The Principality of Monaco is a miniature state located in the south of Europe. Monaco is usually associated with France and there are many reasons for this. To be honest, I used to, until I visited Monaco myself, I thought that this was an administrative region of France (see).

Monaco is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. What is Monaco known for? What comes to mind first? Well, it seems like many famous athletes live and train in Monaco. In addition, the rich live there, the famous Monte Carlo casino is located there, and the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 championship stage is held in Monaco.

The indigenous people of Monaco are the Monegasques. The population of the dwarf state is approximately 40,000 people. And this is in an area of ​​2 square kilometers!

By the way, precisely because Monaco is such small state, I was able to visit in this city-state almost everything that the average tourist watches. Therefore, let's take a look at the sights of Monaco in order.

Before entering Monaco, you climb the mountain. Narrow two-lane winding road. High, breathtaking. Well, this place offers a view of Monaco

Very dense building

Well, and, in fact, the very entrance to the city-state

city ​​streets

Several run around the city shuttle buses. They have 5 in total bus routes. There is also one night route(www.cam.mc).

Monaco's first attraction is the Oceanographic Museum. Buses No. 1, 2 go to it; stop: Place de la Visitation

I wasn't there, I just didn't have enough time. In the museum you can see samples of marine flora, stuffed animals and skeletons marine life. In general, everything in this kind. Well, Jacques-Yves Cousteau also worked at the museum as director. In general, there is nothing more to say about the museum.

Monaco Botanical Garden (Le Jardin Exotique)

I have seen different names for this garden. For example, the gardens of St. Martin, the Exotic Garden of Monaco, etc.

I didn't see anything special there. It is located near the Oceanographic Museum. Many exotic plants grow here, there are pieces of space from where great view to Monaco. There are especially many cacti of the most extravagant forms here, they are at almost every step. Some have reached gigantic proportions, some as tiny as a matchbox. You can walk along the streets of this garden for free.

Prince's Palace of Monaco

This is the official residence of the rulers of Monaco. The palace was originally created as a fortress, after which it was repeatedly rebuilt. There is an open square in front of the palace. There are many shops, boutiques and shops in the nearby streets. Everywhere cafes and restaurants, everywhere the sea of ​​tourists.

Nearby is viewpoint, on which Monaco, as in the palm of your hand. There are a lot of people here too. This is the view from this site.

Apparently, just tourists, or maybe locals, I don’t know

Menu from a local restaurant. All prices in euro

small bay

This is a bit different from the bay that you can see in Formula 1. This is different. We were climbing the rock and it just caught my attention. It is impossible not to appreciate. Wealth, luxury. Instead of a Ferrari, a yacht is moored under the windows of your house

By the way, look, not only beautiful, but also slightly dangerous. decent height

Just some stuff

Observation deck next to the museum. This is where I took the first photos of the museum

Luxurious expensive cars are found on the roads of the city of Monaco

And there is such a transport. This is a tourist train. It departs from the Oceanographic Museum and passes near the main attractions of Monaco. As far as I know, there is a Russian audio guide

Monte Carlo Casino

One of the most popular sights of Monaco. They say that there were cases when people lowered fortunes in an evening, after which they threw themselves down from a cliff and broke.

This is basically all I saw in one day in Monaco. I also wandered the streets, looked into the shops. More interesting. Owning a home in Monaco is very expensive and prestigious. But you can only have a home if you live in it. Therefore, the local rich hire specially people who imitate life in their apartments during the absence of the owner. They come in the evening, turn on the light, wash themselves, cook something there. Well, something like this In general, these are the imitators

Renting a house in Monaco is expensive, on Airbnb the price is on average $40-80 per day. There are cheaper options though. By the way, you can get a first stay bonus from me through the Airbnb website for about $20. To do this, you need to register using this link. The bonus will automatically be credited to your account.

That's all for me.

Botanical Garden in Monaco.
December 2016

Against Cathedral Saint Nicholas (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco), next to the Oceanographic Museum is the entrance to gardens of st martin(Jardins Saint-Martin).
These gardens are the oldest gardens in Monaco, they were founded during the reign of Prince Honoré V Grimaldi Gredier Honore-Gabriel (Honoré V 1778 - 1841, reigned 1819 - 1841).
Prince Honore-Gabriel traveled widely and enthusiastically collected rare exotic plants. To accommodate the rich collection, a garden was created, which opened in 1830. An amazing place was chosen - the southern slope of the rocky shore, from which unusual views open up.

