Monte-Carlo
Monaco, Monaco
The glittering heart of the principality, home to the Casino, the Hôtel de Paris and the smartest shops and restaurants around the Place du Casino. Glamou…
Places in Monte-Carlo
- Le Louis XV — Alain Ducasse Alain Ducasse's three-Michelin-star temple in the Hôtel de Paris, a gilded room of Riviera-Provençal cooking at the pinnacle of the art. The definitive Monaco splurge.
- Le Pavyllon (Yannick Alléno) Three-star chef Yannick Alléno's Michelin-starred room at the Hôtel Hermitage, with a large terrace over Port Hercule. Refined and sun-drenched.
- Café de Paris Monte-Carlo The grand belle-époque brasserie on the Place du Casino, the classic spot for people-watching over a crêpe Suzette (invented here). Theatre with your lunch.
- Café de Paris terrace The place to nurse a coffee and watch the Ferraris and Bentleys glide past the casino. Pricey, but the show is free.
- Bar Américain The legendary jazz-age cocktail lounge in the Hôtel de Paris, all plush banquettes and live piano. The most storied drink in the principality.
- Blue Gin A plush lounge bar with inventive cocktails and a terrace over the Mediterranean. Go for the panoramic sundown drink.
- Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo A dramatic Asian-themed bar and restaurant in a former cabaret hall by the casino, blending dining with high-energy nightlife. Monaco's glamorous late night.
Practical notes for Monaco
- Best time to visit
- May to September for warm sea and open terraces; late May for the Grand Prix spectacle (and premium prices). Spring and autumn are quieter and lovely.
- Getting around
- Everything is walkable, if steep — a network of public lifts and escalators links the levels. Buses and a cheap night service cover the rest; the train connects along the coast to Nice and the Italian border in minutes.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- French. English and Italian are widely spoken.
- Timezone
- CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
- Current trends
- A cluster of celebrity-chef restaurants raising the dining stakes; a reclaimed-land building boom extending the principality into the sea; a growing wellness-and-yachting luxury scene; and ever more exclusive rooftop bars.
Other neighborhoods in Monaco
- Monaco-Ville (Le Rocher) — The old town on the rock, a car-free tangle of medieval lanes leading to the Prince's Palace and the cathedral. The principality's historic soul.
- La Condamine & Port Hercule — The harbour quarter of superyachts, the daily market and lively bars, ringed by the Grand Prix circuit. The city's working, social heart.
- Larvotto — The beach quarter, with the principality's main sand, seafront restaurants and newly reclaimed luxury developments. Monaco's day at the sea.
- Fontvieille — A modern district built on reclaimed land, with a marina, gardens, the Rose Garden and family attractions. The quieter, greener corner.
Read the full Monaco guide