25 Places to visit before you die: No.12 Casino Square Monaco

There are few words in the lexicon that conjures up an image of style and sophistication more than Monte Carlo, Monaco.  And at the heart of Monaco is the legendary Casino Square, a worthy entrant in afterabc's list of, 25 Places to visit before you die.

The Principality of Monaco is very small, 1.95 sq km (0.75 sq miles), the second smallest independent country in the world and the approximate 34,000 residents making it the most densely populated. Monte Carlo is not, as some might believe, the capital of Monaco but an area within Monaco, (Monaco does not have a capital). The Royal Family of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco since the 13th Century, and Prince Albert, can be regularly seen at social functions and takes a very active role in the oversight of the Country. 

  

The Square has three iconic landmark buildings; the Grand Casino, the Café de Paris and the Hotel de Paris.

 

The Grand Casino is without doubt the world's most renowned casino, and indisputably the most glamorous. Surprisingly only one James Bond film, Golden Eye, has featured Monte Carlo; but the Grand Casino is surly the spiritual home of the worlds most famous '00' secret agent.

The sedate, even discreet, Belle Epoque setting was designed in 1863 by Charles Garnier, grand architect of the Paris Opera, the interiors will not disappoint any visitor; they are magnificent. Whilst many of the rollers at the Casino will be fabulously wealthy, the less well-heeled are welcome if suitably attired; black tie or long evening dresses is no longer mandatory, but high standards and formalities are maintained.

Those gamblers in the know who are looking for Lady Luck to sit on their shoulder will visit the bronze statue of Louis XIV's horse in the lobby of the Hotel de Paris to rub the left knee, prior to venturing to the tables.

 

 

 

 

 

As one looks towards the Grand Casino, The Hotel de Paris is on the right side of the Square. The Hotel de Paris is not just another 5 star luxury hotel, it is today as it has always been, the epitome of elegant grandeur, other hotels may boast; they are the largest, the tallest, the most technically advanced, The Hotel de Paris can make no such claims, it simply is seemingly effortlessly sensational. If you are rich and or famous you stay at the Hotel de Paris, if of more modest means dress and act as though a regular guest and visit the Hotel's bar for a drink to glimpse at what makes this place so special. The Hotel's restaurants are what you would expect in this part of the world, exceptional food and wine accompanied by good service. However, the Le Louis XV formal restaurant is in a different league: Head chef, since 1987, is the world renowned Alain Ducasse who is a master of simple haute cuisine using the finest quality Mediterranean ingredients. 

The Hotel has added a Spa centre, (fabulously state of the art) the Thalassotherapie de Thermes Marins, it can be reached via a walkway under the Hotel, and is a great place to relax refresh and rejuvenate after a morning of shopping in the designer stores of Monaco.

To the left of Square is the Café de Paris, and no trip to Monaco is complete without at least a drink at the café. This is the premiere "see and be seen" spot, whether sitting outside or dining inside, this is arguably the best French brassiere in the world.

 

 

 

 

Any description of Monaco would not be complete without mention of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. The first race was run in 1929, was won by won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti, and the venue was included in the first year of the F1 Championship in 1950. Two F1 drivers are synonymous with Monaco; Graham Hill, due to his five Monaco wins in the 1960s and Ayrton Senna who has a record six victories.

The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race.

Triple Formula One champion Nelson Piquet, said of racing at Monaco was; "like trying to cycle round your living room", but added that "a win here was worth two anywhere else".

Very similar to visiting, Monaco is twice as good as anywhere else.

 

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