Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DYNASTY
Monaco's longest-ruling monarch, reigning for 56 years, Rainier III (1923-2005) won the heart of the nation with
his fairy-tale marriage to Grace Kelly in 1956. The legendary Philadelphia-born actress made 11 films in the
1950s, including Alfred Hitchcock's
To Catch a Thief
(1955). The movie took Kelly to Cannes and Monaco for a
photo shoot, where she met Rainier. Tragically, she died in a car crash in 1982.
The soap-opera lives on with the couple's children, Prince Albert (b 1958), monarch since 19 November 2005,
Caroline and Stéphanie. Prince Albert is as well known for his sporting achievements (he's a black belt in judo
and played in the national soccer team) as he is for his two illegitimate children, neither of whom are in line for
the throne. Pressure remains on him to produce a legitimate heir, one of the reasons why his marriage to South
African swimmer Charlene Wittstock in July 2011 was so keenly anticipated.
Drinking
Much of Monaco's superchic drinking goes on in its designer restaurants and luxury ho-
tels. Otherwise, the following are pretty popular too.
Brasserie de Monaco
MICROBREWERY
(
www.brasseriedemonaco.com
;
36 rte de la Piscine; 11am-1pm Sun-Thu, 11am-3am
Fri & Sat)
Tourists and locals rub shoulders at Monaco's only microbrewery, which crafts
rich organic ales and lager, and serves tasty (if pricey) antipasti plates. Happy hour is 5pm
to 8pm.
Cosmopolitan
( 93 25 78 68;
www.cosmopolitan.mc
;
7 rue du Portier; 5.45pm-1am; )
Whether
you're after cocktails or excellent wine, Cosmopolitan should see you right. With its
chocolate-orange decor, contemporary furniture and
The Big Chill
music, it's a nice place
to ease yourself into a night out.
BAR
Café de Paris
(
www.montecarloresort.com
;
place du Casino; mains €17-53; 7am-2am)
Monaco's
best-known cafe has been in business since 1882 and is
the
place to people watch. Service
CAFE
