Updated on April 30, 2026
Summary:
- The story of a princely passion
- Strolling through the heart of a living heritage: the gallery of essences
- The International New Rose Competition: The Coronation of the Rose
- Get ready for your visit to Princess Grace Rose Garden
- FAQ: Princess Grace Rose Garden of Monaco
Highlights:
- The rose garden was created in 1984 by Prince Rainier III in homage to Princess Grace of Monaco and her passion for the plant world.
- Completely rethought in 2014, it was kept eco-responsibly, without chemicals.
- The garden is home to more than 450 varieties and nearly 6,000 roses, organized in themed spaces that draw a giant rose seen from the sky.
- A place of horticultural excellence, it hosts the International New Roses Competition, which rewards the world's best growers.
- A quiet retreat in the heart of the city, freely accessible all year round.
In addition to the effervescence of the Rocca, excellence in the Principality is also written in silence, within its landscape heritage. The Princesse Grace rose garden stands out as a balance between technical rigor and horticultural aesthetics. A true link between memory and botany, this Munich garden is the fruit of precision work, the well-kept secrets of which Aurélie Varitto, chief territorial technician at the Munich Urban Planning Directorate.
The story of a princely passion
The genesis of a sovereign tribute
The fate of this domain was written in 1984 as an eternal confidence. Born from a vow of tenderness by Prince Rainier III, this space was designed to prolong the memory of Princess Grace whose passion for flora was legendary. On the mainland of Fontvieille, where "water once dominated the land," as Aurélie Varitto recalls, a garden dedicated to the rose has sprung from the waters. This first English-inspired rose garden then offered strollers a moment of sweetness suspended over the sea, a living testimony to a sovereign love.
©Direction de la Communication - Frédéric Nebinger
2014: the eclosion of a rose in the open sky
In 2014, for its thirtieth spring, the Roseraie underwent a major restructuring. At the behest of the Prince’s Government, the estate broke down its fences to open up to the city in a quest for modernity and transparency.
- An eco-friendly signature: labeled Ecocert Ecological Plant Area, the Roseraie has banned all synthetic chemicals for over 15 years, like all the gardens of the Principality. "We promote preventive care through daily observation," says Varitto. It is a permanent dialogue with the living that requires constant vigilance.”
The ingenuity of details: the mulching of paths in crushed peach stones preserves soil moisture. Behind the scenes, closed water circuits for fountains and a rain collection system confirm this conscious and sustainable environmental commitment.
©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna
The Princess Grace rose garden now houses more than 450 varieties and nearly 6,000 rose plants, each location of which has been designed with precision. The final gesture of this rebirth is a poetic audacity: seen from the sky, the very architecture of the garden of Fontvieille reveals the silhouette of a blooming rose. The alleys, like stone petals, draw a giant corolla, offering to the visitors a fluid and free circulation. Under the lights of the Principality, the garden changes its appearance every hour, combining the durability of symbols such as the original gates with the fleetingness of a flowering that is always renewed.
The Princess and the flowers, a creative passion
The Roseraie is a continuation of Princess Grace’s attachment to the plant world. Founder of the Garden Club de Monaco in 1968, her passion for nature accompanied her daily life, from the meticulous creation of her own herbaria to the impetus given to the Japanese Garden project. This sensitivity still permeates the spirit of the estate, where each variety is maintained with particular care.
Strolling in the heart of a living heritage: the gallery of essence
The journey is built around thematic universes that are traversed by the massifs. Here, the rose breaks free from its condition as a flower to mirror Monegasque excellence:
- Rosiers de la famille Grimaldi: at the foot of the bronze statue of Princess Grace, a work by Kees Verkade, the dynastic heart of the garden unfolds. The "Princesse Grace" rose, with its creamy white bordered with carmine, is next to creations dedicated to Prince Albert II or Princess Charlene. The most recent varieties celebrate Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
- Rosiers de personnalités: a walk to meet illustrious destinies, from Yves Montand to Charles Aznavour, each variety paying tribute to the icon whose name it bears.
