Princess Grace Rose Garden: 6,000 Roses in Tribute to Grace Kelly

A garden created in tribute to Princess Grace

The Princess Grace Rose Garden was inaugurated on 18 June 1984 by Prince Rainier III, two years after the death of Princess Grace, who had a particular love for roses. Originally laid out across 3,000 m² in Fontvieille Park, the garden was expanded in 2000 and substantially redesigned in 2014 to mark its thirtieth anniversary. The site now covers more than 5,000 m² and holds roughly 6,000 rose bushes across more than 315 varieties. The garden is Ecocert certified, with no pesticides or chemical fertilisers used in its management.

Six themed sections

The collection is arranged into six themes:

• Princely family roses — varieties named after members of the House of Grimaldi
• Fragrant roses — cultivars selected for the beauty and intensity of their perfume
• Princes and Princesses — varieties evoking the history of European royal houses
• Botanical and collector roses — rare species and heritage varieties
• Landscape shrub roses — generous-blooming shrub forms
• Climbing roses — trained over pergolas, trellises and shaded structures

Notable roses to look for

Several creations bear the names of figures associated with Monaco and twentieth-century culture:

• Grace of Monaco — silvery-pink hybrid tea rose with a strong fragrance, the Princess's favourite
• Princess Charlène of Monaco — variety dedicated to Princess Charlène
• Princess Gabriella of Monaco — created for the young princess
• Brigitte Bardot, Edith Piaf, Claude Monet, Louis de Funès — roses named after 20th-century icons

When to visit

• May–June — main bloom, fragrance at its peak
• July–August — flowering continues, but midday heat can mute the perfume
• September — milder second flush
• October–April — few flowers; the interest shifts to the mature olive and parasol-pine trees and the commemorative sculpture of Princess Grace

Best times of day are 8 a.m.–10 a.m. for cool air and fragrance, or late afternoon for golden light.

Access and practical information

• Address: Parc Fontvieille, avenue des Papalins, 98000 Monaco
• Hours: open from sunrise to sunset, year-round
• Admission: free
• Bus: CAM lines 5 and 6 (Stade Louis II or Princesse Antoinette stops)
• On foot: about 15 minutes from Port Hercule
• Parking: Parking des Salines or Parking de Fontvieille (paid hourly)

Easy to combine on the same visit

The rose garden is part of a walkable green corridor in Fontvieille:

• Princess Antoinette Park — playgrounds and a small petting farm
• Stade Louis II — Fontvieille's signature sports landmark
• Fontvieille district — port, museums and a seafront promenade

Who it's for

The Princess Grace Rose Garden suits garden enthusiasts, families looking for a free, shaded park, and travellers curious about a quieter side of Monaco away from the casino district. Its blend of personal tribute, botanical quality and free access makes it one of the most popular green spaces in the Principality.