Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
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Changing of the Guard at Prince's Palace of Monaco
Inside the State Apartments at Prince's Palace of Monaco
Inside the State Apartments at Prince's Palace of Monaco
Inside the State Apartments at Prince's Palace of Monaco
Cannons and cannonballs at Place du Palais
Prince's Palace and Place du Palais
Place du Palais in Monaco
Place du Palais in Monaco
Aerial view of Prince's Palace of Monaco
PALACE
The Prince’s Palace of Monaco and Place du Palais stand at the centre of Monaco-Ville, the historic district on Le Rocher. The pale residence, ceremonial square, old cannons, and wide harbour views create one of the most recognisable scenes in Monaco. For many first-time visitors, the main experience is simple: see the palace exterior, take photographs, enjoy the viewpoints, and watch the Changing of the Guard. Those who want to look inside can also visit the State Apartments during their seasonal opening.
The site began as a Genoese fortress in 1215 and became linked with the Grimaldi family after François Grimaldi captured it in 1297. Over the following centuries, the defensive stronghold developed into a Renaissance and ceremonial residence, while keeping parts of its fortress-like appearance. It remains the official residence of Monaco’s sovereign, so it is still used for state duties and important events. This mix of living history, formal tradition, and coastal scenery makes the area rewarding even for visitors who do not enter the palace.
A visit to the Prince’s Palace is more compact than visits to many European royal residences. The square, guard ceremony, and optional State Apartments form the main experience. Most of the important exterior features are close together and can be seen without following a long route.
© TouristState
© TouristState
Place du Palais is the broad ceremonial square in front of the Prince’s Palace. It gives visitors a clear view of the main façade, fortified towers, sentry boxes, and formal entrance.
The building does not have the balanced design of a palace created at one time. It developed gradually from a medieval fortress, which explains its mixture of defensive walls, decorated sections, and later additions.
Historic cannons and carefully arranged piles of cannonballs stand near the edges of the square. They reflect the original military purpose of the site and create a strong contrast with the elegant residence seen today.
The edges of the square also open toward Port Hercules on one side and Fontvieille on the other, giving visitors a quick sense of Monaco’s steep coastline and compact layout.
The square is free to enter and remains accessible even when the State Apartments are closed. It is also a useful starting point for exploring the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville.
Tip: Stand farther back in the square to fit more of the palace façade into your photographs.
The Changing of the Guard takes place in Place du Palais every day at 11:55 am. The ceremony is performed by the Prince’s Carabinieri, the military unit responsible for guarding the residence and protecting Monaco’s sovereign family.
The event includes formal commands, marching, and music. It is smaller and shorter than the ceremonies held outside some larger European palaces, but visitors can usually stand quite close to the guards.
The square becomes busy before the ceremony, especially in summer and when tour groups arrive. The schedule may also change because of official events or exceptional circumstances.
Tip: Arrive around 20 minutes early if you want a clear view from the front of the crowd.
Visitors who buy a ticket can follow a set route through the public State Apartments during the annual opening season. The private living areas and working parts of the residence are not included.
The visit begins around the Cour d’Honneur, where a large horseshoe staircase rises above patterned pebble paving. The staircase was added during the reign of Prince Louis I and was influenced by the Palace of Fontainebleau in France.
The interior route continues through ceremonial spaces such as the Hercules Gallery, Blue Room, Mazarin Room, and Throne Room. Visitors see family portraits, chandeliers, painted ceilings, decorative furniture, silk wall coverings, and rooms still connected with official state occasions.
The restored Italian Renaissance frescoes are now one of the main reasons to enter. Conservation work has revealed around 600 square metres of paintings, with scenes linked to figures such as Hercules, Odysseus, and Europa. Some of the decoration had been hidden for almost five centuries before restoration began.
Photography is not allowed inside the State Apartments, so photographs should be taken outside and around Place du Palais instead.
Tip: Use the available audio guide, as it explains the purpose of the rooms and the details behind the restored paintings.
Place du Palais and the palace exterior can be visited throughout the year without a ticket. Paid admission is required to enter the State Apartments.
In 2026, the State Apartments are open from March 30 to October 15. They are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm during March, April, May, June, September, and October. The last admission is at 5:15 pm.
During July and August, the apartments are open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the last admission at 6:15 pm.
The interior visit closes during the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend and on selected dates connected with official events. As the building remains a sovereign residence, unexpected closures are also possible.
State Apartment tickets can normally be purchased through the official ticket service or from the ticket office in Place du Palais. Children under six enter free. Current ticket prices should be checked before visiting because they can change between seasons.
Official Monaco Palace Website
Around 20–30 minutes is enough to see the palace exterior, cannons, square, and surrounding views without entering the State Apartments.
Visitors watching the Changing of the Guard should allow extra time for arriving early and waiting for the ceremony. The event itself is short.
