Monaco's Architectural Treasures
Publié le 30/11/2023
Temps de lecture
6
min.
Places and discoveries
Monaco, with its small area of only 202 hectares, is a true architectural gem. Whether you're visiting or staying in the Principality, take some time to experience the unique blend of architecture Monaco has to offer. The beauty of this compact city is that you can explore Monaco's most beautiful buildings on foot. In this article, we invite you to discover some of the most emblematic architectural treasures of the Principality.
The Casino de Monte-Carlo
Undoubtedly one of the most sumptuous remnants of Belle Epoque architecture, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is a must-see stop on your exploration of Monaco's buildings. Designed by Charles Garnier, the architect behind the famous Palais Garnier in Paris, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is a magnificent example of Monegasque luxury. With its marble, gilding, and allegorical paintings, this extravagant building is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. You can try your luck at the game inside or simply admire the splendor of the building from the outside.
The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Built more than 150 years ago, this historic building in Monaco has a stunning Belle Epoque-style façade. The interior, resolutely of the nineteenth century, coexists harmoniously with state-of-the-art modern equipment. The Hôtel de Paris is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants: the Louis XV and Le Grill. To admire this beautiful building in Monaco, all you have to do is go to the nearby Casino de Monte-Carlo. In addition, the Café de Paris has been renovated while preserving its original façade. This renovation was able to modernize the interior to offer visitors an even more pleasant experience.
The Odeon Tower
One of the most emblematic real estate developments in the Principality, the Odeon Tower stands majestically in the Monegasque landscape. After the Prince's approval, the Odeon Tower became the first skyscraper built in Monaco since the 1980s. It is now a symbol of the Principality's economic renewal. Designed collectively by the Marzocco Group, architect Alexandre Giraldi and interior designer Alberto Pinto, the Odeon Tower offers its residents sumptuous apartments of ultimate luxury.
Monte-Carlo train station
This underground station not only serves as a starting point for journeys outside the Principality, it is also a modern architectural feat. Its exceptionally large platforms can accommodate the largest trains, and it will take you about 15 minutes to cross one of its platforms from end to end. A series of escalators then facilitate the exit of passengers from the station.
The Oceanographic Museum
Suspended from the edge of the cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Oceanographic Museum is one of Monaco's most impressive buildings. Founded by Prince Albert II of Monaco, this building was built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and is entirely inspired by the oceanographic world. It is adorned with sculptures depicting marine life, and the exhibits as well as aquariums that populate its rooms offer visitors an immersive experience in the depths of the seas and oceans.
The Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate
On the Rock of Monaco, this Romano-Byzantine style building is the focal point of the Monaco-Ville district. Erected in 1911 on the ruins of the Church of Saint-Nicolas, Monaco Cathedral is an essential stop on the discovery of Monaco's most beautiful buildings. Its white stone walls, from La Turbie, house several altarpieces, including that of the bishop Saint Nicholas of Myra, the last vestige of the thirteenth-century chapel that stood on this site.
Monaco Courthouse
The Palais de Justice de Monaco, erected at the beginning of 1924 on the personal initiative of H.S.H. Prince Louis II is an emblematic building inaugurated on May 1, 1930. Its construction made use of marine tuff, a grey and porous stone also used in the construction of the walls of Monaco. This stone has many small pebbles and sometimes mollusk shells, giving it a distinctive texture.
One of the outstanding features of the Palais de Justice is the presence of the bust of Sovereign Honoré II, dating from 1568, which adorns one of its facades. This historic sculpture adds a cultural and heritage dimension to this judicial institution.
Hexa Grace
Although Hexa Grace is not technically a building, this piece of architecture is worth a visit. Located just behind the Casino de Monte-Carlo, on the roof of the Monaco Convention Centre, this work of art was designed by the Vasarely Foundation, the Aix-en-Provence museum dedicated to the work of artist Victor Vasarely. This Franco-Hungarian artist is recognized as the father of the optical art movement, a style that plays with visual perception through optical illusions. This spectacular rainbow-coloured artwork also offers a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, it is interesting to note that the Hexa Grace can be admired from the roof terraces of the Monte Carlo Star. As such, our agency owns properties for sale in this privileged residence just a few steps from the Casino, offering not only a breathtaking view of this unique work of art, but also of the landscape of Monaco. If you are interested in acquiring a property in this residence, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo
This luxurious Belle Epoque-style palace is well worth a visit. Designed by architect Nicolas Marquest and built in the 1890s, this magnificent Monaco building is remarkable both inside and out. One of its most impressive features is its magnificent winter garden, whose glass roof bears Gustave Eiffel's signature. Other notable features include a fresco on the ceiling of the iconic dining room. This fresco, created by the artist Gabriel Ferrier, is inspired by the "Florentine Graces" by François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
The Prince's Palace of Monaco
It would be a shame to visit Monaco without passing by the Prince's Palace. Located on the Rock, one of Monaco's most iconic buildings stands on the site of the ancient Genoese fortress built in 1215. During a visit to the State Apartments, which are open to the public for part of the year, you will be able to admire superb period furniture, paintings, frescoes and tapestries. Also, don't miss the Changing of the Guard, which takes place every day at 11:55 a.m.
St. Charles Church
The Renaissance-style church of Saint Charles is an emblematic building in Monaco with its 30-metre-high bell tower. Inaugurated in 1883, it was built at the request of Prince Charles III in 1879. Dedicated to Charles Borromeo, it symbolises the patron saint's protection over the Prince, his family, the faithful of Monte Carlo and the Principality. The Parisian architect Charles Lenormand led the project, with the laying of the foundation stone in November 1879.
Thus, Monaco, with its perfect fusion between the modern and the ancient, offers a veritable collection of architectural treasures. The Principality's hotels, residences, museums and buildings form a unique ensemble that deserves to be explored. Take advantage of your stay in Monaco to discover these architectural wonders that bear witness to the Principality's rich heritage. If you want to settle in Monaco, you should know that our agency has a wide selection of properties close to these emblematic architectural monuments. The harmonious blend of the old, the contemporary and the modern creates an architecture that is truly unique to Monaco, making it the very essence of its identity.
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