Monte Carlo for many people is synonymous with Monaco, however Monte Carlo is only a district within the Principality of Monaco. Monte Carlo district is the major residential and resort area of Monaco and is world famous for its luxurious Casino, the Salle Garnier Opera, which is part of the casino, and the Hotel de Paris, which is one of the world’s most famous hotels, and is home to much of the circuit of the Monaco Grand Prix which runs every year during May.
Founded in the 1860’s, Monte Carlo is located on the Plateau des Spelugues which is the top of the escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps. It was named Mount Charles or Monte Carlo after the then reigning monarch, Prince Charles III, and is not the capital of Monaco as many people believe it to be!! The creation of the casino and hotel complex occurred after Prince Charles III made a formal agreement with France, that upon the exchange of a large part of Monaco’s land for money from France, the independence of Monaco from France would be guaranteed!! The agreement left Monaco with less resources and thus less revenue causing Prince Charles III to decide upon the development of a new source of revenue through the expansion of a tourist industry and the initiation of gambling through the casino. Today Monte Carlo is world famous for its casino having become a world class vacation destination!!
The casino, the opera hall and the Hotel de Paris were designed and built by Charles Garnier in the 1860’s, who created ornate and attractive buildings which have become icons of Monaco. The approach to these buildings is called the Place du Casino and is resplendent with magnificent cultivated gardens, lawns and water features, while at the rear of the buildings there are open terraces which offer panoramic views of the coast and sea. The interiors of the buildings are heavily decorated, as was the fashion of the day, with frescoes, bas reliefs, marble pillars and sculptures!!
Monte Carlo is however more than just the casino, for some R & R take some time out and visit the man made beach of Larvotto. It is the best and main beach of Monaco and fortunately it is a Public Beach!! It is also worth a trip to the Japanese Gardens, designed by Yasuo Beppu who created an authentic oriental masterpiece with waterfalls, ponds, bamboo fences and of course a tea house!! Well worth a visit to calm the inner soul and harmonise the spirit!!
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