Museums
Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
Containing a series of priceless burial places originating from localities in the Principality’s vicinity, notably Grimaldi, in Italian Liguria, this museum was founded in 1902 by Prince Albert I.
Its exhibits retrace the most important stages in the history of the human race, from the Australanthropus and Homo Sapiens, including Neanderthal, Cro-Magnon and Grimaldi remains.
In addition, there are vestiges of animals which are now extinct or which migrated in the course of glaciary and interglaciary periods, as well as reminders of successive civilizations: the Paleolithic (nearly a million year ago), the Neolithic, and the Bronze Age (5000 to 500 BC).
Inaugurated in 1910 by its founder, Prince Albert I, this exceptional museum of marine sciences is a monumental architectural masterpiece with a grandiose façade rising majestically above the sea to a height of 279 feet. It took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie.
The impressive rooms of the Museum, open to the public on two floors, contain remarkable collections of marine fauna gathered by Prince Albert, numerous specimens of sea creatures (stuffed or in skeleton form, including the skeleton of a 66 foot whale), models of Prince Albert’s laboratory ships, and craftware made from the sea’s natural products. Part of the first floor is dedicated to the oceanographic works of Prince Albert 1,“Career of a Navigator”.
In the basement, the visitor can enjoy the spectacular delights of the world-famous aquarium with its extraordinary show of marine flora and fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystem. Its latest creation, the “Shark Lagoon”, unveils in a giant tank the diversity and extraordinary colors of the coral reef and its inhabitants.
On the ground floor, exhibitions and varied film projections are regularly presented in the sumptuous décor of the “Conférence room”.
Finally on the top floor, it is possible to have lunch in the restaurant "La Terrasse" admiring a magnificent panorama of the Principality of Monaco and the Italian Riviera. A museum shop is also available.
Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collection of the Palace's Historic
Housed in the south wing of the Prince’s Palace, the ground floor of this museum contains a rich collection of more than a thousand objects and documents relating to the First Empire: objects belonging to the Emperor Napoleon I, garments which belonged to the King of Rome, religious souvenirs from Saint Helena, etc. The first floor is entirely dedicated to the history of the Principality.
Exhibits include the Charter of independence of Monaco, signed by King Louis XII of France; a letter written by Louis XIV to Prince Antoine I; the Prince’s Guards’ uniforms.
Official Monégasque medals (Ordre des Grimaldi and Ordre de Saint-Charles) and foreign medals awarded to the Sovereign prince are also exhibited.
National Museum "Etonne-moi !" Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes
In 2009 and 2010, all the Principality's cultural institutions are celebrating the Centenary of the Ballets Russes with events devised by the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco and also the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Orchestre Philharmonique, the Printemps des Arts festival etc. The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco opens these celebrations with "Astound me!" Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes, a magnificent exhibition centred around the figure of Diaghilev and displaying 260 items illustrating the Saisons Russes that he directed from 1909 to 1929.
Coproduced by the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco and the Ekaterina Cultural Foundation in Moscow, "Etonne-moi!" Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes officially opens in the Principality on 8 July 2009 in Villa Sauber and in the Salle des Arts in the Sporting d'Hiver. Following the Monaco exhibition's first public outing this summer, it will then travel to the State Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow where it will be shown from 27 October 2009 to 24 January 2010.
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.
Naval Museum
This extraordinary collection includes some 250 superb scale models of famous sea vessels, some of which have come from H.S.H The Sovereign Prince’s private collection.
The models of the great transatlantic liners, such as the Titanic and the Normandie (10 feet long!) are exhibited alongside exploration ships including Captain Charcot’s “Pourquoi Pas”, Captain Cousteau’s Calypso and Alcyon and Dr Jean-Louis Etienne’s Antartica, as well as training ships, sailing ships from previous centuries and many war ships… the Jeanne d’Arc, the battleship Missouri, impressive aircraft carriers (the model of the Nimitz is 5 meters long!) and Japanese torpedo submarines.
This collection “Europe’s most complete and varied” retraces the fascinating history of shipping.