The interior route generally takes around 45–60 minutes. A complete visit with the square, guard ceremony, and State Apartments usually needs around 90 minutes to two hours.
The Prince’s Palace stands at the top of Le Rocher in Monaco-Ville. From Place d’Armes in La Condamine, the traditional walking route follows Rampe Major uphill to Place du Palais.
The climb takes around ten minutes and includes a sloped passage and steps. It is not a long route, but it can feel tiring in hot weather or when pushing a heavy stroller. If you do not want to walk uphill, you can take a bus up to Monaco-Ville instead. See the Public Transport section below for more details.
From Monaco-Monte-Carlo railway station, the walk usually takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on the station exit and the public elevators used along the way.
Visitors already near Monaco Cathedral or the Oceanographic Museum can reach the square in around 5–10 minutes through the pedestrian streets of the Old Town.
Place du Palais is broad and mostly level, although parts of the stone surface can be uneven. The surrounding Monaco-Ville district is compact and largely pedestrianised.
The streets behind the square contain cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, government buildings, and several small squares. Monaco Cathedral, Saint-Martin Gardens, and the Oceanographic Museum are all within a short walk.
Public elevators connect different levels of Monaco, but they do not remove every slope or step around Le Rocher. Comfortable shoes are useful even for a short visit.
Monaco bus lines 1 and 2 travel to Monaco-Ville. The nearest stop is Place de la Visitation, which is around five minutes from the palace through the Old Town streets.
The bus is useful for visitors arriving from Monte-Carlo, Larvotto, Port Hercules, or lower parts of the principality. It also avoids the uphill walk from Place d’Armes.
Bus routes and departure times can change during major events, including the Monaco Grand Prix.
Place du Palais can be reached by bus and is mostly level. The palace exterior and Changing of the Guard can therefore be experienced without entering the building.
The State Apartments are not wheelchair accessible. The official visitor route includes stairs, and there is no step-free alternative through the historic interior.
Visitors with limited mobility may find the bus to Place de la Visitation easier than walking up Rampe Major.
The square is usually quietest early in the morning, before tour groups and visitors arrive for the guard ceremony.
The busiest period is normally between around 11:30 am and 12:15 pm. Visiting at this time makes sense when the Changing of the Guard is a priority, but it is less suitable for clear photographs of the palace.
For the State Apartments, arriving close to opening time can provide a calmer interior visit. Late afternoon often brings softer light around the square.
La Condamine is the most practical area for reaching the Prince’s Palace, Port Hercules, Place d’Armes, and Monaco-Monte-Carlo railway station. It also has more casual restaurants and shops than Monaco-Ville.
Monte-Carlo offers the largest choice of luxury hotels and provides easy access to Place du Casino. However, it is farther from the palace and requires a bus ride, uphill walk, or combination of elevators and pedestrian routes.
Fontvieille is quieter and close to the western side of Le Rocher. Monaco-Ville itself has very limited hotel accommodation.
Parking des Pêcheurs is the most convenient public car park for visiting Monaco-Ville. Elevators connect it with the area beside the Oceanographic Museum, followed by a walk of around ten minutes through the Old Town.
Most vehicles registered outside Monaco or the neighbouring Alpes-Maritimes department are not allowed to drive into the restricted streets of Monaco-Ville. Drivers should follow signs for public parking rather than trying to reach Place du Palais by car.
No. The Prince’s Palace is in Monaco-Ville, the historic district on Le Rocher.
Monte-Carlo is a separate part of Monaco centred around Place du Casino, the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and nearby luxury hotels. The two areas are around 2 kilometres apart.
Yes. The Prince’s Palace remains the official residence of Monaco’s sovereign and is used for state duties, ceremonies, meetings, and official events.
Only selected ceremonial rooms are open to visitors. The family’s private apartments and other working areas remain closed.
The site was built as a Genoese fortress from 1215. Its position on Le Rocher allowed it to protect the natural harbour and surrounding coastline.
The building was expanded and changed over several centuries. Renaissance galleries, ceremonial rooms, and residential wings were added, but parts of the original defensive character were kept.
The Prince’s Palace is the official residence and historic building. Place du Palais is the large public square directly in front of it.
The Changing of the Guard, exterior photographs, and historic cannons are found around the square. The State Apartments are inside the residence and require a ticket.
The square and Changing of the Guard are easy to include in a family visit because the main outdoor experience is short and there is space to move around.
The State Apartments may be less interesting for very young children because the visit follows a fixed route through formal rooms. A children’s booklet is available for visitors aged 6–11. Stairs inside the building can also make the visit difficult with a stroller.
Monaco Cathedral is around five minutes away through the streets of Monaco-Ville. It contains the tombs of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace.
The Oceanographic Museum and Saint-Martin Gardens are around 10–15 minutes away. The narrow streets between these attractions contain small squares, restaurants, shops, and historic buildings, making it easy to combine them in one visit.
