Brass and Bougainvillea

This brass plaque, peering out from the bougainvillea, tells us that here, on the Rock, you'll find the offices of the Minister of State - you can see the building below. The bougainvillea is for Isabella of Naples Daily Photo who loves this plant - see this link.

Jardin Saint-Martin

The St. Martin Gardens are on the opposite side of Le Rocher to the main port of Monaco - see yesterday's posting. Here we are, high up on the Rock, looking down to the sea from one of the many beautiful walks through this early 19th century garden. From this position, if you turned your head to the right, you'd see the Port of Fontvieille.

Digue

The Port of Monaco taken from Le Rocher (see yesterday's post). Monaco has only fairly recently been able to accommodate cruise liners as large as this, due to the new digue (floating dock). The largest in the world, it was built in Spain and towed to Monaco in 2002. The voyage took 13 days. You can read more at this link. I couldn't see the name of this enormous cruise ship when I took the photograph but driving home past the port, I saw it and by the time I got home had forgotten it - but it started with West...then something or other so if anyone knows? I'd like to know where she came from.

This morning I called a friend who lives opposite the port, and asked her to get out her binoculars but she said this ship left yesterday and today there is a new one in port, just as big, but with a white hull this time.

Note: Thanks to my friend Laura who tells me this is the MS.Westerdam - read more at this link.

Lunch break

We're on the Rock today. Le Rocher is the oldest part of Monaco and it's where you'll find the Palace, the Cathedral, the wonderful Oceanographic Museum and much more besides. Here is one of the tiny streets at lunch time.

Le Pêcheur

This sculpture (The Fisherman) stands near to Larvotto Beach on Avenue Princesse Grace and was created by the French sculptor, Gustave Dussart (1875 - 1952).

Proportion

This nicely proportioned building, with its pretty wrought-iron balconies and tall windows, is just behind the police station in Monaco - and one street away from the main port. Probably mostly apartments but there could well be some professional offices - dentists, lawyers, etc.

Meuuuble!

This cow, a piece of art on which to sit, hence its title 'Meuuuble' (Meuble being French for a piece of furniture and uuu being French, presumably, for moo - geddit?!) It's made of white bronze and sculpted by Stéphane Cipre, after a photo by Guillaume Barclay. This sits in the lobby of the Columbia Palace, an apartment building on Avenue Princesse Grace, facing the sea.

This talented Nice artist created another cow outside Stars 'n' Bars, which you can see at this link.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 4

Window shopping - a popular pastime in Monte Carlo. The dog, by the way, is a Porcelaine, a French hunting dog and you can see a better photograph of him here, at Riviera Dogs.

Doorway for a Prince

This photograph shows one side of the Casino building. The beautiful doorway is the Prince's private entrance to the Opera House.

Hôtel Hermitage

The Hôtel Hermitage is one of Monaco's most beautiful Belle Epoque hotels. Set back from the Casino Gardens, you'll find it at Square Beaumarchais. This is a side view of the hotel taken with my back to the port. The awnings below belong to luxury shops that line the road leading into Casino Square. One of the most beautiful features of the hotel is the Winter Garden Dome, designed by Gustave Eiffel - and we all know what else he designed. You can read more about this hotel here. You'll also see a photograph of the Dome on the website.

The Ubiquitous Crane

Cloud looms over the harbour in this photograph which was taken from the terrace of Les Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo - you can see a photograph of the pool at this luxurious spa here. The giant crane is a normal sight around Monaco - building work never stops and it has to be said, with all the work going on, it can be a very noisy place to live.

Christophe, from Bastia DP, was in Monaco recently and has posted some beautiful photographs on Bastia DP. Do go and take a look. I'd hoped to meet up with Christophe last Sunday but in the end it didn't work out with so many dogs here. Next time, Christophe, I hope to be able to come into Monaco and have the pleasure of meeting you.

Hot yellow

It seems logical, with all the luxury in Monte Carlo, to have a 'cars' section so here's one to add to it. Taken outside the Hôtel de Paris, this is (I think?) a Lamborghini - and if it isn't I know one of you guys out there will correct me! And thankyou to iBlowfish who, on Theme Day, pointed out that the Ferrari was a Ferrari Enzo and to Fabrizio who confirmed it. It's so usual to see a Ferrari in Monte Carlo but I knew that one was different! - but didn't know what the difference was. My favourite UK television programme is Top Gear, so I should know these things, shouldn't I?

And for those of you not into cars, I hope you enjoy the rather beautiful entrance to the hotel.

A large wheelbarrow?

Building work never stops in Monaco. Drive through and you'll hear the noise of diggers, you'll see cranes everywhere. In such a small area you wonder that it doesn't ever finish, but it doesn't. And nowhere is this more true than on the harbour - here you see how building materials are transported from one place to another.

