Travel Guide by Shuttle Direct
  • Home
  • WHAT WE OFFER
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Guides
    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Andorra
    • Armenia
    • Austria
    • Belarus
    • Belgium
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Bulgaria
    • Croatia
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Egypt
    • Estonia
    • Finland
    • France
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Korea Republic
    • Latvia
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Macedonia
    • Malta
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Netherlands
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Romania
    • Russia
    • San Marino
    • Serbia
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Spain
    • State of Kuwait
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Thailand
    • Tunisia
    • Turkey
    • Ukranie
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom
    • Vatican
    • News
    • Web Discounts and Coupons
MY BOOKING
  • en
HELP

Feel Majestic in Monaco: A Cultural Guide for Luxury Lovers

Monaco, Travel Guides | 9 May, 2018 | 0 | by Alex Ryan
Feel Majestic in Monaco: A Cultural Guide for Luxury Lovers

At just over 2km², Monaco is the world’s second-smallest city-state. But from history and architecture to culture and glamour, the little principality on the French Riviera packs a major punch. The subtropical Mediterranean climate has allowed lush vegetation to flourish: palm trees and exotic flowers are never far away, decorating the pristine city and the rocky bluff that overlooks it.

Inside this beautiful, sparkling state you’ll find more than enough to sate your cultural appetite – read on for some of the best attractions on offer!

Palais du Prince

Monaco is famously ruled by a prince, and this thirteenth-century Genoese fortress high above the city is his seat of government. You can watch the changing of the guard and enjoy outdoor events for most of the year, but the main attraction is the chance to tour the inside.

When the flag in the main tower is down, the prince is out and the palace is open to visitors. This gives you the chance to examine the treasures of the Throne Room, see the famous Blue Room, decked out in ornate blue and gold, and more. Other attractions include a beautiful Italian-style Gallery and an elegant seventeenth-century Palatine Chapel.

The palace is unique in that it continues to house the city’s government – this isn’t just a tourist trap. What’s more, it has been home to the House of Grimaldi for over 7 centuries. Where the other great houses of Europe have collapsed and fallen, the Grimaldis stand, ruling from the same palace they’ve held since the Middle Ages.

Monaco Cathedral

While the palace has stood throughout the centuries, the cathedral is a newer creation. It’s called the Cathédrale Nortre-Dame-Immaculée in full, and it more than lives up to the extravagant name. Its brilliant white stonework, put together between 1875 and 1903, gracefully invokes the Roman-Byzantine style, and its façade dominates the surrounding area. Inside you’ll find treasures such as an altar piece painted in 1500 and a grand organ carved out of sparkling Carrara white marble.

Moreover, the cathedral has a real sense of legacy. This imposing Catholic place of worship stands on the site of the principality’s first church, and houses the remains of many of the Grimaldis, from Albert I, who gave Monaco its first constitution, to actress Grace Kelly, who famously became a princess upon her marriage in 1956 to Prince Rainier III.

Opera de Monte Carlo

Another nineteenth-century innovation, the opera house was added to the iconic Place de Casino in 1878-79 as part of Prince Charles III’s drive to bring more culture to his state. The royal gamble paid off, and the opera house, known as Salle Garnier, was an instant hit. A 2004-05 renovation preserved its appeal for future generations, and it still hosts shows today, remaining a major attraction for locals and visitors alike.

Fort Antoine

Fort Antoine is one more example of Monaco’s marriage of historical pomp and modern-day culture. Originally built in the eighteenth century as a military fortification, the fort was destroyed in conflict in 1944 and rebuilt in 1953 to serve as a cultural hub. The reconstruction mimicked the original’s military style, and its past is honoured in features such as a pyramid of cannonballs at the centre of the stage.

Today, it’s one of Monaco’s most charming spaces, with room for over 250 people to sit in its open-air theatre. The shows here are in French, but fluency is not a prerequisite for enjoying them: many come to simply enjoy the spectacle on a warm summer night.

Museums

Musée National de Monaco

The Musée National is located inside two villas, each filled with contemporary and traditional art ranging from paintings to photography. Intriguingly, it also acts as a conservation centre, with a dedicated team working to restore traditional and antique art such as dolls and costumes.

