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Monte Carlo
—  Quarter of Monaco  —
View of the principality of Monaco
Seal
Location in Monaco
Monte Carlo Location in relation to France
Coordinates: 43°44′23″N 7°25′38″E / 43.73972°N 7.42722°E / 43.73972; 7.42722
Country	Monaco
Government
- Type	Monarchy
Population
- Total	3,000

Monte Carlo (French: Monte-Carlo, Occitan: Montcarles, Monégasque: Monte-Carlu) is one of Monaco's administrative areas,^[1] sometimes erroneously believed to be a town or the country's capital, just as Monaco-Ville. The official capital is the city of Monaco, which shares the exact same territory as the country itself ^[2] (Monaco is a city-state).

Monte Carlo, which lies in the French Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea in Monaco is surrounded by France and close to Italy. It is widely known for its casino, and its gambling. The permanent population is about 3,000. Monte Carlo quarter includes not only Monte Carlo proper where the famous Le Grand Casino is located, it also includes the neighbourhoods of Saint-Michel, Saint-Roman/Tenao, and the beach community of Larvotto. It borders the French town of Beausoleil (sometimes referred to as Monte-Carlo-Supérieur for image reasons).

History

Founded in 1866, Monte Carlo has a name of Italian origin meaning "Mount Charles". Named in compliment to the prince then reigning, Charles III of Monaco. The specific mountain is the escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps on which the town stands.

Charles III of Monaco who was responsible for turning the Monte Carlo district and Monaco into a thriving town

However, the history of the area and the ruling Grimaldi familia dates back centuries. The port of Monaco is first mentioned in historical records back in 43 BC, when Julius Caesar concentrated his fleet there while waiting in vain for Pompey. In the 12th century, the area fell under the sovereignty of Genoa who was granted the entire coastline from Porto Venere to Monaco. After much conflict, the Grimaldis retrieved the rock in 1295, but suffered a significant amount of opposition over the years. In 1506 the Monegasques, under Lucien, Lord of Monaco, were under siege for some four months by the Genoan army with ten times the number of men. Monaco officially received full autonomy in 1524, but it had a turbulent history to retain its power and on occasions briefly fell under the domination of Spain, Sardinia, and France.

In the 1850s Monaco’s reigning family was almost bankrupt, caused by the loss of two towns, which provided most of the Principality’s revenues with their lemon, orange and olive crops.^[3] At this time a number of small towns in Europe were growing in prosperity with gambling establishments, notably in German towns such as Baden-Baden and Homburg. In 1856, Charles III of Monaco gave a concession to Napoleon Langlois and Albert Aubert to establish a sea-bathing facility for the treatment of various diseases and build a German-style casino in Monaco.^[3] However the initial casino was opened in La Condamine in 1862 and was not a success and subsequently moved location several times in the years that followed to its present location in the area called “Les Spelugues” (The Caves) of Monte Carlo. The success of the casino grew slowly, largely due to the area's inaccessibility from much of Europe. The installation of the railway in 1868, however, brought with it an influx of people into Monte Carlo and saw it grow in wealth.^[3]

In 1911, the Constitution divided the principality of Monaco in 3 municipalities, the municipality of Monte Carlo was created covering the existing neighborhoods of La Rousse / Saint Roman, Larvotto / Bas Moulins and Saint Michel. In 1917, it returned to a single area throughout the principality. Today Monaco however is divided into 11 quarters.

The quarter of Monte Carlo was served by tramways from 1900 to 1953, linking parts of Monaco. In 2003, a new cruise ship pier was completed in the harbour at Monte Carlo.

Sport and leisure

Monte Carlo Casino

Monte Carlo is home to most of the Circuit de Monaco, on which the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix takes place. It also hosts world championship boxing bouts, the European Poker Tour Grand Final and the World Backgammon Championship as well as fashion shows and other events. Although the Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament is billed as taking place in the community, its actual location is in the adjacent French commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Monte Carlo has been visited by royalty as well as the general public and movie stars for decades. The Monte Carlo Rally is one of the longest running and most respected car rallies, and marks the start of each rally season as the first event on the World Rally Championship calendar, but the rally takes place outside the Monte Carlo quarter.

Monte Carlo is one of Europe's leading tourist resorts, although many of the key tourist destinations are located in other parts of Monaco, including such attractions as Monaco Cathedral, the Napoleon Museum, the Oceanographic Museum and aquarium, and the Prince's Palace, all of which are located in Monaco-Ville.

Opera

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo or Salle Garnier was built by the famous architect Charles Garnier as an exact replica in miniature of the Paris Opera House. The auditorium of the opera house is decorated in red and gold and has frescoes and sculptures all around the auditorium. The ceiling of the auditorium is covered in high quality paintings. It was inaugurated on January 25, 1879 with a performance by Sarah Bernhardt dressed as a nymph. The first opera performed there was Robert Planquette's Le Chevalier Gaston on 8 February 1879, and that was followed by three more in the first season.