Daily Photo Theme Day: The Colour Red

This was an easy Theme Day for Monte Carlo DP. Just take a stroll around Casino Square and you'll find a red Ferrari. You'll also find visitors queuing to pose with the car for a photograph! Mostly men, I might say although I chose to photograph a young lady doing her thing. Do please visit other Daily Photo bloggers who have seen red in their city. A total of 100 are participating in today's Theme Day. You can also take a look at the Daily Photo portal.

Fabrizio from Turin DP (this one's for you!)

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Another way in

This is an alternative entrance to the Hôtel de Paris, which is just around the corner from the main entrance. See that here.

Roller

If you want to see luxury cars, go to Casino Square. There you'll find the Rollers, the Lamborghinis, the Ferraris and more. I don't know who arranges this but I do know that if I were to try to park my car, I'd soon be moved on! "Go to the 'parking' below the gardens," I'd be told. I suppose it's a policy which perpetuates the idea of Monaco as a place of luxury, glamour and over-the-top wealth. Clever marketing actually. This Rolls Royce (or is it a Bentley?) is parked on the Place du Casino - you see the casino to the left and the American Bar of the Hôtel de Paris to the right.

La Fontaine aux Oiseaux

One of my favourite Monte Carlo sculptures: the Bird Fountain is by the well-known illustrator, painter and sculptor, Jean-Michel Folon and stands in the Place du Casino, facing the casino itself. Born in Belgium in 1934, Folon died in the Principality in 2005. Take a look at this link to read more about this artist and see some of his fascinating work. Readers of the New Yorker will know of his almost surreal art.

Hector Berlioz

This statue of Hector Berlioz, the 19th century French composer, stands just below the casino (near to the Monte Carlo Opera House) and overlooking the port of Monaco. You'll find all the information on Monsieur Berlioz that you could possibly need at this link.

Casino de Monte Carlo - 2

Here's a detail of the famous Monte Carlo casino which was built in 1863. Charles Garnier, the legendary architect of the Paris Opera House, created the casino on a grand scale with its rococo turrets and green copper cupolas. As good a place as any, I suppose, to lose your money! Interestingly, Monaco citizens are forbidden access to the casino, as opposed to visitors and Monaco residents who may enter but must produce a passport or identity card.

If you are visiting Monaco, it's well worth the fee to enter the casino and see the amazing gold and marble atrium, the frescoes, bas-reliefs and gold chandeliers.

Princess Grace Rose Garden - 6

Another corner of the beautiful Princess Grace Rose Garden - this time showing the mountains as a backdrop.

Café de Paris - 2

The entrance to a great people-watching place - le Café de Paris. You can see a photograph of one of the beautiful screens here.

Casino de Monte Carlo

Here's the famous Casino with the Mediterranean behind it. If you imagine a square, the Casino forms one end of the square - the Hôtel de Paris is to the right - the Café de Paris is to the left - and opposite the Casino, and behind your photographer, are the Casino gardens.

Les Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo

Les Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo is a beautifully appointed and modern gym/spa situated opposite the main port of Monaco. This beautiful pool opens onto a sun terrace overlooking the port - there's also a restaurant alongside with a menu of fresh and healthy food. If you work out on the machines you do so with the yachts in the harbour before you. You can have massages, beauty treatments, saunas, work-outs. If you stay at the Hôtel de Paris or the Hôtel Hermitage you can walk through to the spa in your white towelling dressing gown following a special underground tunnel. You can read more at this link.

Where's Johnny Depp?

Walking on the terraces below the Casino today, I saw this lovely ship approach the harbour. I looked for Johnny Depp but unfortunately he wasn't aboard. Later, eating lunch, I was lucky enough to see her tie up almost bang in front of the restaurant. The third photo shows a close-up of the pilot boat helping her in. I don't know her name or where she comes from but I'm sure Johnny Depp would know...

A walk in the park

This family are taking a stroll in the gardens of Fontvieille. You can see part of the sculpture, posted yesterday, in the background.

Servi Muti

This statue called Servi Muti (Silent Servants) stands just outside the Princess Grace Rose Garden in Fontvieille. It's by the Italian artist, Roberto Barni.

Columbus Hotel

This is the Columbus Hotel, situated in Fontvieille, opposite the Princess Grace Rose Garden and two minutes from the Heliport. It's owned by the Scottish Formula One driver, David Coulthard and Glasgow hotelier and Monaco resident, Ken McCulloch. The hotel was opened by Prince Rainier in 2001. Click on this link to see pics of the beautiful modern yet relaxing interior.

Princess Grace Rose Garden - 5

One of the entrances to the wonderful Princess Grace Rose Garden in Fontvieille.

Pause café

This area is outside the main supermarket of Monaco. It's called Carrefour and is in Fontvieille: the area reclaimed from the sea. You can see le rocher in the background where you'll find the Palace. If you walk up the steps you'll come to the Museum of Antique Automobiles - for a photograph click here.