This Wollemi pine was brought to Monaco by the Australian Ambassador to France, Pénélope Wensley, in support of international conservation efforts. The pine was planted by Prince Albert II (Albert Alexandre louis Pierre Grimaldi) on September 6, 2006.

(Wollémia nobills) is the only representative of the genus (Wollémia) of the family (Araucariaceae). This family includes large evergreen trees. The stems have a rather primitive structure, without pronounced growth rings, with a well-developed core. The leaf blade is most often flat, rigid. The leaf arrangement is spiral or opposite. Cones are almost always solitary, large.
Dragon tree or Canarian dracaena (D. draco L.). Belongs to the genus Dracaena, which contains just over 150 species. This exotic evergreen tree belongs to the agave family (Agavaceae), although for about ten years there seems to be no such family, and according to the new classification, agave, together with the hyacinth family (Hyacinthaceae) and some other families, is part of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). True, no one changed the sign on the dragon tree in the garden and the family is still called agave.
The dragon tree is a slow growing plant usually found in open rocky areas. Each branch of it ends with a dense bunch of densely spaced greyish-green, leathery, linear sword-shaped leaves. Leaf blades have pointed tops, they taper towards the base. The veins are quite prominent. The width of the leaf in the middle of the plate is 3-5 cm, the length is about 60 cm.

Sad in this December garden were the very “trimmed” rosemary.

Story Exotic Plant Garden(Le Jardin Exotique de Monaco) began in the middle of the 16th century, when this rocky coast was chosen by connoisseurs of the exotic for planting new plants. It was here that one of the first European agaves (Agave Americana L.) and prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.), brought from the New World, began to be planted.
By the way, at the same time around Monaco they began to plant those brought from China to in large numbers the first orange trees. After 200 years, they will grow into fragrant citrus groves. It is surprising that in these very groves, in places with lush, bright, fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, a young officer, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, is serving in the military, and Shomil’s book “Treatise on Useful Plants” by Shomil accidentally falls into his hands ....
Approximately 350 years after the appearance of “overseas” exotic plants in Monaco, on April 25, 1899, the first stone of the building was laid on the top of the coastal cliff. Oceanographic Museum. The initiator of the construction was Prince Albert I of Monaco (Albert Honoré Сharles Grimaldi (1848 - 1922), ruled from 1889 until his death). The museum building is architectural masterpiece, it was built by the architect Paul Delefortrie (1843 - 1910).

Prince Albert I, passionate about botany no less than paleontology and oceanography, collects a collection of exotic plants. To accommodate them, Prince Albert I acquires land (approximately 1 ha) previously owned by astronomical observatory(Docteur Alfred Gueirard).
Since 1910, plants that were brought from different countries, are placed just in the place where the first agaves and prickly pear once appeared. In 1913, a decision was made to create an exotic garden (Jardin exotique). Prince Albert I entrusted the direction of the works to the famous engineer-architect, composer, writer and poet Louis Notari (Louis Notari 1879 - 1961).
In 1931, the Exotic Plant Garden was opened to the public.
February 13, 1933 Prince Louis II (Louis Honoré Charles Antoine Grimaldi 1870 - 1949) holds the official opening ceremony of the Garden of Exotic Plants.
In 1950, the Grotte opens to the public.
It is no coincidence that the garden of exotic plants in Monaco is called unique; plants (there are more than 7,000 species) brought from all over the world are comfortably located on a rock.
Here, for each plant, special areas or niches of the required size were hollowed out in stone, they were filled with special, sufficiently saturated soil, which ensured the correct growth and development of all the "exhibits" of the collection. That is why many specimens have not been transplanted since the opening of the Garden. Talented climbers have always worked in the garden.
For all the "inhabitants" of this Garden were extremely favorable weather. There is always a lot of sun here, about 300 sunny days a year (on average, each plant spends 6 hours a day in the open sun). It rains in autumn and winter (approximately 700 mm of precipitation falls annually), and the average winter temperature is about + 11 C. Frosts occur very rarely in winter, but the temperature usually does not drop below -3 C, and besides, experienced gardeners know how to protect plants by cold. The garden is protected from the wind by reliable mountains (Mont Agel, Tete de Chien).
The largest cacti in Europe live in this Garden, there are very rare plants, which have practically disappeared in their countries of origin.

