Mountains and Wonders
The Principality of Monaco is surrounded by mountains and cliffs, which give the territory a relief of its own. Three mountains in particular surround the Monegasque lands, where hikers regularly go for walks to admire the breathtaking view that goes from the French Riviera to Italy.
Mount Agel: located in the French commune of Peille, this mountain dominates part of the French Riviera from the top of its 1,151 meters. It is also the highest point in the Principality, with a side of 164 meters high.
The Mont Gros: this mountain of 686 meters of altitude, visible from Monaco, is located in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and dominates the entire bay. There is an artillery observatory, but also a take-off runway for paragliders.
La Tête de Chien : here is a promontory with a very singular name. Located on the territory of La Turbie, and 550 meters high, it has played a decisive role in the history of Monaco. Indeed, in the 18th century, technical progress made it possible to install a battery capable of crushing the Place du Palais at close range. The fortress of Monaco has thus lost an important part of its strategic aspect, however precious during the numerous fights which marked the history of the Principality and its fight for independence. Today, the natural site is classified, but its rocks are particularly appreciated by climbers. However, the origins of its name remain a mystery. Some rumors say that one can vaguely recognize a dog's head in profile when looking at the promontory. It's up to you to see if your imagination leads you that far..
Le Rocher, an imprecise name
It is not uncommon to see the name "Le Rocher" used instead of Monaco. In fact, the Rock itself refers to a specific area of the Principality, and is the oldest part of the city, where the old town, the Prince's Palace and the official buildings are located. As its name suggests, the Rock is located high up and the Place du Palais is 62 meters high!
The other districts of Monaco
Traditionally, the Principality of Monaco is divided into four districts: Monaco-Ville (the Rock), La Condamine, Monte-Carlo and Fontvieille. However, for town planning purposes, a Sovereign Order of 1966 provides for a division of Monaco into reserved sectors and ordered districts. According to the latest configuration established in 2013, the two reserved sectors (Monaco-Ville and Ravin de Sainte-Dévote) should see their current character preserved. The seven ordained districts have their own urban planning regulations.
Monte-Carlo:
often confused with Monaco, Monte-Carlo means "Mount Charles", a name given in honor of Prince Charles III who initiated its creation in the 19th century. Today it is a very popular place for tourists, thanks to its luxurious palaces, its casinos, its great restaurants and its high-end stores. The district includes the Larvotto and La Rousse sectors.La Condamine: a
very commercial district of the Principality, the starting and finishing point of the Monaco Grand Prix, it also includes the sectors of Jardin Exotique, Moneghetti and Ravin de Sainte-Dévote. It is also home to the La Condamine market and the Halles Gourmandes.Fontvieille:
located west of Monaco, Fontvieille is known as the business district. This is where most of the companies are based and the place is teeming with employees throughout the week. This extension is also home to many state-owned housing units, intended for Monegasques and Enfants du Pays.Le Larvotto:
an extension located on the seafront, to the east of Monaco, this district is very popular with tourists and is also the most populated in the Principality. It is therefore mainly residential, but also includes hotels and restaurants by the sea. The future Marretera district will have the Portier sector, located in Larvotto, as its starting point.La Rousse:
the northernmost district of the Principality, with an area of 0.17 square kilometers, this area, also known as "Saint-Roman", is mainly residential, but it is also famous for the Odeon Tower, the tallest building in Monaco.The Jardin Exotique:
this area located at the northwestern end of Monaco owes its name to the famous garden, which includes an underground cavity for visits.Ravin de Sainte-Dévote:
the smallest area of the Principality, with only 2.35 hectares, this part of Monaco has few buildings. The most famous of them is the Sainte-Dévote church. A modest chapel built before 1070 near a cave in the Gaumates valley, it is here that, according to legend, the body of Saint Devote, patron saint of Monaco, was buried. The young girl born in Corsica towards the end of the 3rd century, a fervent Christian, was arrested and tortured by the Governor of Sardinia-Corsica, for having refused to renounce God and to believe in the Roman gods. Her body, deposited in a boat by sailors, would then have washed up in Monaco, near this chapel. The celebration of the saint, every January 27th, gives place to the burning of a boat by the Princely Family. Princess Grace and Princess Charlene went to the church on the day of their respective weddings, to lay a bouquet of flowers and thank the martyr.The Moneghetti: the second smallest district of Monaco, located in the northwest of the Principality, the Moneghetti are mainly residential and tourist
No waterways in Monaco?
This is one of the great particularities of the Principality: Monaco has no rivers, just like Malta or the Vatican. So how can the population be supplied with drinking water, especially in such a sunny climate, with an average of only 62 days of rain per year? The answer comes from the Principality's neighbors: one river is located in France, the other in Italy. Thus, the Vésubie and Roya rivers guarantee a water supply to Monaco, thanks to bilateral agreements.
