Europe is full of grand countries with well-known histories. Germany, France, and The United Kingdom are all former empires with huge bustling tourist industries. Yet some of Europe’s most interesting places to visit are its smaller principalities and countries. The anomalies that have slipped between the cracks as history has unfolded. Monaco is one of those places.
An overview of Monte Carlo
When you visit Monaco the chances are that you are heading straight for Monte Carlo, the most famous administrative area of Monaco. It is so well known due to its links with gambling and casinos, which attracted huge amounts of wealth and riches back in the past and this continues today. Originally, the town was a seaside resort. Prince Charles of Monaco decided that he could make money by attracting tourists who wished to gamble. He had seen this happen in Germany and wanted a similar attraction to aid the flagging fortunes of his house.
The early days of this venture were not successful, so the area was sold to a German businessman who had a previous track record in the industry. He began to operate bathing and gambling establishments in the area that would later become known as Monte Carlo. Soon, not only the wealthy but artists and composers began to visit the area, giving it its reputation as a cultural hotbed of Europe.
This headland sits at the base of the Maritime Alps and is littered with high-end casinos. Some of these have strict dress codes and pricey table games. Luckily, the area has also changed in how it approaches gambling. The shift to more casual gaming brought on by the proliferation of online casino websites has seen them relax a little. If you are the kind of person who plays online and constantly strives to get tips and strategies for online gambling success, you should fare well in Monte Carlo.
Even if casinos are not your thing, there are other attractions. To the east, Monte Carlo has one public beach. You can also cross into the French town of Beausoleil at the eastern border, but this place also has a similar feel to Monte Carlo itself.
History of Monaco
Monaco is not that much bigger than Monte Carlo. It is the world’s second smallest country, second only to Vatican City. It was part of France but was granted to Genoa in 1215. The ruling Grimaldi family set up there in 1297 and they remain there today. This swing between France and Italy, along with a consistent ruling family, has lent it a unique history. It was occupied by French revolutionary troops for a period and has been under the protection of Spain, Italy, and Sardinia. Now it is protected by France.
Prince Albert II has been the ruler of Monaco since 2005 when he took over from his father Prince Rainer III. It was Prince Rainer III who is largely credited with reforming the country and bringing its economy up to date. While the area has grown rich in tourism, banking, and gambling, Rainer managed to reduce the latter to three percent of the country’s revenue, diversifying its income. Part of its appeal to the wealthy is its tax and income tax-free status. However, not just anyone can move to Monaco.
When visiting Monaco and Monte Carlo, you can expect to find a warm, Mediterranean climate. It faces the sea to the east. Expect hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters. While there are few sights outside of casinos and hotels, one of the other main attractions is the Salle Garnier. This is the main opera house in Monte Carlo, built by the architect Charles Garnier. He was also responsible for similar buildings in Paris. His style is similar throughout with beautiful frescoes and sculptures.
Monaco in the media
The principality has a reputation for being a playground for the wealthy, and as a result, has attracted a lot of media attention. If its casino heritage was not enough to do this, in 1956 Prince Rainer III married Grace Kelly, Hollywood royalty. This brought the area to the world’s attention and brought back the arts and culture that had flourished there in the past.
It has also been featured in a host of movies. These have included everything from superhero blockbusters, family comedies, and of course, two James Bond films. Plenty of musicians have visited the area and written songs about it, including Grover Washington and Van Morrison.
Visiting Monaco can be a shock to the bank account. It is hard to do it on a budget, and even the most thrifty of travelers will soon find themselves spending vast amounts just on food and drink. Luckily, Monaco and Monte Carlo can be seen in a relatively short space of time. You should also keep aside a small budget for experiencing the casinos and hit the opera house for a night of culture.
