Try your luck in the elegant gold and marble casino: slots in the Salle Blanche; roulette and trente et quarante in the Salle Europe; chemin de fer, banques à deux tableaux and pai gow poker in the Salon Privés (high rollers only); and craps or blackjack in the American Room. Expect to hear a smorgasbord of different languages from smartly dressed patrons. It should come as no surprise that the casino strictly enforces a jacket and tie dress code.

If you tire of gaming, discover delicate French cuisine at its finest in the Hotel De Paris’ famed Le Louis XV restaurant. Later, stroll through the narrow winding streets of the Old Town, with its vaulted passageways and bronze cannons, or go clubbing and dance the night away at Jimmy’z.

Casino games: Baccarat, blackjack, craps, chemin de fer, mini punto banco, punto banco and American, English and French roulette.
 
No. of slots: 316

No. of table games: 35

Accomodation

Choose from 187 rooms and 75 suites with either a sea, harbour or city view, in the prestigious Hotel de Paris, built in 1864 and located in front of the casino and the Café de Paris. The 35m² to 50m² rooms are designed in white leaded wood or mahogany, bathrooms in faience or pale marble, with elegant 19th-century style interiors.
As a guest you’ll receive a Carte d’Or (gold card) entitling you to complimentary access to the Casino de Monte Carlo, the Monte Carlo beach club (with a private beach from April to October), plus complimentary use of the seawater swimming pool, Turkish baths and fitness complex at the adjacent spa. Carte d’Or holders also receive a 50 per cent reduction on tennis and golf fees at the Monte Carlo country club, with its 23 clay tennis courts, and the Monte Carlo golf club.

Dining

Enjoy fine dining at any of the hotel’s several restaurants, including Michelin 3-star dining at Le Louis XV with Chef Alain Ducasse and Le Grill on the eighth floor of the hotel. Here in summer, the roof slides back to reveal the sky and one of the most beautiful views available of the French Riviera. Try some national specialties such as barbagiuan – a type of pastry filled with rice and pumpkin, or a fougasse – fragrant orange flower water pastries decorated with nuts, almonds and aniseed. Hotel de Paris also boasts one of the world’s finest collection of wines, a legacy since 1874.

Spa

Immerse yourself in the 6600m² Les Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo, one of Europe’s most beautiful spas – and discreetly accessible via the Hotel de Paris and Hotel Hermitage. The spa is renowned for its seawater treatments and therapeutic massage.

Shopping

Monaco is famous for its rich collection of deluxe boutiques offering the latest in haute couture, perfumes and jewellery. For prestigious labels browse Monte Carlo’s ‘Cercle d’Or’ and Galerie des Allées Lumières to find the latest collections from couturiers such as Hermès, Céline, Christian Dior, Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and Prada. The Place du Casino and adjacent streets display a showcase of exquisite jewellery from Cartier, Chopard, Van Cleef, Arpels, Bulgari, Piaget and Repossi. And within the narrow streets of the Old Town you can discover more typical souvenirs such as Monégasque chocolates, ceramics and handcraft items. Monégasque stamps are highly prized by collectors.

Best time to go

Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are probably the most pleasant times to visit Monaco, with sunny skies and an average temperature of around 18°C. Monaco enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year with sea breezes at night. Summer during July and August averages 21°C but can reach 26°C – this is the time when it’s most crowded with visitors. Winter (December to January) is also pleasant with daytime temperatures of around 10°C.

Monte Carlo attractions

Nightlife – If you’re feeling like Ginger Rogers or Fred Astaire, swing and swirl at the Summer Sporting Club or dance the night away at Jimmy’z disco. The gilded and gorgeous Salle Garnier offers world class entertainment, from ballet to opera. On warm summer nights, enjoy concerts at the Prince’s Palace or take a magical stroll through town followed by a nightcap at Zebra Square, Le Living Room or the fashionable Sass Café.
 
Events – Two of the most-watched car racing events in Europe are held in Monte Carlo: in January, the famous Monte Carlo Rally and in May, the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Monaco’s International Circus Festival held in January attracts acts ranging from traditional trapeze artists and clowns to a spectacular show involving white tigers. In July, stars such as Ricky Martin, Ray Charles, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Jose Feliciano and many more take to the stage at Monaco’s annual Summer Festival.

Collection des Voitures Anciennes de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco – View the private car collection of the late Prince Rainier III, including the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud that carried the prince and princess on their wedding day; a 1925 Bugatti 35B, winner of the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929; a 1903 De Dion Bouton; and a 1986 Lamborghini Countach.

Les Grands Appartements du Palais – Get a glimpse inside the home of Monaco’s Royal Family in the 13th century Palais du Prince, which dominates the principality from ‘the Rock’. Check out the Throne Room and admire artworks by Brueghel and Holbein, among others, as well as Princess Grace’s state portrait. The ideal time to arrive is 11:55am so you can watch the 10-minute Relève de la Garde (changing of the guard).

French Riviera – Hire a car and experience the magnificent Côte d’Azur: explore Nice, France’s fifth largest city; take a long lunch in fashionable St Tropez; stay the night in Cannes and spot celebrities in luxury hotels, galleries, boutiques and expensive stores; and pop into Antibes to ogle the huge luxury yachts.

Watersports – Go waterskiing, diving, parasailing and windsurfing in the Mediterranean.

Golf – Enjoy 18 holes at the 6km long course at the Monte Carlo Golf Club.

Did you know?

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, after the Vatican City, at 4.8km long by 2.4km wide – about the size of New York’s Central Park.