PRINCE'S PALACE OF MONACO

MONACO

The Princely Palace of Monaco preserves the history of Monaco before it became a glamorous, jetset destination. The interior of the palace, known as the Grands Appartements, reveals the secrets of the past through its historical heritage. There's also a Napoleonic museum and the palace archives.
A must-see experience: at 11:15 a.m., watch the changing of the guard in front of the Palace.

Monaco landscape view on the rock

A visit to Monaco's Palais Princier

During your visit to the Palace, you can admire :

• The Court of Honour
• The Hercules Gallery
• The Hall of Mirrors
• The Salon and the York Room
• The Salon and the Louis XV room
• The Throne Room ...

Prince Albert II has decided to restore the exterior and interior painted decorations of the palace. But also, to renew the circuit of public visits. These changes will be visible from spring 2022.

The archives of the Prince's Palace of Monaco are also worth visiting. They preserve many treasures of European history, especially on the former fiefs of the dynasty. These territories are now a network of friendship and cultural promotion. Rainier III created the Napoleonic memorabilia museum, gathering several objects belonging to the emperor.

See the changing of the guard

Before or after your visit, attend the changing of the guard at 11:55 a.m. daily.
A military ritual that marks the changing of the guard. Thus the soldiers are relieved to make way for their fresher comrades.
Solemn march and very impressive to see and punctuated by the steps of the soldiers. The bell sounds the end of the change.

changing of the guard - in front of the princely palace of monaco - ©shutterstock

Read the article on the Changing of the Guard

The history of the palace and its glamour

Its history

The Prince's Palace of Monaco was originally a fortress, built from 1215 onwards. This border fortress was intended for the Republic of Genoa.
It became the property and residence of the Grimaldi family at the end of the 13th century, marking the beginning of their sovereignty over Monaco. This marked the beginning of their sovereignty over Monaco.
In the 16th century, the Lords of Monaco requested recognition of their independence by the European powers.
They obtained this recognition in 1512 by the King of France, then the Emperor and the Pope in 1524.

Symbol of glamour

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the Princely Palace of Monaco became the symbol of glamour and the jet set.
Rainier III brought Monaco to the forefront of the international scene.
Thanks to his contacts and his marriage to the American star Grace Kelly gave a new image to Monaco.
The principality very quickly became the meeting place of Hollywood celebrities

The castle's facilities

Since the acquisition of the Palace by the Grimaldi family, several changes have been made.
It was with the investiture of Prince Honoré II in 1604 that the residence took on the appearance of a princely palace in the Italian Renaissance style.

The castle loses its medieval appearance and takes its inspiration from the Genoese palaces. Honoré II ordered the enlargement of the Princely Palace of Monaco, which took on its present form.
The construction of two wings with galleries lined with arcades was built on the courtyard. He had the gallery serving the upper floor of the Grand Apartments decorated with frescoes.

The story of Hercules, which was fashionable at the time, can be seen drawn there. He built a cabinet of curiosities, a palace chapel and the layout of the French garden.
He also built a bathhouse and an aviary. He enriched the art collection with porcelain, furniture, silverware and tapestries.
Numerous paintings by the greatest masters were installed in the palace. His reputation spread as far as Paris.

did you know that

We say the Prince of Monaco and not the King of Monaco because the latter reigns over a principality and not a kingdom.
Beyond the political reasons it is due to the fact that Monaco is an independent state within a sovereign state. Thus the country's politics are strongly influenced by the latter.

Each prince has contributed to the sublimation of the residence, which is a sign of the monarchisation of the dynasty.
Louis I had a grand horseshoe staircase built, inspired by the Château de Fontainebleau. But also a huge door opening onto the square. He enriched the art collection by commissioning the greatest masters of the time (Hyacinthe Rigaud, Van Loo, Largillière, Mignard, Le Brun, Gobert). When the French Revolution swept through Monaco, this rich collection was dispersed.

After 20 years, the palace was reinvested at the same time as the restoration of the princes in 1814. Charles III requested the restoration of the palace and the reconstitution of the art collection.

Opening hours - Prices - Accessibility

Timetable and information

Tours of the Grands Appartements are open from April 2 to October 15, 2023.
Tickets can be purchased online via the link below.

Opening hours:
April 2 to June 30: 10am - 5pm. The Palais closes at 6pm.
July 1 to August 31: 10 am - 6 pm. The Palais closes at 7pm.
September 1 to October 15: 10am - 5pm. Palace closes at 6pm.
Visits will be closed during the F1 Grand Prix weekend.

Duration of the visit: 30 minutes

Changing of the guard: every day at 11:55

Prices

Adults: 10 euros
Children and students (6 to 17): 5 euros
Groups (20 people or more): rates on request

No PRM access