Exploring the “Billionaires’ Playground” with Kids

Once we determined that we would be visiting the South of France, Monaco was quickly added to our list. When you’re visiting the “Billionaire’s Playground” as a family though, you need to think about it a little differently. Much like when we visited Las Vegas with our girls, we had to make some adjustments to how we viewed this city and how we would enjoy it together. While I’d love to report that we had it all figured out before we arrived, that is not exactly the case. We did, however, learn a lot while we were there and, coupled with some pretty extensive research, we believe we can give you some great information that will help you make your day trip to Monaco a great time for your entire family. 

History of Monaco

Monaco was originally founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC and was known as Monoikos (the name comes from two Greek words “monos” meaning single and “oikos” meaning house). In the year 1297, Monaco was seized by Francesco Grimaldi from Genoa. The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, ever since. This makes House Grimaldi the oldest ruling house in Europe. From 1524 to 1641, Monaco was under Spanish protection. From 1793 to 1814, the country was annexed by France. From 1815 to 1860, Monaco fell under Sardinian protection.

The state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. Before 2002, the treaty stated that if there were no Grimaldi heirs to rule Monaco, France would take control. However, this treaty was abolished and replaced by a new one saying that Monaco will still retain its status as an independent nation if the Grimaldi family fails to leave an heir.

Monaco became a full United Nations voting member in 1993, making them the smallest member country. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defense is the responsibility of France. However, Monaco does maintain two small military units. The official language is French, but Monégasque, Italian, and English are widely spoken and understood. Monaco is not formally a part of the European Union (EU), but it participates in certain EU policies, including customs and border controls. Through its relationship with France, Monaco uses the euro as its sole currency.

Click on photo to enlarge and see descriptions.

Why is Monaco’s Ruler a Prince vs a King?

The Principality of Monaco is a constitutional monarchy. A principality is a sovereign state that is ruled by a monarch with the title of prince or princess (rather than king or queen). Monaco is one of only three sovereign principalities in the world. In case you’re wondering, Andorra and Liechtenstein are the other two.

Prince Albert II is the current head of state. Although Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch, he wields immense political power. The prince appoints the government, which is responsible only to him. Legislative power is exercised jointly by the prince and the freely elected parliament.

Interesting Facts About Monaco

I don’t know about your kids, but mine appreciate a few fun facts. We also love learning interesting things about the places we visit. This improves their interest and recall in their history, geography, and social studies courses. Here are some facts you can share with your kids about Monaco.

• Monaco has the world’s shortest coastline at 3.83 km on the Mediterranean Sea. Their coastline has been increasing however, as they continue efforts to reclaim some land from the sea.

• Monaco is one of 5 European "microstates" (the others are Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, and Vatican City).

• The country’s 5.47km land border is completely shared with France.

• Although Monaco relies on France for its protection, it does have a small defensive force on its own. Altogether 255 men serve in Monaco's military, mostly coastal guard and rescue.

• It is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486 are Monégasque nationals.

• While fewer than 40,000 residents seems like a low number, the small size of the country, just over 2 km square, means that it is one of the most densely populated nations in the world. Macau is only slightly more densely populated. Singapore is a distant 3rd.

• Becoming a citizen is not easy. Specific criteria must be met and may include a minimum investment of a million euros or ten years of residency before you can apply. There is no dual citizenship option, and the Prince, himself, will have to personally approve your application.

• According to the 2016 census, more than 125 nationalities are represented in Monaco.

• Monaco is the world’s second smallest country (the Vatican is only slightly smaller). To put it in perspective, the entire country of Monaco is smaller than Central Park in New York City.

• The current life expectancy for Monaco is 87.13 years of age. It is projected to continue to increase to 95.76 by the year 2100. This is among the highest in the world. The world’s average life expectancy is 71.7 years so Monégasque can expect to live 16 years longer than almost anyone else on the planet.

• Monaco has more police per capita than anywhere else in the world! It is possibly one of the safest places in the world! There is one police person per 73 residents. Police are selected from the French police force and undergo an additional two year intensive training to serve in Monaco.

Getting To and Around Monaco

With 40,000 residents and an additional 40,000+ commuting in from Italy and France daily to the tiny country, traffic in Monaco can make the Los Angeles Freeway look like a quiet country road. It is definitely a challenge to drive within the city limits and we found this out firsthand. Kevin was amazing and remained calm and patient as we arrived in the city and attempted to find a place to park. We were stopped once by palace security when we made a wrong turn and found ourselves heading down a restricted road. We witnessed a motorcyclist run into the back of a car. (both parties took a quick look and then headed on their way without making a big deal out of it). We also had to double back more than once after missing our turn. Eventually, we found a parking garage close to the Port Hercule where we could safely park our rental. More than once, we wondered why we hadn’t just taken the train from Nice. While the train is probably the smarter option (and the one we’ll likely choose in the future), I think Kevin secretly enjoyed mastering the challenge.

