The northern façade of the Oceanographic Museum is so ornate that it is hard to soak in all of the details. Of particular interest, however, is the Monégasque coat of arms in the pediment. Flanking the shield are two monks in tribute to François Grimaldi who, while disguised in a Franciscan robe, seized Monaco’s castle in 1297, and thereby became the first ruler of the House of Grimaldi. Monaco’s current royal family are descendants.
