November 6 marked Charles Garnier’s 200th anniversary. But did you know that Europesure’s expat travel insurance clients, whether visiting Monaco or resident in Monaco, can revel in his architectural prowess not just at Paris’s Opéra Garnier but also the Opéra de Monte-Carlo? This building is a real gem but it’s not the only joy of Monaco, as we can help you discover.
To track down the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, you need to head to the iconic Monte-Carlo casino. This is where visitors can enjoy events such as the November-time Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival and is truly the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the casino building. Full of excess and lavishness befitting of the temple of gambling, it has, since its inception, attracted artists, intellectuals, royals and celebrities.
Visiting the Casino de Monte-Carlo
Visiting the atmospheric Casino de Monte-Carlo is a must, even if not playing roulette, blackjack or punto banco. Tours between 10am to 1pm, with the assistance of an audio guide, allow visitors to navigate the various rooms and appreciate their glory.
The Belle Époque casino building represents more than just gambling tables. It stunningly tells the story of women – the eternal muse - through 19th century paintings and frescoes. The Salle Europe stuns with its imposing glass roof and eight Bohemian crystal chandeliers. Artworks also grace the Salle Blanche, formerly a reading room, and the Salle Médecin, where Emile Peynot’s bas-relief works bring Helios (the sun) and Selene (the moon) to life.
Move between magnificent lounges and be struck by allure and grandeur. Keep a keen eye out too for the Salle Europe’s bulls’ eyes. They once silently observed players in the casino!
Touring the casino is a must-do but you can also gamble there, from 2pm onwards, if dressed to the nines and aged over 18. Just be aware that our expat travel insurance will not cover any gambling losses!
Walk outside the casino door and you will discover the luxury lifestyle that pervades the Monte-Carlo district of Monaco, which is the second smallest country in the world.
Exploring old and new districts of Monaco
However, Monaco has much more for our expat travel insurance customers to fall in love with. This ranges from the charming Old Town, to the brand new recently created eco-district of Mareterra, inaugurated less than one year ago. Mareterra is a spectacular six-hectare extension on the Mediterranean, brought to fruition thanks to architectural genius contributed by names such as Piano, Lord Norman Foster, Tadao Ando and Michel Desvigne.
Boasting 500 metres of seafront promenade and amazing views, it is home to luxury villas and apartments, a 16-ring marina, retail outlets and green space, including a 1000-pine-tree forest. Visitors can appreciate the eco vision of a district with solar-panelled houses, a rainwater recovery basis and geothermal heating systems that utilise seawater.
Visiting the Prince’s Palace
But wander to the Rocher district and you will discover far more established buildings and highlights of Monte-Carlo. These include the Prince’s Palace, dating from 1215 and gracing the Rock of Monaco. 2026 should be a fabulous year to visit the royal palace of the ruling Grimaldi family, if important renovation work is completed. Unexpectedly, when carrying out some restoration in 2014, workmen discovered ancient frescoes, hidden away under layers of plasterwork and other features. These have been painstakingly restored, leading to some restrictions on visits. Once all works have been carried out, visitors will have a plethora of new delights to appreciate.
These already include the Cour d’Honneur, the summer venue for Monaco Philharmonic Orchestra performances. There is the Galerie d’Hercule, with its mythological frescoes, and the shimmering Hall of Mirrors, which takes its inspiration from the Palace of Versailles. Classical rooms, the Salon York and Chambre d’York, lead to other glories, such as the Salon Louis XV and the Throne Room, still used for ceremonial occasions.
The Cathedral in Monaco
Move to the beautiful white Romano-Byzantine building of the cathedral and there is more to discover. Here, tourists always feel compelled to seek out the tombs of Princess Grace (Grace Kelly) and her husband, Prince Rainier. But don’t forget to appreciate the Carrara marble high altar, the episcopal throne and altarpiece by Renaissance artist, Louis Bréa, and the phenomenal monumental organ, complete with almost 700 pipes, 79 stops and four manuals.