Though the terrain is hilly, Monaco is a very walkable country. Walking at an average pace, a person can walk across the width of the entire country in less than an hour!  (Yep, that's possible in Monaco.) As a matter of fact, in many situations, it might be the most efficient way to get where you want to go. If you don’t want to walk, and driving is not preferable, there are other options. Monaco has an excellent public transport system. Public buses can get you anywhere you want to go around the city. Monaco has recently started a new program called “Clicbus” that works like an Uber. In certain areas of the city, you get an on-demand bus ordered to your nearest bus stop, even if you’re the only one in your group. Monaco also has an extensive network of almost 90 elevators and 35 escalators to assist pedestrians with navigating the hilly terrain. There are even gondolas and moving walkways to help assist families with young children or visitors with reduced mobility.

So, what are the options for getting to Monaco? The closest airport to Monaco is Nice Côte d'Azur in France. You can drive from Nice in 40 minutes or take the train along the coast in about the same amount of time. From Genoa, Italy, it’s about a 2 hour and 40 minute train ride with scenic views. If you are cruising the French Riviera, your ship will likely dock in Port Hercule for the day. For those who have the money and wish for an extravagant way to make an entrance, you can arrive by sea, in a private vessel, or you can choose between the various heliports to arrive by helicopter.

Monaco’s Economy

Economic development in Monaco was spurred in the late 19th century with the opening of its first casino, Monte Carlo, and a railway connection to Paris. Since then, the principality's mild climate, gorgeous views, and gambling facilities have contributed to Monaco's status as a premier tourist destination and recreation center for the rich and famous.

More recently, Monaco has become a major banking center and has successfully sought to diversify its economy into the services and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries. The state has no tax on passive income for private persons in Monaco, as well as very low taxation for businesses, making it an enticing domicile for many wealthy people. There are 12,261 millionaires per square mile in Monaco.

According to CIA.gov, the country has an unemployment rate of just 2%, as of 2012. However, it is often reported to have an actual unemployment of close to 0%. The prince also guarantees all residents life-long employment so that is a huge factor. Almost ⅓ of Monaco’s residents are millionaires so it is quite possible that many residents are unemployed by choice. Most people who work in Monaco don’t actually live there. More than 30,000 French and 5,800 Italian nationals commute to Monaco to work every day.

What to Do & See in Monaco

Monaco is divided into four sections: Monaco-Ville (also known as Le Rocher or The Rock), the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean (the Palace, the Aquarium, and the best views); La Condamine, the section along the Port Hercule; Monte-Carlo, the principal residential and resort area; and Fontvieille, built partially on land reclaimed from the sea. Few tourists make it to Fontvieille, which is home to Monaco’s smaller, and more private port. If you’re visiting with kids, you’re probably going to spend much of your time in Monaco-Ville.

• The Prince’s Palace - The beautiful pink palace that sits upon the Rock of Monaco (Le Rocher) is home to Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, and their children. The oldest parts of the historic palace were built in 1215, though there was an older fortress on the site, too. It has been the residence of the Grimaldi family since 1297. If you time your visit well, you can witness the traditional Changing of the Guards ceremony which takes place daily at 11:55 am outside the palace. Our kids loved this (and so did the adults).   

The Palace of Monaco is open to visitors from March 26 to October 13, 2024. Visitors can tour the State Apartments and explore over 600m2 of frescoes that date back to the Italian Renaissance. Audio guides are available in 11 different languages.

Our visit took place in November so we weren’t able to tour the castle, but we did get to view it from the outside. We were also treated to the sight of all the preparations taking place for National Day - the annual celebration where the whole population comes together in the square outside the Prince’s Palace in a show of affection for their Sovereign. The celebration, which would take place just a few days after our visit, had the entire country showing off their spirit with flags and decorations on display everywhere we went. We also went back to the palace after dark and watched as several guests emerged after a dinner and ceremony hosted by the Prince as part of the National Day events.

• Musée Océanographique de Monaco - The Monaco Oceanographic Museum (and Aquarium) was the highlight of our day trip to the small country. It is one of the largest scientific institutions dedicated to the study of the ocean. You’ll find over 4,000 species of fish. Our most startling revelation was that the Axolotl our daughters had obsessed over for months (thanks to MineCraft) was an actual living creature. Having been convinced that it was some fairytale being, Ellie and I were startled to come face to face with them in the tanks of the aquarium - much to the delight of the Littles who quickly offered their “I told you so.”

