Situated on the Mediterranean coast of France close to the Italian border, this tiny, tax-free principality (the second-smallest microstate, behind the Vatican) has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century. The famous casino has a lush Italianate interior, lavish with frescoes and chandeliers, and is connected to the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo by a passageway. The coastal Avenue Saint-Martin is adorned with cliffside gardens and is home to the Cathédrale de Monaco, where Princess Grace was married and now rests. The Golden Circle and the Avenue des Beaux-Arts feature haute couture shops. Monaco’s rather conservative culinary scene has lately been infused with new Asian-focused venues. Each May, Formula One racing cars speed through the streets during the Monaco Grand Prix.
To phone hotels and restaurants in Monaco, dial 011 (international access) + 377 (Monaco code) + city code and local numbers in listings.
Passport (valid for at least three months beyond end of stay). Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov.
Six hours ahead of New York (EST).
Monaco, like the Côte d’Azur, enjoys hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. June and September are the most pleasant months of the year.
Euro (€). Fluctuating rate valued at €1.00 = US$1.16 as of September 2018.
None. Consulate: Marseille, Tel. 1-43-12-48-85.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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