The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is a private residence, although
the State Apartments are open to visitors for part of the year.
The Palace has a long and fascinating history. The earliest
parts of the building date back to 1215, and it has been expanded and altered
over the centuries. By the 17th century, the former Genoese fortress had been
transformed into one of the most sumptuous residences of the age.
Prince Honoré II amassed vast collections of artworks there,
but they were sadly lost during the French Revolution, when the Palace was
looted and used as a hospital for Italian troops.
Today, it is possible to admire the splendours of the
Palace, including: the Cour d’Honneur, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery,
the York Rooms, the Louis XV salon and bedchamber, and the Throne Room, as well
as numerous paintings, frescoes, tapestries, and items of furniture.
But there’s much more. The Palace of Monaco, still home to
the current Princely Family, is maintained on a daily basis for the
requirements of day to day and diplomatic life. In 2014, while working on the
façade of La Régie, part of which was crumbling, restoration experts noticed
what appeared to be older motifs beneath the layers of paint, painted directly
onto the wall.
It marked the start of a series of discoveries that led
Prince Albert II to quickly order closer investigations. In the space of a few
weeks, other traces of old frescoes were uncovered in other rooms of the
Palace, covering a total of 600 m2. And so the great restoration-conservation
project began!
Using sustainable, environmentally techniques,
the process took eight years, and is considered one of the biggest painting
restoration and conservation projects ever undertaken in Europe! It is due
to be completed at the end of 2025. Unless further new discoveries are made in
the last three rooms of the “old quarter”, where explorations are yet to be
carried out.



- Opening times:
2 April to 30 June: 10 am – 5 pm. Palace closes at 6 pm.
1 July to 31 August: 10 am – 6 pm. Palace closes at 7 pm.
1 to 14 September: 10 am – 5 pm. Palace closes at 6 pm.
- Closed on the following dates:
22 to 25 May
6 to 8 June
26 to 28 June
19 and 20 July
Visit
duration: 30
minutes > The
State Apartments are not accessible to wheelchair users (access by stairs only).
ADMISSION PRICES:
- Adults
(18 and over): 10 euros
- Children
(6-17), Students (a valid student card must be shown): 5 euros
- Groups
and agencies: on request
- Adult
groups (minimum 20 people): 8 euros per person
- Child groups (minimum 20 people): 4 euros per
person (1 adult paying 2 euros for every 10 children)
You
can pay:
- at
the Palace ticket office sur place (cash, cheque, or card) or pre-paid (no
refunds possible.
- via
the free Monapass app.
For
more information about admission prices and combined tickets (Prince’s Palace,
Cars Collection, etc.): Admission prices

When
you visit, don’t miss the changing of the guard ceremony that takes place every
day at 11.55 am on the dot, on the Place du Palais.
Founded
on 8 December 1817, the Prince’s “Carabinieri Corps” has guarded the Palace,
provided security for His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince and the Princely
Family, protected the integrity of His properties or residences and their
immediate surroundings, provided Him with ceremonial services, enforced the law
and maintained public order.
The changing of the guard is a solemn military ritual, carried out with the
utmost precision and coordination.
The motto of the Prince's Carabinieri is "Honour, Loyalty, Devotion to
Duty".

Photo credits:
Benjamin Vergély / Gaëtan Luci / Palais Princier