Monaco Naval Muesum

The Naval Museum dates to the 1990s, but many of its items are much older. It has over 250 ships in model form, with everything from Roman ships to Viking longboats to Spanish galleons. More modern ships are represented too, with models of the infamous HMS Titanic and the colossal USS Nimitz, one of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world.

Musée Oceanographique

The Musée Oceanographique is perhaps the best Monaco has to offer. Founded in 1910, it’s one of the oldest museums in the world. It’s in a fascinating location 90m above sea level, and contains a treasure trove of oceanographic wonders. Some of the artefacts on show here belonged to world-famous French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and over 6,000 marine creatures are housed in 100 different pools specially designed to mimic their natural environments. The adventurous can even get up close and personal with sea creatures in dedicated ‘touch tanks’.

How to Get to Monaco

Due to its size, the principality has no international airport of its own. Luckily, Nice’s Cote d’Azur airport (NCE) is only 14 miles away. Most major airlines fly to Nice, and the journey from London takes a little over 2 hours. It’s about a half-hour’s drive from the airport to Monaco, so why not book a transfer with Shuttle Direct for an easy, painless journey with an experienced and friendly driver?

Where to Stay

La Méridien Beach Plaza – La Méridien has a lot to offer, including a private beach, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, restaurants, bars, a fitness centre, spa and beauty salon. Each of its rooms is air-conditioned, with its own en suite and satellite television. The hotel is 7 minutes’ walk from the museum and 20 from the opera, and less than 22 miles from Nice airport.

Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo – Another luxurious spot, the Metropole is only 8 minutes’ walk from the beach – and just 100 yards from Casino Square! Its mix of classical and modern architecture keeps it interesting, and its 126 rooms and suites ensure options for travellers of any preference. What’s more, the hotel has even had its own House of Givenchy spa installed, and its exterior space includes heated seawater pools, gardens, a bar and a pool-house. It’s under 12 miles from Nice airport, and among the top-rated hotels in Monaco.

Monaco Studio “907” – Our last hotel has a more ‘homely’ feel, though it’s no less luxurious. Studio 907 sits a little further out of town, 2 miles from the palace and a 15-minute walk from Lavrotto Beach. Still, it helps to remember that in a state as small as Monaco, distance is always relative: you’re still just 550 yards from Casino Square, for example. Its rooms offer a city view, with seating, dining area and a balcony. As it’s self-catered, each room also has a kitchenette with a microwave and a fridge, and the shops are only a few minutes’ walk away. It’s less than 20 miles from Nice airport, and receives great ratings for value.

 

About Shuttle Direct

Shuttle Direct has won plaudits and accolades for its intuitive online bookings, immediate confirmation and quality drivers. It’s one of the best-known and highest-rated airport transfer operators in Europe and North Africa, and it always gets you where you need to go by the fastest and most convenient route.

MonacoNCE

About the Author

Alex Ryan

Alex Ryan

Alex is a writer, reader, musician, and traveller. After spending three years in Oxford studying History and Politics, and one year in London studying MA World History, Alex has returned to his hometown of Canterbury, Kent, to turn his attention to writing full-time. In addition to music, words, and film, he has a passion for travelling, having spent brief spells in many European cities. His main loves, though, are the wide-open spaces and bustling culltures of the United States and Canada. The three summers he spent road-tripping around Ontario and into Quebec still stand as his fondest memories.
View all posts by Alex Ryan →
Previous
Say “Parfait” to Paris’s Parties!
Next
A Holidaymaker’s Guide to the Algarve’s Monte Gordo

Related Posts

  • Culture in Cannes: Top Spots for Film Lovers

    Culture in Cannes: Top Spots for Film Lovers

  • Saint-Raphael Shore Excursions

    Saint-Raphael Shore Excursions

  • Saint-Tropez Shore Excursions

    Saint-Tropez Shore Excursions

  • Antibes (Juan-Le-Pins) Shore Excursions

    Antibes (Juan-Le-Pins) Shore Excursions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Origin not known. Check the value and select between results suggested.

Destination not known. Check the value and select between results suggested.

You should at least select 1 passenger.

No

Additional Luggage?

Passengers Done
  • + -

  • + -

You should at least select 1 adult passenger.

