Royal Wedding Wednesday Welcome to Monaco. The Principality of Monaco is a country, as well as a city-state, located on the beautiful Côte d’Azur (French Riviera). Its total land area is a .76 square mile which earns it the title of the second smallest country in the world. Only Vatican City is smaller, which coincidentally is also a country as well as a city-state.
Royal Wedding Wednesday Welcome to Monaco
Monaco is surrounded on three sides by France and is a short 9.9-mile boat ride to the eastern coast of Italy. The country is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville (the old city), the Condamine (port quarter), Monte-Carlo (business and recreation), and Fontvieille (recreation and light industry).
Monaco has no natural resources other than its gorgeous location and climate. The principality has become a resort for tourists and a tax haven for businesses and offers no personal income tax for its residents.
For this reason, it has earned a reputation as a playground for the rich. Indeed one look at the harbor filled with yachts and one might consider a move here. However, there is a high social insurance tax with employers paying 28% to 40% of an employee’s contributions. So you may want to keep your staff or crew to a minimum.
Monaco Grand Prix
For high-class Formula One racing enthusiasts the Monaco Grand Prix occurs annually. The racing circuit is incredibly narrow, features several tight corners, many elevation changes, and a tunnel, making it one of the most challenging tracks in the world.
Monte Carlo
Gambling was legalized in 1846 to help alleviate the massive debts the royal family had incurred due to economic interference by Sardinia. They had lost two towns, Menton and Roquebrune, which had provided most of the principality’s revenues with their citrus and olive crops. François and Louis Blanc purchased a royal concession to construct a casino for 1.7 million francs. It was built in a depressed seaside area known as “Les Spelegures” (Den of Thieves) but renamed “Monte Carlo” (Mount Charles) in honor of Charles III.
Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo was begun in 1863 and the projecting façade was completed in 1890. It was designed by Jules Touzet in the Beaux Arts Style and features rococo towers and a copper cupola. The casino was (and is) a marvel. It features gaming rooms that contain exquisite stained glass, beautiful allegorical paintings, and lovely sculptures made possible with the help of several notable architects and artists.
It should be noted that there is a strict dress code. Men must wear coats and ties, and tennis shoes are forbidden. An interesting side note, the residents of Monaco are prohibited from gambling. So bring your passport and be willing to pay an entrance fee.
Salle Garnier
The Salle Garnier (Monaco Opera House) was designed by the famous architect Charles Garnier in 1878. The Salle Garnier is an exact replica in miniature of the Paris Opera House, which Garnier also built. The Opera House was built in the Belle Époque style, which was known as Art Nouveau in architecture and design.
The interior has an elaborate red and gold color scheme and features bas-relief (a raised sculptural technique). The painted ceiling will take your breath away.
The Palais Princier (Prince’s Palace) is located in old Monaco-Ville. It was built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. It has been the home of the Grimaldi family since 1297 who first ruled as feudal lords, then as sovereign princes (17th century~1910) and is now a constitutional monarchy.
The Palace is also known as the Pink Palace. Due to its age, the palace is a blend of architectural styles as it has been added onto in various centuries. Due to numerous wars and revolutions, the palace was in disrepair and upon his accession to the throne in 1949 Prince Rainier III immediately began a program of renovation and restoration.
Palace Interiors
The public can now see the staterooms, including the throne room, which is open during the summer.
At 11:55 in the morning visitors can watch the changing of the guard ceremony performed by the “Carabiniers” (French for cavalry soldier) in front of the main entrance. The Carabiniers are in charge of Prince Albert’s security and also act as his escorts.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral
Saint Nicholas Cathedral was built 1875 on the site of the first parish church in Monaco built in 1252. The church was built in the Roman-Byzantine-style.
This was the church that Grace Kelly entered into as a commoner and emerged as Her Serene Highness.
The interior features an altarpiece painted by Louis Bréa which dates from the 1500’s. The Episcopal throne is made of Carrara white marble. It is also the final resting place for past sovereigns, including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
Jardin Exotique Monaco
The Exotic Garden or Jardin Exotique Monaco is a lovely cliffside garden that contains over 1000 varieties of succulent plants and cacti. It also has an anthropology museum and an observatory cave featuring stalactites and stalagmites.
Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium of Monaco
The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium of Monaco was famously run by Jacques Cousteau for over 30 years. It sits on a cliff overlooking the sea from the rock of Monaco. The museum was built by Prince Albert I (known as the Scientist Prince) in 1910. It is considered to be the best aquarium in Europe. There are approximately 4,000 fish from 350 different species occupying 90 seawater tanks.
Hermitage Hotel
As to where to stay, you can’t go wrong with the Hôtel Hermitage. This historic Belle Époque Palace, facing the Mediterranean Sea, was built in 1900.
The structure of the glass roof in the Winter Garden was designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel, who of course also built the Eiffel tower in Paris.
The dining room was created by Gabriel Ferrier. It features lovely frescoes in the style of Fragonard and Boucher.
Hotel de Paris
There is also the Hôtel de Paris established in 1864 by Charles III which is adjacent to the casino.
