Monaco-Ville (Le Rocher)
Monaco-Ville
An old town perched on a headland of towering rock, with narrow lanes linking the Prince's Palace, the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum, and views of the Mediterranean at every turn.
Monaco-Ville, nicknamed “The Rock,” is the oldest district of the principality. It sits atop a limestone headland that juts into the sea. Medieval-style narrow lanes are lined with brightly coloured old houses, souvenir shops and small restaurants. The Prince's Palace, Monaco Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum and the Saint Martin Gardens are all within walking distance, and a stroll around the whole old town takes about 1–2 hours. The cliff path on the south side and the palace square both offer views over Port Hercule and Fontvieille harbour. To get up the hill, you can take the stone steps and ramp in front of the palace, or ride the bus to the Oceanographic Museum stop. A public lift also runs up from Fontvieille. Tour groups are concentrated around midday in peak season, so it is best to visit off-peak.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
- Saint-Martin Gardens
- Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate
- Prince's Palace of Monaco
- Fort Antoine
- Port Hercules
- Monaco Top Cars Collection
- Circuit de Monaco