The Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco is the official home of the Prince of Monaco. It is within the old fortified town of Monaco-Ville and is a top tourist attraction in Monaco.
Location
Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco is located along Place du Palais right across Port de Fontvieille.
Getting There
You can reach Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco via bus no. 2 from Monaco proper. The bus stops at Place de Visitation and from here, you can walk in the direction going towards the palace, about five minutes worth of walk.
What to See
You can visit the State Apartments in the palace and here, you can view various rooms in their splendid decorations and furnishings. As you go up the magnificent marble staircase, you can view the Gallery of Hercules as well as the Mirror Gallery.
On the walls are fascinating frescoes of various mythological characters. The frescoes that date back to the sixteenth century were done by Francesco Mazzuchelli while those done during the seventeenth century were by Orazi Ferrari, a Genoese artist.
From the Mirror Gallery, there is the Red Room whose decors were attributed to the style and taste of Louis XV. Also in the Red Room are several paintings. After the Red Room comes the York Room.
The York Room was called as such because it was here that the Duke of York died some time in 1787. The room has frescoes that depict the 4 seasons of the year.
Next comes the Yellow Room otherwise known as the Louis XV room. Adorning the room is a portrait of Princess Louise-Hippolyte which was the masterpiece of Jean Baptiste Van Loo.
Other rooms include the Blue Room where you can find portraits of the Grimaldi Family and the Throne Room where official ceremonies are held.
Brief History
The Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco has quite a colorful history. It was originally built in the year 1911 as a fortress for the Genoese people.
This fortress was overtaken by various foreign powers in the course of its history. In the year 1297, the Grimaldi Family captured the fortress and they have since used this as their official residence.
However, during the eighteenth century, the fortress was captured by the French forces upon which they took all the treasures that they can find here.
This resulted in the palace seeing decades of decline as the Grimaldi Family were exiled for more than twenty years.
It was Prince Rainier III who oversaw the restoration of Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco and also for improving the economy of Monaco when he was crowned as the Prince of Monaco in 1949.
Cost
The cost to enter the State Apartments of Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco is €7 for adults and €3.50 for students and children.
There also double-entry tickets that allow you to visit the Palace as well as the Napoleonic Museum for €9 for adults and €4.50 for students and children.
For entry to the Palace and the Oceanographic Museum, tickets are €18 for adults and €8 for students and children.
Other Information
Palais Princier or Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville – Monaco is open daily from 10 in the morning up to 6 in the evening, from April 2 to October 31. The palace is closed to the public from November 1 up to April 1.
