Heaven or Hell: 18 celebrities share their thoughts on Monaco

“Monte-Carlo is like a big city but without the drawbacks – it offers complete security with no compromises. I have a huge apartment at the top of Millefiori, with 360 degree views, which is my secret hideaway and I love the Monte-Carlo Beach hotel now it’s been renovated.”

“When you arrive in Monaco, you step into a unique world with its own rules. In the 12 years since we started Y.Co, I’ve gotten to know it pretty well. The American Bar at the Hôtel de Paris is still a place one must experience. For a big Friday night, I recommend going for dinner at Cipriani then hit Twiga – and get a table by the edge of the water. One of my favourite moments in Monaco was at the end of the Redman Whiteley Dixon Auto Tour from the UK to Monaco in 2014, which Gary [Wright] and I drove in our Ford GT40s. Arriving in the principality driving race cars is a moment I’ll never forget!”

“I love driving at Monaco but the rest of it, well, I can absolutely take it or leave it. It’s extremely pretentious and really not my cup of tea.”

“Monte Carlo is an onomatopoeia for luxury.”

“People often say that Monaco is a small place, but it’s really part of a community that stretches from Cannes to San Remo, Italy. Our office and weekday apartment is here in Monaco, where we relocated 10 years ago, but our weekend residence is literally just over the border in Italy – only two minutes by car. What I enjoy about Monaco is there is a proximity to nature with the mountains so near by. You can be on the slopes in an hour by car and 20 minutes by helicopter. You’re also right on the sea, of course, and can be in a boat in five minutes.”

“I have two amazing memories of Monaco. The first is when my husband David and I took our honeymoon there in 1976 and spent a beautiful week strolling through the principality, enjoying the great restaurants and views on offer. Our second memorable occasion was in June 2004 when our daughter was married in Monaco at the sporting club.”

“I love Monte-Carlo and decided it was a good place for me to settle. It’s the only place I know in the world where you can wear diamonds and feel safe.”

“The first time I arrived in Monaco it was on my father’s boat in 1962. The whole city and harbour looked to me like a dream. I love the contrasts you find in Monaco: tradition and modernity, serious business and a holiday attitude, local people and worldwide foreigners, calm and busy. A place that is quintessentially Monaco is the Place du Casino, with all the beautiful cars parked in front, and also the bar of the Hôtel de Paris.”

“I’ve lived in Monaco for 20 years, I’ve won the grand prix here a few times, my kids go to school here – I have a really special connection to it. Monaco may be small but small can be beautiful. Obviously it’s not all award-winning architecture but there are some really amazing buildings and it has a very different feel to the rest of the French Riviera. Of course, the other thing that makes Monaco special is the yachts. I love nothing better than wandering along the harbour watching people tinker with their boats and admiring the amazing design that goes into a great superyacht.”

“What I love most about Monaco is there is always something happening here – from sports to yachting to culture. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most exciting time of the year, and the sunset party at Le Méridien Beach Plaza hotel after the race is definitely the highlight of it – it’s a great beach party! The Monaco Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show are the two must-visit times of the year. I also love how beautiful and well-kept Monaco is. The fact that it’s really safe and clean means you can have a fantastic quality of life. But Monaco is also extremely international, with such an interesting mix of people. That being said, it can get too small very quickly in the winter, but I travel so much that I don’t even realise. No matter where I go, I’m always happy to come back.”