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 ...

Hugh Laurie in Monte Carlo

Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band blew us all away in the Salle des Etoiles at Le Sporting in Monte Carlo last night.  He had us up on our feet clapping to the sounds of New Orleans jazz and blues.  This guy is a GREAT piano player - and he sings, he plays guitar and of course he's the witty, adorable, charming Hugh Laurie we know and love.  A great night - thanks Hugh Laurie!

That's Sister Jean McClain in the last photo and she sure can sing ...

Armagnac 1898

A bottle of 1898 Armagnac on display in the Hediard shop at the Metropole Centre in Monaco.  This was taken through two layers of glass: the window of the shop and the display case - so call the result artistic! Wonder if the Armagnac is drinkable?

The Jellyfish Net - 3

And here's how the jellyfish net appears when you are sitting on the beach - just a line across the water.  Presumably if people use the diving platform that you see beyond beyond the barrier, they'd wear wetsuits or risk getting stung.

Probably best to sit on the beach and look at the posh yachts on the horizon ...

The Jellyfish Net - 2

Another view of the jellyfish net at Larvotto Beach.  This one runs from the centre across to beach of the restaurant, La Rose des Vents with the green Grimaldi Forum building to the left. We saw the Grimaldi Forum, with the rhinocerus on the roof, the other day ...