The Districts of Monaco
You will be dazzled and amazed at each turn, at the heart of the City of Princes. From the old town, a veritable open air museum, to the Place du Casino, unique in the world, discover the history of the Grimaldis.
A modern city, Monaco has extended its territory by reclaiming land from the sea. Explore the Fontvieille district rising up from the water, where technology sits side by side with art. Immerse yourself in the heart of the teeming town by strolling around the typical market of La Condamine and discover the Moneghetti area.
There are 1001 ways to discover the Principality.
Breathe in the Mediterranean air while wandering through the Principality streets and savouring those unforgettable moments.
Monaco Town, The Rock
Discover the old town through the narrow alleyways from the middle ages which lead to the picturesque Place Saint Nicolas and Placette Bosio, the Chapel of Mercy, Palais de Justice and the Cathedral, a Roman-Byzantine style building built in 1875.
You will naturally find your way to the Place du Palais, where every day at precisely 11.55am the changing of the guard takes place in front of the Prince’s Palace.
In front of you, the Princely Palace, built in the 18th century then modified during the Renaissance.
Guardian of an ancient tradition, with its Italian-style gallery and its 15th century frescoes, the palace reveals to visitors some of its splendours such as the Main Courtyard with its 17th century Carrara marble double staircase, the Hercule Gallery and its delicate 15th century frescoes running along the blue and gold Louis XVth lounge and the Mazarin room with its multicoloured wood-panelling, the York Bedroom and finally the Throne Room with its Renaissance fireplace.
Further on, at the Place du Palais, gaze at an exceptional panorama while strolling towards the Saint Martin Gardens. Planted in the 1830s during the reign of Prince Honoré V, they surround the Oceanographic Museum on Avenue Saint Martin, another of the Principality’s architectural gems.
Built in 1910 during the reign of HSH Prince Albert I, this Oceanographic institute was for a long time managed by Commander Cousteau. Dedicated to marine sciences, the museum houses the most significant coral reef in the world in its all new shark lagoon, 400 cubic metres of water with hammerhead sharks and majestic stingrays swimming before a reef populated with a multitude of tropical fish and living corals.
Outside the Oceanographic museum on Avenue St Martin, catch the “Azur Express” tourist train. These small trains decorated in the national colours take their passengers on a daily tour with commentary, during which you will discover the Port, Monte-Carlo and its palaces, the famous casino and its gardens, before arriving back at the old town with its ramparts and Prince’s Palace.
Located on the Rock at Place de la Visitation, the Museum of the Chapel of Visitation is part of a Baroque style chapel dating from the 17th century. It houses part of the remarkable collection of sacred works of art belonging to Mrs Piasecka Johnson, with masterpieces by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and masters of the Italian Baroque.
Monte-Carlo, the Casino
As you arrive at the Place du Casino, the sight of this masterpiece by the famous architect Charles Garnier will take your breath away.
Built in 1863, the Casino is designed around an atrium surrounded by 28 onyx columns. Behind lies the Salle Garnier, an Italian theatre decorated in red and gold and a veritable miniature replica of Paris’ famous opera house, the Palais Garnier.
Every season, the most beautiful opera shows are staged here. Further on, the gaming rooms are marvellously decorated with stained glass windows, sculptures, and unique allegorical paintings. Tours of the casino last
Around the Place du Casino, window shop at the heart of the famous Cercle d’Or: jewellers, haute couture boutiques, antique dealers and more will help you to travel in great luxury.
Spend time exploring the Casino Gardens and Terraces with their magnificent flowerbeds and diverse species of plants, and enjoy a stroll along the sub-drenched terraces.
Fontvieille, the high tech district
Fontvieille is a district completely reclaimed from the sea. The Principality made use of modern technology to build this area and in return Monaco chose to accommodate high-tech and non-polluting companies within it.
This district of Monaco is home to the Stade Louis II, which opened in 1985. With a 16,000 seater football stadium, a pitchside athletics track, a 3,000 seater sports hall and an Olympic-sized heated fresh water swimming pool, the Stade Louis-II is one of the finest sports complexes anywhere in the world, capable of hosting elite international competitions.
At Fontvieille, embark on the Sculpture Path and discover beautiful monumental works by Arman, Blake, Botero, Calder, César and more. Almost one hundred contemporary works sit alongside creations by sculptors living in Monaco. Also, do not miss the heart shaped Rose Garden dedicated to Princess Grace. You can admire almost 180 varieties and around 4,000 roses surrounded by their wonderful fragrance.
Climbing back up the Esplanade Rainier III, you will find no less than four museums or parks to familiarise yourself further with the Principality.
