Rainier III, Prince Builder - Fontvieille

Throughout his reign, Prince Rainier III pursued an ambitious policy of territorial development and extension which gave Monaco a new dimension and resolutely fostered its economic and social progress. The first undergrounding of the eastern part of the railway allowed the birth of Larvotto, a seaside district essential to tourism, which has continued to change in particular with the creation of a large hotel complex as well as a congress and exhibition center, the Grimaldi Forum. The Fontvieille embankment, entirely built on the sea, has made possible the creation of a new district with its sports facilities, its port, its housing, its shops, and efficient processing industries. The arrival in 2002 of the largest semi-floating dyke in the world contributed to double the reception capacity of Port Hercule and to accommodate cruise liners.