Jardins Saint-Martin: Monaco's Oldest Public Gardens

Overview

The Jardins Saint-Martin are Monaco's oldest public gardens. Laid out in 1816 on the orders of Prince Honoré V, they occupy the southern flank of the Rock of Monaco-Ville, between the Cathedral (Notre-Dame-Immaculée) and the Oceanographic Museum. Winding paths thread along the clifftop and open onto broad views of the Mediterranean beneath the shade of pines. Access is free and open to all.

A little history

The garden was created to provide work for the population during a period of food shortage. Originally planted with Mediterranean species — Aleppo pines, holm oaks, myrtles and pistachio trees — it was enriched over the decades with exotic plants. On a promontory facing the sea stands the bronze statue of Prince Albert I, "the Navigator Prince," sculpted by François Cogné and unveiled in 1951, a tribute to the sovereign who pioneered modern oceanography.

The walk

• Setting: shaded paths cut into the cliff, with benches and overlooks facing the open sea
• Planting: Mediterranean and exotic flora, including agaves and aloes
• Duration: 20–30 minutes at an easy pace
• Terrain: paved paths with some steps and gentle slopes
• Atmosphere: one of the few genuinely quiet corners of the Rock, best early in the morning

Practical information

• Getting there: on foot from Palace Square or the Oceanographic Museum; the Rock is pedestrian-only
• Hours: open daily, with seasonal hours (shorter in winter)
• Admission: free
• Good to know: comfortable shoes recommended; the overlooks have little shade in the afternoon

Nearby

The Jardins Saint-Martin pair naturally with a wider visit of the Rock. The Oceanographic Museum sits at their eastern end, while the Changing of the Guard takes place each day outside the Prince's Palace. To explore the Principality's other green spaces, see our guide to Monaco's parks and gardens.