La Condamine

La Condamine is the harbor, commercial and residential area of Monaco. La Condamine is also the best place to look for hotels (unless you fancy the top-dollar luxury of Monte Carlo), and this is also a good area for restaurants.

The Zoological Gardens
Sea Bus and Aquavision
Open-Air Market
The Sainte-Dévote Church

The Zoological Gardens

It was created in 1954 by H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, back from a trip to Africa. It is not a zoo in the traditional sense of the word, but a true acclimatization centre where natural living conditions of the animals are recreated. It is built on the south face of the Rock of Monaco overlooking the Port of Fontvieille. Some 250 animals from 50 different species are housed in the small centre.

Sea Bus and Aquavision

This 44-seat submarine leaves from the main harbor and allows passengers a view of Monaco's underwater landscape through its transparent acrylic hull.

Also you can discover Monaco from the sea during a 55-minute boat trip with a catamaran-type boat, the 'Aquavision', allowing the passengers to explore the natural seabed of the coast in an unusual way. The boat can take up to 120 people per journey.

Open-Air Market

This is a colorful early-morning market that offers fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Although the Market first opened its doors in 1880, the present-day covered market on the Place d'Armes is a modern and functional building, which is directly connected by lifts and moving pavements to the Condamine car-park. An attractive and lively esplanade borders the new Market Hall. The rue Princesse-Caroline pedestrian mall is just a few steps away; the visitor will discover pleasant landscaped areas.

The Sainte-Dévote Church

This votive chapel, dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Principality and the Prince's Family was built in the 11th century at the bottom of the Gaumattes valley. There, in the 4th century, the frail barque where Sainte Dévote was lying was washed ashore. The church was restored and enlarged in 1870.

Every year, on 26 January at dusk, a boat is burnt on the square in front of the chapel as part of the ceremonies of a traditional religious festival in the presence of the Sovereign Family.