Monte-Carlo

To avoid confusion about what is Monte-Carlo and what is Monaco, it should be said at once that Monte-Carlo is the fourth part of the Principality of Monaco. It’s the richest area of the principality, it’s home to the famous casino (no, no one has yet to break the bank!), and the surrounding areas include St. Michel, St. Romain, and Lavotto Beach. Much of the Monaco Grand Prix race track is also located in Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo race, one of the oldest and most prestigious races on the drivers’ calendar, starts from here.

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General Information

Visitors are attracted to Monaco by the casino complex, the Grand Theatre de Monte Carlo and the Opera and Ballet Theater. Activities related to gambling are controlled by the Société des Bains de Maire (literally “Society for Bathing in the Sea”). This is a government agency that helps Monaco citizens avoid income tax. However, for this, they are banned from the casino. Monte Carlo is where the rich and famous come. Mere mortals are also allowed here, if only to see how 1% of the world’s population lives.

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The ruling Grimaldi dynasty has a residence located in Monte Carlo. The prince’s palace was once a Genoese fortress built in 1191.The Grimaldi family took it over in 1297, and the family has not moved from the family nest since. The original building has been remodeled and completed depending on available funds. Attached to the palace is the Napoleon Museum, which contains many exhibits related to the life of the “little corporal” as well as the Charter of Independence of Monaco, granted to the principality by King Louis XII of France.

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Best time to visit

Don’t aim to get to the Grand Prix race week (in May) unless you decide to go just for them.

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What to see

  • The burial place of members of the Grimaldi family, including Princess Grace (former movie actress Grace Kelly), is St. Nicholas Cathedral, consecrated in 1875
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  • Notice the fabulous interior of the casino (if your attire meets the dress code, show your passport and pay the entrance fee) or just stand in the casino lobby watching the money flow between the players’ fingers.
  • Walk along the seaside Avenue St. Martin with its marvelous rock gardens and the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium (highly recommended).
  • Changing of the guard at the Princely Palace – you can get there at exactly 11.55 every morning.
  • Stunning Exotic Garden with hot and dry microclimate, memorable plants and magnificent landscapes.
  • A walk along the shore – interesting to see who is leading the yacht race today.

Interesting fact

Ian Fleming described Monaco under the name of the fictional country of Royal-lez-O in the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale (1953).

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