Bonsoir! Welcome to the crown jewel of the French Riviera—Monaco!

Our journey brings us to the Principality of Monaco, the second-smallest country in the world, located on a narrow coastal strip surrounded by France and the Mediterranean Sea. There are around 40,000 people living here, and the capital is Monaco-Ville, also known as “The Rock.” The official language is French, but you will also hear Monégasque (the traditional language), Italian, and English.

Monaco covers only about 2 square kilometers (0.78 square miles). To imagine its size, the entire country is smaller than Central Park in New York City! It is incredibly hilly and densely packed with luxury high-rises and historic villas.

The most popular sports are Formula 1 and Football, with the AS Monaco team being one of the best in the French league. Their national animal is the Mule, though the Hedgehog is also a traditional symbol of the region.

The flag consists of two horizontal stripes of red and white, where the red and white represent the traditional colors of the House of Grimaldi that has ruled the country since the 13th century.

The food is a sophisticated blend of French and Italian influences with a focus on fresh seafood. You must try Barbagiuan, the national dish, which is a crisp, fried pastry stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta. Another favorite is Stocafi, a dried cod stew cooked in a rich tomato sauce with black olives and capers. Because of its location, the Fougasse Monégasque—a sweet bread topped with almonds and anise seeds—is a popular treat at local bakeries.

Monaco is home to the Monte Carlo Casino, an architectural masterpiece that helped transform the country into a global destination for the wealthy. The country hosts the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world, where the streets of the city are turned into a racetrack with hairpin turns. You can visit the Oceanographic Museum, which was once directed by Jacques Cousteau and is built right into the side of a cliff. Interestingly, Monaco has more police officers per person than almost any other country, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest places on Earth.

From the changing of the guard at the Prince’s Palace to the superyachts lining Port Hercules, Monaco is a land of unmatched glamour and historic prestige. Merci! That means “Thank you!”