Museum of Stamps and Coins
DeThis museum opened its doors in 1996 to show off H.S.H. Prince Rainier III's magnificent private collection of Stamps and Coins. Of modern design, it contains, in two specially laid-out rooms, rare philatelic items from the postal history of the Principality as well as the documents (models, hallmark proofs, color tests…), which have been used to print the stamps since the first “Charles III” in 1885 up to the present day.
Also on display, a copperplate rotary press used for printing Monégasque stamps for 60 years that was offered by the French postal Administration; a video presents the history of Monégasque philately and all stages involved in creating a stamp up to the point of marketing. The space reserved for coins, bank notes and commemorative medals demonstrates to visitors the numismatic quality of the Principality since 1640.
Resolutely turned towards the future, the Museum also has a multimedia area where all Monégasque coins and stamps can be examined.
Museum of Chapel of the Visitation
This museum, housed in a baroque style chapel dating from the VII century, is home to part of the remarkable collection of sacred works of art belonging to Mrs. Piasecka Johnson, with masterpieces from Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and masters of the Italian Baroque period.
Gardens
Notre époque connaît un nouvel engouement pour les jardins. A n'en pas douter, la Principauté de Monaco ainsi que ses environs recèlent de véritables trésors en la matière. Soucieuse de ne pas laisser ses racines disparaître sous le dynamisme urbain, la Principauté s'est dotée d'une véritable politique d'aménagement des jardins et espaces verts, plus de 250 000 m2 pour une Ville-Etat de 195 ha, ce qui la place en deuxième position en Europe, juste après Vienne. Partout se côtoient en bonne harmonie les essences rares, précieuses, avec des fleurs et des plantes qui symbolisent simplicité et fraîcheur.
Exotic Gardens
One of Monaco’s finest tourist attractions, this “magic garden” containing several thousand “succulent” plant varieties, was opened in 1933 and is daringly landscaped on the rock-face. The plants flourish superbly thus testifying to Monaco’s microclimate and are admired by visitors from all over the world.
Strolling along the foot-bridges high above the cliff, with a splendid view over the Principality and eastwards along the coast, the visitor cannot fail to be impressed by the diversity of the forms (in some cases surrealistic!) of the subtropical flora, made up of highly unusual exotic essences.
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.
Japonese Garden
This enchanting garden, designed by the landscape-architect Yasuo Beppu, covers 23,000 square feet right next to the Mediterranean Sea and has been blessed by a Shinto High Priest. The site is an authentic work of art that unites stone, water and vegetation in the most marvelous harmony.
The pine and olive trees are pruned in the pure tradition of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Waterfalls and ponds, decorated with symbolically-shaped islands, add to the serenity of the surroundings and are admired by visitors as they walk through the garden.
The natural stones were carefully chosen according to their shape, color and size.
The bamboo fences, Tea House, stone lanterns, tiles and wooden gates were all made in Japan. This exceptional garden situated at the foot of the sea-front high-rise buildings has a very special atmosphere, which is accentuated by the use of water sprays on the azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias.
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Fontvieille Park
Un petit lac bordé de palmeraie et oliveraie, aménagés sur une superficie de près de quatre ha, offrent un espace.
Princesse Grace Rose Garden
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.
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.
Monuments
Monaco Cathedral
Built in 1875 using white stone from La Turbie, the present-day Cathedral stands on the site of a 13th century church dedicated to Saint Nicolas and houses the tombs of the former Princes of Monaco. It is also the final resting placeof Monaco's much loved Princess Grace. Of particular interest are the retable (circa 1500) to the right of the transept painted by the Louis Bréa from neighboring Nice, the Great Altar and the Episcopal throne in white Carrara marble.
Pontifical services take place on the major religious festivals such as the Feast of Sainte Dévote (27th January) and the National holiday (19th November).
On feast days and during religious music concerts, one can hear the magnificent four-keyboard organ, which was inaugurated in 1976.
From September through June, “Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco” and the singers of the Cathedral Choir School sing during the mass every Sunday at 10:00AM.
Fort Antoine Theater
This early XVIII century fortress, built on the northeastern tip of the Rock, is now used as a marvelous outdoor theater with a capacity of some 350 spectators in tiered seating built in a semi-circle. In this enchanting setting, high quality performances are given during the summer season.
