If there ever were a place on earth that is of storybook legends, Monaco is that place. A place where princes and princesses really do live. It is as close as you can get to a real life vision of royalty. It is exquisite. It is a place of dreams. Monaco's exceptional location encased between turquoise seas and its rugged rocky terrain, it's international prestige and never- ending parties make it the ideal destination for a romantic vacation.
The principality of Monaco is made of three districts, including the old community of Monaco, presided over by the Grimaldi Palace; the Condamine, port area; and Monte- Carlo, the rock housing the casino, the hotels and perpetual parties.
The principality of Monaco is a land where the flowers of peace grow freely, and neither wars nor the passing of centuries have succeeded in taking this privileged state from the hands or the heart of the Grimaldi family.
Monaco 's major
areas
Monaco-Ville on the Rock, the old fortified town, with the Prince's Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.
The Condamine, the harbor area. The sea with its memorizing presence -- the heart of Monaco, contrasts against Monaco's refined modernity. Thousands of ships of all sizes anchor in these tranquil waters.
Monte Carlo, created in 1866, in the reign of Prince Charles III who gave it its name, with its internationally famous Casino, its great hotels and leisure facilities, some created recently: Larvotto beach, the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, the Boulingrins Gardens.
Fontvieille, a great technical achievement that involved the filling- in the sea with rock to produce a platform of 22 hectares (1.37 miles) supporting an elaborate tourist and sports complex adjoining a yachting harbor.
The facts
It is said that the name Monaco comes from Portus Monoeci, the old port of Hercules quoted in Mediterranean legends.
The population of the Principality consists of 29,972 people. Its surface area is 195 hectares (12.12 miles).
It lies in a narrow coastal strip which sometimes rises vertically upwards with its highest point at 163 meters (534.78 feet). Its width varies between 350 meters (1,148.25 feet) to 1050 meters (3,444.88 feet) and Its coastline is 4100 meters (2.55 miles) long.
The Grimaldi Palace
The Grimaldi Palace, with its solid square aspect is a solid symbol of the tenacity which has distinguished the Grimaldi family for centuries. It is also a
world reknown museum with fine furniture dating from the 16th century decorating its apartments. The palace's still preserves its medieval towers, built by the Genoese in 1215.
Francesco Grimaldi took possession of the fortress in 1297, and his successors enlarged it, converting it into a noble mansion. The Palace houses more than 700 paintings signed by the great masters including: Nicolas and
Pierre Mignard, Giorgine, Lebrun, Holbein, J. B. Van Loo, Philippe de Champaigne, H, Rigaud, j. Bressan, Pierre Gobert and more.
The changing of the Palace Guard is a spectacular event attracting large numbers of tourists who gather on the esplanade to watch.
The Oceanography Museum
There are few countries as rich in cultural activities as Monaco with its museums, libraries, theatres, international clientelle making Monaco prestigious. The deep and intimate aspect of the Monegasque soul is faithfully reflected in the secluded atmosphere of the oceanography Museum, an imposing building constructed on a rocky spur close to the sea. The house was designed by
Architect Delefortrie, and inaugurated in 1910.
The building's exterior is impressive, but even more so is the spirit of study and research that is embodied inside. The Museum is in a way, a reflection of the personality of its creator, Prince Albert I, who devoted his life to the progress of culture and the exploration of the sea carried out 3,698 sea explorations, a complete study of oceanic
animals an analysis of deep sea fauna and a world class aquarium all waiting to be discovered inside. The Climate
Mild in winter (average in January and February: 8.2°C/46.7° F) and warm without excess in summer (average in July and August: 25.5°C/77.9°F).
The average temperature for the year is 16.31°C (61.36°F) and the Principality enjoys a sunny climate averaging over 2,583
hours of sunshine annually.
Getting there
By air
The Nice - Côte d`Azur International Airport is located 22 kilometers away from Monaco. Helicopter and bus services, taxis and hire cars provide permanent links between the airport and the Principality.
By helicopter (scheduled services or on request), the duration of the flight is 7 minutes.
