Monaco

Monaco

Any visit to Nice is not complete without a visit to the Principality of Monaco, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  Monaco is really just a city, but it's a country too, owned and ruled by descendants of the Grimaldi family, who hailed originally from Italy. They first gained control of "The Rock" (the rocky promonatory which houses the castle) in the 13th century.  The 1st Grimaldi character to establish control over what was to become Monaco was a tricky fellow. There was already a walled fortress of sorts up on the rock, and he sneakily gained entry by disguising himself as a monk, only later tossing his robes aside and staking his claim.  More than 800 years later his descendants still live in the castle atop "Le Rocher," as it's known in French.  Some people are confused by also hearing talk of Monte Carlo, as if it's a separate city. But no, Monte Carlo is merely the name of an area in the city of Monaco, situated on a different hill (anyone from Seattle can understand how different neighborhoods would be located on different hills).  Also the name Monte Carlo is world renowned because of the famous casino bearing the same name. 

Monaco is tiny:  apparently it's not even able to claim 1 full square mile of area.  However, it's not lacking in money.  Lots and lots of really wealthy people live there, whether they are Monegasque or not (that's the official name for people who are citizens there).  So, without space to expand sideways, Monaco is built UP, like New York city.  When you are on a boat, cruising along the coast of the south of France, you can easily tell when you have begun to pass in front of Monaco, and when you have passed back to the coastline of France:  all of a sudden there are a bajillion high-rises from the edge of the sea, halfway up the mountainside, then equally as suddenly, the view goes back to lush green hills dotted here and there with a villa or petite village.  There's not much else for me to say about Monaco.  I visited the Palace of the Prince and the former home of Princess Grace of Monaco (our beloved American Princess), I saw her grave next to her Prince Ranier's, I saw the church where they were married, I walked around Le Rocher, and went and saw a bit of the Monte Carlo Casino.  

There were pretty neat views from the boat which bore me there.  I recommend going by "bateau" as I did. You get incredible views along the coast line on the way there and back, and if you have a guide they will also likely point out, as mine did, the various villas of the rich and famous along the way, which included (some are former owners) those of:  Bono, Julien Lennon, Charlie Chaplin, David Niven, Elizabeth Taylor, Sean Connery, Paul Allen, Elton John, Madonna, the Rolling Stones, the King of Belgium, etc. 

Monaco in all its glory.

Monaco harbor.

Monaco harbor.

The Oceanographic Institute,
spectacularly perched on the edge of the rock.

The western edge of "The Rock" and part of the Prince's Palace. Also seen is Monaco's smaller boat port.

Approaching the edge of the Rock by boat.
The side of the Prince's Palace is visible. 

A strangely modern building sits in the midst of ancient ruins
on the Rock. 

This is part of the Prince's Palace. The white flag seen flying above the tower indicates that the Prince is at home. Friendly guy!

The Cathedral where Grace Kelly married Prince Ranier.
They are both buried in here as well. 

Monte Carlo Casino

The stunning lobby of the Casino. Unfortunately,
if you're not gambling, that's about as far as you can go!

This one's for Louie:  there were some old posters on display of performances that had been held over the years at the Monte Carlo Opera House. This one, for the uninitiated, displays a scene from Afternoon of a Faun, by Nijinsky.

If you brought any little ones, you can put them on the carousel while you sit and have coffee outside the casino while overlooking the sea. Beware any who think it would be fun to ride: there's a strict upper age limit of 8.  Sorry!