Why Monaco ?
We can probably think of a thousand reasons to visit Monaco.
So for now here are a few of them which should put Monaco on your list of must-visit destinations : Monaco is located on the French Riviera. It’s bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea.
It rarely gets too cold or too hot in Monaco. The winters are mild and the area always enjoys a nice sea breeze.
Rainfall is very limited, usually 300 days a year of sunshine.
Prince’s Palace
When you discover the medieval town locals refer to as le Rocher, your feet will naturally guide you to the Place du Palais where the changing of the guards take place in front of the Prince’s Palace every day at precisely 11:55h.
The Palace was built on the site of a fortress, constructed by the Genovese in 1215. It has a long history and has been extended and renovated several times over the centuries.
The Palace’ Courtuard’s impressive double staircase leads to the State Apartments, where sumptuous frescoes from the 16th enctury adorn the Mazarin Salon, the York Room and the imposing Throne Room.
The Palace is a private residence but the State Apartments are open to visitors for part of the year.
Monaco Cathedral
Saint Nicholas Cathedral was built with white stones from la Turbie in 1875. This Roman-Byzantine style building is the site where the fairytale wedding of Prince Rainier III and American actress Grace Kelly took place in April 1956. Even after 60 years, this event is still known as the world’s most glamorous wedding. It was watched by an estimated 30 million people on television and was dubbed at the time ‘The Wedding of the Century’. Among the 700 guest were Aristoteles Onassis, hotel developer Conrad Hilton and film stars David Niven, Cary Grant, Gloria Swanson and Ava Gardner.
The Cathedral houses the tombs of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace as well as the tombs of former Princes of Monaco.
Feel a sense of history as you enter this historic site.
You can also admire an altarpiece by the Niçois painter Louis Bréa dating from 1500 as well as the high altar and the Episcopal throne of Carrara white marble.
Monte-Carlo Casino
The Casino de Monte Carlo, which also houses the Monte Carlo Opera, was built in 1893 by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House. The Atrium, which gives access to the Opera Hall, is paved with marble and surrounded with 28 onyx columns. The Opera Hall (no visits) is entirely decorated in red and gold, with bas-reliefs and sculptures. For more than a century, its stage has been the setting for international operatic creations, prestigious concerts, and exceptional ballets.
The Casinos series of “Gaming Rooms” are marvelously decorated with stained glass windows, sculptures, and allegorical paintings.
Restricted access – over 18’s only. Proof of identity required.
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Built on the site of Monaco’s legendary Rocher, the Oceanographic Museum founded by H.S.H. Prince Albert II in 1910 has been watching over the oceans for more than a century. The Museum is renowned throughout the world for its expertise and has more than 6,000 specimens on display.
From the flourishes on the façades to the décor in the halls, every aspect of the Museum’s architecture evokes the marine world. It has been an international benchmark for loving, protecting and raising awareness of the oceans.
Visit the Aquariums, the Museum and Oceanomania, the largest ever cabinet of marine world curiosities.
The Condamine Market
The market was established in 1880 on the Place d’Armes. The square offers pleasant terraces, a newsstand, a souvenir kiosk and a playground for children. Open every day and all year round, the Condamine Market is home to around twenty merchants, florists and small local producers. It’s the ideal place to rub shoulders with the locals and taste some of their specialities.
Yachting & Diving
The French Riviera has a geographical diversity and a mild climate that encourage the practice of all outdoor activities. From nautical pleasures to hiking, canoeing, paragliding, rafting … the choices are many.
Discover the coast at your own pace with your personalized sea trip.
According to your desires and your level, rent a boat with or without skipper. Choose between motorboat, yacht or catamaran and cast off for a dream day.
The French Riviera then gives you a unique perspective, revealing its many riches: its luxurious villas, its splendid landscapes, its panoply of luminosity, its varied fauna … The adventurers can then jump in the water to explore our waters, with a mask and a snorkel.