The Principality of Monaco

Monaco officially the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera. It is located only a few kilometers west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco takes up only 200 hectares and counts as the world’s second-smallest country. However, it offers a lot of altitudes from which you can get sweeping views of this country. Even though the country is not a member of the EU they participate in the EU customs territory and this means that you can freely cross over from France to Monaco without any formalities at the border. They also have the Euro as their currency. You’ll see that there is so much more to Monaco and not just a playground for the rich and famous.

Positioned on the edge of a cliff is the world-renowned Musee Oceanographique de Monaco. It opened its doors in 1910 and was founded by Prince Albert I. The highlight of the museum is its aquarium which has a 6m-deep lagoon where all the sharks and marine predators are separated from colorful tropical fish by a coral reef. Upstairs in two very large colonnaded rooms, you can learn the history of oceanography and marine biology by looking over photos, old equipment, various specimens, and interactive displays. Altogether the museum has about 90 tanks in the aquarium housing 450 Mediterranean and tropical species all sustained by 250,000 liters of seawater being pumped in every day. For children, there is a tactile basin where they can get up close and feel the fish. Take a walk up to the rooftop terrace which offers fantastic views of Monaco and the Mediterranean.

Take an amazing walk back into history by visiting the old part of Monaco known as Monaco Ville or Le Rocher (Rock of Monaco). It sits on a pistol-shaped rock and was strategically positioned to overlook the sea. It became the stronghold of the Grimaldi dynasty. The palace which was built as a fortress in the 13th century is now the private residence of the Grimaldis, protected by the Carabiniers du Prince. Changing of the guard occurs daily at 11:55 PM. Le Rocher is the only section of Monaco to still have small, winding medieval lanes full of little shops. In order to get here you have to walk up the 16th-century red-brick Rampe Major from Place aux Armes in the Condamine section. Also, a path winds its way up from the port through the shady Jardins St. Martin.

Jardin St. Martin is found in Monaco Ville. These gardens consist of a series of paths located on the southwest face of the Rock of Monaco. Among the flora here you’ll find Aleppo pine trees and yellow agaves on its terraces with medieval fortifications. In the center of the gardens is a bronze statue of Prince Albert I as a sailor created by Francois Cogne.

You’ll find fascinating and exotic flora in Jardin Exotique. These gardens are home to the world’s largest succulent and cactus collection starting from small Echinocereus to 10m tall African candelabras. These gardens slope down the slopes of Moneghetti through a maze of paths, stairs, and bridges. From here you can get lovely views of Monaco.

Visitors can also get tickets for a 35-minute guided tour through the Grottes de l’Observatoire. The caves include an important prehistoric network found inside the hillside. This is the only cave in Europe where temperatures rise as people descend into the ground. It is full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Visitors can visit the Prince’s Palace which was built on the site of a fortress that was once built by the Genoese in 1215. There is much to delight the eye in the palace like an Italian-style gallery and 15th-century frescoes. The Louis XV lounge is decorated in yellow and gold, the Blue Room has a wonderful blend of blue and gold, the Mazarin Room has multi-colored wood paneling and the Throne Room has a very impressive Renaissance fireplace. Of interest is the Palatine Chapel which was built in the 17th century.

There is also St. Mary’s Tower built of white stones in nearby La Turbie and the Main Courtyard with its 17th century Carrara marble double staircase.

The Princess Grace Rose Garden was created by Prince Rainier III as a tribute to his wife Princess Grace. The garden was opened in 1984. It is located in Fontvieille Park. There is a small lake bordered by palm trees and an olive grove. The garden has 6,000 rose bushes in 315 varieties. Visitors can walk around the grounds and sit on park benches.

La Turbie is a commune in southeastern France and was once part of Monaco. Above La Turbie is a limestone outcrop called the Tete de Chien or “head of dog”, La Turbie is built of old stones that were recovered from the ruins of the Trophy of Augustus now Trophy of the Alps. This Roman monument was built by Emperor Augustus to celebrate his victory over the Ligurian tribes who once lived in the mountains in this area and attacked merchants along the Roman trade routes.

