The Principality of Monaco may be tiny, it has an extension of only 2 square kilometers and just over 38 thousand inhabitants, but the fact that it is the second smallest country in the world does not make it less famous; who has not heard of the royal family or the glamor of Monte Carlo.
It may be an expensive and small country, but fortunately for the traveler, it is easy to get to know in just one day, on your own, without having to go on a tour. We decided to spend four days in Nice, where you have more hotel options, and it is not as expensive of a city as many think. From there, we made some day trips to nearby places, and one of them was to Monaco.
The truth is that getting around is very easy since you can take a direct 20-minute train. We had a Rail Europe 2-month rail pass, but if you don’t have it, this journey costs about 3.50 euros for a round trip from Nice.
As soon as you arrive, you realize that it is one of the countries with the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, just look at the luxury cars passing by or parked outside the casino and not to mention all the brand stores. Between the sound of sports car engines and the scorching summer heat, we started touring Monaco and this is what we visited:
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Geographically, Monaco is nestled between the mountains facing the Mediterranean Sea. During the summer, it is somewhat heavy to move around, especially when you have to climb hills, but since walking is the best way to discover any city, we put up with it and began climbing towards the palace area.
Broadly speaking, the palace actually began as a fortress in the XII century when the territory belonged to the Republic of Genoa and the Grimaldi were from the Genoese aristocracy. Shortening the story quite a bit, they had possession of the fortress, lost it in a period of political division in support of Pope Innocent IV, but regained ownership. The Grimaldi always fought and faced several wars to maintain control and sovereignty. In the XV century, they finally obtained independence. And in the XVI century, the fortress was transformed into a palace.
But the story does not end here, because after the French Revolution, those occupied territories were ordered to be governed by independent administrations, just as in France and that order included Monaco. So the palace was looted by the citizens, France demoted Monaco from principality to canton (administrative division) and called it Fort d’Hercule. Part of the palace was used as a military hospital and the rest had other uses. Until 1814 they returned Monaco to the Grimaldi family. Later in the same century, they authorized the opening of casinos, which helped the deteriorated principality to recover economically. But beware, the throne can not be vacated, otherwise Monaco returns to be the protectorate of France.
Today, although the principality is small, the royal family is well known worldwide. First of all for the marriage of Prince Rainier III with the famous American actress Grace Kelly. And also because his children have headed the magazines of the pink press for many years.
In fact, it was very curious because while we were walking around the palace and during our visit to the cathedral, I heard many tourists explain to their children that “the prince married Grace Kelly”, “here lived Grace Kelly”, “here is Grace Kelly buried”. In a nutshell, everybody was talking about Grace Kelly (same as us).
Once in the high part of the city, take your time to stroll through its narrow picturesque streets. Enter the Chapel of Mercy and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where the tombs of princes Rainier III and Grace Patricia (Grace Kelly) are.
Oceanographic Museum
If you visit Monaco, you cannot miss this museum, it is fascinating! To begin with, the building where it is located is spectacular, lying on the Rock of Monaco. The museum was built by Prince Albert I in 1910 and aims to preserve the oceans and marine life.
The interior is majestic, as soon as you enter, you are struck by the architecture, the chandeliers, the huge rooms, the artifacts on display, but above all I loved how they have modernized it with virtual and interactive exhibitions. It also has a wide variety of marine species that you can appreciate, and a very large room with whale skeletons where they do a light and sound show.
Port Hercules
Obviously, you have to stroll around the port and see the luxurious yachts. This beautiful port was built at the beginning of the XX century, which further modernized the principality and gave way to yachts that sailed along the French Riviera.
When the Formula 1 is celebrated every year, many watch it from their yachts, and as I read in an article, there are people who pay more than 20 thousand euros to watch the race from a yacht. Not to mention the fancy parties that take place there. But going back to the tourist tips in Monaco, for those of us who are not millionaires ;-), to take the best panoramic photos of the port, I recommend doing it from the viewpoint next to the palace.
Monte Carlo
After touring the streets of the historic center of Monaco, we couldn’t stop going to the luxurious Monte Carlo neighborhood, where the famous casino is located. Even if you don’t like gambling (I don’t like casinos), you have to go, if only to see it, because the building is beautiful and they do allow you to enter it.
Next to the casino is the elegant Hotel de Paris, so you can imagine the constant arrival and departure of luxurious sports cars. It made me laugh to see many men fascinated, like small children, looking at each car in detail and taking dozens of photos as if they were going to get into the car.
Before dusk, we returned to Nice, after having spent a beautiful day exploring Monaco, the city that captivates the rich and famous.
If you want to travel to France or other places in Europe and would like me to organize your trip or event through our travel agency Tripdreaming, contact me at silvia.lucero@tripdreaming.com.
For editorial questions, please contact me at silvia.lucero@latrotamundos.com.