With the influence of the first director, Jules Cohen (who was instrumental in bringing Adelina Patti) and the fortunate combination of Raoul Gunsbourg, the new director from 1883, and Princess Alice, the opera-loving American wife of Charles III's successor, Albert I, the company was thrust onto the world's opera community stage. Gunsbourg remained for sixty years overseeing such premiere productions as Berlioz's La damnation de Faust in 1893 and the first appearances in January 1894 of the heroic Italian tenor, Francesco Tamagno in Verdi's Otello, the title role of which he had created for the opera's premiere in Italy.

By the early years of the twentieth century, the Salle Garnier was to see such great performers as Nellie Melba and Enrico Caruso in La bohème and Rigoletto (in 1902), and Feodor Chaliapin in the premiere of Jules Massenet's Don Quichotte (1910). This production formed part of a long association between the company and Massenet and his operas, two of which were presented there posthumously.

Other famous twentieth-century singers to appear at Monte Carlo included Titta Ruffo, Geraldine Farrar, Mary Garden, Tito Schipa, Beniamino Gigli, Claudia Muzio, Georges Thill and Lily Pons.

Apart from Massenet, composers whose works had their first performances at Monte Carlo included: Saint-Saëns (Hélène, 1904); Mascagni (Amica, 1905); and Puccini (La rondine, 1917). Indeed, since its inauguration, the theatre has hosted 45 world premiere productions of operas. René Blum was retained to found the Ballet de l'Opéra. The "Golden Age" of the Salle Garnier is gone, as small companies with small houses are not able to mount productions that cost astronomical sums. Nonetheless, the present day company still presents a season containing five or six operas.

Hôtel de Paris

Hotel de Paris

The Hôtel de Paris was established in 1864 by Charles III of Monaco adjacent to the casino. It is a prestigious and luxurious palace style hotel in the heart of Monte Carlo. It belongs to the Société des Bains de Mer Monaco (SBM), It is part of the elite Palace Grand Hotels in Monaco with the Hotel Hermitage, the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel on Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the Metropole Hotel and Fairmont hotel.

The hotel has 106 rooms divided into four groups based on type of view, decoration and luxury.^[4] The Exclusive City View offers 20 rooms, the Superior Courtyard has 29 large rooms, the Exclusive Sea View 59 and the Exclusive Casino has 6.

Additionally there are 74 suites and junior suites which are grouped similarly, offering more luxury than the rooms. There are Single and Double suites as well as Courtyard Junior suites and Sea/Casino Junior suites.^[5]

There is also 1 Presidential suite.^[6]

In popular culture

Monte Carlo has featured in numerous films and television series. The 1930 American film Monte Carlo starring Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald was set in Monte Carlo. The casino featured in the James Bond films Never Say Never Again (1983) and GoldenEye (1995). To Catch a Thief (1954) was an Alfred Hitchcock film with Monte Carlo and its famous casino as the setting and featured Cary Grant and the future Princess Grace of Monaco as the stars. There is a scene in the movie where the-then Grace Kelly drives a car very quickly - and dangerously - along the steep winding roads of Monaco that surround the heights of Monte Carlo; an interesting coincidence to her actual fate in 1982. Monte Carlo was even a location for the late 1960s British London based series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) where in the eleventh episode of the series, The Ghost who Saved the Bank at Monte Carlo, Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre went to Monte Carlo to accompany a highly talented elderly woman to gamble inside the casino and waylay a group of thugs (amongst them Brian Blessed). In 1970 Chevrolet introduced a car called the Chevrolet Monte Carlo which went through six generations of production until 2007.

Panorama of La Condamine and Monte Carlo from the lookout near the Prince's Palace of Monaco in Monaco-Ville.

See also

References

External links

• The portal to the Principality in 5 languages
• Travel guide for Monte Carlo and Monaco
• Official site about Monte Carlo thermae
• Monte Carlo travel guide from Wikitravel
• Monte Carlo - Fullscreen 360 degree Quicktime VR Panorama
• Monaco Portal
• Monaco Hotels reservation

Administrative divisions of Monaco Traditional Quartiers 1 Monaco-Ville · La Condamine · Monte Carlo · Fontvieille Current Wards 2 01 Monte Carlo · 02 Saint Roman · 03 Larvotto · 04 La Condamine · 05 Monaco-Ville · 06 Fontvieille · 07 La Colle · 08 Les Révoires · 09 Moneghetti · 10 Saint Michel · 11 Le Portier 3 1 ordered by age of foundation • 2 ordered by official Ward number • 3 Planned for 2014

From Wikitravel

Location
Flag
Quick Facts
Capital	Monaco
Government	constitutional monarchy
Currency	euro (EUR)
Area	1.95 sq km
Population	32,671 (July 2007 est.)
Language	French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Religion	Roman Catholic (90%)
Electricity	230V/50Hz (European plug)
Calling Code	+377
Internet TLD	.mc
Time Zone	UTC +1

