commune of Breil-sur-Roya, in the Alpes-Maritimes.
The Sovereign Prince unveiled the " Historic Sites Grimaldi of Monaco " sign, then visited the church of Saint-Marc before taking part in an official ceremony in the village square, in the presence of the local population. At the end of the morning, Prince Albert II arrived in Olivetta San Michele, a town just across the border in Italy. Following the unveiling of the "Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco" sign, the Prince met with local authorities and residents at a reception held in the town council hall. In 1500, King Louis XII of France appointed Jean II Grimaldi, lord of Monaco, governor of Penna and Ventimiglia. Possession lasted only a few years, but in 1523, Jean II's brother Lucien, who had himself become lord of Monaco, was assassinated by his nephew Barthélemy Doria, lord of Dolceacqua. As a result, his brother's successor, Bishop Augustin Grimaldi, took over all the Doria fiefs, including Penna, for a time.In 1862, Penna was Italianized as Piena.In 1890, the commune's capital was moved to Olivetta San Michele. In 1947, following the rectification of the Franco-Italian border, the hamlet of Piena became Piène in French, and was attached to the commune of Breil-sur-Roya.
