Historical Buildings Walk (Self Guided), Monte-Carlo

Cafe de Paris and Casino date back to 1868. The most recent renovation in 1988 gave the Cafe a Belle Époque style that mimics many Parisian bistros from the early 1900s. The cafe features two modular terraces with views of the nearby hotel that has impressive antique cars on display.

If you enjoy high-end gambling, Cafe de Paris and Casino is one of the top places to go in Monaco. There are over 140,000 square feet of gaming rooms, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the games that you want. The gaming area's setting has been inspired by the Historic Grand Prix.

When you dine here, you'll be enjoying an exciting brasserie setting. Some of the most popular types of foods include pasta, fresh fish, beef dishes that include steak tartare and veal, and delicious desserts including pastries. There is also a full alcohol menu offering everything from wine to cocktails.

The Monte Carlo Casino is perhaps the world's most famous gambling venue, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco. At some point, in the 1950s, it was controlled by Aristotle Onassis.

The idea to open a gambling business in Monaco came from Princess Caroline in the late 1840s. She saw this as a chance for the Principality to avoid bankruptcy after the loss of tax proceeds from the breakaway towns of Menton and Roquebrune.

In the 1850s, Monaco was not much of a fancy place. It didn't have sufficient road link to the neighboring Nice and the rest of Europe, no suitable accommodation or any other amenities for visitors. The casino changed several managers before it started to gain profit, in 1859.

In 1863 it was taken over by François Blanc who had used his entrepreneurial skills to raise a required capital for a massive development of the area, launched in 1858. Among those who first invested in the project were Bishop of Monaco and the future Pope Leo XIII. The new casino complex, designed in a distinct Beaux Arts style by architect Charles Garnier, author of the Paris Opéra building, was finished in 1863. The area, previously known as Les Spelugues (The Caves), was renamed to Monte Carlo in honor of Prince Charles, the then ruler of Monaco. In 1879, an opera and ballet theatre, known as the Salle Garnier, was added to the complex.

For many years, the Monte Carlo Casino remained the key source of income for Monaco's economy, yet its own citizens have always been banned from gambling. It is for this reason that all visitors to the casino must present their IDs to ensure that no locals get inside.

A lot of fictional, as well as factual, peculiar events have been associated with the Monte Carlo Casino over the years. Among them the James Bond movies, partially set in and filmed on the location, and the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) Formula-1 race, passing by the casino building each year.

The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, established in 1863 as part of Monaco's development by the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) under the patronage of Charles III of Monaco, recently underwent an extensive $280 million renovation lasting more than four years. It reopened its doors in March 2019. Among Monaco's luxury hotels, this establishment boasts the finest view of the Monte Carlo Casino and the sea.

The hotel boasts several renowned restaurants, including the Michelin 3-star Louis XV - Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris, Michelin-starred Le Grill, the Omer restaurant (the second restaurant by Alain Ducasse), and Le Bar Americain, which is featured on WorldsBestBars.com.

Furthermore, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo has played a prominent role in numerous films, such as Confessions of a Cheat (1936), The Red Shoes (1948), Iron Man 2 (2010), Monte Carlo (2011), and two James Bond films: Never Say Never Again (1983) and GoldenEye (1995). It also made an appearance in the 2012 animated film Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted and served as a popular location for the renowned photographer Helmut Newton.

The Opera de Monte-Carlo, also known as the Salle Garnier, is an opera house, which is part of the Monte Carlo Casino located in the Principality of Monaco. It opened in 1879 by then ruling Prince of Monaco, Charles III, who thus sought to diversify the Principality's cultural life. Initially, it served as the Prince's private theatre and its main entrance was reserved for the royal family.

The opera house took eight months to build and was designed by architect Charles Garnier who was also responsible for the construction of the Palais Garnier in Paris. Hence the resemblance between the Salle Garnier and its Paris sibling, being an exact but smaller copy, with only 524 seats, of the latter. Both buildings reflect a Belle Epoque style.

The inauguration of the Salle Garnier took place on 25 January 1879 with a show featuring Sarah Bernhardt, clad in a nymph costume. Since then, the theatre has hosted 45 world premieres, including Hector Berlioz's “La damnation de Faust” in 1893, Saint-Saëns's “Hélène” (1904), Mascagni's “Amica” (1905), and Puccini's “La Rondine” (1917). It also saw the very first performance, in January 1894, by Italian tenor, Francesco Tamagno, of Verdi's Otello, as well as many other 20th century opera greats, such as Nellie Melba and Enrico Caruso (in “La bohème” and “Rigoletto”, 1902), and Feodor Chaliapin in the opening spectacle of “Don Quichotte”, by Jules Massenet, in 1910.

Today, the Opéra presents five to six operas during a season. It was transformed for the third time on 27 July 2013 to host the Love Ball, a fundraising gala event organised by the Naked Heart Foundation.

Why You Should Visit:
The setting alone is worth a visit, and the facade will already impress any visitor here.
The interior is spectacularly ornate with drapes of red velvet, lots of gold leaf, bronzes, friezes and crystals everywhere.
If you're a fan of architecture & design, this is a must – especially if you get to see it in use!

The Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo is a splendid Belle Époque-style palace located in the heart of Monte Carlo. It was constructed in the early 20th century under the architectural guidance of Jean Marquet, a prominent Monegasque architect. This establishment boasts an expansive, high-end, and opulent design, featuring a neoclassical façade that faces the Mediterranean Sea.

This hotel is renowned for its association with the Monacan Belle Époque movement, showcasing elegant and subtly refined features. The dining room, amusingly named 'Belle Époque,' boasts a ceiling crafted by Gabriel Ferrier. The Winter Garden, a creation of Gustave Eiffel, blends traditional authenticity with modern technology through its use of a glass conservatory and skillfully constructed structural elements. The Winter Garden is characterized by soft pastel hues, impressive lighting, and a charming fountain.

Architect Joseph Lori played a pivotal role in the hotel's renovation, adding two additional floors and breathing new life into the classic Belle Époque style, especially in the Prince and Beaumarchais wings. Following this extensive renovation, the Hotel Hermitage earned the prestigious status of a 'listed building' and was honored with the Renaissance Trophy for its "most elegant period decor" by the Gault and Millau Guide.

Saint-Charles is a landmark church in Monte Carlo. It was built from 1879 to 1883, under the reign of Prince Charles, and was designed by architect Charles Lenormand in a French, neo-Renaissance style. The church honors Saint Charles Borromeo, who was the patron saint of the Prince.

It stands on the site previously occupied by the chapel of Saint-Laurent, on the land once owned by the affluent Blanc family. Initially a chapel, the Saint-Charles was made a parish church in 1887.

Relatively small in size, the building is distinct for its bell tower, rising to 108 feet above sea level and topped by a cupola. Somewhat simple on the outside, the interior is grand with 19 masterly crafted stained glass windows and 17th century carvings, brought over from the church of Saint-Nicolas in Monaco Town, prior to its being replaced by Monaco Cathedral. Other highlights include 17th century gilded wooden altar, adorned with cabled columns, statues of saints and sculpted images of Christ; and the Virgin Mary altar, highly praised for its artistic value at the Vienna Exhibition.

The church has a strong musical tradition and hosted many choir recordings over the years. It has an organ, produced by M.Merklin, dating back to 1884.