The car collection of the Prince of Monaco

A hundred cars, including many antiques, can be seen under one roof here in Monaco. However, this is not a museum, but… the private car collection of the Prince of Monaco! This unique garage is open to visitors and is a great tourist attraction.

The Car Collection of the Prince of Monaco (l’Exposition de la Collection de Voitures de S.A.S. Le Prince Souverain de Monaco) is actually a private garage that has simply been made available to visitors. Most of the exhibits are antique and certainly worth a fortune; but when visiting this place it is worth remembering that it isn’t a museum.

The Prince’s car collection at a glance

• What: about 100 cars from the private collection of the princes of Monaco, from carriages to Formula 1.
• Where: Port Hercules, 54 Route de la Piscine, next to the Rainier III swimming pool (since 2022).
• Open: every day, 10am to 6pm, until 7pm in July and August; closed on Grand Prix weekends.
• How long: 30 to 45 minutes; photos allowed.

See also our Monaco travel guide.

100 cars in the Prince of Monaco’s garage

For many years the collection stood on the Terrasses de Fontvieille, in the Fontvieille district. In July 2022 it moved to a modern hall at Port Hercules, at 54 Route de la Piscine, next to the Rainier III swimming pool and close to the route of the Grand Prix. There are about 100 cars here, most of which are antique, and even includes some princely carriages. But, you can also admire the latest Formula 1 racing cars, a vintage gas-powered bicycle, and vehicles from previous decades. All this belongs to Albert II Prince of Monaco, and was inherited from his father, and car enthusiast, Rainier III, who was the founder of the collection.

In the prince’s garage, which more closely resembles a modern exhibition hall, there are, among other cars, a 1928 Lincoln, a model T Ford from 1924, a De Dion-Bouton from 1903 (!), a 1935 Packard, a 1953 Cadillac, and the 1956 Chrysler Imperial in which Grace Kelly rode from the port to the palace during her official welcome in Monaco. There are, of course, also various models of Maserati, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, and Mercedes. You can even admire the Lexus that Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock rode in on their way to be married, as well as the bizarre BMW Isetta from 1960.

The opportunity to see up close so many different vehicles in one place, along with the additional factor of being owned by the prince, is a great attraction, and not only for car enthusiasts. While you are in Monaco it is definitely worth visiting this place, just as much as the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the Exotic Garden with its cave, and of course the famous Monte Carlo Casino!

The car collection of the Prince of Monaco – practical information

The collection is open every day from 10AM to 6PM (last entry 5PM), and from 10AM to 7PM in July and August (last entry 6PM). It is closed on November 19, December 25 and on Grand Prix weekends. Children under 6 enter free; current ticket prices are on the Prince’s Palace website, palais.mc. Visiting time is about 30 to 45 minutes, and you are allowed to take pictures. From the collection it is a short walk to the Rampe Major and the Old Town.