• Monaco

Monaco

Monaco has a colorful and fascinating history filled with barbarians, kings and even a movie star. It is a story of castles, epic battles and untold riches.

Casino Gardens and Terraces
Place du Casino
Opposite the casino are magnificent flowerbeds and carefully tended lawns interspersed with ponds in which reeds and water lilies grow. The gardens slope gently upwards in the direction of the shopping street of the town, forming a perspective admired by visitors from all over the world. The back of the Casino, facing the sea, is bordered by sunny terraces. A striking multicolored geometrical work by Vasarely decorates the roof of the Convention Center and Auditorium.

Exhibition of H.S.H. The Prince of Monaco’s Private Collection of Classic Cars
The visitor will be able to admire some one hundred vintage and veteran motorcars made by some of Europe’s most prestigious firms. From the 1903 De Dion Bouton to the 1986 Lamborghini Countach, as well as the 1929 Bugatti, the Croisière Jaune Citroem Torepdo and the 1952 Rolls Royce, each of these glittering automobiles is perfectly maintained and they tell the story of XX century motoring history.

Zoological Terraces
Opened in 1954 by H.S.H Prince Rainier III and built on the south face of the Rock of Monaco overlooking the Port of Fontvieille, some 250 animals from fifty different species (exotic birds, black panther, white tiger, hippopotamus, lemurs…) are housed there in exemplary conditions.

The cultural climate of the Principality developed rapidly in the seventeenth century with the encouragement of Prince Honoré III. Under Prince Pierre of Monaco during the first half of the twentieth century, Monaco was a meeting place for all the greatest artists of the time.
Following this lengthy art patronage tradition, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III includes culture and arts as one of his principal concerns. For over fifty years of His reign, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III has encouraged all forms of arts from music to literature.
Under His auspices, Monaco's Music Academy was founded in 1956. The National Philharmonic Orchestra initiated summer performances in the Palace's Courtyard of Honor. In memory of His Father, Prince Pierre de Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III instituted the Foundation Prince Pierre, which assigns the Prince Pierre Literary Prize (since 1951), the Musical Composition Prize (since 1960), and the Contemporary Art International Prize (since 1983). His H.S.H. Prince Rainier III created the Directorate of Cultural Affairs in 1966, responsible for coordinating and encouraging all cultural activities of the Principality including the Spring Arts Festival, the Baroque Music Week, and the International Circus Festival.

Because of its modern infrastructure, its ideal climate and its amazing location on the Mediterranean Sea and at the foot of the Southern Alps, Monaco offers the best conditions to practice a wide variety of sports.

Beaches & Swimming Pools
The main public beach is the Larvotto Beach. Private beaches are at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club or the Beach Plaza Sea Club. There is also a choice of several swimming pools: the Rainier III Swimming Pool, the Prince Albert Swimming Pool in the Louis II Stadium in Fontvieille, or the swimming pools in the grand hotels of the Principality.

Landmarks
Monte-Carlo Casino
Salle Garnier Opera House
Oceanographic Museum
Prince's Palace
Monaco Cathedral

Points of Interest
Princess Grace Rose Garden
Japanese Garden
Exotic Garden
St. Devote Chapel

Annual Events
International Circus Festival (January)
Monte-Carlo Television Festival (February)
World Music Awards (March)
Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival (April-May)
Monte-Carlo International Tennis Championships (April)
Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix (May)
Laureus World Sports Awards (May)
International Fireworks Festival (July-August)
Red Cross Ball (August)
Monaco Yacht Show (September)
Monaco National Holiday Festivities (November)
Monaco Dance Forum (December-Every two years)
Opera, ballet and concerts (All year round)