There's no place like Monaco. Covering only 485 acres, tiny, glamorous Monaco is a fairyland of perfectly groomed streets, lush gardens, chic boutiques and one lavish casino. Monaco hotels and restaurants count among the world's finest, its cultural scene is superb, the nightlife sizzles and the annual Formula One Grand Prix is a ritual for high-rolling motoring fans.
Monaco is an easy day trip from Nice that can be done by train or bus. See how to do a day trip to Monaco from Nice.
Did you know. . .
Monaco is only 2sq km?
Monaco has a population of 38,000 but only 9500 citizens (Monagasques)?
Monaco residents and citizens pay no income tax unless they're French nationals?
Monaco has the world's highest percentage of millionaires and billionaires?
Monaco is not part of the EU but uses the euro as currency?
Monaco was annexed by France in 1793 but its independence was recognized in 1860?
The official language is French but the native language is Monegasque which very few people speak?
Monaco real estate is priced at around €52,000 per square meter?
Remember that Monaco is a country and it is composed of six principal areas: Monaco Ville (site of the Prince's Palace),
and the Oceanographic Institute
Monte Carlo (the casino plus shopping, restaurants and hotels),
La Condamine (southwest of the Port with a food market),
Fontvieille (the industrial area) and Moneghetti (the Exotic Gardens). The new neighborhood of Mareterra is primarily residential. Most things to see of interest to visitors lie in Monaco Ville or Monte Carlo.
See more things to see in Monaco.
Wealthy Monaco is awash in luxury hotels. Most are in Monte Carlo. Tied for first place would be
Both are in Monte Carlo and are stunning examples of Belle Epoque splendor.
A close second would be the Fairmont Monte Carlo and for more modest budgets, check out the Novotel.
More Monaco Accommodation |
The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since 1297. That year, François Grimaldi, escaping political turmoil disguised himself as a monk in order to seize possession of the fortress on "the rock". It became a prosperous trading post passing under the protection of Spain and then France.
During the French Revolution, France imprisoned the Monegasque royal family and annexed the country. The annexation only lasted until the 1814 Treaty of Paris which restored the Grimaldi family to the throne. France recognized Monaco's independence in 1860 when Monaco relinquished all claims over its former territories of Menton and Roquebrune.
In 1863 Monaco launched itself into the gaming business with the establishment of the Casino of Monte Carlo. In 1949 Prince Ranier III ascended the throne and soon married the former Grace Kelly in 1956. Grace Kelly's Hollywood connections attracted luminaries and celebrities from around the world, bathed in a haze of glamour that has never diminished.
In addition to burnishing the glamorous image of Monaco, the beloved Princess Grace renovated the Prince's Palace and started a number of charitable foundations that still exist. AMADE aids children in poverty around the world; the Princess Grace Foundation helps children who are ill and finances various cultural projects.
The constitutional monarchy that Prince Ranier founded continued after his death in 2005. The current head of state is Prince Albert II. His wife is Princess Charlene and they have two children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.
Monaco is well-connected to everywhere on the Cote d'Azur via bus, train and motorway. A word of advice: Monaco is popular! It's also the economic motor of the region generating jobs in business, finance and real estate. And, Monaco is a highlight of the French Riviera attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
All of which means that it's unusual to just breeze into Monaco without complications. During rush hours transport between Nice and Monaco is jam-packed, particuarly via train and motorway. The buses that link Nice with Monaco can be standing room only during the summer season. Driving into Monaco in the summer is sure to be slow on traffic-clogged roads. The weekend of Monaco Grand Prix Formula I in May is the worst time of year to visit as the pressure on roads, trains and buses is intense.
To best plan your trip, read these details about getting to Monaco.
Although Monaco is a tiny country (about 2sq km), getting around by foot can be complicated, mainly because the country starts at sea level and climbs steeply into the hills. To make it easier, there are lots of public elevators and escalators. Usually I prefer the bus.
CAM ( Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco) handles the internal bus network. Buses are frequent and link all of Monaco's neighborhoods. Regular buses run until 9pm until the night buses N1 and N2 start. The price is €2 per ride payable by credit card or cash to the driver. The buses most useful to visitors are the 1 and 2 which link Monaco Ville and Monte Carlo via the train station.
See the Monaco tourist office website at www.visitmonaco.com/
Hi! I'm Jeanne Oliver--tour guide and author and I've been living on the Riviera for years. With my local insights your trip will be easy and fun. And, do check out my book Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City.
