Monaco General Tips

Royal Palace

by Lilasel

Since 1949, Monaco has been in the charge of the most effective ruler ever. Businesslike Prince Rainier 3 is descended from a Grimaldi who entered the Monaco fortress in 1297 disguised as a monk. Rainier's wife, former film star Grace Kelly, died tragically in 1982. Their son, Albert, is heir to the throne but his sisters, Caroline and Stephanie, are the main focus of media attention.

The population is close to 30.000 more than 83% of whom are foreigners. Monegasques number about 5.000. The official language is French but Italian and English widely spoken and understood. There's also a Monegasque language (a very colorful dialect) used by the old nationals but also again studied in the schools of the Principality.

The present territory of the Principality of Monaco covers 195 hectares (1.95 Km"), 31 of which have been entirely reclaimed from the sea!

www.monaco.mc - official website

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	Palais du Prince Tip Rating:

Updated By Lilasel on February 20, 2005

Prince's Palace by night
(postcard)

by Lilasel

The Prince's Palace is open to the public from June to September (9.30am to 6.30pm), in October (from 10am to 5pm) and closed from November to May.
You can visit many sights such as the Italian-style Gallery with frescoes by 16th-century Genovese artists, depicting mythological scenes; the Louis XV Salon, a marvel of blue and gold harmony; The Mazarin Salon, paneled in polychrome wood with arabesque motifs; the Throne Room, containing a large Renaissance fireplace where historic festivals have been held since the 16th century; The Main Quadrangle, paved with 3 million white and colored pebbles forming beautiful patterns with its Carrara marble staircase.

www.palais.mc

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	Musee Oceanographique Tip Rating:

By Lilasel on February 20, 2005

by Lilasel

The museum was founded in 1910 by Prince Albert 1 and houses an amazing aquarium. The rarest fish of the seven seas are exhibited in 90 tanks in this majestic tower, as well as skeletons of sea lions, whales and other findings from the Antarctic exploration of Prince Albert I.
The museum took eleven years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie. Two floors contain remarkable collections of marine fauna gathered by Prince Albert, numerous specimens of sea creatures, models of his laboratory ships and craftwares made from products of the sea.
A minimum of 3 hours is suggested but you can spend a whole day here.
A conference hall screens numerous films about the sea, including many by my adorable Jacques-Yves Cousteau who established his research centre here.

www.oceano.mc - official website

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	Grand Casino Tip Rating:

Updated By Lilasel on February 20, 2005

by Lilasel

Designed in 1978 by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Opera and set in formal gardens, the Casino gives a splendid view over Monaco. The lavish interior is still decorated in Belle Epoque style, recalling an era when this was the rendez-vous of Russian Grand Dukes, English lords and other adventurers.

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	Romantic Monaco Tip Rating:

By Lilasel on February 20, 2005

by Lilasel

Monaco Town is located on a small peninsula that juts into the sea encompassing the famous Port. Here are located the narrow alleys, shops, and cafes of Old Town. Even during the hot season you can find many calm places where you will be alone.
By the way you can walk in Monaco any time day or night because Monaco has more police per square metre than any other country in the world.

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	Place full of festivals and events Tip Rating:

Updated By Lilasel on February 20, 2005

by Lilasel

Visitors come from all over the world for the Grand Prix de Monaco in May and the Monte-Carlo Rally in January. Many of the greatest singers perform in the opera season. There is a fireworks festival (July-August), and an international circus festival at the end of January as well as world-class ballet and concerts.

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	Architecture Tip Rating:

By micas_pt on September 19, 2004

Detail of a building in Monaco

by micas_pt

Luxury is one of the dominating words to characterize Monaco. And its architecture is no exception. Walking around the Casino area and surroundings one cannot avoid to notice the elaborate details of the buildings and shops that surround us, as if everything is built and decorated to impress.

In neighbouring Monte Carlo buildings are so different, as mainly they consist of tall apartment buildings built some decades ago.

In Old City in Monaco, architecture is also different and quite appealing, as it is very pleasant to wonder around the narrow streets.

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	F1 Circuit Tip Rating:

Updated By micas_pt on September 19, 2004

Curve of the F1 circuit

by micas_pt

One of the most thrilling things about Monaco is that you are able to walk and to drive on the F1’s circuit!! That is, the so-called circuit is set on the regular city’s roads that are closed to traffic and transformed in the F1 races.

Being a F1 fan, it was somewhat thrilling to drive there and recall the races and the curves of the prizes I had seen on TV. We were even able to walk a little bit by it, underneath the tunnel and on the curves when one leaves the Place the Casino and heads downwards towards the tunnel.

But don’t fool yourself! No races allowed within the city, just regular and sensible driving as there is a lot of traffic and pedestrians.

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	Monaco Tip Rating:

By micas_pt on September 19, 2004

Monaco

by micas_pt

Monaco is a principality enclosed by the slopes of the mountain and the sea. Nowadays it is a synonym of wealth and luxury. People from all over the word gather here to see and to be seen.

Also, this is a wonderful land for residents who don’t have to pay taxes. Gambling and tourism are the “money suppliers” of this small land that has been desired over the centuries by the French, Italian and Spanish. Fortunately wars and attempts to conquer stopped in the 19th century.

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	Luxury – Cars Tip Rating:

By micas_pt on September 19, 2004

Place du Casino

by micas_pt

Car admirers will surely be pleased in Monaco, as it is easy to find a Ferrari or Lamborghini driving around or parked somewhere. And Mercedes, BMW or Audi, even a top model, will not get your attention there, as there are so many.

Whilst most drivers act quite normally, there are obviously some people who like to impress and show off. That was the case of a man who was driving a Ferrari in the marina area. He kept driving around and when stopped he pressed the accelerator to make some noisy, .. I wonder if it was a rented car and he was in great need to show it off that particular day?!?!