Escapade Monaco

Embark on a walking excursion off the beaten track to the Principality of Monaco to discover its historic centre, panoramas and gardens.

Palace, cathedral, gardens and views high above the Mediterranean

Leaving the restaurant, stairs ascend above the port leading to Monaco’s historic centre. They come out at the Palace square, where carabineers perform the traditional 100 steps (changing of the guard at 11.55am). We take in views of the Fontvieille quarter and the sea below then pass through the lanes of the Old Town towards the Cathedral, which holds the sepulchres of defunct Princes and the tomb of Princess Grace.

From the Gardens of St. Martin we follow a walking path lined with exotic plants. The path has several recesses cut into that contain sea-facing benches, pergolas and a large fish-filled pond. The tour passes in front of the Museum of Oceanography then re-descends towards Fort Antoine, which has been converted into an open air theatre, and finally returns to Hercule Port.

Games, grand hotels and mythical square

The ascent leading to the Place du Casino can be reached by a ferry service which crosses the port all year round from Quai Rainier 1er to Quai des Etats Uni (€1 and free for under 7s). Adults (18+) are welcome on a 40 minute tour of the inside of Monte Carlo casino.

From the square in front of the Hotel de Paris, where children will enjoy admiring beautiful cars, we walk down towards the Grimaldi Forum via a path that takes us past the Boudha Bar, and then go down to the Fairmont Hotel.

A zen break among the garden’s paths and in its tea house

Lower down still, just before the Grimaldi Forum, we will take an unguided tour of the 7000m² Japanese garden designed by a Japanese landscape architect, and blessed by a Shinto priest. The garden is a stylised representation of nature, and includes a mountain, waterfall, beach, stream, bridge and a small tea house. The garden contains a huge variety of plant life, relaxing recesses and many coloured carp. Explanations of their value and symbolic meaning are also provided.

American style sports bar and restaurant

For fun and trendy lunch or dinner, go to Stars’N’Bars restaurant on Quai Antoine 1er. Both young and older lovers of American specialities and Tex-Mex food are catered for within the setting of this American style sports bar. The menu includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, tacos, cheese-cakes, brownies, milk-shakes, and much more.

Children will love playing in the games room, which is packed with electronic games and simulators, to leave parents free to enjoy a coffee break. Seating is provided close to the window looking on to the games room so that parents, especially with young children, can keep an eye on their young ones.

Learn more about the Stars’N'Bars restaurant in MONACO »