5 things to know for your visit to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco
The Prince’s Palace will close its doors on October 15. That leaves three and a half months to enjoy this gem, which is only too rarely open to the public. For you, the editorial staff has selected 5 things to see during your visit.
This summer the Prince’s Palace opens its doors! For two years, the Prince’s Palace had been closed to the public because of the Covid. A blessing in disguise, however, since these two years have allowed restorers to update the Renaissance frescoes discovered in 2015.
The Palace, a long history
Monaco has not always been independent. The city once belonged to the flourishing city of Genoa which very early fortified the Rock to defend its western border and protect the port of Monaco.
The legend of Monaco begins in 1297, when François Grimaldi, from an influential family in Genoa, seizes the fortress by posing as a monk. The name of Monaco would come, moreover, from this historical episode, Monaco meaning monk in Italian.
For hundreds of years, Genoa tried to recover the fortress by force. In 1506, the Republic of Genoa besieged Monaco but, aided by France, the painful siege was lifted. The city is to be rebuilt and during the 16th century, Monaco signs a pact of protection with Spain. The fortress becomes useless and is then transformed into a Palace of Renaissance inspiration.
By a game of alliance, Monaco has managed to maintain its independence until today. It is thus one of the rare Principalities still existing in Europe.
1. The Changing of the Guard
To immerse yourself in the princely atmosphere, there is nothing better than watching the changing of the guard on the Place du Palais. Every day at 11:55 a.m., the Prince’s 124 carabinieri take turns in a solemn, century-old ritual to the delight of visitors.
2. The Court of Honor
A must if you decide to visit the Palace, the Cour d’Honneur is certainly the centerpiece of the entire Palace. Richly decorated, it houses the mythical horseshoe staircase desired by Prince Louis I in the 17th century. It also houses the splendid Galerie d’Hercule where one of the largest restoration works on the site was carried out.
The Cour d’Honneur has also seen many events take place within it. Starting with the very attractive concerts organized each summer by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. It is also the place where Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene said “yes” to each other 11 years ago.
3. The restored ceilings
The Palace has completely changed its face compared to two years ago. The frescoes found behind the damaged and restored paintings give a Renaissance look to the Palace. More loaded than before, these frescoes take the visitor back five centuries, during the construction of the Palace on the fortress that protected Monaco.
The Throne Room with the Nekuia of Ulysses and the Chamber of Europe certainly include the finest achievements of the period. To provide a coherent whole, each room has been rearranged with new exhibits. The Green Antechamber has even seen its floor changed.
4. Royal Antechamber
Small room but not the least, the Royal Antechamber is a witness of history. Located just after the Officers’ Lounge, in the visiting order, this is where actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III met for the first time, in 1955. A year later, the Prince and the Princess were getting married, giving birth to one of the most iconic couples of the 20th century.
5. Princes’ Gallery
Last piece of the visit to the Palace, the Galerie des Princes. Remarkably luminous, it completes the visit by referring the visitor to the illustrious Princes of Monaco.
Contrasting with the sculpted white busts of the Princes of the Grimaldi dynasty, the head of Prince Albert II sits at the back of the gallery. Made in or by the artist Barry X Ball, the head is made up of various marine plant species, symbols of the Sovereign’s commitment to the preservation of the oceans.
The Prince’s Palace has designed a “Visit of the Palace of Monaco” application to visit the architectural ensemble from home but also to obtain additional information during the visit.
The Prince’s residence is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until September and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from September to October, for a price of 10€ and 5€ in reduced price.
More information on visiting the Palace: Prince’s Palace of Monaco