By train
The Monaco-Monte Carlo (SNCF) railway station is a stop for many international trains. The railway is a rapid means of economical transportation between the Principality and all the localities of the Côte d`Azur from Cannes to Menton.
By road
The A8 motorway, which connects with the whole of European motorway system, serves the Principality by means of easy access roads (an exit A8 - RN7 coming from Nice, la Turbie going to or coming from Nice, Roquebrune going to or coming from Italy).
Local transportation is provided by three major roads: the Low, the Middle and the Great Corniches.
Bus Service
To Nice and Cannes, via the Low and Middle Corniches, from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. and also in the direction of Menton, Italy and the villages of the back country.
Some distances:
Cannes 50 km (31.07 miles) Genoa 174 km (108.12 miles) Geneva 520 km (323.11 miles) Marseille 205 km (127.38 miles) Nice 17 km (595.27 miles) Paris 958 km (595.27 miles) San Remo 35 km (21.75 miles) Turin 200 km ( 124.27 miles)
By sea
The two harbors of the Principality, the Condamine (Hercule harbor) and Fontvieille, are equipped to handle yachts of all tonnages while international cruise ships anchor in the bay of Monaco. Public Transportation
Monaco's five bus routes
Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Saint Roman and return
Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Exotic Garden and return
Railway station, Monte Carlo, Larvotto beaches and return
Railway station, Fontvieille, Hospital and return
Larvotto beaches, Fontvieille
and return
Taxis
Two main ranks in operation round the clock (tel: 93.50.56.28 and radio telephone 93.15.01.01) at the Avenue de Monte Carlo (near the Casino) and the railway station.
Parking
The Chemin des Pêcheurs parking structure was built to serve Monaco-Ville, is located under the Oceanographic Museum.
With the permanent development of the new area of Fontvieille, more the 2,700 parking places are available. The other main parking is located in the Condamine in the Place St. Dévote, in Monte Carlo under the Boulingrins Gardens, Avenue Princess Grace (Larvotto and Portier), Boulevard de Belgique, Avenue St. Charles, Avenue des Spélugues (the Metropole gallery), Boulevard Louis II, Avenue de la Costa and Place des Moulins.
The construction on the site of the old Louis II Stadium in Fontvieille, the reconstruction of the area of the Variétés in the Condamine and the building of the future Cultural and Exhibition Centre on the Avenue Princess Grace will greatly increase the car-parking facilities.
Excursions around the Principality
Roquebrune village: medievel castle, 6 km (3.73 miles)
La Turbie: Tower of Augustus, 8 km (4.97 miles)
Eze village: the Eagle`s Nest of the Côte d`Azur, 9 km (5.59 miles)
Menton: the Cocteau Museum, 10 km (6.21 miles)
Beaulieu: the Greek villa Kerylos, 11 km (6.84 miles)
Villefranche sur Mer: Jean Cocteau Chapel and Citadel, 11 km (6.84 miles)
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat : Ile de France Museum, 12 km (7.46 miles)
Saint Paul de Vence: the Maeght Foundation, 38 km (23.61 miles)
Antibes: Picasso Museum, 40 km (24.85 miles)
Venice: Matisse Chapel, 42 km (26.10 miles)
Biot: Fernand Léger Museum, 42 km (26.10 miles)
In winter, skiing is available within a few hours` drive from the Principality at the French resorts of Peira Cava
(57 km or 35.42 miles), Gréolières
(68 km or 42.05 miles), Andon (98
km or 60.89 miles), la Colmiane (89
km or 55.30 miles), Isola 2000 (99
km or 61.52 miles), Valberg (103
km or 64.0 miles), and Auron (116
km or 72.08 miles) and the Italian
resorts of Limone (82 km or 50.95
miles) and Monesi (123 km or 76.43
miles).
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The facts
The Grimaldi Palace, with its solid square aspect is a solid symbol of the tenacity which has distinguished the Grimaldi family for centuries. It is also a
world reknown museum with fine furniture dating from the 16th century decorating its apartments. The palace's still preserves its medieval towers, built by the Genoese in 1215. 