Make the most of the spring holidays in Monaco!

ESSENTIAL PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO FOR ALL THE FAMILY:

The Rainier III Zoological Gardens are home to some 300 animals from sixty or more different species (birds, tortoises, hippopotamus, etc.), and a great way to take a mini-safari without leaving the comfort of the Principality. Kids can have fun getting up close with some of the animals, while there is also a children’s play area in the park. 

The Botanical Centre at the Exotic Garden houses the world’s largest collections of cacti and succulents, with more than 10,500 plants, around 85% of which are protected species. A welcome change of scenery for the whole family.

The Changing of the Guard, is a solemn ritual performed by the Palace Guards every day at 11.55 sharp on Palace Square. This is definitely one for the bucket list, and you really have to see it while in the Principality. Take advantage of the moment to admire the panoramic vistas of the Port of Fontvieille and Port Hercule from the viewpoints to the left and right of the Palace.

The Cars Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco lets you walk among a hundred or so legendary vehicles from the history of the Princely Family.

Take some time out and let the kids burn off some energy at the Principality’s skatepark (below the Oceanographic Museum) and the many children’s play areas which can be found near the numerous parks and gardens.

Princess Antoinette Park, near the Exotic Garden, has plenty of recreational space with a multi-sports pitch, children’s play areas, table tennis, a mini-farm with goats, rabbits, and chickens, and an 18-hole clay mini-golf course.

Explore Monaco the fun way! Discover the Principality from a different angle by using the range of green transport options available:

• Try the Monaco le Grand Tour, a red double-decker bus will take you to all of the Principality’s most iconic sites. You can hop on and off wherever you like, and visit the different places of interest at your own pace.
• Take the Water Bus across Port Hercule, and admire the stunning yachts as you go. See a different side of Monaco.
• Monaco Tours is the classic way to get around the city! The miniature train is always a hit with youngsters, and offers a welcome respite for parents! The tour starts and ends outside the Oceanographic Museum.

Captain Game

An exciting new way to explore the Fontvieille district, with Captain Game! This fun outdoor trail aims to raise awareness about the environment while revealing the best local secrets. 
Whether with family or friends, the 2.5 km long original circuit is a great way to visit Fontvieille and its port - or perhaps revisit if you already know the area well - with ten locations to find and answers to check off your list.

Monaco Museum of Anthropology

Take a step back in time and see the famous Lascaux caves as if you were actually there, with “Lascaux in Monaco” the temporary exhibition running at Monaco’s Museum of Anthropology from 19 April to 21 November 2024.
The visit includes an incredible immersive experience with an original scenography using a combination of replicas and virtual reality, ultra-realistic reconstructions of Cro-Magnon, a 1/10th scale copy of the cave, and much more besides.
For younger visitors, there will be two fun archaeological activities from 2 pm to 3.30 pm:

• Tuesday 26 April (for ages 5 to 6) - “THE HISTORY OF PREHISTORIC ANIMALS” & “PREHISTORIC POTTERY"
• Tuesday 30 April (for ages 7 and over) - “ROLE-PLAY” and “MAKING FIRE”

For more information, click HERE.

Nouveau Musée National de Monaco

Make your stay unforgettable with two activities taking place over several days, specially created for young visitors at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco.

• Activity one: “Garden Explorer”: Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 April (ages 6 to 9) from 2 pm to 4 pm. Discover the gardens of the Villa Sauber, study the traces and impressions of plants and make your own “explorer’s logbook”.
• Activity two: “Behind the Scenes at the Museum”: Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April (ages 4 to 8) – 2 pm to 4 pm, or Thursday 2 and Friday 3 May (ages 8 to 12) – 2 pm to 4.30 pm.                                                            Discover the “travel collection” with materials, embroideries, hats and accessories from the costume department of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.

For more information, click HERE 

And don’t miss the NMNM’s special “family weekends":

• Family activities: Every Saturday at 3 pm while exhibitions are running, suitable for children aged 7 to 12.
• Treasure hunts in the Villa gardens: Every weekend while exhibitions are running, the whole family can embark on a treasure hunt - the perfect way to explore the artworks displayed in the gardens of the Villa Paloma and the Villa Sauber. Unaccompanied activity, suitable for children aged 7 to 12.

For more information, click HERE. 

