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.