Monaco

Monaco’s biggest claim to fame is that it is the second smallest country in the world; only the Vatican City is smaller.  This tiny country is a sovereign state and has it’s own Monarchy, national flag and a traditional Monégasque dialect, although French is the official language.  Monaco is nestled snuggly into the French Riviera and very close to the Italian boarder. There are no boarder formalities when entering or exiting Monaco and the Principality’s currency is also the Euro making day trips to this interesting country seamless for tourists.

 

Monaco is world-renowned for it’s prestigious Monte-Carlo Casino, the Formula One Grand Prix and the glamorous Grimaldi royal family who have ruled the country since the thirteenth century.

 

One of the most interesting aspects of Monaco is that there is no income tax levied on individuals.  As a result, the country has been flooded with wealthy residents from European countries wishing to take refuge in this city to protect their overflowing bank accounts.  Monaco has thus become the epitome of wealth and status and is the ultimate in materialist worlds.  After a visit to the Principality it is quite possible that you will have seen more Ferraris in the space of one hour than in the rest of your entire lifetime!

 

Formula One

The Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually since 1929 and is one of the most prestigious racing events in the world.   The circuit runs through the extremely narrow and twisted streets of Monte Carlo, making it the most difficult Formula One track in existence.  The proximity of the spectator stands to the circuit is one of the main attractions of the event as race spectators can enjoy being right in the midst of the action.

 

Many Monaco residents who aren’t interested in the race rent out their terraces to fans for the duration of the event and have been known to charge up to €140, 000 for the privilege!

 

Monte Carlo Casino and Opera House - Place du Casino

Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House, built Monaco’s Opera House toward the end of the 19^th century.  The paved marble atrium is surrounded by 28 iconic columns made of onyx which leads to the breath-taking Opera Hall or Salle Garnier, decorated in red and gold with bas-reliefs and sculptures. This auditorium has hosted some of the most superior international performances of opera, ballet and concerts and would be an absolute delight to experience if your budget can stretch to it.

 

Not to be outdone, the Casino is also an astounding sight. The gaming rooms are superbly decorated with stained-glass windows, sculptures and paintings spread throughout every room.  The Casino is open to the smartly dressed public but you will need your passport and a bit of cash if you want to enter some of the restricted areas and gamble with the rich and famous.

 

Prince’s Palace - Palais Princier

Definitely a place not to miss is the Prince’s Palace, built on the site of an old fortress constructed by the Genoese in 1215.  The Palace is located in Monaco-Ville, whichis the old fortified capital and the spiritual heart of Monaco.  It is open to the public every day from May through to October and for a small fee you can enter the State Apartments and the Throne Room and at the end of your visit you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Port and Monte Carlo.  Guided tours are available if you want to learn more about the tumultuous history of the Gramaldi family, which includes everything from intrigue, tragedy, glamour and drama!

 

The best time to visit it just before midday so you can catch the changing of the guard at 11:15am, performed by the Carabiniers.

 

Museums

 

Oceanographic Museum

The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium is dedicated to marine science and Oceanography and is world-renowned for its remarkable collection of specimens of sea creatures and marine fauna, many of which were collected by Prince Albert I.  The spectacular aquarium offers a unique prospect of the Mediterranean tropical marine ecosystem and contains 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates.  The Shark Lagoon is the latest addition offering viewers the chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

 

Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology

If you are interested in ancient history then head to the Museum of Prehistoric History and revisit some of the momentous milestones in the history of humanity.  This museum houses a stunning array of fossils, excavated treasures and a series of burials from the Principality and nearby regions.

 

Boasting a rare and important collection of fossils and excavated treasures originating from the Principality and nearby regions, this museum retraces some of the most significant milestones in the history of humans.  »Read more

 

New National Museum

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco has two venues: the Villa Paloma and the Villa Sauber.  Both of these Museums focus on modern, contemporary artwork and each shows two expositions per year with the focus on the cultural, historic and artistic aspects of the Principality. Entry is free to those under 26 years and is free to everybody on the first Sunday of every month.

 

 

 Other museums worth a mention are the Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collections of the Historical Archives of the Palace housing treasured objects and documents on the history of the Principality and its rulers.  The Museum of the Chapel of Visitation / Barbara Piasecka Johnson Collectioncontains stunning works of sacred art by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and the masters of the Italian Baroque period.

 

Naval Museum Musée Navalhouses over 250 marine and naval objects including intricate model of famous shops as well as a number of artifacts from the private collection of HSH Prince Reinier III of Monaco.

 

If vintage cars fascinate you then head to the Exhibition of HSH The Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collectionlocated on the Terrace de Fontville where you can view Prince Albert of Monaco’s collection of almost 100 classic cars as well as six vintage coaches

 

Monaco Cathedral

The Saint Nicholas Cathedral is a Roman-Byzantine style building, built in 1875 with stark white stones from La Turbie.   In 1956 Prince Reiner famously married the Hollywood star Grace Kelly in the Monaco Cathedral and today their remains are buried here along with other past sovereigns. From September to June at 10am, Sunday mass is sung by Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco and Cathedral Choir.

 

Exotic Gardens and the Observation cave

The Jardin Exotique is home to several thousand rare plants from around the world.  The walking tour around the gardens will present you with some extraordinary sights of both exotic plants and exquisite views. The high altitude of the location of the gardens has resulted in a unique contrast of desert plants and subtropical flora exhibits.

 

The prehistoric cave is located 60 meters below ground and contains stagmites and stalactites formed over thousands of years.