Pavillon Bosio 

Do your kids have a flair for art? Look no further! The Pavillon Bosio is opening its doors for two “amateur” activity courses from 22 to 26 April. There will be something for all ages, with activities open to children and adults to share on the themes of manga and a personalised game of Happy Families.
For more information, click HERE. 

Oceanographic Museum 

Take advantage of the spring holiday to visit (or revisit) the museum they call the “Temple of the Sea”!  The Oceanographic Museum is an absolute must-see when in the Principality, and no trip to Monaco is complete without a visit!

Discover the amazing exhibits, starting with Michel Bassompierre’s brand new temporary exhibition “The Ice Giants ”, featuring monumental sculptures of animals including polar bears and emperor penguins. The Museum and the artist have teamed up to create a thrilling and educational experience, where visitors can learn about the big issues facing the polar regions (exhibition runs from 10/04 to 06/10/2024).

And that’s not all! There’s also a new permanent exhibition called “The Prince and the Mediterranean" created as part of the commemorations marking the centenary of Rainier III, which looks at the late Prince’s unbreakable bond with the seas, and the Mediterranean in particular.

Nearly a million visitors have now seen the Museum’s landmark "Polar Mission" exhibition, and there’s still time to catch it, as it runs until January 2025. The immersive experience features five fascinating zones that will take you to the heart of the Arctic and Antarctic, including the “Immersion” room with a 650 m2 screen displaying stunning images.

• In addition to these three special exhibitions, the Museum also has its usual range of things to see and do:
• The escape game.
• The ImmerSEAve 360° interactive area, where visitors can explore the ocean depths with VR headsets.
• The aquariums, with four themed areas from the Mediterranean to the tropics.
• "Oceanomania", the largest cabinet of marine curiosities to be found anywhere.
• The "Seaside Animals" activity come with family or friends for a magical experience with the animals that live along the Mediterranean coast. You see them all the time, but do you really know all their secrets? Whatever your age, follow your senses and learn what makes each marine species truly unique (activity lasts 30 mins, and is available only during the school holidays).
• The"Oceano Club", which welcomes young explorers for a whole week during the school holidays! The fun and educational activities are an ideal opportunity to awaken youngsters’ natural curiosity and inspire future interests and even careers. Perhaps there are some budding oceanographers in your family.

Théâtre des Muses

When it comes to planning the perfect holiday, never improvise! Give your kids the chance to tread the boards at the Théâtre des Muses with its improv’ workshops on the theme “The Heroes of Youth”.
Activities include acting improvisation (solo, in pairs, and in groups), fun warm-up exercises, spontaneous play, work around the imagination and emotions, and much more, all in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
At the end of the mini-course, your little actors will put on a special performance. Perhaps a new star actor will be discovered?

For more information, click HERE.

Monaco Library

Monaco Library is running a variety of activities for youngsters, including:

• Astronomy workshop for ages 6 to 8, on 22 April from 10 am to 11.30 am
• Astronomy workshop for ages 8 to 12, on 22 April from 2 pm to 4 pm

Budding astronauts, buckle in for an incredible interstellar voyage. Continue the adventure the following afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm and listen to some astronomical tales.

Picnic Music - every Tuesday from 12 pm to 2 pm

Head to the Multimedia Library, where you can enjoy a concert during your lunch break. Don’t forget your packed lunch! Journey to the stars with Salim and learn about the world of astronomy with Naos, the star collector.

Pebblu Haiku (for ages 7 and over, parents welcome), on 24 April from 10 am to 11.30 am

Experience a taste of Japan with an introduction to reading and writing traditional short haiku.
The activity will focus on different aspects of these little poems, all in a fun setting designed to stimulate youngsters’ natural creativity. Your poem will be written on pebbles, in keeping with one of the essential principles of haiku - communion with the environment.

Water activities are back with a splash!

Everyone loves having fun in the water! Visit the Principality’s swimming pools and take advantage of the many water-based activities on offer, for unforgettable moments with the whole family.
The Stade Nautique Rainier III will be re-opening soon (from 29 April).
Its heated Olympic-sized, filtered brine pool, water slide and views of Port Hercule, the Rock and the Formula 1 circuit make it an absolute must-do.
The Principality’s other open-air Olympic pool will also be ready to dive into at the Hôtel Monte-Carlo Beach nestling between the pine trees and the Mediterranean Sea.
At the start of May, sporty types can try the thrilling nautical activities available at the Hôtel Monte-Carlo Bay (including jet ski, parasailing, and more).

Enjoy the holidays!