Want to discover an unforgettable monument? Visit the Prince’s Palace of Monaco! You’ll be dazzled by its magnificent late-Renaissance architecture and sumptuous furnishings. The building is still inhabited by the princely family, as evidenced by the changing of the guard every morning to ensure their safety. Only part of the château is open to visitors in season. Don’t miss this opportunity!
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Prince’s Palace?
Is the palace worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the palace is well worth a visit! In fact, we listed it in our article on the best museums in Monaco. We found it quite impressive to enter a palace inhabited by the princely family at the head of the government. Although only the Grand Apartments can be visited, there’s plenty to see, including a splendid main courtyard, numerous 16th-century frescoes, and even the Throne Room!
It’s one of the best things to do in Monaco!
Why is the palace famous?
The palace is famous for many reasons. Firstly, it dominates the Rocher, Monaco’s historic quarter, alongside the Oceanographic Museum. With the princely family living and ruling in the building, the palace is also marked by great historical moments. One example is the meeting between Prince Rainier III and the American actress Grace Kelly, which we’ll tell you more about later! The castle is also a symbol of Monaco’s sovereignty. Looking at the façade, we noticed its defensive functions, having repelled the assaults of foreign powers, notably the Genoese in the 16th century. Last but not least, the changing of the guard, to ensure the palace’s security, is a military ceremony that attracts curious onlookers from all over the world!
Our favorite moments
You’ll find the details of our visit later, but we can’t resist sharing our favorites with you right now:
- The changing of the guard: the Prince’s Carabinieri, a military corps created in 1817, take it in turns to ensure the safety of the palace and the princely family every morning. In our opinion, attending is a unique experience!
- The Cour d’Honneur: we were stunned by the beauty of this courtyard. In the sunlight, the Renaissancce motifs on the facades stood out. We felt like we were in Italy!
- The throne room: finding ourselves face to face with the prince’s throne gave us a very special sensation. We felt privileged and thought of all the historic moments that must have taken place in this room!
WHERE TO STAY IN Monaco
Option 1: In Monte Carlo
Discover luxury palaces in Monaco’s most sought-after district:
- Hotel de Paris – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hermitage Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Métropole – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Larvotto
Close to Larvotto beach, you’ll find some splendid resort hotels.
We recommend..:
- Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort – view prices, pictures and availability
- Le Méridien Beach Plaza – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: At Port-Hercule
Boutique hotels, with superb views of the port and the Rock.
- Hotel Miramar – prices, pictures and availability
- Port Palace – see prices, photos and availability
History in brief
Monaco has always been densely populated. Forming a natural port, Phoenicians and populations from present-day Lebanon came here to trade. The port was acquired by the Republic of Genoa in 1191. To protect herself, she fortified the Rock and built a citadel, the forerunner of today’s palace. In the 13th century, conflicts broke out between the great Genoese families. Among them is the powerful Grimaldi family. It is established throughout the Côte d’Azur, as witnessed by the many châteaux we visited. Examples include the Château-musée de Cagnes-sur-Mer and the Château-musée d’Antibes, now home to the Musée Picasso.
According to legend, it was in 1297 that François Grimaldi, posing as a monk seeking asylum for the night, entered the Genoese citadel. He brings in his soldiers and takes over the fortress. That’s why Monaco’s coat of arms features monks brandishing swords! We noticed it on this Aubusson tapestry. By the way, “Monaco” means monk in Italian. Genoa subsequently laid siege to the principality on numerous occasions, but it defended itself by forging alliances with the French and Spanish kingdoms. Monaco gained its independence. In the 16th century, the fortress became the elegant Prince’s Palace we know today!
Access: Prince’s Palace, Monaco
Where is the palace?
- In the Rocher district,
- On the Place du Palais, in the Principality of Monaco (98015),
- close to the cathedral, Jardins Saint-Martin and Musée Océanographique.
Here’s a map to help you find your way:
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
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- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
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- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there?
