Start at the top of the “French-style” Boulingrins gardens, which date back to 1865 and take their name from the game of boules, played as early as the 17th century.
| Start: Top
of the Jardins des Boulingrins |
Finish: The terrasse
du Casino |
| Distance: |
Average
walking time: 40
minutes |
|
| Difficulty: None |
|
|
| Notable
features: Certain
artworks are not accessible for persons with reduced mobility. |
You will see the bust of Prince
Charles III, created by Roland Mathieu MEUSNIER in 1867. On the Plateau des Spélugues, Prince
Charles III ushered in the era of tourism in the Principality and this
particular district, which was named “Monte-Carlo” in his honour in 1866.
From here, there are splendid views of
Place du Casino, home to the Hôtel de Paris, a Belle Epoque
style luxury hotel opened in 1864; the casino, which opened in 1863, was
designed by the architect Godinot and has since been expanded several times;
and the Opera, built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1879. The Opera was
built in a record time of just eight months and 16 days!
Walking through the Jardins des
Boulingrins, turn left into the Jardins de la Petite Afrique. These tropical
gardens were created by landscaper Edouard ANDRE. Next, head towards Place du
Casino. Along the way, look out for “Slate Cone for Little Africa” (1991) by
Andy Goldsworthy, and “Le Dimitrodon” (1989) by Claude LALANNE.
In the middle of Place du Casino you will find a piece called Sky Mirror (1999)
created by Anish KAPOOR.
Around the square are numerous busts of
artists, reflecting the area’s status as a hive of cultural activity from the
19th century onwards. They include a bust of Jules Massenet (created by Léopold
BERNSTAMM in 1914, on Avenue de Monte-Carlo, in a small square outside the main
entrance to the Salle Garnier), a bust of Hector Berlioz, (by Paul ROUSSEL, on
the Terrasse du Casino, outside the Salle Garnier), and the bust of Serge de
Diaghilev (by Paul BELMONDO, on the Terrasse du Casino, opposite the Salle
Blanche).
Walk around the Opera onto the Terrasses du
Casino, to admire views of the Mediterranean and the headlands of the French
and Italian rivieras. You will also find sculptures by three prominent artists
of the 20th and 21st centuries: “Reina
Mariana” (2003) by Manolo VALDES, “Adam et Eve” (1981) by Fernando BOTERO, and
further on, towards the sea, Victor VASARELY’s mosaic “Hexa Grace” (1979) on
the roof of the Rainier III auditorium.
©Amra Pasic