To an outside eye, the Principality of Monaco may look as though it is all skyscrapers, superyachts and flashy cars, but those who call this place home know that it is also a haven for beautiful gardens and green spaces.
From the Japanese Garden near the Grimaldi Forum to La Petite Afrique in Monte-Carlo and the incredible collection of succulents and exotic plants at the Centre Botanique, Monaco boasts at least a dozen public parks and gardens of all styles and sizes.
So, let’s begin our tour in the beating heart of the Principality, the Monte-Carlo neighbourhood.
The gardens in the Carré d’Or, the square ringed by some of Monaco’s most famous landmarks, such as the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Hôtel de Paris and the Café de Paris.
These gardens, which include the Boulingrins Garden and La Petite Afrique, blend French-style landscaping with tropical planting, as well as more than a few palm trees.
The Boulingrins are a wonderful place to pause and relax after a day of hitting the shops and galleries that dot this central district, while La Petite Afrique offers something altogether more exotic, with lush and dense vegetation that provides plenty of shade from the summer sun.
Behind the Casino, you will find the Terrasses de la Casino and more green spaces. Take a walk along the Promenade des Champions, which overlooks Port Hercule and the Mediterranean Sea, to admire the yachts bobbing in the harbour. Although this area offers limited shade, its open design allows visitors to enjoy a refreshing sea breeze. The area also features famous Botero sculptures and other notable artworks, as well as the footprints of football legends like Maradona.
In the Larvotto neighbourhood, near the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, is the enchanting Japanese Garden designed by landscape architect Yasuo Beppu. Reflecting Zen design principles, this garden features a stream, waterfall and pond with koi carp, which combine to create a serene atmosphere that is perfect for reflection and cooling off from the hustle and bustle of one of the busiest parts of the Principality.
At the opposite end of Monaco is the Parc de Fontvieille, where a children’s play area sits alongside a pond popular with ducks and geese. It is home to a mix of Mediterranean and exotic plants, which thrive here in the Principality’s micro-climate.
Also in Fontvieille is the Princess Grace Rose Garden. More than 315 varieties of rose grow in the park, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this spring. Roses were the favourite bloom of the late Princess Grace, and this aromatic sanctuary was founded in her honour in 1984.
See more: Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline commemorate four decades of the Princess Grace Rose Garden
Skirting the Rock of Monaco are the Rainier III Zoological Gardens, also known as the Jardin Animalier de Monaco, which are home to nearly 300 animals from around 60 species. The creatures that have found a home here were either donated, abandoned or seized, and now enjoy their days beneath the leafy greens that provide shade and benches for both the animals and visitors alike.
Located between the Palais Princier de Monaco and the Oceanographic Museum on the Rocher, the Saint-Martin Gardens offer stunning views of the Mediterranean from yet another perspective. With a mix of Mediterranean and exotic plants, this garden provides a tranquil atmosphere that is popular with residents of the Rock and the tourists who have travelled to see the palace and explore Monaco’s oldest neighbourhood.
Up in the Jardin Exotique quartier of Monaco, you will – as perhaps expected by the name – find a treasure trove of stunning gardens.
This is, of course, the Jardin Exotique, which gave the neighbourhood its moniker, but this is unfortunately closed to the public at the moment as the space is in the midst of major renovations. It will remain shut throughout 2024.
You can, however, get up-close and personal with many of cacti and succulents that are usually on display in the Jardin Exotique by visiting the nearby Botanical Centre. These huge glasshouses are home to a wide array of species, many of them protected, and are themed on different parts of the world.
Our final stop is in the Parc Princesse Antoinette, which should definitely be on your list to visit if you are coming to Monaco with children. From the petting farm to the pond, the massive sandpit and many play areas, it is perfectly catered to young children, as well as those in their teenage years thanks to free sports facilities and a mini-golf course.
Read related:
Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline commemorate four decades of the Princess Grace Rose Garden
Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photos by Monaco Life