The principality of Monaco or the city-state Monaco [1] lie in between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by the French Riviera to the west and the Italian Riviera to the east. It is the second smallest independent state in the world (after the Vatican) and is almost entirely urban. Monte Carlo is not the capital of Monaco but a government district. The country is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville (the old city), the Condamine (port quarter), Monte-Carlo (business and recreation), and Fontvieille (recreation and light industry). With no natural resources to exploit other than its location and climate, the principality has become a resort for tourists and a tax haven for businesses. Monaco is six times the size of the Vatican and still remains the world's most densely populated independent country.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is the Nice Côte-d'Azur International [2], which is around 25 miles away from the city-centre in neighboring France. It operates daily flights to nearly all of Europe's main cities, such as London and Paris. There are regular Rapide Cote D’Azur [3] buses connecting Monte Carlo with both the terminals at Nice Cote-D'Azur airport, and taxis are always available outside the terminal buildings - although make sure a fee is agreed in advance or the meter is indeed switched on at the start of the journey, as French taxi drivers are notorious for charging tourists whatever they see fit.

By helicopter

Heli-Air Monaco [4] also operates helicopter services between Nice and Monte Carlo, although this is very expensive and generally only for the very wealthy. After collecting your luggage at the Nice airport, you go to the helicopter service waiting area. The helicopter ground crew takes you and your luggage from the Nice airport to the Nice heliport, on the other side of the airport, by van. The flight along the coast is beautiful, and you land right at the water's edge at the Monaco heliport, where a car service takes you directly to your hotel. Other than arriving by yacht, this is the best way for the international traveler to enter Monaco. Rates vary seasonally, in the range of €100-€300. They spike up to €700 or more, however, during the Cannes Film Festival, usually held in late May.

By train

The Monaco-Monte Carlo station has good service to most of neighboring France and Italy. There are 2-4 services per hour to Nice, Cannes, Menton and Ventimiglia (Italy). Most international trains will stop, such as the 'Ligure' which links Marseilles and Milan, the 'train bleu' which operates between Paris and Ventimiglia, and the famous high-speed TGV which runs between Nice and Paris [5]. A TGV train between Paris and Monte Carlo takes around 6 and a half hours. The station also has some links to other towns in the principality. Be aware that there's no left-luggage in the train station nor in the rest of Monaco. There's a law in Monaco forbidding leaving bags etc. in any place.

Map of Monaco

For further information like price and times visit Trenitalia [6]

By car

Monaco is easily accessed by its land borders from France or Italy by a network of highways, most commonly used of which is the A8 which runs west from Monte Carlo to Nice and Marseilles, and east towards the Italian border.

Between Nice and Monaco, there are also three more scenic roads: the Basse Corniche (Low Coast-Road - Highway 98), along the sea, the Moyenne Corniche (Middle Coast Road - Highway 7), going through Eze-Village, and the Grande Corniche (Great Coast Road), going through La Turbie and Col d'Eze (Eze Pass). All are pretty drives offering spectacular views over the Coast line. For an extra-special treat, rent a convertible sports car from the many airport rental services and take in the French Riviera in style.

Taxi trips to and from Nice are also affordable.

By bus

There is no bus station in Monte Carlo. Instead, international buses stop at various points throughout the city. Regular buses, run by Rapide Cote D’Azur [7], connect Monte Carlo with Nice and other French destinations. Services run regularly to many major French towns and cities. Route 100 leaves every 15 minutes from the central bus station (Gare Routière) in Nice and costs €1. An express shuttle, route 110, links the Nice Côte d'Azur Airoport and the principality. A bus leaves every half hour and a single ticket costs €14.90 (2008). €28.50 round-trip (9/2009) with stops near all major hotels throughout Monaco, not just Monte Carlo.

By boat

Monaco's two ports are no strangers to private yachts. Port Hercule is exceptionally beautiful and offers mooring and anchoring possibilities for up to five hundred vessels, some of which are extremely large and elegant (in fact, many tourists often take time out of their day to simply have a drink by the water and admire the fantastic super yachts). This port also serves as a regular starting point or terminus for many Mediteranean cruises, so cruise ships can often be spotted sailing in or out of the marina. The Port of Fontvieille, integrated into the new district, can receive as many as 60 vessels of at least 30 meters in length.

At close proximity, the Port of Cap d'Ail is also a choice destination for pleasure-boats.

Port of Monaco from the Palace

By foot

Walking is by far the best way to get around Monaco; however, there are some areas, such as the Exotic Gardens, that require a large change in elevation and therefore make for rather strenuous hikes. There are also seven public escalators and elevators (all free) that help negotiate the steep slopes of the city. If you find yourself afoot and wanting to reach the opposite bank of Port Hercule, look for the small pedestrian-only ferry that runs each 20 minutes or so during daylight; it costs only one Euro.

