Place d’Armes, the Monegasque art of living
Place d’Armes is a gem who has crossed the ages, in the heart of the Principality. Pride of the Monegasques, the square turns out to be a community cradle, where Italian pasta, socca and barbagiuans mingle. After Place Joséphine Baker last month, Monaco Tribune continues its series dedicated to Monegasque neighborhoods near La Condamine.
If there is one place to symbolize Monegasque life, it is this one. Unmissable place on this side of the city, the Place d’Armes, within the Condamine, is cherished by its regulars and fascinates its visitors. Its Provencal character and affordable prices are the opposite of the Monaco of Monte-Carlo.
” It is the only place in Monaco where we still speak French or even a little Monegasque », Rejoices a user on Facebook in comment of our micro-pavement on the district of Condamine. A feeling confirmed by regulars on site. ” I love this place, it’s just authentic“, Confides a customer of the market hall, at lunchtime. Son spouse adds: ” it’s good [la nourriture], and it’s beautiful. “
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Nowadays, the Place d’Armes is known mainly for its market, installed since 1880. Fruits and vegetables in the morning, barbagiuans and afterworks in the evening, the square is central to the Monegasque way of life: the Condamine Market, the restaurants in the hall, the large terraces of the establishments under the arcades, the children’s play area and… a Christmas tree.
So central that, on November 22, the city will light up from the Condamine market square, the starting point for the end-of-year celebrations.
Parking on the square
In popular parlance, the ” Parade “Denotes the” gathering place of a small troop and a central space hosting the important ceremonies of military life. “Features that can be found in this square, especially with the police station.
The Condamine district gradually urbanized from the twentieth century, then was designated as one of the three municipalities of the Principality in the Monegasque Constitution of 1911. Before that, the surroundings were green, the square was littered with gardens and served as a link between the Rocher, the Route de la Turbie and the Route de Nice.
The square kept this function of transitional space in the following years: it housed a tram stop and a bus stop. In addition, a parking lot ran along the facade on the side of the arcades.
A warm place
La Condamine, or ” condominium “In Latin, namely the” common domain », Remains considered by this community spirit. In the old days, people would go to the kiosk to buy their tobacco or take the tram. Today, they come for lunch or for coffee.
Despite the transformations that the Place d’Armes has undergone over time, the very essence of this place where people can meet has indeed endured.