On the eve of the UN conference in Nice, Emmanuel Macron will make a state visit to Monaco on June 7 and 8.

The Prince's Palace of Monaco announced on Wednesday that President Emmanuel Macron will pay a state visit to the Principality on June 7 and 8, on the eve of the opening of the 3rd UN Conference on Oceans (UNOC3) in Nice.

"This visit is part of the strong and centuries-old bonds of friendship between the two countries," the palace said in its statement.

Mr Macron had already been to Monaco in January for the funeral of Minister of State Didier Guillaume , and all his predecessors have visited the Rock, but this is the first state visit by a French president to the principality since François Mitterrand in 1984.

An interview with Albert II and a private audience

Expected on Saturday afternoon, Mr. Macron is to meet with Prince Albert II during a private audience, before a state dinner in the throne room of the prince's palace.

On Sunday morning, Mr. Macron and the prince will visit a company specializing in thalassotherapy , while Brigitte Macron and Princess Charlene will attend a drowning prevention operation , one of the objectives of the foundation of the princess, a former swimming champion.

At midday, the two heads of state, accompanied in particular by Brazilian President Lula, will close the financial forum on the blue economy , organized on June 7 and 8 in Monaco on the sidelines of UNOC3, with the aim of bringing together major investors and companies working on projects that are both profitable and sustainable for the ocean.

After a lunch attended by several heads of state and government and representatives of various royal families, Mr. Macron and Prince Albert II will travel to Nice for the launch of UNOC3, scheduled for June 9-13.