Larvotto's Levels

This is a small part of the promenade above Larvotto beach. Avenue Princesse Grace is above - that's where we were yesterday.  And if you walk to the lowest level, then you are on the beach with even more restaurants.

Sass' Cafe

Sass' Cafe on Avenue Princess Grace. We saw it from the outside yesterday.  It's always packed and if you are walking along the street you have to pass through this narrow passage and hope you don't crash into a waiter.

The small photo shows one of the long tables before service.

Red at Night

The Grimaldi Forum at night - and on the far side of Avenue Princesse Grace, you see Sass Cafe - a trendy restaurant, usually full of pretty girls from eastern Europe. I've never eaten here but hear the food and service is really good and certainly the place rocks as you walk past the tables at night. It's always packed.

The Pink Rolls Royce

Only in Monte Carlo! ... a pink Rolls Royce for sale in a showroom on Avenue Princesse Grace. 

The photo was taken through dirty windows - handprints galore on the glass. Lust for a pink Rolls perhaps?

Footballers' Feet

Here's the same promenade as yesterday but taken from the other direction. Today we are looking towards Italy - that's Cap Martin you see in the background. The large building is the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort.

You can just about see plaques set into the pavement - below the lights,  These are footprints of famous footballers cast in bronze. Click on the link to see what I mean. Each year one international footballer is chosen in the Golden Foot Competition for this honour. 

Lighting Up Time

This is the promenade that runs along the back of the Grimaldi Forum - from Larvotto Beach, past the Japanese Gardens to Portier.

It's almost dark - kids rollerblade or skateboard - dressed up people stroll, ready for a night out in Monaco.

Concert at the Palace - Homeward Bound

The concert is over.  The audience is leaving the palace - to go home or perhaps to find a late supper at a restaurant on le rocher. We went to Le Pinocchio.

Concert at the Palace - Click

As you can see I wasn't the only one taking photographs.

Concert at the Palace - Butterfly

Did the butterfly enjoy the concert too?

Concert at the Palace - Ute Lemper

German chanteuse, Ute Lemper, sang beautifully - and dramatically - the songs of Berlin - of Paris.  She sang Kurt Weill, Jacques Brel, Milord, L'Accordeoniste, the Saga of Jenny.  My favourite was when she sang Lili Marlene a cappella.  Superb! And she finished with Cabaret and All that Jazz.  You can read about Ute Lemper's illustrious career by clicking on the link - and hear her singing too.

The conductor was Lawrence Foster with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Concert at the Palace - the Gallery of Hercules

Whilst we wait for the concert to begin, we can enjoy a detail from the magnificent Gallery of Hercules.

It dates back to the reign of Stephen the Governor who wanted to give the Grimaldi residence the majestic, harmonious look of Genoese palaces. It is by the Milanese architect Domenico Gallo. The gallery vaults are frescoed with patterns reminiscent of Italian Renaissance leitmotifs while  in the fourteen lunettes, episodes narrate the childhood, toils and death of Hercules.

The Gallery of Hercules is particularly dear to the Monagesques. It is here that the Prince appears during important events while onlookers gather in the Courtyard of Honour (which is where we are sitting). You may recall the recent wedding of HSH Prince Albert and Miss Charlene Wittstock.

I wonder if I'm sitting in the same chair as did one of the crowned heads of Europe on that day ...

Concert at the Palace - the Cour d'Honneur

The audience is slowly taking their seats.  We've entered the massive gates of the Palace and are in the Cour d'Honneur (The Courtyard of Honour) - note the stunning Gallery of Hercules.  We'll learn about the history as this little series continues.

Meanwhile, dusk is falling, we are getting settled and soon the musicians of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will take their places.

Concert at the Palace - Lady in Red

It's dusk as the audience waits to get into the Palace and some people take advantage of the view of Fontvieille harbour below - captured forever in a photographed or enjoyed through a pair of binoculars.

Concert at the Palace

Get your glad rags on - we're going to a concert in the Cour d'Honneur an the Palace.  Here some members of the audience make their way towards the enormous entrance, which dates back to the 17th century. 

On the programme - Ute Lemper and the Philharmoic Orchestra of Monte Carlo.  The doorway on the left of the palace (with the curved canopy) is the musicians' entrance.

Dusk in the Port of Fontvieille

It's dusk and the street lights have just come on.  This is in at the harbour of Fontvieille, taken from way above at the Place du Palais on le Rocher last night.

Blue Skies

 Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see 

  Irving Berlin

Marble?

It looks like marble, doesn't it? Or perhaps coloured glass?  But as you see, it's simply a reflection, in the sea, of  Le Formentor, an apartment building on Avenue Princesse Grace.

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.

Le Sporting Monte Carlo - Champagne Nights ...

Our last day at Le Sporting (perhaps I should say evening) - and this is what it's all about - glamorous women, attentive waiters, embossed glasses and of course, buckets of champagne that glisten with condensation.

Le Sporting Monte Carlo - the Mirrored Ceiling

In the foyer of Le Sporting, look up ... to see yourself and the spectacular floor.

Le Sporting Monte Carlo - Eliza's dress?

Just outside the place where you leave your coat is this dress and hat in a glass display case. Perhaps it belonged to Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady?

Le Sporting Monte Carlo - the Rollng Stones

We still in the foyer of Le Sporting Monte Carlo.  And on the walls: portraits of the Rolling Stones.

Le Sporting Monte Carlo - the Bike

This swanky looking bike is displayed in the foyer of Le Sporting, Monte Carlo.  I suppose it's a Harley Davidson but really I haven't a clue.

Le Sporting Monte Carlo - the Foyer

The foyer of Le Sporting.  These people are waiting to enter the Salles des Etoiles - it's off to the right, out of shot.

Rather fabulous floor, don't you think ...

Salle des Etoiles - under the Stars

The roof of the Salle des Etoiles has been opened.  Look up and we see the stars.  And there, through one of the enormous open windows is the moon.

Salle des Etoiles, Le Sporting Monte Carlo

This is a small part of the dining area of the Salle des Etoiles at Le Sporting Monte Carlo.  This shot was taken shortly after it opened at 20h.30 and within minutes was filling up fast for the Hugh Laurie evening.

Later, the ceiling will be opened and we'll dine under the stars - hence the name ...