Church of Sainte-Dévote
This votive chapel dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Principality and to the Prince and his family was built in the XI century in the Vallon des Gaumates, at the entrance to which the frail skiff carrying the Saint sank in the IV century.
On January 26 every year, at dusk, a boat is burnt on the square in front of the chapel as part of the ceremonies of a traditional religious festival that still has its fervent devotees.
Church of Saint-Charles
This elegant building is in the French Renaissance style, with a bell-tower rising to a height of 108 feet. It was inaugurated in 1883.Nineteen stained glass windows light the nave.
Monte-Carlo Casino
Charles Garnier, the architect of the opera house in Paris, built the Casino in 1878.
The “atrium”, paved in marble, is surrounded by 28 Ionic columns in onyx. It leads into the auditorium of the opera, called the “Salle Garnier”, which is decorated in red and gold, with a profusion of bas-reliefs, frescoes and sculptures. Here, for more than a century, outstanding international performances of opera, ballet and concerts have been staged.
The “gaming rooms” comprise a succession of numerous rooms featuring stained glass windows, admirable decorations and sculptures, allegorical paintings and bronze lamps.
Prince's Palace (States Apartments)
The guardian of a centuries-old tradition, this uniquely located Palace was built on the site of a fortress built by the Genoese in 1215.
A visit takes one on a journey through history from the time of the Guelfes and the Gibelins to the Napoleonic period. The outstanding features of the Palace that can be admired include:
· The Italian-style Gallery running alongside the South facade; the State Apartments; and the sumptuous frescoes by XVI century Genoese artists, depicting mythological scenes.
· The Louis XV Salon, yellow and gold.
· The Salon Bleu, a marvelous harmony of blue and gold.
· The Mazarin Salon, paneled in polychrome wood with arabesque motifs.
· The Throne Room, containing a large Renaissance fireplace, where historic festivals and ceremonies have been held since the XVI century.
· The Palatine Chapel built in the XVII century.
· The Sainte-Marie Tower, like the Clock Tower, was built during the Albert I‘s reign, using white stone from La Turbie. The Prince’s standard flies from the top of this tower when the Prince is in residence.
· The Main courtyard, paved with 3 million white and colored pebbled forming immense geometrical patterns, and its noble XVII century double-revolution staircase in Carrara marble, is home to the famous summer concerts. This was once the central part of the fortress built in the XVIII century.
Palace's Place
Lined with batteries of cannons cast during the reign of Louis XIV, the Place du Palais offers a unique panoramic view overlooking the Port and Monte-Carlo, stretching as far as Bordighera in Italy (to the north-east), Fontvieille and Cap-d’Ail (to the south-west).
Every day at 11:55AM sharp, in front of the Palace’s main entrance, visitors can enjoy the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony performed by the “Carabiniers” in full dress uniform (black in winter, white in summer), a ceremony that has remained unchanged for more than a century. Not only are the Prince’s “Carabiniers” responsible for the Sovereign’s security 24 hours a day but they also provide Him with a Guard of Honor and escort Him on special occasions.
The “Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince” has a military band (Fanfare) consisting of 27 musicians; within the main band a small variety orchestra and a brass ensemble (for religious music) have been formed.
The military band performs public concerts and also plays at official occasions, sports events and international military music festivals.
Church of Mercy
Located on the Place de la Mairie (in the Old Town) and built in 1639, this chapel was the seat of the Brotherhood of Black Penitents, whose first Prior was Prince Honoré II.
Its treasures of religious art include a Christ carved out of wood by the Monégasque François-Joseph Bosio, official sculptor to the Emperor Napoleon I. Above the entrance to the chapel is a magnificent nineteenth-century ceramic scene.
The gilded chandeliers come from the former armory of the Prince’s Palace (now the Throne Room).
On a nearby slope to the Fontvieille Park is the Princess Grace Rose Garden, inaugurated on June 18, 1984 by the Sovereign Prince and His family. It is a quiet spot fragrant with the scent of some 4,000 rose trees, more than 150 varieties, some of which are the work of leading European and American specialists.
Casino Gardens and Terraces
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.
This magnificent park covers an area of nearly 4 hectares and contains a multitude of green plants and shrubs from all over the world, planted around a charming little fresh-water pond inhabited by ducks and swans.
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Monaco
