The Prince's Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco and the home of the Grimaldi family, who have held it since 1297. It stands on the Rock, the old town of Monaco-Ville, above Port Hercule. The Place du Palais in front gives wide views over the harbour and is where the Prince's Carabiniers change the guard each day. Inside, the State Apartments open to visitors for part of the year, with frescoes, tapestries and period furniture, and rooms such as the Hercules Gallery and the Throne Room.
From Genoese fortress to royal residence
The palace began as a Genoese fortress on the Rock of Monaco. In 1297 François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk seeking shelter, led the takeover of the fortress, and the Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since. That is more than 700 years of continuous rule.
The building was never finished in one go. It was extended and altered over the centuries, and its character changed with them. In the sixteenth century it took on the look of an Italian palace, and in the seventeenth century it became one of the most luxurious residences of its time, in a style closely tied to the reign of Louis XIV.
The fortress past still explains the site. Monaco was besieged by foreign powers, so the palace had to stay fortified long after other European rulers moved into open Renaissance and Baroque palaces. The result is a defensive building with a richly decorated residence inside it.
The façade carries Italian Renaissance frescoes. Prince Rainier III is credited with restoring the palace after it had fallen into poor repair, and videos shown inside cover the restoration of the façade frescoes.
Inside the State Apartments
The State Apartments are the part of the palace you can visit, and they open for part of the year only. Around fifteen rooms are shown, and the decoration grows richer as you go. Frescoes, tapestries, paintings and period furniture fill the route, with glass chandeliers in the halls.
The Hercules Gallery and the Throne Room are among the highlights. The route also includes the Mirror Gallery, modelled on the one at Versailles, and the Red Room, the Blue Room, the Yellow Room and the York Room. The Mazarin Room is a drawing room, and its gilded and painted Italian polychrome woodwork makes it one of the most striking rooms in the palace.
The visit comes with an audio guide that explains the furniture, the purpose of each room and the history of the principality. A guided tour of about 40 minutes is also available if you want more detail on the palace and the people who lived in it. Tickets are sold at the box office in front of the palace.
The changing of the guard
Every day of the year at 11:55, the Prince's Carabiniers carry out the changing of the guard on the Place du Palais. The ceremony dates from 1917, and the guards follow a ritual that has changed little in a century. They wear traditional ceremonial dress.
The square is open to everyone and costs nothing, and it is the best place to take in the palace façade. Arrive a few minutes early to choose your spot. Outside the main season the crowds are thin, and some winter visitors watch the ceremony almost alone.
Summer concerts in the Royal Courtyard
Each summer, from mid-July to early August, the Royal Courtyard of the palace is used as a concert venue. Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace started the series, and it has run for more than sixty years. The Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra plays with invited conductors and soloists, and the concerts are among the high points of the orchestra's season. Evening performances are listed on the palace website.
Around the Rock
The palace is the centre of Monaco-Ville, the old town, which is made up mostly of pedestrian streets and passages. Around the Place du Palais there are terraces, shops and restaurants. From the square you can see across to Port Hercule in the north and toward Fontvieille in the south.
The Museum of Napoleon Souvenirs stands to the left of the palace. It grew from Prince Louis II's collection of Napoleonic items and some historic palace pieces, and it shows uniforms, medals, weapons and documents. An audio guide of about half an hour covers the collection.
The cathedral is also on the Rock, and it holds the tombs of the Grimaldi family, including Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. The Oceanographic Museum, opened in 1910, stands on the cliff edge nearby. The Saint Martin Garden is a short walk away. A combined ticket links the palace with the Oceanographic Museum, the Jardin Exotique and the Monaco Top Cars Collection, so you can plan several stops around one purchase.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for the Prince's Palace of Monaco?
The Place du Palais and the area around the palace are free to enter. The State Apartments need a ticket, sold at the box office in front of the palace. A combined pass that includes other Monaco sights is also sold, at about €15 to €20.50 for adults and €5 to €9 for children aged 4 to 12.
What time is the changing of the guard?
It takes place every day of the year at 11:55 on the Place du Palais, carried out by the Prince's Carabiniers. Arrive a few minutes early to get a good view.
Can you go inside the Prince's Palace?
Yes, but only the State Apartments, and only for part of the year. Check the palace website for the current opening season before you go.
How long do you need at the Prince's Palace?
Plan on one to two hours. The audio guide covers the State Apartments, a guided tour lasts about 40 minutes, and the changing of the guard adds time on the square.
What are the highlights inside the State Apartments?
The Hercules Gallery, the Throne Room, the Mirror Gallery, the Mazarin Room and the Red, Blue, Yellow and York Rooms. You will also see frescoes, tapestries, paintings and period furniture along the route.
