Looking up - On Aura Tout Vu - Clubbing

At the foot of the beautiful staircase in Villa Sauber (we'll see that another day) is a fascinating display comparing nightlife in the 19th and 21st century. Two egg-shaped structures, standing side by side, house the dolls - here you see the clubbing scene of our time. Tomorrow, we go back to the 19th century and Mme. Galéa's dolls, dressed for a Second Empire 'rout'.

If you'd like to read a more detailed account of this stunning exhibition, the designers and Villa Sauber, do click on Alex's excellent article on City Out Monaco.

Looking up - On Aura Tout Vu

There is an amazing new exhibition at the National Museum Villa Sauber on Avenue Princesse Grace. Last night I was invited to the vernissage with le tout Monaco and I loved it all - including the champagne served in gold, black or silver goblets...

Villa Sauber used to be known as the Doll Museum and housed one of the world's great collections of antique dolls and automatons originally owned by Mme. Galéa. The museum closed for renovation and has opened with this crazy, wonderful, clever, beautifully mounted exhibition which is an hommage to Mme. Galéa's collection by edgy Parisien couturiers - On Aura Tout Vu.

Come with me over the next few days and see some of the exhibits. Here are a few demons - all great fun.

More tomorrow...

Checking the Jellyfish Net

This little boat is checking the edges of the protective net on Larvotto Beach. The net protects swimmers against jellyfish.

Oasis

A pretty roof garden tucked away behind Port Hercule. (Taken from le rocher)

Folon's Birds plus One

Wonder if the gull knows he's become part of Jean-Michel Folon's fabulous Fountain of the Birds on le rocher.

Sheep, goats and rabbits...in Monaco

No, you are not at the wrong place... there really are sheep, goats and rabbits in Monaco. This is a small area in the Parc Princesse Antoinette - the children's garden.

I believe part of the late Prince Rainier's infamous zoo below le rocher has been turned into a petting zoo for children and happily some of the wild animals sent to Africa - a couple or so years ago two leopards, Pitou and Sirius, were released into the wilds of Africa by by conservationist Virginia McKenna. Sadly, Pitou was killed by a puff adder in January this year.

Recycling

Plastic bottles into flowers...

Here's another 'tree' created by children from one of the kindergartens in Monaco and on display in the Parc Princesse Antoinette.

Ladies who Lunch...

...at La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach.

Emma's Dream

We're back at the Princess Antoinette Park which is a children's garden and where today its paths are lined with mysterious trees.

Each 'tree' has been decorated by children from the various kindergartens around the Principality.

This tree addresses children's life and dreams - you see Emma's in the last photo:

'Life is when I run with my brothers below where I live. It's super! I would like to drive a beautiful black Ferrari such as you often see in Monaco.'

And she probably will...

A Roof Garden

This roof garden overlooks le rocher - you can see - in the distance - the Oceanographic Museum on the left and the cathedral on the right. In the middle ground you see the crenellations of the Palace.

The photo foreshortens everything - in fact there is a big space between this garden and le rocher. I took it on a long zoom from just below the Jardin Exotique which is even further away.

The Old Bell

This bell hangs outside the Cathedral on le rocher. It came from the old church of Saint Nicolas which was built in 1484 and was rung in celebration in 1641 when Prince Honoré II expelled the Spanish garrison and so liberated Monaco.

Bling

If you don't want to wear glittery high heels on your feet, you can always wear them on the t-shirt.

The Carabinier's Smart Car

A Smart car belonging to the Prince's Carabiniers - as you can see it's electric and is 'charging' at a docking station opposite the Palace.

Monaco Grand Prix - the Big Clean-Up

Immediately the Monaco Grand Prix is over, work begins to dismantle the stands.

The main photo shows the Pit Lane on the far left. In both photos you can see the outside tables of restaurants that are facing the port although no one can see the boats with all the steel in the way.

These photos were taken a week ago so probably the majority has already been cleared away by now.

Fooling the Eye...

Trompe l'oeil on le rocher. False window, false bougainvillea...

At the base of this wall is a restaurant's outdoor seating.

Sainte Cecile

On le rocher, look up and you might see this. Isn't she lovely...

The Fete Day of the Roman martyr, Sainte Cecile is celebrated on the 22nd November in Monaco. Sainte Cecile is often considered to be the patron saint of musicians.

The charming marble sculpture is by the artist Ange Zagoni.

The Old Well

This lovely old well stands in the gardens of Monaco's new National Museum, Villa Paloma.

Villa Paloma - the Pirate

This jolly Johnny Depp type stands outside the newly restored Villa Paloma, which is now the National Museum of Monaco. It's simply called 'Pirate Untitled 2008.'

He's overlooking Port Hercule and to the right le rocher. To his left is Cap Martin and beyond that Menton and Italy.

(Forgive me, I forgot to note the name of the sculptor and will add this at a later date. If anyone knows, do please jot me a comment or email.)

Doorway

A pretty entrance on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique.

A Curtain of Bougainvillea

The Parc Princesse Antoinette is a garden for children high up in Monaco - it's near the Jardin Exotique and the new national museum of Monaco, the Villa Paloma.

This sculpture is almost hidden in the bougainvillea - there's a curtain of it along another wall. This is not my favourite colour bougainvillea - others love it. I find the colour too strident, too harsh when there are beautiful soft reds and apricots available. No matter - it's the toughest variety which is doubtless why it's used so much in the south of France, Italy and Monaco.