Monte Carlo/Monaco ~Whales, Fish and Royalty~On A Rock By The Sea !
Written: Dec 06 '03 (Updated Jul 14 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Stunning beauty, fascinating sights, great dining
Cons: I'm not there now...Can be expensive!
The Bottom Line: There are so many things to do and see in Monte Carlo. if you can only see a few, dont miss this museum, if your interests include the sea
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| ifif1938's Full Review: Monaco - Monte-Carlo |
When I think of Monte Carlo, the first thoughts that enter my mind are the glitz and glitter of the casinos, the Grand Palace, the glamour of the Royal family, and the charming little streets of the old town...Then, my mind wanders to one of my all time favorite movies, Alfred Hitchcocks, "To Catch a Thief" , the movie that turned Grace Kelly into a queen. She met Prince Rainier while filming that movie and I can visualize the scenes in the film when she's speeding on the roads of the Grand Corniche with Gary Grant, those winding, twisting roads, the same road that eventually ended her life so tragically, many years later.
I also visualize the beautiful homes, apartment buildings and hotels built high in the hills, built that way, because the Principality of Monaco is the second smallest country in Europe,(second only to the Vatican), so they have no other place to build, except to go straight up.
High society meets here every year for the Grand Prix and the royal weddings or balls given very often in honor of various members of the Royal family.
The beauty and striking cleanliness of the old town, with it's alleyways and pastel painted old buildings, decorated with wrought iron balconies on so many of them, is a visual sensation as you walk those lovely old streets and shop in the quaint shops and galleries or stop for a snack in the many wonderful little restaurants. Monaco has some of the best restaurants, and most luxurious hotels in the world. along with the famous Grand Casino..Who hasn't heard the expression, break the bank of Monte Carlo, or dreamed of doing just that!
But, my favorite place to visit and the reason I'm writing this in the first place, is the Oceanographic Museum..
On a Promontory, called "The Rock", two hundred feet high, is the seat of the Royal Palace as well as this museum. The museum, carved out of rock on the side of a hill, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, going straight up, is an imposing sight, and considered to be an engineering marvel.
The Museum was founded by Albert I, great grandfather of the present prince. In the main rotunda is his statue wearing his favorite costume, that of a sea captain. Everywhere you look are the displayed specimens he collected during thirty years of expeditions aboard his oceanographic ships.
The aquarium, one of the finest in Europe, contains more than ninety tanks and the water used in these tanks comes from the sea just on the other side of this incredible fortress like rock. They have engineered a way to do this with various means of filtration and sterilization techniques. These devices enable circulation of up to 400,000 liters of water per day and except for the tropical tanks, which are closed circuits, they operate with a permanent water renewal system.
Prince Albert's collection is exhibited in the zoology room with some of the exotic creatures on display that were unknown of before he discovered them. Models of Oceanographic ships, aboard which he directed his scientific cruises from 1855 to 1914, are also on display along with the very first scuba gear ever worn successfully, what weird looking get-ups they are, almost looking like they come from another planet.
Skeletons of strange specimens are on the main floor including a giant whale that drifted ashore in 1896, remarkable for the fractured but healed scar sustained sometime during it's life.
Jacques Cousteau was associated with and devoted to the environmental studies done here for many years, up until the time of his death. His son now carries on his work.
This is a fascinating and beautiful place to spend a day. Or, at least half a day, if that is all the time you have.
Nearby is the Jardins Exotique, also built on this rock and is known for it's exquisite cactus collection. These gardens were started by Prince Albert, also known as a naturalist, as well as the adventuring sea captain that he was. He created the garden with plants he imported from all over the world and some only found, until that time, in Central America and Africa.
The view from up here is spectacular, the principality at your feet and the Mediterranean sea just on the other side, as far as you can see. On a clear day you can see Italy and the beginning of it's beautiful Riviera just to the East, look to the west and the rest of the French Riviera is at your feet...Then look up, in the hills are the small medieval villages still waiting to be explored and enjoyed as if stepping back in time.
So, if you find yourself planning a trip to the Cote de Azur, Monaco/Monte Carlo, whatever you wish to call this principality, save a bit of time for this very special place, The Museum de Oceanographic and marvel at the wonder of what can be built with sheer ingenuity and engineering skill. Well, being a Prince and having a lot of money helps also.
Happy and Safe Travels
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A few of the Hillside villages:
St Paul De Vence
http://www.epinions.com/Saint_Paul_de_Vence
Eze Village:
http://www.epinions.com/content_77958188676
Roquebrune Village:
http://www.epinions.com/content_77404278404
A Nearby Town, my favorite, Menton:
http://www.epinions.com/content_87338684036
A Great Hotel in Menton:
http://www.epinions.com/content_89345265284
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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