The Beauty of Monaco's Architecture in 10 Buildings

Monaco
Monaco | © Ming-yen Hsu / Flickr

Monaco fits a lot of beautiful architecture into such a small size. From its grand Belle Époque buildings to new modernist designs, here are Culture Trip’s favourite 10 buildings that show Monaco off in all its glory.

Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Cathedral

Saint Nicholas Cathedral
© Hans Braxmeier / Pixabay
Saint Nicholas Cathedral was built from 1875-1903 in gorgeous light limestone from La Turbie, nearby in France and sits within the old historic ward ‘Monaco Ville’ of Monaco. Inside, you’ll find an impressive Carrara marble altar and it’s also worth noting that it is the resting place for Princess Grace (Kelly) and other members of the royal Grimaldi family.

Monaco-Monte Carlo Train Station

Train Station

Monaco-Monte Carlo Station
© Brian Johnson & Dane Kantner / Flickr
If you are arriving in Monaco by train, then you will see the architecture of the principality’s railway station first-hand. If not, then definitely swing by for a look. Due to Monaco’s hilly location, the station has been built into the hillside itself and so rock and concrete combine in the very way the principality does itself: old with new.

Monte-Carlo Pavilions

Building, Casino

You can find the Monte-Carlo Pavilions in the Casino’s gardens. These pebble-shaped temporary structures opened in 2014 and were designed by architect Richard Martinet as a new design take on a shopping centre. Visit them while you can, the buildings are scheduled to be demolished in 2018.

Oceanographic Museum

Aquarium, Building, Museum

Oceanographic Museum
© Aanjhan Ranganathan / Flickr

Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum is a beautifully imposing Baroque Revival building that sits on the cliff face overlooking the Mediterranean. It took 11 years to build and the stone used has the same origins (from La Turbie in France) as Saint Nicholas Cathedral. As the photo below shows, try and get a profile view of this building to see appreciate its full aspect.

Oceanographic Museum, Avenue Saint-Martin, Monaco, France

Oceanographic Museum | © Robert Haandrikman / Flickr

Hexa Grace

Casino

From a little outside of the Monte-Carlo Casino, you’ll be able to see the Hexa Grace on the roof of the Grimaldi Forum. It’s the striking work of Victor Vasarely (1979) overlooking the sea. The colours dazzle in the sunlight and offer another dimension to the principality’s more ornate buildings.

Hermitage Hotel

Hotel

The exterior of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, a grand, tall, white building partially obscured by trees
Courtesy of Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo / Expedia
There are many gorgeous hotels in Monaco, but a bit of roof (called the Eiffel dome) of the Hermitage Hotel is one of our favourite elements to this stunning, monument hotel. Built in the early 1900s, The Hermitage Hotel offers visitors to Monaco a truly luxurious experience and if you can’t see inside, the beautiful facade is a sight enough.

Odeon Tower

Apartment

The Odeon Tower is a skyscraper in Monaco that was recently finished in 2015. In the 1980s, Prince Rainer III put a ban on high rise building projects but this was lifted in 2008. Behind the designs externally and internally are architect Alexandre Giraldi and interior designer Alberto Pinto.

Louis II Stadium

Park, Stadium, Swimming Pool

The Louis II Stadium is located in the Fontvieille district of Monaco, home to the Monaco national football team. It is very unique in its design, as the land it’s built on was actually reclaimed from the sea. The archways are quite impressive and a great sight from the walkway at ‘ground level’.

Louis II Stadium, 7 Avenue des Castelans, Monaco France

Louis II Stadium | © Ben Sutherland / Flickr

Monte-Carlo Casino

Casino, Opera House

Monte-Carlo Casino
© John M / Flickr
Monaco’s casino is theiconic building in the principality. Its build started in 1863 and it has played a fundamental role in the Monaco’s past and present since. The casino’s architect Charles Garnier is also known for Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris and the casino’s facade doesn’t disappoint.

Grimaldi Forum

The Grimaldi Forum is a conference and congress centre used to host all manner of events on Monaco’s seafront. The minimalist industrial feel of the main welcoming esplanade is in stark contrast to other buildings in our list. It is through buildings like this that you can see Monaco’s future rather than its past.

Grimaldi Forum, 10 Av. Princesse Grace, Monaco, France

https://instagram.com/p/BSRSkBuAGOM/?tagged=grimaldiforum

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article