This boutique is one of two on Le Rocher, set up by the late Princess Grace as part of the Fondation Princesse Grace. This one sells hand-made baby clothes - something you rarely see these days and quite beautiful they are too.
24 July 2007
23 July 2007
Where's the Chef?
It's around 11 in the morning and this young chef hurries back, through one of the tiny streets on the Rock, to the restaurant where he works.
22 July 2007
Postes
Here's the post office on Le Rocher. Apart from the poubelle (rubbish bin) it's rather nice, isn't it? In Monaco you buy a Monaco stamp. French stamps are not accepted. And whilst mailboxes in France are yellow, in Monaco they red - remember the Daily Photo Theme Day: a Public Mail Box.
21 July 2007
Bashful, Happy and Sneezy on the Rock
Down a narrow road leading off the Place du Palais, I peered through an old wrought-iron gate and spied Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Not what I expected in Monte Carlo!
20 July 2007
Monaco Open Air Cinema
This is new Open Air Summer Cinema, just along from the Oceanographic Museum. It advertises as starting at 9.45 at night but normally it's 10 p.m. or later. You can buy a glass of wine, you can sit in lounges or chairs. The films are in English with French subtitles - and it's a great place to meet up with friends. Why not come tomorrow - they are showing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? It's rather magical setting I think you'll agree. Click on the website of the Summer Cinema, scroll down, and you'll see a map of exactly where this is on the Rock.
19 July 2007
Les Années Grace Kelly, Princesse de Monaco
This year, for the first time, Monaco is holding an International-scale exhibition in tribute to the late Princess Grace. Held at the Grimaldi Forum and open from July to September it's called 'Les Années Grace Kelly, Princesse de Monaco' and is organised in close collaboration with the Prince's Palace, which has unveiled never before seen items (letters, dresses, jewels, fashion accessories, film, photos...), this exhibition retraces all the periods and facets of her life, from Grace Kelly, Hollywood star, to Princess of Monaco.
At the same time, you'll find many beautiful photographs of the Princess displayed on the streets. The one above, taken in 1970, show Princess Grace taking Princess Stephanie to school, Rue Compte Félix Gastaldi.
18 July 2007
Cannon balls!
What do you do when you've got a load of spare cannon balls? Here's the answer!
This is the Place du Palais (see yesterday's post) and is where you'll find rows of benches (with cannon ball support) under the shady trees.
This is the Place du Palais (see yesterday's post) and is where you'll find rows of benches (with cannon ball support) under the shady trees.
17 July 2007
Cannon!
Amidst the cannon and the cannon balls, visitors look down from the Rock, onto the port of Fontvieille. The palace is behind me - and to the left you can look down over the main port of Monaco. Tomorrow, I'll show you another use for cannonballs.
16 July 2007
Musée Oceanographique
This is the back of the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium. I'll show you a photograph of the front another day. Founded by Prince Albert 1, it was inaugurated in 1910. This is an amazing museum of marine sciences and not to be missed if you are visiting Monaco. The building rises majestically from the sea to a height of 279 feet and took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie, a village high above Monte Carlo. Part of the museum is dedicated to Albert 1, who was a major navigator. Here you'll find his laboratory ships and collections of marine fauna including a skeleton from a 66-foot whale.
In the basement, you will find the world-famous aquarium with its extraordinary show of marine flora and fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystem.
15 July 2007
Invitation
This sculpture called Invitation, by the Dutch artist and sculptor, Kees Verkade, stands in the Jardin Saint-Martin on Le Rocher. You see many sculptures by this Monaco resident around the Principality and can read more at this link. He specialises in the human form with emphasis on movement and emotion.
The gull dropped in for the photograph.
The gull dropped in for the photograph.
14 July 2007
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.
13 July 2007
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.
12 July 2007
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.
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.
11 July 2007
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.
10 July 2007
Le Pêcheur
09 July 2007
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.
08 July 2007
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.
This talented Nice artist created another cow outside Stars 'n' Bars, which you can see at this link.
07 July 2007
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.
06 July 2007
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.
05 July 2007
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.
04 July 2007
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.
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.
03 July 2007
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.
And for those of you not into cars, I hope you enjoy the rather beautiful entrance to the hotel.
02 July 2007
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.
01 July 2007
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!)
Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada - Ajaccio, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Budapest, Hungary - Moscow, Russia - Auckland, New Zealand - Torino, Italy
Fabrizio from Turin DP (this one's for you!)
Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada - Ajaccio, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Budapest, Hungary - Moscow, Russia - Auckland, New Zealand - Torino, Italy
30 June 2007
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.
29 June 2007
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.
28 June 2007
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.
27 June 2007
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.
26 June 2007
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.
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.
25 June 2007
Princess Grace Rose Garden - 6
Another corner of the beautiful Princess Grace Rose Garden - this time showing the mountains as a backdrop.
24 June 2007
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.
23 June 2007
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.
22 June 2007
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.
21 June 2007
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...
20 June 2007
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.
19 June 2007
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.
18 June 2007
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.
17 June 2007
16 June 2007
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.
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.
15 June 2007
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.
14 June 2007
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.
13 June 2007
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?
12 June 2007
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?
11 June 2007
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?
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