Sights of Monaco

1. Port of Fontvieille

Port of Fontvieille is a haven for the very rich and famous, a real exhibition of yacht building achievements. Here you can see the yacht of Bill Gates and Roman Abramovich, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere. The port of Fontvieille can accommodate about 275 ships of various sizes. Fifty years ago, there was an ordinary piece of sand on the site of the port, Port de Fontvieille began to be built in 1966 and now this place has an amazing view of the picturesque marina in the rocks of Monaco.

2. St. Nicholas Cathedral (Monaco St. Nicholas Cathedral)

Each Catholic country has its own national cathedral, in Monaco, is St. Nicholas Cathedral. The cathedral is so named after the first Catholic church of the 13th century, which was destroyed in the 19th century. The cathedral is the tomb for representatives of the family of the Prince of Monaco.

3. Oceanographic Museum (Oceanographic Museu)

The Oceanographic Museum is housed in a baroque building overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The museum in Monaco was opened in 1910 by Prince Albert. The great oceanographer and promoter of marine science, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, was director of the museum from 1957 to 1988. The museum celebrated its centenary in March 2010, after extensive renovations. The Oceanographic Museum has a rich collection of marine life such as sharks, turtles and shellfish, as well as ship models and skeletons of marine animals. The aquarium in the basement of the Oceanographic Museum is home to 4,000 different species of fish. The Oceanographic Museum is a real attraction of Monaco.

4. Larvotto Beach

The larvotto beach in Monaco is the most popular beach, despite the fact that the beach is more pebbly than sandy and you will need to wear shoes walking on it. The beach is just a few minutes walk from Monte Carlo Avenue. The beach is famous for its perfect cleanliness and order. There are many restaurants and bars near the beach.

5. Botanical Garden (Jardin Exotique)

This botanical garden, built and planted on a cliffside, has over 1,000 succulents, an incredible collection of Latin American and African cacti, giant cacti and aloe, some plants over 100 years old. On the territory of the garden there is a deep grotto where excursions are arranged. The garden is great place to take a panoramic photo of Monaco overlooking the harbour. The Botanical Garden is a beautiful natural landmark of Monaco.

6. Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is ​​one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. All racers in the world consider it an honor to win this Grand Prix, since in Monaco the track is laid right along the narrow streets of the city and has many sharp turns. This race is one of the most demanding in Formula 1 for racers. This Grand Prix has been held in Formula 1 since 1955. The Monaco Grand Prix is ​​the main sporting attraction in Monaco.

7. Monte Carlo Harbor

Harbor of Monte Carlo perfect place to see all the sights of Monaco. It is in this harbor that the yacht belongs to the Prince of Monaco and others. the richest people planets. The port can accommodate up to 500 vessels in this picturesque place. Travelers can relax on the promenade where there are many cafes and restaurants under open sky and where they can enjoy beautiful scenery and luxury yachts in a glamorous setting.

8. Monaco-Ville

Monaco-Ville is the real medieval heart of the city, and also one of administrative regions. It is believed that it was here in the 6th century that the Greeks created their colony and from here the foundation of the Principality of Monaco began. It is in this area that the Oceanographic Museum and St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Prince's Palace and Martin Gardens are located.

9. Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino was created in the 19th century to save the Grimaldi family from bankruptcy. This plan worked and the Monte Carlo casino is now world famous, where you can spin roulette, play baccarat, craps and slot machines even James Bond tried his hand here. The casino has a dress code and foreign visitors must show identification documents.

10. K Prince's Palace (Prince's Palace of Monaco)

The Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the country's rulers, the Grimaldi family, currently headed by Prince Albert II, son of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. The history of the palace has been written since the 12th century, when a fortress was founded on this site. The palace is open to the public every year from June to October. Once inside, travelers will find a courtyard made from 3 million pebbles that form a geometric pattern. Every day at 11:55 am, in front of the palace, tourists can watch the changing of the guard ceremony performed by the Carabiniers.

Monaco is a tiny state in which people are used to living luxuriously. Only wealthy tourists go there, because even a cup of coffee there costs 50 US dollars. The sights of Monaco are scattered throughout the country, each deserves attention. It is important to know that significant cultural monuments are located quite far from each other. Knowing in advance what to see in Monaco will make it easier for you to organize your trip.

What to see in Monaco first of all?

First of all, I would like to present you with a rating of the sights of Monaco that you need to see first of all. A trip to this country cannot but be remembered, because it is literally overflowing with historical and cultural monuments.

1. Museum of Old Monaco

Central entrance to the Museum of Old Monaco

As the name implies, this is a place where the attention of tourists and local residents whole collections of ancient objects, ceramics, paintings are presented. The furnishings are made from preserved furniture of past centuries. Tourists are also interested in national costumes, because they seem to carry them back to the old days. The museum is free to visit and is open on certain days of the week from June to September. By visiting it, you can get an idea of ​​who the Monegasques are.

