Monaco Princely Palace: Visiting Guide And Guard Ceremony

The Princely Palace

The Princely Palace sits atop the Rock of Monaco and has been the seat of the Grimaldi dynasty since 1297. It is both the official residence of the Sovereign Prince and one of Monaco's most visited landmarks. The Palace Square in front of the building offers panoramic views over the port, Monte-Carlo and the Mediterranean.

Visiting the State Apartments

The State Apartments are open to the public from April to October, typically from 10:00 to 18:00. Tickets can be purchased on site or online in advance. The self-guided audio tour takes about 30 to 40 minutes and covers:

• The Throne Room, where official ceremonies are held
• The Blue Room, with its blue and gold Baroque decor
• The Mazarin Room, named after Cardinal Mazarin
• The York Room, where the Duke of York died in 1767
• The Courtyard Gallery with 17th-century Genoese frescoes

A combined ticket with the Oceanographic Museum is usually available at a reduced rate.

Changing of the Guard

Every day at 11:55 precisely, the Carabiniers du Prince perform the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the Palace Square. This short but ceremonial event has taken place since the early 20th century. The Carabiniers wear formal dress uniforms in summer and winter variants.

The ceremony draws large crowds in peak season, so arrive by 11:30 to secure a good spot. The event takes place in all weather conditions.

The Palace Square

Even when the apartments are closed, the Palace Square is worth visiting. The square offers some of the best views in Monaco and is lined with cannons from the era of Louis XIV. The narrow streets of the Old Town behind the Palace are home to restaurants, souvenir shops and the Monaco Cathedral, where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace are buried.

Practical information

• Getting there: walk up from Place d'Armes, take bus line 1 or 2, or use public lifts from the Port
• Tickets: available at the entrance or online at palais.mc
• Duration: allow about one hour for the apartments and the square
• Accessibility: the Palace route includes steps; wheelchair access is limited in some sections of the apartments
• Photography: allowed in the courtyard and on the square but restricted inside certain rooms