Living the high life in Monte Carlo

The best place to enjoy an aperitif and indulge in some high quality people-watching is at the famous Café de Paris in the Place du Casino. A myriad of expensive motors will glide shamelessly past your terrace seat. Pop across the square to the Hôtel de Paris for sumptuous dining at the Louis XV, courtesy of legendary chef Alain Ducasse. For more economical fare, try Rampoldi or Le Bistroquet, or walk down to Avenue Princesse Grace for some top notch Italian food Chez Gianni or at Sass Café, where you can rub shoulders till the early hours with high living Monégasque playboys and their glossy girlfriends. If lady luck is at your side, visit the Monte Carlo Casino, an opulent jewel built in 1878. The walls and ceilings of the magnificent gaming halls are decorated with carvings and paintings. Kings, princes, writers and industrialists have all gambled here. Choose from American, English and European Roulette, 30/40, Chemin de Fer, Banque à deux tableaux, Baccara, Black Jack, Craps, Punto Banco, Video Poker and slot machines. Finally, dance till dawn at the world famous nightclub Jimmy'z with its Cuban smoking parlour and ghosts of past revellers inhabiting the dance floor.

Countless famous faces have called the principality home over the years - many of them are still to be seen quietly going about their business, the locals inured to star-spotting. Designer Karl Lagerfeld, Glen Hoddle, Shirley Bassey, photographer Helmut Newton, Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach, Roger Moore, Demis Roussos, Claudia Schiffer, Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg are just some of those who have been lured to the fairytale land by the sea. Why not join them?

To arrange your trip, go to www.visitmonaco.com

Telephone numbers:

• Le Casino (+377 92 16 21 21)
• Le Café de Paris (+377 92 16 21 21)
• Monte Carlo Beach Hôtel (+377 97 97 51 00)
• Louis XV at the Hotel de Paris (+377 92 16 30 01)
• Rampoldi (+377 93 30 70 65)
• Le Bistroquet (+377 93 50 65 03)
• Chez Gianni (+377 93 30 46 33)
• Restaurant du Port (+377 93 50 77 21)
• Sass Café (+377 93 25 52 00)
• Jimmy'z (+377 92 16 22 77)