Saturday, November 14, 2020

Monte Carlo, Monaco - a luxuriously beautiful playground for the world’s rich

 

Enjoying a cocktail in Cafe de Paris situated opposite the Monte Carlo Casino, officially named Casino de Monte-Carlo, a gambling and entertainment complex for the rich and famous. It includes a casino, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, and the office of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo

Flavia and I were keeping a watchful eye out for celebrities particularly our favourite - George C












The Principality of Monaco a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is bordered by France to the north, east and west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. 




The principality is home to 38,682 residents of which 9,486 are Monegasque nationals and is widely recognised for being one of the most expensive and wealthiest places in the world. The official language is French, although Monegasque, English and Italian are spoken and understood by a sizeable group. 





With an area of 2.1 km2 it is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe and the second smallest in the world, after the Vatican City. Its 19,009 inhabitants per square kilometre make it the most densely populated sovereign state in the world. 








Monaco has a land border of 5.47 km the world's shortest coastline of approximately 3.83 km and a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 m. The highest point in the country is a narrow pathway named Chemin des Revoires on the slopes of Mont Agel, in the Les Revoires Ward, which is 161 metres above sea level. The principality is about 15 km from the state border with Italy





Its most populous Quartier is Monte Carlo and the most populous Ward is Larvotto/Bas Moulins. Through land reclamation, Monaco's land mass has expanded by 20 per cent. In 2005, it had an area of only 1.974 km2 




The principality is governed under a form of constitutional monarchy., with Prince Albert II as head of state. Although Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch, he wields immense political power. 




The burial place of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace of Monaco in St Nicholas Cathedral









The principality is governed under a form of constitutional monarchy., with Prince Albert II as head of state. Although Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch, he wields immense political power. 





The changing of the guard at the Prince's Palace





















The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297.  The state's sovereignty was officially recognised by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defence is the responsibility of France. However, Monaco does maintain two small military units









These models look so authentic however the real thing is "fast" approaching







Monte Carlo is a spectacular backdrop for the world's fastest motor sport








We were thrilled to linger in the vicinity of our own Daniel Ricciardo's staging point








Remember the models ....













It seems even a simple ice cream is on a large and decadent scale in Monte Carlo



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