What you might not expect in Monaco
The Princess Grace Rose Garden is a moving visit for anyone who was a fan of the American film star Grace Kelly, who was married to the former prince of Monaco, Prince Rainier.
It was Prince Rainier III who built the garden in memory of his wife who was killed in a car crash and it first opened its doors in 1984. The park spans four hectares of land and has a dainty lake surrounded by palm trees and even an olive grove.
As the name suggests, you will also find over 8,000 rose bushes here.
Musée Océanographique de Monaco
Stuck dramatically to the edge of a cliff since 1910, the world-renowned Musée Océanographique de Monaco, founded by Prince Albert I (1848–1922), is a stunner. Its centrepiece is its aquarium with a 6m-deep lagoon where sharks and marine predators are separated from colourful tropical fish by a coral reef. Upstairs, two huge colonnaded rooms retrace the history of oceanography and marine biology (and Prince Albert’s contribution to the field) through photographs, old equipment, numerous specimens and interactive displays.
Nouveau Musée National de Monaco
Villa Sauber
Part of Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, this sumptuous belle-époque villa with lush garden hosts seasonal contemporary art exhibitions focusing on a performing-arts theme (Serge Diaghilev, stage designs etc).
Villa Paloma
This pearly-white villa, built for an American in 1913 on a hillside near the Jardin Exotique, is part of Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, along with Villa Sauber. It hosts seasonal contemporary art exhibitions with an environmental theme (oceans, apocalypse etc). Also sells a combo ticket (€10) which includes entry to the Jardin
Chez Roger
Monaco’s favourite fast-food institution is a little stand in La Condamine market, where owner Roger cranks out copious fresh socca (chickpea pancakes) and pissaladière (caramelized onion and anchovy tart).
Pierre Geronimi
A local’s secret: Monaco’s best ice creams and sorbets, made by its eponymous Corsican maître glacier. The flavours are exciting – try chestnut flour, beetroot, matcha tea or honey and pine nut – and for the ultimate indulgence, ask for it to be served cocktail-style in a glass verrine. He also creates delicious ice-cream cakes and patisseries. Consider yourself warned.