Princess Grace Rose Garden

Created on the wishes of Prince Rainier III, as a memorial to his late wife Princess Grace, the Rose Garden is laid out according to the principles of a traditional English garden, but retains a distinctive Mediterranean character with its hundred-year-old olive trees.  When it was officially opened on 18 June 1984, the rose collection covered an area of 3,000 m2; it was expanded in 2000 and again in 2014 to mark its thirtieth anniversary.

Although the gates bearing H.S.H. Princess Grace’s monogram have been kept to maintain the garden’s sense of history, the “new” Rose Garden can now be accessed freely, so that visitors can discover it at any time of the day.

The bronze statue of H.S.H. Princess Grace created by sculptor KEES VERKADE in 1983 watches over the peace and quiet of this charming garden. Visitors can sit and cool off in the central square, laid out around a bronze fountain at the foot of the wall of water, which is lit up at night.

The 5,000 m2 Rose Garden contains more than 315 varieties of roses, with a total of 6,000 rose bushes arranged according to seven themes.

As part of moves to modernise the Rose Garden, an interactive terminal was installed at one of the entrances to the site, showing the location of each rose bush on a map. Visitors can also scan the QR codes on each of the plaques to identify the rose bushes (information available on the Rose Garden website: www.roseraie.mc).

The garden is maintained using environmentally friendly methods, and the events and activities that take place here are sustainable, resulting in it being awarded EVE “ecogarden” certification by standards body ECOCERT.

40th anniversary of the Rose Garden

To mark the occasion, a series of special events are planned until January 2025:

• Every Wednesday at 10 am, visitors can take a free guided tour with the gardeners from the Department of Urban Amenities. No booking is necessary.
• On 1 and 2 June, as part of the European “Rendez-vous au jardin” initiative on the theme of the five senses, three interactive stands will be set up in the Rose Garden. Visitors can try their hand at repotting roses, taste rose-based creations made by confectioner Florian, and take part in a treasure hunt through the roses, an ideal activity for children (these stands will return in September and October).
• On 19 June, there will be a ceremony to present the Public’s Choice Award, part of the 7th International Rose Trials held on 2 May.
• There will also be a repotting workshop in November, and a rose-pruning masterclass in January.
• In addition, a magnificent green wall has been unveiled, planted with roses to form the number 40. It will remain in place until the end of January 2025. 

 Accessibility: The Rose Garden and Fontvieille Park are accessible for persons with reduced mobility and wheelchair users. The slopes are gentle. Accessible toilet facilities are available.

The park is open 24 hours a day, and admission is free.

• www.roseraie.mc