Luxury Shopping in Monte-Carlo Monaco

If the ultimate in luxury shopping is what you are seeking, then you will find Monaco to be one of the luxury capitals of the world.

In what some consider the heart of the principality of Monaco, the Carré d'Or, otherwise also known as the “Golden Square” which starts on Avenue Monte Carlo and around to Avenue des Beaux Arts then towards Les Allées Lumières and beyond exists nothing but the best in sumptuous goods.

This is considered to be the prime area to indulge in some heavy retail therapy. Service here is top notch and there is never a rush or a pressure to purchase. It is Monaco after all, a place known worldwide for its unique blend of leisure and opulence.

Perhaps you don’t have a royal title, but in this prestigious part of Monte Carlo, you will certainly be treated as though you have one.

You’re only problem may be where to start your shopping experience? And quite frankly it doesn’t matter, just make your way towards the Hotel de Paris and on either side of this majestic hotel you will be surrounded by a plethora of famous boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Cartier, Prada, Dior and the list goes on and on.

You’ve likely heard of these high-end brand names before and you’ve probably shopped in several of these boutiques but what makes these places in Monte Carlo that little bit different is the types of shoppers that frequent these establishments.

Many of the residents of Monaco (and a great number of the visitors) have an almost unlimited spending potential, meaning you will find your usual lavish pieces here, but they also make available the very hard to get, one of a kind items for purchase so you are going to be able to select from a much larger range of products, far more than what a normal spending demographic can afford.

Overall, even if some of the prices for these various goods are beyond your limit, this is still a fabulous area to explore and it still makes for fun afternoon of window shopping, dreaming about how the other half must live.

Le Métropole Shopping Center Monte-Carlo Monaco

 

Shopping in Monaco, the two practically go hand in hand.  Within the principality anything your heart desires can be found, so to start off your shopping experience I suggest you first discover Le Métropole Shopping Center.

Metropole Shopping Center

With space being at a premium in Monaco, Métropole Shopping Center is not your typical looking mall surrounded by a car park.

In fact it’s quite the opposite, built over levels underneath the regal Hotel Metropole, you will find the center oozes of character and distinction the moment you step inside and although not large there are still over 80 shops neatly tucked away and interwoven within this shopping center and filled with products available at a variety of price ranges.

Not to mention some of the most wonderful restaurants and cafes infused within and alongside the center. 

Anything you think you need or can imagine will likely be found here. For men you will find such stores at Tommy Hilfiger, Gant and Hugo Boss and for women there is a Kenzo, Red Valentino and the newly opened Max Mara.

Other shops include Sephora, The Body Shop and Fnac, along with unique home accessories and jewelry.

Open Monday to Saturday from 10am – 7:30pm, in order to find Métropole Shopping Center, just head towards Casino Square and next to the Café de Paris you will come across Place du Casino, follow east and you will quickly find the mall across the street at: 17, Avenue des Spélugues.

Métropole Shopping Center is a great place to wet you’re shopping appetite and in the past I’ve found it very helpful if I have needed to purchase a last minute item.  You never know, some of the best treasures can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Miami Plage Monte-Carlo Monaco

Beachside restaurants are the best.  There is nothing better than sitting outdoors on a beautiful sunny day at the beach, taking in all the scenery as you are enjoying delicious food and drinks while being accompanied by friends enjoying a lively conversation.

Miami Plage in Monte-Carlo is where you can have this type of experience and a whole lot more.

Miami Plage

First off, you’re at Larvotto Beach in Monte-Carlo! Secondly, Miami Plage is in the very center of all the action with the restaurant, outdoor terrace (which holds up to 300 people) along with the private beach area.

The actual indoor restaurant itself is more than suitable for couples and groups of people but I love the outdoor terrace and beach.

The décor has a beach chicness feel to it that helps provide for a wonderful ambiance.  And if it gets too hot, the overhead retractable roof can be closed to provide some cooling shade, yet if the stars in the sky are shining bright at night, the roof is sometimes kept open to help provide a more romantic atmosphere.

And just wait until you taste the homemade pizza direct from their wood-fired oven!  I was told this was one of the better establishments to get some real pizza and it is true.

Believe me, I’ve eaten pizza from one end of the French Riviera to the other but this was the real deal.  You’ll find it’s very close to what a North American style pizza looks like (if that is important to you), but probably a whole lot healthier given the fresh ingredients.

Along with pizza, there is also a wide variety of other foods you can enjoy.  Different types of fresh fish, pastas, steak, even club house sandwiches if you like and let’s not even get started with the mouth-watering drinks selection!

Service gets full marks, the people that work here are like family and in turn you are made to feel as part of one too.  They may be speedy on taking care of your needs but you never feel rushed and on my visits with friends we’ve always stayed well over two hours easily, enjoying the food, company and surroundings.

And what’s better than spending the day under the hot Mediterranean sun, getting a bit tipsy drinking rosé while you tan on one of the lounge chairs that you can rent on their private part of Larvotto Beach, only to take quick dips in the sea to cool down every once in a while?

Getting here is a breeze; everything is easily within walking distance in the principality.  Head towards the Grimaldi Forum and next to it you can’t help but notice Larvotto Beach, follow the boardwalk and in about the middle of the beach area is Miami Plage.

Miami Plage is very good value for the money and nothing can beat the experience.