The origins of the Monaco and the automobile exhibition, from 1893 to the present day
Originally planned for 2020 and postponed due to the pandemic, Monaco and the Automobile, from 1893 to the Present Day was conceived as a reflection of Monaco's special relationship with legendary cars. With the support of the Automobile Club de Monaco and the Princely Family, exhibition curator Rodolphe Rapetti has brought together a wealth of documents, from photographic archives to films, to accompany the highlight of the show: the presentation of more than 50 iconic vehicles in the 4,000 m² Ravel space at the Grimaldi Forum.
By hosting numerous elegance competitions, a Formula 1 Grand Prix since the 1920s, and the Monte Carlo Rally in 1911, the Principality has established itself as a mecca for automobiles for over a century. This tradition is reflected in the superb Bugatti, Mercedes, Ferrari, and other models on display throughout the summer as part of the exhibition. Round off your visit with a trip to the Collection de Voitures de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco (founded by Prince Rainier III), Monaco's permanent automobile museum!
Practical information about the car show in Monaco
How can I attend the exhibition
Until June 30, advance tickets (at half price) for Monaco and the Automobile, from 1893 to the Present Day can be booked on the MonteCarloTicket.com website. Tickets are valid for the entire day, and admission is free for visitors under the age of 18. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the exhibition entrance starting July 1.
Where to eat near the Monaco and the Automobile exhibition, from 1893 to the present day
In the immediate vicinity of the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco's finest restaurants compete for pole position! Depending on their preferences, visitors to the Monaco and the Automobile exhibition, from 1893 to the present day, can book a table at the Blue Bay Marcel Ravin** restaurant, a mecca for fusion cuisine combining Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors, or stroll over to Marlow, a cozy English restaurant located in the new Mareterra district... And these are just two names among a myriad of refined restaurants to discover in Monaco, where three-star gourmet establishments (Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris***) rub shoulders with exceptional sushi specialists (L'Abysse Monte-Carlo - Yannick Alléno) and bistronomic restaurants (L'Orange Verte)... Not to mention some wonderful places such as the Café de Paris brasserie on the legendary Place du Casino, or its more intimate counterpart, the Salon Rose, a Mediterranean restaurant discreetly nestled within the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
How to get to the exhibition
Princess Grace Avenue, where the Grimaldi Forum is located, is easily accessible on foot or by car from the Monte Carlo and Larvotto districts. An underground car park provides parking in the immediate vicinity, while a bus stop provides frequent service to the Forum from Monaco train station. The Principality of Monaco is half an hour from Nice by car or train, and shuttle buses run to Monaco city center from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
Find accommodation near the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco
Want to extend your stay in Monaco and visit the Principality and its many sites linked to the history of cars and motorsports? Thanks to the many hotels located in the Monte Carlo and Larvotto districts, you can combine a visit to Monaco and its automotive heritage, from 1893 to the present day, with a short break on the French Riviera. Among the hotels to consider are the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, on the famous Place du Casino, where Monaco's most beautiful luxury cars converge, and the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, with its Belle Époque façade and exceptional views, both of which are ideal for their location and quality of service. And for a complete seaside experience, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, located on a peninsula visible from the Grimaldi Forum, is also an option to consider!