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Monte Carlo Shopping
By: Jennifer Berg
Say the word Monaco and pretty pictures (fit for a princess) flood the mind. We think of Monaco (the coastal principality between the sea and the Alps ) as an exotic locale flooded with sunshine, presided over by movie stars and royalty, alive with the devilish hum of racecars and overrun with gallant and risk-taking gamblers. As it turns out, our quixotic daydreams are not far from the reality in this toy-sized principality (Monaco is half the size of Central Park!)
A mere century ago, Monaco was a land of olive and lemon trees, untouched by the glamour and tourism that characterizes it today. The spectacular Monte-Carlo casino was eventually built and turned Monaco into a worldwide attraction. The stately casino --filled with gorgeous gardens and a chic and cosmopolitan shopping area (more of that to come!)—is still an excellent reason to visit.
Now under the reign of Prince Rainer III, Monaco has been compared to “a state-of-the-art entertainment machine.” With 300 days of sun, the Mediterranean Sea, and healthy doses of gaming, drinking, and festivals—visitors to Monaco are indeed entertained.
Although Monaco famously attracts its fair share of celebrities, royalty and wealthy tourists, there is plenty to do for those who can’t risk gambling their money away. Teenagers from the nearby Nice or Genoa often take the train into Monaco to take part in the principality’s myriad free attractions or soak up the sun in a charming sidewalk café.
For those who live farther away, Monaco is easily accessible through Delta Airline’s New York to Nice run. Once visitors land in Nice, a short helicopter ride delivers them to Monaco.
The principality is comprised of several sections. Monaco Town, a small peninsula that juts into the sea, features narrow alleys teeming with shops and cafes. The Oceanographic Museum and its Aquarium are worth visiting, and much of the Prince’s palace is open to the public (take a peek at the majestic throne room, which has been in use since the 1500’s.) If you want to stop and smell the flowers, stop by Princess Grace’s Rose Garden; the serene, tucked-away spot is filled with the fragrance of over 3500 rose trees.
Monaco has its share of sumptuous savories, and one restaurant not to be missed is the Louis XV Restaurant at the Hotel de Paris. The interior has been compared to a “Rococo wonderland” and is dripping in decadence and gold. Service is nothing but the best (tablecloths are ironed onto the table!)
Of course, we wouldn’t let you get as far away as Monaco without telling you were to shop. Below is a list of our favorite spots for fashion, jewelry, and even art. We’ll tell you where to pick up some truly unique souvenirs and where you can have a piece of jewelry custom made. We’ll even tell you where to find a kitschy Formula 1 helmet.
Bon Voyage!
What: Ichthys
Where: 25, av de la Costa
What they sell: Dresses, coats, blouses, and suits.
Signature Style: Sleek, cutting edge, ultra-chic fashion.
Why it’s hot: Only one of two Ichthys boutiques in the world. The other one is in Paris!
Contact: 97-70-38-58
What: Rive Gauche Boutique
Where: 39, av Princesse Grace
What they sell: Clothing from upscale designers including Ungaro, Chanel, Dino Valiano, and Dismero.
Signature Style: Sporty and functional pieces with a splash of elegance and high style.
Why it’s hot: This stylish boutique is hidden from Monte Carlo’s main shopping stretch, so you’ll feel like you’ve made a personal discovery.
Contact: 93-30-74-57
What: Yveline Garnier
Where: 57, rue Grimaldi
What they sell: Clothing that runs the gamut from casual wear to evening dresses.
Signature style: The sleek racks at Yveline are packed with designs from Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent, and
Georges Rech.
Why it’s hot: Yveline is always stocked with the latest designs from ultra-fashionable designers.
Contact: 93-30-33-81
What: Boutique du Rocher
Where: 1, av de la Madone
What they sell: Handmade Provencal and Monegasque arts and crafts. Look for frames, mirrors, paintings, and toys.
Why shop here: This is the perfect spot to pick up souvenirs from Princess Graceland.
Why it’s hot: This boutique was opened by Princess Grace in the ’60’s. All proceeds are donated to local charities.
Contact: 93-30-91-17
What: Boutique Formula 1
Where: 15, rue Grimaldi
What they sell: All the Formula One paraphernalia you can race to grab: look for model cars, helmets, and Formula 1 tees.
Who shops there: Tourists who want to do it right. When in Monaco… get a feel for Formula 1!
Contact: 93-15-92-44
What: Bernasconi
Where: 18, quai Jean-Charles Rey
What they sell: This is where Pierpaola Bernasconi showcases her handmade jewelry.
Why shop here: This is a great place to find a unique and fashionable gift.
Contact: 92-05-23-96
What: Boutique Cartier
Where: pl du Casino
What they sell: World-class jewelry.
Who shops there: Those with first class taste and first class bank accounts.
Why it’s hot: The staff is super-attentive. If you buy something, cappuccino’s on them.
What: Bvlgari Monte-Carlo
Where: av des Beaux-Arts
What they sell: Exquisite jewelry and watches. They also stock perfume.
Who shops there: Bvlgari’s jewelry has been worn by such superstars as Claudia Schiffer, Whitney Houston, and Charlize Theron.
Why shop here: Have your Grace Kelly moment.
Contact: 93-50-88-40
What: Chopard Boutique
Where: pl du Casino, Hotel de Paris
What they sell: The house’s famous Jewelry.
Be prepared: to drop some cash. The staff is extremely willing to help, if you’re willing to buy.
Contact: 97-50-57-57
What: Fred Paris Jewelers
Where: 6, av des Beaux-Arts
What they sell: Fred is the official jeweler of Monaco’s royal family. Fred is best known for combining stunning jewels with white gold and platinum.
Why it’s hot: VIP guests sip champagne or cocktails while they shop.
Claim to fame: Julia Robert’s famous ruby necklace from PRETTY WOMAN was from Fred.
Contact: 93-30-79-00
What: Pomellato
Where: 17, av des Spelugues, Shopping Center, Monte Carlo
What they sell: Pomellato is a foremost designer of women’s jewelry famous for sinuous lines.
Why it’s hot: This is one of only a few Pomellato boutiques in the world, which makes it a perfect place for unique souvenirs.
Contact: 97-97-65-85
What: Louis Vuitton
Where: 1, av des Citronniers
What they sell: The house’s famous shoes, handbags, wallets, and belts.
Why it’s hot: No matter where you are in the world, Louis Vuitton is Louis Vuitton.
Contact: 93-25-13-44
What: Pollini
Where: 3, bd des Moulins
What they sell: The boutique features goods by high-end designers Versace, Calvin Klein, and Bottega.
Pick up: Shoes and boots made of alligator skin for both men and women.
Be warned: not an ideal shopping spot for members of PETA. The fur is faux, but the leather is not.
Contact: 93-50-69-29
What: Institut de Gemmologie de Monaco
Where: 6, Impasse de la Fontaine, Park Palace
The scoop: The Institut is really a place for aspiring jewelers to come and learn how to craft special pieces.
Tip: If you have an idea for a custom-made piece, or if you want something no one else has, this is a great place to get it.
Contact: 97-70-82-29
What: Galerie d’Art Monte-Carlo
Where: 7, pl du Casino
Caters to: enthusiasts of contemporary art.
Paint Palate: Look for boldly colored paintings by artists like Raoul Dufy, Allen Jones, and Jonathan Janson. Contact: 93-30-29-59
What: Galerie du Forum
Where: 3, av Princesse Grace
Caters to: the contemporary art crowd.
Find: large sculptures and paintings by Richard Mass or Sabala.
Contact: 92-16-00-10
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