World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
Restaurants in Monaco offer a wide choice of food. Service and standards are excellent. Cuisine is similar to France, with some delicious local specialities. There are many restaurants and bars with late opening hours. Specialities include: barbagiuan, a type of pastry filled with rice and pumpkin; fougasse, fragrant orange flower water pastries decorated with nuts, almonds and aniseed; socca, chick-pea flour pancakes; and stocafi, dried cod cooked in a tomato sauce.

Nightlife
The world-famous Monte Carlo Casino is a perennial attraction. The building also houses the Casino Cabaret and the Salle Garnier, the delightful gilded Opera House offering a winter season of ballet, opera and music. There are further gambling venues in the Monte-Carlo Grand Hotel and the Monte Carlo Sporting Club and the Caf de Paris. There are also numerous nightclubs, cinemas, discos and variety shows.

Shopping
Mongasque products include perfume, chocolates, ceramics, clothing, hosiery, shoes, books, jewellery and embroidery. Handcrafted items are sold at Boutique du Rocher, a charity of the late Princess Grace. Mongasque stamps are highly prized by collectors. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1230 and 1500-1830.

Special Events
For further information concerning events and festivals, contact the Government Tourist & Convention Office (see Contact Addresses section).
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Monaco in 2005:
Jan 20-23 73rd Monte Carlo Automobile Rally. Jan 20-28 28th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, Fontvieille Big Top. Jan 25-27 Celebration of Sainte Dvote’s Day. Jan 28-Feb 2 8th Monte Carlo Historic Car Rally. Mar 25-26 International Dog Show. Apr 1-17 Spring Arts Festival, Monte Carlo. May 19-22 63rd Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo. Jun 14-15 23rd Monte Carlo International Swimming Meeting. Jul 16-Sep 4 Summer Exhibition, Grimaldi Forum. Jul 30-Aug 15 10th Monte Carlo Antiquities, International Antiques Fair. Sep 3-4 AAF World Athletics Final, Louis II Stadium. Nov 18-19 Monaco National Day (Monegasque) celebrations. Dec 24 2004-Jan 4 2006 Monte Carlo Ballet, Grimaldi Forum.

Social Conventions
Casual wear is acceptable for daytime and dress is the same as for the rest of the French Riviera. Smart restaurants, dining rooms, clubs and the Casino’s private rooms require more formal attire. Handshaking and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are accepted forms of greeting. Tipping: Hotel and restaurant bills generally include a 15 per cent service charge; however, where this is not added it is customary to leave a 15 per cent tip. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 15 per cent of the fare.