About Monaco

MONACO

A sovereign and independent state, the Principality of Monaco has borders on its landward side with several communes of the French Department of the Alpes-Maritimes; from west to east these are Cap d’Ail, la Turbie, Beausoleil and Roquebrune Cap Martin. Seawards, Monaco faces the Mediterranean Sea.
Monaco lies on a narrow coastal strip, which sometimes rises vertically upwards with its highest point at 63 metres. Its width varies between 1 kilometer and a mere 350 metres. Its coastline is 4 kilometres long. The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the state.

Monaco is divided into different areas:

Monaco-Ville on the Rock, the old fortified town, with the Prince’s Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, the Cathedral and theOceanographic Museum.

Monte-Carlo, created in 1866, named in honor of Prince Charles III, hosts an internationally famous Casino, luxury hotels and leisure facilities, some created recently: Larvotto beachthe Monte Carlo Sporting Club, the Boulingrins Gardens.

Fontvieille is the newest area of the Principality of Monaco and was created from land reclaimed from the sea. This man-made waterfront area features a harbor, stadium and sports complex, heliport, and a pollution-free industrial zone, as well as some shopping areas and the new Columbus Monaco hotel.

Moneghetti, home to the Révoires and the Exotic Gardens (on the western border with Cap d`Ail).

The Condamine is the second oldest area in Monaco, its name dates from the Middle Ages and means the cultivable land at the foot of a village or castle.

Leisure Facilities:

MONTE-CARLO CASINO AND OPERA HOUSE

It was built in 1893 by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House. Its marble paved atrium, surrounded with 28 Ionic columns made of onyx, gives access to the Opera Hall which is entirely decorated in red and gold, with bas-reliefs and sculptures.

OCEANOGRAPHIC MUSEUM
With its international reputation for excellence, this exceptional museum is dedicated to marine science and oceanography. Its collections of marine fauna collected by Monaco’s pioneering Navigator Prince Albert 1 are both invaluable and unique.

MONACO CATHEDRAL
Built with the stark white stones from La Turbie in 1875, this Roman-Byzantine-style building houses the burial places of past sovereigns, including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.

THE EXOTIC GARDENS AND THE OBSERVATION CAVE
This extraordinary garden, bringing together several million species of plants known as succulents was opened in 1933. With its bold plantings on the rocky mountainsides and steep craggy outcrops, the plants not only blooms superbly, but thrive to the admiration of botanists and garden aficionados around the world. It is truly a unique kingdom of nature’s exuberance…and 60 metres below ground, a prehistoric cave reveals its spectacular stalagmites and stalactites formed over millennia!

The Charms of the Riviera

Monte Carlo is on the Riviera between Provence and Italy, close to the museums of Nice (Matisse, Chagall) and the glamorous shopping boulevards of Cannes. The Picasso Museum and world-famous Maeght Collection are nearby, as well. Trips to the medieval villages of St. Paul de Vence or Eze, the perfume factories of Grasse, Italy’s ski slopes and the boutiques and markets of nearby San Remo are memorable events, as are private parties at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in St. Jean Cap Ferrat or La Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu.

ACCESS TO MONACO

Travelling by plane 
The Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport, located 22 kilometres from Monaco, links the Principality of Monaco to the major cities of the world. Comfortable and rapid travel is provided by numerous direct flight.
Further information are available on the official Nice airport website.

Taxi transfers from/to Nice Airport
Taxis are available outside the Airport or can be booked in advance by calling the following numbers:
from Monaco 0820 20 98 98
from Nice 0033 4 93 13 78 78
Prices for taxi transfers one way between Nice Airport and Monaco are approximately € 80 (day fare) or € 100 (night fare).

Public bus transfers from/to Nice Airport
Regular daily connections (Nice Airport – Monaco and/or return). Departures
from Terminal 1 and 2 every hour, from 09.00 to 21.00. Duration 45 minutes
Price per way and per person: € 20
Click here to visit the airport shuttles official website

Please note that a reduced rate of € 13 will be available for registered participants, information on how benefit will be available soon

Helicopter transfers
Heli Air Monaco provides regular links between Monaco and Nice Airport in 7 minutes.
A private shuttle will bring you comfortably to any place of your choice in Monaco in only 5 minutes. During the flight, you will have the chance to see the most beautiful shores of the Cote d’Azur.
Click here to visit their site link

Travelling by car
Eastbound on A8 highway, please take the exit “Monaco/Cap d’Ail”.
Westbound, please take the exit “Roquebrune Cap Martin”.
Kindly note that 33 public car parks are available in the Principality of Monaco.

Travelling by train
The railway station in Monaco is located just a few minutes away from the major hotels of the Principality and from the Grimaldi Forum

USEFUL INFORMATION

Money: Local currency: Euro (EUR)

Electricity: Voltage : 220-240 volts AC
Power plugs used in Monaco or France are the two-pin plugs.

Telephone: International Dialing for Monaco: Dial “+377” + Telephone number

Time Zone: Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +1 hour

Climate
A temperate climate, particularly mild and sunny for more than 300 days a year, makes Monaco a welcoming place

Shopping in Monaco
Opening hours of major shops: Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 19.00 Sunday closed

Most shops accept major credit cards. In Monaco, there is a 19.6% value added tax (VAT) on goods, which is included in the sales price