Name of the Ligurian-Greek (6th century BC) port settlement, for it's association with a temple to the Canaanite deity Melqart, (the Phoenician precursor to Hercules,) who was later worshipped there as Herakles Monoikos = Hercules the Solitary said to have passed through the area during his 12 labors & driving out/ excluded other gods from his temple. (Monaco's main harbor is still called Port Hercule.)
The ultimate opulent destination for glamour; luxury yachts, casinos, and fancy fast cars fill this French Riviera "playground for the elite."
@ a glance essentials:
.
Language:
French
+ Italian
-
Water safety
Generally Safe to Drink, some regional exceptions. May taste chlorinated.
Plus Monégasque. Many locals can speak English.
Currency:
Euro
Local Transport
XYZ Public Transport; Metro, Bus, Tram & Trains are sufficient
Be aware of dress codes & behavior expectations; shorts, sportswear and flip-flops aren't allowed in the Monte-Carlo e.g. When in doubt, go glam & bougie.
Hot Tip:
The coastal micro-state of Monaco, only 2 square km on the Mediterranean Sea 🔍 coast of France, is the 2nd smallest independent country in the world.† The regions earliest modern human inhabitants where indigenous Ligurian tribes; mountain-dwelling pastoralist in the 1st millennium BC.
The Ancient Greeks established a colony ~6c BC & during the classical period Monoikos was a strategic Mediterranean 🔍 port. Under Roman control in 1c BC it was known as Portus Herculis Monoeci and the fortified harbor was used in the conquering of Iberia 🔍.
a bit of background...
........................ François Grimaldi, known as "Malizia" (meaning mischievous) seized control of the fortress of the Rock of Monaco, and the whole city-state for the Grimaldi, by disguising himself as a monk to gain entry and jumping the guards.
Fun Fact:
After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire 🔍 in the 5c it was raided multiple tines by invading Arab Tribes until their expulsion in 975 AD, and in the Middle Ages was under control of the Holy Roman Emperor until the end of the 12c when it was granted to Genoa (an independent republic 🔍 in what's now northern Italy.)
In 1297 the Genoese House of Grimaldi seized control of the territory, (significantly larger than today's city-state 🔍) and has essentially maintained sovereignty, ever since. †† By the late 15c, they had secured formal independence from Genoa, by becoming a protectorate of France, but then lost 80% of it's land area to a succession revolution in 1848, leaving the principality 🔍 with only its core fortified coastline.
† After Vatican City
†† With the exception of a few decades when it was annexed during the French Revolution
Must Try Local Cuisine:
Barbajuan† - 1/2 moon deep fried puff pastry filled w/ Swiss chard, ricotta & leeks ∞ Ratatouille - mixed veg stew
Fish Stew 🍲 like Bouillabaisse or Stocafi - from dried cod ∞ Daube†† - provencal wine braised beef stew
Beignets de Fleurs de Courgettes - zucchini (courgette) flower fritters
Pissaladière - caramelized onion & anchovies diamond pattern tart ∞ Soca - chickpea pancakes
Fougasse - sweet bread w/ orange, raisin & anise, usually decorated with almonds & pine nuts
Tarte Tropezienne (or la tarte de Saint-Tropez) - sweet brioche cake filled w/ Crème Diplomate (custard cream)
➿➰➿
† Eaten year-round, but famously served on the National Day of Monaco, Nov. 19th †† Named for the daubiere - terracotta dish with a concave lid that it is slow cooked in
I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit
Name
(but it's on the list!) - So I don't have any personal
(If you get there first send me your best finds !)
recommendations yet, but you can start with the most popular spots
below, and I'll update with my favorites, hopefully soon!
Most Known For:
♦️ Casino de Monte-Carlo - legendary Belle Époque casino, immortalized in James Bond films
🔸 Port Hercules in Monte Carlo Harbor: glitzy waterfront w/ superyachts, luxury boutiques,
& cafés. surrounded by high-rises
♦️ Monaco Grand Prix Circuit - the Formula One motor race course
🔸 "The Rock" in Monaco-Ville (Old Town) w/ 🔎 Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate
(formerly ...of Saint Nicholas) & perched on it's peak is...
♦️ Palais Princier (Prince's Palace) - historic fortress-palace; official residence of Grimaldi family,
w/changing of the guard ceremony & Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology inside (featuring
regional excavations dating to 10K BC)
🔸 Jardin Exotique- cliffside garden w/ thousands of rare succulents & cacti, prehistoric caves and sweeping views
♦️ Museums like cliffside Oceanographic Museum & Aquarium w/ shark lagoons, exotic fish, 6,000+ marine specimens,
whale skeletons & a 90m aquarium tunnel, the Naval Museum or the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM)
art museum, (two sites @ Villa Paloma | Fontvieille & Villa Sauber | Larvotto seafront.)
🔸 Larvotto Beach - w/ imported sand, clear waters, beach clubs & luxe promenade
♦️ Performing Arts: Opéra & Ballets de Monte-Carlo & Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
📽️ NOTABLE FILMS SHOT IN MONACO:
⭐ Iron Man 2 | 2010 ⭐ Ocean's Twelve | 2004 ⭐ GoldenEye | 1995 ⭐ To Catch a Thief | 1955
⭐ Murder Mystery | 2019 ⭐ Grand Prix | 1966 ⭐ Never Say Never Again | 1983
🍿
🌀 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 🏁 (May) - Iconic street-circuit race; principality's biggest event &
the Monte-Carlo Rally (Jan)- Historic rally race through mountainous roads
🌀 Feast of Sainte Dévote (Jan 26/27) - Patron saint festival with torchlight procession, boat burning & fireworks
🌀 Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival (Jan) - World's top circus acts compete for big top Clown awards
🌀 International Fireworks 💥 Festival (July–Aug.) - Competing pyrotechnic displays over the harbor
🌀 Monaco Yacht 🛳️ Show (Sept.) Premier super-yacht exhibition in Port Hercule
🌀 Fête du Barbajuan Festival - annual celebration of the 1/2 moon, deep fried puff pastries filled w/ Swiss chard,
ricotta & leeks (famously served on the National Day of Monaco; Nov. 19th)
🌀 Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival (Nov.) & Monaco (Annual) Art Week (Spring)
🌀 Rose 🌹 Ball (March) Charity ball founded by Princess Grace
Site Key:
Five Star Recommend
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