Palais Princier

#1 among destinations in Monaco

Top attraction, Baroque architecture, Historical place, Palace, More...

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0 / Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Martin Furtschegger / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Nikolai Karaneschev / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Alexander-93 / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Zinneke / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / M.Strīķis / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Slawojar / URL

Facts and practical information

The Palais Princier of Monaco stands as a testament to the grandeur and history of the principality. This opulent palace has been the home of the Grimaldi family since the 13th century and continues to be the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Perched atop the rocky promontory of Monaco-Ville, also known as "Le Rocher," the palace commands a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea, making it a stunning backdrop for state occasions and royal ceremonies.

Originally built as a Genoese fortress in 1191, the palace has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the centuries, transforming it into the luxurious residence it is today. The architecture is a blend of medieval fortifications and Renaissance splendor, with hints of the 19th-century belle époque style. The Palais Princier is not just a residence but also a symbol of the sovereign state's continuity and an embodiment of its rich heritage.

Visitors to Monaco can explore the palace's opulent State Apartments, adorned with frescoes, tapestries, and priceless artworks. The palace also features a museum, which houses the personal heirlooms of the Grimaldi family, and the changing of the guard ceremony, which occurs daily at 11:55 AM, is a popular tourist attraction.

The palace's exterior is equally impressive, with its Italianate facade overlooking the Port of Hercules. The main courtyard, known as the Cour d'Honneur, is paved with over three million colored pebbles forming intricate geometric patterns, a technique known as "pebble mosaics" that adds to the palace's ornate charm.

Local name: Palais de Monaco Coordinates: 43°43'49"N, 7°25'20"E

Location

Place du PalaisMonaco-Ville 98015 Monaco

Contact

+377 93 25 18 31

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Day trips

Palais Princier – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Stade Louis II, Oceanographic Museum, Monaco Top Cars Collection, Rainier III Nautical Stadium.

0.4 miSW
Sport venue, Sport, Sport complex
Stade Louis II
10 min walk • Stade Louis II is an emblematic sports venue nestled in the principality of Monaco, renowned for its distinctive architecture and as the home ground of the AS Monaco football club. Completed in 1985, this modern stadium replaced the original Stade Louis II, which dated...
~880 ftE
Museum, Specialty museum, Natural history museum
Oceanographic Museum
5 min walk • Nestled on the rugged cliffs of Monaco's coast, the Oceanographic Museum is a bastion of marine science and conservation. This majestic institution has been dedicated to the study of the oceans since it opened its doors in 1910.
~1300 ftW
Museum
Monaco Top Cars Collection
7 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the principality of Monaco, the Monaco Top Cars Collection is a haven for automobile enthusiasts and a testament to the passion of its founder, Prince Rainier III. This museum, established in 1993, showcases a magnificent array of over 100...
~1530 ftN
Sport venue, Sport, Outdoor activities
Rainier III Nautical Stadium
8 min walk • The Rainier III Nautical Stadium is a premier sports venue nestled in the heart of Monaco, offering both locals and tourists an exceptional aquatic experience. This state-of-the-art facility, named after Prince Rainier III, is an oasis for swimming enthusiasts and a...
~130 ftE
Church
Saint Nicholas Cathedral
1 min walk • The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, but sometimes called Saint Nicholas Cathedral, or Monaco Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monaco in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, where many of the Grimaldis were buried, including Grace Kelly and—more recently—Rainier III.
~1170 ftSW
Museum
Monaco Naval Museum
6 min walk • The Naval Museum is a museum of model ships, paintings and maritime objects in Fontvieille, Monaco. It is an international museum, dedicated to all navies from ancient times to our era.
0.4 miW
Park, Garden, Cave
Jardin Exotique
11 min walk • The Jardin Exotique de Monaco is a botanical garden located on a cliffside in Monaco.
0.4 miNE
Harbor
Port Hercule
10 min walk • Port Hercules is the only deep-water port in Monaco. The port has been in use since ancient times. The modern port was completed in 1926, and underwent substantial improvements in the 1970s.
~640 ftNW
Museum
Napoleon Museum
4 min walk • The Napoleon Museum in Monte Carlo, Monaco was a museum of artifacts which once belonged to the French Emperor Napoleon I.
~1160 ftW
Park, Outdoor activities, Zoo
Jardin Animalier de Monaco
6 min walk • The Jardin Animalier de Monaco is a zoo located on the Esplanade Rainer III, in Monaco's Fontvieille ward, on the southern side of the Rock of Monaco.
~520 ftNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Rock
Le Rocher
3 min walk • The Rock of Monaco is a 62-metre tall monolith on the Mediterranean coast of the Principality of Monaco. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the Port Hercules.