Monaco - The smallest monarchy in the world

The small principality is known for its beautiful location on the Mediterranean Sea, gambling and motor sports - and not only among the rich and beautiful.

But that is by far not all that this just over two square kilometers named Monaco has to offer.

If you want to know what else there is to discover, you should definitely read on.

We would like to take you on a little round trip through the principality.

Monaco is considered a city of the rich and beautiful. A look at the many yachts in the harbor or the expensive sports cars in front of the "Casino de Monte-Carlo" confirm this impressively. The atmosphere in the city is extraordinary, especially when it gets dark.

The principality, although so small, even has its own language: Monegasque. However, it is only used as an everyday language. The official language in Monaco is French, but it is not difficult to communicate even without knowledge of the language. Due to the internationality of the inhabitants - only about a quarter of the population are also Monegasque citizens - English is a common language and simplifies communication immensely.

There is much more to discover than the images that come to mind when you think of Monaco. We want to take you on a tour of the small principality. Following the Grand Prix circuit of the Curcuit de Monaco, we start at the starting area in the La Condamine district.

La Condamine

La Condamine is probably the epitome of what comes to mind when one thinks of Monaco. The district is located around the harbor Port Hercule with space for about 700 yachts. This has its name from the ancient prehistory of Monaco, because already the Greeks and later the Romans recognized the good location and the protected harbor as a perfect place for a trading post on the southern French coast.

La Condamine is also home to the start-finish area and the pit lane of the Circuit de Monaco, where the Monaco Grand Prix is held every year. The street circuit extends over a length of 3.337 km and runs exclusively on otherwise public roads. The Stade Nautique Rainier III swimming pool and the square in front of it are converted into a spectator grandstand for this purpose.

Les Moneghetti

In La Condamine as well as Les Moneghetti you can also find a wide range of bars and restaurants. But although we are in Monaco and the small principality has the reputation to be only something for rich and beautiful, we can calm down at this point. You don't need a fat bank account to order a cocktail or fall into ruin after a small dinner. Prices are surprisingly moderate considering the reputation.

Les Moneghetti and Jardin Exotique are the residential areas of the "normal" Monegasques, also most offices and workplaces are in these districts. Every citizen has a right to an apartment in the small principality and is therefore preferred to all millionaires who would like to live there. The government is doing its best to make this possible.

In general, the prices in restaurants and supermarkets can be compared to those in France.

In Les Moneghetti is also the train station of Monaco. From there, it is only a few minutes walk to all major attractions.

Jardin Exotique

The Jardin Exotique de Monaco, which gave the district its name, is home to a large selection of cacti and other tropical plants. Winding paths through the park offer beautiful views of the harbor and the Prince's Palace. If you don't want to make the climb yourself, you can also use the public elevators to enjoy the breathtaking view without any effort at all.

Under the Jardin Exotique, at 100 meters above sea level, there is an underground cavity that reaches almost to sea level. About 300 steps lead down into a world of stalagmites and stalactites. The guided tour through the cave is included in the ticket price to the Jardin Exotique, takes about 30 minutes and rounds off the Monaco experience. After all, who would suspect a stalactite cave in the small principality?

Ravin de Sainte-Dévote

By far the smallest district of Monaco is Ravin de Saint-Dévote with only 0.0235 km². It is named after a small ravine, which explains its small dimensions of only 300 meters in length and a maximum width of 100 meters. The level is a few meters below that of the surrounding terrain, so the district is very sparsely built.

In the ravine stands the church of Saint-Dévote, dating from the 11th century. It is crammed into the narrow gorge "Vallon des Gaumates" and was partly built directly against the rock walls. It also gives its name to the first bend of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. After this first right turn, the circuit runs uphill to Beau Rivage. Due to its unique location, the church forms a frequently used photo motif.

No roads run through the district, but the gorge is crossed by several bridges. One of them, the bridge of the Boulevard du Larvotto, is unceremoniously converted into a spectator grandstand for Formula 1.

Monte Carlo

When you think of Monaco, you inevitably think of Monte-Carlo. Be it because of the gambling or the Rally Monte Carlo. The famous casino, the Hotel de Paris and the slowest hairpin bend in Formula 1 are all located in this district.

Monte-Carlo, next to the old town of Monaco-Ville, can be called the tourist center. Not only is Monaco's tourist office located there, but it is also a great place for shopping - provided you have the necessary change. Here, the most noble stores are lined up next to each other.

Those who prefer to enjoy nature in the middle of the city can do so in the Jardins de la Petite Afrique. Here, a subtropical world of plants can be admired in the midst of the urban canyons with free admission.

Larvotto

Even though Larvotto is a longer walk from the Prince's Palace, you should definitely visit the Japanese Garden there.

There are three large gardens in the principality: the Jardin Exotique, the Jardins de la Petite Afrique and the Jardin Japonais de Monaco. Whereby "large" here is to be put in relation to the size of the country.

The Champions Promenade leads directly past the Japanese Garden. In addition to a beautiful view of the sea, some of the greatest soccer players have also immortalized themselves here with their footprints. Who wouldn't want to follow in the footsteps of Pelé, Maradonna or Ronaldinho?

Larvotto is also home to the only beach in the country. So if you're looking for a cool down after a long walk through the city, this is the place to be.

With the Grimaldi Forum and the new National Museum of Monaco, culture is also represented in Larvotto.

Fontvieille

Looking west from the terrace of the Prince's Palace, the Fontvieille harbor stretches out before you in the district of the same name.

This is home not only to AS Monaco and the associated Stade Louis II, but also to the Jardin Animalier de Monaco, Monaco's zoo, and the Monegasque automobile museum "Collection de Voitures Anciennes de S.A.S.".

You will also find the Maritime Museum and the Heliport de Monaco of Heli Air Monaco, in case you need to catch your plane quickly at the airport in Nice (about 15 km away) or just want to go skiing in winter.

Monaco-Ville

If you follow the Formula 1 circuit like we did to explore the small principality, you have to take the tunnel of the same name Larvotto coming from Larvotto. Don't let the first impression fool you, the walk is not as bad as it first seems.

Arriving at the other end, you are already greeted by the Port Hercule and you have arrived back in La Condamine.

Following the harbor basin you now come to the famous Rascasse bend with the bar of the same name. Here it is up to you which way you want to choose to get to the Prince's Palace. You can either continue to follow the sea and take the elevator of the parking garage Chemin des Pêcheurs and arrive at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco on the hill, or you can choose the curved road Rampe de la Major to get directly to the Prince's Palace.

Between the Oceanographic Museum and the Prince's Palace you can slip into the narrow streets of Monaco's old town. On the way you will not only find cafes and bars that invite you to linger, but also some ministries and embassies. But who goes to Monaco to visit the local Ministry of Education? It is much more likely to visit the Cathedral Notre-Dame-Immaculée, which is located right next to the Ministry of Justice. Not only is it impressive for its architecture, but it is also the final resting place of the Grimaldis, the family that has ruled Monaco for over 700 years (with minor interruptions). But did you also know that this is not the only domain of the Grimaldis and that they also have possessions in France - such as Les Baux-de-Provence?