Guide to Monaco
Must See Monaco
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Monte Carlo is one of the tiny principality's five main areas. It's situated north of the port and, with Monaco Ville, constitutes that part of the principality that visitors associate most closely with the Monaco of their dreams. Monte Carlo is, above all, famous for its casino and grand prix.
In the 1850s, Monaco was the poorest state in Europe. Its luck changed with the opening of Monte Carlo Casino - Europe's first - in 1865. The rather dull-sounding Plateau des Spélugues on which it stood was renamed Monte Carlo (a translation of 'Mont Charles' after Charles III), and within months it ranked as one of Europe's most glamorous playgrounds.