By bus

If you don't mind feeling like a member of the working class in Monaco's bourgeois opulence, Monte Carlo operates a bus service, the Compagnie des Autobus Monaco [8], through the city's five bus routes (labeled 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6) which serves 143 stops. Each stop has the bus number(s) that stop there. Many stops also have the routes for each bus that stops there. The service usually starts at around 6 in the morning and runs right through until about 9 o'clock at night. Tickets can be purchased on board the buses themselves or at many news vendors and shops throughout the city - often it will be advertised as to where you can do this. A daily pass allows you to use the buses all day for €3 (9/2009) and can also be purchased onboard the bus. A recent innovation is a night (soiree) bus service that runs in a circular route from 22.00 until 04.00.

By motor scooter

You can easily rent a motor scooter in Nice and take a short trip east along the sea into Monaco. The views are beautiful and the ride is fun along the twisty seaside road. There are plenty of places to park for free. Theft is not a concern, as there are cameras throughout and police everywhere.

By bicycle

It is possible to hire a bicycle from the Auto-Moto-Garage on the Rue de Millo.

By car

Private cars are singularly useless for getting around Monaco, as you'll spend more time trying to park than if you walked or took a taxi instead. Taxis can be hailed on the streets and there are two main taxi stands open around the clock at the Avenue de Monte Carlo and the railway station, although it is always best to agree a fee beforehand or make sure the meter is running. Most hotels will provide courtesy drivers to points of interest, such as the Palace and casino.

International car hire companies do have offices at the airport in Nice and also in Monte Carlo city. These include Avis, Gare Monte Carlo, Europcar and Hertz - drivers must have held a national driving license for at least one year and it is usually requested that the cost is paid for with the driver’s credit card. Driving in the city center can be intimidating in Monte Carlo with heavy traffic - however, it is often worth this to drive alongside the more expensive vehicles in the city!

Talk

Languages: French (official), Italian, English and Monegasque.

See

The principality of Monaco offers a great balance of historical and modern attractions. There are various museums and palaces to visit as well as shopping malls and casinos. Monaco also offers relaxation spots along the harbor and even around the attractions. It is relatively easy to navigate Monte Carlo and Monaco if you take the time to learn where the various "short cuts" are. City maps are generally available at most news vendor stands and shops for a small fee.

Guards at the Monaco Palace

• Take a walk through Monaco-Ville, also known as “le rocher” or “the rock.” Monaco-Ville is still a medieval village at heart and an astonishingly picturesque site. It is made up almost entirely of pedestrian streets and passageways and most previous century houses still remain. There a number of hotels, restaurant and souvenir shops tourists can stay, eat and shop at. You can also visit the Prince's Palace, the Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, the City Hall, and the Saint Martin Gardens.

• The Palais Princier (Prince's Palace) is in old Monaco-Ville and is worth a visit. There are guided tours of the palace each day and usually run around the clock. The Palace also offers a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the Port and Monte-Carlo. Everyday at 11:55 AM, in front of the Palace's main entrance visitors can watch the changing of the guard ceremony performed by the "Carabiniers." “Carabiniers” are not only in charge of the Princes’ security but they offer Him a Guard of Honor and on special occasions, are His escorts. The “Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince” has a military band (Fanfare); which performs at public concerts, official occasions, sports events and international military music festivals.

• The Monaco Cathedral was built in 1875 and stands on the site of a 13th century earlier church. It is a Romanesque-Byzantine church dedicated to Saint Nicolas and houses the remains of former Princes of Monaco and Princess Grace. The church square also contains some of Monaco-Ville's finest restaurants.

• The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium is a world-renowned attraction. Located 279 above sea level, the museum contains stunning collections of marine fauna, numerous specimens of sea creatures (stuffed or in skeleton form), models of Prince Albert’s laboratory ships, and craft ware made from the sea’s natural products. On the ground floor, exhibitions and film projections are presented daily in the Conference room. In the basement, visitors can take pleasure in watching spectacular shows of marine flora and fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystem. Lastly, visitors can have lunch in “La Terrasse” and visit the museum gift shop.

• The Jardin Exotique (Exotic Gardens) is one of the many gardens Monaco has to offer. It is also one of Monaco’s finest tourist attractions. Several thousand rare plants from around the world are presented in a walking tour that is quite memorable for the views as well as the flora and plants. Due to the rise in altitude, not only are there many displays of desert plants but there are a handful of subtropical flora displays as well. There is also a grotto (cave) that has scheduled guided tours. The entry cost is a bit steep (€8) unless you're under 16 or a student (€3.50).

• La Condamine is the second oldest district in Monaco, after Monaco-Ville. Here you can stop and marvel at the many luxurious yachts and cruise ships which usually adorn the docks in the marina. La Condamine is a thriving business district where you can visit the Condamine Market and rue Princesse-Caroline mall. With enjoyable landscaped areas and modern buildings, La Condamine is surely worth a visit.

