Located along the French Riviera, 50 km from Cannes and 35 km from San Remo (Italy), the independent principality of Monaco began as a Greek settlement, later taken by the Romans and purchased, in 1297, from the Genoese by the Grimaldi family who are still in power today. Monaco is famous for its Grand Casino, designed in 1878 by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera. This Belle Epoque building, surrounded by formal gardens, affords an impressive view over the area. Points of interest include the Palais du Prince, open to the public only during the princes absence; the Musee Oceanographique (Av Saint-Martin), featuring an aquarium of rare marine species, and the Jardin Exotique, said to be one of the finest gardens in Europe.
Tourist Office2a, bld des Moulins98030 Monaco-Monte-Carlo CedexPhone: 377 92 16 61 16Fax: 377 92 16 60 00