Fancy cars and French macarons: Fun things to do in Monaco with Kids

While it is famous for its fancy cars and the Glitz and Glam but you can still find some fun things to do in Monaco with kids (while they are not too busy spotting the shiny cars!

Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia

When we were visiting the French Riviera we enjoyed a day trip to Monaco from Nice.  Monaco is also known as Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate, located on the French Riviera sounded by France on three sides while the other side borders the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco has four traditional quarters. From west to east they are – Fontvieille (the newest), Monaco-Ville (the oldest), La Condamine, and Monte Carlo. Many of the James Bond movies features the Monte Carlo casino! 

Fun things to do in Monaco with Kids

We spent most of our day in Monaco gawking at the luxury yachts and boats at the marina and stopped by to see Prince Rainer’s private collection of cars which ranges from military, horse-drawn carriages, popular, veteran, vintage, sports and classic cars.  Mr. OutsideSuburbia and D spent the day gleefully admiring each car old and new!  We had lunch right across from the famous Casino and learned about the Monaco Grand Prix race.

Can you visit Monte Carlo Casino with kids ?

If you are taking the train from Nice, get off at the train station and take a bus to Monte-Carlo. If you are not really interested in gambling and just want to visit inside the Grand Casino, you can take kids inside till 12 noon. After which the casino is closed for the public and only people interested in Gambling go inside. 

The Casino is on the southern end of the Place du Casino between the Hotel de Paris and the Cafe de Paris and you need to be dressed in some classy threads and be a high roller to play the stakes here. 

We choose to pass and instead opted for a leisurely lunch at Café de Paris, watch the expensive and classic cars rolling in to the casino area.  We then walked over to the back of the Casino for some french macarons at the Café Laduree.  The cafe had the cutest ice cream cart in a pretty shade of pistachio and a little carousel.

Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia

Café Laduree Montecarlo was the only one we have seen without long lines for these famous macarons.  If you fancy these delicate French treats made of almond flour, two light as air macaron shells filled with yummy fillings then you probably already know about Laduree, which is THE place to get them.  We found most other boutiques in France had long lines of patrons waiting to get the macarons in so many different flavors, packaged in a keepsake box.  The café in Monte-Carlo was pretty with an amazing view of the Mediterranean coast, a carousel and a cute ice cream cart.

Experience the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit 

The Monaco Grand Prix race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One.  The Formula One motor race is organized by Automobile Club de Monaco and held each year on the Circuit de Monaco

The Monaco Formula One GP is usually held in the month of May and the best Formula One racing drivers from around the world come to take part in the competition. The weeks right before the event, you can experience the thrill of driving your car around the circuit, passing through the exact same track that the Grand Prix follows.

During the Grand Prix weekend, spectators crowd around the Monaco Circuit. There are a number of temporary grandstands built around the circuit, mostly around the harbor area. The rich and famous arrive on their boats and the yachts in the harbor fill with spectators. Balconies around Monaco become viewing areas for the race too! 

How fun it would be to watch the cars zipping by!  Like us, if you are not visiting during the race, you can still visit the ACM (Automobile Club de Monaco) and learn about the race and buy some souvenirs at Automobile Club de Monaco boutique store.

You can also take the sightseeing toy train around Monaco, might have been better to take this than walk around like we did.

Admire Prince Rainier’s Private Collection of Shiny Cars

If you like shiny cars, you must visit The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III which houses exotic cars from different eras including some old F1 cars.  It is the private collection of the Prince and located a 5 minute walk from the railway station or 20 minutes walk from Casino Square. You can find the address and more detail at the Website at H.S.H. Prince Rainier III’s private collection of Antique cars

Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
H.S.H. Prince Rainier III’s private collection of Antique cars

Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
Here are a few cars that caught our eye

Citizens of Monaco (Monégasques) don’t pay taxes. The traditional Monégasque dialect is, broadly speaking, a mixture of French and Italian.  We found the city very clean with no graffiti anywhere and well-manicured gardens and flowers.  The Monégasques were friendly, we had a hard time finding the location of The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III  

See the big boats at the Hercule Harbor

Monaco’s deep-water port is the perfect place to see all the impressive boats and yachts. Some of the major cruise ships also dock here and it is quite the sight some mega yachts with their own helipads – some are a few hundred meters in length.

Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
 The Monaco Hercule harbor with the big yachts
Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia

Beaches in Monaco

If you looking for some beach time then the main beach in Monaco is Larvotto Beach, which has both public and private beaches. It is only a short walk from Monte Carlo but keep in mind that you might run into some topless sunbathers. If you are looking for something more intimate and smaller then you will like La Note Bleue

Plage du Larvotto Beach is man-made and has that fine pebbly texture rather than a soft sand beach but it is comfortable for walking on.  

La Note Bleue is a beach restaurant that has nice seaside views, lounge chairs, umbrellas for rent and is next to a nice private beach where kids can play.

Other things to do in Monaco with kids

There is a lot more to see and do in Monaco like Oceanographic museum, The Museum of Stamps and Coins and Changing of guard the Royal Palace which sits high on the hill on the opposite side of the harbor from the casino. Every day at 11:55 am sharp, the Royal Guards parade onto the palace’s front square, some with swords drawn, other shouldering rifles with bayonets. 

Kids might also like to spend some time at NI BOX, playing video games and trying the different simulators, some even recreate the experience of driving the GP circuit or enjoy family time at the bowling alley.

How to get there

There are there corniches (coastal roads) that hug the cliffs between Nice and Monaco, each higher than the last, with some amazing views. If you are after the grandest views, take the Grande Corniche, but the Moyenne Corniche runs a close second.

The lowest of all, the Corniche Inférieure, allows access to a string of coastal resorts. It passes through the towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze-sur-Mer and Cap d’Ail.  Take your pick and stop at a couple on the way to Monaco, or drive up and spend the time in Monaco.

You can also take a bus from Nice to Monaco and then take the train on the way back.

Here are a few photos from our day in Monaco

 Bugatti spotting at Monte Carlo, Monaco
 Bugatti spotting !!
Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
Things to do in Monaco with Kids , Photo by Outside Suburbia
Monte Carlo Casino
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 The Ritzy Hotel de Paris

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The pretty menu and lunch at Café de Paris
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Salad Nicoise, a French composed salad with tuna, green beans, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, onion, capers, and potatoes –  with some Monaco beer
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You can find this statue in Monaco made in memory of William Grover-Williams who drove a Bugatti Type 35B painted dark green at the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix and won.

You might like other posts from our trip to South of France 

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11 thoughts on “Fancy cars and French macarons: Fun things to do in Monaco with Kids”

  1. I love this little place! It’s been a while since I visited it. It has been a childhood dream to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix there! I hope it will happen someday!

    Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes

  2. It looks like a great place to visit – and beautiful weather too! I always think of the beautiful Grace Kelly whenever I hear “Monaco”.

  3. Beautiful photos! This looks like such a fun place to visit offering something for everyone. Monaco has always been high on my travel wish list. Glad you enjoyed your trip. Love Laduree and yes, the Paris ones are always crowded! This one looks very charming. My husband and son would love all those fancy cars.

    1. Thanks for stopping by Mary, it sure was fun – you and your family would love it. We didn’t get to visit the palace and a few other spots, hoping to go back sometime!

  4. Woweeee! Looks like you are living the high life! The scenery and the history is amazing. Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes A fascinating read!

  5. OMG I love the pictures! Always wanted to go visit Monaco! I love Formula 1 (have been watching since 1995) and fancy cars! So you know this is heaven for me!

  6. I love that Monaco is such an easy day trip from Nice. We rocked up on the public bus a couple years ago. We spent a bit of time in the casino smug in the knowledge that we’d paid about a euro to get here while I’m sure many folks around us spent way more on their fancy sports cars. Thanks for sharing some #wkendtravelinspiration

  7. We went to Monaco about 30 years ago, when we couldn’t afford to do anything. I guess it’s time to go back and do a few things!

  8. What a fabulous day out in Monaco! I visited quite a few years ago, but I really loved getting a feel for the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

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