Monaco Cathedral was built from the pure white stones of La Turbie in 1875. The cathedral was built in Roman-Byzantine style and is the burial place for past sovereigns including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. In the interior, the impressive altarpiece was the artwork of Nicois painter Louis Brea dating from 1500 as well as the high altar and the Episcopal throne of Carrara white marble. During great liturgical celebrations, pontifical services are held here. These are accompanied by the magnificent sound of the grand organ which has four keyboards. From September to June every Sunday at 10 AM mass is sung by the Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco and Cathedral Choir.

In the Old Town, you’ll find the Chapel of Mercy where the inaugural stone was blessed in 1639 during the reign of Prince Honore II. It was built with only one nave. This chapel was the place where the traditional procession on Easter Friday began and this tradition was continued for four centuries. It was abolished in 1870 but has been resumed once more. Inside the chapel is a wooden statue of Christ the artwork of the Monegasque, Francoise-Joseph Bosio, sculptor to Emperor Napoleon 1st.

Fort Antoine is a fortress that was built in the 18th century and has now become an open-air theater. After it was destroyed during the war it was once again rebuilt in 1953. It is fascinating to see its military architecture and watchtower. The stage has been arranged so that it has a pyramid of cannon balls right at its center. There are pittosporum hedges serving as protection where there is no parapet.

Jardin Japonais is an authentic Japanese garden built on a steep hillside. It resembles a Zen garden with water, stones, bamboo hedges, and Mediterranean trees. This tranquil garden includes a waterfall, a koi pond with water lilies, and a teahouse. There are traditional Japanese lanterns and footbridges.

The Nouveau Musee National de Monaco is housed in two villas. The Villa Paloma and the Villa Sauber. The museum has a collection of 19th and 20th-century artwork that includes paintings, drawings, photos, theater costumes, decorative objects, ceramics, and sculptures.

Of course, no visit to Monaco would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino. Whether you are a gambler or not this grand marble and gold casino is a sight to see. It was built in 1893 by Charles Garnier, the same architect who designed the Paris Opera House. Its marble-paved “atrium” is surrounded by 28 Ionic columns made of onyx. The Gaming Rooms are decorated with stained glass windows, sculptures, and allegorical paintings.

The Monte Carlo Opera House is located in Place du Casino, a public square in the most glamorous neighborhood in Monaco. The square is lined with palm trees, has a fountain, and has great views of the coastline. The opera house is part of the Monte Carlo Casino.

The opera house was built in 1878 and designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Opera House in Paris, France. The auditorium of the Opera House is known as “Salle Garnier” and is decorated in red and gold. In 1879 it was inaugurated by the French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt. The opera house offers classic operas, musical recitals, concerts, and ballet performances. The season begins with a Gala Opening in September and runs from October through April.

The famous Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco takes place in Monte-Carlo every year on the last weekend in May. It is the only car race to take place on city streets. The course runs from Boulevard Albert 1 to Place du Casino and around the turn in front of the Monte-Carlo Fairmont Hotel.

For relaxation and some sun and fun, there is the Larvotto Beach Monte Carlo. The beach was created along the seafront shortly after WW II. Good sand for the beach is trucked in. The sections of the beach are separated by three concrete jetties. Stretching along the beach are restaurants, bars, and bistros. To find your preferred place on the beach you have to arrive early during the peak summer season. This is a public beach and since prices are pretty steep for a sun bed and umbrella you should bring your own. This is a family-friendly beach but you must be careful of jellyfish so look for the flag flying from the lifeguard stand when they’re present. You can book jet skis and banana boat rides. For more action there is windsurfing, parasailing, a roller blade, and a skateboard area. For the little ones, there is a toddler playground. Everything you could want to do or see is within walking distance from the beach.