Monaco
Amongst the glamorous hot spots of the jet-setting upper crust is the French Riviera. In particular, the tiny country of Monaco.
Let's learn about it.
Looking around the place
Monaco is a small nation on the shore of the Mediterranean sea.
In some ways, Monaco is a country of contrasts. On the one hand, it is the second smallest nation in the world; only Vatican City is smaller. Yet, as a nation, it has the highest population density with 48,000 people per square mile.
Despite its small size, Monaco is politically divided into ten “wards.”
The main part of Monaco is the ward called Monte Carlo; here is the government center and the focus of Monaco's tourism.
The Monte Carlo Casino is located there. (Personally, I am against gambling, but one cannot talk about Monte Carlo with mentioning the casino.)
Every year the Monaco Grand Prix race is held there.
Oceanside property
Monaco began as a Greek colony called Monoikos, Greek for “single house” – Its name tells a story of a colony, alone and isolated; the house in the name refers to a temple built to honor Hercules.
In 1215, Monaco was put under the Italian city of Genoa. In 1297 a Genoese family, the Grimaldi, was put in control. Their family ruled Monaco until the French took over in 1814. While it's a sovereign nation today, it still falls partially under the control of France.
Cinderella
In the not too distant past, Monaco was the location of what has been called a real-life Cinderella story.
In the 1950s there was a new actress on the Hollywood scene, Grace Kelly.
She played some very good roles in several movies such as:
High Noon
Country girl
Dial M for Murder
Rear window
To Catch a Thief
It is during the filming of the last movie, on location in Monaco, that the story begins. As a publicity stunt, Grace Kelly appeared at the film festival at Cannes. While there, it was proposed that she appear in a photo with Prince Rainier III of Monaco. After the shoot, they separated and she commented simply: "He is a very charming man."
That was it.
The Prince's priest, Father Tucker, decides to play matchmaker and works to bring the two together. A year later, the two were married.
Their son Albert II now reigns in Monaco.
OK, so this story might sound shallow and cliché, but a place known for glamor might be an ideal spot for a Cinderella story.
You decide.
Great films
To Catch a Thief
(1955) (Yes, you should have seen this coming.) Cinderella story aside, this, movie is a good way to see the country of Monaco in the 1950s. And yes, the leading lady did become the real life Princess of Monaco.
The story is about John Robe, a former cat-burglar. Jewels are again being stolen in his old style. He claims to be innocent, but the police don't believe him. So it befalls to him to find the real thief. A classic Alfred Hitchcock film.
On the web
A fun overview video about Monaco.
This is the Richest Country in the World!! (24 Hours in Monaco)
A couple spends a day going around and showing the sights around.
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