For centuries, the mere mention of Monaco has inspired images of luxury, glamour, excitement and leisure. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world are drawn to Monaco's Mediterranean climate, her luxurious beaches, lively casinos and world-renown events.
In 2006, Monaco is more magnificent, majestic and exciting than ever. This year the Principality welcomes you to experience the unique hospitality that has made Monaco the premier destination for world-travelers. From her towering cliffs, glorious harbors and luxurious hotels to Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco offers an endless array of year-round amusements and amenities for both business and pleasure. If you are looking for a specific event, please check our Calendar of Events
. Spring
• Opera (March) • Rose Ball (March) • Monaco International Dog Show (March) • Monte-Carlo Spring Art Festival (March) • Tennis Masters Series (April) • Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix (May)
Summer
• Feast of Saint John (June) • Monte-Carlo Television Festival (July) • Concerts at the Prince's Palace (July) • Monte-Carlo International Fireworks Festival (July/August) • International Stars at Le Sporting Club (July/August) • Monte-Carlo Red Cross Gala Ball (August)
Fall
• Monaco Yacht Show (September) • Monaco Classic Week (September) • International Marathon in Monaco(November) • Monégasque National Holiday (November19)
Winter
• International Antique, Jewelry, and Art Show(December) • Monaco Dance Forum (December) • Christmas and New Year'sFestivities • International Circus Festival(January/February)
OPERA
Since 1892 the Monte Carlo Opera has occupied the Salle Garnier hall, named after the architect who also designed the Paris Opera House. It is a magnificent hall with a wonderful past. Many works were produced here for the first time, such as Richard Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde," in 1893, and Maurice Ravel's "The Child and the Spells" in 1925. In all, 45 lyrical works were first produced in Monte-Carlo by some of the world's greatest singers including Melba, Caruso, Chaliapin, Tito Schipa, Georges Thil and the more contemporary Ruggero Raimondi, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Every year John Mordler, the current Director of the Monte Carlo Opera, presents a season of quality works, many of which are often new productions. Since the 2001 opening of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, Monte-Carlo's state-of-the-art cultural center, the Monte-Carlo Opera also frequently performs in the forum's Salle des Princes and Salle Prince Pierre auditoriums. The company tours the world when not performing in Monaco. The opera season runs from January through March. Tickets go on sale in November.
Date: March Place: Salle Garnier hall Information: www.opera.mc
Rose Ball
This is one of the major charity events in Monaco. Created in 1954, it benefits the Princess Grace Foundation. Each year H.H.R. The Princess of Hanover selects a new theme. There are always ravishing bouquets of over 25,000 roses to decorate the Salle des Etoiles in the Sporting d'Eté complex. Top-name performers delight the audience, most of them dressed to the nines in designer gowns. The public is welcome to join this prestigious event.
Date: March Place: Sporting d'Eté Information: (800) 753-9696
LE PRINTEMPS DES ARTS
One of the year's most exciting cultural events, Monaco's annual Spring Arts Festival, brings talented artists from around the globe to entertain guests with art, music, theater and dance at venues throughout the Principality. Also featured are performances by the renowned Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. The twentieth edition of the Spring Arts Festival confirmed the change of direction taken by the festival: a multiplicity of styles spanning from the 11th to the 21st centuries, a new way of experiencing music both through themes and through locations, an increasingly greater openness to a young public, collaboration and with some of Monaco's largest institutions.
Date: April Place: various venues in Monaco Information: (800) 753-9696 Web site: www.printemps-des-arts.mc
THE MONTE-CARLO TENNIS OPEN
The Monte-Carlo Open, which takes place in the legendary setting of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, has not only become a key fixture on the professional circuit, but now ranks as one of the nine "Super" tennis tournaments in the world.
A men's "tune-up" for the following month's French Open, the tournament bracket has been highlighted by such stars as phenom Lleyton Hewitt, defending champion Gustavo Kuerten, living legend Pete Sampras and fan-favorite Andre Agassi.
Date: April Place: Monte-Carlo Country Club Information: (+33) 4 93 41 72 14 or (+33) 4 93 41 72 08, www.mccc.mc
Monte-Carlo Historic Grand Prix
Considered a "Must" of the historic races, the Monte-Carlo Historic Grand Prix is a retrospective of the golden age of car racing that takes place every other year on the famous track of Monaco using the roads of the Principality that haven´t changed since the first race on 14th April 1929.
