MONACO
by Jakob Jelling
Monaco isn’t quite part of France, but it may as well be. It’s a
principality ruled over by a prince, and is located in the
middle of the Cote d’Azur, also called the French Riviera.
Nice is only nine miles west, and Italy is about five miles to
the east. Monaco consists of several hills and a peninsula
that juts south into the Mediterranean, and its total area is
less than one square mile. But in that square mile is some of
the most expensive and luxurious property in the world.
With beaches, beautiful views of the sea and mountains, and
renowned gambling and sports facilities, Monte Carlo, the
capital of Monaco, is one of the most well-known playgrounds
for the rich in the world. Its mild climate makes it a year-round
holiday and vacation Mecca. Almost all of Monte Carlo’s
wealth derives from tourism.
But there’s more to Monaco than just an adult playground.
We know from archaeological digs that Monaco has been
inhabited since the Stone Age; you can view artifacts in the
Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. Its history includes
visits from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and
Romans. Its modern history began when the Grimaldi family
of Genoa claimed it; they still rule the principality today.
Monaco has only been ruled by France for about twenty
years of its history (right after Napoleon conquered it), but
their fortunes have long been tied to France, and most visits
to the Cote d’Azur include at least one trip to Monaco.
Monaco refuses to tax its citizens’ incomes, and for a very
long time was also a tax haven for international businesses.
Revenue for the government comes instead from tourism and
commercial transactions. French is the language of choice,
though most Monagasques are multilingual.
Monaco’s attractions
Monaco is well-known as one of Europe’s most luxurious
resort areas. It once was primarily a winter resort, but now
draws visitors year round. The most popular casino and night
spot is the Place du Casino, around which most of Monte
Carlo’s social life revolves.
The principality is divided into four quartiers: the town of
Monaco (also known as “the Rock), which juts into the sea;
La Condamine, the business district to the west; Monte Carlo,
which includes the casino; and Fontvieille, primarily light
industrial.
You can find the prince’s Genoese and Renaissance palace
in the Monaco quartier, as well as a beautiful Roman Catholic
cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
In Monte Carlo, you’ll find the Place du Casino, which
contains a theatre housing the Opera de Monte Carlo. The
Monte Carlo National Orchestra often plays here as well. The
Grand Prix de Monaco is here, as well as the Monte Carlo
Rally.
MONACO HOTELS
There are few places to stay cheaply in Monaco, so if you're
looking for inexpensive lodging, you're probably better off
outside the principality. But if you don't mind paying a little
more for a night or two, there are marvelous grand hotels
here. The Hermitage, the Hotel du Paris, and the Monte
Carlo Grand Hotel all have played host to many of the
shining lights of Europe, America, and the Middle East. You
can save a little money by staying at the Alexandra, with
almost the feel of a bed and breakfast, and just a little north
of the casino.
MONACO DINING
Le Louis XV is one of France's, and Europe's,. premier
restaurants, with Alain Ducasse, one of the greatest chefs in
the world, designing its cuisine. You can expect to spend a
lot of money here on this, but you will find the food worth it.
You can also try the Café du Paris, where supercilious
waiters fawn over you and jet-setters and titled guests lounge
at the bars. Of course, if you've lost all your money at the
casino, you might want to bring some peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches instead and just watch from outside.
Monaco is the playground of the rich and famous in Europe,
and its spring arts festival, Printemps des Arts, hosts the
world's best operatic, ballet, symphonic, and chamber music
performers. You can enjoy world-class opera, ballet, and
orchestra year round.
by Jakob Jelling
Monaco isn’t quite part of France, but it may as well be. It’s a
principality ruled over by a prince, and is located in the
middle of the Cote d’Azur, also called the French Riviera.
Nice is only nine miles west, and Italy is about five miles to
the east. Monaco consists of several hills and a peninsula
that juts south into the Mediterranean, and its total area is
less than one square mile. But in that square mile is some of
the most expensive and luxurious property in the world.
With beaches, beautiful views of the sea and mountains, and
renowned gambling and sports facilities, Monte Carlo, the
capital of Monaco, is one of the most well-known playgrounds
for the rich in the world. Its mild climate makes it a year-round
holiday and vacation Mecca. Almost all of Monte Carlo’s
wealth derives from tourism.
But there’s more to Monaco than just an adult playground.
We know from archaeological digs that Monaco has been
inhabited since the Stone Age; you can view artifacts in the
Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. Its history includes
visits from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and
Romans. Its modern history began when the Grimaldi family
of Genoa claimed it; they still rule the principality today.
Monaco has only been ruled by France for about twenty
years of its history (right after Napoleon conquered it), but
their fortunes have long been tied to France, and most visits
to the Cote d’Azur include at least one trip to Monaco.
Monaco refuses to tax its citizens’ incomes, and for a very
long time was also a tax haven for international businesses.
Revenue for the government comes instead from tourism and
commercial transactions. French is the language of choice,
though most Monagasques are multilingual.
Monaco’s attractions
Monaco is well-known as one of Europe’s most luxurious
resort areas. It once was primarily a winter resort, but now
draws visitors year round. The most popular casino and night
spot is the Place du Casino, around which most of Monte
Carlo’s social life revolves.
The principality is divided into four quartiers: the town of
Monaco (also known as “the Rock), which juts into the sea;
La Condamine, the business district to the west; Monte Carlo,
which includes the casino; and Fontvieille, primarily light
industrial.
You can find the prince’s Genoese and Renaissance palace
in the Monaco quartier, as well as a beautiful Roman Catholic
cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
In Monte Carlo, you’ll find the Place du Casino, which
contains a theatre housing the Opera de Monte Carlo. The
Monte Carlo National Orchestra often plays here as well. The
Grand Prix de Monaco is here, as well as the Monte Carlo
Rally.
MONACO HOTELS
There are few places to stay cheaply in Monaco, so if you're
looking for inexpensive lodging, you're probably better off
outside the principality. But if you don't mind paying a little
more for a night or two, there are marvelous grand hotels
here. The Hermitage, the Hotel du Paris, and the Monte
Carlo Grand Hotel all have played host to many of the
shining lights of Europe, America, and the Middle East. You
can save a little money by staying at the Alexandra, with
almost the feel of a bed and breakfast, and just a little north
of the casino.
MONACO DINING
Le Louis XV is one of France's, and Europe's,. premier
restaurants, with Alain Ducasse, one of the greatest chefs in
the world, designing its cuisine. You can expect to spend a
lot of money here on this, but you will find the food worth it.
You can also try the Café du Paris, where supercilious
waiters fawn over you and jet-setters and titled guests lounge
at the bars. Of course, if you've lost all your money at the
casino, you might want to bring some peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches instead and just watch from outside.
Monaco is the playground of the rich and famous in Europe,
and its spring arts festival, Printemps des Arts, hosts the
world's best operatic, ballet, symphonic, and chamber music
performers. You can enjoy world-class opera, ballet, and
orchestra year round.
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