The youngest district of the principality shares borders with France and, at some point, was home to celebrities. Check out all about the district!
Fontvieille was built in the 1970s by Prince Rainier III as a solution to the lack of space. By using reclaimed land from the sea, the principality managed to establish yet another area that brings a high influx of travelers every year. Here, you are going to learn more about the neighborhood.
Where is Fontvieille?
It is the westernmost region in Monaco, bordering the French town of Cap d’Ail to the west. It is also limited by the Côte d’Azur, where you can see the Fontvieille Port. The district is famous for having both boats and yachts docked in front of the buildings, and building terraces with trees.
History of Fontvieille Monaco
This district was founded by Prince Rainier III in the 1970s to address the lack of space. It is the youngest one of the principality and has parts that were built with reclaimed land from the sea. Besides that port, Fontvieille has a series of unique locations which attract tourists every year.
Interesting facts about the district
- The Fontvieille district has its own heliport, named Héli Air Monaco.
- The Princess Grace Rose Garden was opened after the princess’ death.
- Lewis Hamilton, Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Schumacher once lived there.
- Fontvieille has a circus, a zoo, a port and even a stadium despite being small.
Landmarks in Fontvieille
The Rose Garden offers over 4,000 plants of 150 different species, all of them labeled with QR codes. The Fontvieille Terraces offer four levels of attractions, including the Naval Museum and the Museum of Stamps and Coins. The local stadium is home to the AS Monaco Football Club.
What to do in Fontvieille?
The district is filled with nature-based activities; you can visit the zoo, the Rose Garden, or take a stroll at the port. However, it also offers events throughout the year, such as the local Circus Festival, which happens every year since 1974 using a circus tent that is available year-round.
That festival highlights something that is highly important in the principality: culture. It is held by Princess Stéphanie every January and awards the best artists in their respective categories. Among all the awards that one can win there, the Golden Clown is considered the highest one.
Héli Air Monaco
You can find the local helicopter airport close to the circus tent. Wealthy inhabitants often use it to reach France’s Nice airport. However, tourists can also visit that airport to take sightseeing flights. Either way, the Héli Air Monaco becomes an important transportation tool in Monaco.
How to long to visit?
Monaco as a whole has a tradition of encouraging visitors to walk rather than use cars. It has an extensive network of elevators and mechanical escalators to make that process easier. In case of Fontvieille, it is possible to walk around the entire district in 1-2 hours, without making stops.