Jardin Exotique
Delight the senses with a visit to Monaco's Jardin Exotique. The garden lies in the Fontvieille area (the more modern section) of Monaco outside of the historic center. Perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, the Exotic Garden is an exquisitely beautiful place with lush vegetation and mesmerizing views of the sea. Because of the balmy weather and little variation in conditions on this hillside, tropical plants are able to thrive. Opened in 1933, the gardens contain remarkable species from Africa and Latin America-from the aloe plants of Cape Town to the giant agaves of Mexico. More than 7,000 varieties of succulents flourish in this ideal climate. The gardens are carefully tended and extend dramatically along the craggy mountainside.
The Exotic Garden also has an Observatory Cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The vicinity of the cave was once inhabited by prehistoric man. To learn more about the prehistoric era and the history of early civilization, visit the Anthropology Museum in the gardens. This museum includes a collection of coins and ornamental objects from the pre-Roman and Roman periods.