Prince’s Palace

The Palace has a long and fascinating history. The earliest parts of the building date back to 1215, and it has been expanded and altered over the centuries. By the 17th century, the former Genoese fortress had been transformed into one of the most sumptuous residences of the age.

Prince Honoré II amassed vast collections of artworks there, but they were sadly lost during the French Revolution, when the Palace was looted and used as a hospital for Italian troops.

Today, it is possible to admire the splendours of the Palace, including: the Cour d’Honneur, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery, the York Rooms, the Louis XV salon and bedchamber, and the Throne Room, as well as numerous paintings, frescoes, tapestries, and items of furniture.

But there’s much more. The Palace of Monaco, still home to the current Princely Family, is maintained on a daily basis for the requirements of day to day and diplomatic life. In 2014, while working on the façade of La Régie, part of which was crumbling, restoration experts noticed what appeared to be older motifs beneath the layers of paint, painted directly onto the wall.

It marked the start of a series of discoveries that led Prince Albert II to quickly order closer investigations. In the space of a few weeks, other traces of old frescoes were uncovered in other rooms of the Palace, covering a total of 600 m2. And so the great restoration-conservation project began!

Using sustainable, environmentally techniques, the process took eight years, and is considered one of the biggest painting restoration and conservation projects ever undertaken in Europe! It is due to be completed at the end of 2025. Unless further new discoveries are made in the last three rooms of the “old quarter”, where explorations are yet to be carried out

OPENING TIMES:

• 26 March to 30 June: 10 am - 5 pm; Palace closes at 6 pm.
•  1 July to 31 August: 10 am - 6 pm; Palace closes at 7 pm.
• 1 September to 13 October: 10 am - 5 pm; Palace closes at 6 pm.

Visit duration: 30 minutes > The State Apartments are not accessible to wheelchair users (access by stairs only).

ADMISSION PRICES:

• Adults (18 and over): 10 euros
• Children (6-17), Students (a valid student card must be shown): 5 euros
• Groups and agencies: on request
• Adult groups (minimum 20 people): 8 euros per person
• Child groups (minimum 20 people): 4 euros per person (1 adult paying 2 euros for every 10 children)

You can pay:

• at the Palace ticket office sur place (cash, cheque, or card) or pre-paid (no refunds possible.
• via the free Monapass app.

For more information about admission prices and combined tickets (Prince’s Palace, Cars Collection, etc.): Admission prices

When you visit, don’t miss the changing of the guard ceremony that takes place every day at 11.55 am on the dot, on the Place du Palais.

Founded on 8 December 1817, the Prince’s “Carabinieri Corps” has guarded the Palace, provided security for His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family, protected the integrity of His properties or residences and their immediate surroundings, provided Him with ceremonial services, enforced the law and maintained public order.
The changing of the guard is a solemn military ritual, carried out with the utmost precision and coordination.
The motto of the Prince's Carabinieri is "Honour, Loyalty, Devotion to Duty.  

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