ORGANISED TRIPS Hop on board the little red and white train and set off to discover the Principality during a tour narrated in 10 languages. "Monaco Tours" will take you to the Place d'Armes, to Port Hercule, along the Formula One Grand Prix route, to Monte Carlo with its casino and luxury hotels, and to the old town where you can admire the Prince's palace or the cathedral. The desparture point is situated opposite the Oceonographic Museum.
This tour lasts 30 minutes and operates every day (subject to weather conditions):
During the summer and winter: 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Prices: €7 for adults and €4 for children.
EXPLORING THE PRINCIPALITY ON FOOT Architectural Heritage in Monte Carlo
Built in 1878 by Charles Garnier (the architect of the Paris Opera), the Casino has a marbled floored atrium surrounded by 28 Ionic onyx columns leading on to the Opera room;
Offering you all the charm you would expect of a grand hotel dating from the 19th century, the Hotel de Paris has undergone many upgrades and improvements since it was opened in 1864, in order to reach its current level of luxury and splendour;
Built in 1900, the Hotel Hermitage wonderfully captures the style of the Belle Epoque with its banqueting hall featuring pink marble columns, the ceiling with frescoes representing Louis XIV's Grand Trianon, and its Winter Graden designed by Gustave Eiffel;
Opened in 1883, the Church of Saint-Charles, with its 30-metre bell-tower, was built in the purest French Renaissance style;
The National Museum is housed in the huge rooms of the luxurious Villa Sauber which was built in the late 19th century by Charles Garnier.
Architectural Heritage in Monaco-Ville
Built on the site of a fortress erected by the Genoese in 1215 and renovated in a Renaissance style, the Prince's Palace is the guardian of a centuries-old tradition;
The neo-Romanesque style Cathedral was built from La Turbie white stone between 1875 and 1884 during the reign of Prince Charles III;
In all, 11 years of work and 100,000 tonnes of hewn stone from La Turbie were needed to build the Oceanographic Museum, which was opened in 1910 by its founder, Prince Albert I;
Openened in 1930, the Court House was built from solid tuff (a grey, porous stone) as were the ramparts;
The Chapelle de la Miséricorde (the Chapel of Mercy), of which the first white stone was blessed in 1639 during the reign of Prince Honoré I, is built around a single nave;
Built in the early 18th century, Fort Antoine was destroyed in 1944 before being rebuilt in 1953 at the initiative of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. This ancient fortress is today an open air theatre.
Architectural Heritage in La Condamine
Dedicated to the patron saint of the Principality and of the Royal family, the Church of Sainte-Dévote has been nestling in the vale of Les Gaumates since the 11th century.
THE SCULPTURES TRAIL The Principality's gardens are dotted with impressive sculptures. More than a hundred works by contemporary artists including "Le Poing" (The Fist) by César or "Adam and Eve" by Botero stand alongside works by other sculptors based in Monaco.
SHOPPING The Principality's luxurious image and wealthy clientele have attracted some of the world's leading brands, many of which have opened establishments in Monaco. The Cercle d'Or area in which many of these luxury stores are based, can be found around the Casino.
MARKETS Anyone keen to soak up the authentic atmosphere of a traditional southern market should try la Condamine and Saint-Charles markets, where traders set out their colourful stalls every day from 6:00am to 2:00pm.
SHOWS Every year, the Sporting Summer Festival features some of the greatest names on the international variety circuit, onstage the legendary setting of Salles des Etoiles.
FIREWORKS Some of the world's greatest firework artists perform each summer at Port Hercule during the international musical firework display competition organised by Monaco town hall. Don't miss it!
BALLET Dance lovers will be in for a real treat in the Principality with les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the 4th Monaco Dance Forum.
OPERA The Monte Carlo Opera each year proposes programmes of opera performances featuring, among others, the choir and the philharmonic orchestra.
CONCERTS Founded in 1856, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra's performances include Beethoven, Debussy, Mahler, Puccini and many other classics.