We spent a couple of hours exploring the aquarium. It was comfortably air conditioned and a great reward after making the trek up from Port Hercule below. While the aquarium is an excellent treat for kids, walking there could be a challenge for little ones (or parents pushing a stroller up the steep incline). If the hike up the hill is too much there are plenty of buses (including the hop on hop off bus) or you can walk to the end of Avenue de la Quarantaine (at Parking des Pêcheurs); there’s a lift that brings you to the museum. Once you’re inside, you’ll find elevators to make getting from floor to floor much easier. We loved wandering through the aquarium, discovering creatures we’d never seen before, and learning about the contributions Albert I made to the field of oceanography. Much of today’s knowledge and technology are owed, at least in part, to his curiosity, exploration, and commitment dating back to the late 1800s. Monaco remains committed to the conservation of our oceans and sea life.

• Le Petit Train de Monaco - This tour lasts around 30 minutes and takes you around the main attractions of the city, including Port Hercule, the Grand Prix Circuit, Casino Square, and the Old Town. The train tour is available seasonally from February through mid-November. It can also be booked for special events. You can board the train across from the Oceanographic Museum where the tour starts and ends. The supplied headphones allow guests to hear the tour in any of 12 languages. This is a great way for families, particularly those with young children, to see all the great sights of Monaco. 

• Casino de Monte Carlo - The casino, which opened in 1866, has become one of the world’s most prestigious and wealthiest resorts. The marble and gold casino welcomes rich and famous visitors from all over the world. The casino has been featured in many movies over the years including two in the James Bond franchise - Never Say Never which starred Sean Connery in 1983, and GoldenEye, in 1995 with Pierce Brosnan playing the famous agent. Despite the casino’s popularity and importance to the country’s economy, the residents of Monaco, also known as "Monégasques," are forbidden by law to gamble and even visit a casino!

Since this is an adults-only venue, Kevin and I didn’t take an opportunity to wander inside and play during our visit. However, there are audio-guided tours of the casino available between 10am and 1pm daily and children as young as 6 can participate. Don’t underestimate how impressive it is to see the area outside the casino. It is designed as a pedestrian area and the luxury extends beyond the gorgeous façade. Once gaming begins at 2pm each afternoon, a steady and increasing flow of luxury vehicles begin to arrive at the valet station.  If you have the opportunity to enter the casino for a game or two, be aware that a strict dress code is enforced.

The casino is located in Monte Carlo, the most populous Quartier in the Principality. Since the early 19th century, the Monte Carlo quarter has expanded an additional 100 acres into the sea. Construction is currently underway on a €2 billion ($2.3 billion) project to extend the natural contour of Monaco’s coastline a further 15 acres into the Mediterranean. Once complete in 2025, the new district, Portier Cove, will house up to 1,000 residents in luxury apartments and villas. Additional public spaces will include a hill and landscaped park, a seafront promenade and a little marina.

• Monaco Formula One Grand Prix - Monaco’s most famous annual event is the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, a Formula One car race that dates back to 1929. Drivers are challenged by the course that winds through the city’s tight and twisting streets. It is the slowest, but most challenging of all the Formula One circuits. A win here is the most coveted prize among the drivers.

• Port Hercule - Hercule Port is Monaco’s only deep water port. It is built in a natural bay that sits at the foot of the Rock in the shadow of the Prince’s palace. Major cruise ships and impressive yachts dock here all throughout the year. The port is lined with restaurants and bars and is a great (and free) place for a family walk. During the Grand Prix in May and the Monaco Yacht Show in September, it is host to the most luxurious sea vessels and super-yachts from around the world. During our November visit, we enjoyed seeing several impressive yachts docked in the port and out in the sea within our view. We also enjoyed a carnival that was set up alongside the dock as part of the celebrations for National Day.

• Monaco Yacht Show - Europe’s largest in-water display of yachts takes place each September in Monaco. This event, which began in 1991 is by invitation only and meant as a trade event for brokers. If your travels will take you to Monaco in late September, be advised that you will only be able to view Hercule Port from a distance.

• Exotic Garden of Monaco - The garden and observatory are currently closed for renovations but scheduled to reopen in 2025. The garden was opened to the public in 1933 and features a lush variety of plants. Its location, built into the cliffside of The Rock, provides a stunning view in the midst of nature’s beautiful plants and flowers and gorgeous hardscapes.     

• Princess Antoinette Park - Located in the heart of the Principality, this is one of Monaco’s most popular parks. It opens daily at 8:30am and closing time depends on the season. It offers a wide range of children’s activities, including a mini golf course, sports courts, and even small animals to visit. Admission is free but reservations need to be made in advance. It’s a great way to entertain the kids for a couple of hours.

We enjoyed our day trip to Monaco immensely. Since we've always associated it with the ultra rich and famous, it wasn’t necessarily on our list of family destinations, but we are so glad we made the trip! We were impressed with the beauty of the country and it was really special to see the extra display of flags displayed throughout the country in recognition of National Day. If you find yourself in southern Italy or the south of France, we highly recommend taking a day to experience Monaco as a family.