It’s a 25-30 minute walk from the station. We prefer to warn you that the main climb up to the Rocher is steep and very exposed to the sun. If you have difficulty getting around, we recommend you take the bus. The palace is easily accessible via bus lines 1 and 2, stop “Monaco Ville Le Rocher”. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here. For a more entertaining itinerary, you can also opt for the little tourist train (departures and arrivals are in front of the Oceanographic Museum, a 10-minute walk away).
For maximum comfort, why not opt for a multi-stop bus tour? The tour is free for children under 4! Book your tour now.
Parking
There are three parking lots within a ten-minute walk of the palace: the Condamine parking lot, the Quai Antoine Ier parking lot, and the Chemin des Pêcheurs car park. These parking lots charge for parking of 1 hour or more, and are open 24 hours a day. If you want to avoid the climb up to the Rocher, we advise you to opt for the latter. It is directly accessible via an escalator next to the Oceanographic Museum entrance. Why not take the opportunity to visit it?
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
The ideal time slot for your visit depends on whether or not you wish to attend the changing of the guard. The ceremony takes place every morning at 11.55 a.m., so it’s worth visiting the palace at 10 a.m. to observe the ceremony. As far as we were concerned, we first looked at the relief, then entered the palace. However, the crowds were quite large, especially at the end of the course.
If you’re not interested in the changing of the guard, we recommend visiting the palace while it’s taking place or at the end of the day. If you can, avoid weekends and school vacations.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 1h to 1h30 for the visit (depending on possible closures due to restoration work).
Access to the palace is not possible for people with reduced mobility, as there are only stairs. There are no places to sit throughout the tour. Guide dogs are allowed, and a tour booklet in Braille is available at reception.
Advice on how to visit
The visiting direction is imposed. After passing through a security check and the ticket office, you’ll discover the main courtyard. You’ll then enter the Chamber of Europe and walk through the various rooms to the royal quarters. It includes some impressive rooms (throne room, royal bedroom…). It leads into the Galerie des Princes, serving a hall where exhibitions are held on a regular basis. At the time of our visit, other large rooms were closed (chapel, library), but you may be lucky enough to see them. To get out, you’ll have to pass through the main courtyard. Don’t miss this impressive grotto just before the exit!
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Visiting with children
A visit booklet for children aged 6 to 11 is available at reception.
Schedules and rates
The Prince’s Palace is open to visitors only during the high season. It depends on the year, but in general, it starts either at the end of March or the beginning of April, and ends at the end of September.
Here are the timetables:
- Open daily from 10am to 5pm.
- Open daily from 10am to 6pm in July and August.
- Closed on the weekend of the Formula 1 Grand Prix (usually held at the end of May).
- Exceptional closures possible without prior notice, as the palace is the seat of the princely government.
Here are the prices:
- Full adult rate: €10
- Reduced rate (children aged 6 to 17 and students): €5
The tour includes an audioguide, available in 11 languages. You can also find the content of this audioguide on the tour application. To find out more, and see the latest opening times, visit the official website here.
Guided tours
Guided tours are available on reservation only. For more information, visit the official palace website here.
Catering
On the Rock, you’ll find a few good addresses. We particularly recommend Le Petit Bar, with its generous, tasty cuisine. In fact, we listed it in our article on the best restaurants in Monaco.
A “fortress” palace: the changing of the guard
The changing of the guard ceremony
Life at the palace is punctuated every day by the changing of the guard. At 11:55 a.m., the Prince’s Carabinieri, a military corps created in 1817, take turns to ensure the safety of the princely family. Lined up in a row, they cross the Place du Palais, handling their weapons to the sound of drums. This takes about fifteen minutes. If you wish to attend, we advise you to arrive a little before 11:30 am. Indeed, this tradition attracts many tourists. For this reason, you won’t be able to cross the square, as the central part is off-limits. If you want to get to the other side, you’ll have to make a detour via the district’s main streets. This is important information to keep in mind, because if you find that it’s too crowded where you are, you’ll have to change sides well before the ceremony begins!