2. Botanical Garden of Monaco

Flora of the Botanical Garden of Monaco

It has several names, but one thing is for sure, that this attraction should be one of the first to see. There are unique collections of cacti, succulents, and what is the view from above, which opens from the hill! The whole principality will be at your fingertips. In describing the garden, I would like to note that it specializes mainly in plants with special tissues where water is stored. They came from different parts of the world. The area of ​​the garden reaches 1 hectare, it grows specimens that managed to take root in the local climate.

3. Larvotto Beach

White artificial sand on Larvotto beach

This attraction of Monaco is a must for those who want glamorous beach holiday because the beach is one of the most expensive in the world. You can sunbathe topless on it, but keep in mind that the absence of jewelry on the body can be regarded as bad form. As for the prices for drinks, beach equipment, they are just off scale, but the service of the staff in restaurants and on the sea coast is worth it. Especially mothers with children like the jellyfish net, which stretches along the entire coast.

4. Monaco Ville

Panorama Monaco Ville

For those who are not in the know, the described state does not have a capital, it has only districts, one of which is Monaco-Ville. It is laced with scenic walking paths that lead to Palace Square where the official residence of the princely family is located. Many tourists tend to get here to see how the guard, consisting of 12 perfectly matched soldiers, changes. The area is located on a rock 60 m high above the water level, it is within easy reach of the sea.

5. Japanese garden

corner Japanese garden

This attraction of Monaco is considered a real miracle, and it is located on Princess Grace Avenue, as close as possible to the beach. Looking at the photo of the garden, you understand that it is deservedly one of the best in the world. It is known that its creation was commissioned by the architect and landscape painter Yassy Beppyu. For 17 months, a whole team of designers painstakingly worked on solving complex technical problems, and it was worth it. The result was a real masterpiece, which to this day belongs to the best sights not only of the country, but also of the world. Plants were selected and arranged in accordance with such concepts as 4 seasons (a symbol of the cyclical nature of human life) and 5 cardinal directions.

Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Monaco!

6. Vintage Car Museum

Museum collection of vintage cars Victor Grigas

While traveling around Monaco, it does not hurt to visit an exhibition of car collections belonging to the prince. The collection contains only a rarity, everything is placed on the Fontvieille Terrace. Quantity Vehicle reaches hundreds, among them European and American models, and of various eras. Of interest are the carriages that once belonged to Prince Rainier III.

7. Cathedral of St. Nicholas

majestic building Cathedral of Saint Nicholas

9. Prince's Palace

Prince's Palace at night

When exploring the main attractions of the country, do not deprive the attention of the official residence of its rulers. This is the place with interesting history cannot but amaze with the grandeur of its appearance, it is located in the already mentioned area of ​​​​Monaco-Ville. It is interesting to know if a flag flutters over the roof of a large public building, which means that the prince is within his chambers. A feature of the palace is the presence inside it of the Italian gallery, the hall in which the throne stands, the Salon of Louis XV and Mazarin. In summer, concerts are often held in the courtyard. The palace is not fully open to tourists; Grimaldi's chambers are located in the southwestern wing.

10 Monte Carlo Casino

Casino Monte Carlo - the oldest gambling establishment in Europe

Interesting places Monaco is not limited to gardens and cathedrals. calling card countries are casinos, and Monte Carlo is one of the most respectable gambling houses in the world. It appeared after Prince Charles III sold 2 cities to Napoleon III. He decided to spend the proceeds on the creation of an aristocratic resort. A French financier was asked to open a casino in Monaco, which resulted in a very beautiful building. Before lunch, you can visit it like a regular museum, just buy a ticket to enter, dress code is not required. By the way, only guests of Monaco have the right to play in the casino, citizens are prohibited from doing so.

11. Monte Carlo Opera House

Entrance to the Monte Carlo Opera House

17. Country Club Monte Carlo

Professional Tennis Tournament at Monte-Carlo Country Club Ghaly

What to visit in Monaco for the purpose of entertainment? This is unique place wholly dedicated to achieving high results. Here tourists are offered tennis courts with a magnificent view of the sea, they are open all year round. To describe the Country Club more precisely, I would like to say that it accommodates 21 clay courts with beautiful view to the sea coast, 2 hard-surfaced and the same number for squash. From entertainment, tourists are offered individual / collective courses, various competitions among juniors and adults, as well as tournaments are organized.

