Ideas for the spring holidays

The Principality may be small but it has a multitude of different facets just waiting to be explored during the holidays, and there's something to suit everyone! 
To get the ball rolling, the 12th Monaco International Book Fair is taking place Grimaldi Forum from 10.30 am to 6pm, organised by the assocation "Les Rencontres Littéraires Fabian Boisson".

Feeling the call of the sea?  Head to the Rock and the Old Town of Monaco, and visit the Oceanographic Museum. On the way, take a stroll through the Galerie des Pêcheurs and admire the temporary exhibition "From the Calypso to Underwater Painting" dedicated to André Laban.
A pioneering member of the Cousteau crew and a veteran diver, he was also world famous as the inventor of underwater painting, an explorer, and a writer.
The exhibition runs until 31 May 2023.

After that artistic pause, continue towards the building known as "the Temple of the Sea". Its imposing profile, built into the cliffside itself, never fails to impress. During the school holidays, the museum invites visitors to experience an immersive polar adventure as seen through the eyes of a reporter exploring the North and South Poles.
Its unmissable Oceano Club is open for budding young explorers! 

Another place of interest in the Principality not to be missed during the holidays, is the Exotic Garden!

For art lovers, the Villa Paloma, a modern art museum, is the perfect place to step out of time and into a different world with the "Humanoïdes", a major exhibition by George Condo.
As part of this visit,  fun children's workshops are available, lasting a day or several days, where youngsters can discover the techniques used by the artists to create their own portraits and plant-based compositions through the gardens of the Villa Paloma with its stunning sea views. The participants can also create a collective painting… 

And that's not all!

Just a few yards away, the Museum of Anthropology also has plenty of things to see and do on the subject of prehistory and archaeology, with workshops ranging from cave art to the discovery of fire, via prehistoric engravings and even an escape game. The kids won't see the time passing! An an egg hunt is guaranteed to win over the more sceptical among them.

Once you've finished dipping into the distant past, stroll over to the Botanic Centre of the Exotic Garden, with its majestic greenhouses overlooking the sea, and housing the world's biggest collection of cacti!

Explore the Fontvieille district from a whole new angle, and follow Captain’Game! This fun outdoor trail is desiged to raise awareness about the environment, while discovering the secrets of the local area.
Whether you're with family or friends, this original circuit is the ideal way to (re)discover Fontvieille and its port, with a 2.5 km path and 10 terminals to find, with answers to unearth.

Younger children can catch a movie at Monaco's other port, the famous Port Hercule, with the film "Petit Vampire" by Joann Sfar. The perfect "popcorn cinema" outing to be enjoyed at Monaco's Public Library, the Médiathèque.

Last but not least, for nature-lovers, the Principality is once again taking part in the "Côte d’Azur Garden Festival". Wander over to the Terrasses du Casino, where two landscaped creations will be on display to the public on the theme of this 4th edition, "Suprising Perspectives". The original creations can be admired until Monday 1 May 2023. 

A few miles from the Principality, experience the 12th "Festival of Roses and Plants" at the Villa and Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on 29 and 30 April. Let your imagination run free with the creative and educational workshops, and admire the elegant and original gardens with their varied themes and stunning colours! With so much to see and do for all ages, you're guaranteed an experience like nowhere else. 

Happy holidays!