Monte Carlo - Tourism Monaco Côte d'Azur

DESCRIPTION

A small city-state, the Principality of Monaco (Principatu de Munegu in Monegasque) continues to be the stuff of which dreams are made ! A city of luxury and beauty, its principal source of revenue is from tourism and more particularly, business tourism. Today, the Principality of Monaco is ruled by Grace Kelly’s son, Prince Albert the II. It has many unique characteristics. In addition to its language, Monegasque (munegascu) and culinary specialities, the little country is especially known for its Casino and gambling. As the headquarters for the Russian Ballet for a considerable number of years, the Principality has attracted the greatest artists of the last century. Monte Carlo’s Opera and Ballet continue to tour the world.

In power since 2005, Prince Albert the II is trying to make Monaco an exemplar in regard to ecology, not only by raising the awareness of the Monacans to climate change, but also by giving preference to ecological building.
Amongst the Principality’s sight-seeing ‘musts’ are the Monte Carlo district and its famous «Carré d’or» with the Monte Carlo Casino; the Sporting d’Hiver; and the Café de Paris. Apart from this, the city is divided into four other districts: La Condamine, Les Moneghettis, Le Larvotto, the Fontvieille district, which was built «by the sea».

HISTORY

Nestling between the sea and mountains, Monaco’s setting was well protected in the event of attacks and Monaco Harbour swiftly became indispensable. The location was first named Monoïkos, after the name of the Ligurian colony. Apparently, this name also has a link with Hercules, or Herakles in Greek, who may have stopped over at “the Rock.” Today, only the harbour, «Port Hercules», is a reminder of this legend. However, the Principality’s history only really begins on the 8th of January, 1297, when François Grimaldi seized power using a cunning trick. Disguised as a Franciscan monk, he infiltrated the fortress and opened the gates to his soldiers. Since that time, the Grimaldi dynasty has reigned over “the Rock” without interruption. The Principality of Monaco is today the oldest in the world.

One of the features of Monaco’s history has to be Diaghilev’s Russian Ballet. Attracted by the climate, Monte Carlo Casino, the Café de Paris… and with the assistance lavished on him by the Grimaldi family, the artist established his permanent company here in 1922, simultaneously transforming the Principality into a huge creative powerhouse. With his “Ballets Russes” Company (Russian Ballet), Sergei Diaghilev contributed greatly to the cultural enhancement of the city. His most famous dancers were Nijinsky and Karsavina... Also, Fokine, Massine, Ravel, Picasso, Matisse, Jean Cocteau, Debussy, Stravinsky, Braque, Prokofiev, Schuman, Poulenc, Fauré, Chanel… also came to Monaco to attend in Sergei Diagilev’s Ballets and enjoy the good life in Monaco.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Principality of Monaco - Monte Carlo is home to many large international events : the Formula One Grand Prix, Monte Carlo Rally and the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters are the most famous. Others include the International Circus Festival, the International Forum of Cinema and Literature, the Monte Carlo Comedy Film Festival, the International Pyromelodic Fireworks Competition, Herculis, the Sérénissimes de l’humour, the Iron Man Show, International Monte-Carlo Show-Jumping Competition… and more recently, the start of the 2009 Tour de France (cycling).

As for business tourism, Monaco continues to expand upon the many shows for professionals and has a large convention centre. The Monaco Travel Market showcases luxury travel; for ambitious architects, there is Batilux, for new technologies, head for Imagina, the Sportel show brings together TV and Sports executives; the Ever Monaco Show for ecological cars, etc. All these shows are held at the Grimaldi Forum.

In addition to being a cultural centre, the Grimaldi Forum hosts other events. Every summer, a customised exhibition is thought up for the Palais des Congrès. To date, «The Grace Kelly Years» exhibition holds the record number of visitors and, following its success, the Princess Grace exhibition has embarked on a promising world tour (France, Russia, etc.). In 2008, try as it might, «The Queens of Egypt» exhibition did not succeed in dethroning Princess Grace. It remains to be seen whethe «Moscow: Splendours of the Romanovs» will be its equal in 2009. Moreover, on the occasion of the centenary of the “Ballets Russes” in Monaco, many events and exhibitions are being held throughout the Principality.

WALKS

The Niçois hinterland provides a selection of delightful little villages to visit, such as the village of Gourdon, perched on its mountain, Biot with its glassblowers, Saint-Martin-de-Vésubie, Vence, the village of Mougins and Fayence, etc.

ARCHITECTURE

As a top place for architectural challenges, Monaco is constantly looking for new ways of increasing their territory to accommodate all the Monacans. Making space by going upwards, and over water with the project of extension into the sea, the Principality is a veritable playground for architects. There is also another big architectural challenge: to combine ecology, energy-saving and modern architecture.

SHOPS

There are many luxury boutiques, especially for fashion...

LEISURE

Monaco has a huge selection of museums: the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology with the caves of the Monaco Observatory in the exotic gardens; the Stamp and Coin Museum, the National Museum of Mechanical Toys and Dolls of Old, the Napoleon Souvenir Museum and the Palace’s Historic Archive Collection, the Naval Museum, etc., not forgetting the Chapelle de la Miséricorde (chapel), the Monaco Cathedral, the Japanese Gardens of Monaco, the animal garden, Port Hercules and the Prince’s Palace built atop the Rock along with the old town...

HAUTE CUISINE

Barbajuans… these little doughnuts, made from Swiss chard, olive oil, rice and Parmesan, are certainly THE speciality of the Principality. Moreover, Monacans also claim that several other Mediterranean dishes such as Pissaladière and Fougasse, are of Monacan and not Niçois origin. The debate goes on...

SPORTS

You can indulge in every type of water sport, from sailing to diving. The city also has a large swimming pool at the harbour as well as a skating rink.
With the mountains just a few kilometres away, ski resorts (Isola 2000, Auron and Valberg) provide all sorts of winter sports (skiing, snow-boarding and snowshoes, etc.) In the summer, walkers can enjoy the mountains to go hiking in the Mercantour Park for example.
As for golf, there are several nearby courses you can go to.

PARKS

Despite being extremely urbanised, Monaco-Monte Carlo has some beautiful green spaces, such as the Parc Princesse Antoinette, the Parc paysager de Fontvieille and the roseraie Princesse Grace de Monaco (rose gardens), not forgetting the Monaco Exotic Gardens. The Casino’s gardens and terraces provide a very pleasant setting for a little stroll...

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

Nestling in the middle of three French towns, Cap d’Ail, Beausoleil and Roquebrune Cap-Martin, the Principality is very close to the Italian border. The city is in the vicinity of Menton, Nice, Cannes and Antibes,etc.

By air :
Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport is around 22 kms from Monaco-Monte Carlo.
In the Fontvieille district, a heliport makes it possible for you to get to the airport in 7 minutes.
By road :
The Principality of Monaco can be accessed by the French road network. The fastest way is the A8 motorway. It is also possible to drive along the coast on the “basse” or “moyenne corniche” (lower or middle coastal road).
By train :
SNCF railway station: Monaco-Monte Carlo station is on the Paris-Ventimiglia line. All international trains stop at Monaco.
By sea :
Port Hercules is renowned for its ability to accommodate several large boats, liners and other ships. This helps to make Monaco a choice destination for cruises.

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