From defensive architecture to pleasure palace
Arriving at the palace, we were astonished by its composite architecture. On the right-hand side of the monument, you can see a medieval dwelling. It was built in the 13th century, when the Rock belonged to the Republic of Genoa. It features a stone tower, the Tour Sainte-Marie. It is part of the fortress that still forms the heart of the palace. This complex comprises a defensive wall protected by a curtain wall, flanked by 4 towers. The other towers are less visible. They are the same color as the facade, which dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. We were struck by its elegance. It bears witness to the transformation of the fortress into a pleasure palace when Monaco gained its independence and the protection of the Spanish kingdom from the Genoese. The many loggias and rooftop terraces reflect the influence of the Italian Renaissance!
A plunge into the Italian Renaissance
The main courtyard and 16th-century frescoes
Once inside the palace, we were amazed by the main courtyard. We felt like we were in Italy! In this, continuity with the façade style is undeniable. Take time to admire the motifs adorning the various buildings. Can you spot the Monaco coat of arms? These shimmering frescoes, even more beautiful in the sunlight, were created in the 16th century by artists from Genoa. We didn’t get to go down to the middle of the courtyard to admire the splendid horseshoe-shaped staircase, desired by Prince Louis I in the 17th century. We were nevertheless able to observe its ornamentation and its balls of black Portor marble (originally from Spain), from the Galerie d’Hercule.
The Galerie d’Hercule was recently restored to reveal these superb 16th-century frescoes, which had been damaged and altered over time. We took a close look at the lunettes (parts under the vaults), depicting the life and work of the Roman mythological hero Hercules. The vaults, meanwhile, are covered with late-Renaissance grotesques. These whimsical ornaments particularly appealed to us, their bold colors standing out against the bright white. Be sure to look up: the medallions feature allegories of the liberal arts (geometry, arithmetic) and the points of the compass.
A trip to Genoa
As we entered the 1st room of the tour, our feeling of being in Italy persisted. The Chambre d’Europe features a 16th-century Renaissance ceiling that we found magnificent! They feature decorative ornaments widely used in Antiquity, such as hybrid figures (centaurs…). This antique influence is reflected in the central medallion depicting “The Abduction of Europa” from Ovid’s poetic epic Metamorphoses . Take time to admire the various Renaissance paintings, and the Aubusson tapestry depicting the Grimaldi family coat of arms!
We were unable to visit the old marble alcove room as it was being renovated. It, too, features superb painted decorations! On the other hand, we were able to discover the same style of ornamentation in the vaults of the Salon Bleu, known as the Matignon Room. The name of this large room evokes the alliance between the Grimaldi and Matignon families. We know this family because, like us, they come from Normandy, where they ruled over Alençon!
A rich collection
In the Salon Matignon, we saw large portraits and rich furnishings. This is the case in many other rooms, notably the green antechamber. The second room on the tour, it is laid out like a cabinet of curiosities. Here you can admire some remarkable paintings, such as the portrait of Monaco’s first prince, Honoré II Grimaldi, by the renowned painter of the kingdom of France, Philippe de Champaigne. You’ll also see some superb marquetry pieces featuring the Monaco coat of arms, dating from the 18th century.
Now that you’re familiar with the coat of arms, you can make the most of the History Cabinet. We were impressed by the array of princely decorations inside. You’ll be able to admire coins, medals, stamps, princely collars, uniforms and weapons, including the swords used by the Prince’s Carabinieri, which we saw at the changing of the guard!
Just past the Cabinet d’Histoire, you’ll come across the Salon des Officiers. Arranged like an Italian cabinet, it houses paintings of Venice. It confirmed our impression that we were travelling to Italy! The name of this antechamber is explained by its function: it is occupied by members of the princely retinue in the service of the sovereign. That’s why it’s located next to the royal quarter.
