run around the clock. The Palace also offers a
breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the Port and
Monte-Carlo. Every day in front of the Palace's main
entrance visitors can watch the changing of the guard
ceremony performed by the "Carabiniers." “Carabiniers”
are not only in charge of the Princes’ security but they offer
Him a Guard of Honor and on special occasions, are His
escorts. The “Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince” has a
military band (Fanfare), which performs at public concerts,
official occasions, sports events and international military
music festivals.
The Monaco Cathedral was built in 1875 and stands on
the site of a 13th century earlier church. It is a Romanesque-
Byzantine church dedicated to Saint Nicolas and houses the
remains of former Princes of Monaco and Princess Grace.
The church square also contains some of Monaco-Ville's
finest restaurants.
The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium is a world-
renowned attraction. Located above sea level, the museum
contains stunning collections of marine fauna, numerous
specimens of sea creatures (stuffed or in skeleton form),
models of Prince Albert’s laboratory ships, and craft ware
made from the sea’s natural products. On the ground floor,
exhibitions and film projections are presented daily in the
Conference room. In the basement, visitors can take
pleasure in watching spectacular shows of marine flora and
fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of
invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the
presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine
ecosystem. Finally, visitors can have lunch in “La Terrasse”
and visit the museum gift shop.
The Jardin Exotique (Exotic Gardens) is one of the many
gardens Monaco has to offer. It is also one of Monaco’s
finest tourist attractions. Several thousand rare plants from
around the world are presented in a walking tour that is
quite memorable for the views as well as the flora and
plants. Due to the rise in altitude, not only are there many
displays of desert plants but there are a handful of
subtropical flora displays as well. There is also a grotto
(cave) that has scheduled guided tours.
The Monaco Opera House or Salle Garnier was built by
the famous architect Charles Garnier. The auditorium of the
opera house is decorated in red and gold and has frescoes
and sculptures all around the auditorium. Looking up to the
ceiling of the auditorium, the visitor will be blown away by
the superb paintings. The opera house is flamboyant but at
the same time very beautiful. There have been some of the
most superior international performances of ballet, opera
and concerts held in the opera house for more than a
century.
The Marlborough Fine Arts Gallery was founded in
London by Frank Lloyd and Harry Fischer. A second gallery
was opened in Rome, another in New York, and one more
in Monaco. The gallery holds a grand collection of post-
World War II artists and even paintings by Pablo Picasso,
Joan Miró, Jules Brassai, Louise Bourgeois, Dale Chihuly,
David Hockney and Henri Matisse.
The Grimaldi Forum is the Monaco convention center.
The Princes car collection has everything, from carriges
and old cars, to formula 1 race cars.
The Old Casino in Monte Carlo try your luck in the Grand
Casino and gamble alongside the world's richest and often
most famous. You'll need your passport to enter (as
Monégasque citizens are prohibited from gambling at the
casino), and the fees for entry range enormously depending
on what room you are going to - often from 30€ right up
into the hundreds. You can also visit the casino without
gambling, but also for a nominal fee. The dress code inside
is extremely strict - men are required to wear coats and ties.
The gaming rooms themselves are spectacular, with stained
glass, paintings, and sculptures everywhere. There are two
other more Americanized casinos in Monte Carlo. Neither
of these has an admission fee, and the dress code is more
casual.
Monaco's streets host the best known Formula 1 Grand
Prix. It is also one of Europe's premier social highlights of
the year. The Automobile Club of Monaco organizes this
spectacular Formula 1 race each year. The Grand Prix is 77
laps around 263-kilometers of Monte Carlo's narrowest and
twisted streets. The main attraction of the Monaco Grand
