Welcome to shiny, glittering, glamorous Monaco
That’s what the Monaco – Monte Carlo railway station says, don’t you think?
A quick peek at the boats in the harbour confirms that Monaco does indeed exude glamour.
Microstates vs micronations – and a few Monegasque oddities
I’ve written about micronations before. Monaco is not one of those. It is, however, a microstate. And what is the difference, you ask?
A microstate is a recognized sovereign nation, while a micronation is well, not.
Microstates tend to have an area of less than 1,000 km2 and fewer than half a million inhabitants. By land area, Monaco is the world’s second smallest country (only the Vatican is smaller). Counted by number of people, however, Monaco is only the 6th smallest. This tiny principality, you see, has the world’s highest population density.
It would be nice to think it’s the balmy Mediterranean climate that attracts the hordes of immigrants. I fear, however, that Monaco’s status as a tax haven is an even bigger draw.
Looks right crowded, doesn’t it? But don’t let this rather drab-looking colony of high-rises fool you. These are not exactly budget flats. Monaco has more billionaires pr capita than anywhere else on earth. And with real-estate prices as high as GBP 40 000 (about USD 60 000) pr square metre, it’s also the most expensive place to live in the world.
Monaco isn’t only glamorous. It’s also a quite peculiar state. Surrounded by La France on three sides (and the Mediterranean on the fourth), treaties have been signed with the big sister through the years, severely limiting Monaco’s independence. About 100 years ago, the then prince signed a treaty where
… le Gouvernement de Son Altesse Sérénissime le Prince de Monaco s’engage a exercer ses droits de souveraineté en parfaite conformité avec les intérêts politiques, militaires, navals et économiques de la France.
That’s right. The prince agreed to exercise his sovereignty in perfect conformity with the political, military, naval and economic interests of France. Furthermore, there’s a stipulation about Monaco reverting to the status of a French protectorate, should there be no heir apparent. All this makes Monaco the least independent of the microstates.
When I was growing up, the Monegasque royal family made the headlines practically every week. The children of Prince Rainier and cinema princess Grace Kelly were involved in one scandal after another. In contrast, I don’t hear much about the present royal children. (But then, competition for scandal headlines seems to be fiercer these days.)
What do you think of when you hear Monaco? I’ll wager many of you would say Monte Carlo, James Bond, the casino…
But what else can you see and do in Monaco?
Here are a few suggestions:
See the Prince’s Palace
…and his guards
Have a look at Monaco Cathedral
where the Royal family, including Grace, is buried and Prince Albert, the current ruler, was married a few years ago…
Wander around in Monaco ville – the old city
Follow Parcourse Princesse Grace
Along the Princess Grace Walk, you can catch 25 scenes from her life through mobile technology and a more old-fashioned series of signs and photographs. I was oddly touched by this photo of Grace walking little Stephanie to school in 1970.
Visit the Musée Océanographique
My favourite. The building housing the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is a work of art in itself, and the contents even better. Keen scientist and explorer Prince Albert I founded this magnificent museum in 1901. I’ve enjoyed strolling through it many times. Often, you’ll find interesting artwork outside as well.
Practicals:
- Getting to Monaco: The bus that plies the Mediterranean coastline from Nice to Menton cost only 1 euro. Or you can take the more expensive (but still quite reasonable) train. If you want to splurge a bit and feel you’re part of the Monaco glamour for 15 minutes, the helicopter ride from Nice airport to Monaco costs 125 EUR (discounts for children and seniors).
- Staying in Monaco: Luxurious hotels and resorts abound in Monte Carlo. How about the 150-year-old Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, location of a few James Bond films? There are also a few hostels – or you can stay in lively Nice or any of numerous picturesque villages along the riviera.
Monaco looks absolutely beautiful. I’ve wanted to go there for such a long time and it seems like such an interesting place. One day…
Hope you get a chance to soon, Monica 🙂
I want to do Monaco but when I have enough money that I don’t need to penny pitch. It doesn’t strike me as one of those destination that deserves to be on a budget travel list
You can visit for the day by train from Nice…and take a good walk around, one splashy lunch and entrance into the casino. Then vow to come back once you’ve made your millions…!
Good plan, Abi 🙂
I just love the train station! But with real estate costs that high, I guess a bit of fancy lighting is the least of their worries!! 🙂
Quite a unique train station, I thought.
Wow , that station looks like of gold. The most attractive one.
It makes quite a first impression.
We drove through briefly back in 2000 but didn’t stop – I’m guessing the billionaires just buy apartments for the tax free residency status? I know if I had that kind of money I’d sooner build a palace in the surrounding countryside…
The whole area, both along the coast and inland in Provence, is full of gorgeous places to stop – and stay. Monaco is quite different from the rest, though – in so many ways. Worth having a look around, I think.
The old town and the Oceanographic Museum look lovely. Enough to make me want to stop next time I’m driving from Ventimiglia to Nice
I’ve been meaning to do a Provence – Cote d’Azur road trip, including the Italian riviera, too.
So what residents save in taxes, they pay over in real estate prices. I guess another way to look at it is if you have to pay that much to live, you shouldn’t have to pay taxes. Still a beautiful place to visit. Was all that display of wealth intimidating?
I didn’t think so. Apart from the yachts in the harbour, it really wasn’t that obvious. And I love boats anyway.
I haven’t been but I’d like to go for 24 hours – if nothing else but to see that lovely sculpture of the baby. When I think of Monaco I instantly think gambling, Princess Grace, tragic lives.
Hm, tragic lives, yes. Seems to be part of royalty in many places that…
Loved this post! I’m so intrigued by microstates and I’d love to visit Monaco to see how people live and the mix of people there. thanks for sharing – I learned a lot. Sarita
Thanks for stopping by, Sarita.
The giant floating baby is a bit odd.
I’ve been to Monaco a few times, but I don’t think I ever saw that train station wow.
What a wonderful post. Thanks for the info! I came to you from Mette Cjristensen.
Nice journey in Monaco! We love this place. Everything there is top quality from hotels to restaurants.
I’ve been there several times Just got back last month. I was disgusted by what they’ve done to the place. That parking lot in front of the casino, the graceless high-rise buildings and that island!!!😱 They’ve pretty much destroyed everything that was attractive and charming. Don’t know if I’d go back.