Monaco, a miniature country perched along the French Riveria and the icon of modern-day fairytales, offers visitors every excuse to 'stop and smell the roses'. Featuring seven different gardens and parks to explore within its principality, Monaco is among the 'greenest' of city-states, just behind Vienna, Austria. Whether one is seeking a tranquil escape, or paying hommage to the beloved beauty Grace Kelly, the little-known Roseraie Princesse Grace provides an exquisite rest stop for otherwise whirlwind itineraries.
Flowers in Remembrance of a Princess
Tucked away in the neighborhood surrounding Port de Fontvieille on the west side of Monaco lies The Princess Grace Rose Garden, planted in honor of Prince Rainier's wife, the reigning princess of Monaco from 1956 to 1982. The garden was opened in 1984, two years after Kelly's untimely death in a car accident near Monte Carlo. Today a statue in Grace Kelly's likeness keeps a year-round vigil over 4,000 rosebushes, representing over 150 varieties of roses.
What is so special about a rose that it seems much more than a flower?
Perhaps it is the mystery it has gathered through the ages.
Perhaps it is the joy that it continues to give.
Such is the message engraved in stone and signed Grace de Monaco below the effigy of the princess, whose internationally-celebrated femininity is so appropriately commemorated in a flowery haven.
Tourist Information
The garden is located at Terre-Plein de Fontvielle, 98000 Monaco. Access is free and the gates are open to the public each day from sunrise to sunset. The ideal visiting season begins in mid-May when the roses open, after which the garden will be filled with a symphony of fragrance and color for the rest of the summer. An ideal setting for photography, the garden is perfectly lit for photos in the late afternoon. With the nearly 10-acre Parc Paysager or "Fontvieille Park" just next door, there is a lovely stroll to be had for the entire family.
Some visitors choose to stay in the nearby city of Nice rather than Monaco, because of its airport accessibility and hotel affordability. Those wishing to take a day trip to Monaco can catch bus 100 in downtown Nice. As of 2010, a one-way trip to Monaco (about a half-hour ride if traffic is light) costs a breathtaking one euro. Once in Monaco Ville, visitors can reach the Princess Grace Rose Garden by taking buses 5 or 6 to the stop Roseraie.
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Katelyn Aronson - A Southern-California native, Katelyn relocated to the South of France four years ago, where she currently teaches English to students and ...
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