©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna
- Perfume rosebushes: arranged around the basin, these roses distil notes of vanilla or exotic fruits. "We sit on the benches facing the water for a break of well-being, the perfume then becomes a presence that envelops you," confides Aurélie Varitto.
- Hall of fame: this collection includes the varieties that have received the highest world awards. Roses that stand out for their balance between aesthetic qualities and robustness.
- Landscape and vertical roses: higher up, the aesthetic becomes freer. One discovers there in particular the poetry of the climbing roses "Looping" whose cascades of white flowers entwine around the centenary olive trees.
©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna
Favorite Inspiration: The icon Yves Piaget
If there is a flower that embodies the splendour of this garden, it is the Yves Piaget rose. With its cyclamen pink color and 80 serrated petals reminiscent of the generosity of a peony, it is an ode to sensuality. Its powerful fragrance blends the rose de mai with lemony notes. It illustrates the quality of the work of the breeder Meilland, renowned rose designer whose links with the Principality are historical.
The International New Rose Competition: the consecration of the rose
Held every two years in April or May, the International New Rose Competition crowns the work of the world’s best breeders. Supported by the Piaget Manufacture, this event cultivates its uniqueness: the creations are judged exclusively in pots. A bias in response to the urban reality of the Principality. "Space being scarce in Monaco, we prefer rosebushes capable of flourishing in pots, so that everyone can invite this excellence at home." To be awarded the gold medal or the Piaget Trophy, for a breeder, it is the promise to see his flower raised to the rank of exceptional vintage.
Patience and the art of gestures in a nursery
To ensure fairness of the judgment, young plants selected by breeders from around the world arrive in Monaco at the end of autumn (November/December). They were then welcomed into the secret nursery of Saint-Laurent-d'Èze for a crucial acclimatization phase. The success of this preparation depends on pinching the stems. This manual intervention, carried out up to forty days before the deadline, makes it possible to control the growth of the plant. "The challenge is that the flower reaches its peak precisely on the morning of the jury, says Aurélie Varitto. A precise synchronization, essential to offer a perfect scenography on the day.”
©Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali
Get ready for your visit to the Princess Grace Rose Garden
- Access: the Roseraie is accessible 24 hours a day. The site is fully equipped for people with reduced mobility and strollers.
- Coming to the Roseraie: from the center of Monaco, bus lines 4 and 6 serve the "Roseraie" stop. For a more sensory approach, the walk along the quays of the port of Fontvieille offers a privileged perspective on the Rock.
©Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali
Between the memory of Princess Grace and the technical precision of her gardeners, the Fontvieille rose garden is a unique stop. A place of calm that reflects, with restraint, an essential part of the identity and know-how of the Principality.
FAQ: Rose Garden Princess Grace of Monaco
What is the best time to admire the roses?
The climax is at the beginning of May, during the International Competition. For total immersion, choose the end of the day, at sunset. Thanks to the mild climate of the Principality, some blooms persist until December.
Can children visit the Roseraie
The garden is an ideal family stopover. Educational workshops are regularly organized to awaken the youngest through a sensory journey of awakening of the five senses.
Can we buy roses or souvenirs on site?
The rosebushes in the ground are not for sale. However, each botanical label is equipped with a QR code that identifies the breeder for your personal purchases. A charity sale of potted roses from the International New Rose Competition is also organized every two years for partner associations.
Does the garden host cultural events?
Yes, the space comes alive with concerts or public readings in the evening. The highlight is the International Competition which brings together, every two years, the world elite of botany.
Inspiration offers you other visits of the emblematic places of Monaco.
You might also like…
Monaco Sculptures: nearly 50 works in the gardens around the Casino de Monte-Carlo
Nearly 50 sculptures settle in Monaco, between gardens and emblematic places of the Resort. An open-air exhibition to discover until September.
The Domaine de la Rose in Grasse: a journey into the heart of fine perfumery
An exclusive tour of this Lancôme estate, which preserves the traditions of growing perfume plants and processing them.
Hot tub, pool and terrace: summer fun in your Diamond Suite or Suite
Discover the suites with private terraces, pools and hot tubs you can enjoy on a relaxing getaway to one of Monaco’s ultimate luxury hotels.
