Looking at Italy

Here we are at Fontvieille - the heliport is behind us - and we are looking towards Menton and in the distance Italy. The building you see is an apartment block with rather nice views.

Gardens of Fontvieille

The gardens in Fontvieille (the area of Monaco reclaimed from the sea) are absolutely beautiful. This area adjoins the Princess Grace Rose garden.

French and Monégasque

So now you know how to write 'Principality of Monaco' in English, French and Monégasque.

Lady Christina

This beautiful yacht is seen in Cap d'Ail harbour. Cap d'Ail borders Monaco and in fact I took this photograph from Monaco - from high up in an apartment in Seaside Plaza in Fontvieille. If you click on this link, you can see Seaside Plaza in the background. The Lady Christina, a 203 foot long super yacht, was first launched in 2005.

Princess Grace Rose Garden

Here you see one of the gates to the Princess Grace Rose Garden in Fontvieille, the area of Monaco reclaimed from the sea. Dedicated in 1984 to the late Princess Grace of Monaco, the garden, currently dormant, holds 4000 rose bushes representing 180 different cultivars. It's a place of meditation and is open each day from sunrise to sunset. I'll try and get back in late Spring, early summer and photograph the garden for you.

Sac-O-Mat

This is how Monaco encourages people to pick up after their dogs. Does your town or city do the same? This box was near to the Heliport in Fontvieille.

Les Atlantes

This sculpture is by the Canadian figurative sculptor, Blake. It's installed in gardens by the Heliport of Monaco in Fontvieille. Les Atlantes is dedicated to the celebration of life. Depicted are three men representing various aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual existence. In the background of the photograph above, you see part of the luxury apartment building called Seaside Plaza, where incidentally, Princess Stephanie of Monaco has an apartment.

Dive!

This sculpture, which stands in front of the main port of Monaco, is by Emma di Sigaldi.

Lady Moura

The 'Lady Moura' is the largest yacht in Monte Carlo and apparently in the world. Built in 1990 at a cost of $100 million, which makes her reputedly the most expensive private yacht in the world, she is owned by a Saudi business man, Nasser al Rashid. She carries a crew of 60, and incorporates features such as a beach resort complete with sand, a large pool with a retractable roof, and a 75ft dining table custom-made by Viscount Linley. She has an onboard helicopter and you can see more photos of her here.

Cranes

This is a typical scene in Monaco - building cranes everywhere. Work never seems to stop in what is, after all, a tiny place. The rather beautiful building you see top left is the Hôtel Hermitage - many consider this hotel to be superior to the famous Hôtel de Paris. One of the smaller bars of the Hermitage was converted from what used to be Maria Callas' dressing room!

Up, up and away...

This helicopter took off seconds before I took the photograph this morning. There are flights throughout the day to and from Nice airport - quicker than the drive and much more fun! The Heliport is situated at Fontvielle and very near to the circus tent. I noticed some private helicopters on the pad too. Up up and away...

Square Theodore Gastaud

This is a secluded square, just in from the main port and just off the walking street. Musical evenings are held here on summer nights.

Formula One for kids!

Grand Prix T-shirts are on sale all the year round in Monaco. These were on a rack outside a clothing shop for children in the pedestrian street of Monte Carlo, just up from the port.

Passage privé

Private entrance on Boulevard des Moulins.

Entrance and Exit

Here's the sign at the entrance to the luxurious Metropole shopping centre. You can see other photographs of this tempting place here and here.

Morning constitutional

Dog and man off for a walk in the Casino gardens. You can see another photograph of the gardens themselves here.

Check-out at Carrefour

Carrefour is the big supermarket of Monte Carlo. Here you see just a few of the many check-outs - and as you will see, dogs go almost anywhere in Monaco - and France. I often see Madame walking around the supermarket with Fifi, her little caniche (poodle) in the bottom of her shopping trolley amongst the brie and jambon. Illegal perhaps but somehow a blind eye is turned...after all, how could she possibly leave her little darling home alone in her apartment. Vive la France!

The bus stops here

Here's a Monte Carlo bus stop. In the map you can see the shape of Monaco - just a narrow strip of land. Monaco has a truly excellent bus service - very easy to get around. Mind you, so is walking...

Grimaldi Forum

This is the 5-year old Grimaldi Forum - a magnificent centre for exhibitions and conferences in Monaco. If you click on this link you can read all about it and go on various Virtual Tours. Grimaldi is of course the family name of Prince Albert of Monaco and you may like to know - those of you old enough to remember, that is - that in the film The Red Shoes, Norma Shearer threw herself off the cliff at exactly the spot that now houses this conference centre.

Sunday mornin'

11.45 on a Sunday morning - Boulevard des Moulins - shops all closed, hardly anyone about. Behind me is an outdoor café, filled with people taking coffee or a glass of wine - but here, nothing much stirs...