FORBIDDEN MONTE-CARLO
Monaco Grimadi Palace Secrets
Monaco’s
casino in legendary. The Formula 1 Grand Prix race is famous. Princess
Grace is an icon of beauty and graciousness and the
younger princesses the subject of tabloids paparazzi. But what are the
real secrets of the Principality of Monaco. The forbidden places seen
by few. Not many if you want to take a 
peek,
actually. The
Prince of Monaco’s Grimaldi Palace is open
to visitors daily from June to October and on weekends and some holidays
the rest of the year. It's a bit of a hike up the hill from the main
part
of
the
city, but
has
beaitful
views
of
the
Medterranian. You’re
not allowed to take photos
inside as the
palace is still the
working state
office - but what the heck, it looks something like this
- and the palace rooms are still used
for social ceremonies. Admission is a nominal charge. You can watch
the ceremonial changing of the guard every day at 11:55 am. But with
all the cannons
on guard, one has to wonder when was the last time the Grimaldis had
to fire a gun in anger.
What
else to do in Monaco, besides lose money in the elegant casino?
Of
course, Monaco is home to the wealthy and jetset crowd. The Monte
Carlo shopping mall is built of Italian marble, hung with crystal
chandeliers and home to exclusive couture boutiques and Champagne
stores that won’t be taken over by Macy’s anytime soon.
Just next door to the Prince's palace entrance
is the
Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs, a
private collection of Napoleon Bonaparte memorabilia along
with
artifacts from the palace historic archives. Near the palace is
the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium on the Avenue Saint-Martin
and
across the street
catch the “Azur Express” Tourist Train to take a tour
of the Old Town part of Monte Carlo, before the modern high-rises
dotted the hillsides of the Principality.
If you’re a classic car fan, visit the Prince’s private collection of classic cars on display at the Terrasses de Fontvielle where you can also find the Zoological Terraces and the Naval museum, although Monaco’s navy now chiefly consists of the “Aquavision” Boat Trips which leave from the Port d’Hercule and the magnificent and ostentatious yachts which crowd Monaco’s harbor, an aquatic parking garage for the rich and famous.
And of course, Monaco is synonymous
with auto racing. In May of every year Monaco is host to two of the
world
major auto racing events, sponsored
by the Automobile Club of Monaco. One of the most complex temporary event
structures of stands and guard rails are erected every year for the Monaco
Grand Prix Formula 1 race, one of the most recognized of the Formel 1
series. The “circus” surrounding the event is crowded and
amazing. But if the crowds and expensive tickets seem daunting for a
first timer, two weeks before the modern race, Monaco hosts the Monaco
Historic Grand Prix race, run on the same track with an incredible collection
of historic cars which have raced in Grand Prix’s past from the
20’s up to the 1970’s. Enjoy the atmosphere and tour the
paddock getting close to fabulous racing machinery.
If
you miss the race season, you can still watch a bit of the glory in
the Monte Carlo Story exhibit at the parking structure of the Parking-des-Pechuers,
the primary parking garage for the casino and center of Monte-Carlo.
Or take a peek at some of the trophies and images from the history of
the races at the Avenue Albert 1er headquarters of the Automobile
Club of Monaco. Just don't ask if they have Prince Albert in a can. They
wouldn't get it.
Getting to Monaco? Fly into Cote a’Azur airport in Nice and rent a car or take the SNCF train. Just don’t expect to get a look at Monaco from the windows of the train coach, the Monaco rail station is entirely underground, a stop on the rail line which follows the Cote d’Azur between Nice, France and Genoa, Italy. If staying in Nice (see Three Choice Hotel Bargains In Nice), the train ride is about 15-20 minutes to Monte-Carlo with a one-way fare of about 6 euros. Passes can be purchased at SNCF kiosks in Nice Gare main station and stops along line for multiple trips. © Bargain Travel Europe
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