Monaco without breaking the bank | La Presse

Monaco is synonymous with luxury, Formula 1, big brand boutiques, flashy yachts… And yet, there are ways to spend a few days there without it costing an arm and a leg. Five tips and ways to avoid an overpriced stay.

Choosing your accommodation wisely

A well-reviewed hotel in Monaco could easily cost you several hundred or even thousands of euros per night. However, accommodations for up to four people are available for between 170 and 250 euros (250 to 370 Canadian dollars) per night on Airbnb. By splitting the cost between members of a group, it can quickly become quite interesting.

Don’t hesitate to stay in Beausoleil, a French commune that borders Monaco. With two nights, you will have enough time to see the highlights of the principality. In addition, you don’t feel the border at all.

Walk in 2 km^⁠2

With its 2 km^⁠2Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, behind the Vatican. Suffice to say that getting around on foot is quite easy. In addition to being free, walking around is practically an activity in itself, as what surrounds us is worth observing.

While the streets of the principality are known for their cleanliness, they are also full of breathtaking viewpoints. Admire the luxury boats at Port Hercule, spend a beautiful afternoon in the sun on Larvotto Beach, retrace the route of the Formula 1 urban circuit, visit the various public gardens, window shop in the high-end boutiques in the One Monte-Carlo complex or along the Boulevard des Beaux-Arts… The options are endless.

If your legs are tired, don’t hesitate to take the bus, which costs 2 euros (about $3) to travel on board. You can also buy a 24-hour pass online for 5.50 euros ($8).

Dive into the history of the Prince’s Palace

Located at the top of the Rock of Monaco, which overlooks the Mediterranean from around sixty meters, the Prince’s Palace is the ideal place to take a little dip into the history of the State.

Inside, many splendidly decorated rooms will transport you through the ages, from its construction to the 13th century.^e century to the influences of the Italian Renaissance and the French Revolution. You will be seduced by its interior courtyard, its baroque architecture and its elegant paintings. On site, an audio guide is offered (and included in the price of the visit of 10 euros, or about $15). This covers in particular the formation of the principality and the importance of the Genoese Grimaldi family.

The Prince’s Palace is today the residence of the sovereign Albert II, his wife, Princess Charlene, and their two children.

Visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

Just a few steps from the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is the best surprise of the trip. In fact, it turns out that the principality has a rich love affair with this discipline. Prince Albert 1^er devoted his life to it, notably founding the Oceanographic Institute (which oversees the museum) in 1906.

Comprised of a large aquarium and an impressive exhibition on the history of the study of seas and oceans, the scientific establishment allows both a better understanding of the saltwater ecosystems of our planet and to learn about the polar regions.

An adult ticket of 25 euros (about $37) will give you access to both establishments, the Palace and the Museum, which are easily visited in the same day. For the same price, if your interests are different, you can also skip the Oceanographic Museum in favor of the Prince’s Carriage Collection.

Trip to the legendary Monte-Carlo casino

Monte Carlo, the most famous district of the micro-state, is renowned for its prestigious casino. The film was notably shot there Golden Eye (1995), a part of the James Bond saga.

In the heart of a square that impresses with its opulent architecture, the casino offers tours during the morning and opens its gaming tables at 2 p.m. Admission costs 19 euros ($28) and gives you a 10-euro ($15) credit on the machines. The idea is not necessarily to encourage you to play the tables—you can still do that if it appeals to you—but to tell you that the interior of the building is worth a look.