French Riviera Traveller by Jeanne Oliver

A Monaco Travel Guide

French Riviera Map

Nice

Nice to Monaco

Monaco

Menton

Nice to Cannes

Cannes

Saint-Tropez

Mountains

About the Riviera

Practical Information

Top Sights

Best Beaches

Transport

When to Go

 
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©FrenchRivieraTraveller 2008-2010

Monte Carlo
Glamorous Monte Carlo

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 History

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. Monaco attracted luminaries and celebrities from around the world, bathed in a haze of glamour that has never diminished. The constitutional monarchy that Prince Ranier founded continued after his death in 2005. The current head of state is Prince Albert II.

What to See & Do in Monaco

Remember that Monaco is a country and it is composed of five principal areas: Monaco Ville (site of the Prince's Palace), Monte Carlo (the casino plus shopping, restaurants and hotels), La Condamine (southwest of the Port), Fontvieille (the industrial area) and Moneghetti (the Exotic Gardens). See more on sightseeing in Monaco.

 

Accommodation in Monaco

Find Hotels in Monaco

 

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Getting to Monaco

Flights

Monaco does not have an international airport. The closest international airport is Nice airport.

Trains

There are numerous daily trains between Nice and Monaco. See the SNCF for schedules and fares.

Buses

Regular buses link Monaco with Nice's Gare Routière. There is no bus station in Monaco but the bus makes several stops in Monaco, including at the Monte Carlo Casino. Services are handled by RCA (Rapides Cote d'Azur)

Getting Around Monaco

CAM ( Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco) handles the internal bus network.

Tourist Information in Monaco

See the Monaco tourist office website at www.visitmonaco.com/

 

 


 

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