Gardens and Grimaldi influences
The Grimaldi family’s impact is everywhere, as our expat travel insurance customers will soon appreciate. Monaco’s first public gardens in Monaco, founded in 1816, were the Saint-Martin Gardens. These originally celebrated Mediterranean species but then incorporated more exotic cacti and other plants. A 1951 sculpture of Prince Albert the First, the ‘Navigator Prince’, is to be found here, fittingly just a short walk from the palace.
Albert I founded the wonderful Oceanographic Museum, in 1910. This continues to be a leader in ocean protection and marine concern. It is home to an area dedicated to sea turtles, a shark lagoon and themed aquarium displays, but also conveys information about environmental protection. A Cabinet of Curiosities features everything from fossils to diving suits and there are also immersive experiences to enjoy. Head to the restaurant and a terrace will offer you fabulous marine views too.
More recent Grimaldi family history can be found in the Collection of Cars of H.S.H the Prince of Monaco, at Port Hercule. In fact, more than 100 legendary cars, including the 2011 car used in his wedding to Princess Charlene, can be viewed here. The museum is also the location for the Top Marques Supercar show, next to be held between May 6 and 10, 2026.
The Exotic Garden
The free-to-visit Exotic Garden of Monaco, linked to the archaeological exploits of Albert I, will reopen in the first quarter of 2026, following improvements. Here, botany, history and geology are intertwined, creating a fusion of archaeology and nature. The new-look arrangements will enhance appreciation of over 1000 succulent plants gathered from around the world. They will also improve visitor safety, as tourists enjoy splendid panoramic views of the Rock and the glistening Mediterranean sea, during botanical explorations. Go below the gardens and they can discover the Grotte de l’Observatoire, 300 steps down. Descending 98 metres, to 40 metres above sea level, a world of stalagmites, stalactites, draperies and columns awaits.
Other delights for our expat travel insurance customers in Monaco
There is so much to see in Monaco, whether you wish to pick up local produce in the Condamine market, be immersed in contemporary art in the Nouveau Musée National Monaco or visit Fontvieille district. There, you can discover the Jardin Animalier, with 60 different species of animal. Head to Parc Paysager and you can breathe the fragrance of 315 varieties of rose, in the Roseraie de la Princesse Grace.
Appreciate super-luxurious yachts in Port Hercule, take an informative guided walking tour, or head to the 1954 Japanese Garden, created by Prince Rainier III. Designed to the principals of Zen, by Yasuo Beppu, its islands, koi carp pond, tea house, Zen garden and waterfall, project a calming influence.
At Stade Louis II, you can take a tour around the home of A S Monaco, see an Olympic pool under a floating ceiling and visit the local basketball stadium (for other football tour ideas in Europe, head here). And did you know that Monaco had a beach? You will find that at Lervotto.
Monaco is more than just a once-a-year location for Formula 1 cars and the arrival of the rich and famous. It’s a great place to discover and you don’t need to break the bank of Monte-Carlo to enjoy it. If you need more affordable accommodation than in the Principality, just book somewhere over the border in France and hop on the train.
Expat travel insurance risks and travel advice for Monaco trips
And what of travel risks? Well, crime rates are low but you still need that all-important expat travel insurance, or policy for you and your family. That also applies if you are a UK, EU or EEA-based resident. All travellers should protect against medical costs in Monaco.
Do not just rely on the EHIC or GHIC for this. These health cards only pick up some state healthcare costs not private medical bills. Even one night’s hospital stay in Monaco can set you back over £2000. Proceed with even more caution here, as health cards do not cover any repatriation costs. That’s a big issue should you fall ill or suffer an injury. You may need to be transported back to your home country with specialist medical facilities or assistance. These requirements soon knock up an eye-watering bill.
Buying a Europesure Travel Insurance policy makes sense. It’s as necessary for those needing expat travel insurance as it is for European residents heading for a holiday in Monaco. And it’s also ready to assist residents of Monaco exploring somewhere else in the world. You can pay in Sterling or Euros for policies offering a choice of three levels of cover. There are also various optional add-ons for both single-trip and annual travel insurance policies. Take advantage of Europesure’s expat travel insurance benefits today, by heading to https://www.europesuretravelinsurance.com
