Even though the Principality of Monaco is very small, it houses numerous museums, displaying collections from very varied disciplines.
In Monaco-Ville
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
This temple to the sea was opened in 1910 by its founder, Prince Albert I, who is famous the world over for his collections, but especially for his aquariums, including the well-known “shark lagoon”, which was opened in 2001. For its centenary, an ambitious programme of improvement works was carried out on the building.
The exhibition centres on the first floor focus on the history of oceanography. Part of these exhibition centres is also given over to natural history, artistic and ethnographical collections.
The ground floor of the museum houses temporary exhibitions which, since 2010, have concentrated on contemporary art.
Opening hours:
- April to June: from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
- July to August: from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm
- September: from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
- October to March: from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Avenue Saint-Martin
Phone: (+ 377) 93 15 36 00
Fax: (+ 377) 93 50 52 97
Website: www.oceano.mc
The Museum of “Vieux Monaco”
This museum displays objects relating to ancient cultural heritage, ceramics, paintings, furniture and costumes. In its halls, the museum demonstrates what daily life would be like on the Rocher of long ago.
The Museum will be closed until the end of 2023 for major expansion and reconfiguration work.
2, rue Emile de Loth
Phone: (+377) 93 50 57 28
Website: www.traditions-monaco.com
In Monte-Carlo
Nouveau Musée National de Monaco - Villa Sauber
Villa Sauber, which is in the Belle Epoque style, is used for the Performing Arts. This Villa allows its audience to view this essential component of the Principality’s cultural and artistic heritage under a new light.
Opening hours:
- Every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (winter)
- Every day from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm (summer)
17, avenue Princesse Grace
Phone: (+377) 98 98 91 26
Website: http://www.nmnm.mc/
In the Moneghetti
Exotic Garden of Monaco
Opened in 1933, the garden has a collection of several thousand species of “succulent” plants, which hang on to the side of a rock. 60 metres below this garden, visitors can explore the prehistoric cave of the Observatory. The Exotic Garden is in the same location as the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology.
Opening hours:
- Summer (from 15th May to 15th September): from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
- Winter (from 16th September to 14th May): from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm or to nightfall
- Closed on 19th November and 25th December
62, boulevard du Jardin Exotique
Phone: (+377) 93 15 29 80
Website: www.jardin-exotique.mc
The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology (Musée d’Anthropologie préhistorique) was founded by Prince Albert I in 1902, “to preserve the vestiges of primitive humans exhumed from the ground in the Principality and neighbouring regions.” It was established in the Exotic Garden by Prince Rainier III in 1959. This new building was designed by the Monegasque architect Louis Rué.
The collections on display tell the history of the major milestones in the evolution of the human race, through the glacial and interglacial periods. They teach us that over a million years ago, the Côte d’Azur was already considered a desirable place to live by our distant ancestors. The museum is a Research Institute and works with an International Scientific Board, and its team carries out digs and laboratory studies, whilst also producing scientific articles, in addition to its exhibitions and mediation activities.
Opening hours:
- From 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Closed on 19th November and 25th December
Entry by the Exotic Garden
Phone: (+377) 98 98 80 06
Email: map@gouv.mc
Website: map-mc.org
Nouveau Musée National de Monaco - Villa Paloma
Villa Paloma, which dates from the beginning of the XXth century, is among the most beautiful stately homes in the Principality. Originally built as a private home, Villa Paloma was bought by the Monegasque State in 1995 and given to the New National Museum of Monaco in 1998. The Villa’s doors were opened to the public in 2010, and since then, the New National Museum of Monaco has been spread over two locations, Villa Sauber (used for Performing Arts and Decorative Arts) and Villa Paloma (used for projects associated with Monegasque territory and the analysis of natural phenomenon).
Opening hours:
- Every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (winter)
- Every day from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm (summer)
56, boulevard du Jardin Exotique
Phone: (+377) 98 98 48 60
Website: www.nmnm.mc
In Fontvieille
Monaco Top Cars Collection
Here, some one hundred motor vehicles from the private collection of Prince Rainier III are on display. This collection includes cars from the largest European and American firms as well as six horse-drawn carriages.
Opening hours:
- Every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Closed on 25th December and 1st January
Terrasses de Fontvieille
Phone: (+377) 92 05 28 56
Website: www.palais.mc
Le Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies
This museum opened its doors in 1996 in order to display the philately and coinage from the private collection of Prince Rainier III.
Opening hours:
- From 1st October to 30th June, every days from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
- From 1st July to 30th September, every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Terrasses de Fontvieille
Phone: (+377) 98 98 41 50
Website: www.mtm-monaco.mc
The Naval Museum
This museum has a collection of more than 180 model ships from periods throughout history.
Opening hours:
- Everyday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Closed on 25th December and 1st January
Terrasses de Fontvieille
Phone: (+377) 92 05 28 48
Website: www.musee-naval.mc
The Sculpture Path
At the initiative of Prince Rainier III, the Principality has, over several years, acquired works by artists of international renown. As a result, in Monaco’s gardens, sculptures by César, Arman, Botero, Folon, Lalanne, Emma de Sigaldi and Moore have all found a home. A footpath was set up in the district of Fontvieille specifically with the discovery of these sculptures in mind.