Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Caroline live down the street. The palace guards protect the prince 24/7 and still stage a
Changing of the Guard
ceremony with all the pageantry of an important nation (daily
at 11:55, fun to watch but jam-packed). Audioguide tours take you through part of the
prince's lavish palace in 30 minutes. The rooms are well-furnished and impressive, but in-
teresting only if you haven't seen a château lately (€8 combo-ticket includes audioguide
and Napoleon Collection, €19 combo-ticket also includes Cousteau Aquarium; hours vary
but generally April-Oct daily 10:00-18:00, closed Nov-March, last entry 30 minutes be-
fore closing; tel. 00-377/93 25 18 31).
• Next to the palace entry is the...
Napoleon Collection:
NapoleonoccupiedMonacoaftertheFrenchRevolution.This
is the prince's private collection of items Napoleon left behind: military medals, swords,
guns, letters, and—best—his hat. I found this collection more interesting than the palace
(€4 includes audioguide, €8 combo-ticket includes Prince's Palace, €19 combo-ticket also
includes Cousteau Aquarium; same hours as palace).
• With your back to the palace, leave the square through the arch to the right side of the
square (under the most beautiful police station I've ever seen) and find the...
Cathedral of Monaco (Cathédrale de Monaco):
The somber but beautifully lit
cathedral, rebuilt in 1878, shows that Monaco cared for more than just its new casino.
It's where centuries of Grimaldis are buried, and where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier
were married. Circle slowly behind the altar (counterclockwise). The second tomb is
that of Albert I, who did much to put Monaco on the world stage. The second-to-last
tomb—inscribed
“GratiaPatricia,MCMLXXXII
”—iswherePrincessGracewasburiedin
1982. Prince Rainier's tomb lies next to Princess Grace's (daily 8:30-19:15).
• As you leave the cathedral, find the 1956 wedding photo of Princess Grace and Prince
Rainier (keep an eye out for other photos of the couple as you walk), then dip into the im-
maculately maintained Jardin Botanique, with more fine views. In the gardens, turn left.
Eventually you'll find the...
Cousteau Aquarium (Musée Océanographique):
Prince Albert I built this im-
pressive, cliff-hanging aquarium in 1910 as a monument to his enthusiasm for things from
the sea. The aquarium, which Captain Jacques Cousteau directed for 32 years, has 2,000
different specimens, representing 250 species. The bottom floor features Mediterranean
fish and colorful tropical species (all nicely described in English). My favorite is the zebra
lionfish, though I'm keen on eels, too. Rotating exhibits occupy the entry floor. Upstairs,
the fancy Albert I Hall houses a museum (included in entry fee, very little English inform-
ation) and features ship models, whale skeletons, oceanographic instruments and tools,
and scenes of Albert and his beachcombers hard at work. Find the display on Christopher
Columbus with English explanations.
