Languages of Monaco

The official language of Monaco is French, but there are several languages spoken, including Monégasque, the national language of the Monegasque people.

French

French is the only official language in Monaco, a result of the dominant role France has long had over the microstate ("see Franco-Monegasque Treaty"). French nationals make up 47% of the population, forming the principality's largest population group (larger than even Monegasque nationals).

Monégasque

Monégasque is the national language of the Monegasque people (who represent only 16% of the total population). It is a dialect of Ligurian, somewhat similar to Italian. At his coronation, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, made a speech to his people in the language.

Occitan

Occitan (or Lenga d'òc) has also traditionally been spoken in Monaco (particularly when it covered a larger geographical territory), but it is rarely used today.

Italian

Standard Italian is also a major language in Monaco. Italian nationals make up some 16% of the total population.

English

There is also an English-speaking community in Monaco, and many English-speaking tourists and vacationers visit the city.

Other

Some 125 nationalities make up the population of Monaco, meaning that a very wide variety of languages are spoken by the 21% of the population which is not French, Italian, or Monegasque.