Western Europe
Discover Exotic Garden of Monaco, Monaco’s Cathedral, Monte Carlo’s Casino Frontage and more.
Explore 5 illustrated places, read the stories behind them and look closer on the globe.
Explore Monaco on the globe →
plants
Monaco's Exotic Garden uses a steep site to display succulent plants from different parts of the world. Cacti, agaves, aloes and other collections grow along winding paths overlooking the coast. Beneath the garden, the Observatory Cave contains limestone formations shaped by water over time.
architecture
The Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate stands in Monaco-Ville. Monaco’s tourism authority describes its Romanesque-Byzantine style and pale stone from La Turbie. The central gable rises above a rose window, while rounded arches repeat across the frontage. Look for the broad steps that lead to the entrance and the small arcades higher up. The cathedral is also a place of remembrance for Monaco’s princely family, including Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace.
Source: Visit Monaco
architecture
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is a prominent work of Belle Époque architecture in Monaco. Its operator presents the building as part of a wider cultural and architectural setting that also includes the opera. Look above the entrance canopy to the central clock, then to the paired roof pavilions on either side. Sculpture, balconies and decorative stonework give the facade its layered appearance. This discovery follows the building’s exterior architecture and its place in Monte Carlo’s streetscape.
architecture
Stade Louis II is a multi-sport complex in Fontvieille, built on land reclaimed from the sea. AS Monaco’s history of the stadium identifies its nine arches as a defining feature. The present stadium began hosting the club’s matches in 1985. Look for the repeated openings above the low peach-coloured base, then the slender piers between them. This exterior arcade is only one component of a complex that also contains an athletics track and indoor sports facilities.
Source: AS Monaco
architecture
The Prince’s Palace stands on the Rock of Monaco and remains the official residence of the sovereign. Its outer frontage combines long galleries with fortified towers, reflecting a place shaped by more than one period of building. Look for the contrast between the pale walls and the heavier stonework on the right. Beyond this public-facing exterior lie the State Apartments and inner courtyards, each with a different character. The frontage offers a first glimpse of a residence that is also part of Monaco’s civic life.
Source: Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Read more about Monaco · Choose another country or territory · How to play USURPR
