The days are getting longer, the mercury is rising, the first tourists
are meandering through the streets of the Old Town... All the signs say that
spring is here! Will you be in Monaco during the holidays? Here are some great
ideas for a perfect family break.
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:
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!
Photo credits:
©Benjamin Vergély