Gouvernement Princier de Monaco
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Monaco - Monte-Carlo

Prince Charles III took the initiative of converting Monaco into a seaside resort. He also thought that gambling could attract, as in Germany, a wealthy clientele, so the Prince granted the use of the plateau of Spélugues to the Société des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers.

Though the first years were not successful, the company really took off when permission to use the plateau was sold to François Blanc, a craftsman who was responsible for the success of German resorts. In return, the company opened and ran bathing and gambling establishments, and took responsibility for several public services (notably road works, gas and water supplies, transport, maintenance and the publication of legal advertisements).

These amenities were located on a headland which was the subject of Prince Charles’ desire. In 1866, this headland was baptised with a name that promised a special future: Monte-Carlo.

Monte-Carlo opera

Monte-Carlo also experienced a creative soar. Artists from different backgrounds, painters, writers and composers such as Monet, Maupassant, Apollinaire, Sarah Bernhardt, Saint-Saëns, Colette, Caruso, Ravel and Matisse expressed their talents in the Principality, occasionally jointly, as was the case with l'enfant et les sortilèges, which was composed by Ravel and for which Colette wrote the libretto.

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Related Events :
Economic miracle


Related Personalities :
Charles III
François Blanc


https://en.gouv.mc/Government-Institutions/History-and-Heritage/Places/Monaco-Monte-Carlo