The royal district: discovering the princely splendors
The Throne Room
This is the most emblematic room in the Palais! It has always hosted swearing-in ceremonies for new sovereigns. However, the throne was not installed until 1881. In Empire style, it reminded us of Napoleon’s Château de Fontainebleau, 1 hour from Paris! Several ceremonial portraits of the Princes of Monaco adorn the walls. Be sure to look up to admire the late 16th-century ceiling, and check out the superb Renaissance fireplace.
Aside from the throne, the element that most caught our eye in this room was this Louis XIV-style marble inlaid table. We were seduced by its sparkling colors! The principality’s most important deeds were signed here. One example is weddings. In fact, 5 civil and royal weddings have taken place in this room, including that of Prince Rainier III with American actress Grace Kelly in 1956!
Prestigious apartments
The rest of the royal district is made up of sumptuous 17th-century apartments. Their function? Welcoming VIPs of royal rank. It was in the royal antechamber, for example, that Prince Rainier III and the actress Grace Kelly met, who had come to the palace for a press report on her participation in the Cannes Film Festival.
The room that impressed us most, however, was the Royal Chamber, known as the York Chamber. It’s famous because the Duke of York, brother of King George III of England, died there, despite the care he was given by order of Prince Honoré III. But what really stood out for us was the golden alcove separating the bed from the rest of the room, and the brightly painted ceiling. Everything about this room evokes princely magnificence!
You’ll then discover 18th-century rooms: the Cabinet and the Chambre Valentinois. They bear witness to the Grimaldi family’s alliance with the Duchy of Valentinois, located along the Rhône. They are richly furnished. You’ll be able to admire some precious crockery in the cabinet. In the bedroom, we fell in love with this Louis XVI cylinder writing desk. We were overwhelmed by the delicacy of its precious wood marquetry!
The Galerie des Princes and exhibitions
We then entered the Galerie des Princes, which leads from the Grands Appartements to the Galerie d’Hercule. In the 17th century, masterpieces by Titian, Raphael and Michelangelo adorned its walls. Unfortunately, the palace was plundered during the French Revolution. Today, you can still marvel at the mirrors installed in 1892 on either side of the corridor. Have fun observing them: they reflect infinite images and their vanishing point changes according to your position!
The gallery is also decorated with busts and painted portraits of successive members of the princely family. The first sculpture features the effigy of Honoré II, the first of the Grimaldis to bear the title of prince. The latest is a representation of the current Prince, Albert II, by American artist Barry X Ball. Don’t miss the Salle des Artistes on your left, where exhibitions are held regularly! Unfortunately, we were unable to visit the chapel and library, which are closed to the public.
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Frequently asked questions
When can I visit Prince’s Palace of Monaco?
The Palais Princier is open to visitors only during the high season. It runs from late March/early April to September, but opening times can change from year to year! Visit the official website here for more information.
Who lives in Prince’s Palace of Monaco?
The palace is home to the princely family, who head the government. You won’t come across them, as they occupy another wing of the château. In the Princes’ Gallery, however, you can admire sculptures bearing their likenesses. Here, for example, is a bust of the American actress Grace Kelly, wife of Prince Rainier III.
Are photos allowed inside the château?
Yes, photos are allowed.
Are there any special events or ceremonies taking place at the Palais Princier?
Numerous events and ceremonies take place in the palace, still today the seat of the princely government. In addition to the signing of official documents, the event also featured historic moments such as the wedding of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. Cultural programming is also available. For example, every summer, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra organizes concerts in the Cour d’Honneur. The Salle des Artistes, adjacent to the Galerie des Princes, hosts exhibitions. We were able to enjoy an exhibition on Pablo Picasso and Antiquity during our visit!
Are there any dress restrictions when visiting the castle?
There are no dress restrictions when visiting the palace.
Are pets allowed inside the palace?
Service animals, such as guide dogs, can enter the palace. Pets are allowed only if they are in a suitable bag.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
