Monte Carlo

Monaco is the world's smallest sovereign state, covering less than .74 square miles (about half the size of New York's Central Park).  It's inhabitants pay no taxes and are said to have the highest per capita income in the world, which just might be why money seems to be the main topic of conversation in Monaco. The official language is French and most visitors--at least those why fly on commercial aircraft--reach Monaco via the Nice airport. 

Right: Casino de Monte-Carlo

A view of the famous Monte Carlo Casino from the sculpture gardens. The 1863 Casino anchors the Place de Casino with its historic hotel, plaza and gardens. The casino and hotel were built in the middle on what had once been a wasteland of overgrown vegetation overlooking cliffs filled with seawater caves.  The casino and the Hotel de Paris were built by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Opera.

Right: Hotel de Paris

The belle époque Hotel De Paris adjacent to Monte Carlo's glittering Le Casino, or Casino Royale. The hotel was built two years after the casino.

When it was first opened the hotel was flanked by stables and exquisite gardens to charm winter-weary Parisians to the visit the new Mediterranean resort. 

Below right: La Condamine - The Harbor In the Cote d'Azur money breeds glamour and nowhere is more flamboyant than the harbor where celebrities' helicopters and super yachts compete for prominence.