Please indicate child age.

Additional Luggage Done

Each passenger may carry one standard piece of luggage and one small item of hand luggage (for example a handbag or laptop). If you have additional or extra large baggage or sporting equipment, select from the options below:

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

Outbound journey Done
Flight arrival date
Flight arrival time

Please insert the date and time of your flight arrival (not take off), as informed by the airline. The driver will take into account luggage collection and inmigration formalities.

:

Please please select hours.

Please please select mins.

Return journey
Done Flight return date
Flight departure time

Please insert the date and time the flight takes off, as informed by the airline. The pick-up time will be calculated automatically taking into account journey time and check-in time at airport.

:

Please please select hours.

Please please select mins.

ShuttleDirect

    banner

    Search

    Follow

    Categories

    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Andorra
    • Armenia
    • Austria
    • Belarus
    • Belgium
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Bulgaria
    • Croatia
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Discounts & Coupons
    • Egypt
    • Estonia
    • Finland
    • Foodie Posts
    • France
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • GVA
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • Infographics
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Korea Republic
    • latest news
    • Latvia
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Macedonia
    • Majorca
    • Malta
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Netherlands
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Romania
    • Route Guides
    • Russia
    • San Marino
    • Serbia
    • Sin categoría @en
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Spain
    • State of Kuwait
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Thailand
    • Travel Guides
    • Tunisia
    • Turkey
    • Ukraine
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom
    • Vatican
    • The Characterful Small Beaches of Cala d’Or

      The Characterful Small Beaches of Cala d’Or

      2 May, 2015 | 0
    • Ski Area Profile: Valloire & Valmeinier

      Ski Area Profile: Valloire & Valmeinier

      9 September, 2016 | 0
    • Porto-Vecchio Shore Excursions

      Porto-Vecchio Shore Excursions

      22 January, 2019 | 0

    Archives

    • December 2019 (2)
    • November 2019 (8)
    • October 2019 (8)
    • September 2019 (10)
    • August 2019 (15)
    • July 2019 (13)
    • June 2019 (15)
    • May 2019 (22)
    • April 2019 (22)
    • March 2019 (21)
    • February 2019 (20)
    • January 2019 (22)
    • December 2018 (33)
    • November 2018 (32)
    • October 2018 (34)
    • September 2018 (35)
    • August 2018 (35)
    • July 2018 (30)
    • June 2018 (32)
    • May 2018 (31)
    • April 2018 (30)
    • March 2018 (31)
    • February 2018 (34)
    • January 2018 (30)
    • December 2017 (33)
    • November 2017 (26)
    • October 2017 (23)
    • September 2017 (24)
    • August 2017 (37)
    • July 2017 (23)
    • June 2017 (26)
    • May 2017 (27)
    • April 2017 (27)
    • March 2017 (28)
    • February 2017 (24)
    • January 2017 (23)
    • December 2016 (20)
    • November 2016 (29)
    • October 2016 (30)
    • September 2016 (32)
    • August 2016 (41)
    • July 2016 (38)
    • June 2016 (40)
    • May 2016 (34)
    • April 2016 (36)
    • March 2016 (58)
    • February 2016 (33)
    • January 2016 (69)
    • December 2015 (37)
    • November 2015 (45)
    • October 2015 (50)
    • September 2015 (36)
    • August 2015 (33)
    • July 2015 (31)
    • June 2015 (28)
    • May 2015 (37)
    • April 2015 (35)
    • March 2015 (34)
    • February 2015 (17)
    • January 2015 (13)
    • December 2014 (5)
    • November 2014 (5)
    • October 2014 (6)
    • September 2014 (1)
    2003 - 2016 Shuttledirect operated by Viajes Alameda CV-Mm037A

    SHUTTLEDIRECT.COM

    • Service types
    • About us
    • help & FAQ
    • Sitemap

    LEGAL INFORMATION

    • Credit card security
    • Privacy policy
    • Terms & conditions

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google +
    • linkedIn
    • YouTube
    • pinterest

    BUSINESS SERVICES

    • website owners
    • transport companies

    This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience.

    Find out more or adjust your settings.

    Powered by GDPR plugin
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

    3rd Party Cookies

    More information about our Cookie Policy