Learn more about the Monte-Carlo Historic Grand Prix! Contact the Automobile Club de Monaco for information or tickets at (+377) 93 15 26 00 or via email at
Date: May (the event is hold every other year) Place: Monte-Carlo Information: (+377) 93 15 26 00, www.acm.mc
Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
Every spring, sports car fans from around the globe descend on the Principality of Monaco to witness the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, the only race in the world that is held on city streets. Spectators delight in the raucous noise of the roaring engines as they speed along the Boulevard Albert 1er up toward the Casino and dare the hairpin turn in front of the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Organized by the Automobile Club of Monaco, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the world's most popular international sporting events and takes place each year during the last weekend in May. Click here for more details and ticket information.
Date: May Place: Monte-Carlo, Monaco- Outdoor F1 racecourse Information: (800) 753-9696, www.acm.mc
Feast of St. John
On June 24, St. John's Day, the Feast moves from Monaco-Ville to Monte-Carlo. A procession forms up on the Place des Moulins (Mill Square) where the old olive presses used to operate. The folk groups form a guard of honor around "Little Saint John" and his lamb. The procession, accompanied by music of its own making, reaches the Church of St. Charles in the parish of Monte-Carlo. Click here for more details. Date: June Place: Monaco-Ville/Monte-Carlo Information: (800) 753-9696
Concerts at the Prince's Palace
Throughout the summer, the Courtyard of the Prince's Palace is the premier location for a series of outdoor performances by the legendary Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. An experience not to be missed, especially for the music lover. All concerts begin at 9:30PM.
This free event attracts thousands from the area to view some of the most beautiful and original fireworks around. The competition has been held since 1966 and brings pyrotechnic specialists from around the world to show off their talent.
Fireworks begin around 9:30PM, or when it is dark. There is good viewing from several locations: around the port sitting at a café, from the palace area or along the ramparts of Fort Antoine, and just off the Casino Terrace. The competition continues through the month of August and the winner returns November 18 to create the fireworks display on the evening before the National Holiday.
Once night falls, Monte-Carlo sparkles even brighter with fabulous summer concerts at the exclusive Monte-Carlo Sporting Club. All summer long this club under the stars, pulsates with the sounds of international recording artists and first-rate shows. Past stars have included George Benson with Natalie Cole, Andrea Bocelli, The Beach Boys, Diana Krall, Lionel Richie and Julio Iglesias, among many others.
Held under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert at the Sporting d'Eté Club in the Salle des Etoiles the first weekend of August. This annual fund-raiser brings out scores of international celebrities for a good cause. Elegantly prepared meals, top entertainers and a display of ballgowns that will dazzle you.
Date: August Place: Sporting d'Eté Club Information: (+377) 92 16 36 36
Monaco Yacht Show
Each September, Monaco's magnificent Port Hercules plays host to the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show. 96 of the world's most beautiful yachts are on display to the delight of professionals and boat-lovers alike. The yachts on display go from 25m to more than 90m length, and amongst them, the show usually presents about 30 new world-premiere launches. The Port Hercules welcomes 540 exhibiting companies representing all sectors of the luxury yacht and superyacht including shipbuilding & refit yards, service companies, and maritime brokers. The event also features representatives from leading luxury car, champagne, and private jet companies that cater to the needs of the ultimate luxury yacht owner.