It’s a passion for cars which awaits you at the Exhibition of HSH The Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection. You can admire around a hundred vehicles of all ages from the great companies of Europe and America as well as six horse drawn coaches. From the De Dion Bouton 1903 to the Lamborghini Countach 1986, as well as the 1929 Bugatti, the Citroen Torpedo of the Croisière Jaune or the 1952 Rolls Royce, each one of these passionately maintained gleaming models illustrates a page in the motoring history of the 20th Century.
Esplanade Rainier III also houses the Museum of Stamps and Coins. This museum opened its doors to the public at the beginning of 1996 in order to highlight the Stamps and Coins of the magnificent private collection of HSH the Prince Sovereign.
The Naval Museum brings together some one hundred and eighty superb models of famous ships including several pieces from the private collection of HSH the Prince Sovereign. Models of large transatlantic liners such as Titanic or the Normandy are displayed alongside exploration vessels such as the Pourquoi Pas of Commandant Charcot, the Calypso and Alcyon of Commandant Cousteau or the Antarctica of Doctor Jean-Louis Etienne.
Leave on a journey under the tropical trees of the Zoological Park.
On the Fontvieille site, you can be dazzled by the vast blue of the sea from above by helicopter. Fly over the Principality of Monaco and its surroundings for an unforgettable experience and discover the dazzling panorama of the Cote d’Azur from exhilarating heights. You can experience this intoxicating feeling in complete safety 7 days a week through one of the companies located at the Monaco Heliport, Avenue des Ligures.
La Condamine, the heart of Monaco
To experience the traditional Monaco, visit the local market at la Condamine. Every morning, this large esplanade located in the heart of town wakes up to the colours and smells of the fruit and vegetable stalls, surrounded by shaded arcades where you can enjoy an aperitif and a bite to eat while reading the paper.
Opposite you can admire the “Rampe Major” staircase and its two 16th century gates leading towards the Rock.
Nearby, the pedestrian area of the Rue Princesse Caroline dotted with pleasant landscaped gardens, and attractive boutiques gently slopes towards the sea. The port is a lovely place to stroll around with many bars where you can have a drink in the sun.
Then, head for les Moneghetti, where you will discover, among private villas from the early 20th century, the Parc Princesse Antoinette and its hundred year old olive trees with its miniature golf course (closed in September) and many facilities for children.
On the France-Monaco border, you will find the Exotic Garden. Opened in 1933, it contains remarkable species of cactuses from Africa and Latin America, from the aloe plants of Cape Town to the giant agaves from the Aztec regions. Over 7,000 varieties of plants flourish in this ideal climate.
Within the Exotic Garden, 60 meters underground, visitors can discover the immense chambers of the Observatory Prehistoric Cave, where stalagmites, stalactites and limestone concretions are illuminated with wonderful lighting effects!
Still on the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, take a step back in time at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. Containing a series of priceless tombs originating from around the Principality, and notably Grimaldi, in Italian Liguria. This museum, founded in 1902 by Prince Albert 1st, retraces the most important stages in the history of the human race, from Australanthropus to Pithecanthropus and Homo sapiens fossils.
Le Larvotto, the beaches
A stay in the Principality can recharge your batteries in a fraction of a second. The benefits of the sea are self-evident.
Walking down towards the sea and the Grimaldi Forum, high tech conference and events centre, you will discover the National Museum – villa Sauber and the Japanese Garden.
The National Museum – Villa Sauber, 17 avenue Princesse, is one of the last Belle Epoque villas in Monaco. In the absence of indisputable documentation, we do not know the precise date of the Villa’s construction. However it is stated that at the beginning of the 1900’s it belonged to the Blanc family who played a fundamental part in the development of the Société des Bains de Mer and the Casino of Monte-Carlo. Since 1969 the house and garden have remained the property of the Principality of Monaco. By proposing two exhibitions a year in each venue, the NMNM reveals a long-ignored heritage and develops the discovery of the contemporary scene. As of now, “Training for a Museum” has determined the programmes of the Villa Sauber and the Villa Paloma according to two themes that are intimately linked with cultural, historical and artistic heritage of the Principality: Art and Performance at the Villa Sauber, Art and Territory at the Villa Paloma.
La Promenade des Champions est une allée qui rend hommage aux plus grands footballeurs, tels que Platini ou Maradona…. Il s’agît de suivre les empreintes de pieds gravés dans le béton, sur environ 100 mètres, derrière le Grimaldi Forum et longeant la mer. Ce passage est entièrement gratuit. Les animaux peuvent également s’y promener.
The Japanese Garden (free admission, 9am – sunset) is located on the Avenue Princesse Grace. This magnificent garden, designed by the landscape architect Yasuo Beppu has been laid out over 7,000 m2 at the edge of the Mediterranean. An authentic work of art, it blends stone, water and plants in marvellous harmony. This park at the foot of the city is blessed with a special atmosphere accentuated by the use of water sprays on the bushes of azalea, rhododendrons and camellias.
