Legends have long been made of Monaco and its most storied district, Monte Carlo. Monaco enjoys some 300 sunny days a year, with clement winters and celebrated summers. But fall is the perfect time to visit, with milder temps, clear blue skies and cool sea breezes that only seem to heighten this tiny monarchy’s immense charm and beauty.
Begin your exploration at The Rock, the monolithic headland that lies directly opposite. Located in Monaco-Ville, the old fortified city where the principality has its roots, The Rock is home to Monaco’s government center and Royal Palace. (Be there at 11:55 am for the ceremonial changing of the guard.) Wander about the square with its lovely St. Martin Gardens and neo-Byzantine Cathedral; the tombs of Princess Grace and Prince Rainer lie near the choir.
Another of Monaco’s many gardens worth exploring is the Jardin Exotique, where millions of species of cacti and succulents boldly cling to the steep, craggy rock. Some 200 feet below lies a prehistoric cave filled with astounding stalagmites and stalactites.
Be sure to make time for the impressive Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium. It’s ranked among the world’s best – and not just for the grand neoclassical facade, which dramatically rises over the sheer cliff face. The museum is filled with strange sea fauna and creatures collected aboard the Prince’s laboratory ships, of which you’ll find models alongside sea animal skeletons, lab equipment, tools and other sea-related items.
Of course, no visit to Monaco would be complete without a turn at the prestigious Place du Casino, the center of Monte Carlo’s excessive culture. Perhaps no place else in the world boasts such a concentration of international high rollers than this Belle Époque gambling house, which dates from 1861. Soak in the spectacle from the terrace of the unabashedly pretentious Café de Paris right outside.
Just beyond the Casino’s tempting tables, the celebrated Côte d’Azur is dotted with beachfront resorts and delightful hillside villages. Immortalized by painters and poets, these enchanting mountain enclaves are an easy daytrip from Monaco and offer a more serene, sophisticated alternative to the principality’s extravagance. Jetsetters and art lovers head straight for Nice, Europe’s legendary winter retreat. Amble along its palm-lined Promenade des Anglais and such legendary landmarks as the imposing Hotel Negresco, noted for its Rococo façade, gigantic Baccarat chandelier and Gobelin tapestries. Another worthy stroll: the narrow alleys of the Old City, which wind past ancient red-roofed buildings and an aromatic flower market. Stop to try some socca, a tasty chickpea crêpe that’s a Nice speciality. And Henri Matisse lovers simply can’t pass up the chance to visit the Matisse Museum; located on Crimiez Hill, it holds a vast collection of the artist’s works.
Have your walking shoes ready for pedestrian-only Eze. Spectacularly perched on a rocky cliff face, this picturesque medieval village seems frozen in time and offers superb views across the Côte d’Azur. Another wonderful walled village, St. Paul-de-Vence was beloved by Marc Chagall; indeed, everyone from Jean Dubuffet to D. H. Lawrence were left captivated.
You’ll quickly come under Vence’s spell, with its still-intact ramparts and the remarkable Maeght Foundation, the region’s finest modern art museum. Find your own fairytale story along the breathtaking shores of the Côte d’Azur, and experience the enchanting beauty in each picture perfect destination.
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