Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MONACO AND THE RIVIERA
The French Riviera, stretching from Cannes to the Italian border, is the
most mythologized stretch of Mediterranean coastline. In the 19th century
its balmy winter climate attracted plutocrats, princes and their entourages,
and its clear sunlight and vivid colours drew a new breed of painters. In the
1920s it became a summer resort for the first time, and in the 1950s and
1960s it was the epitome of jet-set chic and the habitat of film stars, musi-
cians and millionaires. You could say that this is where modern tourism
really started. In high summer there seems to be hardly a square metre of
beach, a yacht mooring, parking space or café table left vacant, while off-
shore or in Antibes' harbour float the cruisers of the mega-rich. This is a
coast like no other and all you can do is surrender to its mystique. Mean-
while, the enclave of Monaco, an independent state since the 14th century,
has a character all of its own.
1. CASINO DE MONTE CARLO
This monument to
belle époque
splendour is also the heart of the region's famous
gambling industry - well worth a look whether you want to play the stakes or simply
soak up some glamour (for further details see
Casino de Monte Carlo
)
.
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2. MUSEE PICASSO, ANTIBES
A bishop's palace during the Dark Ages, this building then fell into the hands of
the Grimaldi lords of Monaco, before becoming the seat of the royal governors of
the region. Today, it is one of the finest art galleries in the world. The museum
houses 300 works by Spanish artist
Pablo Picasso
, who worked here in 1946 and
donated drawings, paintings and more than 100 ceramic pieces. Work by other
artists, including Léger, Ernst, Modigliani and Miró, is also on display (for further
details see
Musée Picasso, Antibes
)
.
Château Grimaldi, Vieux Port • Open mid-
Jun-mid-Sep: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun (to 8pm Wed & Fri Jul-Aug); mid-Sep-mid-
Jun: 10am-noon, 2-6pm Tue-Sun • Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 1 Nov, 25 Dec • DA • Adm
Google Map