18. Cafe de Paris

View from the Place du Casino to the café de Paris tiger rus

Another attraction of Monaco is located in the busiest place in Monte Carlo, namely on famous area Casino. The cafe is very popular among tourists, because in it you can see live wax figures of the autochthonous subjects of the Principality. What to visit in Monaco, namely in the cafe de Paris? Here, in addition to the main hall, there is a brasserie (an elongated hall decorated with stained-glass windows in the Belle Epoque style) and several terraces. The cuisine in this establishment is not only of high quality, but also varied, the chef manages to create the most original dishes with an unforgettable taste. Not without a cafe and a shop with seafood.

19. Chapel of Divine Mercy

Mercy Chapel (left) Baroque M.Strīķis

Thinking of what to see in Monaco from the old? Pay attention to the Chapelle de la Misericord, a small building with icons built in 1639, it is decorated in the Baroque style. During the French Revolution, it suffered serious damage, but after a while the chapel was restored. The front part was supplemented with pilasters, capitals, mosaic paintings. The main value of this attraction of Monaco is the wooden sculpture of Christ, made by the personal sculptor of Emperor Napoleon I. Of particular value are the donations of parishioners, gifts of those who repent.

20. La Mayenne Corniche

The highway goes along the sea, rising in a serpentine into the mountains of Valdiney Pimenta

Another attraction of Monaco is highway, connecting a small state with the unofficial capital of the French Riviera, Nice. The uniqueness of the highway is that it runs along the sea coast, attention, at an altitude of 200 m above sea level. Just imagine what a person feels when he is in these parts. Indeed, what is worth seeing in Monaco is the village of Eze, located on a cliff not far from medieval castle. This place attracts with a panorama opening from the mountain to famous resort Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Sights in Monaco cannot but rejoice with their magnificence. Although the country is small, it can surprise. There are hotels in Monaco for every taste and budget, there will be no problems with the choice, the main thing is to plan everything in advance. There are many special services with which you can book a room.

In my last review, I partially managed to show some plants and cool views from the mountain to the country. In this review, I want to focus specifically on vegetation and not be distracted by beautiful views. Let me remind you that in addition to exotic plants in this garden there is a cave into which you can additionally go down and a museum, which is included in the ticket price.

1. To be honest, plants will not cause more interest than the views from this place and mostly cacti here different kind. But I'll show you what to expect

2. I like such pot-bellied ones the most.

3. Some cacti cannot be photographed in full growth, there is little room for maneuver and they are really tall.

4. Between the levels itself here are such interesting transitions

5. Streams of water flow in the rocks

6. Cacti of all kinds dominate unlike other plants.

7. Sometimes you really come across the unusual, which you pay attention to and maybe even be surprised.

8.

9. For all this diversity is not enough detailed information so as not to guess about them.

10. There are few visitors in the garden. In all that time I have only met a few people. Nothing will prevent you from taking a picture against the background of the country or cacti if you wish. Here is another beautiful transition.

11.

12.

13. Incredibly tall cacti are found

14. A small bonus is a pond with fish.

15. As soon as you approach, they immediately begin to swim up and beg for food

16. It seems to me that they behave very impudently :)

17.

18. Got carried away

19. The second place where water flows over the rocks.

20. A couple of beggars from another part of the pond

21. Large and small

22. As I already wrote in the header of the post, as a bonus to this ticket you can visit the anthropology museum on the same territory. There is nothing special to see there and there are only 2 halls. But if paid, why not go. Surprisingly, at the entrance to the museum I saw a yurt...

23. Human skeleton

24. Mammoth. And the most interesting thing is that all these exhibits are from the expedition to Siberia. In fact, this is a Russian museum.

25. I find it difficult to say what kind of animal it is

26. Stuffed Animals

27.

28. In conclusion, I will show you a cave that you can visit as part of a guide. Scheme of the cave at the entrance

29. Entrance to the cave because of the fence. A staircase leads there. The descent is really long and interesting, and the climate below is hot and humid.

30. The whole tour passes quickly, taking pictures in the twilight is also inconvenient. I only got a few photos.

31. The cave consists of two parts, but only one is open to visitors.

32. Due to the illumination in the cave it is very beautiful

33.

34.

35. History of the cave.

That's all. Paying for the garden, you get a cave and a museum as a bonus. I think it's worth it + also beautiful views of Monaco.

Do you want to visit Monaco? buy tickets from reliable partners at the lowest prices.