The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is a private residence, although
the State Apartments are open to visitors for part of the year.
The Palace has a long and fascinating history. The earliest
parts of the building date back to 1215, and it has been expanded and altered
over the centuries. By the 17th century, the former Genoese fortress had been
transformed into one of the most sumptuous residences of the age.
Prince Honoré II amassed vast collections of artworks there, but
they were sadly lost during the French Revolution, when the Palace was looted
and used as a hospital for Italian troops.
Today, it is possible to admire the splendours of the Palace,
including: the Cour d’Honneur, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery, the
York Rooms, the Louis XV salon and bedchamber, and the Throne Room, as well as
numerous paintings, frescoes, tapestries, and items of furniture.
But there’s much more. The Palace of Monaco, still home to the
current Princely Family, is maintained on a daily basis for the requirements of
day to day and diplomatic life. In 2014, while working on the façade of La
Régie, part of which was crumbling, restoration experts noticed what appeared
to be older motifs beneath the layers of paint, painted directly onto the wall.
It marked the start of a series of discoveries that led Prince
Albert II to quickly order closer investigations. In the space of a few weeks,
other traces of old frescoes were uncovered in other rooms of the Palace,
covering a total of 600 m2. And so the great
restoration-conservation project began!
Using sustainable,
environmentally techniques, the process took eight years, and is considered one
of the biggest painting restoration and conservation projects ever undertaken
in Europe! It is due to be completed at the end of 2025. Unless further new
discoveries are made in the last three rooms of the “old quarter”, where
explorations are yet to be carried out
OPENING TIMES:
- 26 March to 30 June: 10 am - 5 pm; Palace closes at 6 pm.
- 1 July to 31 August: 10 am - 6 pm; Palace closes at 7 pm.
- 1 September to 13 October: 10 am - 5 pm; Palace closes at 6 pm.
Visit duration: 30 minutes > The State Apartments are not accessible to wheelchair
users (access by stairs only).
ADMISSION PRICES:
- Adults (18 and over): 10 euros
- Children (6-17), Students (a valid student card must be shown): 5 euros
- Groups and agencies: on request
- Adult groups (minimum 20 people): 8 euros per person
- Child groups (minimum
20 people): 4 euros per person (1 adult paying 2 euros for every 10 children)
You can pay:
- at the Palace ticket office sur place (cash, cheque, or card) or
pre-paid (no refunds possible.
- via the free Monapass app.
For more information about admission prices and combined tickets
(Prince’s Palace, Cars Collection, etc.): Admission prices
When you visit, don’t miss the changing of the guard ceremony that takes
place every day at 11.55 am on the dot, on the Place du Palais.
Founded on 8 December 1817, the Prince’s “Carabinieri Corps” has guarded the
Palace, provided security for His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince and the
Princely Family, protected the integrity of His properties or residences and
their immediate surroundings, provided Him with ceremonial services, enforced
the law and maintained public order.
The changing of the guard is a solemn military ritual, carried out with the
utmost precision and coordination.
The motto of the Prince's Carabinieri is "Honour, Loyalty, Devotion to
Duty.
Photo credits:
Benjamin Vergély / Gaëtan Luci / Palais Princier