JARDIN EXOTIQUE
The Jardin Exotique offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Principality, and the area is a haven of peace with lush vegetation and a harmonious blend of architectural styles and periods.
Located on Monaco’s western border, the Jardin Exotique district enjoys a privileged location. Like a promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the Principality, this neighborhood, like the eponymous three-hectare garden from which it takes its name, is a peaceful haven where history and aesthetics meet.
The district takes its name after the Exotic Garden that is set into the cliffside. Populated by hundreds of species of cactus and plants, it is also home to an underground cavity discovered in 1916. It was developed and opened to the public in 1950. Overflowing with caverns adorned with stalagmites and other concretions, it’s an enchantment for all ages. At the beginning of the 20th century, Prince Albert I, a scientist and intellectual, launched archaeological digs that established the cave’s prehistoric origins. The Exotic Garden is thus both an extraordinary botanical journey and a memorable incursion into the past, several hundred thousand years back in time. Visitors can extend their visit by going to the nearby Centre Botanique du Jardin Exotique or the Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique.
The district is also home to Villa Paloma, one of the two sites of Monaco’s New National Museum, where contemporary art exhibitions can be admired throughout the year.
The Parc Princesse Antoinette, lined with century-old olive trees, offers a splendid view of the sea and the Rock, a real breath of fresh air in the heart of the district.
The Jardin Exotique district is one of Monaco’s architectural landmarks. From the Villa Ispahan to the Simona building, not forgetting the Troglodyte villa, it offers a diversity of styles and periods to suit every taste.
