Monaco-Ville, The Rock Discover the Old Town and its narrow medieval streets leading to picturesque sites : "Place Saint Nicolas", "Placette Bosio", "Chapelle de la Miséricorde", "Palais de Justice" and the Cathedral, Romanesque-Byzantine building constructed in 1875.
Your steps will naturally guide you to the Palace Square where the Changing of the Guards takes place every day at 11.55 am sharp, right in front the Prince's Palace.The Prince's Palace was originally built in the 13th century and was subsequently reshaped during the Renaissance.
Protecting long-lived traditions, with its Italian-style gallery and 16th-century frescoes, the Prince's Palace unveils some of its treasures to the public : the Courtyard of Honour with its double staircase in Carrara marble built in the 17th century, the Hercules Gallery and its 16th-century fine frescoes leading to the "Salon Louis XV", harmoniously decorated in gold and blue and to the "Salon Mazarin" with polychrome wood panelling, the York Chamber and finally the Throne Room with its magnificent Renaissance fireplace.
Located in the south wing of the Prince's Palace, the Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collection of the Palace's Historic Archives contains a collection rich of more than a thousand objects and documents related to the First Empire : objects which belonged to the Emperor Napoleon I, garments belonging to the King of Rome, religious souvenirs from Sainte-Hélène, etc. The first floor is entirely dedicated to the history of the Principality.
Further, on the Palace Square, admire a unique panoramic view while strolling towards the Saint-Martin Gardens. Landscaped in the 1830's, under Prince Honoré V, they surround the Oceanographic Museum, avenue Saint Martin, another architectural masterpiece of the Principality.Inaugurated in 1910 by its founder, H.S.H. Prince Albert I, this renowned oceanographic institute was headed by Captain Cousteau for a long time.
Dedicated to marine sciences, the museum houses the largest coral reef in the world : the brand new giant aquarium, unique in the world, with 400-cubic-metre of water, hammerhead sharks, majestic skates swimming in front of a coral reef inhabited by a multitude of tropical fish and living coral
In front of the Oceanographic Museum, avenue Saint Martin, hop on the "Azur Express" Tourist Trains. These small trains decorated in the national colours make daily journeys with commentary in French, English, Italian and German. During the trip, you will discover the harbour, the area of Monte-Carlo and its Palaces, the famous Casino and its gardens, before returning to the Old Town with its city walls and the Prince's Palace.
Situated near the Oceanographic Museum, on the terraces of the "Chemin des Pêcheurs" car park, Monte Carlo Story presents "Monaco Le Film". This multi-vision film retraces the origins, the history and the future of the Principality. Show every hour with simultaneous translation in 6 languages.
Located on the rock, Place de la Visitation, the Museum of the Chapel of the Visitation is housed in a baroque-style chapel dating from the 17th century. It contains part of the remarkable collection of sacred works of art belonging to Mrs Piasecka Johnson, including some masterpieces by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and several Italian masters of the Baroque period.
To be found at Number 27, rue Basse, in the Old Town, the Wax Museum of the Principality retraces the History of the Princes of Monaco. The museum depicts historical episodes of the story of the Grimaldi family from the late 13th century to the present day. The wax figures are life-size and many of them wear authentic period costumes