• The Monaco Opera House or Salle Garnier was built by the famous architect Charles Garnier. The auditorium of the opera house is decorated in red and gold and has frescoes and sculptures all around the auditorium. Looking up to the ceiling of the auditorium, the visitor will be blown away by the superb paintings. The opera house is flamboyant but at the same time very beautiful. There have been some of the most superior international performances of ballet, opera and concerts held in the opera house for more than a century; consider taking in a show during your visit... but expect to pay top dollar!

• The Marlborough Fine Arts Gallery was founded in London by Frank Lloyd and Harry Fischer. A second gallery was opened in Rome, another in New York, and one more in Monaco. The gallery holds a grand collection of post-World War II artists and even paintings by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Jules Brassai, Louise Bourgeois, Dale Chihuly, David Hockney and Henri Matisse. Admission is free and the gallery also offers group exhibitions.

• The Grimaldi Forum is the Monaco convention center. Completed in July 2000, the sun filled building on the sea has a remarkable glass entrance, two convention restaurants, an auditorium for ballet and opera, and two more auditoriums for meetings and other affairs. The Forum also offers two large exhibition halls that can be used for trade shows or other exhibitions. It is also a short walking distance from surrounding hotels.

The Old Casino in Monte Carlo

• If your wallet permits it, try your luck in the Grand Casino and gamble alongside the world's richest and often most famous. You'll need your passport to enter (as Monégasque citizens are prohibited from gambling at the casino), and the fees for entry range enormously depending on what room you are going to - often from 30€ right up into the hundreds. You can also visit the casino without gambling, but also for a nominal fee. The dress code inside is extremely strict - men are required to wear coats and ties, and casual or 'tennis' shoes are forbidden. The gaming rooms themselves are spectacular, with stained glass, paintings, and sculptures everywhere. There are two other more Americanized casinos in Monte Carlo. Neither of these has an admission fee, and the dress code is more casual.

• Monaco's streets hosts the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is also one of Europe's premier social highlights of the year. The Automobile Club of Monaco organizes this spectacular Formula 1 race each year. The Grand Prix is 77 laps around 263-kilometers of Monte Carlo's narrowest and twisted streets. The main attraction of the Monaco Grand Prix is the proximity of the speeding Formula One cars to the race spectators. The thrill of screaming engines, smoking tires and determined drivers also makes the Monaco Grand Prix one of the most exciting races in the world. There are more than 3,000 seats available for sale on the circuit ranging from 90€ to more than 500€. Monaco residents often rent out their terraces for the event with prices ranging from 8000€ to 140,000€ for the four days. During the off season, it is possible to walk around the circuit. Tourist office maps have the route clearly marked on their maps, although devotees won't need them! For those who can afford it, you can also take a ride around the track in a performance car.

• Aquavision: Discover Monaco from the sea during this fascinating boat tour! “Aquavision” is a catamaran-type boat equipped with two windows in the hull for underwater vision, thus allowing the passengers to explore the natural seabed of the coast in an unusual way. The boat can take up to 120 people per journey. Cost for adults are 11€, while the cost for children and for children and students ages 3-18 are 8€.

• Azur Express: Fun tourist trains make daily tours all over Monaco. You will visit the Monaco Port, Monte-Carlo and its Palaces, the famous Casino and its gardens, the Old Town for City Hall and finally the royal Prince’s Palace. Commentaries are in English, Italian, German and French. This enjoyable tour runs about 30 minutes long and cost is 6€, children under age 5 ride free.

• In the summer time, Monte-Carlo is illuminated with dazzling concerts at the exclusive Monte-Carlo Sporting Club. The club has featured such artist as Natalie Cole, Andrew Bocelli, the Beach Boys, Lionel Richie and Julio Iglesias among others. The club also hosts a small casino which includes basic casino games. With no one under the age of 18, the rate per person is 20€.

• While staying in Monaco, you can take a full-day-journey (or half-day-journey, whichever you prefer) to surrounding areas like France and Italy. Monaco is connected to France by highways so renting a car would be the best way to go. You can also take the “train bleu” or a bus to European cities closer to Monaco including Paris, Nice and Ventimiglia. If you want to travel to farther countries in Europe, do so by plane. Amsterdam, Rome, Brussels, Frankfurt and Zurich are less than two hours away by plane.

Buy

Shopping in Monte Carlo is usually quite exclusive and is certainly no place for a budget holiday. There are plenty of places to melt the credit card alongside Europe's high rollers. The chic clothes shops are in the Golden Circle, framed by Avenue Monte Carlo, Avenue des Beaux-Arts and Allees Lumieres, where Hermes, Christian Dior, Gucci and Prada all have a presence. The area on and around Place du Casino is home to high-end jewelers such as Bulgari, Cartier and Chopard. You will find, however, that most tourists will simply enjoy wandering the area and window shopping, even if you don't buy anything. The normal shopping hours are from 9AM to noon and 3PM to 7PM.