You can pause for a coffee or sandwich before or after shopping. Office workers come here for lunch. The photograph below is of the opposite side of this area and the supermarket itself is beyond the arches. You can see another photograph of the supermarket here.

Walk or ride up?

This is taken from the pedestrian street, Rue Princesse Caroline, in the port area. The steps (plus escalator) lead up to some narrow streets with little restaurants and eventually, to Monte Carlo's market in Places d'Armes.

Casino Gardens - 2

This photograph of the northern part of the Casino gardens was taken from the Winter Sporting, which is where you'll find the main cinema of Monte Carlo. These gardens have many beautiful and rare trees and are always kept in beautiful condition. You can see another photo here.

Ovale

Unusual 'port-hole' windows in a building near to the walking street of Monte Carlo. Presumably they'd be the bathrooms or loos? Perhaps hallways?

For the children

This statue is opposite a children's playground in Fontvieille. It's just by the circus tent and near to the gardens posted yesterday. Sorry I don't know the name of the sculpture or the artist. As you can see it was raining and so I ran for cover. Wimp! I've a feeling this statue could depict a nursery rhyme or children's story and hope one of you knowledgeable people will tell me. Maybe it's the old woman who lived in a shoe - but I don't think so?

Hazy lazy days of summer...

This pool is in Fontvieille, near to the circus tent and to the Princess Grace rose garden. Do you remember feeding the ducks or other birds in your childhood?

Apartment ON the sea

The area surrounding the new port of Fontvieille - and this includes the circus tent, the heliport and the Princess Grace rose garden is on land reclaimed from the sea. Here you see some of the attractive apartment buildings - all on reclaimed land.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 3

Walking the dog, talking on the telephone. This little Westie looks unhappy but in fact he or she is, I suspect, very old. The lady was very gentle, walking at the dog's slow pace. Not that I think she could have walked too fast in those shoes!

Pogoria

Amongst all the massive modern yachts, you sometimes find a gem like this tall ship, the Pogoria. She is tucked away to one side of the port - more or less in front of Stars n' Bars. She was built in 1980 in Gdansk for the Iron Shackle Fraternity which is a marine educational project sponsored by Polish National television. You can read more at this link.

Dismantling

Monaco after the Grand Prix. It's lunch break time for some of the many workers you'll see all around the Grand Prix track, dismantling the enormous stands.

Princess Grace Rose Garden - 4

The rose gardens are never less than immaculate. Here one of the gardeners collects fallen leaves. The Meilland rose below is called Violon d'Ingres.

Big Boys' Toys...

...or should this post be called Cars and Boats and Planes, tra la la - except I think that song was Trains and Boats and Planes, wasn't it?

I walked around the main port of Monaco today. Never have I seen so many yachts - in the port, spilling out of the port, out at sea. In addition, there are three or four massive massive cruise liners - one in port, the others anchored out at sea. Most of the yachts in the section of the port in this photograph had crews hard at work cleaning up and preparing to the next playground, ready for the owner to jet in and have fun.

Do you ever think 'where did we go wrong?' I always thought by the time I was 40 I'd have a personal masseur every day and a box of Kleenex in every room. (Yeah, well time was when loo roll had to do to wipe my nose!) So time passed, life got better and now I've got a box of Kleenex in every room. The masseur somehow didn't materialise and as for Big Boys' Toys...I missed the boat. Do I care? No way, José!

Princess Grace Rose Garden - 3

Why not relax on this bench in a corner of the Princess Grace Rose Garden. We could sun ourselves and chat and then perhaps walk around and look at more roses. This lovely one is called Gites de France.

Vista Palace Hotel

This hotel, which looks as if it's about to fall off the cliff is the Vista Palace Hotel. Built on a rock, 333 metres above Monte Carlo, it's actually situated in Roquebrune-cap-Martin. The views are stupendous over the Principality and in the other direction across to Menton and Italy.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 2

Monte Carlo Ladies are a breed apart and I'd like to introduce a few of them to you over the coming weeks and months. Most are locals. They dress to walk the dog, they dress to go to the supermarket. I will only present a rear or side-view to give privacy.

This smartly dressed lady may not be a local tho. She is walking alongside the Louis XV restaurant in the Hotel de Paris and so perhaps is staying there? Perhaps she works there. I don't know. I find when I photograph a person, my imagination runs away with me and by the time I get home, I know her whole life, which of course I don't. What do you think this lady is doing and why is she walking towards the entrance of the Hotel de Paris on Casino Square?

Theme Day: A view from my room

No, it's not my room! (See Menton Daily Photo for that). This was taken from the balcony of good friends in Monte Carlo who live over the Start/Finish line of the Monaco Grand Prix. He is a well-known retired British racing driver and lives out his retirement years in the perfect place.

To see other views from other rooms around the world, please click on the links below.

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