A sovereign and independent state, the Principality of Monaco has borders on its landward side with several communes of the French Department of the Alpes-Maritimes; from west to east these are Cap d'Ail, la Turbie, Beausoleil and Roquebrune Cap Martin. Seawards, Monaco faces the Mediterranean. The population of the Principality consists of 29,972 inhabitants, 5,070 of whom are Monégasques, 12,047 French and 5,000 Italian (according to the last official census in 1990). Its surface area is 485 acres, of which nearly 100 were recovered from the sea during the course of the last twenty years. It lies in a narrow coastal strip which sometimes rises vertically upwards with its highest point at 206 feet. Its width varies between .65 miles and a mere 382 yards. Its coastline is 2.5 miles long. The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the state. Monaco is divided into five areas : Monaco-Ville on the Rock, the old fortified town, wThe Condamine, the harbor area with the Prince's Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum. Monte Carlo, created in 1866, in the reign of Prince Charles III who gave it its name, with its internationally famous Casino, its great hotels and leisure facilities, some created recently : Larvotto beach, the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, the Boulingrins Gardens. Fontvieille, a great technical achievement with the filling-in with rock of 40 meters of water to produce a platform of 22 hectares supporting an urban, tourist and sports complex adjoining a yachting harbor and a pollution-free industrial zone. Moneghetti, the Révoires and the Exotic Gardens (on the western border with Cap d`Ail). Arts In Monaco The cultural climate of the Principality developed rapidly in the seventeenth century with the encouragement of Prince Honoré III. Under Prince Pierre of Monaco during the first half of the twentieth century, Monaco was a meeting place for all the greatest artist of the time. Following this lengthy art patronage tradition, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III includes culture and arts as one of his principal concerns. For over fifty years of reign, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III has encouraged all forms of arts from Music to Literature. Under his auspices, Monaco's Music Academy was founded in 1956. The National Philharmonic Orchestra initiated summer performances in the Palace's Courtyard of Honor. In memory of His Father, Prince Pierre de Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III instituted the Foundation Prince Pierre, which assigns the Prince Pierre Literary Prize (since 1951), the Musical Composition Prize (since 1960), and the Contemporary Art International Prize (since 1983). His H.S.H. Prince Rainier III created the Directorate of Cultural Affairs in 1966, responsible for coordinating and encouraging all cultural activities of the Principality including the Spring Arts Festival, the Baroque Music Week, and the International Circus Festival. Under His direction, Monaco's cultural institutions have also gained international prestige. The Little Singers of Monaco went on their first tour around the world in 1973. The Prince receives support from His family in His interest in the arts. The late Princess Grace was at the origin of many developments, such as The Princess Grace Irish Library. In 1964, the Princess Grace of Monaco Foundation was created to support the performing arts. The Dance Academy Princess Grace, directed by Marika Besobrasova, is an offshoot of this foundation. H.S.H. the Princess of Hanover reformed the academy in 1985 to launch the Monte-Carlo Ballets. The Princess also presides over the Spring Arts Festival. ( Tanks to Monaco Government Tourist Office )Hotel suggestion in Monaco :
Hotel Ambassador***
Hotel Fairmont Monaco****
Hotel Columbus Monaco****
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort****

Near Monaco Montecarlo : Beaulieu Sur Mer :
This is an up-market seaside resort town in addition to being a year-round commercial and residential town, with the added advantage of being pretty, and in a beautiful setting. The lower part of town has shops, shady tree-lined sidewalks and its Casino, as well as beaches and yacht basins. The main part of town is above the railway tracks, inland from the station. There's no old town here, even though the town's history goes back, more or less, to pre-historic times. This is a bustling place, with the scent of flowers in the air in the springtime. Protecting the back of the town are the cliffs that tower high above, especially well viewed from the area of the port. Where ancient people once found refuge, a few perched villas now stand sentry over the town. Beach. The beach is long and sandy and well-protected, in the cosy Baie des Fourmis (that hopefully doesn't take after its name). It's located adjacent to the center of town, across the road from the Casino, but set below the road and isolated from the town noises. A long promenade, shaded by low-hanging trees, fronts the length of the beach. Yachts and Fishermen.
One small marina is located at the east end of the beach on the Baie des Fourmis. The main yacht basin, though, is past the east edge of town. There's serious yachting here, with a Chantier Naval and other maintenance and support activities. A tiny fishing port is at the town-end of the harbor, where there are usually a few stands selling fresh fish.

Stay in Monaco with :
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel - Hôtel Mirabeau - Beach Hotel Monte Carlo -
Hôtel Hermitage - Hôtel de Paris

History
Prehistoric: Neolithique artifacts discovered here are on display in the museum at Menton.
Greco-Roman: This was the Greek port of Anao, and was later enlarged by the Romans. The village was destroyed in the 3rd century.
Medieval: A small monastary, built on the 3rd-century ruins, was destroyed in the 6th century by the Lombards, and the local people took refuge high above on the Plateau Saint Michel. About the 13th century, the village began shifting to its current seaside location.
Local Events
1st Sat Brocante-Artisanat (except July-Aug)
3rd Sun Brocante-Artisanat (except July-Aug)
Daily Marché, Place du Marche, a couple of blocks above the station.
14 July Festival du Folklore
23 July Ballets sur la Mer
8 Sep Fête patronale
Office de Tourisme
Across from the railway station
Tel: 04 93 01 02 21; Fax: 04 93 01 44 04
Transportation
Rail. The railway goes through the center of town, dividing the lower and upper parts. North of the center, the line curves around the edge of the Golfe de St Hospice, just behind the harbor. Bealieu-sur-Mer is on the main Nice-Monaco-Menton-Ventimiglia line, with frequent service. [main-line rail map]
Bus. The Nice-Monaco-Menton bus line has frequent service.
Walks :
This is seaside-resort area. However, there are some walks out around the Cap-Ferrat peninsula (presqu'ile). Also, in the hills north of Beaulieu, towards the Col d'Eze and only a couple of km away, the Parc de la Justice offers some nice walks.
Hotel in Beaulieu sur Mer : Hotel Carlton Beaulieu***
Riviera Marriott Hotel Cap D'Ail****