royalty in monte carlo

The Top Tourist Sites in Monte Carlo, Monaco

As part of our 2 weeks in the South of France for our 3rd anniversary, Matt and I checked another country off our list, with a trip to Monaco.  We were not F1 fans then, like we are now, but were still excited to see the city's twisty roads and deadly curves.  We took a quick train ride from our homebase in Nice and stepped out into a hot and humid day, in a city with SO MANY HILLS.  After walking around for a bit on our own, we decided to join a hop-on, hop-off tour so we could get a lift around town and check all the tourist sites off our to-do list.  

The top sites on our tour of Monte Carlo included:  Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monte Carlo Casino, Opera de Monte Carlo, Prince's Palace of Monaco and the surrounding candy-colored Moneghetti District, plus the stunning façade of the Musee Oceanographique.  

We explored the Jarden Exotique, Les Jardens Saint Martin and Princess Grace Rose Garden and the Princess Grace Japanese Garden.  We had a drink at Quay Jean Charles Rey overlooking the Monaco Yacht Club and then saw views of Monaco Harbor from above.  

Unfortunately, we were dressed too casual to enter the famous Monte Carlo Casino, but we were able to walk through one section on our way to the other side of the building.  The magnificent architecture from the outside was enough for me to fall in love with Monte Carlo.

 

 

Another dazzling town we visited along the Cote d'Azur was Menton, France.  Like the Moneghetti District outside the Prince's Palace in Monaco, Menton streets were lined with pastel buildings in cotton candy hues.  The beauty of the South of France is hard to beat.