For a more cultured take on shopping in Monte Carlo, try the Condamine Market. The market, which can be found in the Place d'Armes, has been in existence since 1880 and is lively and attractive - many hours can be spent simply wandering around, bargaining for souvenirs from the many tiny shops, boutiques and friendly locals. If however, your shopping tastes are more modern, just take a short walk along the esplanade to the rue Princess Caroline pedestrian mall.

The Fontvieille Shopping Centre is also a more "normal" shopping experience with 36 shops selling electronic goods, CDs, furniture, and clothes as well as a Carrefour supermarket and McDonald's. The tourist office also issues a useful free shopping guide to the city.

Some stores to browse or buy:

• Fred Boutique, 6, av des Beaux-Arts, Monte Carlo 98000. Situated on the exclusive avenue des Beaux-Arts, this is one of only a handful of Fred boutiques in the world. An official jeweler of Monaco's royal family and a favorite of celebrities, you may not be able to afford much in this boutique, but its worth a jaw dropping visit.  edit

• Boutique du Rocher, 1, av de la Madone, Monte Carlo 98000. Opened by Princess Grace in the 60's, travelers still flock here to grab the very best in take home souvenirs. Choose from hand-carved frames and mirrors, ceramics, homewares and toys. Prices are moderate and all proceeds go to local charities.  edit

• Davidoff, 17, av des Spélugues, Les galeries du Métropole, Monte Carlo 98000. High end cigar and cigarette store, where you are assisted by staff that know their product well.  edit

• Galerie Moghadam, 23 & 41, bd des Moulins, Monte Carlo 98000. Award-winning speciality shop that offers superb hand woven tapestries and carpets.  edit

• Scruples Bookshop, 9, rue Princesse-Caroline 98000. English language bookshop that has a wide variety of non fiction and fiction.  edit

Eat

How to go wrong? Food in Monaco is universally excellent. There are many fine restaurants, beginning with the Cafe de Paris across the street from the casino, to the waterfront restaurants along the Port de Fontvieille. During the winter months, you will find the restaurants to be decently priced--for Monaco. Bouillabaisse is excellent here.

Budget

There are a huge variety of other restaurants and cafés in the city with a moderate price tag and excellent food. There are a few simple cafés along the marina-side, more like beach bars than anything else, that serve simple meals such as pizza, salads and hotdogs throughout the day. These can be excellent for simply sitting back during the hot midday with a cold beer or glass of wine, a snack to recharge your batteries from exploring the city, and the gentle lapping of the Mediterranean (and often the roar of supercars) in your ears. Most of these restaurants are equipped with water-misters in the ceilings that gently cool and refresh the clientele.

• Stars 'n' Bars, 6 quai Antoine-1, ☎ 97-97-95-95. June-Sept daily 11AM-midnight; Oct-May Tues-Sun 11AM-midnight. Bar open until 3AM. American style sports bar serving standard burgers pizzas and sandwiches. Good value for money in Monte Carlo.  edit

• Pizzeria Monégasque, 4 rue Terrazzani, ☎ 93-30-16-38. Mon-Sat noon-1:45PM and 7:30-11PM (until midnight Fri-Sat). For those on a budget, be sure to grab a slice of one of their delicious gourmet pizzas that taste even better when sitting on the outdoor terrace. Main courses are also available from 10€-22€.  edit

Mid-range

Somewhere in between these two dining experiences comes the world-famous Café de Paris, just outside the Casino. Tourists and locals alike can often be found during the afternoon and all through the night laughing, drinking, and eating some fabulous (but verging on expensive) meals. It is definitely a must-go during your stay in Monte Carlo, even if it is just for a snack in the afternoon - it is well worth it. A new favorite in Monaco is Beefbar located in the Port of La Condamine, they serve excellent meat.

• Cafe de Paris, Place du Casino, ☎ 92-16-20-20. Daily 8AM-3AM. The nerve centre of Monte Carlo, where people go to see and be seen, buzzing with the feel of old time Monte Carlo, circa early 1900s. Menu items change frequently, as do the waiters, who seem intent on rushing patrons through their meals. For people-watching, you could try a diet Coke for a mere €6. Reservations to dine are recommended.  edit

• Beefbar, quai Jean Charles Ray, 98000. Quality cuts of beef on offer, attached with high, though surprisingly worthwhile price tag. Small cups on puree are available for the meat, though an additional cup (one is far too small), costs 8.5€. Wine selections are paired perfectly with the red meat. Chic atmosphere and the staff are extremely attentive.  edit

• Baccarat, 31, av Princesse-Grace, L'Estoril, ☎ 93-50-66-92. Serving some of the finest Italian fare in Monte Carlo, Baccarat has an airy and authentic atmosphere. The oven-baked turbot with artichokes has customers such as Robbie Williams coming back again and again.  edit

• Fuji, 4 av de la Madone. Sleek and sexy Japanese restaurant that offers authentic sushi favorites at reasonable prices.  edit

Splurge

Dining in Monaco can be a very sobering experience to whomever is paying the bill. Perhaps the most exclusive and famous restaurants in the city are the Louis XV Restaurant and the Le Grill de L'Hotel de Paris, both centered on the very exclusive Hotel de Paris. You are more than likely to be seated next to a member of the rich and famous, and the gourmet food is simply out-of-this-world - however, these experiences come with a rather hefty price tag!

