Richness, Luxury and Beauty — Is Monaco Really That Glamorous?

Seen on Instagram, Monaco looks like the land of fancy-shmancy people with expensive sports cars and luxury yachts — where, of course, the sun is always shining. We do a reality check: how glamorous is the world’s second-smallest country, really?

00:00 Intro
01:18 Port Hercule
03:30 Monaco-Ville
05:02 Viewpoint La tête de Chien

CREDITS:
Report: Theodora Mavropoulos
Camera and Editing: Raphael Kominis 
Supervising editors: Camilla Dietrich, Christina Deicke

💗💗💗 Thanks a lot to all these IGers for their wonderful pictures:

https://www.instagram.com/tea.travelina/
https://www.instagram.com/maya.koleff/
https://www.instagram.com/insta_angel.eyes/
https://www.instagram.com/devhisticated/
https://www.instagram.com/slowlifeconnoisseur/
https://www.instagram.com/strategygonet/
https://www.instagram.com/zombielikeboy/
https://www.instagram.com/alasdairsucks/
https://www.instagram.com/lifeasleroy/
https://www.instagram.com/avemikk/
https://www.instagram.com/victordemonaco/
https://www.instagram.com/emma.sunshine_/
https://www.instagram.com/manfredb/
https://www.instagram.com/_pamtz1/
https://www.instagram.com/dbieoctora/
https://www.instagram.com/samuelg_viajes/
https://www.instagram.com/zhiqianxx
https://www.instagram.com/artbalsam/
https://www.instagram.com/sofiazhaloba/
https://www.instagram.com/usedthename/
https://www.instagram.com/caroldazur/
https://www.instagram.com/amelietahiti/
https://www.instagram.com/annepstl/
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Luxury, exclusivity and style. That’s what photos of
Monaco on social media promise. But what is it really like here? Our arrival is a bit disappointing. The coast is very built up
and it’s raining in the otherwise sun-drenched sovereign state. Yet we aren’t deterred. It’s time to check out three
well-known tourist spots in Monaco. Surrounded on land by France
along the Mediterranean coast, Monaco is only around 2 km² in area. It’s the second smallest and most
densely populated country in the world, home to around 40,000 people. Tax breaks, car races and celebrity glamour – that’s what Monaco is known for. The country is a constitutional monarchy. The Grimaldi family has
ruled here since the 13th century. The legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo,
one of the most famous in the world. It’s where the super-rich
like to show off their luxury cars, but in this weather there are
few cars to be seen. Valentina de Gaspari lives here
and works as a photographer, author and real estate agent. Well, Monaco in the rain is an exclusivity. You are able to pick up some images which are quite unusual because seeing Monaco
quite empty is quite unusual. Our first spot is the
harbour with its race track. The sports cars and luxury
yachts are a hit on social media. How much glamour is left when it rains? Some of the most prestigious car
races in the world take place here, such as the Monaco Grand Prix. The thoroughfare is
transformed into a race track. The Rascasse hairpin is one of
the course’s biggest challenges. With an angle of 135°, overtaking
here is almost impossible. The berths in the harbour are usually
fully booked during such events. Having a yacht is a really big
status symbol in Monaco of course. Port Hercule, this is his name. It’s an amazing harbor with stunning
super yachts and a very lively waterfront with a lot of bars
and restaurants, and of course a beautiful Mediterranean backdrop. I am not here for the boats,
I am here for the cars. But you won’t see many luxury cars in this weather. The harbor and yachts
look better when it’s sunny. Monaco is known for its enormous
tax advantages, which has made it the home of the ultra rich. Sit in a café on a rainy day
and you’re sure to hear some celebrity stories from locals. But how can “normal”
Monegasques afford to live here? The price per square metre
in Monaco is the highest in the world. So not anyone can afford living in Monaco. Monaco nationals are less
than 25% of the population, so they are protected. So yes, they have advantages in terms of rent. They have priority for work and stuff like this. Maybe that’s why the
locals seem especially laid back. Our second hotspot is Monaco-Ville. The old town district looks
idyllic on social media. But how beautiful is it in real life? The area is located about a 15 minute
walk from the harbor atop “La Roche” or “The Rock as it’s called. The heart of the old town is the
fortress, now the Prince’s Palace. Its foundation stone was laid in
1215 and it attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s like Disneyland. Actually we work for Disneyland. So here is everywhere is
a castle, it’s a very nice view. In Monaco-Ville there are a lot
of nationals that are proud to be Monegasque and they are proud
to live in the oldest part of Monaco. And it has plenty of charm with this
narrow streets and a lot of cultural landmarks like the Prince’s Palace
and the Oceanographic Museum and of course the magnificent cathedral. Hollywood actress Grace Kelly
and Prince Rainier III celebrated their wedding in the Roman-Byzantine
style cathedral in the 1950s, and were later buried there. So what’s our conclusion? Even in the rain, the monumental
buildings of Monaco-Ville exude their exclusive charm. Incidentally, entry to the cathedral is free. There is one spot that you have
to visit when you come to Monaco. It’s a place called “La tête de Chien.” “La tête de Chien” is not in Monaco, but from there you have an amazing view. over three different countries. Because you can see Monaco, you can see Italy, you can see France. The photos of this viewpoint
on social media look incredible. The rock looks like a dog’s head from afar, which is where it gets its name. You can drive most
of the way up by car or bus and then walk for about 15 minutes. From here, you have an incredible
view of Monaco, even on a rainy day. So what do we think about the harbor? The Old Town? And the “La tête de Chien” viewpoint? When the weather is bad, you’ll see a
different Monaco than in the photos. One that’s less glamorous, but more authentic. Fortunately, the sun often shines
here, making the city shine too.