Monte Carlo - Monte Carlo visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Monte Carlo' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Monaco.

Monte Carlo is perhaps the best known and certainly the wealthiest district in the Principality of Monaco, a small country on the Mediterranean coast south of France. Known for its casinos, gambling, glamorous fashions and rich people, this small suburb lies at the foot of the maritime Alps and lends its name to the escarpment upon which the town stands.

Monte Carlo is named after 'Mount Charles' in honour of Charles III of Monaco and was founded in 1866. The Port of Monaco, which is overlooked by Monte Carlo, is first mentioned in 43BC, showing the human interest and occupation of the area goes back centuries. For a time in the Middle Ages Monaco was governed by Genoa, finally regaining independence in 1524.

The rise of Monte Carlo started once the the Monte Carlo Casino moved to the Les Spelugues area in the 1860's. The casino struggled at first, but then took off with the arrival of the railway in 1868.

Home to the world famous casino and the Formula One Grand Prix World Championship racing circuit, Monte Carlo is also home to royalty and counts celebrity and sports people amongst its resident population of around 3000. In 2003 a new cruise ship pier has generated yet another influx of tourists.

Monte Carlo is one of several districts within Monaco, bordered by Saint Michel, Saint Roman, Tenao and Larvotto along the shoreline. It also shares the border with the French town of Beausoleil (formerly known as Haut-Monte-Carlo).

Monte-Carlo Attractions

Aside from Monte Carlo Casino, associated Casino Gardens and shopping, many of the museums and other attractions are centred around Monaco-Ville and include:

• Palais du Prince (Prince's Palace ) - 13th century Genoese fortress, official residence of the Royal Family, whose state rooms are often open to the public.
• Place du Palais - square in front of the Palais du Prince, laid out with cannon and cannon balls dating from Louis XIV, with the Changing of the Guard daily at 11.55am and stunning views over Port de Fontvieille.
• Musée Océanographique - marine museum with objects from journeys of Prince Albert and finds and equipment from various Jacques-Yves Cousteau expeditions. The Museum also contains an aquarium, library and various laboratories.
• Jardins de St-Martin - gardens around the Musée Océanographique with stunning views over Monaco and the Mediterranean.
• Monaco Cathedral - Romanesque-Byzantine built between 1875 and 1884 and containing an altarpiece by Louis Bréa (C.1500) and other works.
• Napoleon Museum - located inside the Place du Palais this museum contains memorabilia of Napoleon I.
• Fort Antoine Theater - a major attraction on Svenue de la Quarantaine, this is one of the best outdoor theatres in Monaco with a capacity of 350.
Wax Museum of the Princes of Monaco - found on Rue Basse the museum contains life-size wax models of various rulers of Grimaldi dynasty of Monaco from the 13th century onwards, dressed in period outfits.Exhibition of HSH The Prince of Monaco's Vintage Car Collection - display of nearly 100 classic cars of all ages and six coaches belonging to HSH, Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
• Museum of the Chapel of Visitation Barbara Piasecka Johnson Collection - various masterpieces of sacred art by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and the masters of Italian baroque housed in a 17th century Baroque chapel.
• Moneghetti - district on the northern end of Monaco with lovely terraces on the east slopes of the Tête de Chien.
• Monte Carlo Casino - one of the biggest draws in Monaco, found north of Monaco-Ville.

Flight: Côte-d'Azur International in Nice, 25 miles from Monaco and then bus.
Train: Monaco-Monte Carlo Station