Blonde Ambition

Crossing the Casino Gardens ...

Reni

On the night the casino was lit up pink, I met Reni in the Casino Gardens. She wears wonderfully original clothes - and is obviously a character.  She immediately went into 'pose mode' when I asked to take her photo.Thanks Reni!

The Hôtel Hermitage

We seem to be looking at a lot of hotels lately, don't we? No surprise because if you walk around the Casino area, which is what we've been doing, that's where the most prestigious hotels are to be found.


In 1900 the modest establishment of the Hôtel Hermitage was transformed into a luxurious residence for visitors. Its Belle Epoque dining-room was the work of Gabriel Ferrier, winner of the  Rome Prize and gold medallist at the Universal Exhibition of 1889. It boasted magnificent frescoes recalling paintings by Fragonard and Boucher. The structure of the glass roof in the Winter Garden was designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel, father of the tower in Paris which bears his name.  Click on the link to see this glass roof which is stunning.

Another look at the Pink Casino

Here's a dfferent perspective on the casino lit up pink in aid of breast cancer awareness and Pink Ribbon Monaco.  This time we are looking down the length of the Casino Gardens.

There are many Australian and South African trees and shrubs in the gardens. On the right I think we are looking at a bottle brush, or is it a grevillia?

A Drink before Dinner

Terrace of the Café de Paris.  20h.00.

Hôtel de Paris

The Hôtel de Paris seen through the waters of one of the fountains in Casino Square.

The Pink Casino!

Last night the Casino in Monte Carlo was lit up pink!

The Hotel Metropole and the Casino de Monte-Carlo joined forces with Pink Ribbon Monaco and 200 other cities and 45 countries, by showing their support to victims in this way and to promote breast cancer awareness.

Marc Quinn's Burning Desire

We've already seen quite a number of Marc Quinn's sculptures currently on exhibition at the Oceanographic Museum.  Here's another massive sculpture in the Casino Gardens.  It's made of painted bronze and is called Burning Desire.

Jimmy*z in Winter

These photos were taken in March when Jimmy*z had taken over what was the old Moods at the back of the Café de Paris.  In summer it goes to its usual venue on Avenue Princesse Grace. I don't know if it's open here too. Maybe someone knows?

This reflective ball is at the entrance - you walk down stairs to the nightclub itself.

Ironwork

Beautiful solid wrought iron gates grace the entrance to this part of the Casino building.

Old and New

Old photographs of the buildings around Casino Square decorate canvas panels that hide the latest renovations.

All that glitters ...

This isn't a scene I shot and turned into sepia. It's a decorative screen on sale in a gallery in the Winter Sporting. And the edges of the Casino are decorated with shiny stones of some sort. Probably not diamonds! But who knows? This is Monte Carlo, after all.

And if you can't afford the screen (and I don't know the price) perhaps you'd like a handbag showing the same scene.

Chanel

The Chanel shop ... it's the contrasts that can make Monte Carlo so fascinating.

In Step

Sunshine and shadows on the steps leading down from the back of the casino building.

I seem to think I've seen exactly the same design of wrought iron railing outside the Metropole Centre but perhaps my memory is deceiving me. It often does ...

Sweeping Up

Curved windows at the back of the Café de Paris make good photo opportunities.

Time for Tea

Mid-afternoon - time for tea, a hot chocolate or perhaps a glass of vino. The terrace of the Café de Paris is always a good choice as you can watch the world go by at the same time. As it does on Casino Square...

Bank Decor

A British bank in Monaco - hence the Monegasque flag and the Union Jack.

McLaren or Triumph?

Casino Square was a car-watchers paradise the other day. There was either a car fair on in Monaco or perhaps a special auction.

The sexy shiny black number above is a McLaren and the old car in the smaller photo is a Triumph.

Which do you prefer?

Waiting for the Night

Waiting for the Night: Christmas lights on the way to Casino Square.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's that time of year again...