Throughout its history, Monaco has had a unique connection to the sea. The Monaco Yacht Club, one of Europe's oldest and most distinguished, invites visitors to celebrate the Principality's glorious maritime past during the Monaco Classic Week, held every other year in early September. Come admire some of the world's grandest and most beautiful boats, from antique sailing vessels and motor yachts to powerboats, tall ships and more. See exhibitions and competitions in Monaco's harbor, and share in an elegant tradition that is an integral part of Monaco's culture, from sparkling sea to glamorous shore. Date: September Place: Port Hercule harbor Information: www.yacht-club-monaco.mc
International Marathon in Monaco
Each November, hundreds of runners assemble in Monaco for the Monaco Marathon, the only marathon in the world that has participants traverse three different countries in a single race: France, Italy and Monaco. Date: November Place: Monaco/France/Italy Information: www.monaco-marathon.com
Monégasque National Holiday
On November 19th, Monaco celebrates its National Holiday with spectacular fireworks over the harbor the evening before and a mass in the Cathedral the next morning. An excellent opportunity to see the pomp and circumstance of the Principality, visitors can see the Knights of Malta, distinguished ambassadors, consuls and state officials decked out in medal-laden uniforms as they congregate in the Place St. Nicholas after the mass. Then it is off to the Prince's Palace where onlookers can see the Princely family wave to the crowd from the windows of the palace. Date: November 18th & 19th Place: Various venues Information: (800) 753-9696
International Antique, Jewelry, and Art Show
Each year, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco welcomes the Monte-Carlo International Fine Art & Antiques Fair . Truly international in its scope, this event brings together over 60 reputed antique dealers from all across Europe and the United States and over 12,000 visitors from across the globe. On hand are original works by Arman, Botero, Dufy, Chagall, Monet, Magritte, Modigliani, Pomodoro, Renoir and Valdes exhibited beside master works by Brueghel the Older, Bernardo Dadi, Tintoretto and more. For both the art lover and the art collector, this is a must-see event. Date: December Place: Espace Fonteviellie Information: www.antiques-fair.com
Monaco Dance Forum December
Held every two years (last edition in 2004), the Monaco Dance Forum aims to recognize all types of dance, both emerging as well as established, and features neo-classical, contemporary, world and hip-hop performances. Highlights of this year's event include an original adaptation of Gluck's Opera, and repertoires from France's Vagabond Crew, the Australian Dance Theatre, the Henry Oguike Dance Company, Israeli Choreographers Emanuel Gat and Sahar Azimi, Spain's Compania Maria Pages, Jyrki Karttunen & Co of Finland, USA's Ronald K Brown Evidence and Do Theatre of Russia. There will also be an exhibition of the New National Museum of Monaco and exclusive photos by Karl Lagerfeld presenting artists from the dance world. For more information on the Monaco Dance Forum, visit www.monacodanceforum.com. Date: December Place: Grimaldi Forum Monaco Information: www.monacodanceforum.com
Christmas and New Year's Festivities
Monaco offers special performances and gala dinners throughout the Principality on Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve. The country is aglow with outdoor celebrations, parades, concerts and activities for children. Monaco's hotels and restaurants offer special packages. On New Year's Eve at the stroke of midnight, revelers convene in the magnificent Casino Square to ring in the New Year.
Date: December Place: Various venues Information: (800) 753-9696
Monte-Carlo Rally WRC, January
It all began in 1911, at the height of the rivalry between two famous seaside towns: Nice and Monte-Carlo. The former organized its "carnival" which attracted a rich clientele to its casinos and so Monaco decided to organize an automobile rally on the same lines as the celebrated Italian Cycle Rally ("convegni ciclisti"), with departure points in different European towns, converging on Monaco. This event was to take place in January, as a way of showing that the climate of the Principality at this time of year was exceptionally mild. Today, two men are considered to be the founders of this rally: Gabriel Vialon and Antony Noghes. The Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM) financed the event, which attracted only 23 participants in its first year. The following year, this figure had quadrupled: The Monte-Carlo Rally was launched!
Date: January Place: Various venues Information: (800) 753-9696 Web site: www.acm.mc
International Circus Festival
For decades, the circus has been known for its ability to brighten up the faces and spirits of adults and children alike. As a young child, H.S.H. Prince Rainier was fascinated with the circus world. It is for this reason that in 1974, he created the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival to showcase the world's greatest Big Top performers. Each year hundreds of acts request to be a part of this weeklong ceremony, during which the two best performances are crowned with the coveted Gold and Silver Clown awards. Held every year in mid-January, the event features spectacular animal acts, uproarious comedic performances, and masterfully choreographed acrobatic feats. Each act is judged on its technical difficulty and creativity by a panel composed of seasoned circus professionals from around the world. Presiding over the panel, H.S.H. Prince Albert II and His Sister, H.S.H. Princess Stephanie (who serves as Vice President), traditionally open the star-studded festivities.
Date: January Place: Chapiteau de Fontvieille Information: (+377) 92 05 23 45 Fax: (+377) 92 05 26 22 Web site: www.montecarlofestival.mc
INFORMATIONS 