• Louis XV, Hôtel de Paris, place du Casino. In one of the finest hotels in the world, run by one of the finest chefs in the world (Alain Ducasse) this Michelin 3 star rated restaurant serves dining perfection amongst luxurious glitterati. The level of sophistication for all dishes is hard to be surpassed, the sea bass with Italian artichokes regularly reaches a score of 19/20 by restaurant critics. The restaurant contains the world's largest wine cellar: 250,000 bottles of wine (many priceless) stashed in a rock cave. Reservations are essential, as are jacket and tie for men.  edit

• Le Grill de L'Hotel de Paris, In the Hôtel de Paris, place du Casino, ☎ 92-16-29-66. Although often overlooked by the famed 'Louis XV', look above to the Hotel de Paris's rooftop for its equally elegant contender. Less intimidating than the Ducasse citadel downstairs, Le Grill offers every imaginable sort of grilled fish, and meat that come from the nearby Alps. The selection of 600,000 wines are the perfect accompaniment to every dish, and the service is impeccable. Dining on the rooftop affords you stunning, panoramic views of Monte Carlo, and in the summer, a blanket of starry sky.  edit

Drink

Champagne has the status of a national beverage in Monaco. A single glass can cost as much as €40 at a fashionable restaurant!

• Zebra Square, Top Floor Grimaldi Forum Ave. Princesse Grace, ☎ +377 99 99 25 50. Showcasing panoramic views from the top floor of the Grimaldi Forum, the outdoor seating area offers the perfect spot to see yachts cruising into the harbor. Top models and the people who want to be with them dance the early mornings away here and we defy you not to do the same. Cocktail list is impressive and bite sized treats are available.  edit

• Bar at the Columbus Monaco, 23 Avenue des Papalins Monte Carlo, ☎ 00 377 92 059000. More laidback and informal than some of its counterparts, its subdued atmosphere is a refreshing change from some of the high energy Monaco bars. Decked out in shades of chocolate, its almost as sweet as the chocolate martinis, which come with a big truffle in each glass which slowly melts into your drinks and tastes heavenly. Formula One race car driver David Coulthard is a co owner, which means you're likely to run into some of his race car competitors.  edit

• Jimmy'z, Le Sporting Club Avenue Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo, ☎ + 377 9216 20 00. The ultimate night club in Monte Carlo, the famed Jimmy'z is frequented by royalty and the uber-rich, which isn't a surprise considering some of the hefty price tags, a beer will cost you upwards of £20. If you can't afford it, there are other clubs to go to. There are two entrances -one, two floors down in Le Sporting Club, the other at street level, and many a rock star and billionaire have walked through both. Staff can be quite rude, but so are most of the patrons. Definitely an experience.  edit

Sleep

If you're on a budget, Monaco is not the best place to be. For example, a two star hotel without breakfast and bathroom will cost around €60 per person. A better option is to stay in one of the many towns outside of Monaco, for example Ventimiglia, which is a sea-side town situated on the French-Italian border on the Italian side. Nice is only 1/2 hour away from Monaco and it's very cheap to use the frequent trains. During the winter season, a comfortable two star hotel will only cost you about €20 a person.

The Monaco Tourism center staff will also sit down and make phone calls to assist walk-ins in finding accomodation. Even if you ask for "cheap" lodging.

• PV-Holidays have two properties in the area [9]. Each room is a self-catering studio or apartment. Located in Beausoleil both properties range from €150-€160 per night. +33 1 58 21 55 84

• Colombus Hotel: Situated in La Condamine, the Colombus Hotel is co-owned by successful Glaswegian hotelier Ken McCulloch, designer Amanda Rosa and British F1 racing driver David Coulthard (all Monaco residents today). There is an excellent restaurant and the lobby is a great spot to relax on the comfortable sofas. Rooms are modern. The hotel is located just by the heliport, and about 200 meters from the Stade Louis II.