How I would love to have dinner at the hotel’s famed restaurant, Le Louis XV. The chefs are Alain Ducasse and Franck Cerutti. It has been awarded three Michelin stars.
If something a bit more modern is your style try the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel built in 2005.
Oh and if you need a luggage handler? I am your gal.
Laura
Wow. I can't think of any other response. Just wow.
I look at these pictures and realize how differently these people's worlds are. I mean, I am so thankful that we had enough money to buy fresh mulch for our flower beds and spread it ourselves. I can't imagine a life like that. But I wouldn't trade it. I know what I have and I know how blessed I am!
Thanks for continuing the Royal Wedding Wednesdays. This was a fun one! (I guess I thought of something else to say after all….count on me to blabber.) Lisa~
Geez Louise.
How beautiful! Now I am even more excited about the wedding.
I think you should go about being #1 Mom and not worry about a tea or other event. Unless there is someway to gamble on the internet… nah.
Oh, I have the luggage handled. I need your expertise to show me the place around. Allons-y?
Don't you almost feel a pang that with all that panache for splendour that the country is so small? I do!
I love the way this wedding is being handled in a more tone down way – after the English hoopla – and I'm so lookig forward to raise my Champagne flute and toast to Their Serene Highnesses of Monaco (I have a soft spot for Albert – can't be easy to be the Heir of Parents that are (almost) a Myth).
Santé, Mon Cher 🙂
Thank you for sharing such beautiful images and information on Monaco. I did a report on it in 4th grade and have wanted to go there since. My choice would be The Hermitage. The Winter Garden is breath taking.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Laura, Laura, Laura, just gorgeous again. I want to go there.
Laura: I actually lived in Monaco/Monte Carlo in the mid-80's. Just after the tragic death of Princess Grace. Yes, the city/state is only about 400 acres in size, but has 440 (at the time) members on its police force. Another reason why the rich love the place and feel safe in wearing their priceless jewels to the casino. I once heard that if a male heir is not produced Monte Carlo will revert back to the French. C'mon Prince Albert and Ms. Wittstock–you can do it. They install an 8 ft. chain link fence around the entire Grand Prix course a month before the race, and disrupt the whole city and infrastructure. And the cars are so loud and noisy. The locals dont' get too excited about the race. I was lucky enough to once dine at Le Louis XV–it was divine. But the pommes frit at the bar/restaurant on the top floor of the Hotel de Paris were out of this world. I have never forgotten them. If you go to Monaco, don't forget to visit Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez (don't go on a Saturday, only one road in and out of the city, traffic is LA at its worst) and the medieval village de Eze. And Italy is only mintues away, hence Vintimille, the first city across the French/Italian border. 20 minutes! Merci!
Fascinating read! I enjoyed every moment of it! Thank you so much for your interesting post.
Hugs,
Terri
I really appreciate the time you take to research and share and have beautiful insights along with your theme. Really educational in an enjoyable way.
What I wonder is, since the land area is so small in Monaco, how can a new hotel be built in 2005 as large as this one appears? The property value must be sky-high. Where is the available land?
Laura so wonderful and well researched, what a dream spot to visit!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
You take us on the most wonderful tours. I love seeing all the fabulous architecture, grandeur and learning some of the history. Beautiful post. Hugs, Marty
Enjoy your summer! And wouldn't it be fun to spend a summer in Monaco with the lifestyle depicted in your photos?!
xo Cathy
I visited Monte Carlo a few summers ago and took a quick look into the casino. Monaco is also the home of my favorite Beatle, Ringo Starr.
Going to Monaco has been on my bucket list, so I loved this post. I have a friend who's husband is an international yacht broker and they live in Monaco….I see why!
Carol
Wowwwwwwww…I never knew it was so small… but beautiful at the same time… thanks for the information on Monaco … it is gorgeous! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Je me suis rendue très souvent à Monaco et à chaque fois j'étais enthousiasmée par ce lieu…
Très jolie publication…
Gros bisous
Beautiful photos and interesting, fun factoids.
One more: There are NO HOMELESS people in Monaco. None. “None allowed, none tolerated” per our taxi driver during our visit there. The place is PRISTINE.
Can't wait to see more!!
Hugs,
Your PEAculiar
What a great post Laura. So fun, each photo and each fact. My husband was contacted by an agent months ago about a position in Monaco. I about fainted with the thought. Obviously it didn't work out D : You are the best mom ever I suspect and I am one to understand being torn between online relationships and home and family. Just enjoy your summer with your great family.
xx oo Deb
Laura,
Your pictures are incredible! I wish I could frame one and put it in my home.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Great post!! Thanks for sharing all of your work and research!
Hi Laura well that was a lovely tour with my coffee thankyou I havent been for a couple of years Ive stayed in Ville Franche for many years and all the place around are lovely to visit but dont truy going byt rain from italy ! on a sunday fay xx
Monaco is beautiful. I loved going there. I also loved your post on Grace Kelly. I wasn't able to comment there. She was gorgeous.