Clinging to the mountainside, the Principality of Monaco and its famous rock enjoy a reputation that goes far beyond the country's borders. Lodged between Italy to the east and France to the west and north, Monaco covers a mere 2 km². With its 37,000 inhabitants, the principality has one of the highest population densities in the world! This is not surprising given its exceptional geographical situation, with the Mediterranean on its doorstep, and its luxurious dwellings surrounded by steep cliffs.
Among these major buildings is the Hermitage Hotel with its Belle Époque architecture. We recommend visiting its sumptuous lobby, where the marble floor reflects the immaculate columns. Look up and admire its incredible glass roof flooding the place with light. You should also visit one of Monaco's most famous monuments, the Casino de Paris. Its Belle Époque style blends with a futuristic décor enhanced by arches that let in changing light as the day goes on. Gamblers can play to their hearts' content with over 550 machines for visitors!
Continue your Monaco getaway in the Fontvieille district, entirely built on land reclaimed from the sea behind the rock. The harbour is a nice place for a stroll, where the sailboats bob up and down on the waves opposite office blocks resembling a New York business district. Escape from the urban hustle and bustle in Fontvieille's zoological garden. It is home to around 250 animals of fifty or so different species. You can walk along the tree-lined paths while admiring reptiles, primates, hippos, tortoises and other exotic animals living just a stone's throw from the town centre!
Continue your tour of the vegetal kingdom in the Exotic Garden of Monaco. Clinging to the cliffside, this floral temple overlooks the entire principality and enjoys an exceptional microclimate. Visitors can admire a vast collection of tropical plants. You can wander freely among the arches and footbridges in the middle of this jungle brimming with colours and fragrant with exotic scents, while enjoying a panoramic view of the Mediterranean. Continue your visit to the princes' palace, standing firm on the imposing Grimaldi Rock. Although the main apartments are only open for part of the year, they are well worth a visit for their remarkable architecture. Stroll along the sumptuous gallery of Italian-style arcades adorned with murals and admire the details of the main courtyard and its vast Carrara marble staircase. Opposite the palace, the Carabiniers stand guard, dressed in their traditional white costume during the summer season and black in winter.
Lastly, explore the streets of Monaco with its jewellery and high fashion boutiques, and splendid luxury hotels. A detour via the Monte Carlo Opera House is a must in order to admire the masterpiece by Charles Garnier, built in the 1870s. Notice the intricate details of the carvings, vaults and columns, which have nothing to envy their Parisian counterpart. No doubt about it, Monaco has hidden treasures on every street corner...