• Hôtel Alexandra, located near the place du Casino, (hotel_alexandra@monaco377.com). Located at the steps of the place du Casino, the Hotel Alexandra is right in the hub of the city. Light sleepers take note, there is near constant traffic noise, mostly from the Ferraris revving past. For those with good ear plugs, the hotel has well equipped and spacious rooms, with the choice of either bath or shower, as well as mini-bars, colour TV and air-con in the rooms.  edit

• Hotel Ambassador, corner of ave Prince Pierre, (info@ambassadormonaco.com), [10]. Suprisingly standard mid range hotel that is good value for business travellers and those watching their euros. Rooms are kitted out with the usual TV, mini bar air con, with wi fi access and cable making it a nice touch.  edit

• Hotel Balmoral, 12 av. de la Costa, ☎ 93-50-62-37 (fax: 04-93-15-08-69). Built in 1898, this hotel has eight floors of rooms and lounges with sea views. Rooms are a little on the small side, but are so cozy and inviting that it adds to the hotels charm. There's a restaurant and bar on site, and room service is provided. 115€-210€ ($150-$273) double; 150€-300€ ($195-$390) suite.  edit

• Hôtel Cosmopolite, 4 rue de la Turbie, ☎ 93-30-16-95 (fax: 93-30-23-05). Simple hotel that is well priced given the hotels location. There's no elevator, and only some rooms have bathrooms, but its reasonably cheap and the hotel owner, Madame Gay Angèle is welcoming and makes you feel right at home. 75€-105€ ($98-$137) double without bathroom; 80€-180€ ($104-$234) double with bathroom.  edit

• TwilightBlue Hotels, [11]. Selection of Hotels in Monaco. €80-€150.  edit

• Bw Hotel Prince De Galles. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 11:00. Facing the Mediterranean, with panoramic terrace and bar, lush tropical garden and Mediterranean Restaurant. .  edit

• Hotel Hermitage, Square Beaumarchais, ☎ 98-06-59-77. Perched on a clifftop, the Hermitage offer idylic living at its best. The majority of rooms have balconies, so guests can have stunning views from their rooms. While the hotel is quite old, all amenities and features and modern and elegant in their styling and a stay here is truly well deserved. The SBM's Carte d'Or offers the Hermitage's guests transport and access to the facilities of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel and Les Thermes Marins spa. 320€-528€ ($416-$686) double; 568€-792€ ($738-$1,030) junior suite; from 1,596€ ($2,075) suite.  edit

• Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, ☎ 92-16-30-00 (fax: 92-16-26-26). Offering a level of sophistication that has awarded itself as one of the world's most famous hotels. Featuring marble pillars, crystal chandeliers, Louis XVI chairs, and sumptous carpets, its a vision of luxury and a favorite amongst the world's travellers. Rooms are simply enormous with marble and brass furnishings and the hotel is home to the country two finest eating establishments, the Le Grill de l'Hôtel de Paris and Le Louis XV. The SBM's Carte d'Or offers the de Paris' guests transport and access to the facilities of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel and Les Thermes Marins spa. 400€-940€ ($520-$1,222) double; from 1,995€ ($2,594) suite.  edit

• Monte Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, 40 av. Princesse Grace, ☎ 98-06-02-00 (fax: 98-06-00-03). Awe impressive 4-hectare(10-acre) resort that has made it the best place to stay in Monaco (no mean feat). The high price reflect the quality of stay, you won't get better rooms anywhere. Only steps away from Monte Carlo's beachy sands, more than than 3/4 of rooms open onto sea views. Marble bathrooms feature flat screen tvs with cable, the hotel pool has an indoor pool covered with an ornate glass dome, and the hotel bar is none other than Jimmy'z's, the premier nightclub in the country. The furnishings are sandstone floors, soft Mediterranean pastels and sleek modern amenities. The service to detail is outstanding, different shampoos and towels on different days, and the staff are polite and attentive without being intrusive. Sheer indulgence, but perfect in every way. The SBM's Carte d'Or does not offer the Bay Hotel's guests access to the facilities of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel or Les Thermes Marins. The Bay Hotel is rather self-contained, but lacks a beach. Jimmy'z is on the same property. 300€-800€ ($390-$1,040) double; 750€-1,400€ ($975-$1,820) suite.  edit

Work

If you are seeking a career aboard one of the many superyachts in Monaco a good place to register and start looking is Crew Central [12]

Respect

In many ways, the Respect section of the France page can detail how to be respectful toward the Monegasque population, however it should be noted that Monaco is a separate nation and it would be very insulting to casually conflate the two. Keep in mind that Monaco's population retain their own history, their own culture and their own lifestyle. With that in mind, everyone is approachable, happy to chat with you and globally simply kind. Directions or other help are only a smile and a question away.

Stay safe

Monaco is a very safe, crime-free location, with a strong police presence. Every public space is blanketed with cameras and any kind of disorder may produce an immediate reaction and the attendance of many officers.

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Proper noun

Monte Carlo

1. A part of Monaco famous for its casinos.
2. A commonly served drink consisting of beer and grenadine.
3. (statistics) A method of simulating random outcomes, used many fields (finance, molecular modelling, etc.).
4. An informal dance competition, where contestants in one quarter of the floor are eliminated by a randomly chosen card representing the corner.

Derived terms

• Monte Carlo integration
• Monte Carlo method
• Monte Carlo option model

See also

• Monte Carlo (disambiguation) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia:Monte Carlo (disambiguation)

Translations

• French: Monte-Carlo