Le Rocher

The Grimaldis live on “le rocher”, and Sissi and I took a look around. The place is most welcoming (except for the residences) which is not a surprise, as the defensive walls enclose the cathedral and law court. There are public paths around most of the outside of it too, and some beautifully constructed gardens on the upper slopes.

A view towards some enthusiastic extension activity. Territorial wars being now frowned on, and Monaco not having its own army, building out into the sea is the preferred form of expansion, which has seen the addition of the cunningly named "Fontvieille".

Views from le rocher.
It rather looks as though this perilous ledge has been cultivated.
Monte Carlo cathedral. They were in the middle of an international organ festival when we were there, having hosted Gillian Weir a week before.
The "Palais de Justice" (subtle difference from Paris) has the simplest inscription I can imagine on a law court.

Prince Albert I was big on seafaring, both on and under the water.
An implausibly small-looking sperm whale in the Oceanographic Museum, taken by Sissi.

There's also a new-ish and increasingly impressive aquarium (not least because of the engineering required to make the waters work).

The hatchlings tank.
Sissi in front of one of the bigger reef-mimicking tanks.
Sissi in front of a curious cylindrical tank in which the fish (I forget what they were) swam in rapid circles.

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Last updated 2006/08/30